The Serpent and the Pearl
Borgias, Book 1
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Narrated by:
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Leila Birch
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Maria Elena Infantino
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Ronan Vibert
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By:
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Kate Quinn
About this listen
Rome, 1492: The Holy City is drenched with blood and teeming with secrets. A pope lies dying and the throne of God is left vacant, a prize awarded only to the most virtuous - or the most ruthless. The Borgia family begins its legendary rise, chronicled by an innocent girl who finds herself drawn into their dangerous web....
Vivacious Giulia Farnese has floor-length golden hair and the world at her feet: beauty, wealth, and a handsome young husband. But she is stunned to discover that her glittering marriage is a sham, and she is to be given as a concubine to the ruthless, charismatic Cardinal Borgia: Spaniard, sensualist, candidate for Pope - and passionately in love with her.
Two trusted companions will follow her into the Pope's shadowy harem: Leonello, a cynical bodyguard bent on bloody revenge against a mysterious killer, and Carmelina, a fiery cook with a past full of secrets. But as corruption thickens in the Vatican and the enemies begin to circle, Giulia and her friends will need all their wits to survive in the world of the Borgias.
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- Narrated by: Ellen Kushner, Dion Graham, Katherine Kellgren, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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On the treacherous streets of Riverside, a man lives and dies by the sword. Even the nobles on the Hill turn to duels to settle their disputes. Within this elite, dangerous world, Richard St. Vier is the undisputed master, as skilled as he is ruthless--until a death by the sword is met with outrage instead of awe, and the city discovers that the line between hero and villain can be altered in the blink of an eye.
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Ellen Kushner Owes me 30$
- By Daryl on 12-04-11
By: Ellen Kushner
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Tess of the Road
- By: Rachel Hartman
- Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan
- Length: 16 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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In the medieval kingdom of Goredd, women are expected to be ladies, men are their protectors, and dragons can be whomever they choose. Tess is none of these things. Tess is...different. She speaks out of turn, has wild ideas, and can't seem to keep out of trouble. Then Tess goes too far. Tess's family decide the only path for her is a nunnery. But on the day she is to join the nuns, Tess chooses a different path for herself. She cuts her hair, pulls on her boots, and sets out on a journey. She's not running away, she's running towards something.
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Beautiful and Boring, Both.
- By Ryan on 04-05-19
By: Rachel Hartman
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The Serpent Garden
- By: Judith Merkle Riley
- Narrated by: Alison Larkin
- Length: 18 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Susanna Dallet is the daughter of a Flemish painter and wife to a philandering husband, living in the court of Henry VIII. When her husband is murdered, Susanna is suddenly left with a household to provide for and nothing to her name. Her days of anonymity are over when Susanna finds that guild rules preventing women from working do not apply at the king’s court, and she manages to secure a position as a miniature-portrait painter. Before long, she has not only made a name for herself, she is close to those who surround Princess Mary. But even in this lofty company, Susanna is not safe....
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DON'T FALL FOR THE PRINT VERSION AMAZON REVIEWS
- By The Louligan on 03-06-14
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Knight of Desire: All The King's Men Series, Book 1
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- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
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Story
His surcoat still bloody from battle, William FitzAlan comes to claim the strategic borderlands granted to him by the king. One last prize awaits him at the castle gates: the lovely Lady Catherine Rayburn. Catherine risked everything to spy for the crown. Her reward? Her lands are declared forfeit and she is given this choice: marry FitzAlan or be taken to the Tower. Catherine agrees to give her handsome new husband her body, but she's keeping secrets, and dare not give him her heart.
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Stong Heroine.
- By 🌸DARA on 12-07-13
By: Margaret Mallory
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Katherine
- A Novel
- By: Anya Seton
- Narrated by: Lorna Bennett
- Length: 29 hrs and 50 mins
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Set in the vibrant fourteenth century of Chaucer and the Black Death, the story features knights fighting in battle, serfs struggling in poverty, and the magnificent Plantagenets—Edward III, the Black Prince, and Richard II—who rule despotically over a court rotten with intrigue. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king’s son, falls passionately in love with the already-married Katherine. Their affair persists through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption.
