Historical Novel Society Editor's Choice for 2013!Italy, 1326. While the brilliant and wily Cesco is schooled in his new duties at the hand of a hard master, Pietro Alaghieri travels to Avignon, current seat of the Papacy, to fight his excommunication and plead for Cesco's legitimacy. He doesn't know an old foe has been waiting to ruin Pietro's life and seize control of Verona for himself. Back in Verona, separated from everyone he trusts, Cesco must confront his ambitious cousin, a mysterious young killer, and the Holy Roman Emperor himself. Amid it all, Cesco discovers the dangers of romance, falling hard for a woman far more clever than he imagines. A harrowing series of adventures reveal a secret long hidden, one that threatens Cesco's only chance for true happiness.Inspired by Shakespeare, Dante, and Petrarch, this Renaissance novel of intrigue and passion reflects the heights of drama, exploring the capricious whims of lady Fortune, who has her favorites – and her fools."This is one of the most exciting, and satisfying, reads that I have immersed myself in for a long time. There is a masked rapist, an assassin, political machinations, chases, fights, scandal - and romance. David Blixt is a gem of a writer." - Helen Hollick, author of The Pendragon's Banner trilogy