A richly detailed and masterfully written historical novel that brings the infamous Borgia family to life — filled with power, ambition, and betrayal in Renaissance Italy.
 
In Blood and Beauty, acclaimed historical novelist Sarah Dunant transforms history into a vivid tapestry of passion, politics, and peril. Drawing on meticulous research, Dunant reimagines the Borgias not as mere villains but as a family of visionaries — brilliant, flawed, and human.
 
When Rodrigo Borgia becomes Pope Alexander VI, he ushers his family into the most powerful — and dangerous — circles of Renaissance Rome. His daughter, Lucrezia, and son, Cesare, are both pawns and players in a web of politics, faith, and ruthless ambition that will shape the future of Europe. Amid scandal, seduction, and war, their family’s name becomes a legend steeped in both brilliance and blood.
 
The novel explores the tension between faith and corruption, love and power, through the eyes of Lucrezia and Cesare, whose bond and ambition drive their rise and fall. Set against the opulent backdrop of Renaissance Rome, this sweeping story captures the essence of an era defined by beauty and brutality.
 
Lyrical, intelligent, and irresistibly dramatic, Blood and Beauty is both a historical epic and a profoundly human story of loyalty, legacy, and the cost of power.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
Immersive storytelling that reimagines one of history’s most fascinating families.
Perfect blend of fact, intrigue, and emotion.
Evocative Renaissance setting rich with art, politics, and betrayal.
Sarah Dunant’s prose balances historical precision with modern readability.
A must-read for fans of political and dynastic historical fiction.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of Philippa Gregory, Hilary Mantel, and C.W. Gortner.
Readers fascinated by the Italian Renaissance and the Vatican’s secrets.
Book clubs exploring power, gender, and morality in history.
Anyone who loves lush, character-driven historical drama.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed Blood and Beauty, you might also like:
In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant — art, survival, and love in Venice.
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant — beauty and rebellion in Florence.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel — power and politics in Tudor England.