I was so excited to get the ARC for Navola, because somehow I hadn’t read any Paolo Bacigalupi, and I knew I needed to get started. I gather that this is something of a departure from his earlier work, but for me it was a first contact, so, unfortunately, this review will not be comparative. I really enjoyed Navola--in fact, most of my complaints are a matter of my personal taste, and not really a critique of the author's craft.

The best thing about this book, for my money, is the world building. Even when I was occasionally annoyed by the main character, I wanted to see more of the world and the people in it. There are a lot of reviews of this book that say it is slow, and the plot does take its time getting rolling, but the first half to me had the charm of a tour through a wonderfully foreign country, and I had plenty to keep my interest. Also, this is a big, sprawling epic fantasy, and I didn’t mind giving it the room to sprawl.

The political intrigue was well done, and there was plenty of it when it got going. I was able to predict a few twists, but not all of them. The only complaint I have about the book (and this is a personal taste thing) was I found the narrator, who is a 17-19 year old boy to be trying. Now, I find most 17-19 year old boys in real life trying, so this is probably an apt characterization, but it did make parts of the book somewhat grating for me. I hope that as he continues to grow through this series, that my irritation on this score gets better.

Recommended for people looking for their next Game of Thrones fix, and fans of Brandon Sanderson.

Navola is a beautifully written immersive epic political fantasy(ish?) novel by Paolo Bacigalupi. Due out 9th July 2024 from Knopf Doubleday on their Knopf imprint, it's 576 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

Despite the dragon eye on the gorgeous cover, this feels a lot more like a historical political epic novel than a fantasy. There are fantasy *elements* but it's more evocative of Umberto Eco than GRR Martin. It's very lush and immersive and transportive, but also directly and realistically based on "real world" Italy. Readers are swept away to the Renaissance Italian city-states and enfolded in the political machinations and murky jockeying for power in the sumptuous palazzos and noble residences of Navola.

For sensitive readers, there is quite a lot of graphic violence included which, while integral to the plot, is nevertheless disturbing. Typically of the subgenre, the author uses long descriptive passages to develop the plot and sometimes the pacing seems uneven, rushed in some places and very slow in others.

Four stars. One for readers who are aware and accepting of graphic violence, murder, and political machinations. It's not clear what the author's overarching message is meant to be, might makes right, political juggernauts crush decency and humanity, or something else. Still not sure it was worth the very well written prose to get through nearly 600 pages of blood, rape, body horror, mutilation, murder, and conquest.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

When I saw the description of this book, I was really excited. A historical fantasy loosely based on the Italian Renaissance (my very favorite time period). Heck yes! Throw in a dragon, and it sounded like it would be a great read.

And there were definitely things that were fantastic about this book. The world building is outstanding. I can tell Bacigalupi spent a very long time thinking about this world, it's customs and peoples, and places. It was so fully fleshed out. Some people might think the world building too a little too much of the book, but I loved it, it felt so real and complete.

I loved the idea of the story too, getting to know this family, this boy, seeing him grow up. Granted there were times when I found him a whiny brat, and I really appreciated that other people around him said hey, you're being a whiny brat. (Too often whiny brats are not called out in books!)

But there were a number of things that didn't work for me as well. There are spoilers in the rest of my review, so my full review can be found on Goodreads (which also has spoilers hidden) at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6578700369.

One way I've described why I like <i>A Song of Ice and Fire</i> so much is that for large portions of it, it just feels like historical fiction set in a history not our own. Well, here we have something that is even more that. There are a few fantastical elements, but for all intents and purposes <i>Navola</i> is simply a story about political machinations in something like 15th-century Florence, to the point that everyone throws in phrases that are almost identical to real-world Italian all over the place.

It does diverge from <i>ASoIaF</i> in its scope - rather than a wide-ranging narrative with many viewpoints scattered around a grand story, it follows merely one young man coming into his own in the banking family that dominates the city of Navola, and in this sense it really feels more like <i>Dune</i> than <i>A Game of Thrones</i>.

Or, really, the film of <i>Dune: Part One</i> -- just the politicking, with very very little fantastical or science fictional aside from the setting itself, and a narrative that feels mostly like setup for a sequel whose existence I did not contemplate until I began to realize around 85% of the way through that there was no way the story would be wrapped up in one volume. To be clear - the internet does not indicate any forthcoming sequels for this book at this point, and it ends on a point that could, theoretically, serve as an ending, but if there isn't more to the story it will be a disappointment.

