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The Daughter of Siena

3.65 of 5 stars 3.65 · rating details · 915 ratings · 156 reviews

Amid the intrigue and danger of 18th-century Italy, a young woman becomes embroiled in romance and treachery with a rider in the Palio, the breathtaking horse race set in Siena....
It’s 1729, and the Palio, a white-knuckle horse race, is soon to be held in the heart of the peerless Tuscan city of Siena. But the beauty and pageantry masks the deadly rivalry that exists among...more

Paperback, 416 pages

Published May 10th 2011 by St. Martin's Press

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Apr 13, 2011 Misfit rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: harriet-loved-it

3.5/5 stars

This is one of those too complicated to try to explain without giving the whole thing away kind of books, so I'm making this short and sweet. Pia Tolomei knows she must marry someone, but her father makes a most surprising and distasteful choice for her. Betrothed #1 takes a deadly fall during Siena's famous Palio horse race and she's then promptly wed to his younger and even more distasteful brother. Pia soon finds herself involved in plots and intrigue swirling around Siena's nine w...more

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Aug 08, 2011 Stephen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Siena, take a bow.

In Marina Fiorato's "The Daughter of Siena," the principal characters turn out bit players, and the Tuscan city, a star.

Set in 17th century Italy, this is a tale of sanguinary political tribes, horseracing, love unrequited, and palace intrigue with a Sienese flavor.

The novel charts the slow-forming alliance of the low-born Riccardo Bruni, a maiden groomed for sale via marriage, Pia Tolomei, an ineffective duchess, and a street urchin, in their battle against some treasonous...more

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Apr 11, 2011 Kristina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, 2011

I won this on First Reads. My review is based on an advance copy.

Let me begin by saying I had somewhat low expectations for this book. I figured it would be just another historical fiction/chick lit. I'm glad I was wrong. Being very familiar with horses, I really enjoyed that the horse element played a large part in this book. I thought the storyline was interesting and there was a small surprise at the end. I finished it in a couple of days and I really enjoyed it. The ending, I'll admit was a...more

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May 25, 2013 Lisbet Esperanza rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

At the beginning the book was confusing but as i read along it intrigued me more and kept me turning the pages. All of Pia's troubles are introduced in the beginning, she is nineteen and has feared this day all eleven years she had know that she would soon take a husband not of her choice but of her father's from her contrada. As you read further on everything changes and an event occurs that frees Pia from her chosen destiny but to soon ties her down. Two days after the Palio she is wed to a ma...more

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May 24, 2013 Silvia Liotta rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

http://www.readingattiffanys.com/2013...

Pia de’ Tolomei sin dalla tenera età di undici anni ha atteso il giorno in cui la sua famiglia l'avrebbe data in sposa a qualche uomo di nobili natali: un matrimonio per dovere e senza amore. E quel giorno è arrivato sin troppo presto il suo matrimonio con l'arrogante Vincenzo Caprimulgo, unico erede della famiglia più potente di Siena l'Aquila, è alla porte e neppure i festeggiamenti per il Palio riescono a distrarla. La sua vita però cambierà proprio dur...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Alex rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

Though it has a romance-y cover, Daughter of Siena is actually a tale of intrigue. The setting is Italy, 1723, and the novel is about Sienese contrade (districts) plotting to overthrow their Medici duchess. Now perhaps I've been watching too much Game of Thrones, but I found all the scheming in this book to be rather underwhelming, to say the least.

The story centres on a horse race and three characters who try to thwart their enemies. The way it all pans out is rather contrived. Myths, symbolism...more Though it has a romance-y cover, Daughter of Siena is actually a tale of intrigue. The setting is Italy, 1723, and the novel is about Sienese contrade (districts) plotting to overthrow their Medici duchess. Now perhaps I've been watching too much Game of Thrones, but I found all the scheming in this book to be rather underwhelming, to say the least.

The story centres on a horse race and three characters who try to thwart their enemies. The way it all pans out is rather contrived. Myths, symbolism and literary allusions are in abundant supply, beloved by author and character alike. Whilst poetic at times, it ultimately got a bit much for me, especially when the characters themselves insisted on using such symbolism as part of their intrigues. But hey, if you like the thought of riddles actually being used in political schemes, then this could be the book for you.

