Voice Of The Falconer - Star-Cross'd, #2

"David Blixt is a man of many talents-an actor, director, author.  Not all of you may be lucky enough to watch one of his plays, but you all can read one of his novels, which I recommend that you do as soon as possible. In his hands, history comes to bright, blazing life."-SHARON KAY PENMAN, The Sunne In Splendour and Lionheart  Step into a world of intrigue, passion, and Renaissance splendor with David Blixt's captivating second novel in his Star-Cross'd Series.
Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of 14th-century Italy as Blixt weaves a tale of political intrigue, forbidden love, and a timeless tale of ambitious rivals. Eight years after the tumultuous events of The Master of Verona, Pietro Alaghieri is living in exile in Ravenna, enduring the loss of his famous father while secretly raising Cesco, the bastard heir to Verona's prince, Cangrande della Scala. When word of Cangrande's death reaches him, it forces Pietro to race back to Verona and prevent Cesco's rivals from usurping his ward's rightful place.
But young Cesco is determined not to be anyone's pawn. Willful and brilliant, he defies even the stars through a dazzling dance of ambition and intrigue. Meanwhile, far behind the scenes, a mastermind pulls the strings, moving the players towards a bloody finale.  Born from Shakespeare's Italian plays, this novel explores the danger, deceit, and deviltry of early Renaissance Italy. With a deft hand, Blixt takes readers on a journey through the heart of Italy, where the echoes of Dante's Divine Comedy resonate in every corner, and the unforgettable characters of Shakespeare's masterpiece Romeo & Juliet breathe new life.
Filled with swashbuckling adventure, unrequited love, and brutal treachery, this epic journey recalls the best of Bernard Cornwell, Sharon Kay Penman, and Dorothy Dunnett.  VOICE OF THE FALCONER is a must-read for lovers of both classic literature and historical fiction, a captivating exploration of the enduring power of words and the enduring legacy of two literary giants. A tour de force of historical fiction, this literary gem will leave readers spellbound and yearning for more. "David Blixt is one of the masters of historical fiction.
Dramatic, vivid, superbly researched, Voice Of The Falconer captures Renaissance Italy in all its heady glamour and lethal intrigue. This is a novel to savor-and then read again!"-C. W. GORTNER, The Queen's Vow and The Tudor Conspiracy