I absolutely adored this book. I read with my cell phone in-hand to look up the paintings and artists that the character of Raphael referenced and interacted with, and it made the whole thing really come to life.
I studied art history in college, so many of the names and paintings were familiar, but I feel like I know Raphael and that I’ve met Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and even Pope Julius. Storey expertly weaves details from historical sources with her own ideas and creative license to make a truly engrossing and beautifully-written story with elements of intrigue, familial drama, artistic rivalry, and even a little romance.
I haven’t read her other book—Oil and Marble, but I definitely will soon. Looking forward to whatever Storey comes up with next! (Crossing my fingers for something about a female artist in the Renaissance!)