This wouldn't have been so bad if there wasn't so much repetition in the book. For example, we are constantly reminded that Pia is beautiful and that black and white are ~meaningful colours~. Things are both told and shown; there were many instances where the narrator tells us something, only to explain it all again when another character mentions it indirectly. It was very frustrating.

At other times, I could do nothing but wait for the author to reveal the answers. Solutions to certain problems depended on knowledge about the city, so it wasn't like I could guess for myself what the baddies were up to. However, for someone who knows Siena, figuring this stuff out could end up being a really enjoyable part of the book, so yeah, good for you I guess. I don't know how much artistic license the author has taken with this though; for example, while most of the things she mentions about the Medici are based on real life, I do know that she has tweaked key facts for the sake of the story.

To add to my list of complaints is the intelligence of the schemers in this book. If you're going to play at politics and wax lyrical about how you're moving chess pieces, then I expect you to know what you're doing. You shouldn't need to “suddenly” think of such-and-such and you shouldn't be surprised at the possible direct consequences of your actions – rather, you should be clever enough to have thought of these things all along!

Alright, pedant alert for my last complaint, which is about fact-checking. At one point, a curtain is described as “dark red as arterial blood” (p129). Arterial blood is not dark red, it is bright red. Venous blood is dark red. I suppose arterial blood would be dark red if it's in the dark, but really, come on. One more thing that I found jarring was when the narrator casually draws an analogy involving “satellite planets around the sun” (p255). I am nitpicking here, and the scenario is possible, but I'm not sure if an uneducated horseman in 1723 would have been aware – let alone so accepting – of heliocentric theory, particularly if the Church was against it. I know these are minor things, but they really did jolt me out of the story.

Now, despite my complaints, I could not leave the book unfinished.

The writing has a rich, pillowy quality that makes it easy to read, and the book is littered through with many a pretty phrase. I have mentioned the (over)use of symbolism above, but I should also say that it was at times also rather pleasant and charming.

The non-intrigue aspects were also nicely done. The book was strongest when it dealt with the characters' personal issues and histories, rather than the plot. Pia's married life, the duchess' children and so on – these were all human and believable and interesting to read about. Also well written were the descriptions about horses and riding and the Palio. These aspects took up a good portion of the book, yet sadly for me, they are overshadowed by the main plot because of what it was. If the intrigue had remained in the background, or if some of it had been left to the imagination, I would have really enjoyed this novel.

My ranting makes this book sound worse than it is. Think of it this way: it was engaging enough that it got under my skin and I was still enraptured enough to want to find out how it all ended. If you like a historical tale rich with lyric symbolism, you may very well like this book. If you're the cynical pedantic type, avoid this book lest ye froth at the mouth.(less)

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Mar 19, 2013 April Hochstrasser rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Worth reading and not just another love story. It may be the opposite of a love story.The daughter of Siena is Pia Tolomei. Nineteen year old Pia is a sweet girl with a kind disposition. On the day of her birthday she is summoned to see her father, knowing she is about to married off. She did not have a choice as to whom or when she would marry. Pia is shocked to learn her father has given her to a cruel man of the Eagle Contrade, Vicenzo Caprimulgo.

Pia is very unhappy with this arranged marriag...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Tina Culbertson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: italy

The Daughter of Siena by Marina Fiorato was sent to me from St Martin’s Press. Thank you!

(Some spoilers…you were warned)

This intriguing book starts us off in July of 1729. The Palio di Siena is about to be run. The Palio is a horserace held every year on July 2 and August 16. The races still draw enormous crowds, packing in to see a colorful race which is over in just 90 seconds. There is much pageantry with this race but also an intense rivalry among the city districts. Each ward, represented b...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Gail Murray rated it 5 of 5 stars

Marina Fiorato has written a oompelling novel bringing her characters to life against the backdrop of Renaissance Italy. The power struggle plays out in a 70 second horse race as Sienna's palio of 1723 holds the fate of our hero, Riccardo Bruni and the Medici duchy. We hear the thundering hooves and sense the danger as the dust catches in our throats and a rider falls to his death.

