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The King's Agent

by Donna Russo Morin (Goodreads Author)

3.61 of 5 stars 3.61 · rating details · 2,227 ratings · 50 reviews

"Russo Morin skillfully blends historical fiction and fantasy in surprising ways. She draws effortlessly upon influences ranging from Dante to Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the authority of her presentation makes the world she’s created come alive. A wonderfully action-packed ride through the lush landscape of Renaissance Italy." Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

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Paperback, 411 pages

Published March 1st 2012 by Kensington (first published February 28th 2012)

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Feb 01, 2012 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Historical fiction readers

Shelves: owned-copy, arc, adc-reviews, read-by-january-2012, renaissance, european-setting-not-uk, set-in-italy, historical-fiction, uf-winter-challenge-2012, the-chosen-one, secret-societies, quest, treasure-hunt, not-romance-but-has-love-story, slow-read, famous-literary-historical-characte, metafiction, thief, bad-boy-rake-or-rogue, 2012-sky-s-the-limit-club, yearly-reading-challenge, dangerous-hero-2012-general-reading

I give the author credit for putting a lot of heart, soul and energy into this story. It has a lot of authentic-feeling details, although I had trouble with the initially slow-moving narrative. I really liked the intricate infusion of The Divine Comedy into the story. I would like to rate this higher, but it was just too hard for me to get into the story initially, and I didn't love the conclusion overall.

For that reason, I'd have to rate it 3.25/5.0 stars. It's hard when you don't love somethi...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Audra (Unabridged Chick) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: artistic-temperaments, era-renaissance, heroine-unusually-attractive, historical-figure-fictionalized, historicals, mood-evocative, place-as-character, place-italy, secret-identities

This is a romp of a novel. The story literally bounces along, bops happily through Florence and Italy in search of mysterious piece of sculpture of immense importance, following clues from Dante's Divina Commedia, following clues in paintings that may or may not indicate UFOs. And yet, while it sounds a bit laughable and weird, it all kind of fits together and was, in the end, a great deal of fun.

Set in 1500s Florence, the story follows Battista della Palla, a Florentine patriot who steals art t...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 16th-c, francois-i, historical-fiction, arc, art, italy

What starts out as a seemingly standard historical fiction novel quickly turns into more of an adventure novel in a historical setting. This was a new sort of twist in the HF genre and certainly for Morin’s novels in general – and it was an amazingly fun ride! Our hero and heroine set out on an epic adventure to find a relic of some extraordinary power for the king of France. To ultimately get to this relic they will have to face tests of strength, speed, power, stamina, emotions and many more c...more What starts out as a seemingly standard historical fiction novel quickly turns into more of an adventure novel in a historical setting. This was a new sort of twist in the HF genre and certainly for Morin’s novels in general – and it was an amazingly fun ride! Our hero and heroine set out on an epic adventure to find a relic of some extraordinary power for the king of France. To ultimately get to this relic they will have to face tests of strength, speed, power, stamina, emotions and many more challenges along the way.

The author points out that two of the inspirations behind this novel are Dante’s The Divine Comedy, which is explicitly known while reading, and the video game series, Zelda. If you are not a video game aficionado you will not recognize any references to the video game, so don’t be concerned that it will cause to you miss out on something or won’t be to your interest. But, for those of us, me included, who are quite familiar with the game series you will notice that the format of the plot very much feels like a video game. There were times while I was reading where I remember thinking, “I remember doing that!” It was quite the multilayered experience and I can certainly understand why this was an inspiration. If you are not familiar with this video game series, I would compare the plot in some ways with The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown in the regard that you are looking for clues that are hidden in plain sight which will lead you to the next item of importance. In regard to The Divine Comedy I do not have much experience, except knowing the general concept of his work, but the novel actually helped me to have a new experience with the work. I have a lifetime goal to eventually read Dante’s work.

There is a requirement at some points where you have to suspend reality in this novel. This is especially true for those of us who read a lot of historical fiction when it tends to follow a set sort of path anchored in historical detail. The novel is certainly historical fiction, as the events that take place are set within the historical events, people, and setting, however there are some elements that sort of defy the historical formula. Again, a good thing, but just a heads up.

