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Stravaganza #3
Stadt der Blumen
"Wer sind Sie?", fragte Sky schließlich.
"Ich meine nicht Ihren Namen."
Der Mönch nickte. "Ich bin ein Stravagante - das sind wir beide. Der Talisman hat dich aus deiner Welt hergebracht, weil es etwas gibt, wobei du uns helfen kannst." "Und was soll das sein?", fragte Sky. "das wissen wir auch noch nicht", erwiderte Sulien. "Aber es ist gefährlich."
"Ich meine nicht Ihren Namen."
Der Mönch nickte. "Ich bin ein Stravagante - das sind wir beide. Der Talisman hat dich aus deiner Welt hergebracht, weil es etwas gibt, wobei du uns helfen kannst." "Und was soll das sein?", fragte Sky. "das wissen wir auch noch nicht", erwiderte Sulien. "Aber es ist gefährlich."
470 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
56 people are currently reading
2362 people want to read
About the author
Mary Hoffman
272 books592 followersSee also works published under Mary Lassiter
Mary Hoffman is a bestselling British author and reviewer, born in 1945. She is a true enthusiast of Italy and spends a lot of her time there, which shows in her Stravaganza novels: a series currently in publication. In total, she has written over 80 books, including the aforementioned Stravaganza series and the bestselling picture book, Amazing Grace. Mary is also the editor of a review magazine Armadillo for kids.
Watch the book trailer for David, Mary Hoffman's most recent novel
Mary Hoffman is a bestselling British author and reviewer, born in 1945. She is a true enthusiast of Italy and spends a lot of her time there, which shows in her Stravaganza novels: a series currently in publication. In total, she has written over 80 books, including the aforementioned Stravaganza series and the bestselling picture book, Amazing Grace. Mary is also the editor of a review magazine Armadillo for kids.
Watch the book trailer for David, Mary Hoffman's most recent novel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
January 7, 2009
This third book in the Stravaganza series proves - beyond the shadow of a doubt - that author Mary Hoffman has captured lightning in a bottle with these surprisingly mature fantasy novels about time travellers (the Stravaganti) who move from our world to a parallel, magical Italy, several centuries in the past. The city in this novel is Giglia (our Florence), the Stravaganti Sky Meadows, a teenage boy who has grown up with a dad known to millions of adoring fans but not to him, and a mom suffering from a debilitating depressive illness. So he finds himself transported to Giglia, where he plays the role of novice friar to Brother Sulien, who warns him that dangerous and unexpected times are ahead as a blood battle with the Nucci family is renewed in the weeks preceding a quartet of weddings within Giglia's ruling di Chimici family.
Old characters and plotlines introduced in the first novel find their endings (and new beginnings) in this one, as Arianna, the Duchessa of Bellezza, must find a way to respond to the proposal of marriage from Duke Niccolo di Chimici. But new characters come into their own too, whether it's the comforting presence of Sulien, a healer through and through, or sculptor and Stravaganti Giuditta Miele... or even little orphan Sandro, who first attaches himself as an apprentice to Enrico, the slimy spy who got his start in Bellezza and has trailed in the wake of the di Chimici ever since. What can Sky contribute in this universe, even as the roles played by Georgia and Nicholas, characters we got to know in City of Stars, resurface?
Perhaps the ending is a bit muddled, and Sky himself less of an artfully-drawn character and narrative voice than his predecessors, Luciano and Georgia. But those are only minor grievances. In effect, the tale unravels and expands gloriously, sweeping along the lines already so well-established by Hoffman: potent family drama, court intrigue, and high politics are all blended into a heady, delightful mix of fiction and fantasy.
Old characters and plotlines introduced in the first novel find their endings (and new beginnings) in this one, as Arianna, the Duchessa of Bellezza, must find a way to respond to the proposal of marriage from Duke Niccolo di Chimici. But new characters come into their own too, whether it's the comforting presence of Sulien, a healer through and through, or sculptor and Stravaganti Giuditta Miele... or even little orphan Sandro, who first attaches himself as an apprentice to Enrico, the slimy spy who got his start in Bellezza and has trailed in the wake of the di Chimici ever since. What can Sky contribute in this universe, even as the roles played by Georgia and Nicholas, characters we got to know in City of Stars, resurface?
Perhaps the ending is a bit muddled, and Sky himself less of an artfully-drawn character and narrative voice than his predecessors, Luciano and Georgia. But those are only minor grievances. In effect, the tale unravels and expands gloriously, sweeping along the lines already so well-established by Hoffman: potent family drama, court intrigue, and high politics are all blended into a heady, delightful mix of fiction and fantasy.
September 26, 2018
And finally they are together yay!!!
September 11, 2024
En opeens zag Enrico helder voor zich wat er met zijn verloofde was gebeurd.
Oorspronkelijk zou dit het laatste deel van de reeks worden, en bleef Stravaganza een trilogie, maar - zoals Hoffman ook altijd zei - 'elke stad heeft een eigen verhaal, en er zijn twaalf steden'. En zo kwamen er nog drie boeken na Stad van Bloemen.
Aan de ene kant merk je duidelijk dat er naar een einde wordt toegewerkt. De gebeurtenissen in dit boek zijn redelijk dramatisch en op een bepaalde manier sluitend. Aan de andere kant vraag je je af of het wel erg tevreden zou stellen, want al krijg je wel het einde waarop je hoopt en dat je verwacht, er blijven nog genoeg opties en elementen open.
Er moeten me al meteen twee dingen van het hart. Op een gegeven moment, toen ik de reeks een aantal jaar geleden herlas, viel me op dat de naam van Niccolo di Chimici veranderd is in het Nederlands. In het Engels staat er namelijk 'Niccolò', met een accent grave. Voor zij bij wie Italiaans niet het sterkste punt is: dat betekent dat de nadruk op de laatste lettergreep valt. En die wordt apart aangegeven met zo'n accent omdat dat tegen de normale uitspraakregels is. In het Nederlands werkt dat ook zo: je spreekt 'Niccolo' waarschijnlijk uit met de nadruk op de eerste of tweede lettergreep... en da's dus fout. Ik vraag me af waarom ze dat accent hebben laten vallen, want nu klopt het dus eigenlijk niet meer. Jammer, want je kunt nu niet zeggen dat de Engelstaligen veel snappen van accenten. Nu is er eens een auteur die het juist doet, en dan wordt het in de vertaling naar de vaantjes geholpen, wat had je gedacht. Pas op, ik viseer niet per se Annelies Jorna. Of zij dit besloten heeft, of dat het de uitgeverij was, dat weet ik ook niet natuurlijk. Maar ik noem het in elk geval wel een ferme misser.
En ten tweede: Nicholas. Pffft. Laat me even beknopt zeggen wat ik van dat figuur vind: een egoïstische, verwaande, arrogante, vuile klootzak. Dat hij liever dood van z'n paard was gevallen. Gelukkig gaat hij vanaf Boek 4 wat kalmeren. En Georgia ook, want die is hier bij momenten al bijna even erg.
Gelukkig valt het verder allemaal wel mee. Sky is wel weer een aangename stravagante, en verder zijn in alle tijden en plaatsen de hele bendes weer van de partij. Meer van mijn positieve aandacht in dit boek gaat uit naar de Warrior, echt een grappige figuur, en Enrico.
Aahhhh, Enrico. Dat is zo'n raar geval. Hij is al aanwezig in Boek 1, en dan heb je geen goed gevoel bij hem. Natuurlijk niet, want hij is een spion en moordenaar en werkt voor de Di Chimici's. Maar in Boek 2 verandert er iets, want dan wordt toch wel duidelijk dat hij écht van Giuliana, zijn verloofde, hield - en dat geeft hem meer diepgang. Helaas voor hem draaide dat op niets uit, om welbekende redenen... Daar wordt doorheen het tweede en derde deel meermaals naar verwezen. In dit boek is Enrico bovendien wel een belangrijkere figuur geworden, niet meer zo iemand die gewoon alles in het honderd schopt omdat dat nu eenmaal zijn taak als personage is. Het voelt als meer aan. En uiteindelijk, en dat vind ik een van de beste momenten in de hele reeks, wordt hij een spilfiguur in het hele gebeuren, op het einde van het boek. Een knappe evolutie!
Vóór het einde gebeurt er natuurlijk ook heel wat. Je zou denken dat de bruiloft zich later afspeelt, maar daarachter komt toch nog een heel stuk verhaal, zoals gewoonlijk vol intrige. En toch, je kunt het misschien al voelen komen: de Di Chimici's... het wil zo te merken niet helemaal voor ze lukken. Ze krijgen toch wel een hele reeks grote tegenslagen te verwerken in het boek - en de familie begint verdeeld te geraken, zoveel is wel duidelijk. Maar desondanks blijven ze wel belangrijke tegenpersonages. Ook goed gespeeld.
Het boek is wel weer lang, het langste uit de reeks met zijn 459 bladzijdes. Nu stoort het gelukkig minder dan bij Stad van Sterren, ook al haalt ook dit boek niet het niveau van Stad van Maskers. Maar ach, dat zou ook bijna onmogelijk geweest zijn. Bellezza is nauwelijks aanwezig, al spelen Luciano en, in iets mindere mate, Arianna wel een grotere rol tegenover het vorige deel.
Wat in verhouding tot Boek 2 wel stoort, is dat het uiteindelijk voor een deel om dezelfde plot draait: een eventueel huwelijk van Arianna. Meer zal ik nog niet zeggen. Maar persoonlijk heb ik dat altijd nogal onorigineel gevonden, en dan vooral terugblikkend op dat tweede boek. Dan had ik daar toch liever een ander gegeven gehad. Gelukkig hoeven we na het einde van de originele trilogie geen schrik meer te hebben dat zoiets nog een keer zal gebeuren.
7,5/10
Oorspronkelijk zou dit het laatste deel van de reeks worden, en bleef Stravaganza een trilogie, maar - zoals Hoffman ook altijd zei - 'elke stad heeft een eigen verhaal, en er zijn twaalf steden'. En zo kwamen er nog drie boeken na Stad van Bloemen.
Aan de ene kant merk je duidelijk dat er naar een einde wordt toegewerkt. De gebeurtenissen in dit boek zijn redelijk dramatisch en op een bepaalde manier sluitend. Aan de andere kant vraag je je af of het wel erg tevreden zou stellen, want al krijg je wel het einde waarop je hoopt en dat je verwacht, er blijven nog genoeg opties en elementen open.
