Helpful Score: 6
Let me first start off by saying that I will most assuredly be gushing about this book. And it will be a lengthy post because there is so much to share. Debut author Elizabeth Loupas has hooked me in with The Second Duchess, which was just released this month. Go to the store, flip through the pages...
I was traveling to Portland, Oregon for a business meeting, so I had plenty of time to read while traveling from one coast to the other. Since I was only there for Monday's meeting, I had to make the most out of my air travel, which I was dreading. I brought along The Second Duchess although I had promised myself that the reason why I got my Nook Color was because it made traveling so much easier for my back (no hardcover or thick books to carry with my briefcase). But I just had to bring this one with me - I was emotionally invested in the storyline already and I craved more.
Scandal and murder... this was life in 16th century Italy, and more specifically, Barbara of Austria and her marriage to Alphonso. Thus, the Duke and second Duchess of Ferrara begin their marriage with a whispering servant in Barbara's ear...did you know that his first wife was murdered, and that he murdered her...
When Barbara of Austria marries Alphonso, the Duke of Ferrara, rumors wind their way around the Duke's previous marriage to Lucrezia de' Medici, a young fifteen-year-old girl from Florence. That marriage ended with an untimely death after the Duke confined her to a monastery. Barbara, intelligent and independent for a woman of her time, begins to secretly ask questions about what happened to Lucrezia, but as she begins her investigation, she herself becomes the victim of attempts on her own life.
With an intriguing character introduced into the story that I cannot give away, I found I was absolutely captivated. Elizabeth Loupas has developed an elegant whodunit wrapped in Italy in the 16th century. Detailed descriptions carry the reader into a comprehensive and enthralling story that I couldn't put down. While Barbara of Austria was compelling and engaging, and I enjoyed her spirit and intelligence as she slowly began to piece the puzzle together, I found that I was also pulled into the Duke's conflicted emotions and mannerisms. He was both very much a man of his day, but at times, so much a modern man of our contemporary times. Now this... this was a book. A book that I loved.
I sat on my four hour flight to Portland, Oregon and barely noticed my growling stomach, the flight attendants' offers of something to drink, the horrible turbulence on the flight. I soaked in the descriptions of the food and the clothing in 16th century Italy, and as I turned each page I got more and more swept up in the mystery. I kept questioning every character that graced the pages - did the Duke do it? What about his nasty sisters? Or that diplomatic sneak I couldn't stand? Who killed the first duchess and is trying to kill the second?
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, mysteries, and Italy... I loved this book!
I was traveling to Portland, Oregon for a business meeting, so I had plenty of time to read while traveling from one coast to the other. Since I was only there for Monday's meeting, I had to make the most out of my air travel, which I was dreading. I brought along The Second Duchess although I had promised myself that the reason why I got my Nook Color was because it made traveling so much easier for my back (no hardcover or thick books to carry with my briefcase). But I just had to bring this one with me - I was emotionally invested in the storyline already and I craved more.
Scandal and murder... this was life in 16th century Italy, and more specifically, Barbara of Austria and her marriage to Alphonso. Thus, the Duke and second Duchess of Ferrara begin their marriage with a whispering servant in Barbara's ear...did you know that his first wife was murdered, and that he murdered her...
When Barbara of Austria marries Alphonso, the Duke of Ferrara, rumors wind their way around the Duke's previous marriage to Lucrezia de' Medici, a young fifteen-year-old girl from Florence. That marriage ended with an untimely death after the Duke confined her to a monastery. Barbara, intelligent and independent for a woman of her time, begins to secretly ask questions about what happened to Lucrezia, but as she begins her investigation, she herself becomes the victim of attempts on her own life.
With an intriguing character introduced into the story that I cannot give away, I found I was absolutely captivated. Elizabeth Loupas has developed an elegant whodunit wrapped in Italy in the 16th century. Detailed descriptions carry the reader into a comprehensive and enthralling story that I couldn't put down. While Barbara of Austria was compelling and engaging, and I enjoyed her spirit and intelligence as she slowly began to piece the puzzle together, I found that I was also pulled into the Duke's conflicted emotions and mannerisms. He was both very much a man of his day, but at times, so much a modern man of our contemporary times. Now this... this was a book. A book that I loved.
I sat on my four hour flight to Portland, Oregon and barely noticed my growling stomach, the flight attendants' offers of something to drink, the horrible turbulence on the flight. I soaked in the descriptions of the food and the clothing in 16th century Italy, and as I turned each page I got more and more swept up in the mystery. I kept questioning every character that graced the pages - did the Duke do it? What about his nasty sisters? Or that diplomatic sneak I couldn't stand? Who killed the first duchess and is trying to kill the second?
