One minute I enjoyed this book, and the next, I found it frustrating. Sometimes the writing came off as really pretentious and self-conscious, as if the author were saying to the reader: "Look! Obscure vocabulary and elaborate metaphors! You are reading Intelligent Literature."
However, I loved Maguire's characterization of Lucrezia Borgia as the tale's wicked queen. She was so deliciously evil, it gave me chills and made me wonder gleefully what she would do next. Maguire gave the reader frequent glimpses of the hurt, confused woman behind the chillingly beautiful mask, so it was possible to sympathize with Lucrezia, as well. If only Bianca, the heroine of the story, and her father had been such interesting characters ...
However, I loved Maguire's characterization of Lucrezia Borgia as the tale's wicked queen. She was so deliciously evil, it gave me chills and made me wonder gleefully what she would do next. Maguire gave the reader frequent glimpses of the hurt, confused woman behind the chillingly beautiful mask, so it was possible to sympathize with Lucrezia, as well. If only Bianca, the heroine of the story, and her father had been such interesting characters ...
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