All the new roses in Piera's cheeks drained away, leaving her looking as though she'd been carved from the palest ivory. Tommaso was sure he appeared the same. Although that particular pattern of the bells had never run before in his lifetime, he knew--as did every other citizen--what the chimes announced: The plague had come again to Florence. ( )

Renaissance Florence comes alive in this story of Tommaso de Befanini, apprentice sculptor and cook who is at the center of monumentous historical events, rubbing shoulders with the likes of young Catherine de Medici and Michelangelo. Tommaso is a pawn in a cosmic game his mother and Ruggiero are playing with sorcery and astrology against the forces of darkness. A cat and her litter of special kittens are integral to the magic and the plot, which I loved. However, I think a lot of readers will not, or will want a story with more action, or will be offended by the homosexual love story sub-plot. ( )

http://www.lonelymountain.net/books/jan09.html#roessnertsd ( )