Reader's Ink discussion

2) What did you feel were Caterina's strengths? Her weaknesses? How did you feel about her relationship with Lorenzo? Her father? Leonardo?
What surprised you the most about Caterina's character as you went through this journey with her?

In Maxwell's book, Caterina is no ignorant peasant as what is presented as her real life existence. She's a brilliant young woman who has been highly educated in secret by her father, an apothecary, as well as--again in secret--an alchemist. In Maxwell's version of Leonardo's early life, his mother is presented as the source of her son's astounding intelligence.

CATERINA'S WASTING AWAY EVERY TIME LEONARDO IS REMOVED FROM HER CARE IS A BIT OVER THE TOP. SHE DEFINITELY HAS AN AFFINITY FOR MUSCLED, WELL-SPOKEN YOUNG MEN. HER BRAIN IS HER STRENGTH AND HER SEX IS HER WEAKNESS.