Received this from Net Galley! What a story what a family and guess what they really existed!! The characters in this book is so well written where you really get to know all these people and it made me get to really know them and I felt like I was right there in this story with them!! I enjoy reading and when a book like this one makes me feel like I just described then I feel like the writer has done their homework and job!! Learned a lot on Italian history that I didn't know. I had heard through the ages about this family seen movies,ect. But this book really was so enjoyable!! It is SO a must read!! Not very often a story gets me excited but this one did!! I will be reading more of this author's works!! You should be very proud of yourself!!!🙈🙉🙊 I just will make sure I don't cross anyone in this family you might end up dead in the river!!

Fantastic read about the Borgias. I have loved the other works that this author has published and this one was just as well written.

I have always been fascinated by the Borgias and what better way to learn about them than through a well thought out and well researched historical fiction novel. This work ticked all of those boxes for me. The family is fascinating with their quest for power, and although none of them are all that likeable they still have you rooting for a few of them to succeed in their quest. The one liberty that the author took was the insertion of a fictional character of Maddalena. Her character did a great job of moving the story along as she agonized over the Catholic religion principles not being followed.

From a historical perspective, Ms. Palombo’s writing shows how invested she is painting a true picture of actual events. This is a must read for anyone who is loves the Borgia history.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read for an honest review.

I tried, but I couldn't finish this. I found it trite and dull. The characters were flat, especially Maddalena.. She falls in lust with Cesare, but somehow it's meant to be love and he's all romantic and chivalrous and ugh. I just couldn't keep reading.

I'm a history professor, and early modern Europe is my field. I usually give historical fiction some slack because I know you have to twist events and people at times to create a compelling narrative. So I don't mind that Cesare reads like someone's idea of a romantic hero, when in truth, he was a ruthless bastard. But there was no substance to him. And Maddalena was even worse. I pretty much was done with the book when she (for no reason at all) slaps Cesare and he acts like it's no big deal. That's... just not how it would have been. Women were chattel , even wealthy women; a serving girl would never, never, never have slapped a cardinal!

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC for The Borgia Confessions. It took a while to read only because I have been busy at work but the minute my boss went on vacation, I was done in a day. I loved this book. I loved the story of Cesare and Maddelana even though it was fictional. A look at the inner workings of the Borgia family is always right up my alley!

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

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

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

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

But ambition and lust for power take breaks, while he romances with Maddalena. This part seems a bit fake and her speaking boldly on a couple occasions. Later him, summoning her almost every night to release his tensions physically. At this point, the story is concentrated on them and the historical background of Borgias’ scheming is put to rest.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Borgia Confessions was well researched which made the fictional tale much more convincing. Cesare Borgia has a reputation of being an awful and ruthless person, but Palambo showed a different Cesare than is widely known. I thought the characters were well fleshed out and their relationships to one another were true to historical fact. While Maddelena is a fictional character, she felt like she belonged in the time of Borgia control. I would have liked if it didn't jump in time so abruptly, but I understand why it needed to be done.

I've been a fan of Borgia fiction for quite a while so I was excited to get the opportunity to read an advance copy of Alyssa Palomba's new novel, The Borgia Confessions.

The novel is told from alternating viewpoints, one being the eldest son of Pope Alexander, Cesare Borgia, and the other, a maid in Lucrezia Borgia's household, Maddalena. At the heart of both of their characters is their struggle with guilt and the confessions that follow.

Palomba does a good job of in her re-telling of the Borgia legend. Here, there is none of the wicked reputation with which history has smeared them. We get a view of what might have actually transpired, which is that of a typical family fighting for power, prestige, and survival in an age fraught with peril.

I was somewhat disappointed that Maddalena was quite short-changed at the conclusion of the novel. While we know what transpired for Cesare we are given no such future for Maddalena. Did she continue in service or was she able to get her sewing shop she so much wanted? It is left to our imagination.

I quite enjoyed the novel and hope to read more from Palomba.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I love historical fiction and this book did not disappoint! The story follows Cesare Borgia and his siblings from a young age as their father works to grow his legacy into the Borgia Empire. This book is full of suspense, intrigue, and mystery. Everything that you are looking for when you read a good historical fiction novel!

What an intriguing historical novel. The Borgia family is fully committed to the Roman Catholic Church. So much so that Cardinal Borgia wants to be the Pope and he wants his eldest son to be in the church and eventually take the role of The Pope when the time comes.

Now that may sound strange to most of us, how can The Pope have a son? Aren't the Catholic Priests Celibate? If so, then there can not be a "family" succession from father to son. But that is where things become tangled. It is apparent that many priests had mistresses and thus had families, although not children that they necessarily publicly acknowledge.

Pope Borgia has a son, Cesare, whom he wants to have succeed him as Pope. Thus he makes him a Cardinal in the church after become The Pope.