Pia and the reader have foreshadowing and hope as we catch our first glimpse of Riccardo - "a lone horseman walkin...more

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Aug 26, 2012 Grace rated it 4 of 5 stars

Loved the period and learned so much about Siena and its governing culture. Having visited Siena on more than once, I had no idea about all the preparation that went behind the palios that take place twice a year and the different contradas. What an eye opening experience. The story line kept me going. While I've read many other novels of the period, this one seemed to have so much more specific detail about the period and the motivation behind the individuals' actions. Is it because of the writ...more

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Oct 02, 2011 Samantha Cheh rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was absolutely lush. I've always had a thing for Renaissance Italy - I was welcomed into the world by the lovely Sarah Dunant and her book The Birth of Venus - wait, no, it was one of Dan Brown's books. But whatever. Suffice to say, Renaissance Italy would have been a wonderful place to visit. Never to live. I think any one of us 21st century girls would simply die if we had to live there. It's a cruel place to be a woman in, where we have no choice and I thought Fiorato did a lovely job pa...more This was absolutely lush. I've always had a thing for Renaissance Italy - I was welcomed into the world by the lovely Sarah Dunant and her book The Birth of Venus - wait, no, it was one of Dan Brown's books. But whatever. Suffice to say, Renaissance Italy would have been a wonderful place to visit. Never to live. I think any one of us 21st century girls would simply die if we had to live there. It's a cruel place to be a woman in, where we have no choice and I thought Fiorato did a lovely job painting that picture out for me.

It's not your typical Renaissance novel - well, not as typical as you would expect. I think classically, when we think about novels set in Renaissance Italy, a lot of it would be set against a backdrop of Medici Florence or conservative Venice (who'da thunk, right?) and it's about a girl who has been married off and she falls in love - usually with someone not her husband.

The Daughter of Siena plays true to that tune but I don't know, Fiorato brings something else to it. It's not sensual like how Sarah Dunant would have made it nor is it as blunt as Sarah Poole would be. I thought the novel was a lot quieter and the sense I got was it was so damn emotional. There wasn't the raging lust you see in most historical novels. IN FACT, one of the strengths of the book; the fact that the romance was truly, really, REALLY REALLY a romance.

No brisk into bed sweeping or some sweet awakening - the closest thing they ever came to in the novel was them kissing and in way, it was kind of naive and silly and childish but Fiorato managed to somehow take it and make it believeable. I believed Pia was that pure and she truly loved her rider (Riccardo) and the whole chivalry love thing? It exists here.

And again, Fiorato makes it extraordinary in how she makes that cheesy sense of chivalry and nonsense into something I can really believe in. She turned something that would have been DESTINED for Mozarellaland and made it into savory shepard's pie! (sorry for the food analogy; I'm hungry)

It was insane. Prose is flawless though she has a tendency for lengthy elaborate descriptions but it was okay for this one - she really gives you a sense of 18th century Palio history. And I didn't like how she had tied in Dante's Divine Comedy and Arthurian Legend into it. It felt awkward at times and the plot wasn't as tight as it could have been. That 'intrigue' wasn't as carefully wrought as it could have been.

Yet the writer made me love the characters and hate the villains. Not Pillars of the Earth hate but close enough. I wanted to leap at some parts and I truly cried at other parts (please ignore the fact that I cry easily - at the drop of a hat really). Usually, I would rant about how unfeminine the girl was but again, she worked magic and she made Pia into someone who wasn't necessarily the bravest or most unorthodox - like so many Italian Renaissance girls are wont to be now. You could tell Pia chafed in her restricted class etiquette behaviour but also how hard that mindset was drilled into her.

All in all, beautiful piece of work. It wasn't perfect but it was something I think a lot of us hopeless romantics will love. It makes you believe in chivalric love. If I had to use one word to describe this novel, it would be chivalric. And not in the cheesy sense .
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Aug 04, 2011 Violet Yates rated it 4 of 5 stars

In 1723, Pia of the Tolomei was to be given a husband on the night before the Palio, a famous horse race that is of great import to the city of Siena. Her betrothed, an evil man, loses his life in the race. An unknown horseman, Riccardo Bruni, tries to save him but fails. Pia is ridden with guilt because she had prayed for her betrothed’s death, and also relief, until she discovers she is still a pawn in the game of matrimony- she is to wed her dead husband’s brother, Nello, who is equally evil....more

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May 24, 2013 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, owned

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 02, 2012 Jori Richardson rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, fluffy-ridiculousness, writer-from-england, laughably-absurd

What a disappointing, terribly written book. Earlier in the year, I read Fiorato's "The Glassblower of Murano," which, though weakly written, was enjoyable due to its lovely setting of Venice. I was hoping that her second book would do the same for Siena, a city that I don't know nearly so much about.

