Thanks to NetGalley and Sky Horse Publishing for this free copy in exchange for an honest review. I have been fortunate to have now read both art historical fiction books by Stephanie Storey and so please to give both of them 5***** ratings! Tremendous books that looks at the history of that great Renaissance painter, Raphael, and his competition with Michelangelo during their times at the Vatican in the early part of the 16th century. The book is written in such a way that it appears Raphael is actually talking to us about his life and his artwork, his battles to get recognized outside of his home city of Urbino, along with working for Pope Julius II, and trying to wrest the painting of the Sistine Chapel from Michelangelo., as well as the title of Architect of St. Peters competition. Based on extensive love and research into this topic, Storey has written an extremely interesting a very readable book. It is fun to go back and forth between the book and then researching the paintings and sculptures that form the basis of the book and competition. Having been fortunate to have seen many of this artwork in person I loved so much of the backstory that is told in the book, and if you have not seen these in person they are so simple to look up on your computer and gaze longer and even see more detail than you can when you are there in person. Wonderful book, if you have the chance also read Oil & Marble to get a great insight into the Da Vinci-Michelangelo story.

What a happy surprise! When I realized that "Raphael, Painter in Rome" was by the same author as "Oil and Marble," I was a bit trepidatious; I wasn't a fan of the latter, because it seemed to lionize Michelangelo at the expense of Leonardo. But this book is a delight. One reason might be because it's in the first person, narrated by Raphael himself, rather than in the third person. The fictional voice of Raphael is so well realized and absolutely disarming. When he describes a setting, it's the way I'd imagine a master painter would do so, with an emphasis on visual details. The information about the mechanics of painting and his and Michelangelo's works (yes, Michelangelo is a pivotal figure in this one too) is presented in a beautifully natural way, not at all like an info dump. So while I have my quibbles, especially re the climax (a major example of playing fast and loose with the facts), I did love this book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.