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my favorite novel brought to life
- By Heather on 10-04-23
By: Anya Seton
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Mademoiselle Boleyn
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When her father is assigned the task of spying on the French Court, the charming and sweetly innocent Anne Boleyn is delighted by the thought of a new adventure. And she is not to be disappointed, for her beautiful sister, Mary, has been handed a mission: to let herself be seduced by the King of France in order to uncover his secrets. Mesmerized by the thrilling passion, intrigue, and betrayal that unfolds, Anne discovers the power of being a woman who catches the eye of a powerful king.
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Intriguing
- By Anonymous User on 11-10-18
By: Robin Maxwell
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Entreat Me
- By: Grace Draven
- Narrated by: Stacey Holmes
- Length: 14 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Afflicted by a centuries-old curse, a warlord slowly surrenders his humanity and descends toward madness. Ballard of Ketach Tor holds no hope of escaping his fate until his son returns home one day, accompanied by a woman of incomparable beauty. His family believes her arrival may herald Ballard’s salvation...until they confront her elder sister.
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Not For Me
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The Will of the Empress
- By: Tamora Pierce
- Narrated by: Tamora Pierce
- Length: 15 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
For years, the Empress of Namorn has pressed her young cousin, Lady Sandrilene fa Toren, to visit her vast lands within the Empire's borders. Sandry has avoided the invitation for as long as it was possible. Now, Sandry has agreed to pay that overdue visit. Sandry's uncle promises guards to accompany her. But they're hardly a group of warriors! They're her old friends from Winding Circle: Daja, Tris, and Briar. Sandry hardly knows them now. They've grown up and grown apart.
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from a writer's perspective
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By: Tamora Pierce
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You May Kiss the Bride
- The Penhallow Dynasty, Book 1
- By: Lisa Berne
- Narrated by: Carolyn Morris
- Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Wealthy and arrogant, Gabriel Penhallow knows it's time to fulfill his dynastic duty. All he must do is follow "The Penhallow way" - find a biddable bride, produce an heir and a spare, and then live separate lives. It's worked so well for generations, certainly one kiss with the delectable Livia Stuart isn't going to change things. Society dictates he marry her, and one chit is as good as another as long as she's from a decent family.
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Slow Story. EXCELLENT SUPERB NARRATION!
- By Tracy T on 03-30-17
By: Lisa Berne
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To Taste Temptation
- Legend of the Four Soldiers, Book 1
- By: Elizabeth Hoyt
- Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
- Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
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Britain’s high society—le bon ton—loves nothing more than a good scandal, and they’re giddy with the appearance of wealthy Samuel Hartley. Not only is he self-made, American, and in the habit of wearing moccasins, but he is also notorious for fleeing a battle in which several English gentlemen lost their lives. Lady Emeline Gordon is captivated by Samuel. Not only does he defy convention with his unusual dress, his sensual smile, and his forthright manner, but he survived the battle that killed her beloved brother.
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Loved It
- By Cathie on 10-26-10
By: Elizabeth Hoyt
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Glamorous and predatory, the Borgias fascinated and terrorized 15th-century Renaissance Italy, and Lucrezia Borgia, beloved daughter of the pope, was at the center of the dynasty's ambitions. Slandered as a heartless seductress who lured men to their doom, was she in fact the villainess of legend, or was she trapped in a familial web, forced to choose between loyalty and survival?
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Compelling story
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Maxim: Proud and passionate, the Marquess of Bradbury swore vengeance on those who had stolen his title and lands. . .and branded him a traitor to the Crown. Elise: Beautiful and spirited, she found herself the innocent prisoner of the marquess, her family's most hated foe. They were bitter enemies caught in a dangerous tide that swept through Elizabeth's England—And thus began a battle of wit and will between two people so perfectly matched that they could only fall in love.
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Long. Slow. Burn.
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The Blackthorn Queen
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Britain, AD 38, Princess Cartimandua—Carti—of the Brigantes tribe faces an uncertain future when her father’s sudden death ignites turmoil. Suspicion falls on the Crow People of the Votadini tribe, straining the fragile peace between the factions. But they’re not the only ones bearing a grudge. A tangled web of political games soon unfolds. When enigmatic Prince Cormag of the Votadini shows the princess unwanted attention, the Brigantes’ alliance with the Carvetti is shaken. Cartimandua’s dream of marrying gallant Prince Venutiux of the Carvetti is put at risk.
