What do you think?
Rate this book
The Virgins of Venice
In sixteenth-century Venice, one young noblewoman dares to resist the choices made for her
Venice in 1509 is on the brink of war. The displeasure of Pope Julius II is a continuing threat to the republic, as is the barely contained fighting in the countryside. Amid this turmoil, noblewoman Justina Soranzo, just sixteen, hopes to make a rare love marriage with her sweetheart, Luca Cicogna. Her hopes are dashed when her father decides her younger sister, Rosa, will marry in a strategic alliance and Justina will be sent to the San Zaccaria convent, in the tradition of aristocratic daughters. Lord Soranzo is not acting only to protect his family. It’s well known that he is in debt to both his trading partners and the most infamous courtesan in the city, La Diamante, and the pressure is closing in.
After arriving at the convent, Justina takes solace in her aunt Livia, one of the nuns, and in the growing knowledge that all is not strictly devout at San Zaccaria. Justina is shocked to discover how the women of the convent find their own freedom in what seems to her like a prison. But secrets and scandals breach the convent walls, and Justina learns there may be even worse fates for her than the veil, if La Diamante makes good on her threats.
Desperate to protect herself and the ones she loves, Justina turns to Luca for help. She finds she must trust her own heart to make the impossible decisions that may save or ruin them all.
Venice in 1509 is on the brink of war. The displeasure of Pope Julius II is a continuing threat to the republic, as is the barely contained fighting in the countryside. Amid this turmoil, noblewoman Justina Soranzo, just sixteen, hopes to make a rare love marriage with her sweetheart, Luca Cicogna. Her hopes are dashed when her father decides her younger sister, Rosa, will marry in a strategic alliance and Justina will be sent to the San Zaccaria convent, in the tradition of aristocratic daughters. Lord Soranzo is not acting only to protect his family. It’s well known that he is in debt to both his trading partners and the most infamous courtesan in the city, La Diamante, and the pressure is closing in.
After arriving at the convent, Justina takes solace in her aunt Livia, one of the nuns, and in the growing knowledge that all is not strictly devout at San Zaccaria. Justina is shocked to discover how the women of the convent find their own freedom in what seems to her like a prison. But secrets and scandals breach the convent walls, and Justina learns there may be even worse fates for her than the veil, if La Diamante makes good on her threats.
Desperate to protect herself and the ones she loves, Justina turns to Luca for help. She finds she must trust her own heart to make the impossible decisions that may save or ruin them all.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2022
21 people are currently reading
13127 people want to read
About the author
Gina Buonaguro
5 books1,045 followersFREE SHORT CHRISTMAS STORY - All you have to do is sign up for my newsletters on my website before December 21, 2025. Please sign up for yourself and tell a friend too to receive CHRISTMAS IN ALCATRAZ (under my coauthored pen name)!
https://ginabu.eo.page/ginabu-com
Here's what one reviewer said about it: "What fun! This is a perfect holiday story that will make you smile and feel warm inside.
Nice to read about a couple in love, but not in the usual age group or setting. Alcatraz of all places! Absolutely charming, totally recommended!"
My historical novel, THE VIRGINS OF VENICE, won First Place Winner of the 2023 Chaucer Early Historical Fiction Award - please add it to your "want to read" list!
I am the coauthor with Janice Kirk of The Sidewalk Artist, Ciao Bella, and The Wolves of St. Peter's.
I along with Janice also have written under the pen name Meadow Taylor and have won one Canada Council for the Arts grant and two Ontario Arts Council grants.
Visit my website, join me on Facebook, and follow me on BookBub.
https://ginabu.eo.page/ginabu-com
Here's what one reviewer said about it: "What fun! This is a perfect holiday story that will make you smile and feel warm inside.
Nice to read about a couple in love, but not in the usual age group or setting. Alcatraz of all places! Absolutely charming, totally recommended!"
My historical novel, THE VIRGINS OF VENICE, won First Place Winner of the 2023 Chaucer Early Historical Fiction Award - please add it to your "want to read" list!
I am the coauthor with Janice Kirk of The Sidewalk Artist, Ciao Bella, and The Wolves of St. Peter's.
I along with Janice also have written under the pen name Meadow Taylor and have won one Canada Council for the Arts grant and two Ontario Arts Council grants.
Visit my website, join me on Facebook, and follow me on BookBub.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
December 21, 2022
Justina is the oldest daughter of a Noble family in 16th century Florence and like most families of the day sent their oldest daughter to a convent. Instead of getting the religious education she was sent therefore she instead got an education on scandal in the debauchery, butmost of all secrets. Christina was in love with her brother Paul Lowe’s good friend a lord name Lucas he intern was in love with her. When he approached his father to say he wanted to claim Justine is his wife his father told him that was a more advantageous marriage he had in mind and Lucas being the dutiful Italian son married another. At the convent she grew close to her aunt and who she just thought of as a unmarried woman but in reality she had had a love that has lasted throughout the years and one she has kept hidden for good reason not only that she meets Senada an unhappy sister-in-law to Rosie, her sister who had an arranged marriage to Zaga. Zenetta isn’t Justine‘s only problem though the Cortisen del monte is owed money by Justine‘s father in it he doesn’t pay she is going to sell Justine‘s virginity while Justine sits in the convent fretting over her own future without love it seems her siblings who both have spouses also have a taste for the servants. Can Justine get over Lucas and what about angry Zanetta this is a time where words are worse than the lash and can have a more profound effect can she keep her appeased at least not do her any injury? That was so much to this book and so much more than I put in the summary but OMG this was a delicious read! I don’t know how else to explain it this was such a great book and one I wasn’t expecting about 16 century Italy. This book was beautiful, ugly, scary, intriguing it’s just an all-around awesome freaking book! Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
October 8, 2022
This is a pretty long book, but interesting nonetheless. I haven't read much historical fiction before and this was enjoyable. In fact, I think this might be pretty good as a TV show because of the drama and events that unfold. Every time you think that things begin to cool down, something happens. It keeps one on the edge.
I did feel sorry for Rosa. Being forced to marry a man she doesn't know or love. I am not spoiling anything, this is all stated at the beginning of the book. I think after this book, I might have to read a few more historical fiction.
I did feel sorry for Rosa. Being forced to marry a man she doesn't know or love. I am not spoiling anything, this is all stated at the beginning of the book. I think after this book, I might have to read a few more historical fiction.
October 5, 2022
This book is a page-turning, historical drama that took me through all the feels!
I won't give any spoilers, but I found the historical details fascinating. Gina Buonaguro does an excellent job of bringing the era to life, including the horrific treatment of women and girls. I wasn't always comfortable reading about the experiences of the young protagonists, but that's what makes this book so wonderful. It brings the reality of their situation to life.
This is no wishy-washy historical romance. Gina's newest novel is full of rich detail and plot twists that I didn't see coming. And I'm here for them!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I won't give any spoilers, but I found the historical details fascinating. Gina Buonaguro does an excellent job of bringing the era to life, including the horrific treatment of women and girls. I wasn't always comfortable reading about the experiences of the young protagonists, but that's what makes this book so wonderful. It brings the reality of their situation to life.
This is no wishy-washy historical romance. Gina's newest novel is full of rich detail and plot twists that I didn't see coming. And I'm here for them!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 26, 2022
The Virgins of Venice - there are only a handful of books that keep you so engaged from the beginning to the very end and Gina has brilliantly done it with this book.
A page turner story provides insight into life for noble women - marriage to a man or marriage to the church. Being with your true love is only a desired path that rarely transpires.
The subtleness of forbidden love, combined with the vivid images of Venice set in the 16th century - Gina captivates imagination and immersed me in a delicate balance of history and fiction.
A page turner story provides insight into life for noble women - marriage to a man or marriage to the church. Being with your true love is only a desired path that rarely transpires.
The subtleness of forbidden love, combined with the vivid images of Venice set in the 16th century - Gina captivates imagination and immersed me in a delicate balance of history and fiction.
September 22, 2022
The Virgins of Venice: A Novel by Gina Buonaguro is a well-written and meticulously researched historical novel that takes place in Venice, Italy during the Renaissance. The level of detail is what sets the tone for this noteworthy novel as it propels you back in time. Add in a healthy dose of romance and you have a book that is eminently readable. All of the smells, textures, politics, conflicts, mores, and emotions come to life in this intriguing and stunning novel. Read this book for total immersion in this fascinating time period. Highly recommend.
December 14, 2022
Loved all the fascinating detail - and the story was eventful too.
Great immersion into place and period.
