This is a slow-paced coming of age tale, set in a world reminiscent of Renaissance Italy with its merchants, myriad competing political entities, and--of course--bloody feuds. The main character is terminally naive but does a good job of narrating the exciting events that happen around him and his mystical connection to a dead dragon's eye insert a plot-critical dash of fantasy into a well-build world.

Sadly, this wasn’t the book for me and I did not finish the book. This was marketed as an epic fantasy but it is not, with only mentions of a dragon’s eye. If you’re one who is interested in historical fiction with heavy political themes, this is the book for you.

Overall, the book is very slow paced and I really wish there was a glossary so I could follow what I assume is Italian or Latin phrases, which were partly explained, and go back for reference. I wanted to keep going to keep trying to give the book more and more of a chance, but I sadly couldn’t stick with this one. It’s very hard for me to not finish a book so i was disappointed.

There wasn’t anything at the beginning that happened to truly draw me in and feel connected to Davico as the main character. I don’t empathize or relate to him. There is a lot of information thrown at you so it was a little hard for me to follow along. I believe a glossary and a map could help with that.

I haven’t read very many first person books in a while and it was refreshing to see, especially as there are parts where Davico is talking to us, the reader. Davico starts the story off as a young boy who looks up to his father, a man with strong political power. There are time jumps over several chapters that disrupt the flow of the story and quite frankly reading the chapter where he hit puberty made me uncomfortable. It could have been the way it was written or how I am as a person but that was a no go for me. I can understand and am all for curiosity, but that’s not the way to do it and made me feel even more disconnected from the character. He became someone I didn’t want to root for. Celia is probably the most interesting character here due to what has happened to her and how she’s choosing to survive but not a lot is going on to further drive me to finish either of their stories.

I received an eARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

An engrossing saga of a family dynasty set in a fantasy world reminiscent of early modern Italy. Notably original setting and large cast of characters make the book compelling.

If you are a fan of Bacigalupi's other books, I think you will enjoy this. Sounds like there will be a follow up book.

I have been provided with a review copy of Navola from NetGalley for an impartial review. Oh my gosh this story was just epic. I just couldn’t put this story down and I was just captivated by everything that was taking place. The author truly outdid themselves with this story. This story just had my emotions all over the place and I am so sad to see this book end. I just can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

It's hard to review this book without giving spoilers, but I'm going to do my best!

"Navola" feels like two separate novels, each of which has clear flaws that are only enhanced by the contrast between them. For the first two-thirds, it is a slow-burn political thriller with witty dialogue, faux-Italian insults, and a background sense of foreboding. Even as the characters meet with few consequences and the author spends more time exploring the four corners of his rich world than moving the action forward, I found myself interested and entertained, and looked forward to the inevitable twist when all the barely-seen political intrigue came to a head. Unfortunately, once it did, the book took a sharp turn into becoming luridly grimdark fantasy, with dozens of pages of on-screen torture and violence that felt notably out of place after the first half of the book. The world of Navola didn't lack nasty punishments for those run afoul of the nobles' intrigue, or harsh fates for side characters and enemies, but the actual acts were kept mostly off-screen and the tone was light enough to make this seem like a novel where the most upsetting events would be political (or maybe romantic), rather than the physical and mental devastation of the back half. Maybe with a bit more warning I would have found myself willing to accept the book's turn, but I was mostly disappointed. I'm...not happy, but willing...to read grimdark political fantasy in service of interesting moral questions (Seth Dickinson's "The Traitor Baru Cormorant" remains one of my favorite books of all time), and certainly the author's other work has featured plenty of on-page sex and violence. However, the payoff here was lacking. Maybe a sequel will eventually redeem this choice, but having felt my trust breached I'm not sure I'll take the chance. As much as I want to give the book two stars, political fantasy is enough of my thing, and the book does it well enough especially in the first half, to earn itself a 2.6-rounded-up-to-3.

In the city of Navola the di Regulai name is feared with a vast reach over not just there but across the world. The family runs the largest bank with much influence in a city where lies come easily and Davicio di Regulai is not so certain that he is the best to take on the weight of this family legacy. Tensions continue to rise in the city as his father continues to exert more power eventually resulting in the fall of another family and the taking in of their eldest daughter Celia to be raised alongside Davicio in their palazzo as siblings. All the while Davicio begins to develop a unique connection to the mysterious dragon's eye that sits upon his father's death.

This book is a wonderful story of a Renaissance Florentine world with the hints of a fantasy element with the dragons. The first few chapters do give you a lot of information to get you introduced to the politics, scheming, and the power players of the city. For much of the first half of the story we follow Davicio through his childhood learning the trade of being a di Regulai, something he does not think he fits into quite as well. This I found a bit weaker as he does complain a lot and it goes on for a larger portion of the book. Then we descend into the start of what I can see the rest of this series becoming with gore, bloodshed and vengeance.

The characters around Davicio in his life all twisty and well crafted. His relationship with the group who were set to train him was one of my favorites especially Cazetta, his father's assassin. I really hope to see more Filippo, Celia and Sia Furia in the rest of the series as this feels like only the very start of Davicio's story.

I would recommend this to fantasy fans who have an appreciation of Italian history, grimdark fantasy, and can handle a book that feels more historical fiction of a fantasy world. It feels as though it is likely to appeal to Dune or Name of the Wind fans. Really hoping to see a nice long series that I will savor reading.

Thank you to netgalley, the publisher for providing me with an arc to read and review.

Beautifully written story, set in a intriguing city, with mysterious characters. Who are the good guys among the ruling families and how to determine the bad guys are for the young Davico to navigate!