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How poorly written it was. 5 th grade level reading
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What listeners say about The Serpent and the Pearl
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-16-18
Nothing Happened til the end
I dont understand the great reviews of this book. it was pleasant enough and the narration from three different narrators and description of the food kept me listening but actually nothing much happens in this book til the end and then they leave you hanging. It wasnt awful as I did finish but not great. Certainly not a best seller. Read The Alice Network by this author a far superior book. couldn't put that one down. As some other reviews have stated the narration of Julia ( not spelled that way) was not a problem for me.
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4 people found this helpful
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- emmygar
- 11-26-14
Great story!
What made the experience of listening to The Serpent and the Pearl the most enjoyable?
I loved the change in narrators and enjoyed the pace of the story
Who was your favorite character and why?
It's a tie between Carmalena and Lionello...theyre both wonderfully complex and I loved the way they played off of each other.
What about the narrators’s performance did you like?
I thought the performers who were Carmalena and Lionello had great emotion and were easy to listen to. Guilia was a little harder to follow as she spoke very slow, but I still enjoyed it.
Who was the most memorable character of The Serpent and the Pearl and why?
Probably Lionello, as his character was really fun to follow
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1 person found this helpful
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- J R
- 09-05-18
great story - not so great narration
I found all three narrators jarring to listen to, but not so bad that I didn't get wrapped up in the plot. simply turning the speed to 1.3x helped with the slow narrators, and the strange pauses didn't bother me--it added to the idea that English isn't the primary language. wonderful story, cliff hanger!!!
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- Ro B
- 06-10-22
Great Story
Interesting take on the Borgia's. have lists ed to it more than ten times and will listen to it even more times!
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- Maggie
- 07-28-21
Entertaining. Did not like the ending.
Did not like the narration of Gulia, but the narration.of the other characters was excellent.
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- Judith Myers
- 06-10-18
A fast read and a slow pace, intriguing.
The narration is well balanced leading to more character development. Well done. Quiet is more powerful than loud demands, more powerful than politics. La Bella, young at heart and old of soul desired by all and only truly possessed by a few. Great story of Roman and Catholic politics, inside and outside of the Vatican. Very easy to listen to.
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- Teri
- 06-29-21
Some glitches
The book skipped in many places and at one point, they clearly edited and the voices sounded noticeably different and there are no chapter titles- the ending was unfulfilling - in that it left so many things hanging. The woman who read the part of julia had a strange pace and paused the sentences in weird places. Her voice was beautiful (albeit her “T’s and S’ drove me a little batty) overall a good story, well written and captivating. My problems were more with the production.
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- Dixie Diva
- 03-12-16
Another masterful tale by Kate Quinn
Would you listen to The Serpent and the Pearl again? Why?
I would certainly listen to this again. While the narrator had a pronounced accent, it served only to enhance the flow of the story.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Serpent and the Pearl?
The most memorable moment is when Leonello steps fully into his role of the hero of this tale.
Which scene was your favorite?
When Leonello takes on the French army by himself.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There were many moments in this book that moved me however the moment when Angelina decides to take on her new apprentice and the moment when the broken body of Leonello is taken to the French Camp were my favorites.
Any additional comments?
I really have to say it's refreshing to hear a book where a dwarf is a protagonist hero. It happens only rarely. It's great to hear a book where a member of this typically maligned community triumphs.
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- nancy knows lakefront
- 11-09-18
Historic, romance and intrigue...perfect balance
This was the second novel I have read by Ms. Quinn. The first was the Alice Network. Completely different genre, but equally as wonderful.
I have never been a fan of the type of period piece. That has changed. I was completely captivated with this novel. The characters - their dialogue and their stories. I cannot wait to begin another book by Ms Quinn!!
Carried me away - great escape. The performances were equally as compelling! Excellent!!
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- Ally Renee
- 12-09-23
Great Historical Fiction Novel
I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. I loved it! The cover is misleading and the fictional characters added so much to the story. They give a perspective of the time period you rarely read. I’m about to start the next novel. When this novel ended, I wasn’t ready for it to end, and I want more.
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