I received a copy from Niche Reader but my opinions are my own.
Great immersion into place and period.
I received a copy from Niche Reader but my opinions are my own.
October 8, 2022
It is 1509 in Venice and two sisters, Rosa - 13 and Justina -16, are happily pondering their future. Rosa likes the gondolier, Teodor, and Justina is in love with Luca. However, their father, who is in debt, has other plans. He sends Justina to the convent at San Zaccaria and promises Rosa to a nobleman, Zago Zane. Both the girls are dismayed.
This novel follows their lives over the next few years as they try to navigate their forced paths vs. their heart. Additionally, Justina tries her hand at writing. But, there is a lot of sadness in their lives as they are not able to follow their hearts.
This was an interesting look at this time and it really aggravated me that women were used like property to be sold by their fathers. Fortunately, these women were educated, which was unusual. However, I just felt sad and angry while reading this story.
This novel follows their lives over the next few years as they try to navigate their forced paths vs. their heart. Additionally, Justina tries her hand at writing. But, there is a lot of sadness in their lives as they are not able to follow their hearts.
This was an interesting look at this time and it really aggravated me that women were used like property to be sold by their fathers. Fortunately, these women were educated, which was unusual. However, I just felt sad and angry while reading this story.
October 18, 2022
This was an entrancing story. Historical Venice is really brought to life, and it’s like stepping through a time portal to watch the story unfold. It’s clear the author did plenty of research to make this so realistic. I loved Justina from the start, and found her to be a compelling lead. She faces odds that seem insurmountable at times, but does an excellent job of confronting them head-on. Despite women at the time being treated more as property than individuals, Justina is determined to set her own path and save her family before things come crashing down around them. A story that will grab you from the outset that you won’t want to put down for even a moment.
October 7, 2022
Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
This was a superb read! I absolutely loved the opportunity to travel back to sixteenth-century Venice and see behind the walls of the San Zaccaria convent as much as I loved the chance to see how women fared with the social stratification, class barriers and social class rigidity in this maritime republic.
I always feel the pull to read books about strong women who question social norms and push against them. In this case, 16-year-old Justina Soranzo dares to resist the choices her noble family has made for her. Putting her dreams of a rare love marriage aside and obeying her father’s request, Justina became a victim of aristocratic tradition. To be at the mercy of her father’s ill-made decision due to the pressure of his mounting debts was palpable. I felt her anxiety of being caught between that, her country on the brink of war, and being a teenager experiencing first love. I could only imagine the tremendous weight placed upon her young shoulders.
The middle part of the book made me uncomfortable. I have no doubt that these ‘things’ were going on, I just didn’t want to read about them. I skipped many pages about promiscuous nuns, a cold, uncaring father who left a loved one at the mercy of horrible people, and a sex-mad older husband who essentially abused a young girl. Ah, the secrets in La Serenissima. Shudder.
My nana always used to say that adversity always brings with it a lesson and a blessing. Justina finds this true as she is cloistered away. I loved to see her pursue every avenue to breach the convent walls and cheered her on with each attempt. As she dug deep into the recesses of her heart, she found a solution - a solution that required her to risk it all.
I could see a lot of both my sister and me in the Soranzo sisters and noted how one single decision could change the entire direction of one’s life. I loved how the author captured the essence of Venice and was engaged in the vivid detail and with the pull on my heartstrings. When the aqua alta occurs and her sister Rose visits, I was glued to the story and couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough. This would make a fantastic book club choice as it lends itself to heated discussions about women's rights and how far society has progressed since the sixteenth century.
You’ll be glad you read this book about two sisters who dared to risk it all for freedom - the freedom to love and the freedom of choice. Beware of the content warnings.
I was gifted this advance copy by Harper Collins Canada and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This was a superb read! I absolutely loved the opportunity to travel back to sixteenth-century Venice and see behind the walls of the San Zaccaria convent as much as I loved the chance to see how women fared with the social stratification, class barriers and social class rigidity in this maritime republic.
I always feel the pull to read books about strong women who question social norms and push against them. In this case, 16-year-old Justina Soranzo dares to resist the choices her noble family has made for her. Putting her dreams of a rare love marriage aside and obeying her father’s request, Justina became a victim of aristocratic tradition. To be at the mercy of her father’s ill-made decision due to the pressure of his mounting debts was palpable. I felt her anxiety of being caught between that, her country on the brink of war, and being a teenager experiencing first love. I could only imagine the tremendous weight placed upon her young shoulders.
The middle part of the book made me uncomfortable. I have no doubt that these ‘things’ were going on, I just didn’t want to read about them. I skipped many pages about promiscuous nuns, a cold, uncaring father who left a loved one at the mercy of horrible people, and a sex-mad older husband who essentially abused a young girl. Ah, the secrets in La Serenissima. Shudder.
My nana always used to say that adversity always brings with it a lesson and a blessing. Justina finds this true as she is cloistered away. I loved to see her pursue every avenue to breach the convent walls and cheered her on with each attempt. As she dug deep into the recesses of her heart, she found a solution - a solution that required her to risk it all.
I could see a lot of both my sister and me in the Soranzo sisters and noted how one single decision could change the entire direction of one’s life. I loved how the author captured the essence of Venice and was engaged in the vivid detail and with the pull on my heartstrings. When the aqua alta occurs and her sister Rose visits, I was glued to the story and couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough. This would make a fantastic book club choice as it lends itself to heated discussions about women's rights and how far society has progressed since the sixteenth century.
You’ll be glad you read this book about two sisters who dared to risk it all for freedom - the freedom to love and the freedom of choice. Beware of the content warnings.
I was gifted this advance copy by Harper Collins Canada and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
October 20, 2022
The Virgins of Venice by Gina Buonaguro takes the reader back in time to 1509 in Venice. Once there, the reader is introduced to Justina Soranzo and her family. Born noble but due to bad investments by her father, Justina thinks she is going to marry her brother's best friend who she loves deeply, but instead is sent away to a convent while her younger sister Rosa marries into a rich family but her new husband is cruel. Things only go downhill from here for these characters and their friends. The pope is invading Venice, love is difficult and marriage more so, family is not always there for you, and everyone has secrets.
Justina's time at the convent helps her grow into herself as she learns more about herself and the world but watching the struggles of the woman around her both in the convent and out of the convent makes her angry at how the world she lives in treats women and she begins to write. Seeing Justina's growth throughout the novel was really interesting and the way she cares for the people around her made me like her a lot. The complex relationships she has with the different members of her family were intriguing to see play out. There is a lot going on in this book and I found it fascinating to watch all the pieces come together. It is a long read though.
The book is filled with forbidden love and inner strength. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those that love historical romance novels.
A quick note there are parts of this book to read as Justina's sister is forced to get married at 13 and is abused, gets pregnant, and loses her baby and she isn't the only woman in the book who is mistreated.
Justina's time at the convent helps her grow into herself as she learns more about herself and the world but watching the struggles of the woman around her both in the convent and out of the convent makes her angry at how the world she lives in treats women and she begins to write. Seeing Justina's growth throughout the novel was really interesting and the way she cares for the people around her made me like her a lot. The complex relationships she has with the different members of her family were intriguing to see play out. There is a lot going on in this book and I found it fascinating to watch all the pieces come together. It is a long read though.
The book is filled with forbidden love and inner strength. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those that love historical romance novels.
A quick note there are parts of this book to read as Justina's sister is forced to get married at 13 and is abused, gets pregnant, and loses her baby and she isn't the only woman in the book who is mistreated.
October 5, 2022
Before I start this review, I would just like to say that I understand the author was trying to make this as historically accurate as possible, and 13-year-olds getting married back in 1509 Venice is not unheard of, but this review is just my unfiltered reactions to this book, which honestly to me is like if the Kardashians had existed in the early 16th century.
There will be spoilers. I'm pretty much summarizing this whole book because it's really something.
The title of this book almost feels like a joke. The Virgins of Venice...more like Everyone is Pregnant in Venice.
The book starts off with our MC Justina, who is in love with her brother's best friend, Luca. Luca loves her too and has proposed to her and they're just waiting for Luca's father to ask Justina's father, when Justina's father decides he has other plans. Justina's family is kind of broke. Her dad is bad at business and her brother is pretty useless as well. He starts off all nice, supporting Justina and Luca, but he's pretty much a womanizer and spends most of his time with his new fraternity, planning festas and mummaries, while also flirting with their Turkish slave Madelena. At this point in Venice I guess, if you have more than one daughter, you can only really afford the dowry for one, so the rest end up as nuns at a convent... SO
The plan is now for Justina to go to a convent and take vows to become a nun since she's more into reading and writing and would make a bad wife (*insert openeyecrylaugh emote* because apparently all of bookstagram should be sent off to a convent). Meanwhile, her 13 year-old-sister, who is a Child, should marry a man who sounds like twice her age because she's beautiful and blonde and would make a better wife?? No one can argue with Justina's father, including her mother, and we spend the first few chapters in horror watching Rosa, Justina's sister, panic about having to get married. Which honestly is a huge mood.