Morin chooses to set this novel in various prominent cities in Italy – Florence, Mantua, Rome – however for some reason I expected it to be set in France. I guess with the back cover text referring to King Francois I of France and not specifically stating Italy I got that stuck in my head. That being said, I loved the world created by the author. Everything stood out in vivid detail – and this is especially true of the artworks, which play a prominent role in this novel. If the art was not given a depth of definition I do not think the plot would have come off as well.

Another great outing from Donna Russo Morin – I can’t wait to read more of her work.

This book was received for review from the publisher - I was not compensated for my opinions and the above is my honest review.(less)

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Nov 24, 2012 Kimberly Eve rated it 4 of 5 stars

The King's Agent is the first of Donna Russo Morin's books I've read but it surely won't be the last! Immediately, I was swept up in the beauty of Italy, the intrigue, the action-packed story itself made me want to keep reading. Morin has a vivacious sense of writing style that is descriptive yet engaging. I found myself laughing at times and wanting to literally hit Battista della Palla over the head with something hard and sharp! I kept saying to myself, who is this man, why does his name soun...more

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Aug 02, 2012 Copperfield Review rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

This was the first book I’ve read by Donna Russo Morin, and I’ve already downloaded her other books onto my kindle and I can’t wait to read them. Morin has everything I love about historical fiction in this book, from enriching descriptions about what life was life in 16th century Europe to romance to adventure and real life characters. I felt like I was drawn into the time period, and it’s a meaty story, long enough to give a lot of details to keep you enraptured and yet the plot never dragged...more

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Mar 26, 2012 Elena rated it 5 of 5 stars

There are books which have a special richness due to the fact that the author has traveled to the places in the story so that they later come alive in dramatic detail. The King's Agent is one such novel; historical novelist Donna Russo Morin takes readers on a journey not only through Renaissance Italy but through Dante's Divine Comedy. Written in a florid, colorful style which conjures up the sights and sounds of a world long gone, The King's Agent combines fiction with fantasy as well as art h...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Bookworm rated it 4 of 5 stars

About:
Lady Aurelia is a noblewoman under the care of the Marquess of Mantua. Being under watchful eye night and day, she is desperate for freedom and for some adventure. Battista della Paglia is an agent working for King François I of France. He attains what the King asks of him, legally or illegally if need be. He is the King's agent. Battista is now in search of a mysterious sculpture for the King.

When she finds Battista pillaging her home, Aurelia helps him escape and partners up with him in...more

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Mar 13, 2012 Alexis Villery rated it 4 of 5 stars

Battista della Palla would do anything to help his beloved Florence and has aided the cause by stealing artifacts to give to the King of France, François. This time the King wants an artifact that might just be beyond Battista's expertise. When he finds himself in trouble, Lady Aurelia comes to the rescue. Longing for adventure and the opportunity to live life, Lady Aurelia demands that she be included in the task of finding the mysterious artifact. However, Lady Aurelia has some secrets of her...more

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May 16, 2012 Pam rated it 3 of 5 stars

"The King's Agent" is Renaissance Italy historical fiction with an action-adventure twist. There is a romance between a mysterious noble woman, (Aurelia) and an art thief with a noble cause,(Battista - an actual historical figure). These two (and their band of friends, including Michelangelo himself!), are involved in a quest that may change the fate of the world. Following clues put forth by Dante's Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, they encounter a whole lot of danger. While the mysteries in the...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Patty rated it 5 of 5 stars

Florence, Michelangelo, art, THAT COVER! What is not to like about this book at first blush? Nothing! And after reading it my initial opinion stands and then some. I don't know about you but I am first attracted to a book's cover and then drawn in by the synopsis; this one had me two for two.

Our hero, Battista was a real person. In this novel he is an "acquirer" for Francois I. Of art. Great art, beautiful art. And with his latest assignment - art that hasn't been seen in a VERY long time. Franc...more Florence, Michelangelo, art, THAT COVER! What is not to like about this book at first blush? Nothing! And after reading it my initial opinion stands and then some. I don't know about you but I am first attracted to a book's cover and then drawn in by the synopsis; this one had me two for two.

Our hero, Battista was a real person. In this novel he is an "acquirer" for Francois I. Of art. Great art, beautiful art. And with his latest assignment - art that hasn't been seen in a VERY long time. Francois is battling Charles V of Spain and feels that his ownership of a certain piece will ensure his superiority. Francois turns to his man Battista to find the lost art. Battista is most intrigued by the challenge and by the artwork.

