Assassins, politicians, 16th century Venice, sex-workers… this book has it all!

Valentina is a respected, wealthy, polished courtesan in Venice with many high profile clients, making her perfectly positioned to function as a dangerous assassin for The Ten and protect Venice from ever falling again. The only things she has to lose are her lover, Bastiano, and their daughter. And when positioned to choose one or the other, Valentina takes matters into her own hands.

As a fan of historical fiction, this novel was a fun journey into the historical landscape of 15th century Venice, though I would’ve enjoyed more scene-setting and detailing the landscape to feel truly immersed in the time period. The author notes at the end speak a bit about where fact meets fiction, and it was very interesting - I think worth noting at the on set - that the courtesans as assassins is the fiction that could maybe have been true, and what a fun concept!

I enjoyed the narrator, though I found the pace for the audio to be too slow. Admittedly, I generally like a faster pace and will listen to audio books at 1.5-2.0 speed, but this book I listened to at 2.0-2.5 due to the pacing.

I received this audio ARC from Dreamscape Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What is not to love we have a very strong female who is a courtesan but also an assassin. Valentina Riccardi lost her first love when he was murdered and she had to flee with nothing. Though she turned things around and made a ton of connections all while falling in love again, though when she is given a name to take out that man tells her something that makes her second guess their higher council. I loved the audio version of this it was great and the fact that this is a female assassin it made the story so much more.

....wow!

I read a lot of historical fiction, and Valentina Riccardi is right up there with the most fearless of heroines.

When we meet Valentina, she's a courtesan who also moonlights as a deadly assassin working against the enemies of Venice. In love with a fellow assassin, Valentina seems to have a firm grip on the balancing-act her life has become. That is, until the powerful men that give her orders give her the most unexpected of assignments -- to kill her love, Bastiano Bragadin. She knows in her heart that Bastiano is a good man...but if that's true, then why has he been assigned as her target? Facing this impossible decision between the love of her life and her previous devotion to her beloved city, Valentine must race against the clock to find out the truth and decide what to do.

Clear your schedule, because once you start this story you won't want to stop until it's over. I'm so grateful to the publisher + NetGalley for an advanced copy of this brilliantly narrated Audiobook!

This book was great, I really enjoyed the peek into 1500s Venice and the society there through this fictionalized account. All of the characters are compelling, and I especially liked the focus on the relationships between the courtesans and how they supported each other.

This book is great for anyone interested in Italy, the 1500s, mystery, and espionage.





SPOILER:

I think I just like seeing ladies get vengeance, this book had such a satisfying happy ending.

3.5 Rounded Down

I wanted to like this more than I did. The narrator was amazing and did a great job with the voices and accents. For me the let down was with the story itself. The description is more or less a summary of the whole book instead of being a jumping off point. For example, events included in the description happen around the 60-75% point. I wanted more mystery and suspense. More descriptions of Venice itself would be appreciated as I felt the author assumed too much regarding a reader’s knowledge of Venice. I enjoyed Valentina and her backstory, but I wanted more.

A storyline of Venetian Courtesans always grabs me, because they were such strong, intelligent, independent women. Make one an assassin? Count me in! But this was also a history lesson on the governance of Venice back in the day and a love story. Valentina Riccardi was excellent at her job, but loved Venice so much she sometimes forgot to ask questions when given a new assignment by the Council of Ten, assuming they were all in agreement and the murders were justified. However the latest murder left her feeling uneasy. So she started asking questions which put her own life as well as the life of her young daughter and her lover Bastiano in danger. History, intrigue, Venice, so much to like!

The narrator of this audiobook was excellent and kept the story moving. I recommend this as a listen or read to anyone who likes historical thrillers with strong women characters.

I would like to thank Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this audiobook to enjoy and review.

The Assassin of Venice tells the story of Valentina Riccardi, one of the most famous courtesans in Venice and assassin to the Council of Ten. This is a story of intrigue, politics, spies, and romance. Valentina spends her time in the company of powerful men, entertaining and seducing them, but also gathering information for the Ten. Once someone becomes an enemy of Venice, it then becomes Valentina's job to kill them. Her lover and the father of her daughter begins asking questions about certain members of the Council of Ten and is deemed an enemy of Venice, putting him on Valentina's hit list. She begins to look into the dealings of the Ten a bit more and all of the shadowy conspiracies to bring down Venice. This was a super enjoyable audiobook. At times it, certain things were repeated over again and other things were overexplained, but it didn't really take away from my enjoyment of the story. All of the characters were really interesting and it felt like Venice itself was a character. There was a lot of intrigue to move the plot along, which kept the pace up, and the narrator did an excellent job.

Such an intriguing read about politics and life in 16th-century Venice.