To make matters worse, Rosa is in love with the family's Black gondolier. Now, you would think this is just a little crush. Because Rosa is only 13, there is no way it could be anything more than that. Well you thought wrong.
Anyway, for some stupid reason, and apparently there is an actual source to back this up. The Zanes (who Rosa is marrying into) have agreed to consummate the marriage before the actual wedding. Why? I have no clue, but I'm gonna say its for the Drama. But it's actually more horrifying than anything, watching Justina and her family pretty much abandon this actual child, who is screaming and crying, in the Zane's house for her fiancé to do as he pleases.
I've never watched Game of Thrones, but I'm assuming this is what the show is like.
Rosa is miserable and barely speaks after that, which makes complete sense. I cannot imagine what she went through and then continues to go through after she gets married. After Rosa is off and married, Justina takes her vows and becomes a nun and is also rather miserable because she was the one who was supposed to get married and she misses Luca and wants to be with him.
Rosa married into a very messed up family. They don't let her see her mom or sister, or let anyone visit unless Lord Zane (her husband) or his mother-in-law is there to supervise. It's blatant abuse. Rosa's husband "visits" her every night, sometimes multiple times, because all he cares about his having an heir, and he thinks because she's so young, she has plenty of time to give him a son. It's disgusting.
Lord Zane's sister Zanetta is a nun at the convent and is actual pure evil. The convent had a recent election, and Zanetta's friend didn't end up winning, so she's bitter and walks around like she's the haram police (but make it Catholic) getting into everyone's business and trying to get them into trouble.
A good middle portion of the book is kind of boring tbh. This book felt soooo long. I kept thinking I was further along than I was, only to find out I was barely 40% of the way through the book.
Anyway, fast forward to literally everyone and their mother is pregnant.
Rosa is pregnant and can finally sleep at night because her midwife has told her husband to be "gentle" with her *literally throws up*
Luca had to get married super quickly cause the pope is going to attack Venice and excommunicate it from the Church, so he marries some random girl who apparently is boring and not as great as Justina, and she eventually gets pregnant.
Justina's brother, Paolo, who Justina warned should be careful with Madelena because she is a slave and if she gets pregnant, their dad can do whatever he wants with her and throw her out onto the street, gets her pregnant of course.
And then we have this whole drama with a courtesan who Justina's brother and dad have both frequented and did not pay her the 100 ducats she is owed. As a result, this courtesan has been sending letters asking for her money, which Justina finds, and in this letter, the courtesan gives her dad an ultimatum: give me my 100 ducats or I give me your eldest daughter and I will sell her virginity off to the highest bidder even though she's kind of ugly. Just perfect.
To top all of this off...Paolo who is a womanizer and cannot just stick to one woman, went with a bunch of other guys and spent the night at another convent and got arrested. Bail is also 100 ducats. So Justina is freaking out because she knows her dad will chose her brother over her because he's the heir is trying to raise the money.
Meanwhile, the family finds out about Madelena being pregnant, and Justina's dad decides to sell her to the courtesan instead who wants to make use of her after she's finished being pregnant. Yes, I know this book is really something. But the courtesan agrees to let Madelena live at the convent as Justina's maid until she has the baby. Paolo gets out of jail cause men never get punished for anything, and Luca pays off the courtesan because he and Justina have been secretly in touch through letters.
Inside the convent, nothing is as it seems. Justina's aunt is also a nun and in a relationship with another nun, which Justina walks in on lol. Justina's next door cellmate is in a relationship with a carpenter. And yes, she also gets pregnant. Apparently its very normal for nuns to not really be nuns and have sex and then get pregnant and the Abbess apparently is chill with their babies being raised as orphans at the convent. She's kind of a cool Abbess. Zanetta and her posse wander around sneering at everyone and trying to listen in on your conversations.
Justina's aunt pretty much tells Justina you gotta enjoy life and experience love and then ask for forgiveness from God. So Justina and Luca plan a whole outing together on her birthday. (Luca has been visiting the convent to give her updates on her family when her brother was in prison). Nothing actually happens because Luca is an honourable man, but to no one's surprise, this makes it much harder for either of them to stay apart.
Justina also starts writing about life in the convent and everything she sees and hears around her, including what is happening with the Pope wanting to attack Venice, the secrets the nuns hide from the rest of the world and other heretical and sacrilegious things. She sends her writing to Luca, who thinks she's incredible and super intelligent (and I guess for her time period she would be, and the author does say her character is inspired by another nun who did publish her works), and he even helps her to find a publisher to publish her manuscript. I honestly felt like this version of Justina didn't fit well with the rest of her story. Justina, the writer is insightful and daring, arguing about the role of women in Venetian society. But irl she is completely different, mostly staying silent when Zanetta is bullying her and barely able to stand up for herself. At the same time, I feel like I’m also a completely different person in my writing than I am irl so I don’t know if I can judge.
Anyway, to summarize the pregnant people in this book so far:
>Rosa, Justina’s sister
>Luca’s wife
>Justina’s next-door cellmate
>Madelena who is pregnant with Paolo’s child
Justina’s next-door cellmate decides to run off with her carpenter now that she’s pregnant and sneaks off in the middle of the night. Before anyone can find out about this, an aqua alta occurs in Venice (pretty much a flood from high tides). And it just so happens Rosa is visiting at this time and her water breaks.
Honestly, this was my favourite part of the book and that’s entirely because I’m an obgyn nurse. Justina rushes her off to the infirmary and tries to send a pregnant Madelena out to get their midwife, but the water is too high. So instead, Justina goes next door where Luca lives (yes, I know, very convenient), and it just so happens that Luca’s wife has gotten a new midwife who was just visiting. Luca calls Justina by her first name, which is Scandal and Luca’s wife notices. And then he offers to escort Justina and the midwife back.
The midwife turns out to be Jewish (a lot of Jews escape Padua when it was attacked by the Pope and came to Venice), but they welcome her into the convent anyway cause they’re desperate. And then we get to the good stuff. The baby is in the wrong position, so the midwife performs an external cephalic version (which I was quite impressed with) and turned the baby head down. The baby eventually comes out and the midwife hands her over to the nun who runs the infirmary. There is no sound of a cry and instead the focus is returned to Rosa and trying to save her life. From the description it looks like she possibly had a postpartum hemorrhage because this involved a lot of fundal massages and whatnot, but Rosa does live (though the midwife informs her she will not be able to have more kids so I cannot imagine the damage this child did to this poor 13-year old kid), except the baby dies.
I should add btw…Rosa’s mother-in-law came with her to the convent and is waiting to hear about this kid. Justina picks up the bundle, pulls back the cloth. And turns out…the baby is Black. I literally just sat there shook for a moment because it did not cross my mind that a 13 year old would willingly have sex because that is a child and I thought at most she had a huge crush on Teodor (the gondolier), but nope, apparently she wanted to feel what true love was before she was forced to marry Lord Zane and had sex with him.
So now the panicking starts because Rosa’s mother-in-law will want to see her and the baby, even if the baby is dead. So they decide to tell her that the baby’s face is deformed because they had to pull the baby out quickly to save Rosa’s life, so that’s why the face is covered, and most likely no one will pull back the cover to see the baby’s skin colour. Rosa also wants them to bring Teodor to the convent so he can see his child he didn’t know existed.
Rosa’s mother-in-law arrives, holds the bundle, informs Rosa that Lord Zane will like to see the baby too and they will bury her in their family graveyard. So everyone starts panicking again because surely they’ll see what the baby looks like at the funeral, so after Rosa’s mother-in-law leaves and Teodor comes to see the baby, they bury the baby in the convent graveyard with the excuse that Rosa is now seeking shelter at the convent from her husband (fair) and she wants the baby buried close to her since she refuses to go back to her husband.
We get a scene later on with Lord Zane furious and at the convent demanding his wife be returned to him (he doesn’t care if she needs to heal and can’t even walk). But I love this Abbess and she stands him down and tells him to go ahead and call his lawyers, except she runs this convent and he can’t do anything. Justina and Rosa’s parents come, and her dad tries to convince her to go back to her husband, but Rosa decides to stay.
