I think the cover of this book perfectly captures the essence of the story. The engraving of Padua below a blood red stormy sky captures the feeling of danger that Nicholas and Bianca faced during their journey from Elizabeth's Protestant London to Catholic Italy.
The book starts with a depiction of the treachery and horrors faced by innocent people during Elizabethan times and takes you on an ancient pilgrimage route to Italy. The pious Hella who predicts an impending apocalypse is not the person you are lead to believe she is. She is instead a devious and misled murderer.
The relationships between Nicolas and Bianca and Ned and Rose are beautifully described and seem so innocent against the backdrop of danger and treachory.
Loved to read in the notes about the historical facts that the author had used and researched which gave the book so much authenticity.
The book starts with a depiction of the treachery and horrors faced by innocent people during Elizabethan times and takes you on an ancient pilgrimage route to Italy. The pious Hella who predicts an impending apocalypse is not the person you are lead to believe she is. She is instead a devious and misled murderer.
The relationships between Nicolas and Bianca and Ned and Rose are beautifully described and seem so innocent against the backdrop of danger and treachory.
Loved to read in the notes about the historical facts that the author had used and researched which gave the book so much authenticity.