Unfortunately, all that this book did was make me wish fervently that I had requested another Early Reviewer's book for that month.

The story starts off by describing the heroine, Pia, as "the most b...more What a disappointing, terribly written book. Earlier in the year, I read Fiorato's "The Glassblower of Murano," which, though weakly written, was enjoyable due to its lovely setting of Venice. I was hoping that her second book would do the same for Siena, a city that I don't know nearly so much about.

Unfortunately, all that this book did was make me wish fervently that I had requested another Early Reviewer's book for that month.

The story starts off by describing the heroine, Pia, as "the most beautiful girl in Siena," a statement that always annoys me. And not only that - she is descended from Cleopatra, too.
Pia, a member of the nobility, is betrothed to a distasteful boy whom she hates, but falls in love with a lower-class horseman named Riccardo.

It was all just ever so predictable and cliche. Not a single event in this book transpired that even mildly surprised me.
Pia was a cardboard character that I never got the slightest picture of in my head, and every other supporting character was either exaggeratedly good or exaggeratedly bad. The two main characters of Pia and Riccardo are so perfect, they should have halos. The villains or distasteful persons of the story are overdone. For example, Pia's first fiancee tries to rape her within seconds of meeting her, and the author then informs us that he is famous for getting girls pregnant and then abandoning them, forcing them to commit suicide. Just as bad, Pia's second fiancee practically tortures her and seems to enjoy ridiculing her both in public and in private. He didn't seem to have any objective or point to doing this - he was just that evil!

Nearly every character has an animal nickname. Owlet, Eagle, Panther, Zebra... People were frequently referred to by their animal names. It annoyed me because I saw no purpose behind it, and also I found it a bit hard to believe that members of the Siena nobility would go around calling each other "Fox" or "Rabbit."

There was also something about a secret society, which was even more ridiculous. I couldn't resist skimming over these parts because they were so dull and unbelievable.

All in all, I am sorry that I gave Fiorato a second chance. Her first book was average, but this one was awful. Not recommended.(less)

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Jun 10, 2011 Lynne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Being an avid reader of historical fiction I was pleased to receive this book for review and was not disappointed. Though at first glance it may appear to be just another historical romance, Ms. Fiorato brings much more depth to the novel. The 18th century life in Siena is vividly recreated with careful attention to historical accuracy and detail. I so enjoy being educated in the history and culture of the time and this book enlightened me immensely. I had no prior knowledge of this time and pla...more

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Apr 02, 2011 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Following on the heels of the popular (though somewhat waning) Tudor novels of intrigue and romance comes Daughter of Siena by Marina Fiorato, an enchanting new novel of romance and intrigue in 18th century Italy. In the midst of this year's trend toward everything Borgia, it's interesting to see a release that appears to be feeding off the trend while working hard to be something completely new and different on its own. Even with all of my previous notions about this novel and its likely conten...more Following on the heels of the popular (though somewhat waning) Tudor novels of intrigue and romance comes Daughter of Siena by Marina Fiorato, an enchanting new novel of romance and intrigue in 18th century Italy. In the midst of this year's trend toward everything Borgia, it's interesting to see a release that appears to be feeding off the trend while working hard to be something completely new and different on its own. Even with all of my previous notions about this novel and its likely contents, I found that Daughter of Siena was able to stand on its own as something unique and original in a sea of repetition.

The plot of Daughter of Siena is closely tied to the Palio, a famous horse race, and tradition, in the Tuscan city of Siena. During the 18th century, however, the city was separated into different wards, each with its own racer, its own agenda and its own loyalties. Young and beautiful Pia knows that she's destined to be married off to an eligible and, most importantly wealthy, bachelor of her parents' choosing. However, admit the intrigue of the Medici family of Tuscany and the wards of Siena, Pia falls in love with an outsider.

