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Wolves in Winter
5-year-old Mura is a strange and bewitching child. Daughter to a Nordic mother and Spanish father, she has been tutored in both Arabic learning and the ancient myth cycles of the north. But her widower father has been arrested by the Inquisition, and Mura is sold to a Genoese slaver.
In the port of Savona, Mura's androgynous looks and unusual abilities fetch a high price. She is bought as a house slave for the powerful Medici, arriving in Florence as the city prepares for war against the French. When the family are forced to flee, Mura finds herself gifted to the notorious Tigress of Forli, Countess Caterina Sforza.
Beautiful, ruthless and intelligent, the Countess is fascinated by Mura's arcane knowledge. As the Tigress educates her further in the arts of alchemy, potions and poisons, she becomes much more than a lady's maid. Mura becomes a potent weapon in the Machiavellian intrigues of the Renaissance court...
In the port of Savona, Mura's androgynous looks and unusual abilities fetch a high price. She is bought as a house slave for the powerful Medici, arriving in Florence as the city prepares for war against the French. When the family are forced to flee, Mura finds herself gifted to the notorious Tigress of Forli, Countess Caterina Sforza.
Beautiful, ruthless and intelligent, the Countess is fascinated by Mura's arcane knowledge. As the Tigress educates her further in the arts of alchemy, potions and poisons, she becomes much more than a lady's maid. Mura becomes a potent weapon in the Machiavellian intrigues of the Renaissance court...
400 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2012
9 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Hilton
32 books120 followersLisa Hilton is an author and biographer. She grew up in the north of England and read English at New College, Oxford, after which she studied History of Art in Florence and Paris. After eight years in New York, Paris and Milan she has recently returned to England and now lives in London with her husband and their daughter. Her work has appeared in Vogue, Elle, the Evening Standard and the Telegraph, among others.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 7, 2014
Given the back cover description, the plot of this book was surprising to a great extend.
There was a certain amount of occultism and magic that I'm not sure it ties completely with the historical fiction part of the book. Actually, I'm not sure why the author chose this story.
That sounds harsh, but it was interesting nevertheless. Actually, I think one of the reasons I kept on reading it despite being disappointed by some aspects of the plot was her beautiful writing.
The second reason was the historical context. I was also in Venice while I was reading this, so it was fascinating to read about the Sforzas and Medicis while walking around a place seemingly frozen in the time of the book.
There was a certain amount of occultism and magic that I'm not sure it ties completely with the historical fiction part of the book. Actually, I'm not sure why the author chose this story.
That sounds harsh, but it was interesting nevertheless. Actually, I think one of the reasons I kept on reading it despite being disappointed by some aspects of the plot was her beautiful writing.
The second reason was the historical context. I was also in Venice while I was reading this, so it was fascinating to read about the Sforzas and Medicis while walking around a place seemingly frozen in the time of the book.
June 1, 2018
Oh dear. Where to start with this review? Shall we start with the fact that the front cover picture takes the main character, described in the text of the book as being mixed-race with copper skin and white hair, and whitewashes her into Typical White Anglo-Medieval Lady?
That's for starters. Then there is the poor handling of Mura being intersex. It is hinted early on that there is something odd about her, but we assume it is the silver hair spooking people. It takes half the book for her to be honest, then from that point, Mura is all self-loathing and longing to be a "proper" woman rather than having the courage to accept the way her body is. And the ending... ugh. Because apparently not conforming to gender norms is soooo terrible and weird and freaky... Clearly the author hasn't thought about the impact of that kind of attitude on actual people who are intersex.
Secondary characters are also often under-developed. It seems we are meant to care about Mura's father Benito, but we are told little about him other than he's a bookseller - and we spend so little time with him that it's difficult to care when he gets arrested. Then there's Cecco, the best friend from a somewhat implausible Weasley-esque house full of redheads... in Renaissance Italy, where I have a hard time believing there were very many natural redheads at all unless they'd emigrated from Scotland or Ireland or somewhere.