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, mysteries, and Italy... I loved this book!
Excellent historical fiction read. Will grab you and won't let go till the last page and then I had to go look up a picture of Barbara. I loved it!
This is a novel of historical fiction and suspense/mystery based upon real figures in history and a poem by Robert Browning. I wish the poem had been included in the front of the book, rather than the back, as I didn't learn of its connection until I'd finished it -- I'd encourage readers to read it first. The writing is good and the story, with its murderous theme, is intriguing. The second wife of a duke is nearly murdered several times after her marriage, and she pries into the death of the first duchess -- was it suicide? Accident? Illness? Did her own husband kill her, as the rumors proclaim? The only annoying feature is the use of Italian -- though they all speak Italian, the characters only use it when they have the need for a vulgar word -- crude words for sex acts, genitalia, etc., which seemed a bit odd. Why doesn't the title character, whose native tongue is German, swear in German? Otherwise, the characters are well-drawn and it is easy to get immersed into the story until the mystery is solved at the very end. Recommended.
The Second Duchess by Elizabeth Loupas
It is always so gratifying to find a new author that really understands the historical fiction genre, someone that does not sex up or dumb down the story. Loupas tells us the story of the Archduchess Barbara of Austria who marries the Duke Alfonse of Ferrara. Despite the whispers that he had killed his beautiful young wife Lucrezia de Medici, Barbara comes to the ducal court to further both her brother the Holy Roman Emperors ambitions as well as her husbands. She doesnt expect to be loved she knows she is not beautiful in truth she only wants to have a chance to live a life out of the cloister, and to have children. This is a part historical fiction part mystery and it is told in a unique way. First person in 2 parts, there is Barbaras voice and surprisingly Lucrezias she is in between worlds for in fact she has been murdered and wants to see the villain punished.
The story begins as Barbara arrives in Ferrara the morning of her wedding day. The woman sent to dress her hair whispers to her; He murdered his first duchess with his own hands, they say. Barbara knows this she has heard it often enough. It is too late now anyway there has already been a proxy marriage; this day is just a formality. The duke is a cold, arrogant, controlling ass, and you can almost believe he did kill his first wife. Barbara has to know, if he did he or didnt, she sets out to find out the truth. Only to be warned never to mention the first duchess by name, and to stop her meddling if she doesnt, she too might share Lucrezias fate. But everyone and I mean everyone talks about her all the same.
I think that Loupas does a great job creating the atmosphere of a treacherous court in Renaissance Italy, she does take some liberties, with the known facts but to her credit she is very upfront about this in the afterwards. 5 stars, and I cant wait to read what is next for Elizabeth Loupas, this is an author to watch.
It is always so gratifying to find a new author that really understands the historical fiction genre, someone that does not sex up or dumb down the story. Loupas tells us the story of the Archduchess Barbara of Austria who marries the Duke Alfonse of Ferrara. Despite the whispers that he had killed his beautiful young wife Lucrezia de Medici, Barbara comes to the ducal court to further both her brother the Holy Roman Emperors ambitions as well as her husbands. She doesnt expect to be loved she knows she is not beautiful in truth she only wants to have a chance to live a life out of the cloister, and to have children. This is a part historical fiction part mystery and it is told in a unique way. First person in 2 parts, there is Barbaras voice and surprisingly Lucrezias she is in between worlds for in fact she has been murdered and wants to see the villain punished.
The story begins as Barbara arrives in Ferrara the morning of her wedding day. The woman sent to dress her hair whispers to her; He murdered his first duchess with his own hands, they say. Barbara knows this she has heard it often enough. It is too late now anyway there has already been a proxy marriage; this day is just a formality. The duke is a cold, arrogant, controlling ass, and you can almost believe he did kill his first wife. Barbara has to know, if he did he or didnt, she sets out to find out the truth. Only to be warned never to mention the first duchess by name, and to stop her meddling if she doesnt, she too might share Lucrezias fate. But everyone and I mean everyone talks about her all the same.
I think that Loupas does a great job creating the atmosphere of a treacherous court in Renaissance Italy, she does take some liberties, with the known facts but to her credit she is very upfront about this in the afterwards. 5 stars, and I cant wait to read what is next for Elizabeth Loupas, this is an author to watch.
Me at the end of this book- Absolutely loved it. Fantastic. Candidate for favorite book of 2011.