I suppose I had too many preconceived notions before I began Daughter of Siena. I thought I would get something more along the lines of The Borgias/intrigue and so forth, but even though there are Italian intrigues in this novel, it's more about a forbidden romance than anything else. Told in an enchanting and beautiful voice, Fiorato paints a realistic romance between a headstrong, lively young woman and a fascinating rogue that readers just want to cheer for.

Pia, however, is only one part of the novel, as the point of view occasionally shifts to that of Violante Medici, the current Duchess of Tuscany and a member of the notorious Medici family. Giving Violante a voice injected the novel an interesting and unexpected edge that upped the stakes.

Told in a well-researched voice that wove great historical detail, Daughter of Siena is a lovely historical romance made for history buffs and romance lovers alike.(less)

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Apr 12, 2011 Karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-amazon-vine

In Siena, Italy in the 18th century, the Palio, which is a horse race is an important part of the culture. The race is not just a competition among the different Contrade (city wards) in the town, but a significant rivalry. Winning the race is a matter of pride and determines whose star is rising and falling in the community. What happens in this race alters the fate of Pia, who is engaged to be married to a competitor in the race. Her father has pledged her in marriage against her wishes to ano...more

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Mar 19, 2013 Romina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

La gemma di siena

La gemma di Siena mi è stato regalato dai tre uomini di casa, solo per questo avrei dovuto apprezzarlo ed amarlo, ammetto però che non è stato subito così. Scettica e molto perplessa, pensavo di trovarmi di fronte ad un romanzo «rosa», noioso e pesante.. Insomma non proprio adatto a me!
Nonostante tutto, dopo varie insistenze da parte dei miei bambini ho deciso di accontentarli quindi di leggerlo. Mai avrei pensato, che arrivata alla fine potessi dire che è stato una scoperta.......more

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Sep 20, 2012 Evelyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Very good....but I thought it was going to focus more on one character. The novel focussed on three characters, Violetta, Ricardo, and Pia. I feel like the book was supposed to be about Pia, but it was more about Violetta instead. Pia was more of a Debby Downer than I thought she was going to be. I wasn't quite as enraptured in her character as I thought I was going to be. I was expecting her to be more of her own heroine. But she seems to be down in the dumps all the time, which was disappointi...more Very good....but I thought it was going to focus more on one character. The novel focussed on three characters, Violetta, Ricardo, and Pia. I feel like the book was supposed to be about Pia, but it was more about Violetta instead. Pia was more of a Debby Downer than I thought she was going to be. I wasn't quite as enraptured in her character as I thought I was going to be. I was expecting her to be more of her own heroine. But she seems to be down in the dumps all the time, which was disappointing. Im still not sure who the daughter of Siena is supposed to be. I feel as though the book lacked some important details, and also a more structured plot line.
The writer could have elaborated more on certain details.
Such as:

The secret meetings of the 9- I feel like this was supposed to be more mysterious and intriguing. But in the end it was quite drab, and flimsy. There were only two meetings....?

The Final Palio- what was supposed to happen with the duchesses death? wasn't there supposed to be some kind of plot to assassinate her? who was Romulus? Everything was so unclear. What exactly happened to Dami? And the duchesses brother in law? His character disgusted me.

Ricardo's character bothered me as well, his relationships were all wacky and they had no strength or reason to them. That was a serious issue for me right there.

I was also disappointed that after a certain point we did not hear from Faustino again....this man who was so clever and powerful did not show any reaction to his second son dying within a month from the last one? He showed a powerful display of revenge on the young rider of the Panther Contrada, Edigio (i believe), but yet when it came to Nello's murder we never heard anything of it again.

Pia seemed totally fine that she stabbed her husband after that, proceeding to have children and a normal life with Ricardo. Ricardo and Pia hardly know each other it seems. We did not see much of Pia or Ricardo's emotions from many of the in between lessons, and how everything built up between them. It seemed to go from point A in their relationship to point B very quickly.
What happened to Pia's connection with her mother? There was a frail connection in the beginning, and then it was lost.