Er moeten me al meteen twee dingen van het hart. Op een gegeven moment, toen ik de reeks een aantal jaar geleden herlas, viel me op dat de naam van Niccolo di Chimici veranderd is in het Nederlands. In het Engels staat er namelijk 'Niccolò', met een accent grave. Voor zij bij wie Italiaans niet het sterkste punt is: dat betekent dat de nadruk op de laatste lettergreep valt. En die wordt apart aangegeven met zo'n accent omdat dat tegen de normale uitspraakregels is. In het Nederlands werkt dat ook zo: je spreekt 'Niccolo' waarschijnlijk uit met de nadruk op de eerste of tweede lettergreep... en da's dus fout. Ik vraag me af waarom ze dat accent hebben laten vallen, want nu klopt het dus eigenlijk niet meer. Jammer, want je kunt nu niet zeggen dat de Engelstaligen veel snappen van accenten. Nu is er eens een auteur die het juist doet, en dan wordt het in de vertaling naar de vaantjes geholpen, wat had je gedacht. Pas op, ik viseer niet per se Annelies Jorna. Of zij dit besloten heeft, of dat het de uitgeverij was, dat weet ik ook niet natuurlijk. Maar ik noem het in elk geval wel een ferme misser.
En ten tweede: Nicholas. Pffft. Laat me even beknopt zeggen wat ik van dat figuur vind: een egoïstische, verwaande, arrogante, vuile klootzak. Dat hij liever dood van z'n paard was gevallen. Gelukkig gaat hij vanaf Boek 4 wat kalmeren. En Georgia ook, want die is hier bij momenten al bijna even erg.
Gelukkig valt het verder allemaal wel mee. Sky is wel weer een aangename stravagante, en verder zijn in alle tijden en plaatsen de hele bendes weer van de partij. Meer van mijn positieve aandacht in dit boek gaat uit naar de Warrior, echt een grappige figuur, en Enrico.
Aahhhh, Enrico. Dat is zo'n raar geval. Hij is al aanwezig in Boek 1, en dan heb je geen goed gevoel bij hem. Natuurlijk niet, want hij is een spion en moordenaar en werkt voor de Di Chimici's. Maar in Boek 2 verandert er iets, want dan wordt toch wel duidelijk dat hij écht van Giuliana, zijn verloofde, hield - en dat geeft hem meer diepgang. Helaas voor hem draaide dat op niets uit, om welbekende redenen... Daar wordt doorheen het tweede en derde deel meermaals naar verwezen. In dit boek is Enrico bovendien wel een belangrijkere figuur geworden, niet meer zo iemand die gewoon alles in het honderd schopt omdat dat nu eenmaal zijn taak als personage is. Het voelt als meer aan. En uiteindelijk, en dat vind ik een van de beste momenten in de hele reeks, wordt hij een spilfiguur in het hele gebeuren, op het einde van het boek. Een knappe evolutie!
Vóór het einde gebeurt er natuurlijk ook heel wat. Je zou denken dat de bruiloft zich later afspeelt, maar daarachter komt toch nog een heel stuk verhaal, zoals gewoonlijk vol intrige. En toch, je kunt het misschien al voelen komen: de Di Chimici's... het wil zo te merken niet helemaal voor ze lukken. Ze krijgen toch wel een hele reeks grote tegenslagen te verwerken in het boek - en de familie begint verdeeld te geraken, zoveel is wel duidelijk. Maar desondanks blijven ze wel belangrijke tegenpersonages. Ook goed gespeeld.
Het boek is wel weer lang, het langste uit de reeks met zijn 459 bladzijdes. Nu stoort het gelukkig minder dan bij Stad van Sterren, ook al haalt ook dit boek niet het niveau van Stad van Maskers. Maar ach, dat zou ook bijna onmogelijk geweest zijn. Bellezza is nauwelijks aanwezig, al spelen Luciano en, in iets mindere mate, Arianna wel een grotere rol tegenover het vorige deel.
Wat in verhouding tot Boek 2 wel stoort, is dat het uiteindelijk voor een deel om dezelfde plot draait: een eventueel huwelijk van Arianna. Meer zal ik nog niet zeggen. Maar persoonlijk heb ik dat altijd nogal onorigineel gevonden, en dan vooral terugblikkend op dat tweede boek. Dan had ik daar toch liever een ander gegeven gehad. Gelukkig hoeven we na het einde van de originele trilogie geen schrik meer te hebben dat zoiets nog een keer zal gebeuren.
7,5/10
June 20, 2022
4,25 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
Het derde deel speelt zich af in Giglia Florence, mijn favoriele stad.
De spanning wordt goed verder opgebouwd en er wordt naar de ontknoping van de serie toegewerkt, het zou eerst een trilogie zijn, maar later is besloten verder te gaan. Dus nog meer avonturen.
Het lijkt verder op de twee voorgaande delen, niet storend overigens en hier en daar gaan ook wat personages dood.
Dat maakte het voor mij geloofwaardiger.
Het derde deel speelt zich af in Giglia Florence, mijn favoriele stad.
De spanning wordt goed verder opgebouwd en er wordt naar de ontknoping van de serie toegewerkt, het zou eerst een trilogie zijn, maar later is besloten verder te gaan. Dus nog meer avonturen.
Het lijkt verder op de twee voorgaande delen, niet storend overigens en hier en daar gaan ook wat personages dood.
Dat maakte het voor mij geloofwaardiger.
March 4, 2016
What can I say. Perfection.
October 22, 2014
This was the hardest Stravaganza book to get through - and not because of its length. There was just something about Sky - perhaps it was mainly in the name - that I just did not like, and out of the three family situations so far presented, I found his to be the least interesting and the most irritating because it is a family situation which authors and day-to-day people seem to beat to a pulp. This, combined with the fact that compared to Lucien and Georgia, Sky was a little on the cardboard side, presented a main character whose traits bogged the story down to a point where I would unconsciously search for a reason not to read it.
It was also extremely difficult to keep all of the di Chimici and Nucci people straight. The Author's rather bouncy manner of switching between various scenes contributed a lot to the confusion. I never really did like the way scenes traded so suddenly and almost without connection, but it never really affected the flow of the story and the various plotlines until now. In this one, the jumping-in-between was aggravatingly noticeable, and I'll admit that all of the scenes were important; I wouldn't edit a single one out. But I would have changed their order into a smoother one, so that things felt more connected. Because the many plotlines the Author has going are intriguing and they are good, but the almost random way in which their order of appearance is assembled leaves the Reader feeling confused and really lost.
Crack through these shortcomings, and the Reader is certainly left with a plot about as good as the last two, but it takes a lot of cracking in order to see the book's potential. City of Flowers was not my favorite; I hope the other two are better
It was also extremely difficult to keep all of the di Chimici and Nucci people straight. The Author's rather bouncy manner of switching between various scenes contributed a lot to the confusion. I never really did like the way scenes traded so suddenly and almost without connection, but it never really affected the flow of the story and the various plotlines until now. In this one, the jumping-in-between was aggravatingly noticeable, and I'll admit that all of the scenes were important; I wouldn't edit a single one out. But I would have changed their order into a smoother one, so that things felt more connected. Because the many plotlines the Author has going are intriguing and they are good, but the almost random way in which their order of appearance is assembled leaves the Reader feeling confused and really lost.
Crack through these shortcomings, and the Reader is certainly left with a plot about as good as the last two, but it takes a lot of cracking in order to see the book's potential. City of Flowers was not my favorite; I hope the other two are better
November 18, 2013
The last in a trilogy that is not
Since reading this book I have discovered that there are more than three books in the series. And I guess that there is scope for the story to continue beyond this third conclusion. This book continues almost straight away from the previous and the quick pace continues throughout.
I enjoyed reading this book but once again found the large number of characters confusing. This book introduces another new Stravagante and it is clear by this point that they are, in some ways, a social outcast in the present world. Again, this is set in a different part of Talia, but the plot still links back to the characters from the previous stories.
It was difficult to predict how the story would conclude because there were so many different aspects of the plot that needed to be tied up. I found this made the story all the more enjoyable and how it did eventually finish was completely unexpected. Knowing that there are more books in this series makes me curious to find out what happens to the characters and I look forward to getting my hands on them.
If, like me, you were slightly disappointed in ‘City of Stars’, this will restore your faith in the Stravaganza series. It is fast paced and with all the familiar characters from the previous novels, I found myself desperate to know how this adventure would conclude. It is great to know that the story has not finished and there are more adventures to follow in Talia.
Since reading this book I have discovered that there are more than three books in the series. And I guess that there is scope for the story to continue beyond this third conclusion. This book continues almost straight away from the previous and the quick pace continues throughout.
I enjoyed reading this book but once again found the large number of characters confusing. This book introduces another new Stravagante and it is clear by this point that they are, in some ways, a social outcast in the present world. Again, this is set in a different part of Talia, but the plot still links back to the characters from the previous stories.
It was difficult to predict how the story would conclude because there were so many different aspects of the plot that needed to be tied up. I found this made the story all the more enjoyable and how it did eventually finish was completely unexpected. Knowing that there are more books in this series makes me curious to find out what happens to the characters and I look forward to getting my hands on them.
If, like me, you were slightly disappointed in ‘City of Stars’, this will restore your faith in the Stravaganza series. It is fast paced and with all the familiar characters from the previous novels, I found myself desperate to know how this adventure would conclude. It is great to know that the story has not finished and there are more adventures to follow in Talia.
January 16, 2010
third installment in the series, and you do notice it. The plotlines grow a bit thin, and the characters grow a bit rigid. The newly introduced characters are, to me, not as likeable as the previous ones.
I had a few annoyances throughout the book:
- people don't seem to change much.
- everyone is deeply in love with someone. I know it's a YA novel and that to a YA it seems very important, but to me all the different pairings and the tensions got a bit much.
- Dr Dethridge, again. we know he speaks in an older kindof language, but the way it's written is just very difficult to read and rather annoying.
The plot was nice, exciting and interesting. I liked the way it all came together, but there could have been fewer pages. it was nicely written though, really takes you along to Talia/italy and you can feel that the other loves it all herself.
i'd give this 3.5 if i could!
book: 4/50
pages: 1200
I had a few annoyances throughout the book:
- people don't seem to change much.
- everyone is deeply in love with someone. I know it's a YA novel and that to a YA it seems very important, but to me all the different pairings and the tensions got a bit much.
