By pure luck Nico becomes the ballot boy. His get the chance to develop himslef and see the world, but all things come with a cost. He discovers good things about himself and freightening things. A book where Nico discovers his sexuality, his true friends and his enemies.
I loved the book and read it with lot of pleasure. If you like historical fiction, with a delicate gay theme, this is a must read.

I really enjoyed the historical setting that I know very little about. It was both informative and interesting. I was intrigued by all of the main characters. My only complaint is that I really wanted to know how the plot proceeded after the end. I’d be satisfied with the promise of a sequel but would’ve been happier with so loose ends being resolved.

Very evocative and atmospheric, great for escaping into Medieval Venice. Not really my kind of story, but if you like YA adventure take a look. DNF

A fascinating story from start to finish ! Larry Mellman takes the reader by the hand and tells him a story encapsulating the entirety of the wondrous La Serenissima, the famous Republic of Venice !

"From the Great Council, 30 are chosen by lot.
Those 30 are reduced by lot to 9.
The 9 elect 40.
The 40 are reduced by lot to 12.
The 12 elect 25.
The 25 are reduced by lot to 9.
The 9 elect 45.
The 45 are reduced by lot to 11.
The 11 elect 41.
Those 41 elect the Doge"

No, this isn't death by bureaucracy, it is how the Doge of Venice was elected. Venice was a unique state : a republic way before republics were even a concept, also an oligarchy of noble families and rich merchants, an empire ruled by committees and councils. This very complicated and labyrinthine system of government had one goal in mind : protect the republic from wannabe tyrants and dictators - and it worked.

An integral part of the Venetian system was Il Ballottino, The Ballot Boy. A boy under 15 years old from a commoner family selected at random from the youngest member of the previous Doge's Great Council, to ensure the integrity of the elections (and there were a lot of elections in Venice). This boy was taken from his family and essentially became the Doge's personal assistant until his death.

Niccolo Saltano never wanted to be ballot boy - but fate doesn't ask him what he wants. Andrea Contarini never wanted to be the Doge - a position he sees as a golden cage, a ceremonial figurehead at the mercy of the scheming noble families. But usually the most suitable people to lead, are the ones who never seek power for themselves.

Niccolo is a boy of many talents : he has an eidetic memory, he is witty and loyal. He also has secrets : secrets of his own, like the fact that he likes other boys, and secrets held from him. And in Venice, secrets are weapons.

The book follows Niccolo's journey alongside the Doge, as the Venetian Republic faces internal and external threats. He learns trust, betrayal, guilt, war, politics, lust, sin. The story isn't heavy on romance (it barely has any) but does a perfect job of showing us how a boy like Nico would feel about himself in a 14th century society.

Historical accuracy is one of the book's strongest points : you learn fascinating details about Venice, without ever feeling like preaching or reading an encyclopedia. Familiar names pop up during the book : Dandolo, Ziani, Faliero, Gradenigo - families entwined with the history of the maritime nation for centuries. The age of the characters is also truthful to the era, no matter how harsh it seems sometimes : there are girls wed and impregnated at at their early teens - the author doesn't shy away from showing the parts of the history that nowadays are considered shocking.

I loved the characters as well : Niccolo first and foremost, his heart was always in the right place, despite all the weight placed upon him. The Doge Andrea Contarini is another favourite. The opportunist young lord Astolfo. Ruggiero, Vendramin, the admirals. Every scene sucks you right into 14th century Venice.

This is an amazing read for lovers of historical fiction, of journeys of self-discovery, of growing-up, of the hardships of leadership, of political scheming, even of war tactics.

It is also the first part of a planned trilogy, thus if you feel that some matters remained unresolved, they won't stay unresolved !

Thank you NetGalley and NineStar Press for the ARC!