It's a good old time, with plenty of scheming and power politics that are effectively woven. But the jury will be out until I see whether this is indeed supposed to be a standalone book or not.

This takes place in a city called Navola, (not renaissance not Italy, but very reminiscent), following the reluctant heir of a powerful banking family as he grows up trying to fill his father’s immense shoes. It’s a slow-paced tale that lingers a while in childhood, but the writing quality is high enough that it never feels like a chore, even when not much is happening from a plot perspective. I can see where the GoT and Godfather comparisons come in.
And when things do happen? It gets explosive and impossible to put down. Mostly historical fantasy, with a hint of the magical. Definitely a series starter—there’s no neat conclusion here—but with enough plot progression to justify its existence as its own novel.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Knopf.*

"Navola" is a complex, slow-burning political fantasy that offers a deep dive into the machinations of a powerful city-state. Bacigalupi's world-building is meticulous, creating a vivid backdrop of Renaissance-inspired Navola, complete with its own language nuances and cultural intricacies. The political intrigue and power struggles are reminiscent of historical epics, making the story both immersive and intellectually stimulating.

The novel's strength lies in its character development and the intricate web of relationships. Davico di Regulai, the reluctant heir, is a compelling protagonist whose journey from naivety to a hardened player in the political arena is both engaging and tragic. His adopted sister, Celia, adds another layer of complexity, with her own hidden motives and traumatic past.

However, the pacing may not be for everyone. The story takes its time to build, with much of the first half dedicated to setting up the world and its characters. This deliberate pacing can feel slow at times, especially for readers expecting a more traditional fantasy plot with magical elements. The dragon's eye, a central symbol in the story, plays a limited but crucial role, adding a touch of the fantastical to an otherwise realistic setting.

The prose is elegant and descriptive, but it relies heavily on telling rather than showing, which can sometimes distance the reader from the characters' emotional experiences. Despite this, the narrative picks up significantly in the latter half, leading to a satisfying and open-ended conclusion that sets the stage for potential sequels.

Overall, "Navola" is a rewarding read for fans of political fantasy and historical fiction. It’s a dense, richly layered story that challenges the reader to think deeply about power, loyalty, and the human condition.

Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book. This review reflects my honest opinion.

Normally, I love historical fantasy. Normally, I absolutely love historical fantasy set in Italy (whether it’s supposed to be our Italy or if it’s just inspired by our Italy). Normally, I love coming of age fantasy. Despite all this book should’ve had going for it, this book just wasn’t my cup of tea.

If you don’t mind books that don’t even seem to commit to a solid plot until halfway through the book, then you’ll like this book. If you don’t mind a lack of worldbuilding and atmosphere, then you’ll like this book. If you like a protagonist who’s a bit of a supercilious dullard, then you’ll like this book.

I, however, didn’t like this book. Which is sad, because I went into it thinking I would. Paolo Bacigalupi isn’t a bad writer, I just don’t think he’s the writer for me.

I was provided a copy of this title by Netgalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. This review is rated three stars or under and will not be appearing on my social media. Thank you.

File Under: Coming of Age/Fantasy/Historical Fantasy

Navola ... I've been speechless since I finished five hours ago. This book was dark and the politics ran deep and twisting. I gasped, I cried, I stressed--Davico had me feeling everything. Though the choices he made or the reactions he felt weren't always relatable, they were always understandable. Heir to the banking empire his father has built, but neither passionate nor naturally inclined to the games of intrigue required to run it well, young Davico struggles to stay true to himself and his heart while also living up to the name of di Reguli da Navola. And what a struggle it is.
While the first half did seem to drag and had a LOT of world building, my final opinion is that most of it is necessary for the back half to hit the way that it did. And let me tell you, it hit! The stress, the terror, the revulsion, the despair, the frustration==there were no punches pulled, and it made for the most chilling story. Every emotional moment struck true, and I was glued to every page of that last 50%+.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance copy for review.

Navola is for readers who like fantasies about political maneuvering and intrigue. Navola follows a young scion from a ruling-class family and the challenges he faces as he ascends to power and the training he faces to get there. The world building gave me historical Renaissance and Medici vibes. That made this feel a bit like a historical fiction with fantasy elements sprinkled in when it comes to the dragon's eye that the family has. This is a long, slow moving story that takes its time building and exploring the characters and politics and puts a lot of emphasis on world building. Overall, it's very character driven rather than plot driven and felt more like alternate historical political intrigue than fantasy. It also takes a while to really get going.