- Dr Dethridge, again. we know he speaks in an older kindof language, but the way it's written is just very difficult to read and rather annoying.
The plot was nice, exciting and interesting. I liked the way it all came together, but there could have been fewer pages. it was nicely written though, really takes you along to Talia/italy and you can feel that the other loves it all herself.
i'd give this 3.5 if i could!
book: 4/50
pages: 1200
January 1, 2020
6 out of 10
Keep reading this series only for the characters from the first book. Everything regarding them is great while other parts are so so. Again too many POVs. It's not a GoT, ok? So thoughts of a nobody who would disappear in a few chapters are unnecessary. There more installments to finish... Ugh.
June 12, 2024
Μιλώντας για μια ακόμη φορά για λογοτ��χνικές σειρές, είναι λίγες οι φορές που φτάνω στο τέλος της ανάγνωσής τους και αισθάνομαι βαθιά μέσα μου μια θλίψη. Ο λόγος δεν είναι άλλος από το ότι δεν ξέρω πως να εκφράσω με λόγια τα όμορφα συναισθ��ματα που μου προκάλεσε η ανάγνωσή της ενώ παράλληλα, πόσο μεγάλο κενό αισθάνομαι να αφήνει πίσω της μια ιστορία στης οποίας το τέλος δεν θα ήθελα με τίποτα να φτάσει. Σε αυτές τις σειρές ανήκει και η "Στραβαγκάντζα" που παρά το αλλόκοτο του τίτλου της, η συγγραφέας Mary Hoffman μας εισήγαγε σε έναν τόσο οικείο μα και τόσο διαφορετικό συνάμα κόσμο, που ζει και δρα παράλληλα με τον δικό μας, γοητεύοντάς μας με τα μαγικά μυστικά που τη συνοδεύουν, τις παράξενες δυνάμεις του αλλά και τα ήθη και τα έθιμα και την ιδιοσυγκρασία όλων όσων συνδέονται με αυτά τα δύο διαστήματα του χωροχρόνου. "Η Πολιτεία Των Λουλουδιών" μπορεί να είναι το τέλος ωστόσο, εμείς μένουμε με την γλυκόπικρη γεύση της ευχαρίστησης που μας επέτρεψε έστω και για λίγο να βρεθούμε εκεί.
Αυτή τη φορά μεταφερόμαστε στη Τζίλια, την κεντρική πολιτεία της Ταλίας, την αντίστοιχη πόλη με την δικιά μας Φλωρεντία, εκεί που κατοικεί η οικογένεια Ντι Κίμικι η οποία και έχει τον έλεγχο σχεδόν όλων των πολιτειών της χώρας. Ένας νέος περιπλανητής μεταπηδάει από τον σύγχρονο κόσμο μας σε εκείνον της Ταλίας του 15ου αιώνα, ο Σκάυ, που πολύ σύντομα ανακαλύπτει όχι μόνο ότι το τέλεσμα που βρήκε δεν έφτασε τυχαία στα χέρια του αλλά αποτελεί ένα μέσον για να ολοκληρώσει έναν σκοπό που κανένας δεν γνωρίζει ποιος ακριβώς είναι αλλά, ότι πρόσωπα που ο ίδιος γνωρίζει συνδέονται άμεσα με το νέο μέλλον που ανοίγεται μπροστά του. Η Τζόρτζια αλλά και ο Φάλκο, που πλέον ονομάζεται Νίκολας και ζει την Αγγλία του σύγχρονου κόσμου έχοντας εγκαταλείψει τον παλιό του εαυτό, είναι και οι ίδιοι περιπλανητές ενώ ο νεκρός συμμαθητής του Λυσιέν, ζει ως Λουτσιάνο στην Ταλία, γερός και αρτιμελής έχοντας υιοθετήσει πέρα από νέα ταυτότητα, ένα νέο τρόπο ζωής.
Τα γεγονότα που χαρακτηρίζουν το τρίτο μέρος της σειράς είναι πολλά και η εξέλιξή τους συνεχής και αδιάκοπη, με τη μία ανατροπή να διαδέχεται την άλλη ενώ, τα σκοτεινά σχέδια της οικογένειας Ντι Κίμικι οδηγούν σε νέους αναβρασμούς και ευθύνες αλλά, και σε συνέπειες που μπορούν να αποδειχθούν μοιραίες και τραγικές, ανάλογα με το πως θα χειριστεί η κάθε κατάσταση. Οι Στραβαγκάντι καλούνται να επιτελέσουν το μεγαλύτερο καθήκον που τους έχει ανατεθεί ποτέ. Πρέπει να ενώσουν τις δυνάμεις τους για να εμποδίσουν να ξεκινήσει ένας νέος κύκλος αίματος ανάμεσα στους Ντι Κίμικι και τους Νούτσι, τους μεγαλύτερους εν δυνάμει εχθρούς τους αλλά, και να διαφυλάξουν την μυστική τους ταυτότητα καθώς και την ειρήνη της Ταλίας και την ανεξαρτησία της Μπελλέτσα. Οι γάμοι της πρώτης οικογένειας πλησιάζουν και μαζί με αυτούς πλησιάζει μια καλή ευκαιρία για εκδίκηση, αιματοχυσία και ένα βίαιο ξέσπασμα που μπορεί να αποδειχτεί μοιραίο σε ένα παιχνίδι δύναμης κι εξουσίας.
Πέραν όμως των κοινωνικοπολιτικών εξελίξεων που έχουν να αντιμετωπίσουν οι ήρωές μας, έρχονται αντιμέτωποι και με τους ίδιους τους εαυτούς τους, τα πάθη και τα θέλω τους, περισσότερο από κάθε άλλη φορά. Ο Νίκολας νοσταλγεί την παλιά του ζωή και αρχίζει να ψάχνει τρόπους να επιστρέψει πίσω σε αυτήν και την οικογένειά του που τον χρειάζεται περισσότερο από ποτέ, η Τζόρτζια δεν μπορεί να πάψει να σκέφτεται τον Λουτσιάνο ενώ εκείνος την ίδια στιγμή προσπαθεί να διαχειριστεί τα συναισθήματά τους για την Αριάννα με την τελευταία εξαιτίας της θέσης της να κρατάει μια αμυντική στάση απέναντί του μην μπορώντας να ισορροπήσει ανάμεσα στα προσωπικά της θέλω και των αποφάσεων που θα αποδειχτούν ως η καλύτερη επιλογή για την επιβίωση και την ευημερία της πόλης της. Φυσικά όλα αυτά τα συναισθήματα οδηγούν τους πρωταγωνιστές σε σύγχυση αλλά και σε συγκρούσεις με τους οικείους τους, τόσο στον οικείο όσο και στον παράλληλο κόσμο τους. Οι αποφάσεις που πρέπει να παρθούν είναι σκληρές και δύσκολες και το σίγουρο είναι πως, όσο κι αν θέλουν να αποφευχθεί κάτι τέτοιο, δεν μπορούν να μην υπάρξουν συνέπειες, πολλές φορές δυσάρεστες, ακόμα και θύματα.
Η Hoffman καταφέρνει για μια ακόμη φορά με δεξιοτεχνικό τρόπο να μας μεταφέρει σε μια πόλη γεμάτη ιστορία, θρύλους αλλά και οικογενειακά μυστικά τα οποία είναι σε θέση να καθορίσουν το μέλλον μιας ολόκληρης χώρας. Η Τζίλια είναι μια γοητευτική πολιτεία όπου σε κάθε δρόμο, σε κάθε χτίσμα, σε κάθε έθιμό της μπορείς να αισθανθείς τον παλμό της, δυνατό και ζωογόνο, να δίνει κινητήρια δύναμη σε κάθε θεμιτή ή αθέμιτη πράξη από μεριάς κάθε αντίπαλου στρατοπέδου. Πολλά είναι αυτά που διακυβεύονται, θανάσιμα μυστικά κινδυνεύουν ανά πάσα ώρα να αποκαλυφθούν ενώ η μεγαλύτερη κρίση, προσωπική και συναισθηματική που έχουν να αντιμετωπίσουν οι ήρωές μας κορυφώνεται με μια σειρά από δολοπλοκίες, πολιτικές αποφάσεις και πράξεις καθοδηγούμενες από δίψα για απόλυτη εξουσία κι έλεγχο και συναισθηματικές αναταράξεις. Τα πάντα κρέμονται από μια κλωστή και αν δεν μπορούν να αποφύγουν την επερχόμενη καταστροφή πρέπει τουλάχιστον να κάνουν ότι καλύτερο μπορούν αλλά παράλληλα, να αποφασίσουν ποιοι είναι, που πραγματικά ανήκουν και που θέλουν στ' αλήθεια να βρίσκονται,
Με το βιβλίο, "Στραβαγκάντζα - Η Πολιτεία Των Λουλουδιών", τελειώνει για το αναγνωστικό κοινό η περιπλάνηση στην Ταλία αλλά και η γνωριμία τους με τους Περιπλανητές. Δυστυχώς, οι εκδόσεις Πατάκη δεν σκοπεύουν να εκδώσουν τα υπόλοιπα βιβλία της σειράς γεγονός που ως αναγνώστρια με θλίβει ωστόσο, τίποτα δεν με εμποδίζει να διαβάσω τις υπόλοιπες περιπέτειες του μαγευτικού της κόσμου στα αγγλικά. Για τους υπόλοιπους ωστόσο που δεν σκοπεύουν να επιχειρήσουν κάτι τέτοιο στο άμεσο μέλλον, "Η Πολιτεία Των Λουλουδιών" θα τους ικανοποιήσει απόλυτα γεμίζοντας κάθε ρανίδα του είναι τους με μια ιστορία που μπορεί θεωρητικά να μην τελειώνει ωστόσο, ολοκληρώνει τον κύκλο της με τους ήρωές μας να συνειδητοποιούν ποιοι πραγματικά είναι και ποιος είναι ο σκοπός που πρέπει να εκπληρώσουν, όχι για το κοινό αλλά, για το δικό τους μέλλον. Μια ιστορία με αδιάκοπη δράση, ανατροπές και εκπλήξεις, που από την πρώτη μέχρι την τελευταία της σελίδα σε κρατάει σε εγρήγορση και αγωνία, διψώντας μεν να μάθεις την συνέχεια όσο πιο σύντομα γίνεται αλλά παράλληλα, να μην τελειώσει ποτέ. Μια ιστορία που στο βάθος της μιλάει, όχι μόνο για την μαγεία και τους παράλληλους κόσμους αλλά, για τους ανθρώπους που αποτελούν μέρος της προσφέροντάς μας έντονες συγκινήσεις και που πάντα θα θυμόμαστε.