We eventually get a scene where Paolo comes to tell Justina the news that he’s going to the battle front to do mostly admin work and he wants to bring Madelena with him for enjoyment purposes. Madelena is amazing and refuses. The courtesan has offered to buy her freedom, and she realizes she can do more with her freedom than she can as a slave mistress for a nobleman. She makes Paolo promise that if she has a boy he will find him an apprenticeship and if it’s a girl, she’ll get to stay at the convent with Justina. Paolo is upset for one second and then asks Justina where her next-door cellmate is because she’s really pretty. Anyway, I hate him a lot. All he cares about is pleasure and sex and he takes no consideration into how it affects the women around him. When Rosa was freaking out about her marriage, he just told her that she needs to get over it and adjust and it’ll be fine. And when she refuses to go back to Lord Zane after her delivery, he acts like he can’t understand why his 13-year old sister would feel uncomfortable around a man twice her age who is only interested in bedding her until he gets a son. He’s gross and I hate him.
Luckily for us, he dies at the front like two pages later. And this is when things get spicy!
Luca comes to deliver the news. Justina is upset for one second, and then she’s like “Screw it! I’m gonna have sex with Luca” and she tells Luca this, and Luca is like “omg yes let’s do this instead of crying over your brother/my best friend dying”. So they make plans for him to climb the wall and meet her in the courtyard at night.
Now Justina thinks about telling Rosa and her aunt about her brother’s death, but realizes if she tells them, they’ll want to spend the night together praying and crying and that’ll ruin her sex plans of course. SO…she decides, whatever, she’ll tell them tomorrow morning and pretend she spent the night too upset to leave her room like 💀 I am all for hating Paolo, but seriously??
Anyway, Luca sneaks over, they have sex like three times. Justina has a hard time staying quiet. Apparently, Luca’s wife doesn’t enjoy sex with him. I really cared about that.
And then just when he’s about to leave, they open the door and there is Zanetta.
I was waiting for a showdown between Zanetta and Justina, and this was the most disappointing thing in the entire world. She threatens to expose them. Venice has new laws that will result in Luca being exiled and he’s just gotten a great position in the Council and has a baby on the way (in case anyone forgot). And what happens to Justina is up to the Abbess, but pretty sure Zanetta would make her life hell. Zanetta also points out that she knows Justina’s aunt was in a relationship with her best nun friend, and that she has plans to become the next abbess. She also knows about Justina’s sacrilegious writing because she snoops around Justina’s room. And she knows about Justina sneaking off to meet Luca that one other time. And she’s starting to get suspicious about Rosa burying her baby in the garden…
So instead of pushing her down the stairs or something, Justina ruins the lives of everyone around her. She promises to make her aunt not run for Abbess. She promises Zanetta that she will convince Rosa to go back to Lord Zane (Zanetta’s brother). She also promises to never see Luca again and to confess and repent. And finally, she promises to burn her manuscript.
It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever read. And all we get after this is that Justina realizes Zanetta was in love with Luca all along and she’s bitter she never got to be with him and everyone around her was doing whatever they wanted with no consequences, so she is bitter and making everyone else’s lives miserable.
So after throwing everyone under the bus, Luca leaves, Justina burns her manuscript, she confesses and then life moves on. She tells Rosa what happened, and Rosa is like “oh I was getting bored here and was thinking of going back anyway” like ???? girl you literally hate it there and were miserable?? At least you have ten times more freedom at the convent?? Justina’s aunt is like “okay fine, I won’t become abbess because after my girlfriend died I think everyone is suspicious we were together so I probably won’t win the election”. And that’s it.
A few years pass. Rosa has a boy. How she gets pregnant and safely delivers a baby after the midwife said she couldn’t, I have no idea. But apparently now she really can’t get pregnant again, and she tells her mom that Lord Zane doesn’t visit her anymore and she’s been finally able to get some sleep 🥴 Her mom seems shocked that Rosa would be happy about this, which is such a mom thing. Madelena had a girl, and Justina’s mom is kind of warming up to Madelena because her daughter looks like Paolo a bit. Justina is writing again, but this time it’s less inflammatory and more about day-to-day life in the convent and she doesn’t plan to publish it anymore. Luca apparently took some of her manuscript before it was burned and has had it printed anonymously…something about educating your daughters and it’s causing quite a stir. Justina has forgiven her father for some reason, though technically it’s all his fault. She’s still in love with Luca, but nothing will happen with that and The End.
It was a weird conclusion. This whole book was weird. And it was waaay too long. I honestly felt like I was watching a reality tv show set in early 1500s Venice. I wish we got more about the politics of the time. The Pope fighting and attacking cities and excommunicating them was definitely more interesting.
Overall, 2 stars because of the external cephalic version and fundal massage. I hope this review is a good enough summary for those of you who don’t want to go through the trouble of reading this book.
There will be spoilers. I'm pretty much summarizing this whole book because it's really something.
The title of this book almost feels like a joke. The Virgins of Venice...more like Everyone is Pregnant in Venice.
The book starts off with our MC Justina, who is in love with her brother's best friend, Luca. Luca loves her too and has proposed to her and they're just waiting for Luca's father to ask Justina's father, when Justina's father decides he has other plans. Justina's family is kind of broke. Her dad is bad at business and her brother is pretty useless as well. He starts off all nice, supporting Justina and Luca, but he's pretty much a womanizer and spends most of his time with his new fraternity, planning festas and mummaries, while also flirting with their Turkish slave Madelena. At this point in Venice I guess, if you have more than one daughter, you can only really afford the dowry for one, so the rest end up as nuns at a convent... SO
The plan is now for Justina to go to a convent and take vows to become a nun since she's more into reading and writing and would make a bad wife (*insert openeyecrylaugh emote* because apparently all of bookstagram should be sent off to a convent). Meanwhile, her 13 year-old-sister, who is a Child, should marry a man who sounds like twice her age because she's beautiful and blonde and would make a better wife?? No one can argue with Justina's father, including her mother, and we spend the first few chapters in horror watching Rosa, Justina's sister, panic about having to get married. Which honestly is a huge mood.
To make matters worse, Rosa is in love with the family's Black gondolier. Now, you would think this is just a little crush. Because Rosa is only 13, there is no way it could be anything more than that. Well you thought wrong.
Anyway, for some stupid reason, and apparently there is an actual source to back this up. The Zanes (who Rosa is marrying into) have agreed to consummate the marriage before the actual wedding. Why? I have no clue, but I'm gonna say its for the Drama. But it's actually more horrifying than anything, watching Justina and her family pretty much abandon this actual child, who is screaming and crying, in the Zane's house for her fiancé to do as he pleases.
I've never watched Game of Thrones, but I'm assuming this is what the show is like.
Rosa is miserable and barely speaks after that, which makes complete sense. I cannot imagine what she went through and then continues to go through after she gets married. After Rosa is off and married, Justina takes her vows and becomes a nun and is also rather miserable because she was the one who was supposed to get married and she misses Luca and wants to be with him.
Rosa married into a very messed up family. They don't let her see her mom or sister, or let anyone visit unless Lord Zane (her husband) or his mother-in-law is there to supervise. It's blatant abuse. Rosa's husband "visits" her every night, sometimes multiple times, because all he cares about his having an heir, and he thinks because she's so young, she has plenty of time to give him a son. It's disgusting.
Lord Zane's sister Zanetta is a nun at the convent and is actual pure evil. The convent had a recent election, and Zanetta's friend didn't end up winning, so she's bitter and walks around like she's the haram police (but make it Catholic) getting into everyone's business and trying to get them into trouble.
A good middle portion of the book is kind of boring tbh. This book felt soooo long. I kept thinking I was further along than I was, only to find out I was barely 40% of the way through the book.
Anyway, fast forward to literally everyone and their mother is pregnant.
Rosa is pregnant and can finally sleep at night because her midwife has told her husband to be "gentle" with her *literally throws up*
Luca had to get married super quickly cause the pope is going to attack Venice and excommunicate it from the Church, so he marries some random girl who apparently is boring and not as great as Justina, and she eventually gets pregnant.
Justina's brother, Paolo, who Justina warned should be careful with Madelena because she is a slave and if she gets pregnant, their dad can do whatever he wants with her and throw her out onto the street, gets her pregnant of course.