Aurelia is a lovely young woman under the care of her ward. She longs for a freedom he will not allow. Suddenly Battista enters her life offering her that freedom but she holds a secret (oh it's a good one!) that can help but it also can hurt. Will they do what is right?

I thoroughly enjoyed this well written, enthralling mix of Renaissance art, politics, the supernatural, Dante,suspense, space, romance and yes - my passion, Michelangelo. He makes an appearance and how could I not love a book where he appears. Ms. Morin develops a cast of remarkable characters drawing from both the historical and the fictional to create a world that might have been. They all seem so very REAL. The writing evokes atmosphere so very well at times I almost thought I could smell and taste the food being served. Florence is a city of sights and smells that can almost overwhelm but Ms. Morin tames it without tempering it. This is a book I will keep for another reading as it is full of so much that I love; art, Florence, Michelangelo, love.

Ms. Morin is expert at drawing out a mystery and keeping the reader turning the pages for wont of knowing what will happen next. She develops her characters slowly, chapter by chapter until you are about ready to scream - then another piece is revealed. I love a book that evokes that kind of emotion. Aurelia is a fantastic character.

So do yourself a favor and join The King's Agent as he searches for his sculpture. You will have a heck of a good time. And learn a little something along the way.
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Nov 01, 2012 Kimba (Caffeinated Book Reviewer) rated it 4 of 5 stars

The King’s Agent is a historical fiction set in Renaissance Italy with a fantastic twist. The tale is filled with suspense, secret societies, hidden artifacts, romance and political intrigue. Based loosely on the life of Battista della Palla a patriotic plunder and friend to Michelangelo in the sixteenth century this tale captivated me.

The tale begins when we meet Lady Aurelia, the ward of the Marquess of Mantua. Her life is completely sheltered, guarded, and boring. She longs for adventure, to...more The King’s Agent is a historical fiction set in Renaissance Italy with a fantastic twist. The tale is filled with suspense, secret societies, hidden artifacts, romance and political intrigue. Based loosely on the life of Battista della Palla a patriotic plunder and friend to Michelangelo in the sixteenth century this tale captivated me.

The tale begins when we meet Lady Aurelia, the ward of the Marquess of Mantua. Her life is completely sheltered, guarded, and boring. She longs for adventure, to see sculptures, paintings, cities and landscapes. When Battista della Palla, a handsome thief from Florence breaks into her home she sees an opportunity for adventure. The tale that unfolds reminded me of the movie National Treasure and Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code. As Battista and Aurelia search for a hidden artifact to save Battista’s beloved Florence and aid King Francois of France they encounter secret societies, enemies, allies and an attraction to one another.

The character’s in Morin’s novel are well fleshed out and complex. Each chapter reveals more about them. I liked Aurelia and found her to be curious, brave and bright. There is an air of mystery about her, and she does some things that make you wonder whose side she is on. This added a thread of suspense throughout the novel. Battista is handsome, smart and has a fierce loyalty to the king of France. He loves Florence and is good to the men he employees. I enjoyed the way they interacted with one another. We meet Michelangelo and it was one of my favorite scenes. The author portrayed him in such an interesting light. We go inside the Vatican and hear conversations and thoughts of the current church, and its political views. Characters we meet along the way add to the adventure, from the voyeuristic couple with their wild dinner parties; to the mysterious woman Aurelia secretly meets. The relationship between Battista and Aurelia developed slowly and I enjoyed watching this tender romance unfold.

It is quite apparent that Morin did a lot of research for this novel. I loved the blending of historical fiction and fantasy. I was so impressed with how she wove The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri into the tale, allowing it to reveal clues on their quest. The quest itself was riveting, and action packed as they met danger and death at every corner. I like puzzles, conspiracy theories, secret societies and hidden relics with power and this novel delivers it all. The pace of this tale is slow at times; in part because of the details and world-building. I found myself on Goggle looking up; paintings, people and landmarks in Florence. I also dug up my copy of the Divine Comedy and re-read passages. The attention to detail, the unveiling of the countryside and the challenges within the quest make it well worth the time. I enjoyed the changing perspectives and the way Battista and Aurelia worked together to solve each piece of the quest. The ending reveals Aurelia secrets and wrapped things up nicely. The back of the book contains some interesting information from the author and in itself is worth a read. I found her reasons for the use of certain numbers touching. It is important to note that fans of The Legend of Zelda will see its influences within the quest. Sweet :)