Αυτή τη φορά μεταφερόμαστε στη Τζίλια, την κεντρική πολιτεία της Ταλίας, την αντίστοιχη πόλη με την δικιά μας Φλωρεντία, εκεί που κατοικεί η οικογένεια Ντι Κίμικι η οποία και έχει τον έλεγχο σχεδόν όλων των πολιτειών της χώρας. Ένας νέος περιπλανητής μεταπηδάει από τον σύγχρονο κόσμο μας σε εκείνον της Ταλίας του 15ου αιώνα, ο Σκάυ, που πολύ σύντομα ανακαλύπτει όχι μόνο ότι το τέλεσμα που βρήκε δεν έφτασε τυχαία στα χέρια του αλλά αποτελεί ένα μέσον για να ολοκληρώσει έναν σκοπό που κανένας δεν γνωρίζει ποιος ακριβώς είναι αλλά, ότι πρόσωπα που ο ίδιος γνωρίζει συνδέονται άμεσα με το νέο μέλλον που ανοίγεται μπροστά του. Η Τζόρτζια αλλά και ο Φάλκο, που πλέον ονομάζεται Νίκολας και ζει την Αγγλία του σύγχρονου κόσμου έχοντας εγκαταλείψει τον παλιό του εαυτό, είναι και οι ίδιοι περιπλανητές ενώ ο νεκρός συμμαθητής του Λυσιέν, ζει ως Λουτσιάνο στην Ταλία, γερός και αρτιμελής έχοντας υιοθετήσει πέρα από νέα ταυτότητα, ένα νέο τρόπο ζωής.
Τα γεγονότα που χαρακτηρίζουν το τρίτο μέρος της σειράς είναι πολλά και η εξέλιξή τους συνεχής και αδιάκοπη, με τη μία ανατροπή να διαδέχεται την άλλη ενώ, τα σκοτεινά σχέδια της οικογένειας Ντι Κίμικι οδηγούν σε νέους αναβρασμούς και ευθύνες αλλά, και σε συνέπειες που μπορούν να αποδειχθούν μοιραίες και τραγικές, ανάλογα με το πως θα χειριστεί η κάθε κατάσταση. Οι Στραβαγκάντι καλούνται να επιτελέσουν το μεγαλύτερο καθήκον που τους έχει ανατεθεί ποτέ. Πρέπει να ενώσουν τις δυνάμεις τους για να εμποδίσουν να ξεκινήσει ένας νέος κύκλος αίματος ανάμεσα στους Ντι Κίμικι και τους Νούτσι, τους μεγαλύτερους εν δυνάμει εχθρούς τους αλλά, και να διαφυλάξουν την μυστική τους ταυτότητα καθώς και την ειρήνη της Ταλίας και την ανεξαρτησία της Μπελλέτσα. Οι γάμοι της πρώτης οικογένειας πλησιάζουν και μαζί με αυτούς πλησιάζει μια καλή ευκαιρία για εκδίκηση, αιματοχυσία και ένα βίαιο ξέσπασμα που μπορεί να αποδειχτεί μοιραίο σε ένα παιχνίδι δύναμης κι εξουσίας.
Πέραν όμως των κοινωνικοπολιτικών εξελίξεων που έχουν να αντιμετωπίσουν οι ήρωές μας, έρχονται αντιμέτωποι και με τους ίδιους τους εαυτούς τους, τα πάθη και τα θέλω τους, περισσότερο από κάθε άλλη φορά. Ο Νίκολας νοσταλγεί την παλιά του ζωή και αρχίζει να ψάχνει τρόπους να επιστρέψει πίσω σε αυτήν και την οικογένειά του που τον χρειάζεται περισσότερο από ποτέ, η Τζόρτζια δεν μπορεί να πάψει να σκέφτεται τον Λουτσιάνο ενώ εκείνος την ίδια στιγμή προσπαθεί να διαχειριστεί τα συναισθήματά τους για την Αριάννα με την τελευταία εξαιτίας της θέσης της να κρατάει μια αμυντική στάση απέναντί του μην μπορώντας να ισορροπήσει ανάμεσα στα προσωπικά της θέλω και των αποφάσεων που θα αποδειχτούν ως η καλύτερη επιλογή για την επιβίωση και την ευημερία της πόλης της. Φυσικά όλα αυτά τα συναισθήματα οδηγούν τους πρωταγωνιστές σε σύγχυση αλλά και σε συγκρούσεις με τους οικείους τους, τόσο στον οικείο όσο και στον παράλληλο κόσμο τους. Οι αποφάσεις που πρέπει να παρθούν είναι σκληρές και δύσκολες και το σίγουρο είναι πως, όσο κι αν θέλουν να αποφευχθεί κάτι τέτοιο, δεν μπορούν να μην υπάρξουν συνέπειες, πολλές φορές δυσάρεστες, ακόμα και θύματα.
Η Hoffman καταφέρνει για μια ακόμη φορά με δεξιοτεχνικό τρόπο να μας μεταφέρει σε μια πόλη γεμάτη ιστορία, θρύλους αλλά και οικογενειακά μυστικά τα οποία είναι σε θέση να καθορίσουν το μέλλον μιας ολόκληρης χώρας. Η Τζίλια είναι μια γοητευτική πολιτεία όπου σε κάθε δρόμο, σε κάθε χτίσμα, σε κάθε έθιμό της μπορείς να αισθανθείς τον παλμό της, δυνατό και ζωογόνο, να δίνει κινητήρια δύναμη σε κάθε θεμιτή ή αθέμιτη πράξη από μεριάς κάθε αντίπαλου στρατοπέδου. Πολλά είναι αυτά που διακυβεύονται, θανάσιμα μυστικά κινδυνεύουν ανά πάσα ώρα να αποκαλυφθούν ενώ η μεγαλύτερη κρίση, προσωπική και συναισθηματική που έχουν να αντιμετωπίσουν οι ήρωές μας κορυφώνεται με μια σειρά από δολοπλοκίες, πολιτικές αποφάσεις και πράξεις καθοδηγούμενες από δίψα για απόλυτη εξουσία κι έλεγχο και συναισθηματικές αναταράξεις. Τα πάντα κρέμονται από μια κλωστή και αν δεν μπορούν να αποφύγουν την επερχόμενη καταστροφή πρέπει τουλάχιστον να κάνουν ότι καλύτερο μπορούν αλλά παράλληλα, να αποφασίσουν ποιοι είναι, που πραγματικά ανήκουν και που θέλουν στ' αλήθεια να βρίσκονται,
Με το βιβλίο, "Στραβαγκάντζα - Η Πολιτεία Των Λουλουδιών", τελειώνει για το αναγνωστικό κοινό η περιπλάνηση στην Ταλία αλλά και η γνωριμία τους με τους Περιπλανητές. Δυστυχώς, οι εκδόσεις Πατάκη δεν σκοπεύουν να εκδώσουν τα υπόλοιπα βιβλία της σειράς γεγονός που ως αναγνώστρια με θλίβει ωστόσο, τίποτα δεν με εμποδίζει να διαβάσω τις υπόλοιπες περιπέτειες του μαγευτικού της κόσμου στα αγγλικά. Για τους υπόλοιπους ωστόσο που δεν σκοπεύουν να επιχειρήσουν κάτι τέτοιο στο άμεσο μέλλον, "Η Πολιτεία Των Λουλουδιών" θα τους ικανοποιήσει απόλυτα γεμίζοντας κάθε ρανίδα του είναι τους με μια ιστορία που μπορεί θεωρητικά να μην τελειώνει ωστόσο, ολοκληρώνει τον κύκλο της με τους ήρωές μας να συνειδητοποιούν ποιοι πραγματικά είναι και ποιος είναι ο σκοπός που πρέπει να εκπληρώσουν, όχι για το κοινό αλλά, για το δικό τους μέλλον. Μια ιστορία με αδιάκοπη δράση, ανατροπές και εκπλήξεις, που από την πρώτη μέχρι την τελευταία της σελίδα σε κρατάει σε εγρήγορση και αγωνία, διψώντας μεν να μάθεις την συνέχεια όσο πιο σύντομα γίνεται αλλά παράλληλα, να μην τελειώσει ποτέ. Μια ιστορία που στο βάθος της μιλάει, όχι μόνο για την μαγεία και τους παράλληλους κόσμους αλλά, για τους ανθρώπους που αποτελούν μέρος της προσφέροντάς μας έντονες συγκινήσεις και που πάντα θα θυμόμαστε.
September 2, 2025
Ein schöner Abschluss der Trilogie, obwohl ich ja auch weiß, dass es noch drei weitere Bände gibt. Es war vor allem schön zu sehen, dass auch die Nebencharaktere nun mehr über die Folgen ihrer eigenen vergangenen Handlungen erfahren oder auch eine Charakterentwicklung durchmachen.
Die Hauptfiguren waren weiterhin interessant, auch die Neuen. Natürlich treten hier die jungen Leute natürlich mehr in den Vordergrund und die Erwachsenen fungieren als Guide oder Berater, was für diese Art von Geschichten aber voll in Ordnung ist.
Das Ende war zwar fast etwas zu klischeehaft, aber trotzdem schön und man gönnt es den Charakteren ja auch, von daher beschwere ich mich da nicht drüber.
A beautiful conclusion to the trilogy, even though I know there are three more volumes left. It was especially nice to see that the supporting characters are now learning more about the consequences of their own past actions or undergoing character development.
The main characters remained interesting, including the new ones. Of course, the young people take more of a prominent role here and the adults act as guides or advisors, which is perfectly fine for this type of story.
The ending was almost a little too clichéd, but still nice, and you want the characters to have it, so I'm not complaining about that.
Die Hauptfiguren waren weiterhin interessant, auch die Neuen. Natürlich treten hier die jungen Leute natürlich mehr in den Vordergrund und die Erwachsenen fungieren als Guide oder Berater, was für diese Art von Geschichten aber voll in Ordnung ist.
Das Ende war zwar fast etwas zu klischeehaft, aber trotzdem schön und man gönnt es den Charakteren ja auch, von daher beschwere ich mich da nicht drüber.