And then we have this whole drama with a courtesan who Justina's brother and dad have both frequented and did not pay her the 100 ducats she is owed. As a result, this courtesan has been sending letters asking for her money, which Justina finds, and in this letter, the courtesan gives her dad an ultimatum: give me my 100 ducats or I give me your eldest daughter and I will sell her virginity off to the highest bidder even though she's kind of ugly. Just perfect.
To top all of this off...Paolo who is a womanizer and cannot just stick to one woman, went with a bunch of other guys and spent the night at another convent and got arrested. Bail is also 100 ducats. So Justina is freaking out because she knows her dad will chose her brother over her because he's the heir is trying to raise the money.
Meanwhile, the family finds out about Madelena being pregnant, and Justina's dad decides to sell her to the courtesan instead who wants to make use of her after she's finished being pregnant. Yes, I know this book is really something. But the courtesan agrees to let Madelena live at the convent as Justina's maid until she has the baby. Paolo gets out of jail cause men never get punished for anything, and Luca pays off the courtesan because he and Justina have been secretly in touch through letters.
Inside the convent, nothing is as it seems. Justina's aunt is also a nun and in a relationship with another nun, which Justina walks in on lol. Justina's next door cellmate is in a relationship with a carpenter. And yes, she also gets pregnant. Apparently its very normal for nuns to not really be nuns and have sex and then get pregnant and the Abbess apparently is chill with their babies being raised as orphans at the convent. She's kind of a cool Abbess. Zanetta and her posse wander around sneering at everyone and trying to listen in on your conversations.
Justina's aunt pretty much tells Justina you gotta enjoy life and experience love and then ask for forgiveness from God. So Justina and Luca plan a whole outing together on her birthday. (Luca has been visiting the convent to give her updates on her family when her brother was in prison). Nothing actually happens because Luca is an honourable man, but to no one's surprise, this makes it much harder for either of them to stay apart.
Justina also starts writing about life in the convent and everything she sees and hears around her, including what is happening with the Pope wanting to attack Venice, the secrets the nuns hide from the rest of the world and other heretical and sacrilegious things. She sends her writing to Luca, who thinks she's incredible and super intelligent (and I guess for her time period she would be, and the author does say her character is inspired by another nun who did publish her works), and he even helps her to find a publisher to publish her manuscript. I honestly felt like this version of Justina didn't fit well with the rest of her story. Justina, the writer is insightful and daring, arguing about the role of women in Venetian society. But irl she is completely different, mostly staying silent when Zanetta is bullying her and barely able to stand up for herself. At the same time, I feel like I’m also a completely different person in my writing than I am irl so I don’t know if I can judge.
Anyway, to summarize the pregnant people in this book so far:
>Rosa, Justina’s sister
>Luca’s wife
>Justina’s next-door cellmate
>Madelena who is pregnant with Paolo’s child
Justina’s next-door cellmate decides to run off with her carpenter now that she’s pregnant and sneaks off in the middle of the night. Before anyone can find out about this, an aqua alta occurs in Venice (pretty much a flood from high tides). And it just so happens Rosa is visiting at this time and her water breaks.
Honestly, this was my favourite part of the book and that’s entirely because I’m an obgyn nurse. Justina rushes her off to the infirmary and tries to send a pregnant Madelena out to get their midwife, but the water is too high. So instead, Justina goes next door where Luca lives (yes, I know, very convenient), and it just so happens that Luca’s wife has gotten a new midwife who was just visiting. Luca calls Justina by her first name, which is Scandal and Luca’s wife notices. And then he offers to escort Justina and the midwife back.
The midwife turns out to be Jewish (a lot of Jews escape Padua when it was attacked by the Pope and came to Venice), but they welcome her into the convent anyway cause they’re desperate. And then we get to the good stuff. The baby is in the wrong position, so the midwife performs an external cephalic version (which I was quite impressed with) and turned the baby head down. The baby eventually comes out and the midwife hands her over to the nun who runs the infirmary. There is no sound of a cry and instead the focus is returned to Rosa and trying to save her life. From the description it looks like she possibly had a postpartum hemorrhage because this involved a lot of fundal massages and whatnot, but Rosa does live (though the midwife informs her she will not be able to have more kids so I cannot imagine the damage this child did to this poor 13-year old kid), except the baby dies.
I should add btw…Rosa’s mother-in-law came with her to the convent and is waiting to hear about this kid. Justina picks up the bundle, pulls back the cloth. And turns out…the baby is Black. I literally just sat there shook for a moment because it did not cross my mind that a 13 year old would willingly have sex because that is a child and I thought at most she had a huge crush on Teodor (the gondolier), but nope, apparently she wanted to feel what true love was before she was forced to marry Lord Zane and had sex with him.
So now the panicking starts because Rosa’s mother-in-law will want to see her and the baby, even if the baby is dead. So they decide to tell her that the baby’s face is deformed because they had to pull the baby out quickly to save Rosa’s life, so that’s why the face is covered, and most likely no one will pull back the cover to see the baby’s skin colour. Rosa also wants them to bring Teodor to the convent so he can see his child he didn’t know existed.
Rosa’s mother-in-law arrives, holds the bundle, informs Rosa that Lord Zane will like to see the baby too and they will bury her in their family graveyard. So everyone starts panicking again because surely they’ll see what the baby looks like at the funeral, so after Rosa’s mother-in-law leaves and Teodor comes to see the baby, they bury the baby in the convent graveyard with the excuse that Rosa is now seeking shelter at the convent from her husband (fair) and she wants the baby buried close to her since she refuses to go back to her husband.
We get a scene later on with Lord Zane furious and at the convent demanding his wife be returned to him (he doesn’t care if she needs to heal and can’t even walk). But I love this Abbess and she stands him down and tells him to go ahead and call his lawyers, except she runs this convent and he can’t do anything. Justina and Rosa’s parents come, and her dad tries to convince her to go back to her husband, but Rosa decides to stay.
We eventually get a scene where Paolo comes to tell Justina the news that he’s going to the battle front to do mostly admin work and he wants to bring Madelena with him for enjoyment purposes. Madelena is amazing and refuses. The courtesan has offered to buy her freedom, and she realizes she can do more with her freedom than she can as a slave mistress for a nobleman. She makes Paolo promise that if she has a boy he will find him an apprenticeship and if it’s a girl, she’ll get to stay at the convent with Justina. Paolo is upset for one second and then asks Justina where her next-door cellmate is because she’s really pretty. Anyway, I hate him a lot. All he cares about is pleasure and sex and he takes no consideration into how it affects the women around him. When Rosa was freaking out about her marriage, he just told her that she needs to get over it and adjust and it’ll be fine. And when she refuses to go back to Lord Zane after her delivery, he acts like he can’t understand why his 13-year old sister would feel uncomfortable around a man twice her age who is only interested in bedding her until he gets a son. He’s gross and I hate him.
Luckily for us, he dies at the front like two pages later. And this is when things get spicy!
Luca comes to deliver the news. Justina is upset for one second, and then she’s like “Screw it! I’m gonna have sex with Luca” and she tells Luca this, and Luca is like “omg yes let’s do this instead of crying over your brother/my best friend dying”. So they make plans for him to climb the wall and meet her in the courtyard at night.
Now Justina thinks about telling Rosa and her aunt about her brother’s death, but realizes if she tells them, they’ll want to spend the night together praying and crying and that’ll ruin her sex plans of course. SO…she decides, whatever, she’ll tell them tomorrow morning and pretend she spent the night too upset to leave her room like 💀 I am all for hating Paolo, but seriously??
Anyway, Luca sneaks over, they have sex like three times. Justina has a hard time staying quiet. Apparently, Luca’s wife doesn’t enjoy sex with him. I really cared about that.
And then just when he’s about to leave, they open the door and there is Zanetta.
I was waiting for a showdown between Zanetta and Justina, and this was the most disappointing thing in the entire world. She threatens to expose them. Venice has new laws that will result in Luca being exiled and he’s just gotten a great position in the Council and has a baby on the way (in case anyone forgot). And what happens to Justina is up to the Abbess, but pretty sure Zanetta would make her life hell. Zanetta also points out that she knows Justina’s aunt was in a relationship with her best nun friend, and that she has plans to become the next abbess. She also knows about Justina’s sacrilegious writing because she snoops around Justina’s room. And she knows about Justina sneaking off to meet Luca that one other time. And she’s starting to get suspicious about Rosa burying her baby in the garden…
So instead of pushing her down the stairs or something, Justina ruins the lives of everyone around her. She promises to make her aunt not run for Abbess. She promises Zanetta that she will convince Rosa to go back to Lord Zane (Zanetta’s brother). She also promises to never see Luca again and to confess and repent. And finally, she promises to burn her manuscript.
