This is the first in the Wind Dancer
trilogy and it is amazing, a "keeper".
Set in early 16th century northern Italy (1503), it tells the story of Lionello Andreas, oldest son of an Italian family that has held as its most treasured possession a small golden statue of the winged horse Pegasus that, according to legend, was given to their family at the fall of Troy.
Set in early 16th century northern Italy (1503), it tells the story of Lionello Andreas, oldest son of an Italian family that has held as its most treasured possession a small golden statue of the winged horse Pegasus that, according to legend, was given to their family at the fall of Troy.
The statue, known as the Wind Dancer,
has been stolen from their city state of Mandara by Lion's enemy, Francisco
Damari. In his effort to recover the statue, Lion decides to hire a thief and
travels with his erstwhile companion, Lorenzo, to Florence where he buys a 16-year-old
slave girl, Sanchia, who is known an expert at lifting men's gold. Lion quickly
realizes he wants more from the brave and clever young woman than her thieving
talents and takes her as his mistress.
Believing she has no ability to resist,
Sanchia complies, as any slave would. In the process of helping Lion to steal
the key to where the statue is kept, and in an act of great courage, Sanchia
leads Damari away from Lion only to be captured by the demented and sadistic
man. By the time Lion recovers her, she has been tortured and believes Lion did
not honor his promise not to leave without her. As a result, she now believes
her debt to Lion has been paid and demands her freedom. But Lion, whose feelings
for her have grown into an obsession, will not let her go.
This is a story of passionate love in an unlikely place and, once found, denying it. The story is well told, the dialog gripping and the twists and turns complex. You will feel like you are there in Renaissance Italy. The physical relationship between Lion and Sanchia is explosive and sensual and Johansen does a superb job of describing it.
This is a story of passionate love in an unlikely place and, once found, denying it. The story is well told, the dialog gripping and the twists and turns complex. You will feel like you are there in Renaissance Italy. The physical relationship between Lion and Sanchia is explosive and sensual and Johansen does a superb job of describing it.
Like a tapestry with many threads
coming together, Johansen has woven many lives into the story in a convincing
manner. She has also created a great cast of secondary characters with their
own passions and unique qualities. Lorenzo Vasaro, Lion's stalwart friend is an
assassin with a jaded past and a wisdom that insists reality be pursued even if
costly. He adds richness to the tale. I highly recommend this one.
Buy on Amazon
Wind
Dancer trilogy:
The
Wind Dancer
Storm
Winds
Reap
the Wind (a contemporary )
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