There is also the supernatural element, which makes the book seem like an awkward mishmash. On the cover we're told it's historical fiction in the vein of Philippa Gregory, but there are frequent mystical dreams and wondering whether Mura can see the future. The alchemy aspect is never really explained in a satisfactory manner either - we know people did alchemy in that era, but what was Ficino trying to achieve? We get vague mentions of the Philosopher's Stone, but again that seems like something else thrown in from Harry Potter. It's never entirely clear what the alchemy subplot is about - are we meant to care? It is left unresolved when you could probably have made a whole separate *novel* about medieval/Renaissance alchemy
And why is Cesare Borgia mostly referred to as Valentino? Or are they two separate people? More confusion which could have been made so much clearer with another round of editing.
The whole book just... it feels rushed, under-developed and harmfully stereotypical in terms of characters (and that's without mentioning the treatment of the only Jewish character).
I picked this book up at the library thinking it looked interesting - but it has really put me off reading any more of this author's work.
That's for starters. Then there is the poor handling of Mura being intersex. It is hinted early on that there is something odd about her, but we assume it is the silver hair spooking people. It takes half the book for her to be honest, then from that point, Mura is all self-loathing and longing to be a "proper" woman rather than having the courage to accept the way her body is. And the ending... ugh. Because apparently not conforming to gender norms is soooo terrible and weird and freaky... Clearly the author hasn't thought about the impact of that kind of attitude on actual people who are intersex.
Secondary characters are also often under-developed. It seems we are meant to care about Mura's father Benito, but we are told little about him other than he's a bookseller - and we spend so little time with him that it's difficult to care when he gets arrested. Then there's Cecco, the best friend from a somewhat implausible Weasley-esque house full of redheads... in Renaissance Italy, where I have a hard time believing there were very many natural redheads at all unless they'd emigrated from Scotland or Ireland or somewhere.
There is also the supernatural element, which makes the book seem like an awkward mishmash. On the cover we're told it's historical fiction in the vein of Philippa Gregory, but there are frequent mystical dreams and wondering whether Mura can see the future. The alchemy aspect is never really explained in a satisfactory manner either - we know people did alchemy in that era, but what was Ficino trying to achieve? We get vague mentions of the Philosopher's Stone, but again that seems like something else thrown in from Harry Potter. It's never entirely clear what the alchemy subplot is about - are we meant to care? It is left unresolved when you could probably have made a whole separate *novel* about medieval/Renaissance alchemy
And why is Cesare Borgia mostly referred to as Valentino? Or are they two separate people? More confusion which could have been made so much clearer with another round of editing.
The whole book just... it feels rushed, under-developed and harmfully stereotypical in terms of characters (and that's without mentioning the treatment of the only Jewish character).
I picked this book up at the library thinking it looked interesting - but it has really put me off reading any more of this author's work.
November 3, 2015
This was a very confusing book. The middle and the ending were completely out of the blue. i liked the bits with the wolves. The ending was very "my whole life has been a lie so now I'm going to ignore everything that has happened so now I'm going o live a normal life". Which can be annoying as you feel like the character you have be living this with has been swapped for someone else.
February 7, 2021
I wouldnt have chosen this book as i am not up on this period of history. During lockdown my library has a scheme where they pick books for you and this was one. I liked the main character which kept me reading. The plot was fairly crazy and i didnt have a clue what was going on a lot of the time but some nice descriptions of how the main character felt about being different. Not a bad read
September 29, 2018
A young girl watches her father being taken away. She doesn't understand why such a kind and gentle man is so hated. She goes to live with the brothel keeper who was a good friend. When the brothel keeps tries to sell her services the girl fights back. What is so special about her? Sold into slavery we follow Mura's journey into her future. Late 1400's Italy is brought to life. The colours, sights and sounds, latterly the privations and sounds of gunfire during the French occupation are so clear. Not really sure about the occult part of the story; whilst it was believed that there was black magic was it to this extent or was it just folk medicines or poisons which people relied on or just the fear instilled into the people by the rulers?
May 26, 2019
The story itself wasn’t too bad but I’ve taken off stars for the racist cover. The main character is mixed race and as someone who was born intersex it is specified that her body hasn’t gone through puberty. Her struggles with the way society treats her due to her looking different from the white society of the time is central to her character yet they’ve chosen to use a full busted white woman as the front cover??
