Luca Bastardo is a mystery, even to himself. He can't truly
remember anything of his life before the age of nine and he
surviving on the streets. The streets on which he found odd
jobs were the streets in Florence, Italy and the year was
1330. If this seems strange, it is nothing in comparison
with the rest of Luca's story. Luca has a beauty that
catches the eye of a harsh man, Silvano, who runs a
notorious brothel. Silvano takes Luca off the street and
forces him accept customers or he will be beaten. In time,
Luca earns the privilege to walk about on his own and meets
the painter Giotto. They enjoy a friendship in which Giotto
helps Luca hope for a better future, but it will be a
strange future as Luca isn't aging normally. The years are
passing, but Luca's physical appearance barely changes.
This slow aging makes it clear that whoever Luca's parents
were, they were special. It also makes it possible for Luca
to meet more historically important figures, like Leonardo
da Vinci, and witness historically important events, like
the Black Death. There is a magical mysticism to the path
that Luca takes. It is unexplainable, unbelievable, and at
times it is uncomfortable, to read what happens to Luca,
his famous compatriots, and other supporting characters.
An historical fiction novel -with paranormal undertones-
this book has plenty of drama but may not appeal to
everyone. Notable names are correctly placed into context
but the main character's existence demands the acceptance
of an alternative realty. So if you are looking for
something truly differernt, then this is one for you to
try. Interesting points are made about religion, embracing
the world as it is -and as you hope it could be, and loving
our fellow man -no matter what our differences might be.
In an age of wonderous beauty and terrible secrets, one
man searches for his destiny...
In the majestic heart
of Florence, a beautiful golden-haired boy is abandoned and
subjected to cruelty beyond words. But Luca Bastardo is
anything but an ordinary boy. Across two centuries of
passion and intrigue, Luca will discover an astonishing
gift--one that will lead him to embrace the ancient mysteries
of alchemy and healing and to become a trusted confidant to
the powerful Medicis--even as he faces persecution from a
sadistic cabal determined to wrest his secrets for
themselves.
But as the Black Death and the
Inquisition wreak havoc on his beloved city, Luca's survival
lies in the quest to solve two riddles. One is the enigma of
his parents and his ageless beauty. The other is a choice
between immortality and the only chance to find his one true
love. As Luca journeys through the heights of the
Renaissance, befriends Giotto and Leonardo Da Vinci...140
years apart...and pursues the most closely guarded secrets of
religious faith and science for the answers to his own
burning questions, his remarkable search will not only
change him...but will change the course of history.
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy