Not being a fantasy fan, I was very disappointed in the book. Had thought that it was a thriller set in Venezia. It is not - my error and loss! ( )

Interesting concept. Not at all what I expected, but it was very good! Set in modern day, with an archeological group, throw in historical figures a little dark magic, and you've got a good read!

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The Chamber of Ten, by Chrisopher Golden and Tim Lebbon, is the third in their series of Hidden Cities, following Mind the Gap, set in a "hidden" London and The Map of Moments, about New Orleans. The new novel brings the reader to Venice, an ancient city with ancient secrets. Geena is an American archeologist and professor, who has had the great good fortune to uncover the hidden library of Petrarch, and she and her team are slowly excavating the texts found there. Her student and lover Nico has a unique ability to read her thoughts and feelings and to convey his to her - a form of telepathy particular to him. It is he who uncovers a chamber underneath Petrarch's library, which contains strange obelisks and an urn, the shattering of which causes Nico to be possessed by the spirit of a magician who lived in Venice some 600 years earlier. Volpe has remained in a kind of undead state for all this time because in his role as the Oracle of Venice, it is up to him to protect the Most Serene City from the evil of three of its long-banished Doges. But those Doges too have become magicians and, since they have managed to not die in 600 years, they've had plenty of time to gain strength and knowledge in their quest to reclaim Venice for themselves....This is part horror story, part fantasy, part suspense and part historical travelogue of one of the world's most unique - and endangered - cities. Golden and Lebbon work well together, blending their authorial voices such that I can never tell who has written what in this series. Might be a little gruesome for some, but otherwise a most enjoyable read, and recommended. ( )