It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever read. And all we get after this is that Justina realizes Zanetta was in love with Luca all along and she’s bitter she never got to be with him and everyone around her was doing whatever they wanted with no consequences, so she is bitter and making everyone else’s lives miserable.
So after throwing everyone under the bus, Luca leaves, Justina burns her manuscript, she confesses and then life moves on. She tells Rosa what happened, and Rosa is like “oh I was getting bored here and was thinking of going back anyway” like ???? girl you literally hate it there and were miserable?? At least you have ten times more freedom at the convent?? Justina’s aunt is like “okay fine, I won’t become abbess because after my girlfriend died I think everyone is suspicious we were together so I probably won’t win the election”. And that’s it.
A few years pass. Rosa has a boy. How she gets pregnant and safely delivers a baby after the midwife said she couldn’t, I have no idea. But apparently now she really can’t get pregnant again, and she tells her mom that Lord Zane doesn’t visit her anymore and she’s been finally able to get some sleep 🥴 Her mom seems shocked that Rosa would be happy about this, which is such a mom thing. Madelena had a girl, and Justina’s mom is kind of warming up to Madelena because her daughter looks like Paolo a bit. Justina is writing again, but this time it’s less inflammatory and more about day-to-day life in the convent and she doesn’t plan to publish it anymore. Luca apparently took some of her manuscript before it was burned and has had it printed anonymously…something about educating your daughters and it’s causing quite a stir. Justina has forgiven her father for some reason, though technically it’s all his fault. She’s still in love with Luca, but nothing will happen with that and The End.
It was a weird conclusion. This whole book was weird. And it was waaay too long. I honestly felt like I was watching a reality tv show set in early 1500s Venice. I wish we got more about the politics of the time. The Pope fighting and attacking cities and excommunicating them was definitely more interesting.
Overall, 2 stars because of the external cephalic version and fundal massage. I hope this review is a good enough summary for those of you who don’t want to go through the trouble of reading this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2022
The Virgins of Venice: A Novel by Gina Buonaguro takes you back when noblewomen were married to make a powerful alliance or sent to a convent if the father didn't want to pay a hefty dowry. Justina is forced to take the vows to become a nun. While in the Covent, she bares the burdens of many of her friends and family members. She realizes that while she is considered a servant of God, she has many options and freedoms to help those around her. Will she ever have the freedom her heart desires, or will her heart change her desires?
I received an unedited copy for review. I found The Virgins of Venice a mesmerizing novel that lays out a historical difference we are unused to in our lives. Gina Buonaguro's characters come alive through their plight in life. With rich and vivid descriptions, I felt I was there when Justina's heart broke and her life took a direction she never wanted. I was so engaged with the characters that each twist kept me clinging to its pages.
I received an unedited copy for review. I found The Virgins of Venice a mesmerizing novel that lays out a historical difference we are unused to in our lives. Gina Buonaguro's characters come alive through their plight in life. With rich and vivid descriptions, I felt I was there when Justina's heart broke and her life took a direction she never wanted. I was so engaged with the characters that each twist kept me clinging to its pages.
September 15, 2022
Paddle back in time on the canals of Venice for a strong new Romance
Canadian author Gina Buonaguro earned her degrees in English from Villanova University and from the University of British Columbia, and is a prolific writer, under both her nom de plume Meadow Taylor and as Gina Buonoguro, co-authoring with Janice Kirk. Now she places before her growing audience of admirers her first solo novel, continuing to reflect her fascination with history and romance
In this rich romance novel the author quickly establishes her ability to create history as ‘in the moment,’ maintaining period accuracy with contemporary language that allows entry with ease into her tale. Venice, 1509 Easter Monday – ‘B*****d!” ‘Son of a nun!” Coarse insults bursting from passing gondoliers intruded on my peaceful nap, where I dreamt of writing poems and exchanging drowsy kisses. I sat up from my chaise with a wince, the opened book of Seneca tumbling from my knees to the ground with a thud, a page of my scribbling floating to the terrazzo floor like a forlorn flower. Mama would not be pleased my younger sister Rosa and I were exposed to such filthy language, but what could she expect with us cloistered on the terrace within earshot of the busy Grand Canal, its fetid smell wafting upward. Our little white dog, Dolce, twitched his ears and sat up straight on Rosa’s lap.’ Historical Venice becomes timeless in Gina’s hands.
The cast of characters – both sacred and profane! – are well painted, as are the incidents that propel this romance, as the author’s plot condensation attests: ‘Venice in 1509 is on the brink of war. The displeasure of Pope Julius II is a continuing threat to the republic, as is the barely contained fighting in the countryside. Amid this political turmoil, noblewoman Justina Soranzo, just sixteen, hopes to make a rare love marriage with her sweetheart, Luca Cicogna. Her hopes are dashed when her father decides her younger sister Rosa will be the one to marry; Justina will instead be sent to the San Zaccaria convent. Lord Soranzo is not acting only to protect his family. It’s well known that he is in debt to both his trading partners and the most infamous courtesan in the city, La Diamante, and the pressure is closing in. Arriving at the convent, Justina takes solace with her Aunt Livia, one of the nuns, and in the growing knowledge that all is not strictly devout at San Zaccaria. Justina is shocked to discover how the women of the convent find their own freedom in what seems to her like a prison. When secrets, family scandals and a threat from La Diamante erupt, Justina turns to Luca in ways she never expected to protect the ones she loves. Will Justina risk her noble status, her family’s good name and the purity of her soul to follow her heart?’
The exacting research of the period of her historical novel is obvious without deterring from the pace of the story. While becoming involved in Justina’s alliances, this book informs about 16th century Italy, reinforcing the value of this novel. Recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book
Canadian author Gina Buonaguro earned her degrees in English from Villanova University and from the University of British Columbia, and is a prolific writer, under both her nom de plume Meadow Taylor and as Gina Buonoguro, co-authoring with Janice Kirk. Now she places before her growing audience of admirers her first solo novel, continuing to reflect her fascination with history and romance
In this rich romance novel the author quickly establishes her ability to create history as ‘in the moment,’ maintaining period accuracy with contemporary language that allows entry with ease into her tale. Venice, 1509 Easter Monday – ‘B*****d!” ‘Son of a nun!” Coarse insults bursting from passing gondoliers intruded on my peaceful nap, where I dreamt of writing poems and exchanging drowsy kisses. I sat up from my chaise with a wince, the opened book of Seneca tumbling from my knees to the ground with a thud, a page of my scribbling floating to the terrazzo floor like a forlorn flower. Mama would not be pleased my younger sister Rosa and I were exposed to such filthy language, but what could she expect with us cloistered on the terrace within earshot of the busy Grand Canal, its fetid smell wafting upward. Our little white dog, Dolce, twitched his ears and sat up straight on Rosa’s lap.’ Historical Venice becomes timeless in Gina’s hands.
The cast of characters – both sacred and profane! – are well painted, as are the incidents that propel this romance, as the author’s plot condensation attests: ‘Venice in 1509 is on the brink of war. The displeasure of Pope Julius II is a continuing threat to the republic, as is the barely contained fighting in the countryside. Amid this political turmoil, noblewoman Justina Soranzo, just sixteen, hopes to make a rare love marriage with her sweetheart, Luca Cicogna. Her hopes are dashed when her father decides her younger sister Rosa will be the one to marry; Justina will instead be sent to the San Zaccaria convent. Lord Soranzo is not acting only to protect his family. It’s well known that he is in debt to both his trading partners and the most infamous courtesan in the city, La Diamante, and the pressure is closing in. Arriving at the convent, Justina takes solace with her Aunt Livia, one of the nuns, and in the growing knowledge that all is not strictly devout at San Zaccaria. Justina is shocked to discover how the women of the convent find their own freedom in what seems to her like a prison. When secrets, family scandals and a threat from La Diamante erupt, Justina turns to Luca in ways she never expected to protect the ones she loves. Will Justina risk her noble status, her family’s good name and the purity of her soul to follow her heart?’
The exacting research of the period of her historical novel is obvious without deterring from the pace of the story. While becoming involved in Justina’s alliances, this book informs about 16th century Italy, reinforcing the value of this novel. Recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book
March 29, 2023
Renaissance Venice
Main character JUSTINA (like justice)
A noblewoman sent to the convent for her life, not much justice.
Rigid social class system
Strict Catholic religious rule
Venetian law heavy handed
Patriarchal, misogynistic,
Plot moves seamlessly with constant challenges for the women who inhabit Justina’s world
She is educated, passionate, loving and brave
Females of nobility 2 choices: arranged marriages for the purpose of producing a male heir or take the veil
This reader wonders-how much has changed in 500 years?