I want to thank the author for sending me a finished copy in exchange for my unbiased review.
Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
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Apr 22, 2012 Kathleen Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

I do not know a lot about the Italian Renaissance so I was very eager to read this book. I can say I was not disappointed although it took me a bit to get past the names and places mentioned in this time period of 1500's Italy but that did not deter me at all. Based on real life art collector/thief Battista della Paglia, this novel tells the story of the search for a relic wanted by François, the King of France.

The clues to this relic are to be found in a tryptich and while Battista is on the se...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Marcie rated it 4 of 5 stars

The King's Agent by Donna Russo Morin is a historical fiction novel set during the 16th century in Italy. It is based on the real life art thief, Battista della Palla. Battista works for The King of France, Francois I. During a trip to 'acquire' a particular piece of art he runs into Aurelia. Aurelia has lived a very sheltered and mysterious life. She helps Battista escape with the condition that she accompany him. Battista is desperate so he agrees. Battista and Aurelia have great chemistry fro...more

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Feb 29, 2012 Arleigh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Blending fact and fantasy, this fast-paced novel–which can only be described as an articulate historical adventure–Donna Russo Morin brings to life a real historical figure, Battista della Palla. Serving his beloved Florence’s political interests, Battista works as an art dealer for France’s King Francois I. He readily bargains and bribes to collect sought after pieces, but is not above thievery if necessary. The ultimate task the King sets him to—unearthing a secret and powerful triptych—proves...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Siobian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, read-in-2012, review-copy

Battista della Palla does everything he can to help out his beloved homeland of Florence. Even if that means stealing then giving to the powerful to entice them to give aid to Florence's cause. When King of France, François, asks Battista to locate a lost object of great power, Battista doesn't bat an eye. Though he realizes it will be extremely difficult to locate, he sets on his journey with complete confidence in himself. While locating the first piece in the many layered puzzle hiding the ob...more Battista della Palla does everything he can to help out his beloved homeland of Florence. Even if that means stealing then giving to the powerful to entice them to give aid to Florence's cause. When King of France, François, asks Battista to locate a lost object of great power, Battista doesn't bat an eye. Though he realizes it will be extremely difficult to locate, he sets on his journey with complete confidence in himself. While locating the first piece in the many layered puzzle hiding the object, he comes across Aurelia, a sheltered woman who spends her life dreaming of adventure and intrigue. When it becomes obvious that he cannot continue with out her, Battista is joined by Aurelia and the two follow the clues hidden in a parchment, paintings containing "airships", and the great work of Dante.

Though I had never heard of the real life Battista della Palla, Morin does a fantastic job of bringing him to life. Charismatic, handsome, debonair, a thief that still has scruples and a kind heart, Battista truly makes this novel. His counterpart, Aurelia, however I wasn't as drawn to. The entire book, you are left wondering what her motives are and while I liked her, I just couldn't connect with her. I loved the story line and action though. While every page isn't filled with life or death situations and constant searching for the lost item, I appreciated the lull between the action where I was able to get to know the characters more and appreciate the beauty of Italy that Morin shares with her readers. The descriptions of the paintings, architecture, sculptures, countryside, and people of the novel completely enveloped me until I had difficulty distinguishing if I was sitting in my armchair or in a palazzo in Florence. My favorite treat of this novel was the inclusion of Michelangelo, one of my favorite artists of all time. He was such a vivid character and I think Morin truly captured the personality of his later years, at least how I imagine him to have been anyway. If you enjoy historical novels involving quests for something lost, mystery, murder, and love, then I highly recommend this one.

*Please note, I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.(less)

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Jul 21, 2012 Elysium added it

Shelves: books-i-own, for-review, historical, read-in-2012

Battista della Palla is an art collector, or a thief, for the king of France. His job is to collect valuable paintings and sculptures for the king. He is in a mission to find a mysterious sculpture which is believed to have special powers when he meets mysterious woman named Aurelia. Aurelia has been living as a ward of Marquess of Mantua and her life has been very sheltered but she is a woman with secrets.