A beautiful conclusion to the trilogy, even though I know there are three more volumes left. It was especially nice to see that the supporting characters are now learning more about the consequences of their own past actions or undergoing character development.
The main characters remained interesting, including the new ones. Of course, the young people take more of a prominent role here and the adults act as guides or advisors, which is perfectly fine for this type of story.
The ending was almost a little too clichéd, but still nice, and you want the characters to have it, so I'm not complaining about that.
May 25, 2022
אז זה הספר שקראתי באיזה כיתה ו והיו לי זכרונות ככ נלהבים ממנו שהחלטתי לקרוא את כל הסדרה מהתחלה. אני די מופתע האמת היא בגלל שיש בספר הזה ככ הרבה רומנטיקה בלתי נחוצה ואני זוכרת את עצמי בכיתה ו ממש לא מחבב את זה. בין כך ובין כך הסצנה שנשארה חרוטה בזכרוני-ושהייתי צריכה לחכות את רב הספר שיקרה-היא עדיין אחת הסצנות המגניבות.
אבל הייתי צריך לחכות לה. וזה היה בסגר אם עוד דברים קרו בינתיים אבל ממש לא. 100 העמודים הראשונים בערך הם פשוט הקדמה לעולם אבל זה הספר השלישי כבר והיה יכול להיות הרבה יותר קצר. אחרי זה שום דבר לא קורא בערך עוד מאתיים עמודים עד לעמוד 300 (305 עם נדייק). ומשמה בלעתי את כל הספר בצהרי שבת אחד. היה מעולה. אבל הספר היה יכול להתקצר ב200 עמודים לפחות בקלות.
אבל הייתי צריך לחכות לה. וזה היה בסגר אם עוד דברים קרו בינתיים אבל ממש לא. 100 העמודים הראשונים בערך הם פשוט הקדמה לעולם אבל זה הספר השלישי כבר והיה יכול להיות הרבה יותר קצר. אחרי זה שום דבר לא קורא בערך עוד מאתיים עמודים עד לעמוד 300 (305 עם נדייק). ומשמה בלעתי את כל הספר בצהרי שבת אחד. היה מעולה. אבל הספר היה יכול להתקצר ב200 עמודים לפחות בקלות.
May 2, 2020
The most uninteresting part of all series. Here I more strongly felt that this book is about and for teenagers and I felt disturbed. But overall this book is normal. As in previous - the decisions and storyline is quite aggressive for so young readers. Fights, revenge, and death of family members - and without reason - just because it was like that in the 16th century.
October 4, 2013
It started out really well. Sky reminded me a bit of Nick from Infinity, which in my book is always a good thing. I liked his relationship with "Nicholas Duke" and Georgia. I enjoyed his interaction with a different city. It is always good to experience 'old friends' in books as well, so having Luciano and all the rest of them was great. As far as the straightforward plot went, I enjoyed it, although I found Sky's "purpose" in Giglia confusing. And where did this whole 'you must have a single, destined purpose to be a Stravagante' come from? And why is it only the ones from the 'modern' world who have this sort of 'show up/kick butt/purpose complete' thing thrust upon them? How do Talian Stravagante work, anyway? They 'are' Stravagante yet they clearly don't go to the other world on any sense of a regular basis, and often are Stravagante that have never brought a talisman, which as far as I can tell is their entire purpose. Anyway. Confused. The climax was convenient. But Sky was a good main character and the plot kept along its action packed tradition and quite happily lost myself in the spell that is Mary Hoffman's writing.
Except...
Except I didn't. The very relationships that helped draw me in at the beginning for their variety and potential difficulty started distracting me. I found Alice unbelievably obnoxious. There is very little redeeming about her character.
Spoilers Following -
I do not understand her relationship with Sky. I do not understand Paul and Sky's Mother's relationship. When it first picked up, I thought, 'ah, here is a way for Sky and Alice to break up. Bit awkward, of course, but if they are step-siblings and all....good twist.' Except that's not how it works. Their parents are sleeping together and all the two can think to say is that it is a bit strange and nothing serious will come about it until they go to University? Say what? I found their entire attitude....bizarre. I did not like their relationship at all. There is this, like, inner struggle Sky has that he isn't the preppy heir Alice is destined to marry...but that sort of gets forgotten. And speaking of relationships...
I am seriously sick of the Luciano, Arianna, Georgia triangle. I guess it is supposed to be over now? Hopefully? 'Happily ever after'...Georgia and Nick, Arianna and Luciano? I'm starting to be heartily sick of ALL their relationships.
And so the ending of this book arrived and I'm like....wow. Thatwaspredictable. And weird. And...you're making out. Okay. Erm. Never coming back? Isn't that a bit dramatic? Oh well. I still really like Mary Hoffman's writing.
Except...
Except I didn't. The very relationships that helped draw me in at the beginning for their variety and potential difficulty started distracting me. I found Alice unbelievably obnoxious. There is very little redeeming about her character.
Spoilers Following -
I do not understand her relationship with Sky. I do not understand Paul and Sky's Mother's relationship. When it first picked up, I thought, 'ah, here is a way for Sky and Alice to break up. Bit awkward, of course, but if they are step-siblings and all....good twist.' Except that's not how it works. Their parents are sleeping together and all the two can think to say is that it is a bit strange and nothing serious will come about it until they go to University? Say what? I found their entire attitude....bizarre. I did not like their relationship at all. There is this, like, inner struggle Sky has that he isn't the preppy heir Alice is destined to marry...but that sort of gets forgotten. And speaking of relationships...
I am seriously sick of the Luciano, Arianna, Georgia triangle. I guess it is supposed to be over now? Hopefully? 'Happily ever after'...Georgia and Nick, Arianna and Luciano? I'm starting to be heartily sick of ALL their relationships.
And so the ending of this book arrived and I'm like....wow. Thatwaspredictable. And weird. And...you're making out. Okay. Erm. Never coming back? Isn't that a bit dramatic? Oh well. I still really like Mary Hoffman's writing.
August 19, 2014
This book started off a little better, in my opinion, than the last book (city of stars). It might've been because I was a little more familiar with some of the characters than I had been while I read the previous book, or it was simply a better squeal. However, as I continued to read, it grew more and more difficult to continue especially once it had passed, what I assume to be, the main climax of the story where the princesses marry the princes and the battle breaks out. After that, it slowed down so much I had to push myself to finish. I felt the story took more place in Talia with the characters that lived there than with the Stravaganti which bothered me a little because I felt the characters didn't grow very much. Nicholas (or Falco) tried to go back on my word which disappointed me a little considering the new life he had. I guess I understand because he missed his home, but he promised when he decided to translate that he wouldn't try to go back. Sky is the new "main" character of the book and again, I feel like he wasn't given much time to grow as a character and I didn't really figure out why he was needed in Talia. Sky's relationship with Alice was cute, but didn't seem to go anywhere in this book and although she lends a skeptical view of the world of Talia, her protests were irritating to me considering it wasn't really her place to decide for her friends whether they wanted to be there or not. The story flows well and there are likable characters, but I feel the author has just added too many characters and too many different points of view to this story that it hinders the readers' relationships with the characters their reading about, their development (like I said), and their purpose. I felt the story could've been just about the world in Talia and would be more successful. The other world (or "our" world) just doesn't seem relevant at all in the plot. Falco's want to go back doesn't even come up until towards the end of the story and I'm even more disappointed in Luciano's reaction to his plan because he actually considers it. I guess it's a bit of a spoiler and I'm sorry, but honestly? I'm not really giving away anything of importance. I do, however, like the character of Sandro. He's pure of heart and is such an adorable character. The best part about him is that he actually grows as a character! Honestly the ONLY ONE! I know not all books are about character growth, but honestly? This book is all about leading up to this big battle that lasts only a few pages. This book wasn't absolutely terrible, but it wasn't amazing either.
May 19, 2010
For some books, plot is everything. For others, it is the characters that truly shine. And for yet others, it is the setting that sets it apart. City of Flowers, as the title might suggest, is one such novel. Being whisked away into an Italian renaissance fantasy world is an experience that is simply a pleasure to immerse yourself in. The parallel-set-in-the-past version of Italy, Talia, is as dangerous as it is beautiful, and there is some great atmosphere going on in many heart-stopping scenes.
From the bustling markets of the city streets to the awe-inspiring piazzas and churches of Giglia, every single scene is rich with detail about the setting. So much so that the characters almost seemed to fall flat. Perhaps it is just in comparison, but I’m afraid that even the introduction of a new Stravagante, Sky, wasn’t enough to freshen up character interactions or the plot.
In a way, there were too many characters and plots in this book. The Stravaganza series has two books prior to City of Flowers; two more plots, two more casts of characters, double the conflicts, and they are all packed into this installment; cameos are always fun to see, and of course long time fans want to see what the older characters are up to. Unfortunately, it is just too much for one book to handle; I was sad to see the new faces being pushed aside in order to include or drag on stories that have already been resolved. While the characters of Talia were quite lively and interesting, whenever the storyline switched back to modern day England it felt a little drab. The purpose of a character like Alice was unclear to me. She didn’t enhance the story and all her appearances felt a little forced, for some mandatory real world drama.
Nonetheless, this is a sequel that will surely please readers who have fallen in love with Mary Hoffman’s fantasy world. If you are unfamiliar to the series, it would be in your best interests to start from the beginning of the Stravaganza series, with City of Masks; City of Flowers narrates at a pace in which you should be expected to know what happened in the previous books.
All in all, it was a joy to revisit the treacherous streets of Talia, but the story and characters don’t hold up nearly as well; recommended if you enjoyed the first books in the Stravaganza series.
From the bustling markets of the city streets to the awe-inspiring piazzas and churches of Giglia, every single scene is rich with detail about the setting. So much so that the characters almost seemed to fall flat. Perhaps it is just in comparison, but I’m afraid that even the introduction of a new Stravagante, Sky, wasn’t enough to freshen up character interactions or the plot.
In a way, there were too many characters and plots in this book. The Stravaganza series has two books prior to City of Flowers; two more plots, two more casts of characters, double the conflicts, and they are all packed into this installment; cameos are always fun to see, and of course long time fans want to see what the older characters are up to. Unfortunately, it is just too much for one book to handle; I was sad to see the new faces being pushed aside in order to include or drag on stories that have already been resolved. While the characters of Talia were quite lively and interesting, whenever the storyline switched back to modern day England it felt a little drab. The purpose of a character like Alice was unclear to me. She didn’t enhance the story and all her appearances felt a little forced, for some mandatory real world drama.