A few years ago, I was obsessed with the TV Series about the Medici family. Navola is fantasy novel, but the world is largely based on Florence and the Medicis - you get the same aesthetic and feel, the language is Italian-based, there are references to city-states and feuds among the families. It is not an action-packed novel. We follow a young boy who is growing up to take over the vast financial empire his father operates in Navola. If you like character-driven novels, this one is for you. The characters are all well-fleshed out and nuanced, we spend a lot of time with them and really get to know them. One of the reviewers called the main character "boring". I don't agree with that. Davico is a quiet but old soul. He observes and absorbs the world around him. His mind is very detail oriented and thorough. He might not be a strategic thinker yet, but he is definitely wise beyond his year and is capable of devising intricate schemes. I also really like the writing in the novel. It is very engrossing and transports you to another world. My one criticism is I really wish it was historical fiction about Florence, I would have eaten it up!

To be honest, this book has its ups and downs with some beautiful writing, some horrifying violence, and some deadly dull spots. The first half of the book is all about building this fantasy world that seems drawn from the days of the Italian Renaissance. Navola is a city state ruled by money, greed and political maneuvering. To succeed, one needs to be skilled at the art of 'faccioscuro'--to see behind a pleasant face to see hidden thoughts and intentions.

The story is told through the eyes of the Davico, the only child of Devonaci di Regula da Navola, a wealthy merchant banker who currently controls the city. The action finally begins at about the 50% mark at Davico's Name Day celebration, sort of his 'coming out' party. Now Davico is considered to be a man with responsibilities but even though he's been well-trained in all the arts, he remains naive, inexperienced and rather clueless, without the innate skills needed to be a powerful man's heir. Perhaps this is the excuse needed for schemers to make their move...

You may be wondering if this is actually historical fiction, loosely based on medieval times. But the touch of fantasy comes through with Davico's unique connection to the dragon's eye that his father keeps on his desk. It plays an important role at certain key moments. Very interesting conclusion which leaves the door open to further adventures.

Warnings for the story: Violence and some explicit sex.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

This isn’t exactly an action packed book — not until the last quarter, anyway. For the large part, this is a slice of life story of Davico, son of the most powerful man in Navola, grandson and great grandson of powerful merchant bankers who have defended and shaped and ruled the city quietly, efficiently, ruthlessly. Davico is raised not only by his father but his father’s mistress, a slave woman; powerful soldiers, cunning assassins, brilliant men who show him the beauty and power of the world he is to inherit ..

It’s four hundred pages of a young man watching and listening, occasionally learning as he sits in a garden and learns about bees; goes to parties, faces down assassination attempts and just, in general, lives his life in a protected bubble. And it’s a beautiful bubble. There’s a reason the book is named after the city of Navola and not Davico or his family. Navola is beautiful, intricate, decadent and debauched. And yet, at the same time, widows and orphans are fed, artists abound, and life — on the surface — is good.

The story is a bit … drifty and thoughtful because Davico, a spoiled young man who is taught to be brilliant but never ambitious, is drifty and thoughtful. He’d like to be a doctor, gathering herbs in the woods and enjoying a life of peace and quiet — because he’s never seen the darker side of life, the one of hard work, pain and suffering. He loves his adopted sister, sees her as a glorious figure — while ignoring how she was brought to his house, on a night of fire and fear, ripped from her father and mother and held hostage by Davico’s father.

The final quarter is fast, but not rushed, as things happen to Davico — because Davico has never had to make things happen in his life — and the leisurely building of characters and politics snaps into place. And yet, Davico is still sympathetic as his kindness and genial obliviousness are turned to anger and hatred, as he is finally able to use his true talents, the ones his father never taught him.

Oh, and there’s a dragon, so that’s neat.

The dragon is a promise, a brief glimpse of something at the beginning and then a promise made at the end that should make the next book very, very interesting. It’s a long book, but worth the read, well plotted and I enjoyed every single part of it. Some people may find it slow, but that slowness is to a point, to build up both the city and Davico before they’re both burnt down to ashes.

