The Borgia Confessions by Alyssa Palombo

 Cesare Borgia (1475-1507) as a boy dreams of becoming a soldier and conqueror like the great Roman conqueror, Giulio Cesare. But his father has a different plan for him – to join the Church and follow in his footsteps. This strategic plan of Rodrigo Borgia is for him to reach his goal of becoming pope.

Rome, 1492: Maddalena Moretti is a maid serving in the Holy Father’s house. She takes great pride in it. Now, the death of the Pope Innocent brings her a step closer to another historical event of conclave - choosing the next pope. And she is responsible for gathering servants to prepare the Sistine Chapel for this event; still innocent in her thinking that the process is all guided by God. But she is about to learn how the Vatican really works.

Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia has been chosen as the next pope – Pope Alexander VI. And his son Cesare is now an archbishop. His daughter Lucrezia is to marry Giovanni Sforza, Lord of Pesaro.

King Charles VIII of France invades the peninsula (Italy) in order to gain back Naples. As a result counter strategy leads to signing the Holy League pact. Thus, strengthening the papal rule of Borgia. Cesare becomes less innocent and more calculating in his actions.

But ambition and lust for power take breaks, while he romances with Maddalena. This part seems a bit fake and her speaking boldly on a couple occasions. Later him, summoning her almost every night to release his tensions physically. At this point, the story is concentrated on them and the historical background of Borgias’ scheming is put to rest. Also, I don’t pick historical fiction to be reading about intimate pleasure scenes. Therefore for me, those scenes could be omitted.

The prophecies and speaking against the Church by Friar Savonarola put the story back on track. Then Cesare asks Maddalena to “go to Florence, to pose as a member of Savonarola’s loyal following, and pass on any and all information…” to him.

I wished there were more of stirring the pot by Savonarola and less of romancing. But I can see how the romance part can be appealing more to others rather than scheming.

There is one bare mention of poison, which I was expecting more of it. The Borgias are associated with poisoning, but as there is no evidence for them actually resorting to it, I understand author’s choice not wanting to integrate that part into the story.

Both characters of Cesare and Maddalena (fictional) reflect well the obedience that was expected of that time period. Cesare forced to follow in his father’s footsteps, instead of following his heart of becoming a great conqueror. Maddalena forced to marry at young age, now enjoys her independence for which she prays for forgiveness as her role as a woman is to marry and be obedient to her husband and have children.

The story also presents well the political scheming of Borgias, both father Rodrigo and the oldest son Cesare were very talented strategists.

The story gives a good historical background of political-geography of powerful city-states of the peninsula: Vatican with Borgias, Florence with Medici and Milan with Sforza. The conflict of Naples brings King Charles VIII of France crusading over the Alps and invading the peninsula, resulting in Medici family fleeing Florence and Fra Savonarola taking over and creating even bigger havoc.

It’s all very real: the alliances and scheming of those who want to be in power, and the piousness of those who still strongly believe in God’s guidance over Church and not corruption.

From the historical perspective, the author paints a very rich canvas spreading over the peninsula. Even though, I would rather scratch out the romance from this canvas, I still give this book well-deserved five stars.

Release date: 11 February 2020

Source: St. Martin's Griffin