Nonetheless, this is a sequel that will surely please readers who have fallen in love with Mary Hoffman’s fantasy world. If you are unfamiliar to the series, it would be in your best interests to start from the beginning of the Stravaganza series, with City of Masks; City of Flowers narrates at a pace in which you should be expected to know what happened in the previous books.
All in all, it was a joy to revisit the treacherous streets of Talia, but the story and characters don’t hold up nearly as well; recommended if you enjoyed the first books in the Stravaganza series.
November 30, 2015
This was quite good for the first half of the book. The world of 16th century 'Talia' (Italy in our world) was wonderfully evoked and there was all kinds of cool stuff going on - family feuds, murders, poisonings, etc. The characters from this world were interesting too, especially Giudutta and Sandro.
The '21st century' world and characters were a little plain, though. I really disliked the character of Georgia, she was over-emotional, while her friend Alice was over-dramatic and kind of a drip. Sky, the main male character, was okay, but no different to any other teenage boy, really, nothing made him particularly interesting. I gave up halfway through because Georgia was so annoying and that was okay when she was relegated to a minor role in things but then she starts to get more of a role, as does insipid Alice. I know the whole point of the story was the 'stravagating' (time travel) betwen 16th century Talia and 21st century England, but I'd have preferred it if had been historical/fantasy fiction set only in Talia. I'm fine with flying horses and potions and sword fights, but the 21st century characters and their world seemed dull in comparison to everything happening in Talia. Still, I would have finished it were it not for Georgia, who I seriously wanted to slap more and more.
My dislike for her character is a purely personal thing though, not the author's fault. I didn't care for the endless love triangles (actually they were more like love pentagons or something). A little bit of unrequited love is good, but this seemed excessive.
The '21st century' world and characters were a little plain, though. I really disliked the character of Georgia, she was over-emotional, while her friend Alice was over-dramatic and kind of a drip. Sky, the main male character, was okay, but no different to any other teenage boy, really, nothing made him particularly interesting. I gave up halfway through because Georgia was so annoying and that was okay when she was relegated to a minor role in things but then she starts to get more of a role, as does insipid Alice. I know the whole point of the story was the 'stravagating' (time travel) betwen 16th century Talia and 21st century England, but I'd have preferred it if had been historical/fantasy fiction set only in Talia. I'm fine with flying horses and potions and sword fights, but the 21st century characters and their world seemed dull in comparison to everything happening in Talia. Still, I would have finished it were it not for Georgia, who I seriously wanted to slap more and more.
My dislike for her character is a purely personal thing though, not the author's fault. I didn't care for the endless love triangles (actually they were more like love pentagons or something). A little bit of unrequited love is good, but this seemed excessive.
May 18, 2009
And this is where the Stavaganza series starts to wane a tiny bit? I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first two, mainly because I felt that parts of the plot were just...loose. Perhaps it's because there are a couple of threads that Hoffman plans to take up in previous books. And with someone like Rowling I'd feel like I was in capable hands and all would be explained/sorted out eventually. But at the end of City of Flowers, I just felt as if parts of the plot could have been done better. That and the profusion of characters in this book as opposed to the first two meant that I just wasn't as engaged as with the first two.
But perhaps this is an endorsement, as a die-hard completist I'm more than likely to read book four.
But perhaps this is an endorsement, as a die-hard completist I'm more than likely to read book four.
February 28, 2020
I can see now why I fell out of love with this series. I liked Sky but we don't really get to know him like we do the other kids; there is so much else going on in the story that he's more like a backdrop to link the recurring characters together than a character in his own right. The plot line with his father seems awkward and a little forced because we don't get to see any more of his personality once the other characters start showing up. It's also awfully convenient that he's into Georgia's best friend - which launches me into two of my other issues with this installment - convenience and the teen love drama.
Convenient coincidences are around every corner in this book; we happen to be where Gaetano and the di'Chimici are, they're distracted, the Manoush also happen to be right where they're needed, the friary is given a farm on the outskirts of the city just when they need one, the city is flooded but the important medicine box is stored in a room on the ground floor above head height (why?) with a sky light we can access it through, Sky's gran lives near Alice's dad, etc. etc. etc. It is ridiculous.
Not as ridiculous as the insane teenage drama in this book, though. That was a huge turnoff for me and probably put me off more than any other element of the story. Sky loves Alice but she's jealous of Georgia, "Nick" loves Georgia but she loves Lucian who loves Arianna who has to entertain marriage proposals from her enemies (and the duke doesn't even disguise his intentions for her - and for a political alliance he straight up tells her she'll be his little wife and her city will be ruled by someone else; how did he expect that to go over well?!) It is exhausting. This nonsense could have been replaced with actual plot and character development.
I started into the first book thinking the stravagating kids would just keep going back forever, but Lucian can't and Georgia's talisman is stolen (not that she makes a lot of trips once it's found). By this book I am getting heartily suspicious of the mechanics of this whole business. It seems like they're only called there briefly to do something and then quit, and a lot of the kids lay down their talismans at the end of this book (probably to clear the board of the overabundance of characters - it's clear there's too many for the author to juggle now). It seems a shame to be magically transported across space and time for a few weeks and then to never go again. But also, as I noted in my updates on this book, the kids aren't being trained on stravagational magic. They show up, learn something from whoever they end up with related to their occupation (we didn't really get to know Sulien or Paulo like we know Rudolpho, but it's clear who the core main characters are at this point), and then skip back home (for the most part). This book introduces some group telepathy to the kids that they are never shown to be trained on, that is never explained, and that may or may not work because we don't really know what they're doing since the dialogue about it is so vague. The series is really starting to fall apart in this installment and I hope it picks up in the next one (which I think I've read but remember nothing about; the first two books I had a much better memory of the story and characters). We should (by this volume) be learning more about what makes them special, why they're called, what it is that stravagantes actually do besides teleport to another world (the ones in Talia don't seem to go much; and when they go they're SUPPOSED to have a hard time staying (exception Falco: is it because he's a magical teen who can solve the world's problems?)). I also have a hell of a time at this point keeping the ages of all these kids straight with the misaligned gateway or whatever.
It has sort of devolved into chaos. I hope the next book gets the story back on track and gets us some practical information about what's really going on. There's also been some inconsistencies with the established rules of the story and I'd like to see that stop and/or be explained (for example, Falco had no trouble staying in England, Falco didn't pop back when he passed out, magic actually seems like just magic and not science, etc.)
I also want to add that there's a lot of dudes in this series for all it started out with such a strong feminist presence. Lucian's book had more strong female characters closer to the center of the plot. Georgia being a girl almost seems like a distraction from the almost complete lack of female main characters in her book - and she spends her time in Talia with boys disguised as a boy. Georgia also seems a little weird in this book - repeatedly breaking out in hysterical giggles. It's as though when among the boys who share her situation she has to be the emotional and overreacting one who is most susceptible to the crazy. There's another female stravagante in Sky's book, but like Paulo and Sulien we barely get to meet her (I'd much rather have seen him got to her studio than the church - though I'd have liked to see more about the maze other than them walking it - because it seemed more interesting there). Also, ALL her apprentices seem to be boys. The first book let us out into a world that wasn't completely patriarchal - where women could have purpose and authority - and most of that is swept under the rug in the rest of Talia we've seen so far. It's no wonder Arianna seems overwhelmed opposing the duke - the other noble women she's surrounded by can only hope for a good marriage for their lives (maybe the duke's proposal wouldn't have seemed so insane to one of them, and not a woman who was a ruler in her own right). It is frustrating.
Convenient coincidences are around every corner in this book; we happen to be where Gaetano and the di'Chimici are, they're distracted, the Manoush also happen to be right where they're needed, the friary is given a farm on the outskirts of the city just when they need one, the city is flooded but the important medicine box is stored in a room on the ground floor above head height (why?) with a sky light we can access it through, Sky's gran lives near Alice's dad, etc. etc. etc. It is ridiculous.
Not as ridiculous as the insane teenage drama in this book, though. That was a huge turnoff for me and probably put me off more than any other element of the story. Sky loves Alice but she's jealous of Georgia, "Nick" loves Georgia but she loves Lucian who loves Arianna who has to entertain marriage proposals from her enemies (and the duke doesn't even disguise his intentions for her - and for a political alliance he straight up tells her she'll be his little wife and her city will be ruled by someone else; how did he expect that to go over well?!) It is exhausting. This nonsense could have been replaced with actual plot and character development.
I started into the first book thinking the stravagating kids would just keep going back forever, but Lucian can't and Georgia's talisman is stolen (not that she makes a lot of trips once it's found). By this book I am getting heartily suspicious of the mechanics of this whole business. It seems like they're only called there briefly to do something and then quit, and a lot of the kids lay down their talismans at the end of this book (probably to clear the board of the overabundance of characters - it's clear there's too many for the author to juggle now). It seems a shame to be magically transported across space and time for a few weeks and then to never go again. But also, as I noted in my updates on this book, the kids aren't being trained on stravagational magic. They show up, learn something from whoever they end up with related to their occupation (we didn't really get to know Sulien or Paulo like we know Rudolpho, but it's clear who the core main characters are at this point), and then skip back home (for the most part). This book introduces some group telepathy to the kids that they are never shown to be trained on, that is never explained, and that may or may not work because we don't really know what they're doing since the dialogue about it is so vague. The series is really starting to fall apart in this installment and I hope it picks up in the next one (which I think I've read but remember nothing about; the first two books I had a much better memory of the story and characters). We should (by this volume) be learning more about what makes them special, why they're called, what it is that stravagantes actually do besides teleport to another world (the ones in Talia don't seem to go much; and when they go they're SUPPOSED to have a hard time staying (exception Falco: is it because he's a magical teen who can solve the world's problems?)). I also have a hell of a time at this point keeping the ages of all these kids straight with the misaligned gateway or whatever.
It has sort of devolved into chaos. I hope the next book gets the story back on track and gets us some practical information about what's really going on. There's also been some inconsistencies with the established rules of the story and I'd like to see that stop and/or be explained (for example, Falco had no trouble staying in England, Falco didn't pop back when he passed out, magic actually seems like just magic and not science, etc.)
