I have had some time thinking about the book before I wrote this review and I think although it's a good book, would I have preferred to have read the previous book first. Now, I don't mean that it was hard to get into the story in this book, it's more like the mentioning of events from the first book made me curious about that book, to get the past stories behind all the characters. And, reading the first book would have made it easier to understand the characters, instead of learning during the books progress more about them.

Nevertheless, despite my lack of previous knowledge did I enjoy this book. I find the era fascinating and one thing I truly loved was reading a book about Leonardo da Vinci. Yes, it's a story about da Vinci's disciples, but I can't help being fascinated by the man and I loved that his POV was included in the book. I was also intrigued by Lorenzo de Medici. I really need to find more books about both men to read.

Anyway, besides that was it the women's struggles to be accepted as artists the thing that I found absolute fascinated to read about. It's OK for a woman to draw at home, but to be an artist? Nah, that's just for men. Made my blood boil I tell ya when I read some parts of the books when they were found out and had to take the public's scorn.

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy from NetGalley for an honest review! ( )

This book comes at a time, even more so than the first book Portrait of a Conspiracy, when the triumph of the female spirit needs to be heard. Women have made so much progress in the world (in my country, the U.S.), but recently, we have begun to feel subjugated once more. The very real progress women have made seems to be reverting back, or stagnating. It is stories such as this that can work to inspire women that the fight for equality is well worth it.

I always enjoy Russo Morin's books. She really knows how to tell a story while bringing vividly to life the real historical figures and events surrounding her characters. These women, these Da Vinci's Disciples, are the lifeblood of the story. Each woman is unique and even when brought together as a whole with the group, their individuality shines. I like to think that there really were women such as this. In fact, I'm quite sure there probably were. Perhaps they did not take on a large commission as depicted in the book, nor bid for commissions during that time period, but I like to think there was a hidden studio with women secretly working, defying society's strictures on women and what they were allowed to do.

Having Leonardo Da Vinci as an important supporting character works very well with these stories. Of what I've read on Da Vinci, I believe that he had very progressive attitudes. For him to be mentoring a group of women artists does not seem impossible to me. I love that the author used real quotes from him throughout the book. This one is my favorite and really captures the spirit of the book:

"I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death."

However, a quote from Viviana, the central and most endearing character, in my opinion, is what spoke to me the most. It is a personal motto of mine. "We all deserve to be loved, but our first love should always be for ourselves. Without self-love and self-respect, we show others how they may treat us."

And that is the crux of this story. These women believed in themselves, believed in their talent, enough to defy society's views of what women can and cannot do. It's an inspiring work of historical fiction that should not be missed.

I received this book free of charge from the author or publisher. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in Ms. Russo’s Da Vinci Disciples series so I was very much looking forward to this follow up volume. I wasn’t disappointed. It follows the group of women artists formed in the first book as they strengthen their bonds and actually go forth and bid on an art project in Florence. This might not sound so controversial to today’s world but in the time period of the Renaissance it was downright revolutionary. Women were supposed to stay home, produce babies and run their households.

But Da Vinci’s Disciples – women who showed remarkable talent and are being tutored by that great master – are not content to stifle their art. They want the world to see it and so they decide to bid on an upcoming installation for a chapel. They get the begrudging permission of Lorenzo de Medici, who does not believe they have the talent or the ability and they submit their concept.

It is chosen and soon the women are not just fighting a timeline but seemingly the bulk of the citizenry of Florence as they are appalled at lowly women doing such work. But not all are against them and they buckle down under the guidance of their master and some friends of his to get the job done.

There are also some personal subplot going on for the women and for Leonardo during the course of the production of the fresco so that the reader is kept engaged not only in the creation of the artwork but in the politics of the time and the everyday goings on of well to do Florentines.

I enjoyed this book as well as I did the first and while I believe it’s to be the completion of the series it does leave things open for further exploration so a reader can hope for continuation. The background details are such that I felt like I was back in Florence walking the streets and seeing the sights of that beautiful city. Of course it has changed mightily since the 15th century but some aspects are remarkably the same. The characters are unique and well drawn and in this volume there was even a pop up appearance by my favorite artist, Michelangelo. It is always encouraging to read a book when women triumph in a time when they were not considered to be more than well, art pieces or brood mares. Enjoy the book for what it is and celebrate the joy that art brings to the world. ( )