This story is all about the fine line between good and evil in life and politics. When leaders determine that someone is dangerous to Venice, they order the person be assassinated. So who is the bad guy - the person threatening Venice, the leader ordering the assassination or the assassin. Everyone is doing what they feel is best for their country, they are protecting people.

This book also gives us a look into the way that women were treated during this time period. Men of wealth and power were married but left their wives at home. Their wives were boring and took care of the home and children. Instead these men choose to take courtesans out to parties, beautiful women that were bold and entertaining. The courtesans were current on gossip, fashion and politics which made them fun. The courtesans were very independent women who did not answer to a husband. They also made and managed their own money. Most of them choose not to marry which would put their husband in control and reduce their finances. So interesting.

I listened to the audiobook of The Assassin of Venice and really enjoyed the book. The narrator, Nicol Zanzarella did a great job bringing this story to life.

As a fan of Venice and historical fiction I was excited to receive this audio book. And it did not disappoint!! It was vivid, luscious and filled with thrills and adventure.

The beautiful yet deadly Valentina is one of the most sought after courtesans in Venice, yet, she is one of the most notorious assassins. She kills with a passion for her country and will do anything to save Venice from spies, criminals or anyone who threatens her home and safety. But when she is given an assignment to kill another assassin, Bastiano, she is torn between her growing affection for him and her country. But the more she learns about the Council of Ten, her employers, the more she realizes that not everything is as it seems and she has choices to make.

I thought this was well done and the author has created a unique world with her killer courtesan. It did lag in a few places, but that may just be the audio version. I did enjoy it quite a bit and would pick up another book by this author, as well as the narrator.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC audiobook The opinions and review are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Alyssa Palombo for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC audiobook for The Assassin of Venice coming out June 18, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I was excited to get this audiobook. I’ve had the opportunity to visit Venice and I’m obsessed with it. I love Italian history, so I thought the historical aspects of this book were really good. I thought the plot was fascinating. The idea of a courtesan assassin was awesome. I think some of the execution of the story could’ve been a little better for me. I think there were a lot of spice scenes and I would’ve liked a little more of the assassin action going on. Overall, I really enjoyed the story. I thought the narrator was really good. I would check out other books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Italian historical fiction!

Summary: In the beautiful city of Venice, the enchanting courtesan Valentina Riccardi entertains wealthy clients looking for a woman with charm, wit and beauty. But this is not the only thing Valentina excels at. She has become a skilled assassin of the men who would betray the Venetian Republic. Working for a group called the Council of the Ten she uses her special set of skills to get close to her targets until one day the Ten ask her to kill someone very dear to her. As she looks deeper into the council she starts to wonder if the men she has been targeting were really a threat or if she is being used to kill for their own advancement. Using her friendship with the other courtesans she must unravel the web of the Ten before she is discovered and finds herself the target.

My Thoughts: This was a fun story set in such a beautiful but dangerous location. The Venice of sixteenth century was one fraught with intrigue and danger. Palombo does a great job of bringing this world to life. Through Valentina I could feel the fear of being denounced as an enemy of the state. It was a very real consequence of living in Venice at the time.

Valentina is a strong character who uses what she has available to survive in a patriarchal society. She has had to live through horrific events and keep moving forward. I enjoyed seeing her being confident with lots of power.

Having visited Venice, I could easily picture the beautiful city on the water. It is truly a magical place. One not filled with cars and noise but peace and gorgeous architecture. I would love to visit again.

Rarely do I find myself allied with a main character deplete of morals but this is so well written, I root for her to win often and found myself in for a wild ride. Loved every minute of it. The story was quite sufficiently told in description by the author to pique my interest so I shall not re summarize here. Just know I highly recommend this audiobook by this narrator with her accent makes this endearing , so perfect. Pick this one up for your summer read. It is intense!m. Special thanks to the following for allowing me to give a listen with giving my own honest opinions.
#NetGalley
#DreamscapeMedia
#AlyssaPalombo
Publication Date: June 18, 2024

The Assassin of Venice follows Valentina Riccardi, a courtesan who secretly works as an assassin for those that rule Venice. Valentina is given an impossible assignment - kill the man she loves. This leads to a story that is character focused, highlighting elements of life in Renaissance Venice, with a mystery at its heart.

I loved Valentina as character. She was strong, ruthless at times, loving, and vulnerable. I found myself easily and immediately connecting with her. Her relationships with the other characters in this book were well portrayed, especially her friendships with some of the other courtesans. I thought the author’s inclusion of elements of her job to be straightforward, neither romanticizing nor degrading her work. The author also seamlessly wove in elements so readers would learn more about Valentina across the pages. The story felt well paced with an increase in pacing in the second half of the book. It was hard to put down.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Nicole Zanzarella, which was excellent. Her voicing of the dialogue differentiated characters well. I was easily engaged in the story throughout the production and the various changes in voice and accent really enhanced the story experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.. All expressed opinions are my own.

