From birth, Cesare Borgia is surrounded by shadows. Damned by his own father and driven by the demons, his quest for power threatens to set the wor...
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reviews
Mar 18, 2011
Lacey
rated it: 
Every time I saw these books at the library, I was reminded of the Borgia family, since they used the poison canterella on many of their victims. It wasn't until I was shelving these for the millionth time that I realized this manga really IS about the Borgia family. Whoa!
So I checked out all three of them and breezed through the first one tonight. It's fun to see the Borgia family through the eyes of manga, although I wonder if the story might be a little tricky to follow if you didn' More...
So I checked out all three of them and breezed through the first one tonight. It's fun to see the Borgia family through the eyes of manga, although I wonder if the story might be a little tricky to follow if you didn' More...
Apr 27, 2009
Nicole
rated it: 
This is actually a pretty good (and very pretty) historical fantasy about the Borgia power struggle(s) in Renaissance Italy.
Color me impressed (having read plenty of works on the historical time period, as well as things like "Agony & Ecstasy" and Dante's "Inferno.")
There's a bit of underlying "yaoi" tendencies... dunno if it'll develop, but I like the tension.
It is 'fantasy' though - with the somewhat-visual demons and such.
I'm
Color me impressed (having read plenty of works on the historical time period, as well as things like "Agony & Ecstasy" and Dante's "Inferno.")
There's a bit of underlying "yaoi" tendencies... dunno if it'll develop, but I like the tension.
It is 'fantasy' though - with the somewhat-visual demons and such.
I'm
Jul 27, 2009
Starbubbles
rated it: 
i read this book all sorts of out-of-order. it was so good! so much better than angel coffin. which i was surprised to find out that higuri wrote that too. you might think that the whole demon aspect and selling your soul is totally made up from higuri, but oh those reni italians were constantly combining folklore with christian practices to make their desires come true. i love how that was captured in here.
Oct 21, 2009
Treasure
rated it:
What a refreshing change in my recent manga diet! I enjoyed the change of setting to 15th Century Italy, with characters based on real people and events based somewhat on actual historical occurences.
Cantarella is a dark, romantic story surrounding the cursed, illegitimate young man Cesare Borgia and his lust for power... and his possible lust for half-sister Lucrezia! (nast!)
Cantarella is a dark, romantic story surrounding the cursed, illegitimate young man Cesare Borgia and his lust for power... and his possible lust for half-sister Lucrezia! (nast!)
Jun 21, 2011
Willowfaerie
rated it:
Yay! Finally,I read this last night. It’s a super fast read that took less than an hour. I was very bummed that it was over. I had been holding off reading volume 1, because I wanted to get volume 2 from the library first. It still hasn’t come in.
Anyway, I loved this book. I think the artwork is fantastic, and I definitely have been sucked into the story. I get the feeling this series is Yaoi, but that hasn't happened yet. We'll see what happens. I'm looking forward to when ever More...
Anyway, I loved this book. I think the artwork is fantastic, and I definitely have been sucked into the story. I get the feeling this series is Yaoi, but that hasn't happened yet. We'll see what happens. I'm looking forward to when ever More...
May 09, 2010
In a way, this series is the whole reason we started Go! Comi. Short version: I was going to work on a manga project with the artist of Cantarella, Higuri You. Ended up starting a publishing company and bringing over her series instead. I absolutely adore her sultry men.
Feb 27, 2008
Jake
rated it:
I was hooked the instant I picked it up. Cantarella has taken historical characters and happenings, adapted it a bit for her own story purposes, and done a wonderful job.
For her main character, the much maligned Cesare Borgia, she's made him into almost a sympathetic villain. He's vicious, ruthless, ambitious, and resigned to being a denizen of evil. And yet, you are given an all-expenses paid, all-access pass into his emotions, and have to remind yourself that he has murdered people to su More...
For her main character, the much maligned Cesare Borgia, she's made him into almost a sympathetic villain. He's vicious, ruthless, ambitious, and resigned to being a denizen of evil. And yet, you are given an all-expenses paid, all-access pass into his emotions, and have to remind yourself that he has murdered people to su More...