Me at the beginning of this book- I dont like Barbara. I dont get what is going on.
Obviously, I went through quite a transformation from the beginning of this book to the end. Why am I telling you this? Because if you do decide to pick it up, DO NOT SET IT BACK DOWN! Seriously, Im so happy I continued to read this book.
Ok, enough of my ranting.
The characters-
Barbara- She is the daughter of an Emperor and the sister of an Emperor. She knows her role in life, and it has been decided that she will be Alfonso dEstes 2nd wife. She takes her job very seriously and is determined to be the best wife and duchess that the Ferrara court has ever seen.
Alfonso- He is the Duke of Ferrara and it is suspected that he murdered his first wife (known as the First Duchess). Hes a hard, formal man and for most of the book, I was yelling you ass. Notice I said most of the book. Hint, hint!
Alfonsos sisters- They are ruthless and have their own agenda. Can Barbara trust them is the big question?
Numerous characters in the book- Barbara is so screwed in this book. Seriously, she has no clue which person she can trust. Moreover, she needs to find people she can trust or shes going to end up like the first Duchess.
Alternate POV- I had a hard time deciding if I should reveal this person. She is revealed almost at the beginning but I do not want to spoil it. This alternate POV tells the same story but from her viewpoint. Initially, I was a bit wary of this method of telling the story. However, later in the book, I not only understood why it was used, but enjoyed hearing from the alternate POV.
The story-
Its really quite simple. Barbara doesnt want to end up dead like Alfonsos first wife. She wants to know what happened but asking questions, trying to uncover the mystery of the death of the first duchess, is a dangerous endeavor.
What I loved-
I was stumped. I hate being stumped. Once I thought I figured it out, the author managed to surprise me.
I loved how the story unfolded. Just the right amount of information was revealed as the story progressed.
The characters were incredible. Talk about flip-flopping. You think you like a character or dislike a character and by the end of the next chapter, you cant believe how your thoughts on that character has changed.
The setting. It was lush in detail. I so did not envy Barbara. Even though she had servants and jewels, it was easy to see how lonely and isolated her life truly was.
Overall-
My review cannot do this book justice. However, Im not going to rewrite it and explain myself better since how I feel is clear. Read the book.
Me at the beginning of this book- I dont like Barbara. I dont get what is going on.
Obviously, I went through quite a transformation from the beginning of this book to the end. Why am I telling you this? Because if you do decide to pick it up, DO NOT SET IT BACK DOWN! Seriously, Im so happy I continued to read this book.
Ok, enough of my ranting.
The characters-
Barbara- She is the daughter of an Emperor and the sister of an Emperor. She knows her role in life, and it has been decided that she will be Alfonso dEstes 2nd wife. She takes her job very seriously and is determined to be the best wife and duchess that the Ferrara court has ever seen.
Alfonso- He is the Duke of Ferrara and it is suspected that he murdered his first wife (known as the First Duchess). Hes a hard, formal man and for most of the book, I was yelling you ass. Notice I said most of the book. Hint, hint!
Alfonsos sisters- They are ruthless and have their own agenda. Can Barbara trust them is the big question?
Numerous characters in the book- Barbara is so screwed in this book. Seriously, she has no clue which person she can trust. Moreover, she needs to find people she can trust or shes going to end up like the first Duchess.
Alternate POV- I had a hard time deciding if I should reveal this person. She is revealed almost at the beginning but I do not want to spoil it. This alternate POV tells the same story but from her viewpoint. Initially, I was a bit wary of this method of telling the story. However, later in the book, I not only understood why it was used, but enjoyed hearing from the alternate POV.
The story-
Its really quite simple. Barbara doesnt want to end up dead like Alfonsos first wife. She wants to know what happened but asking questions, trying to uncover the mystery of the death of the first duchess, is a dangerous endeavor.
What I loved-
I was stumped. I hate being stumped. Once I thought I figured it out, the author managed to surprise me.
I loved how the story unfolded. Just the right amount of information was revealed as the story progressed.
The characters were incredible. Talk about flip-flopping. You think you like a character or dislike a character and by the end of the next chapter, you cant believe how your thoughts on that character has changed.
The setting. It was lush in detail. I so did not envy Barbara. Even though she had servants and jewels, it was easy to see how lonely and isolated her life truly was.
Overall-
My review cannot do this book justice. However, Im not going to rewrite it and explain myself better since how I feel is clear. Read the book.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author.I'd recommend it to anyone who likes reading historical fiction.
