this is SUCH a breath of fresh air when it comes to historical fiction. most i know are set in very popular times but as a lover of rome in all its centuries, it appealed to me as soon as possible. through its fast paced prose & collection of great & in depth female characters, the pages flew by to expose a story fuelled by discussing the relationship between power & love. scandal, betrayal & perseverance are also at the heart of the book, displaying a thorough exhibition of character driven moments & addictive drama. an extremely compelling & important aspect of the novel is how it is ultimately a response to the ongoing abusive behaviour men show to women, a pattern as old as time that cannot be ignored. i think that as it’s a work of fiction based on a real inspirational woman, it’s a perfect attempt to confront the female narratives of the past. costanza is a great character with such individualistic qualities that i find her a role model in her passion of art. i encourage everyone to read this & if not, research the real costanza bernini.