In particular for women in the third world, for example, Afghanistan, where young women are executed for wearing their headscarf incorrectly, or endeavoring to go to school for an education.
Of course, then we have the elimination of Roe versus Wade—must bear children-no choice
I very much enjoyed this novel. It is well written. The historical details depicting Venetian life are well researched and presented within a storyline narrated by Justina that ultimately poses the question,
What is more important, obligation to duty imposed or love and human connection?
Main character JUSTINA (like justice)
A noblewoman sent to the convent for her life, not much justice.
Rigid social class system
Strict Catholic religious rule
Venetian law heavy handed
Patriarchal, misogynistic,
Plot moves seamlessly with constant challenges for the women who inhabit Justina’s world
She is educated, passionate, loving and brave
Females of nobility 2 choices: arranged marriages for the purpose of producing a male heir or take the veil
This reader wonders-how much has changed in 500 years?
In particular for women in the third world, for example, Afghanistan, where young women are executed for wearing their headscarf incorrectly, or endeavoring to go to school for an education.
Of course, then we have the elimination of Roe versus Wade—must bear children-no choice
I very much enjoyed this novel. It is well written. The historical details depicting Venetian life are well researched and presented within a storyline narrated by Justina that ultimately poses the question,
What is more important, obligation to duty imposed or love and human connection?
May 17, 2024
Probably a 3.5 star really…primarily for the historical context included within the novel. Many of the events taking place outside of the fictional family members really did happen, and was interesting how the author tied in those events and the ramifications they may have had on Venetian family of that era. While the story in the book if from the perspective of one of the female characters, it did manage to keep my attention due to most historical texts glossing over the lives of females during the time frame. While arranged marriages and forced entrance into convents were “common practice” for patrician families, seeing the effects this may had had on the girls/women involved was something that history books tend to gloss over or generally ignore altogether. It was certainly an interesting perspective for the author to use. The “feelings” felt by the main female characters for their “forbidden loves” seemed to drag on a little much for my liking, but I am sure other people may enjoy that aspect more than I would, but then again, i am likely not part of the “target audience” for this kind of book. Would i have grabbed this off the shelf at the library or bookstore as a “book of interest” for me…probably not. However, as this was included in a stack of books based along to me by a family member, I read it anyway. Period pieces that reference actual historical events to me are interesting (especially in regions that I am less familiar with)…but the romantic aspects not so much…I am a guy though, so shouldn’t be all that surprising 😉
September 15, 2025
I was in a historical novel mood, and this one fit the bill. The story of women in the 16th century Venice, Italy. In particular, a noble family. The restrictions of women in the day are from noble women to servants of them. Very good history and story of these women and their life to be free, whether in mind or physically.
January 27, 2024
Well done
I rarely write reviews but I enjoyed this book, the characters, and the pace. I am so glad my book club suggested this book. I did wish for a bit more in the end. This story was a page turner and a breath of fresh air after just finishing The Bee Sting!
I rarely write reviews but I enjoyed this book, the characters, and the pace. I am so glad my book club suggested this book. I did wish for a bit more in the end. This story was a page turner and a breath of fresh air after just finishing The Bee Sting!
March 16, 2024
Loved this novel about the lives of women living in Venice in 1509. Powerful Venetian families who had two daughters would allow one to marry and the other would be sent to live her life in a convent. Loosely based on a real nun of that era, we get a glimpse into life in the convent and in this case one that is run somewhat liberally. While mainly focused on the daughter in the convent, the life of the married sister shows the opposite side of life for females of that time and the pain a very young girl felt being married to a man who cares little for her outside of what she can bring to the family financially and by bearing his children. In addition Venice is under an interdict by Pope Julius II which means the city cannot partake of any of the sacraments so marriages are hastily arranged before the interdict takes place. The challenges faced by these very brave and intelligent women are many and the way they deal with them shows that they were clearly torn by their commitment to God, the men they loved and their families. An outstanding book!
February 4, 2024
Excelente e inovador
February 4, 2024
Interesting read. Slow at parts but nonetheless captivating. Fans of Sarah Dunant would enjoy this.
Want to read
December 7, 2022I generally enjoyed this one but did find it lost some of its steam midway. Some of the plot lines were a bit farfetched at times. However, the writing was very descriptive and did make me feel that I had been transported to 16th Century Venice. The author did a good job of showing how women lacked power and control, their lives subject to the whims, demands and needs of their male relatives and the rules and norms of society. But within these constraints, the author also shows how female friendship, familial bonds, and resilience helped these women cope with their lives and, in some cases, find happiness.
Thanks to Harper Collins Canada and Netgalley for this ARC. My opinions are my own.
Thanks to Harper Collins Canada and Netgalley for this ARC. My opinions are my own.
March 13, 2023
My review of this book appears in Historical Novels Review issue 103 (February 2023):
Venice in 1509 is an opulent dream of a city in many ways, but a nightmare for daughters of the patrician class. Justina Soranzo is luckier than most, with an indulgent father and affectionate brother to support her love of books and education, but even they can’t protect her from the limited options available to her: an arranged marriage or the nunnery. Justina thinks she’s beaten the odds by falling in love with a good marriage prospect, but is shocked to learn that her father has arranged a wealthy match for her younger sister, Rosa, leaving Justina no option but to take her vows in the convent of San Zaccaria.
Resigned to her fate and the loss of her beloved Luca, she resolves to enjoy the relative freedoms her consecrated sisters have—access to books, fine food, art, and the warm support of her Aunt Livia, second-in-command at the abbey. The corrupt world of Venice has other ideas, however, when Justina learns that the most powerful courtesan in the city, La Diamanta, is forcing Justina’s overleveraged father to pay his debts at her brothel by selling his eldest daughter’s virginity to the highest bidder.
Buonaguro offers a satisfyingly soapy plot and well-researched details of everyday life in Renaissance Venice, but her one-dimensional characters and stilted dialogue don’t do the setting justice. A sixteen-year-old nun, however well-educated and passionate, is a limited lens for this politically and culturally complex society, and the fact that Justina is even more self-involved and impractical than the average adolescent doesn’t help. Readers may wish they were hearing this story from the much more interesting point of view of Justina’s wise Aunt Livia, whose devotion to her sisters—one in particular—reflects all the passion and idealism that Justina can only give lip service to.
Venice in 1509 is an opulent dream of a city in many ways, but a nightmare for daughters of the patrician class. Justina Soranzo is luckier than most, with an indulgent father and affectionate brother to support her love of books and education, but even they can’t protect her from the limited options available to her: an arranged marriage or the nunnery. Justina thinks she’s beaten the odds by falling in love with a good marriage prospect, but is shocked to learn that her father has arranged a wealthy match for her younger sister, Rosa, leaving Justina no option but to take her vows in the convent of San Zaccaria.
Resigned to her fate and the loss of her beloved Luca, she resolves to enjoy the relative freedoms her consecrated sisters have—access to books, fine food, art, and the warm support of her Aunt Livia, second-in-command at the abbey. The corrupt world of Venice has other ideas, however, when Justina learns that the most powerful courtesan in the city, La Diamanta, is forcing Justina’s overleveraged father to pay his debts at her brothel by selling his eldest daughter’s virginity to the highest bidder.
Buonaguro offers a satisfyingly soapy plot and well-researched details of everyday life in Renaissance Venice, but her one-dimensional characters and stilted dialogue don’t do the setting justice. A sixteen-year-old nun, however well-educated and passionate, is a limited lens for this politically and culturally complex society, and the fact that Justina is even more self-involved and impractical than the average adolescent doesn’t help. Readers may wish they were hearing this story from the much more interesting point of view of Justina’s wise Aunt Livia, whose devotion to her sisters—one in particular—reflects all the passion and idealism that Justina can only give lip service to.
July 24, 2023
Although writing about a time five hundred years ago, G.B. writes an easy to read narrative, true to the human experience, without imposing modernisms or presentisms into the characters and their lives. And still we recognize our sisters in a world different from ours and yet the same, full of honor, desire, responsibility, wit, and courage.
August 4, 2023
I read this because I was traveling to Venice. It helped bring the place to life as I had hoped. At times a bit slow, the novel does paint a picture of life for noble women in 16th Century and is overall a satisfying read. I recommend if you’re visiting that historical aqueous city and are in the mood for a distinctly feminine novel.
