The Master Of Verona - Paperback

by David Blixt (Author)

Romeo & Juliet is the greatest love story ever told.
Every story has a beginning...

"A novel of intricate plot, taut narrative, sharp period detail and beautifully realized characters." - Publishers Weekly

"A delightful romp through the backstory of 'Romeo & Juliet.'" - Chicago Sun-Times

Dive into a captivating fusion of literary worlds for an unforgettable journey that intertwines the iconic characters of Shakespeare's Italian plays with the real-life figures of Dante's Inferno to unveil the astonishing origin of the legendary Capulet/Montague feud.

1314. Verona is a city brimming with political intrigue, forbidden love, and unrelenting vendettas. Pietro Alighieri arrives with his father, the infamous poet Dante, at the invitation of Verona's leader, the legendary Cangrande della Scala. Cangrande is everything a man should be: Daring. Charming. Ruthless. To Pietro, he is the ideal Renaissance prince - until Pietro discovers a secret that could be Cangrande's undoing.

Pietro is drawn into a web of deception involving Cangrande, his sister Katerina, and a star-crossed child. Meanwhile, his friends Mariotto Montecchio and Antonio Capulletto are torn as they feud over a woman. Pietro must navigate a rivalry that severs a friendship, divides a city, and sparks a feud that will produce Shakespeare's famous star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet.

Inspired by the plays of Shakespeare, the poetry of Dante, and the events of history, The Master Of Verona is a sweeping novel of Renaissance Italy that breathes new life into the iconic tale of the star-crossed lovers and their feuding families. Filled with swashbuckling adventure and unrequited love, this epic journey recalls the best of Bernard Cornwell, Sharon Kay Penman, and Dorothy Dunnett.

"Intricate plotting, well-staged scenes, and colorful descriptions enhance head-spinning but lively entertainment." - Kirkus Reviews

"Blixt is a man of many talents - actor, director, author. In his hands, history comes to bright, blazing life." - Sharon Kay Penman, author of Lionheart and The Sunne In Splendour

"Be prepared to burn the midnight oil. It's well worth it." - Historical Novel Society

"David Blixt bursts onto the historical fiction scene with this masterful tale of adventure, love, and intrigue. This is high adventure at its best." - C.W. Gortner, author of The Last Queen

Author Biography

Repeated Editor's Choice from the Historical Novel Society (VOICE OF THE FALCONER, FORTUNE'S FOOL, THE FOUR EMPERORS) and 2015 Finalist for the M.M. Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction (THE PRINCE'S DOOM). Author David Blixt's work is consistently described as "intricate," "taut," and "breathtaking." A writer of Historical Fiction, his novels span the Roman Empire (the COLOSSUS series, his play EVE OF IDES) to early Renaissance Italy (the STAR-CROSS'D series) up through the Elizabethan era (his delightful espionage comedy HER MAJESTY'S WILL, starring Will Shakespeare and Kit Marlowe as hapless spies). His novels combine a love of the theatre with a deep respect for the quirks and passions of history. As the Historical Novel Society said, "Be prepared to burn the midnight oil. It's well worth it." David continues to write, act, and travel. He has ridden camels around the pyramids at Giza, been thrown out of the Vatican Museum and been blessed by John-Paul II, scaled the Roman ramp at Masada, crashed a hot-air balloon, leapt from cliffs on small Greek islands, dined with Counts and criminals, climbed to the top of Mount Sinai, and sat in the Prince's chair in Verona's palace. But David is happiest at his desk, weaving tales of brilliant people in dire and dramatic straits. Living in Chicago with his wife and two children, David describes himself as "actor, author, father, husband. In reverse order." For more about David and his novels, visit www.davidblixt.com.