Before I started this book I thought this would be straight-forward historical fiction and...more

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May 06, 2012 Sara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, 2012, historical-fiction, adult-fiction, did-not-finish

I won a free copy of this book through the First Reads program and was excited to dive into the story; not only is the cover art exceptionally beautiful, but the description sounded terrific. Set in Italy during the Renaissance, Battista is an art collector for the King of France, determined to obtain art requested by any means necessary, resorting to thievery if negotiations fail. After being tasked with acquiring a specific, mysterious object, he runs into Aurelia, a lady of a higher class who...more I won a free copy of this book through the First Reads program and was excited to dive into the story; not only is the cover art exceptionally beautiful, but the description sounded terrific. Set in Italy during the Renaissance, Battista is an art collector for the King of France, determined to obtain art requested by any means necessary, resorting to thievery if negotiations fail. After being tasked with acquiring a specific, mysterious object, he runs into Aurelia, a lady of a higher class who's looking to escape her stifling guardian. She has secrets of her own, reasons that she wants to obtain information and objects, and they form an uneasy partnership.

The book references Dante's Inferno quite liberally, so readers familiar with this work would likely enjoy this book the most. The hunt Battista and Aurelia undertake follows the Inferno quite closely, with them referencing this epic frequently, using it as a guide for what they should do next. The author did a good job in some scenes, building tension and exploring the mysteries that each character held - Aurelia, in particular, comes across as a woman who has more depth than initially meets the eye. At times, the chemistry between Aurelia and Battista made for entertaining scenes, especially when the two were tasked with playing off each other in an effort to obtain information or move ahead in their quests.

I only read about two-thirds of the book (part of it skimming) before deciding to set the book aside without finishing it. I can see how others might love this book, but it failed to ever fully hook my attention. There are a number of minor characters surrounding Battista throughout the story, men who have supported his every endeavor, but they all seemed to blend together, with nothing that made one distinct from the next. Group scenes were particularly lackluster because there was so much supposed camaraderie but seemed like a jumble, filled with multiple exclamations and outbursts that did not advance characters or truly set the stage for the main plot. Much of the prose seemed to meander along as well, taking longer than necessary to get to the point. Instead of finding the extra description charming, it made my mind wander and I had trouble focusing on what was actually happening. Also, despite the few entertaining scenes and mysteries, there was a lack of tension and no urgency to the plot.

The author clearly did a lot of research to put this novel together, and it shows; I enjoyed her attention to detail throughout the pages. However, the story itself never seemed to really take off, and I lacked the enthusiasm to finish reading it. (less)

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Nov 11, 2012 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, historic-adventure, historical-fiction, historicalromanticfiction, historicalparanormal

What went wrong? Well in a way that is easy to explain; frankly I was bored. I wanted to skim, I wanted to get it over with. I just could not connect. I did like one part of the book though..after page 300 it grew interested and there was a new mystery that caught my attention. But even if that was good in the end I just did not get one thing, which I can't tell you about.

The book was a bit heavy and it's not straight up historical fiction. It has a bit of "paranormal" in it that shows up later....more

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Feb 02, 2013 Olgalijo rated it 1 of 5 stars

I really admire anybody who has the will and the imagination to put a book together, so I'm usually pretty generous in my reviews, but this time I really can't. So during the first third of the book, which is set in early 16th century Italy, this art dealer/thief hero starts the quest for a relic. Nothing out of the ordinary here. But, in early 16th century our hero has an art library. The library is big enough to keep him and his 4 or 5 partners in crime busy looking for clues in the books for...more

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Jan 18, 2013 Stuart MacAllister rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: golden-hammer-anvil-award, historical-fiction, reviewed, sir-readalot

If you want to become immersed in an alien world, filled with wonder, danger, beauty, genius and full on excitement then this is the book for you. Donna Russo Morin writes from the heart and you can tell that she hasn’t researched the period for the pure purpose of conveying a story but that it is a passion she holds in her heart. Her knowledge of the era, the deep love she has for the Renaissance movement is something that she has obviously studied and researched for many years and her exceptio...more

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Sep 12, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, wish-list, for-review, gift-from-author

I haven’t read many books that take place during the Italian Renaissance and I was delighted to receive this book from Donna Russo Morin for review. I believe this period of time the arts were at its strongest and most sought after. Great artist come from this period. Donna does a brilliant job showing this. This story takes place in Florence. Battista an “art collector,” is really an agent for King François of France. Battista is collecting sought after pieces of art for François that leads him...more I haven’t read many books that take place during the Italian Renaissance and I was delighted to receive this book from Donna Russo Morin for review. I believe this period of time the arts were at its strongest and most sought after. Great artist come from this period. Donna does a brilliant job showing this. This story takes place in Florence. Battista an “art collector,” is really an agent for King François of France. Battista is collecting sought after pieces of art for François that leads him to Aurelia.