I want to thank Net Galley and the publisher for granting me access to an advanced reader copy

I have been a fan of Paolo Bacigalupi since the Wind-up Girl came out. This book was completely different from anything else I have read from them. Instead of being placed in a near-future landscape, we instead find ourselves in a Renaissance period setting obviously based on the City-states of Italy.
This book is a fantasy novel with a rich history of religion and gods similar sounding, but very different, to those we learn about in Greek and Roman literature, and a cast of characters full of intrigue and political plots. The story follows the path of a rich merchant's son as he views the dealings of his family during his adolescence through young adulthood. This is not high fantasy, but does have fantastical elements particularly through the child's encounters with a dragon eye that rests upon his father's desk.
Through the child's narration we see the country and hear about it's history and politics, and all the dark and twisted goings-on in a city known for it's intrigue and plots. I found this to be an enjoyable read and delighted in the twists and turns, some of which happened lightning fast. It is a book full of intrigue, painful lessons, and moments of intense beauty and violence. I enjoyed it greatly. The cast of characters are all richly detailed and brought to life by the excellent prose, even those who are only briefly introduced and interacted with. It's a well-crafted read, but I can see this not being for everyone.

This is a tough one for me to rate. On the one hand, the worldbuilding was well done, especially relating to the politics and intrigue. There were also many other instances of its inclusion relating to the setting that helped to create an interesting backdrop. But this didn’t really read like a fantasy aside from the dragon, which only played a limited role near the end. I don’t think there were any other fantastical elements.

The work read like a work of politics set in medieval/renaissance Italy. There was almost no plot in this 570-page book and while I guess it could be called character-driven, there were many aspects that kept those characters from being compelling. The writing style relied heavily on telling, which kept the characters from ever being emotionally compelling or anyone aside from the narrator from feeling developed. In fact, the book read more like a recounting of day-to-day life of a young man being trained to become a lord when he comes of age. This changes in the last portion of the book, but it was a long trudge to get there. In fact, it wasn’t until page 170 that something semi-intriguing happened, then it was another 80 pages until something else along those lines occurred.

I did like how it ended, though it seems as if it’s setting up for a book two. If you’re a massive fan of medieval-Italian-style politics, then you may like this one. Don’t come to this looking for a fantasy, though, or a plot. My thanks to NetGalley and Knopf publishing for allowing me to read this work, which will be published July 9, 2024. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

3.5/5

Thank you @aaknopf @netgalley #partner for the free copies of this book!

Let’s start off with what drew me to this. I know I shouldn’t say it but the cover is 🫶 It is absolutely stunningly gorgeous. It’s so simple but sold me! 🤗 Who doesn’t want that creepy eyeball on their bookshelf?! I do!

Ok onto the book 🙃 This is positioned as a science fiction fantasy and although it is that I would lean more towards describing this as a historical fiction mixed with literary fiction, political fiction and light on the fantasy. I think I was expecting a lot more fantasy and a faster pace and this was very slowly placed for me. 😅 I did love that this was based in a new location and timeline for me (Renaissance Italy) and the author is a talented writer. I think overall my sentiments was that maybe this was more complex than I was expecting. I do encourage you to give this a try if historical political fiction is your genre.

This was not at all what I expected from the new Bacigalupi, but I really, really enjoyed it!
It's far more like Guy Gavriel Kay that many of his earlier books (I believe I have read all of both of those authors' books to date).
It's a Renaissance-Italy-inspired tale with a good amount of complexity and intrigue, excellent characterization, and only a very small amount of the fantastic to add a bit of spice and mystery.

Will definitely read any sequels, as I love Bacigalupi's writing and this is one of my favorite fiction genres.

The pampered son of the richest and most powerful banker in a fantasy version of an Italian city-state grows up trying to match his father’s expectations, but he is always too gentle and trusting for the city’s politics. A very slow start as he is educated in the ways of the world, falls in love with his hostage-sister, and prepares to take his place. Then a lot of violence happens, including mutilation and enslavement (it’s an enslavement-supporting society). The fantasy element: a dragon’s eye, preserved from the dragon, is one of his father’s prized possessions and has a dangerous/possibly helpful link with our protagonist, if he can seize it.

"From the New York Times best-selling author of The Windup Girl and The Water Knife comes a sweeping literary fantasy about the young scion from a ruling-class family who faces rebellion as he ascends to power.

"You must be as sharp as a stilettotore's dagger and as subtle as a fish beneath the waters. This is what it is to be Navolese, this is what it is to be di Regulai."