February 7, 2023
In The Virgins of Venice, Gina Buonaguro has succeeded at two very different, almost opposing tasks: recreating a historical place and time with great accuracy, and populating it with characters that are believable to a modern reader. The cultural norms of 16th century Venice are, by contemporary standards, strange and severe. But despite the fact that her characters are immersed in the thinking of very different society, they are still relatable. I could identify with her narrator, Justina, who wanted to be a good Venetian woman, but could not do so and also be herself.
Buonaguro has re-created the Republic of Venice, as it was in the 16th century, with an unparalleled attention to detail. She describes the intricacies of daily life: the manner of dress, colloquialisms, political structures, geographical and unique weather conditions all contribute to a strong sense of the world she has recreated.
She also creates realistic characters, women I identified with as readily as the women of my own acquaintance. And yet, these characters never lose their placement in history. We sympathize as they struggle with the wish to be treated as individuals while respecting their family structure.
What is most poignant is the cognitive dissonance her protagonist Justina endures. She is asked to uphold the sacred values of her society and religion, while also being a teenage girl in love. (Hard to accept that it was once common to marry teenagers off in marriage! Terrifying, really.) Justina and the other women in the novel are told they are sinful for experiencing human desire, for falling in love, for wanting to read and write, for wanting to determine their own lives. That same feeling of needing to meet contradictory expectations might be the most compelling part of the story, if it were not for the bargains and compromises our heroine makes in order to find her own way through these very restrictive traditions.
Normally, if I find a character in historical fiction that relatable, she seems out of time. And if she feels authentic to the period, she has a mindset that is hard to connect with. Buonaguro has created a heroine I can understand and care about. Perhaps it’s my Catholic schooling, or the current double-standards that still exist for many women, but Justina’s predicaments didn’t seem to me to be so very hard to believe in.
Buonaguro deals with shocking facts in a matter-of-fact way. Her characters accept and question social mores, defy and obey as they deal with domestic abuse, slavery, war, religious divide, and intellectual freedom. Even though this is the story of a Venetian noblewoman, we get glimpses of the perspective of more marginalized characters, without treating them as curiosities or token identities. She takes her reader through childbirth, religious life, prostitution, and the rights of married women, all the things that women expect to deal with, unless they’ve been confined to a nunnery. And yet.
The plot is a times fast-paced and full of tension, and at other times full of quiet contemplation, but it is always engaging. Both are book-ended by more scandal and excitement than you’d think might happen in a nunnery. Until you realize that convents are full of people, as varied as the rest of humanity. Her characters are as full of wisdom and ignorance, kindness and pettiness, aggression and timidity as any other segment of society. The Virgins of Venice is an honest look at human nature as well as this fascinating period of history.
Buonaguro has re-created the Republic of Venice, as it was in the 16th century, with an unparalleled attention to detail. She describes the intricacies of daily life: the manner of dress, colloquialisms, political structures, geographical and unique weather conditions all contribute to a strong sense of the world she has recreated.
She also creates realistic characters, women I identified with as readily as the women of my own acquaintance. And yet, these characters never lose their placement in history. We sympathize as they struggle with the wish to be treated as individuals while respecting their family structure.
What is most poignant is the cognitive dissonance her protagonist Justina endures. She is asked to uphold the sacred values of her society and religion, while also being a teenage girl in love. (Hard to accept that it was once common to marry teenagers off in marriage! Terrifying, really.) Justina and the other women in the novel are told they are sinful for experiencing human desire, for falling in love, for wanting to read and write, for wanting to determine their own lives. That same feeling of needing to meet contradictory expectations might be the most compelling part of the story, if it were not for the bargains and compromises our heroine makes in order to find her own way through these very restrictive traditions.
Normally, if I find a character in historical fiction that relatable, she seems out of time. And if she feels authentic to the period, she has a mindset that is hard to connect with. Buonaguro has created a heroine I can understand and care about. Perhaps it’s my Catholic schooling, or the current double-standards that still exist for many women, but Justina’s predicaments didn’t seem to me to be so very hard to believe in.
Buonaguro deals with shocking facts in a matter-of-fact way. Her characters accept and question social mores, defy and obey as they deal with domestic abuse, slavery, war, religious divide, and intellectual freedom. Even though this is the story of a Venetian noblewoman, we get glimpses of the perspective of more marginalized characters, without treating them as curiosities or token identities. She takes her reader through childbirth, religious life, prostitution, and the rights of married women, all the things that women expect to deal with, unless they’ve been confined to a nunnery. And yet.
The plot is a times fast-paced and full of tension, and at other times full of quiet contemplation, but it is always engaging. Both are book-ended by more scandal and excitement than you’d think might happen in a nunnery. Until you realize that convents are full of people, as varied as the rest of humanity. Her characters are as full of wisdom and ignorance, kindness and pettiness, aggression and timidity as any other segment of society. The Virgins of Venice is an honest look at human nature as well as this fascinating period of history.
April 29, 2023
The Virgins of Venice is a novel told from the point of view of the main character Justina. It takes place in Venice in 1509. I loved learning about Justina and everything she had gone through and seeing her growth. Justina was in love with her brother’s friend and was hoping she could marry him but because of her father’s debt it is decided she will be sent to a convent. Additionally, her sister Rosa, at the age of 13 is forced to marry. At the convent Justina struggles with the realization of how women are treated. She sees her sister in a marriage that isn’t healthy; her sister’s husband is cruel and abusive. Being at the convent Justina is able to self-reflect, grow, and find inner strength to get through her life, relationships, and helping her sister. The book has a lot of heartache, war, personal struggles, and sacrifices. But it also has love, hope, and growth in it. The book is well written, and I loved the character development for all the main characters as well as the complexities of the various relationships. I enjoyed learning about Venice through the authors descriptions of the city as well.
January 2, 2023
3.5/5
Beautiful writing but not my favourite for a casual read. The first half dragged considerably (I found it quite repetitive as the MC was thinking about the same problems over and over again but wasn’t getting anywhere) before it caught my attention in the second half as actual events transpired. I think it was very well done and would be a fun book for analysis in a classroom/book club, but it’s not what I would choose for fun.
The writing is beautiful, the characters are all complex and complete, and the world building is expertly crafted. What lessened my enjoyment of the book was Justina acting like Hamlet and incapable of coming to a decision so we kept going around in circles. I think this was intentional but I didn’t feel like we were making any progress until the second half.
I am confident this book has a robust readership and will be thoroughly enjoyed in the right hands.
Beautiful writing but not my favourite for a casual read. The first half dragged considerably (I found it quite repetitive as the MC was thinking about the same problems over and over again but wasn’t getting anywhere) before it caught my attention in the second half as actual events transpired. I think it was very well done and would be a fun book for analysis in a classroom/book club, but it’s not what I would choose for fun.
The writing is beautiful, the characters are all complex and complete, and the world building is expertly crafted. What lessened my enjoyment of the book was Justina acting like Hamlet and incapable of coming to a decision so we kept going around in circles. I think this was intentional but I didn’t feel like we were making any progress until the second half.
I am confident this book has a robust readership and will be thoroughly enjoyed in the right hands.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2023
wow this was rough. like how did it get published? felt very juvenile, and the characters were not even one sided they were like tissue paper flimsy. the author created a setting based on the most literal surface-level interpretation of history, and the dialogue feels very formal while not actually feeling historical. the main character is convinced that the physical safety of her home is dependant on her virginity and the virtue of the other nuns, but ? and even though she reads dantes inferno literally she like do what you want but it doesn't make literally any sense for this character. a lot of things didn't make sense though i guess that's the real theme of this book. i will give it a second star because i did finish it and did want to know what would happen but....would not recommend
February 6, 2023
I adored this book from author Gina Buonaguro. It takes place in Venice during the 1500s and is a stunning work of historical fiction. Told from the point of view of a teenage noblewoman, this book is a beautifully written sorry of the lives of women who don’t have many extrinsic freedoms but who find their way to live a life that’s meaningful and true to who they are. Loved it. Perfect book as well for a book club!
June 11, 2023
This book, considering its main characters: a 16 year old girl who is sent to a convent rather than being allowed to marry her noble sweetheart, as her sister is married off to a noble in a strategic alliance for her father who has debt issues, is surprisingly both engaging and almost suspenseful! I did not realize the convents were basically shelters for these noble women who did not necessarily chose to join them for religious reasons, or that the nuns were granted relative freedoms within their walls.
As historical fiction it is certainly a great read, and a time period that bears interesting fruit.
As historical fiction it is certainly a great read, and a time period that bears interesting fruit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews