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Since reading the Tudor Secret and The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner, I have come to realize that this author has yet to fail me with his captivating style of writing. Once again, C. W. Gortner has taken me back in time unto the life of Catherine de Medici. The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is yet, another book in where Gortner weaves the character of a controversial figure, along with a little bit  fiction and with some historical facts with the result of another masterpiece.

We first meet Catherine as a young girl living with her Aunt. During war however, she is separated from her Aunt and taken to a convent in where she was mistreated and almost starved to death. Catherine found herself alone, fighting for her survival but, she did believe that one day her only surviving relative, her Uncle, who was also the Pope would one day come for her, and he did. Catherine soon learned that her Uncle only had plans to use her as the only Medici left as to obtain more power. Catherine was married off to France and she proudly accepted her fate, after all, she was a Medici.  This attitude would become her means of survival, as she learns to adapt to each of her roles from duchess to dauphine, to queen and then to queen mother. Catherine de Medici would prove to be one of the most powerful and notorious Queens. 

In this novel, you see Catherine grow from a quiet young girl to a notorious powerful woman. Gortner does a wonderful job giving this remarkable woman a voice as so we then, can understand her.  History has given Catherine a bad reputation due to her practice in the occult, poisoning those she needed to get rid of  and anything else required to maintain power. She was heartless, ruthless and manipulated all those around her to get what she wanted. Yet,  C.W. Gortner also shows her as  a loving mother, a dutiful wife and a hopeful lover. Catherine however, took her role as Queen seriously which meant protecting France at any cost. This responsibility did cost her everything and more. 

Gortner also adds to the story by giving Catherine the ability to have visions. The visions are vague, occurring every once in awhile but I do like the way this part of her character ties in with that of Nostradamus and the belief of the occult. Catherine does not directly hurt anyone but, becomes a master in manipulating her murders with the use of spells and potions. Thus, this manipulation and belief of the occult also backfires and Catherine, like every human, lives her life accepting  mistakes and regrets.  

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici has everything from love, betrayal, affairs, death, religious wars and even parenting issues.  This book is sure feed your soul. Although, Catherine de Medici may have caused chaos you can’t help but to fall in  love with her. It’s about time that Catherine is taken into a perspective  of a real person and not just a ruthless Queen. C.W. Gortner was able to do that and I’m so happy he did. I totally loved it! I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to get to know the real Catherine de Medici. You will not disappointed.

About the Author 

C.W. Gortner is the author of the acclaimed historical novels The Last Queen, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici and his newest novel, The Tudor Secret. He holds an MFA in Writing with an emphasis on Renaissance Studies from the New College of California. In his extensive travels to researchhis books, he has danced a galliard in a Tudor great hall and experienced life in a Spanish castle. He is also a dedicated advocate for animal rights and environmental issues. Half-Spanish by birth, he divides his time between Northern California and Antigua, Guatemala.

 You can visit the author online at  www.cwgortner.com or his blog at http://historicalboys.blogspot.com/.

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