The book was enjoyable, but there were some parts of it that I was either confused, annoyed with, or just flat out angry about. Lots of missing details. I hope to be reading another book soon to take my mind off of this one.(less)

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Apr 14, 2011 Jenny Q rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: tour-of-italy, amazon-vine, historical-fiction-faves

4.5 Stars. This was a great read! The story follows three residents of Siena: Pia, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy family who finds herself betrothed to a monster from a rival family for the sake of a political alliance; Riccardo, the poor son of a farrier who is chosen to ride for his contrada in the Palio; and the duchess Violante, widow of Ferdinand de Medici and governess of Siena. Though strangers when the story begins, their lives become entwined in a dangerous mission to save their ci...more 4.5 Stars. This was a great read! The story follows three residents of Siena: Pia, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy family who finds herself betrothed to a monster from a rival family for the sake of a political alliance; Riccardo, the poor son of a farrier who is chosen to ride for his contrada in the Palio; and the duchess Violante, widow of Ferdinand de Medici and governess of Siena. Though strangers when the story begins, their lives become entwined in a dangerous mission to save their city from a covert takeover by the corrupt leaders of the Nine ruling families.

The city of Siena lives for its annual horse race, the Palio, and it's run twice a year, in July and August. In this novel, the year is 1723, and an accident mars the first Palio, and sets in motion a tale of revenge, intrigue, duty, and love. Pia and Violante both see Riccardo for the first time, and this man of honor will become very important to both of them, and to the Nine, as he becomes a pawn in their plans to take over the city. I won't say much more about the plot, because it is very intricate and suspenseful, and it kept me guessing right up to the end, and the second Palio--that final climactic horse race--had me biting my nails on the edge of my seat! But it's very good. Suspenseful and exciting, and it's very romantic.

The city of Siena is so much a part of this story that it really comes to life. I could feel the heat of the sun in a bright blue sky shining down on me and the warmth of the sun-baked cobblestones, hear the roar of the crowd, smell the horses and the hay, see the influence of the arts everywhere I looked. I really was transported to Siena and I enjoyed my time there. The characters are great, too; Pia and Riccardo are both brave and noble, suffering heroes, and though it took me a while to warm up to Violante, by the end I had new respect for her.

The only complaint I have is the repeated descriptions of the Medici brothers' sexual exploits. I'm no prude, and in fact, I like racy reads, but I got the message that they were debauched perverts the first time, I didn't need to hear about it again and again, and I thought it cheapened what was otherwise a very eloquent novel. But that's it! I loved everything else! I've seen mixed reviews of her other novels, but I really enjoyed this one.

P.S. - I forgot to say that a very special horse plays an important role, and made me cry, and themes from Dante's Purgatory and Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur enhance the story.
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May 23, 2011 Cheery rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A band of odd fellows team up to thwart businessmen from taking Sienna from it's Duchy on the Eve of the Palio. The story line was rather predictable. This made the conclusion less satisfying. I did like the author's writing style, though.

Two quotes stood out for me:
from page 197, As he said this, Precious Auntie came back into my mind. I was remembering how she taught me that everything, even ink, had a purpose and a meaning: good ink cannot be the quick kind, ready to pour out of a bottle. You...more

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Jun 18, 2011 Beth rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction-general, kindle, fiction-womens

I wish Goodreads would allow half-stars. I don't think this was worthy of 4 stars, but 3 isn't enough -- so I would've given it a 3.5

I really enjoy this author's writing, and I do love reading about Italy, especially in the 17th or 18th century. This book was interesting in that reading about Siena and the Palio were both really fascinating, and of course now it makes me want to go there, and to read more about both :)

I also enjoyed all the mystery and intrigue, although some of the mysteries w...more

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Jun 27, 2011 Rio (Lynne) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Positive note: a stunning cover. This is one of those stories that could have been great. The evil Caprimulgo family scheming for power over the Duchess Violante de' Medici. Throw in Pia, a beautiful woman married off and abused by the Caprimulgo family. Then the hero horseman Riccardo gets into the mix. Sounds like a great story right? What a disappointment. It started out strong, but lost my interest around page 100. The characters never started living. They reminisced too much about the past...more

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Jun 03, 2011 Shelley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-club

The Palio brought back memories of the horse races that were held every August where I grew up in Nevada; all the excitement, the crowds, the beautiful horses, the thundering hooves, the jockey's silks...
I enjoyed learning some of the culture and history of Siena, especially the different contrade. Fiorato was skillful in weaving the allegorical tales and ancient myths into the story, along with the vividly described paintings. Kudos too for unveiling the plot twists and turns at just the right...more

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Apr 16, 2011 Kelley Ross rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, medieval-fiction, first-reads

I received this novel through the goodreads first-reads program.