June 9, 2024
I'm confused by what I read.
The only reason I kept reading this book was to see what else they could drop in this pot.
Cover and title is very misleading - book itself doens't really justify the wolf or winter part. It's confusing and all over the place.
The only reason I kept reading this book was to see what else they could drop in this pot.
Cover and title is very misleading - book itself doens't really justify the wolf or winter part. It's confusing and all over the place.
July 19, 2018
Really not my style at all, I kept waiting for the main character to act, but she just flowed with the current.
August 27, 2019
Didn't finish it. I enjoyed the beginning but couldn't get into part 2 so I skipped to the ending.
April 12, 2021
Well writren with wonderful insight into the time of the fall of the Medici family. However got a bit long winded towards the end, and I lost interest in final few chapters.
February 19, 2013
Set in late 15th/early 16th century Europe, Wolves in Winter is intriguing and insightful historical fiction that transports the reader to a time to the political machinations that characterised Renaissance Italy. The cover is beautiful (love the dress); the fact that you can't see the model's eyes hints at the secrecy contained within.
The story begins in 1492 when five-year-old Mura lives with her widowed father, a bookseller who has tutored her in Arabic learning, alchemy and the ancient myths of the North. Her learning is not the only thing that sets her apart: Mura is a “different” child – some call her strange and bewitching. In part this is due to her exotic, androgynous looks (a mixture of Moorish, Spanish and Nordic blood), but there is something about her that makes most people avoid her as though she’s possessed. Others, it turns out, want her for her knowledge and “gift of sight”.
When her father is arrested by the Inquisition, life for Mura becomes a series of what could euphemistically be deemed adventures, but in reality means the young girl is shifted from pillar to post with no say whatsoever. From a brothel where she’s sent for “safekeeping” to a troupe of circus performers, from a Genoese slaver to the House of Medici in Florence, from a Medici house slave to being Countess Caterina Sforza's confidante/lady’s maid of, Mura has to learn to fend for herself again and again. As she finds, everyone wants something from her.
The countess, in particular, is fascinated by Mura’s arcane knowledge. Manipulative and malicious, the countess relies on her womanhood for survival amid the political machinations of the time. In time, Mura is educated further in the arts of alchemy, potions and poisons, building on knowledge already gleaned from her father and the enigmatic Master Ficino in Florence. She soon becomes a player in the power games of Renaissance Italy. But will she ever gain her freedom?
I read Hilton’s first book, The House With Blue Shutters, a few years back. Wolves in Winter, as historical fiction compared to contemporary fiction, is for the most part, a very different book. There are a few commonalities though – political upheaval, buried secrets and women feeling confined by gender or circumstance are common themes in both stories. Hilton does write very well; there’s no doubt in my mind that Wolves in Winter is an impeccably researched example of historical fiction. However, there’s something about Hilton’s writing style that keeps me from really loving her work. I can’t really pinpoint what it is or why, but neither book really engaged me in the way I would have liked (and expected from the synopsis). There’s a dry-ness about it, that I suppose, stops me from really connecting with the characters. I remember this feeling from The House With Blue Shutters.
I did empathise with Mura. I could feel her outrage at being treated as though she were of little value by some and manipulated by others. I felt sad that her childhood was spent being shifted around, with no love (save her short-lived friendship with Cecco) … perhaps the emotional disconnect I felt merely mirrored the emotional disconnect that Mura had to adopt to protect herself. But eventually, for me that disconnect meant a degree of disengagement with the novel.
Don’t get me wrong. There are some beautifully descriptive scenes in this novel that captivated me, particularly those set in Florence, as well as some well-drawn characters such as Ficino, Cecco and Caterina. I was also intrigued by the insight into what would have been a turbulent time for all – male, female, young, old, religious or secular, ruler or peasant. It’s just that as a complete package, the book didn’t quite beguile me as promised and I was left a tad unsatisfied. For lovers of historical fiction, however, it’s definitely worth a read – like a good wine, it is bound to taste different for every consumer.
Available from good bookstores and Allen & Unwin. This book was courtesy of Allen & Unwin.
