This is one of the best family epics I have ever read and didn’t realize it had been made into a TV series which I am going to check out. I am so glad that the author was able to continue writing about this family. This is a very satisfying read.

Fall of the Florios is the third installment of trilogy which ends the dramatic story of Italy’s most powerful and notorious family. It started with an impoverished shopkeeper and ends with the grandson who doesn’t have the same drive as he was already born into privilege. He changes the family fate as he wants to enjoy his status.

The story picks up in January 1894 with turbulent events. A state of siege was declared on the island of Sicily as riots continued, ignited by organization that drew unhappy workers. The chaos on the island needed military intervention and the Florios become prisoners in their own house, hiding for their own safety.

Franca is not happy in her marriage with Ignazio Florio as he continues his philandering. Her unhappiness and how to handle her husband’s infidelities fills big part of this story.

Ignazio, on the other hand, faces big lay-offs as he continues to lose contracts. He finds faults with the system but doesn’t see his own lack for innovation.

This last installment is quite different from the two previous books. The drive to achieve something was an engrossing part of the previous two books. The tone of this one is more of blame and much less ambition. The pace of this story has a slower feel.

The author does excellent research in regards to historical background. The characters are well-imagined, with combination of dramatic social and economic situations.

Thank you to NetGalley & HarperVia for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! Fall of the Florios by Stefania Auci, translated from Italian to English by Katherine Gregor and Howard Curtis, is the third book in the Florio's series. I think it may even be my favorite of the three! The story is well-crafted and engaging, especially for those like me who have been following this family through the decades spanned across three novels.

Ignazio and Franca are brilliant characters who I found myself very emotionally connected to early on. The troubles and losses they face felt so real and human to me. I think that is a testament to how great the writing is. I did not want to put this book down! Auci has done an amazing job with this story, and I believe the translators have more than done her book justice. It's an easy book to fall into, while somehow being this incredibly rich story. There is such a great depth here I was excited to get into and I was not disappointed. I really was a fan in particular of the ending, which was emotional in such a satisfying way. This was a five star read for me, one I'd love to pick up again and again!

I recommend this book to any historical fiction fans, especially if you enjoy books that span across several years. It's honestly the best kind of historical fiction- with a great story and characters you'll enjoy, while giving you a well done look into the past. I think the whole series is absolutely worth a read, but make sure you get to Fall of the Florios!