Valentina Riccardi is a well-educated, highly skilled courtesan in Venice in the 15th century. She is also employed as an assassin by The Ten, the inter-spy network of Venice that keeps the Republic safe. However, Valentina's latest "mark" will be her undoing. Bastiano Bragadine, her lover and father of her child, has been marked by a high-ranking member of the Senate and of The Ten. But is he working for Venice or for himself? And will Valentina be able to keep Bastiano and her daughter safe from harm?

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio e-arc.*

The Assassin of Venice is such a fun read! Valentina, a well-known Venetian courtesan, is both captivating and deadly. She will do anything and everything she can to protect her beloved city until one day she’s asked to do the impossible. Valentina goes on a mission to discover the truth and protect those she loves most.

Valentina is a fantastic female lead! She’s passionate, brave, and enchanting. I loved how much she loved the people closest to her! When I’m not reading, one of my favorite hobbies is playing video games like Assassin’s Creed. This book felt like it transported me into a world very similar to those. I loved it! The side characters were nearly all intriguing, and the romance was sweet yet passionate.

Alyssa Palombo is an excellent writer. The story flowed well, and there weren’t any long lulls in action or intrigue. She truly made 1500s Venice feel alive! The narrator, Nicol Zanzarella, was also perfect. She captured the essence of Valentina and made the characters feel real.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Genre: historical fiction
Venice, 1538

Valentina is one of the famous courtesans of Venice. She collects secrets and works for the Council of Ten - a subset of the Venetian Senate responsible for protecting Venice from foreign influence - and does their bidding as an assassin. She's taken their orders without question, but the deathbed confession of one of her targets makes her wonder if her orders are as meaningful as she'd once thought.

I don't pick up as much historical fiction anymore (preferring my guaranteed HEA in a historical romance), but 1538 Venice caught my eye. I've long been a fan of the famous Venetian Courtesans (The Honest Courtesan, which was some of the research material for Palombo was a favorite nonfiction of mine 20ish years ago), and the political machinations of the powerful of Venice of the 16th century are uniquely situated for a plot like this.

While this isn’t a historical romance, it’s both romantic and open door. Valentina is a businesswoman first and foremost, and her trade is her body, but she’s unabashed in her experience of pleasure. The book is written from Valentina’s perspective, and Palombo gives her a strong narrative voice where it’s easy to see Valentina’s motivations and emotions. She distinguishes the intimate scenes where Valentina is with her lover Bastino and those with her clients showing Valentina’s emotional engagement, sometimes her affection and friendship, and sometimes her detachment through the physical intimacy.

For the historical romance reader - this is romantic but not a romance. That said, it has a satisfying ending, and I was pleased with the conflict resolution, which I thought might be nearly impossible to pull off. Palombo builds a gorgeous world of Renaissance Venice with a network of strong female friendships among courtesans and perhaps a love for which Valentina is willing to risk it all.

I picked this up on a whim, and I'm really glad I did.

In Renaissance Venice, courtesan Valentina must choose between her love for fellow assassin Bastiano and her loyalty to the shadowy Council of Ten. As she uncovers the Council’s true motives, she must use her skills to save Bastiano and protect Venice from their dark ambitions. Beautifully written and narrated, this historical suspense audiobook is gripping and deeply immersive.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I really enjoyed this work of historical fiction. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the narrator as much as the plot. The subject matter of courtesans and assassins in Venice are both fascinating. I highly recommend especially if you are interested in the 1500-1600 time period in Italy which I am!

I really enjoyed this female-centric historical fiction read. The story was very compelling and I loved watching the pieces come together. The tension that was built up as well as the well-placed introductions of the back story were so well done in assisting this tale in moving forward while filling you in. The time period of this piece is always of interest to me and I thoroughly enjoyed the Venetian history. The narrator on this one elevated the piece even more in my mind, I adored the accent. So happy to have received a copy of this from NetGalley!

This book gave me some serious anxiety, but that just shows how well written it is. I usually stick to romance and fantasy, so this story was a fun change of pace. It’s quick, very well researched, and totally intriguing. The writing is flawless, and I can’t wait to check out more books from this author.

I loved seeing the power women had back in the day. Often overlooked in history books, they were scheming, plotting, and moving chess pieces unbeknownst to the men who undervalued them.

Valentina was such a great character, strong, intelligent, and resilient. I wish she were a real historical figure. I’m all for some good female rage in my books, and this one delivered.

There’s a bit of romance, which I enjoyed, though I wish we got more of Bastiano.

As someone who speaks Italian and lives in Italy, I was thrilled that the audiobook narrator nailed the pronunciation of names and places. I started listening, ready to cringe, but was pleasantly surprised.

Overall, this was a fun read that I’d recommend to anyone looking for historical fiction with a touch of spice, plenty of mysteries, and lots of political intrigue.