Book Review: The Competition by Donna Russo Morin

Da Vinci's Disciples are back in this thrilling sequel to Portrait of a Conspiracy. In The Competition, six female artists under the tutelage of Leonardo da Vinci decide to bid for a commission to paint a fresco in Santo Spirito and win. Soon these artists find themselves in physical danger from the people of Florence and other artists who believe women should not be holding such positions of power. But they might find allies in the unlikeliest of places.

While The Competition is a stand-alone novel, I would highly suggest reading the first book in the series so you have a solid background of who these women are and how Da Vinci's Disciples was formed. With this second book in the series, Morin has certainly hit her stride. Now that the foundation has been laid, her talented pen can dig deeper into the lives of Viviana, Isabetta, Fiammetta, Mattea and the other members. The reader watches their roles within the group become more defined and the risk of what they are undertaking increase. This is a novel of strong women before their time seeking to change the perception of an entire city. 

If you enjoy historical fiction, romance, superb character development, and stories where characters seek to make a difference in their world, you need to read the Da Vinci's Disciples series by Donna Russo Morin. I personally can't wait for the conclusion to this thrilling trilogy.

See my review of the first book here.

Series: Da Vinci's Disciples (Book 2)
Paperback: 268 pages
Publisher: Diversion Publishing (April 25, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1682308065
ISBN-13: 978-1682308066

I received a paperback copy of this book from the author. This reviews contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: Portrait of a Conspiracy by Donna Russo Morin

Portrait of a Conspiracy is the first book in a new series by Donna Russo Morin. History, mystery, and art blend together in this story of a group of female artists who seek to find the missing member of their group and draw out conspirators who have created chaos in Florence.

After the brutal murder of Giuliano de' Medici, his brother Lorenzo seeks revenge on everyone involved. Despite the unrest in the city, five female painters secretly ply their craft. When a sixth member of their group goes missing and is rumored to have stolen a much sought after painting as she vanished, her friends venture out into the dangerous streets to find her. With the help of a young Leonardo Da Vinci, the women's art flourishes and they gain access to some of the most secretive places in Florence.

This novel is not for the faint of heart. Portrait of a Conspiracy starts out with the brutal murder of Giuliano. It is intense and it is bloody. The mix of historical and fictional characters against this backdrop is a character-driven reader's dream. You truly get to know these women, watch them flourish with Da Vinci's guidance, and go to place they never could have imagined they would go.

Morin has researched every detail of this fascinating novel and it shows. My only niggle is that I was over halfway through the book before I could begin putting the pieces together. I'm thinking this was on purpose to symbolize the chaos of the times, but it drove me a bit insane that the people and the happenings wouldn't just gel for me. There are a ton of characters to get to know, so that might have added to it.

That said, I will definitely be on the lookout for Book Two when it comes out.

If you're looking for a thrilling historical mystery, Portrait of a Conspiracy will fit the bill.


File Size: 2710 KB
Print Length: 298 pages
Publisher: Diversion Books (May 10, 2016)
Publication Date: May 10, 2016
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B01BN1QVJ8

I received a digital copy of this book from the author through Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. This review contains my honest opinions, which I was not compensated for in any way.

I read this book for the following challenge:

Book Spotlight: Portrait of a Conspiracy by Donna Russo Morin

Portrait of Conspiracy: Da Vinci's Disciples - Book One by Donna Russo Morin

Publication Date: May 10, 2016

Diversion Books

eBook & Paperback; 290 Pages

Genre: Historical Mystery

One murder ignites the powderkeg that threatens to consume the Medici's Florence. Amidst the chaos, five women and one legendary artist weave together a plot that could bring peace, or get them all killed. Seeking to wrest power from the Medici family in 15th Century Florence, members of the Pazzi family drew their blades in a church and slew Giuliano. But Lorenzo de Medici survives, and seeks revenge on everyone involved, plunging the city into a murderous chaos that takes dozens of lives. Bodies are dragged through the streets, and no one is safe. Five women steal away to a church to ply their craft in secret. Viviana, Fiammetta, Isabetta, Natasia, and Mattea are painters, not allowed to be public with their skill, but freed from the restrictions in their lives by their art. When a sixth member of their group, Lapaccia, goes missing, and is rumored to have stolen a much sought after painting as she vanished, the women must venture out into the dangerous streets to find their friend and see her safe. They will have help from one of the most renowned painters of their era the peaceful and kind Leonardo Da Vinci. It is under his tutelage that they will flourish as artists, and with his access that they will infiltrate some of the highest, most secretive places in Florence, unraveling one conspiracy as they build another in its place. Historical fiction at its finest, Donna Russo Morin begins a series of Da Vinci's disciples with a novel both vibrant and absorbing, perfect for the readers of Sarah Dunant.

"A riveting page-turner unlike any historical novel you’ve read, weaving passion, adventure, artistic rebirth, and consequences of ambition into the first of a trilogy by a masterful writer at the peak of her craft." -C. W. Gortner, author of The Confessions of Catherine de’ Medici and The Vatican Princess

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

About the Author

Donna Russo Morin is the award winning of author of historical fiction. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, she lives near the shore with her two sons, Devon and Dylan, her greatest works in progress.

Donna enjoys meeting with book groups in person and via Skype chat. Visit her website at www.donnarussomorin.com; friend her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @DonnaRussoMorin.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, May 10

Review at Unshelfish

Review at The Maiden's Court

Wednesday, May 11

Spotlight at Passages to the Past

Thursday, May 12

Review at CelticLady's Reviews

Friday, May 13

Review at Let Them Read Books

Review at With Her Nose Stuck In A Book

Monday, May 16

Review at Just One More Chapter

Interview at A Literary Vacation

Tuesday, May 17

Review at Seize the Words

Wednesday, May 18

Review at Flashlight Commentary

Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book

Thursday, May 19

Review at Worth Getting in Bed For

Interview at Flashlight Commentary

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Interview at Oh, for the Hook of a Book

Monday, May 23

Review at Broken Teepee

Tuesday, May 24

Review at #redhead.with.book

Interview at Reading the Past

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Review at Book Lovers Paradise

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Guest Post at A Bookish Affair

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Review at The Book Connection (coming Friday)

Thursday, June 2

Review at Book Nerd

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Friday, June 3

Review at Beth's Book Nook Blog

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Portrait of a Conspiracy