I also want to add that there's a lot of dudes in this series for all it started out with such a strong feminist presence. Lucian's book had more strong female characters closer to the center of the plot. Georgia being a girl almost seems like a distraction from the almost complete lack of female main characters in her book - and she spends her time in Talia with boys disguised as a boy. Georgia also seems a little weird in this book - repeatedly breaking out in hysterical giggles. It's as though when among the boys who share her situation she has to be the emotional and overreacting one who is most susceptible to the crazy. There's another female stravagante in Sky's book, but like Paulo and Sulien we barely get to meet her (I'd much rather have seen him got to her studio than the church - though I'd have liked to see more about the maze other than them walking it - because it seemed more interesting there). Also, ALL her apprentices seem to be boys. The first book let us out into a world that wasn't completely patriarchal - where women could have purpose and authority - and most of that is swept under the rug in the rest of Talia we've seen so far. It's no wonder Arianna seems overwhelmed opposing the duke - the other noble women she's surrounded by can only hope for a good marriage for their lives (maybe the duke's proposal wouldn't have seemed so insane to one of them, and not a woman who was a ruler in her own right). It is frustrating.
June 27, 2011
As others have said I really didn't enjoy this book as much as the first two in the series. It feels a lot like Sky doesn't have much to do with the story at all, and he's just there as a fill-in. Very disappointed with this one. Here's hoping #4 is better!
March 28, 2009
I don't really remember this last one. Maybe I should reread it.
February 10, 2022
Gosh, I really love the Stravaganza sequence, and I can really tell why this was my favourite series as a teen.
What other author in the early noughties was writing YA fantasy featuring a mixed race, child carer protagonist?? What other YA author was setting their stories in magical Renaissance Italy?? And what other YA author focuses on love hexagons rather than love triangles in their stories (although that was more in City of Stars)??? All with a wonderful cast of main characters?? Mary Hoffman was really feeding me the goods.
IIRC, City of Flowers was my favourite of the original trilogy, and I can see why. Dramatic scenes, an amazing large and colourful cast of characters, etc. But reading with an adult's eye, I can also see why City of Stars is commonly considered the best in the series - Stars is a better book. While the politics and fantasy elements expand a bit in Flowers, Stars focuses on telling a very well-structured story with the absolute best resolution. Even though Flowers had both incredible and important scenes, the actual arc of the story was far less strong - down to the detail of the fantasy elements, which were incredibly hazy at best and about as unexplored as possible, as well as the story being a little less compact than it perhaps should have been. I don't know what would have been cut, but some things felt like they should have been tightened, and pacing and events smoothed into each other a little better. You can tell that this book is the editor/agent (I forget which)'s favourite book because it feels like it's been through the least before publication, because everyone liked it so much. And let's be real - I'm one of those people. I love it. But mainly for the characters and perhaps events 3/4 of the way through - not for the whole story arc, or Sky's big conclusion, which was definitely the weakest of the three books so far, even if it was significant to the macro plot.
I just love this cast of characters so much, and definitely this one in particular felt the most like a book that would make a great TV series - much more so than the previous two. In contrast, City of Masks would be the most disappointing to adapt of all three so far imho.
I now look forward to delving into the second trilogy of this series. I am hopeful for recurrence of the main characters; I know Luciano will always be there, but fingers crossed for Georgia, Sky, and Nick too.
On a last note, I've always wondered why I've been impervious to people saying, "such and such a book is AMAZING because it's got really good morally grey characters". I've since realised it's because I've been reading about the best morally grey characters in fiction like Stravaganza and His Dark Materials since I was in double digits. And I threw aside comments of, "bookworm readers pick a character and steal their personality traits," thinking that didn't apply to me. Well upon re-read, I realised how much I had been trying to emulate the traits of the amazing Sky Meadows. We live and we learn.
4.75*
What other author in the early noughties was writing YA fantasy featuring a mixed race, child carer protagonist?? What other YA author was setting their stories in magical Renaissance Italy?? And what other YA author focuses on love hexagons rather than love triangles in their stories (although that was more in City of Stars)??? All with a wonderful cast of main characters?? Mary Hoffman was really feeding me the goods.
IIRC, City of Flowers was my favourite of the original trilogy, and I can see why. Dramatic scenes, an amazing large and colourful cast of characters, etc. But reading with an adult's eye, I can also see why City of Stars is commonly considered the best in the series - Stars is a better book. While the politics and fantasy elements expand a bit in Flowers, Stars focuses on telling a very well-structured story with the absolute best resolution. Even though Flowers had both incredible and important scenes, the actual arc of the story was far less strong - down to the detail of the fantasy elements, which were incredibly hazy at best and about as unexplored as possible, as well as the story being a little less compact than it perhaps should have been. I don't know what would have been cut, but some things felt like they should have been tightened, and pacing and events smoothed into each other a little better. You can tell that this book is the editor/agent (I forget which)'s favourite book because it feels like it's been through the least before publication, because everyone liked it so much. And let's be real - I'm one of those people. I love it. But mainly for the characters and perhaps events 3/4 of the way through - not for the whole story arc, or Sky's big conclusion, which was definitely the weakest of the three books so far, even if it was significant to the macro plot.
I just love this cast of characters so much, and definitely this one in particular felt the most like a book that would make a great TV series - much more so than the previous two. In contrast, City of Masks would be the most disappointing to adapt of all three so far imho.
I now look forward to delving into the second trilogy of this series. I am hopeful for recurrence of the main characters; I know Luciano will always be there, but fingers crossed for Georgia, Sky, and Nick too.
On a last note, I've always wondered why I've been impervious to people saying, "such and such a book is AMAZING because it's got really good morally grey characters". I've since realised it's because I've been reading about the best morally grey characters in fiction like Stravaganza and His Dark Materials since I was in double digits. And I threw aside comments of, "bookworm readers pick a character and steal their personality traits," thinking that didn't apply to me. Well upon re-read, I realised how much I had been trying to emulate the traits of the amazing Sky Meadows. We live and we learn.
4.75*
March 4, 2021
This third book was good, very good, but not as good as the first and second books of the series.
Mary Hoffman’s characters must make dramatic decisions in this third book. However well written, the characters’ behaviour in this book seemed a little erratic and unjustified. The relationship between Gaetano, Falco, and their father, established in the previous book as an oxymoronic one where the sons both loved their dad while despising his actions, became ever more complex in this book, and I got the feeling that Gaetano’s choice to be his father’s second at the duel remained puzzling.
Also, Luciano and Arianna’s slow burning romance going on since book 1 felt odd in this intended finale for the trilogy. Friends before all, Luciano and Arianna had a relationship established on mutual trust and respect since day one, so I had a little difficulty understanding their communication problems in this book. Likewise, being the passionate young man that he is, I would have expected Luciano to confess and rebuild his relationship with Arianna much sooner. Similarly, as fierce of a “both a ruler and a girl” that she is, I thought that Arianna would not be the kind of person to play a “he loves me, he loves me not” type of game. And the resolution of the tension between the two at the very end of the book, while tropey and lovely, felt quite rushed given the size of the rift between the two.
In short, I would have loved to see more characterisation overall. On the bright side, I loved Sky, especially his maturity and competence, which is rare to see in Young Adult characters.
Another thing that struck me in this book was the rhythm. I read the whole thing on the edge of my chair, but I felt like the mid-point disasters (natural and man-made!) and the subsequent crises felt way more exciting than the duel, resolving the tensions of the trilogy.
Lastly, I am guilty of being a big shipper of Gaetano and Francesca, and I am quite sad that they did not get a place in the epilogue. But I am just being petty! :)
All in all, this was a really engaging book, and I am now pointing out flaws just because the first two of the Stravaganza series were amazingly good!
Mary Hoffman’s characters must make dramatic decisions in this third book. However well written, the characters’ behaviour in this book seemed a little erratic and unjustified. The relationship between Gaetano, Falco, and their father, established in the previous book as an oxymoronic one where the sons both loved their dad while despising his actions, became ever more complex in this book, and I got the feeling that Gaetano’s choice to be his father’s second at the duel remained puzzling.
Also, Luciano and Arianna’s slow burning romance going on since book 1 felt odd in this intended finale for the trilogy. Friends before all, Luciano and Arianna had a relationship established on mutual trust and respect since day one, so I had a little difficulty understanding their communication problems in this book. Likewise, being the passionate young man that he is, I would have expected Luciano to confess and rebuild his relationship with Arianna much sooner. Similarly, as fierce of a “both a ruler and a girl” that she is, I thought that Arianna would not be the kind of person to play a “he loves me, he loves me not” type of game. And the resolution of the tension between the two at the very end of the book, while tropey and lovely, felt quite rushed given the size of the rift between the two.
In short, I would have loved to see more characterisation overall. On the bright side, I loved Sky, especially his maturity and competence, which is rare to see in Young Adult characters.
Another thing that struck me in this book was the rhythm. I read the whole thing on the edge of my chair, but I felt like the mid-point disasters (natural and man-made!) and the subsequent crises felt way more exciting than the duel, resolving the tensions of the trilogy.
Lastly, I am guilty of being a big shipper of Gaetano and Francesca, and I am quite sad that they did not get a place in the epilogue. But I am just being petty! :)
All in all, this was a really engaging book, and I am now pointing out flaws just because the first two of the Stravaganza series were amazingly good!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2023
I read that this was apparently the original end of this series, but after completing it, Hoffman decided to write more books. And I’m glad she did! This is an interesting idea for a series and I think we need more fantasy versions of the Renaissance.
Our story this time features Sky, who is in my estimation the most well-adjusted protagonist yet, which is interesting considering his mother is ill for a large chunk of his life and his absent father is an international rock star who has never met him. He’s a pretty cool guy! Sky knows what’s up. I want to see more of him in future books.
I think a weakness of the series is that very often it seems like large chunks of the stories are about our protagonists observing events in Talia rather than being active participants, until the end when their role becomes more clear. It’s not bad, but if this was originally meant to be a finale, I’m glad it isn’t because in many ways it doesn’t feel like one.
In other ways it does, though–Luciano, Arianna, Georgia, and Nicholas have sort-of conclusions to their character arcs, and the lead ups to those conclusions make you wonder precisely what’s going to happen before the end. I mean, I was pretty sure I knew where they’d end up, but YA books have surprised me before so I try to keep on my toes.
