Book Review – Waking Isabella by Melissa Muldoon
Melissa Muldoon delivers an enchanting story set in Arezzo, Italy, about love, intrigue, mystery, lore, and art in her latest novel, “Waking Isabella.”
Leonora (Nora), a young research assistant at a crossroads in her life, travels to Italy to film a documentary about the 16th century Italian princess, Isabella de Medici. Fascinated with the history surrounding the princess, Nora hopes to uncover some of the mystery surrounding her tragic death and a painting of Isabella and her mother who has been missing for decades. There’s also the rumor of Isabella’s ghost to consider.
While in Italy, Nora reunites with an old friend and meets several new ones. Of particular interest is Gianluca (Luca) Donati, an antiques business owner who has been in his family for generations. When Luca shares details about her ancestor’s involvement in smuggling famous works of art out of the country during World War II, Nora’s investigation leads her down another path, exploring the life of Margherita, Luca’s grandmother. Muldoon magically weaves the lives of Nora, Isabella, and Margherita, across many centuries, into a story that will fascinate and haunt readers long after reading the last page.
As a huge fan of Melissa Muldoon since reading her first novel, “Dreaming Sophia,” I couldn’t wait to dive into “Waking Isabella.” The author has such a unique voice that you can feel her personality in every sentence. Her writing is magical, as she incorporates her distinctive style through various methods. Eloquently, she takes the reader from the past to the present and back again with seamless delivery. She transitions from real-time drama to bits of fantasy through almost dreamlike sequences. She provides historical references and talks about enduring traditions that make you want to learn more, and she showcases a contemporary voice through her protagonists, as she weaves bits of Italian into the dialogue. I’ve read books where the mix of languages actually pulled me out of a story, but not in “Waking Isabella” where the words flow together in harmony, further adding to the author’s individuality and voice.
The characters are intriguing, versatile, and genuine. At the beginning of the story, readers are drawn to the character of Isabella, simultaneously capturing the essence of her free spirit and her strength in light of the heartbreaking end of her short life. The character of protagonist Nora grows impressively with the story as she overcomes her fears with courage and determination to reinvent herself and follow her dreams. The supporting characters are equally authentically portrayed and it’s an exciting twist inside their heads.
Clearly “Waking Isabella” required extensive research, though it certainly feels like a labor of love. Muldoon’s passion for Italy is evident and I really enjoyed the addition of the last few pages of the book where she provides information that distinguishes the fact from the fictional parts of the story. I found these facts to be the perfect way to wrap things up, inviting and encouraging the reader to learn more about the historical period, if they wish. All things considered, I’d say Melissa Muldoon’s “Waking Isabella” is a must-read for all fans of Italy, history, romance, and intrigue. Excellent!