Aurelia is a lady of privilege who longs for freedom and adventure. She gets her chance when she helps Battista escape the palace she lives in after he tries to steal a piece of art. Together they embark on a journey for the relic he must find for the King of France. Throughout the story they travel to other cities in search for clues while visiting an artist, Michelangelo, a friend of Battista along the way.

This story is enchanting. There is a particular scene that reached out to me. It was a scene where Battista and Michelangelo were toasting and they raise their goblets and Michelangelo says, “True painting never will make anyone shed a tear. Good Painting is religious and devout in itself. Among the wise nothing more elevates the soul or raises it to adoration than the difficulty of attaining the perfection-with sculpture-which approaches God and unites itself to Him.” So eloquently put.

Donna has such a way of words and writing about her characters. You feel like your right there beside them. You experience the same adoration as they do for art. I admire their passion and their sense of adventure. Her descriptions of the arts and the palaces are breath-taking. So much that you can imagine them as described

I especially enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. For example, “In that book which is my memory, on the first page of the chapter that is the day when I first met you, appear the words,” Here beginneth a new life.” –La Vita Nuava.

I stumbled on a few words I was unfamiliar with and had to stop to look up a few pronunciations and definitions. I almost rated the story three and a half stars. However, since the story-line and plot was solid, and I love the characters, I rated it four stars!

Stephanie
Layered Pages

www.layeredpages.blogspot.com
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May 01, 2012 Michelle/ The True Book Addict rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-tour-books, for-review, owned, read-in-2012

How to sum up a book such as The King's Agent with mere words? The book has all the elements of what I consider to be great fiction. Adventure, mystery, love, and mysticism. And to speak of my opinions without giving the story away will be quite a feat in itself, but I shall attempt to do it justice without revealing too much.

Set in the 16th cenury, in the twilight of the Renaissance, The King's Agent tells the story of a quest for an object of power that would be at the heart of the demise of m...more How to sum up a book such as The King's Agent with mere words? The book has all the elements of what I consider to be great fiction. Adventure, mystery, love, and mysticism. And to speak of my opinions without giving the story away will be quite a feat in itself, but I shall attempt to do it justice without revealing too much.

Set in the 16th cenury, in the twilight of the Renaissance, The King's Agent tells the story of a quest for an object of power that would be at the heart of the demise of mankind. Battista, who is loyal to his benefactor, King Francois I of France, and also to his beloved home of Florence, embarks on this quest with a clear idea of the outcome. But he is soon to learn that there is no clear outcome and the circumstances surrounding the obtaining of this object are shrouded in danger and mystery. As I was reading the sections where dangerous obstacles had to be overcome for Battista to reach his goal, my mind kept going to the Indiana Jones films. That is the kind of adventure the reader experiences in The King's Agent. Talk about a thrill!

To add to the mystery, we have the character of Aurelia who is an enigma, to be sure. Everyone who encounters her can feel that there is something different about her, but her mystery is kept secret, thankfully, until the very end. What is present in the character of Aurelia is a resolve to complete her destiny, a destiny not of her making. She is a brave woman who accepts her fate and ultimately sacrifices her own happiness for the good of all.

Finally, I must touch on the historical aspects of this book. Wonderful was the introduction of the stories of Dante and the presence of Michelangelo himself in the story. The historical detail is so well researched and interesting. I found myself on Google several times while reading, wanting right then and there to learn more about the people and places I was reading about. I must say that Ms. Morin is a talent in the historical fiction genre. I have To Serve a King is on my review pile and so I must get to reading it soon, as well as her other titles. Her books will remain a sought after commodity for my home library.