It was a pleasant surprise that this novel was not what the cover made it seem. I was expecting a frilly historic romance, but The Daughter of Siena proved to be insightful and interesting. I have some knowledge of horses, and it was obvious that the author put much thought into describing their role in the story accurately. I have to confess that my favorite character might have been a certain white horse...

Interestingly, this sto...more

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Oct 08, 2011 Kate Forsyth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, historical-mystery, historical-romance

Filled with romance and suspense, this lush historical novel set in 18th century Siena is a fabulous read, with a perfect blend of action, mystery and love. The primary character if the 19 year old Pia Tolomei, who is married against her will to a cruel and vengeful man who is involved in a plot to overthrow the Duchess of Siena, Violante de’ Medici. Pia, however, is in love with a handsome but poor horseman, Riccardo, who sets out to tame a battle-maddened stallion to ride in the Palio, Siena’s...more

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May 03, 2011 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads-give-aways

I loved reading this book that I won and received for free on Goodreads First Reads! This book was a wonderful, exciting read! From the first page, the reader is given clues and connections of the events and characters that will connect and follow through the entire story. The setting is the town of Siena, 1723. The characters, at first strangers, then intimately connected, come alive with depth and color throughout the novel. Pia, Riccardo, Violante, and Zebra become memorable characers that pu...more

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Mar 14, 2012 Emmy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: italy

I wanted to like this book and I really thought I would. It has a strong plot, but it just never came together. It was a little too predictable and formulaic.
There were also a few things that struck me that I had a problem with.
The heroine is described as the most beautiful woman in the city (like she is actually known as such and is subsequently, basically locked away until she marries so no one can touch her), the hero is the most beautiful man ever and all the villains looks like fairytale...more

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Oct 26, 2011 Annie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Two luke warm reviews on Amazon, but I have to say I loved this one. I'm a sucker for historical novels set in Italy (or any book set in Italy really...) and in this book Siena towards the end of the Medici dynastly lives and breathes, and the thrills of the Palio are wonderfully portrayed. OK, maybe the characters are a tad stereotyped - the beautiful and innocent Pia, the evil villains, the romantic hero with an air of mystery, the aging good duchess, the corrupt relatives - but it doesn't mat...more

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Sep 26, 2011 Tclearyn3 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Captivating! I so enjoy this author's historical fiction! She has such a way of making you feel as if you have been transported in time. Such a gift too to also make a reader want to learn more about a culture, place, work of art, or event. I'll never travel to Italy the same way again after reading her stories. In this one, she invites the reader to pick a "Contrade" to take the coveted race & you can't help but to wish all neighborhoods were steeped in such rich traditions. The character's...more

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About Marina Fiorato

Marina Fiorato is half-Venetian. She was born in Manchester and raised in the Yorkshire Dales.

She is a history graduate of Oxford University and the University of Venice, where she specialized in the study of Shakespeare’s plays as an historical source.

After University she studied art and since worked as an illustrator, actress and film reviewer.

She also designed tour visuals for rock bands includ...more

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Books by Marina Fiorato

Marina Fiorato Collection.: Botticelli Secret, The Madonna Of The Almonds, The Glassblower Of Murano & Daughter Of Siena

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“His life was cheap to him. Perhaps that's why he rode faster than any other, perhaps that was why he had walked into the house of Aquila without the quickening of a heartbeat: because at the heart of his courage was the fact that he really did not care if he died. Such courage is not true courage. True courage is when a man quakes with fear in the face of death, yet still risks his life for something he cares about. Ricardo Bruni did not know this yet, but he was to learn it soon.” — 3 people liked it

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