The story begins in 1492 when five-year-old Mura lives with her widowed father, a bookseller who has tutored her in Arabic learning, alchemy and the ancient myths of the North. Her learning is not the only thing that sets her apart: Mura is a “different” child – some call her strange and bewitching. In part this is due to her exotic, androgynous looks (a mixture of Moorish, Spanish and Nordic blood), but there is something about her that makes most people avoid her as though she’s possessed. Others, it turns out, want her for her knowledge and “gift of sight”.
When her father is arrested by the Inquisition, life for Mura becomes a series of what could euphemistically be deemed adventures, but in reality means the young girl is shifted from pillar to post with no say whatsoever. From a brothel where she’s sent for “safekeeping” to a troupe of circus performers, from a Genoese slaver to the House of Medici in Florence, from a Medici house slave to being Countess Caterina Sforza's confidante/lady’s maid of, Mura has to learn to fend for herself again and again. As she finds, everyone wants something from her.
The countess, in particular, is fascinated by Mura’s arcane knowledge. Manipulative and malicious, the countess relies on her womanhood for survival amid the political machinations of the time. In time, Mura is educated further in the arts of alchemy, potions and poisons, building on knowledge already gleaned from her father and the enigmatic Master Ficino in Florence. She soon becomes a player in the power games of Renaissance Italy. But will she ever gain her freedom?
I read Hilton’s first book, The House With Blue Shutters, a few years back. Wolves in Winter, as historical fiction compared to contemporary fiction, is for the most part, a very different book. There are a few commonalities though – political upheaval, buried secrets and women feeling confined by gender or circumstance are common themes in both stories. Hilton does write very well; there’s no doubt in my mind that Wolves in Winter is an impeccably researched example of historical fiction. However, there’s something about Hilton’s writing style that keeps me from really loving her work. I can’t really pinpoint what it is or why, but neither book really engaged me in the way I would have liked (and expected from the synopsis). There’s a dry-ness about it, that I suppose, stops me from really connecting with the characters. I remember this feeling from The House With Blue Shutters.
I did empathise with Mura. I could feel her outrage at being treated as though she were of little value by some and manipulated by others. I felt sad that her childhood was spent being shifted around, with no love (save her short-lived friendship with Cecco) … perhaps the emotional disconnect I felt merely mirrored the emotional disconnect that Mura had to adopt to protect herself. But eventually, for me that disconnect meant a degree of disengagement with the novel.
Don’t get me wrong. There are some beautifully descriptive scenes in this novel that captivated me, particularly those set in Florence, as well as some well-drawn characters such as Ficino, Cecco and Caterina. I was also intrigued by the insight into what would have been a turbulent time for all – male, female, young, old, religious or secular, ruler or peasant. It’s just that as a complete package, the book didn’t quite beguile me as promised and I was left a tad unsatisfied. For lovers of historical fiction, however, it’s definitely worth a read – like a good wine, it is bound to taste different for every consumer.
Available from good bookstores and Allen & Unwin. This book was courtesy of Allen & Unwin.
July 12, 2015
I found this in the library and vaguely remembered the description from Goodreads. "Nordic" and "Vikings" was about all I could remember, so quickly overlooked it in my search for something to quench my thirst for Renaissance Italy.
Then lo and behold, but the library catalogue lists it as set in Italy!
Quickly I retrieve it and realise that this very much is set in Italy, right in my favourite time period: Medici Florence and the rise of the Borgias. So I take it with me and begin reading.
Well. I have mixed feelings about this book. A number of times throughout reading I did have to stop and check the blurb, make sure I was still reading the same book; the blurb makes out that the Nordic aspect is an important part of the story whereas in reality it wasn't at all. It was very much secondary, all most a second - thought addition to the story. However I did enjoy the scenes where it came into play, so it was only disappointing in that I don't feel the concept truly reached its potential.
The ending also felt a little rushed and almost too *easy*: like in giving us this ending, it was a neat and tidy way to end the book. 300 pages of one depressing experience after another and then suddenly everything is "fixed". To be fair I am glad the ending was as hopeful as it was, but I do think it was just too easy.