In conclusion, I must not forget the love story between Battista and Aurelia. Their love is inspiring and breathtaking. The sacrifice they have to make and their reconciliation to the fact speaks of a very true love indeed. So I leave you with a favorite passage from Dante which Battista whispers to Aurelia, " 'lady, you in whom my hope gains strength, you who, for my salvation, have allowed your footsteps to be left in Hell, in all the things that I have seen, I recognize the grace and benefit that I, depending upon your power and goodness, have received.' "(less)

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Mar 26, 2012 Meg - A Bookish Affair rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, historical-fiction, fiction

This book has a great mix of history, mystery, and romance. It's told from the point of view of Battista, who is sent to Italy to look for a mysterious relic by the King of France. I feel like I don't read too many historical fiction books from the gentlemen's point of view (I wonder why that is?) so this book was a nice change of pace from that perspective.

Lady Aurelia is a cool character for a book about this time period. Even though she's a woman, she's independent and she's smart. She doesn...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Sheree rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, historical-fiction, own, read-in-2012, reviews

I'm probably not in the majority when I say I found the first half of The King's Agent hard going. Not a story to be read in fits and starts, it's one that benefits from a large chunk of reading time being devoted to the experience.

Battista & Aurelia are characters you cannot help but love. Battista della Palla is a historical figure, (one I wasn't familiar with) commissioned to gather art treasures for Francois I of France. Battista is strong, selfless and fiercely loyal, quite the lovable...more

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Mar 09, 2012 Colleen Turner rated it 4 of 5 stars

Original review at www.luxuryreading.com.

This is my first book by Donna Russo Morin but it will definitely not be my last! I found this book to be a true gem. The King’s Agent mixes heavy doses of history with mysticism, adventure and romance. The writing is beautiful and, while it is not an easy or fast read, I found myself taking my time and relishing the beautiful language. There are many components to the story so the reader needs to pay attention and really use their wits to stay present in...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Staci rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads

The Three Reasons Review is a simple way to get your thoughts out there about a book. The reasons are as follows complete with fancy button:

1.) Reasons you chose this book
Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres of all to read. I thought the book sounded interesting and the time period is one that I know very little about!

2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book
I had a really hard time getting interested in the story that the author was trying to tell. It had nothing at all to do with...more

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Jan 15, 2012 Kelly A. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1500s, historical-fiction, some-i-own, arcs, since-may-2011

The 16th century, Italy, art, spying, and mysterious men....combine that with an absolutely gorgeous cover and count me in! (Click HERE to view the cover up close in all it's glory). The King's Agent, the newest release from the fabulous historical fiction author Donna Russo Morin, sounded promising, but didn't quite live up to the hype.

When Battista della Paglia steals art from her protector's home, Aurelia does the logical thing: she joins him. Battista is a way to escape the Marquess of Mantu...more

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May 30, 2012 Holly P rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, italy

3.5

The King's Agent by Donna Russo Morin takes the reader on a captivating adventure through the streets of Renaissance Florence and Rome. The beautiful Lady Aurelia is a mystery-a woman who has been kept in the care of the Marquess of Mantua all of her life and who longs to get out and see the world. Battista della Palla is a handsome art dealer who steals his priceless merchandise when he can't come by it honestly. The fates of these two collide and become inseparable when Aurelia comes to Bat...more 3.5

The King's Agent by Donna Russo Morin takes the reader on a captivating adventure through the streets of Renaissance Florence and Rome. The beautiful Lady Aurelia is a mystery-a woman who has been kept in the care of the Marquess of Mantua all of her life and who longs to get out and see the world. Battista della Palla is a handsome art dealer who steals his priceless merchandise when he can't come by it honestly. The fates of these two collide and become inseparable when Aurelia comes to Battista's aide and both are set on the path of a grand enterprise that will prove dangerous, sorrowful, and lead to an outcome that is totally unexpected.

I absolutely loved the spirit of this novel. It was fun, interesting, and left me guessing on several points all the way to the end. As I have said in previous reviews, I love when a book can surprise me or when I think I have it all figured out only to realize I don't. The fun begins when Battista receives a commission from the King of France to find a sculpture said to contain immense power. The key to locating the sculpture lies in the writings of the great Italian poet Dante and a series of paintings. This book reminded me a bit of the Da Vinci Code or the National Treasure movies in this respect. As with those movies the quest and the thought processes the characters go through to complete it are a little out there. Personally, I didn't mind this at all because I was completely caught up in it all and especially in the deepening bond between Battista and Aurelia. Aiding the two in their mission are the famed artist Michelangelo, and Battista's band of men including the loyal Frado. Throughout the novel Aurelia is shown to be a noble person but there was always an air of mystery surrounding her given how little of her background we get.