I can't seem to make myself care about any of the information that is firehosed down my throat during the first two chapters. It felt like the author is trying to explain an entire geopolitical setting to get us up to speed for whatever is going to happen later in the book.

The writing is fantastic, cover is stunning, and the premise has a ton of potential. However, I can't get past the all tell, no show narration.

This book was a struggle to read. The author’s writing style did not resonate with me. I found the characters uninteresting, the storyline confusing and the pacing extremely slow. It was basically a very boring read for me. As a caveat, I must point out that some other reviewers were thrilled with this book.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Goodreads, Net Galley, Amazon, Facebook and my nonfiction book review blog.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

This book is a political historical fiction with a touch of fantasy.

The book was an okay read, but not something I would grecomment highly or puck up to read myself.

There are just so many other great books out there to be read.

For me, this was just average, and I would read if I couldn't find anything else to rad.

Three stars for me.

Even for as “twisty, twisty” as the Navolese are portrayed to be and for all the plotting, manipulation, and violence in the story, I did not expect the story to turn out the way it did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC.

This was overall a very exciting read, with classic twists and turns of high fantasy. I thought the MC was well written and complex. However, I initially had a really hard time getting into this book. I knew going in that the world-building would be extensive for a plot so intricate, but I found said world-building to be both a little overdone and also too close to reality, if that makes sense. The inspiration from Renaissance Italy was at times rich and vivid but mostly a bit claggy. I'd recommend this book for huge high fantasy fans, but I think a more "casual" reader would find this a bit over-the-top.

I thought this book would have more fantasy based on the dragon eye cover but it’s still
A well written and enjoyable book! It’s a bit of a slow burn, so if that’s not your cup of tea, this may not be for you.
There’s a lot of character development. Hang in there! The last half of the book picks up pace and leaves you wanting more!

4.5 Stars

"Navola" by Paolo Bacigalupi immerses readers in a richly woven tapestry of intrigue, power, and the timeless struggle for dominance. Set in the bustling city-state of Navola, where the di Regulai family reigns supreme, this tale unfurls with the grace of a master storyteller, drawing readers into a world where business is the ultimate currency and navigating its treacherous waters requires a keen mind and a cunning spirit.

"Navola" is a stunning feat of world-building and a mesmerizing depiction of drive and will. Bacigalupi's masterful blend of political intrigue, familial drama, and supernatural elements creates a narrative that is both epic in scope and intimate in its portrayal of the human heart. Rich in detail and brimming with tension, this is a book that will linger in the mind long after the final page has been turned.

This book is a captivating read that transcends genres, offering readers a gripping tale of power, ambition, and the enduring bonds of family. With its richly drawn characters, immersive world-building, and skillful storytelling, it is sure to delight fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and political drama alike. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in search of a truly unforgettable reading experience.

As a lover of fantasy, and a lover of Renaissance Italy, it is nice to see a book that provides a rare combination of the two.. The city is Navola, which is ruled by, among others, the di Regulai family. Sitting on the desk of power sits a rare dragon’s eye. The stage is set straight out of Game of Thrones. Davico is the heir apparent to this dynasty. The intrigue and danger settles around him and the question of whether or not he is capable of taking on the task. There is a power behind all of this that we don’t understand. I loved the character of his adopted sister Celia and how integral she was. The book drew me in. I found it difficult to put down and was pulled into their world. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Navola by Palao Bacigalupi
Is a twisty-turny Italian renaissance-inspired political intrigue novel from a known master of world building. In it, the young bull, Davico di Regulai, is coming of age in a dangerous world full of intense political scheming. Davico is tested in this game of faccioscuro throughout his life, and repeatedly he is found to be lacking the suspicious nature that is needed to become a master in it. What happens when Davico puts his trust in the wrong hands?

Let me lead off with the fact that this book is not for the faint of heart. Honestly, it is brutal, imaginative, and complicated. Especially at first where the reader is as a sociologist uncovering the layers and lingo of Navolese society. However, the payout is absolutely incredible. If you like dark fiction, immersive worlds, and a touch of fantasy this book is for you. It definitely is of a type with Game of Thrones, in that it doesn’t gloss over things that have definitely happened in human history. The debauchery, torture, and joking style are very much accurate in a sense, even if it sometimes feels gratuitous. I am a huge fan of Bacigalupi and have been for a long time. This novel is 5/5 stars for me, but may not be for some readers.

Navolo is set in a fictional world based on the medieval city states of Italy and shows mafia like tendencies. It highlights the good and bad of people and how love can blind one or turn to hate. The story recounts the life of Davico, a prince of Navolo and how his life is shaped by the treachery and death around him. I felt for Davico and my heart broke with each betrayal.

The book is a bit wordy, and some background parts drag on, but each build on the latter part of the story. We see how the world Davico lives in shapes his destiny and the lives around him. There are a great deal of Italian words thrown in, some are explained and some not. Many are obvious if you use the text to decipher the meaning.

Be advised, there are triggers here. Parts of the story recount bloody murders, torture, and a brief sex scene.

I am really confused with this one. It is definitely a vibe.

It wasn't for me. Kind of fantasy, kind of political but I just could not get into it.

The author tackles themes of social justice and the ethics of technology with nuance and depth. At the heart of the story is Navola, a young protagonist navigating the complexities of a society transformed by advanced technology and rampant inequality. As she grapples with questions of identity, agency, and belonging, Navola becomes a compelling and relatable protagonist whose journey resonates on both personal and societal levels.
An amazing prose and story-telling, I truly enjoyed the work!