In Navola, a bustling city-state dominated by a handful of influential families, business is power, and power is everything. For generations, the di Regulai family - merchant bankers with a vast empire - has nurtured tendrils that stretch to the farthest reaches of the known world. And though they claim not to be political, their staggering wealth has bought cities and toppled kingdoms. Soon, Davico di Regulai will be expected to take the reins of power from his father and demonstrate his mastery of the games of Navolese diplomacy: knowing who to trust and who to doubt, and how to read what lies hidden behind a smile. But in Navola, strange and ancient undercurrents lurk behind the gilt and grandeur - like the fossilized dragon eye in the family's possession, a potent symbol of their raw power and a talisman that seems to be summoning Davico to act.

As tensions rise and the events unfold, Davico will be tested to his limits. His fate depends on the eldritch dragon relic and on what lies buried in the heart of his adopted sister, Celia di Balcosi, whose own family was destroyed by Nalova's twisted politics. With echoes of Renaissance Italy, The Godfather, and Game of Thrones, Navola is a stunning feat of world-building and a mesmerizing depiction of drive and will."

Who wouldn't want to read about a world like Italy during the Renaissance but with dragons?

this took me FOREVER to get through. the pacing in this book was agonizingly slow. it was literally just a bunch of world building - heavy on the language that was basically like italian/latin gibberish - and little to nothing when it came to character development and plot. the main character was a snooze to read about. he was clueless about everything going on. he's the heir to a mafia family but in this world the mafia is accounting??? please lol. and barely anything happened in the first 70% of the book and by the time it started it pick up, i didn't even care anymore no matter how jarring and gory some of the scenes got.

i think a big part of my disappointment was that i was expecting more fantastical elements (like, hello, dragons??? the cover???) than the political intrigue that took up most of the book. there were too many politics in play. i wanted to cry at how bored i was lol.

an extra star just for celia who was the only interesting character and aspect about this book. are we shocked that a woman was the only saving grace in this? no. we are not.

Navola by Paolo Bacigalupi - eBook ARC

Rating: 3.75

Navola is a fascinating and thought-provoking novel that showcases the author's talent for world-building and social commentary. While the book offers a lot to appreciate, it somehow falls short of being truly captivating, leaving readers with a mix of admiration and mild dissatisfaction.


Navola transports readers to a vividly imagined future where environmental and societal challenges shape the lives of its characters. The story centers on a young protagonist navigating the complexities of a world on the brink of collapse. Bacigalupi's plot is intricate, weaving together themes of survival, ethics, and the human impact on the environment.

The characters in Navola are well-crafted, each with their own distinct voices and backgrounds. Bacigalupi excels at portraying the struggles and resilience of his characters, making them relatable and authentic. However, despite their depth, there is a certain detachment that makes it difficult for readers to form a strong emotional connection with them. The protagonist’s journey, while engaging, sometimes feels overshadowed by the novel’s larger themes.

Bacigalupi's prose is both descriptive and precise, painting a detailed picture of the world of Navola. His writing effectively conveys the atmosphere of a dystopian future, filled with tension and uncertainty. The narrative pace is steady, but at times it can feel too slow, which might contribute to the overall sense of disengagement some readers may experience. The author's attention to detail, while commendable, sometimes borders on excessive, bogging down the narrative flow.

The novel delves deeply into themes of environmental degradation, societal collapse, and human resilience. Bacigalupi's exploration of these issues is both insightful and relevant, prompting readers to reflect on the current state of the world. However, the heavy emphasis on these themes can sometimes overshadow the characters and their personal stories, making the novel feel more like a commentary than a character-driven narrative.

While Navola is intellectually stimulating, it falls short in terms of emotional engagement. The novel's thought-provoking nature is undeniable, but it lacks the emotional resonance that makes a book truly memorable. The stakes are high, and the challenges faced by the characters are significant, yet there is a certain emotional distance that prevents readers from becoming fully invested.

Navola is a well-written and intellectually engaging novel that offers a lot of food for thought. Its detailed world-building and relevant themes make it a worthwhile read, especially for fans of dystopian fiction and environmental narratives. However, the novel’s emotional detachment and sometimes slow pacing may leave readers feeling a bit unsatisfied. It’s a book that is easy to like but hard to love, leaving one with a sense of respect for Bacigalupi's craft but yearning for a deeper connection to the story and its characters.