A vivid portrait of a young noblewoman who is constrained and used as a pawn in aristocratic power games. Lucrezia, married off at only fifteen lives in terror of her unpredictable husband’s whims and divided personality. The novel weaves a rich portrait of life in medieval court and totally absorbs the reader in Lucrezia’s plight. The lush, heightened language enhances the drama and Lucrezia’s helplessness. Thoroughly enjoyable.