Okay, but, Hoffman, we’ve got to talk about some of these relationships. So many of the Chimici are marrying their cousins, and yeah, in an Italian Renaissance setting that’s not so out there, but NONE of the modern British kids are phased by this (thankfully none of them are in that kind of relationship)? And at least one of them is portrayed as being fairly romantic and sweet. And like FOUR of these cousin pairs are marrying in this book. And!! Then Sky’s mom starts dating his girlfriend’s dad which is a pretty weird–though admittedly it starts picking up as Sky and Alice are drifting apart.
Other than that though, we’re good to keep moving forward with the series.
Our story this time features Sky, who is in my estimation the most well-adjusted protagonist yet, which is interesting considering his mother is ill for a large chunk of his life and his absent father is an international rock star who has never met him. He’s a pretty cool guy! Sky knows what’s up. I want to see more of him in future books.
I think a weakness of the series is that very often it seems like large chunks of the stories are about our protagonists observing events in Talia rather than being active participants, until the end when their role becomes more clear. It’s not bad, but if this was originally meant to be a finale, I’m glad it isn’t because in many ways it doesn’t feel like one.
In other ways it does, though–Luciano, Arianna, Georgia, and Nicholas have sort-of conclusions to their character arcs, and the lead ups to those conclusions make you wonder precisely what’s going to happen before the end. I mean, I was pretty sure I knew where they’d end up, but YA books have surprised me before so I try to keep on my toes.
Okay, but, Hoffman, we’ve got to talk about some of these relationships. So many of the Chimici are marrying their cousins, and yeah, in an Italian Renaissance setting that’s not so out there, but NONE of the modern British kids are phased by this (thankfully none of them are in that kind of relationship)? And at least one of them is portrayed as being fairly romantic and sweet. And like FOUR of these cousin pairs are marrying in this book. And!! Then Sky’s mom starts dating his girlfriend’s dad which is a pretty weird–though admittedly it starts picking up as Sky and Alice are drifting apart.
Other than that though, we’re good to keep moving forward with the series.
December 30, 2020
This one was my least favourite of the first three in the series. It wasn't bad... but it wasn't good either. The story was good and there were some parts that I really enjoyed like the duel between the Duke and Luciano and the slaughter during the weddings - but then there were also parts that seemed to go by way too fast.
After the slaughter we don't know if Gaetano will live or not .... for a few pages than he is suddenly alive and well and able to walk.
I also didn't care for most of the characters in this one aside from Sandro, I almost wish that Sandro was the focus instead of Sky because his story was more interesting than Sky's. We had Luciano that had cancer and was dying, we had Georgia who was relentlessly bullied by her step brother and used Talia as an escape from that - then we get Sky... who has a sick mother and a father he doesn't know - which would've been fine if his mother didn't get well and good really fast- I wish that she remained sick through most of the book and get better at the end, that would've made Sky a little bit more interesting and a better protagonist.
I loved Luciano and Arianna in the previous book - but I didn't like Arianna in this one- and I hated their side plot in this book. They are in love, they don't say it to each other, they get engaged at the end- I was waiting for them to finally get together and married and that took way too long.
Some of the book really dragged on and it took me way too long to finish this one when I flew through the previous two. It's not a bad book but it's missing something compared to the other two.
Here's hoping that the next three are better.
After the slaughter we don't know if Gaetano will live or not .... for a few pages than he is suddenly alive and well and able to walk.
I also didn't care for most of the characters in this one aside from Sandro, I almost wish that Sandro was the focus instead of Sky because his story was more interesting than Sky's. We had Luciano that had cancer and was dying, we had Georgia who was relentlessly bullied by her step brother and used Talia as an escape from that - then we get Sky... who has a sick mother and a father he doesn't know - which would've been fine if his mother didn't get well and good really fast- I wish that she remained sick through most of the book and get better at the end, that would've made Sky a little bit more interesting and a better protagonist.
I loved Luciano and Arianna in the previous book - but I didn't like Arianna in this one- and I hated their side plot in this book. They are in love, they don't say it to each other, they get engaged at the end- I was waiting for them to finally get together and married and that took way too long.
Some of the book really dragged on and it took me way too long to finish this one when I flew through the previous two. It's not a bad book but it's missing something compared to the other two.
Here's hoping that the next three are better.
November 26, 2018
I got thoroughly immersed in this universe in this book in particular. I found myself thinking about the characters and their predicaments at the most random of times. I loved the drama and the duelling and the mystery of Sandro's true colours, couldn't help but have a soft spot for him by the end of it (although Brother Dog is probably my favourite character and favourite little moment from this book.)
I was so hurt for Nick during his uncertainty- that must have been such torture- though I'm relieved by the conclusion of that little plotline.
I am most relieved, however, by the closing few paragraphs! They did it! Luciano and Arianna got their shit together! I can breathe freely now.
I'd also like to say that I am very glad that Georgia found a way to keep her own talisman and city while still getting involved with Giglia and its troubles- a very tidy little answer, tickled me in my content spots.
All in all, thoroughly bloody enjoyable- amusing, tense, dramatic. A wonderful concept, personally I'm in love with Renaissance Italy with a twist. I must admit, however, that the families and who was who and who had grudges against who was nye on impossible for me to follow so I was left a little confused when those came into play. Otherwise, I definitely recommend this.
I was so hurt for Nick during his uncertainty- that must have been such torture- though I'm relieved by the conclusion of that little plotline.
I am most relieved, however, by the closing few paragraphs! They did it! Luciano and Arianna got their shit together! I can breathe freely now.
I'd also like to say that I am very glad that Georgia found a way to keep her own talisman and city while still getting involved with Giglia and its troubles- a very tidy little answer, tickled me in my content spots.
All in all, thoroughly bloody enjoyable- amusing, tense, dramatic. A wonderful concept, personally I'm in love with Renaissance Italy with a twist. I must admit, however, that the families and who was who and who had grudges against who was nye on impossible for me to follow so I was left a little confused when those came into play. Otherwise, I definitely recommend this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2023
Que livro incrível! Eu já tinha gostado bastante dos dois primeiros volumes, mas este foi mesmo, o melhor até agora. Nos outros volumes senti que demorei muito mais tempo a adaptar às novas personagens no início, talvez porque fiz uma pausa maior entre o 2° volume e o 3° (2 meses) e adiei a leitura, porque pensei que ia ser uma leitura mais demorada, mas acabei por ler o livro em 12 dias o que nem foi assim tanto e ainda por cima os últimos capítulos passaram a correr.
Este livro teve imensas reviravoltas, até mesmo na vida em Londres! No entanto a minha única sugestão de melhoria seria o Rainbow Warrior (o pai de Sky) não aparecer, porque senti que ele foi meio inútil e existiam soluções de ter o mesmo resultado sem o incluir (que não vou explicar para não dar spoilers).
Não consigo dizer mais nada sem dar spoilers a não ser: Por favor, leiam esta série de livros, porque é INCRÍVEL e eu NECESSITO de alguém para falar sobre as reviravoltas que isto teve. Eu juro que dei por mim a falar sozinha e a reclamar dos personagens e a querer ir a Tália dar-lhes conselhos.
Este livro teve imensas reviravoltas, até mesmo na vida em Londres! No entanto a minha única sugestão de melhoria seria o Rainbow Warrior (o pai de Sky) não aparecer, porque senti que ele foi meio inútil e existiam soluções de ter o mesmo resultado sem o incluir (que não vou explicar para não dar spoilers).
Não consigo dizer mais nada sem dar spoilers a não ser: Por favor, leiam esta série de livros, porque é INCRÍVEL e eu NECESSITO de alguém para falar sobre as reviravoltas que isto teve. Eu juro que dei por mim a falar sozinha e a reclamar dos personagens e a querer ir a Tália dar-lhes conselhos.
May 19, 2020
Al final he conseguido leerlo, aunque está en inglés. Me ha gustado. Sky me cae bien y esta entrega sigue la línea de las anteriores. Ya estoy acostumbrada a los saltos temporales y de personajes que son habituales en esta saga. Esta entrega nos muestra a los stravagantes en acción y cómo la hermandad va tomando forma poco a poco. Muchos de los integrantes aún están verdes, o desconocen sus verdaderas cualidades porque son muy jóvenes. Ni si quiera los fundadores conocen los entresijos de su propio poder, y a veces me parece que dan palos de ciego. Las intrigas son sencillas (pero teniendo en cuenta que esta historia está enfocada a un público juvenil tampoco me voy a explayar). Seguramente me leeré el siguiente, pero voy a descansar una temporada. El final ha sido un tanto predecible, pero me ha parecido muy bonito.
February 24, 2022
E terminamos em Tália ou Florença como se queira chamar onde conhecemos Sky que vai ver a sua vida levar uma reviravolta ao entrar num convento franciscano no passado depois dele próprio no presente ter tido uma vida complicada a ajudar a mãe. Sky vai ter um papel relevante neste livro onde o farmacêutico mestre de Talia o vai ensinar que nem tudo é o que parece e para isso vai contar com a ajuda de Georgia, Luciano e Nicholas/Falco para o ajudarem a estravagar e a mudar o rumo da história de Arianna e do seu ducado. Entre casamentos, cavalos alados, inundações e mortes acabamos por desvendar os mistérios dos livros anteriores mas onde as personagens acabam todas por encaixar no sítio certo no final com os vilões a serem punidos e o amor a triunfar no século XXI e no século XV.
September 1, 2017
Wederom stravageren we naar Giglia. Deze keer is Sky de hoofdpersoon. Sky is de zoon van een moeder met ME en dus veel van de taken komen op hem neer. Sky is het resultaat van een one night stand met worrior een beroemde muziekant. Alleen moeder heeft contact met deze man. Sky heeft nog nooit contact met hem gehad.
De vierdubbele bruiloft van de Chimici's dreigt een bloedbad te worden door de vete tussen hun en een andere familie. Het leest zeker fijn weg. En vormt eigenlijk een goed beeld van de stad-staden in de 16e eeuw van Italië. Een levend geschiedenispallet die redelijk de vorige boeken en karakters meevoert in dit boek. Wel is het aan te raden de boeken in volgorde te lezen.
De vierdubbele bruiloft van de Chimici's dreigt een bloedbad te worden door de vete tussen hun en een andere familie. Het leest zeker fijn weg. En vormt eigenlijk een goed beeld van de stad-staden in de 16e eeuw van Italië. Een levend geschiedenispallet die redelijk de vorige boeken en karakters meevoert in dit boek. Wel is het aan te raden de boeken in volgorde te lezen.
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