The story revolves around Cesare and his life within and outside of The Church. It documents the political connections that are made. The deals made through marriage to draw families and countries together for the good of the Church.

The story is very intriguing, it is filled with surprises, it is filled with love and passion, but not typically for the church but for human companionship.

If you are going to read this novel please have an open mind. It is not meant to give you a reason to hate the Catholic Church, it is meant to tell the story of human companionship, human passion, human need and all the good and evil that comes from that.

Prepare to be entertained, informed and astonished

This was a very informative historical fiction about the Borgia family and their rise to power both in the religious world and the secular. I didn't know much about this particular era and found it fascinating. I couldn't put this book down. It was a big like palace intrigue but in the Catholic church. Highly recommend.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Rodrigo Borgia has risen to power as pope. Rodrigo’s eldest son Cesare, forced to follow his father into the church and newly made the Archbishop of Valencia, chafes at his ecclesiastical role and fumes with jealousy.When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Alyssa Palombo is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

Italian Renaissance history that any student would gobble up. Skillfully arranged, told by two totally opposite characters, this historic novel manages to imbue suspense and drama into facts we already know. Cesare Borgia, from a young age heir apparent to his scheming father's dynastic plans tells the story of he and his siblings, uncluding crass and licentious Juand an, beautiful, notorious sister Lucrezia, who is another of the pawns. All the senior Borgia's children were pawns in his grandiose plans to dominate the Italian peninsula. In an age when cynical manipulation and rampant self-dealing were the norm (no, not 21st century America),
Roderigo Borgia - also known as Pope Alexander VI - was brilliant, a larger-than-life figure who rose to the top of the Italian and Vatican heap. His children by various mistresses were a scandal, but he unapologetically used them. Seen through Cesare's fond but clear-eyed lens, the Vicar of God seems little more than an over-reaching tyrant.
Contrast the weary, worldly, often cynical Cesare (made a Cardinal at 18) with the maid Maddalena, who works in the various Borgia households, particularly that of Lucrezia. Deeply religious, deeply moral, the pretty maid eventually catches the eye of more than one Borgia, with far-reaching consequences.
This was the age of the Bonfire of the Vanities, when the Florentine priest Savonarola preached simplicity, definitely not on the Borgia agenda. The tumultuous collection of squabbling, conniving counts and dukes of small citiy-states all jockeying for advantage, all part of a balancing act Alexander VI must keep from crashing down. And Cesare the nobleman and Maddalena the servant are there to chronicle all of it.
The author, in her post-script, mentions she might do a sequel to further follow Cesare. I think that would be an excellent idea.

This ARC was courtesy of netgalley - all thoughts and opinions are mine and unbiased
I also post to Amazon, goodreads,, Kobo, B&N

I love this type of historical fiction - the use of imagined conversation really brings the events to life.

I love the whole premise of the Borgias, and have studied this era of history myself. This has been researched so carefully and events presented really well - it draws the reader and makes everything really accessible and enjoyable

I haven't read any of this author's work before but will certainly be on the lookout for more

*A huge thank you to Jordan Hanley with St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book, in exchange for a fair and honest review*

I have read quite a few novels about the Borgias - mainly during the craze when the show featuring Jeremy Irons was on TV a few years back - and they have been told from various points of view: servants, Sancia of Aragon, Giulia Farnese, and even Lucrezia Borgia. What sets The Borgia Confessions apart from all of these other novels is the use of the dual POV format. First, we see what life is like in the Borgia household through the eyes of a fictional female servant, Maddalena Moretti; and then, we get a glimpse into the tortured mind of, hands down, the most complex member of the Borgia family: Cesare, the eldest son of Pope Alexander VI. Maddalena’s story tells of a young woman questioning her faith and morality as she is drawn deeper into the Borgia family’s affairs, as well as being drawn to Cesare’s bed. Cesare, on the other hand, is facing his own struggles, both internal and external, and comes to rely on Maddalena as a confidante of sorts. During the years of the Borgia papacy, the objective was for the family to become as powerful as possible. By the end of the novel, both Cesare and Maddalena have to decide how much power they are willing to wield, and what they have to sacrifice.

I really enjoyed this novel. The author did a wonderful job of bringing the era to life, and was very descriptive with the historically accurate political dealings and events within the Borgia household. But for those of you who don’t like sex scenes, there are quite a few in this one.

I grew up having some knowledge of the Borgia family, having studied European medieval history a bit in high school advanced classes. The author did a wonderful job between her research of history and some of her own creative licenses, to give the readers a peek into the world of The Borgias. Their father set out to create a dynasty for his children, and very nearly succeeded. The difficult thing is remembering how young they all actually were. For example, Cesare was an eighteen-year-old Cardinal. In today's Catholic Church, that would be unheard-of. I really enjoyed this book, and upon beginning it, wasn't able to put it down until I finished. Alyssa Palombo is an excellent writer and I enjoy her other works.

I would like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.