Aug 02, 2011
I may not be so into historical tales, and that manga sure showed me why; it wasn't interesting enough, and the artwork seemed amateurish compares to what I usually read, and didn't attract on that way as well.
Jan 16, 2011
Trish
rated it:
This was a bit different for me from the other mangas I have read as it was set in another place other then China:) I still enjoyed it very much and the artwork was just as great as the other mangas are:)
Feb 15, 2009
Matt
rated it:
Definately one of my favorite manga series. Its very complicated, and tragic. Whats better is it has some historic truth. The corruption in the system is accurate, and the fantasy parts are amazing.
Oct 05, 2009
Hilary
rated it:
Love the illustrations -- especially the detailed, elaborately intricate costumes! The storyline held me longer than most manga, too (Borgias, Renaissance Italy).
Oct 08, 2007
Sweet Sacrifice
rated it:
I read in Thai 2 years ago. And in English too. this book about a man,who his father sold him to Evil.In his blood it had poison.His blood smell strange sweet like " Cantarella " poison for many years ago in Europe. Even if he want to die, but he can't.Something he don't want to do, but have to do.And he need somebody, who can help him for stop his life.
I like very much,Beautiful picture and cause..it's can be true for everyone.We have some poison with other, whe More...
I like very much,Beautiful picture and cause..it's can be true for everyone.We have some poison with other, whe More...
Sep 30, 2008
Katrina
rated it:
As manga, I give this three stars but when you add the historical element in then it is definitely a four star read. This shonin manga is a series based on the life of Cesare Borgia. It's premise is that Cesare was cursed at birth because his father (who became Pope Alexander VI) promised the devil his first born in exchange for the papacy. The book goes on to show the tortured life of Cesare and those around him. It's a really entertaining series with a romantic feel to it. I will say, I ha
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Mar 11, 2009
Jenny
rated it: 
I haven't quite decided what I think of this series yet. The art is beautiful, but the plot is a bit dark for my tastes.
Apr 29, 2008
kelly
rated it:
This shonin manga is a series based on the life of Cesare Borgia. It's premise is that Cesare was cursed at birth because his father (who became Pope Alexander VI) promised the devil his first born in exchange for the papacy. The book goes on to show the tortured life of Cesare and those around him. It's a really entertaining series with a romantic feel to it. Rated OT for older teen, 16+.
Aug 16, 2007
Anna
rated it:
I dig manga, so I was very excited to see a series about Renaissance Italy. And though the story has barely started, I am interested to read more, even though I found the story line a little vague at first, and the action sequences didn't always make sense to me. But I haven't read manga in a couple of years, so perhaps it will just take some time to get back in the flow again.
Jan 29, 2012
Sophie
rated it:
It's a manga about Cesare Borgia! For me, a huge fan of Assassin's Creed, that was pretty cool. The plot is intriguing and it all looks lovely. I really enjoyed this, even though it felt a little odd to have Cesare as the main character, especially since you can't help but feel sorry for him at times. Assassin's Creed instilled very different feelings for him in me ;)
Mar 06, 2008
Eric
rated it:
This is one of the most compelling manga titles I've read in a LONG time. It follows the bloodsoaked life of Cesare Borgia. It is well researched and yet still retains a dark romantic fantasy element. This is the first book on here that I've felt I actually had to write a review. It was just that fantastic.
May 20, 2008
Kimberly
rated it:
One of my favorite mangas of all time. Although it has stopped at volume 10, it is currently on hiatus and will be picked up agian according to higure-san. A take on italian history manga style. Expect pretty boys!
Nov 29, 2007
Robin
rated it:
This series, all about the devious and magnetic Borgia family during the late 1400s in Italy, just gets better and more creepy. Not for the faint of heart, but beautifully illustrated and researched by You Higuri.
Jun 02, 2010
scarlettraces
rated it:
Higuri's mix of overripe melodrama and utter seriousness is instantly identifiable, and also quite addictive. and who better for her treatment than the Borgias?