Although I really enjoyed the storyline surrounding Battista and Aurelia searching for the paintings and sculpture I wish there had been more information on the politics of the time. I would have enjoyed a more detailed account of the Italian Wars since they were such an important part of the story and also the sack of Rome. Also, I did really like where the author went with the story in the end but I have to admit I was a little worried for awhile, especially about Aurelia's past and who she really was. Morin really has a gift for dropping just enough information to have you going "Okay then! Must read on to see where she is going here". This book is definitely not your average historical fiction novel. She stepped outside the box and created a unique and absorbing book that was totally different from anything else I've read in the genre. I enjoyed the characters, the writing style, and the constant surprises. Despite the small issue I mentioned above, I really liked this book. I have two more of Donna's books that I will be bumping up to the top of my TBR. Definitely pick this up if you love historicals set in Italy and you're in an adventurous mood.

(less)

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Apr 02, 2012 Jenny Q rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-copy, blog-tour

The King's Agent is an ambitious story, combining elements of theology, literature, thematic art, secret societies, and even ancient aliens, to form this swashbuckling adventure, and the adventure starts on page one. As Battista and Aurelia work together to find a mysterious sculpture that the King of France thinks will give him the power to defeat his enemy, Spain, once and for all, they stumble on to a road map of instructions hidden in Dante's Divine Comedy and in the works of Renaissance pai...more The King's Agent is an ambitious story, combining elements of theology, literature, thematic art, secret societies, and even ancient aliens, to form this swashbuckling adventure, and the adventure starts on page one. As Battista and Aurelia work together to find a mysterious sculpture that the King of France thinks will give him the power to defeat his enemy, Spain, once and for all, they stumble on to a road map of instructions hidden in Dante's Divine Comedy and in the works of Renaissance painters. But they've also stumbled on to an ancient secret, one that is guarded with deadly intent. From booby-trapped passages underneath wicked castles to caves hidden high in the mountains, their quest takes them to Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, and to a new level of awareness of the world they thought they knew.

Having devoured and adored Donna Russo Morin's previous release, To Serve A King, I have to say I was a bit let down by this one. I found the language to be really flowery and the plot was over-dramatic for my tastes. Some of the situations Battista and Aurelia found themselves in were really over the top and I just couldn't suspend disbelief enough to fully enjoy the ride. I thought the whole thing kind of read like a farce, with not enough groundwork laid to make the transition from fact to fantasy. I almost felt like Battista was stage-acting through most of the story, and I kept thinking, this would probably make a great play, but as a novel, its substance fell short for me.

But I am drawn to anything set in Italy, and that aspect of the novel was wonderful. Italy springs to glorious life in Donna Russo Morin's hands. As our protagonists travel from castle to castle, or town to town, the Italian countryside serves as a beautiful backdrop. Her depiction of the city of Florence is a treat for the senses, full of food and fashion, women and wine, art and architecture, and colorful people with colorful language. And, once again, this author managed to pull off a twist I didn't see coming, and though the ending wasn't exactly what I had hoped for, I liked that it wasn't predictable and it was very poignant. Overall I did like it, but it's not going to be my favorite of her novels. If you're in the mood for something fantastical and Italian, you may really enjoy The King's Agent.(less)

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May 04, 2012 Marg rated it 2 of 5 stars

Battista is a man who loves a challenges. He plans each of his thefts in meticulous detail, not afraid to take the chances he needs to take in order to met his goal, but also not prepared to put his men, and his own life at any greater risk than he needs to. His interest is piqud when he receives a cryptic clue which he assumes is a message from his patron, the French King Francois

To read more:

http://historicaltapestry.blogspot.co...

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About Donna Russo Morin

Donna Russo Morin is the award winning of author of historical fiction. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, she lives near the shore with her two sons, Devon and Dylan, her greatest works in progress.

Donna enjoys meeting with book groups in person and via Skype chat. Visit her website at www.donnarussomorin.com;
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