Aside from that, I truly enjoyed this novel. The writing is beautiful - people may disagree but I found the author's style simply lovely and beautiful to read. The story itself was exciting, depressing, tense all in turn and the characters themselves were well portrayed.
There are both good and bad aspects to this novel but if it's an intriguing story you're after then this certainly fits the bill.
Then lo and behold, but the library catalogue lists it as set in Italy!
Quickly I retrieve it and realise that this very much is set in Italy, right in my favourite time period: Medici Florence and the rise of the Borgias. So I take it with me and begin reading.
Well. I have mixed feelings about this book. A number of times throughout reading I did have to stop and check the blurb, make sure I was still reading the same book; the blurb makes out that the Nordic aspect is an important part of the story whereas in reality it wasn't at all. It was very much secondary, all most a second - thought addition to the story. However I did enjoy the scenes where it came into play, so it was only disappointing in that I don't feel the concept truly reached its potential.
The ending also felt a little rushed and almost too *easy*: like in giving us this ending, it was a neat and tidy way to end the book. 300 pages of one depressing experience after another and then suddenly everything is "fixed". To be fair I am glad the ending was as hopeful as it was, but I do think it was just too easy.
Aside from that, I truly enjoyed this novel. The writing is beautiful - people may disagree but I found the author's style simply lovely and beautiful to read. The story itself was exciting, depressing, tense all in turn and the characters themselves were well portrayed.
There are both good and bad aspects to this novel but if it's an intriguing story you're after then this certainly fits the bill.
August 29, 2014
Lovely writing - but an implausible romance and character personality shifts...
And that way, a year went by. A year with no flowers or books, no walks in the meadows beyond the walls with the sun setting like pink velvet over the mountains, a year with no scent except the faint lavender rustle of a lady’s train and my own sour unwashed body, a year in the finest house in the finest city in Italy and nothing but heaps of greens to look at to soothe the keening in my soul. At night, lying on my straw pallet in the unsteady peace of the chamber of sleeping women, I mourned. I mourned and I dreamed. I crushed my arms across my chest to dull my breaking heart and I walked the banks of that crystal river beneath Toledo, by buildings of marble as pale and delicate as the first frost on the boughs of the almond trees, and I searched for my mother and my papa.
As with Margherita, I was uncertain of what it was I had that he clearly yearned for; but I had learned from her, and from Adara before that, how desire was the only currency worth bargaining with . . . and just like Margherita, however vague my notions of what I could offer, I could feel his hunger for it. Perhaps then I became a true Florentine, for desire is worthless unless it can be transmuted into value.
I thought that the French might not be so gallant in their protection of her if they thought her shamed, and I was right.
And that way, a year went by. A year with no flowers or books, no walks in the meadows beyond the walls with the sun setting like pink velvet over the mountains, a year with no scent except the faint lavender rustle of a lady’s train and my own sour unwashed body, a year in the finest house in the finest city in Italy and nothing but heaps of greens to look at to soothe the keening in my soul. At night, lying on my straw pallet in the unsteady peace of the chamber of sleeping women, I mourned. I mourned and I dreamed. I crushed my arms across my chest to dull my breaking heart and I walked the banks of that crystal river beneath Toledo, by buildings of marble as pale and delicate as the first frost on the boughs of the almond trees, and I searched for my mother and my papa.
As with Margherita, I was uncertain of what it was I had that he clearly yearned for; but I had learned from her, and from Adara before that, how desire was the only currency worth bargaining with . . . and just like Margherita, however vague my notions of what I could offer, I could feel his hunger for it. Perhaps then I became a true Florentine, for desire is worthless unless it can be transmuted into value.
I thought that the French might not be so gallant in their protection of her if they thought her shamed, and I was right.
February 15, 2015
2.5 stars. The setting was really promising but I was eager to finish it and start reading something new.
Interesting Quotes
"It is no heresy to seek to know, to understand the world God created for us. Their torture and their persecution and the fears they spread, that is true evil, because it is the evil of ignorance, and ignorance defends itself with cruelty." (page 17)
"Only ignorance and the love of power, and fear is the greatest weapon of the powerful. [...] [B]ooks are feared because their strength is silent, their challenge unspoken. [...] [K]nowledge that knows when to stay silent can never be destroyed." (page 18)
"The best fortress in the world [...] was nothing without loyalty." (page 269)
"[...] in the end princes lost the love of their people because they did not see us as people at all." (page 269)
"I had learned from her that courage may be taken from music and dancing and loveliness, as much as from swords and men [...]." (page 334)
Interesting Quotes
"It is no heresy to seek to know, to understand the world God created for us. Their torture and their persecution and the fears they spread, that is true evil, because it is the evil of ignorance, and ignorance defends itself with cruelty." (page 17)
"Only ignorance and the love of power, and fear is the greatest weapon of the powerful. [...] [B]ooks are feared because their strength is silent, their challenge unspoken. [...] [K]nowledge that knows when to stay silent can never be destroyed." (page 18)
"The best fortress in the world [...] was nothing without loyalty." (page 269)
"[...] in the end princes lost the love of their people because they did not see us as people at all." (page 269)
"I had learned from her that courage may be taken from music and dancing and loveliness, as much as from swords and men [...]." (page 334)
May 5, 2013
This book just did not work for me. Reading the back of the book I thought this is going to be great however it was not great. Some good information on Medici and Borgia but in the end I just could not get into it or understand where I was being lead. It really felt all over the shop and it left me wanting more, a whole lot more
January 29, 2014
The supposed "Nordic" elements seemed tacked on for exoticism and didn't connect with the rest of the story (and would memories of pagan Viking magical practices really survive in Spain hundreds of years later?)
Other ingredients seemed to promise an entertaining historical romp (Spanish Moriscos, Caterina Sforza, Medicis and Borgias), but ultimately the mixture just fizzled out.
Other ingredients seemed to promise an entertaining historical romp (Spanish Moriscos, Caterina Sforza, Medicis and Borgias), but ultimately the mixture just fizzled out.
October 20, 2014
Oh dear... I listened to this on talking book as I'm a bit fascinated by the historical period and just watched the Borgias.
This was terrible in everyway the writing was so flowery and overdone in one way e.g. the miunte detail of surroundings but very light on plot and making sense. Where was this writers editor??!?!?
Two stars as I still like learning about this period..
This was terrible in everyway the writing was so flowery and overdone in one way e.g. the miunte detail of surroundings but very light on plot and making sense. Where was this writers editor??!?!?
Two stars as I still like learning about this period..
December 13, 2013
Thought this was going to be great but it left me disappointed.
February 26, 2014
Maybe it's the time period but I just really didn't get into this book, finished it in a rush so I could start something else. I wouldn't recommend it
April 1, 2015
Strange story with a rather strange lead female character. Ok read that kept my intrest enough for me to finish the book.
November 23, 2015
Very good, like the english regency type historical novels but set in Italy. A great historical novel with interesting well developed characters and real people mixed in as well.
January 30, 2016
A strong plot and beautiful descriptions.
June 30, 2016
This was pretty terrible. But I finished it. hahaha
April 15, 2017
This wasn't my cup of tea. The writing was beautiful but I found the plot lacking. I just didn't care enough about the main character. I thought the wolves would have a greater significance in the story but they didn't. Having read the back cover i thought that Alchemy and Intrigue would have greater significance in the story, but they didn't. Most of the book consisted of a daily log of what our main character did all day and how she amused herself and how the days passed, I found myself wanting to skip over these parts to find out what actually happens. After ploughing through the first part of the book (Its in 3 parts/locations) I hoped that it was slow to set up the story etc etc but no, the rest of the book continued at the same pace and in fact while lots of historical stuff happened. Invasion, sacking of cities, spanish inquisition etc etc. I felt like a bystander watching all of this just happening while none of it affected me or our main character. She seems to be moved from pillar to post without much of a care what happened. I was waiting for the punch line. The final chapter seemed to come about out of nowhere and gave me the feeling that "it was all a big mistake in the end" or she suddently woke from a dream and everything she did up to that point was a lie so she decided to just try for a normal life from now on.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews