Amanda's Reviews > The Assassin of Venice

The year is 1538, and Valentina is a well-known courtesan in Venice… with a secret side hustle as an assassin. After tragedy struck 11 years prior, she’s made Venice her home and is both skilled at seduction and reliable in accomplishing her deadly assignments. The Council of Ten—a secretive and powerful set of rulers—seem to know all, and Valentina’s only job is to obey their assassination orders. As a woman in her profession, she has the kind of access and position that makes her an asset to the Council of Ten. But when they order her to kill her lover, Bastiano—the father of her young daughter—they’ve gone too far. Valentina must find a way out of this mess, even if it means eliminating one of the most powerful men in Venice.

From the very beginning, The Assassin of Venice is easy to fall into. I love the way the backdrop of 1538 Venice is drawn, from its canals to its political powers to the courtesans who make a good living there. Valentina is a formidable woman herself, both courtesan and deadly assassin. But she’s not completely ruthless or without moral compass; she does what she has to do, and justifies her killings as eliminating bad men… and also keeping herself (and her daughter) safe. Valentina is loving to Bastiano and their child, she’s a loyal friend, and she’s determined to do what is right, however it may look to others.

It’s not often I read about courtesans or assassins, let alone both in one book, and it was fun to get into these characters and this shadowy world. Much of the first half of the novel sets the stage, showing Valentina in action, but also making her doubt a recent kill for the first time. Was the man actually innocent? And if so, what does that mean for her and her assignments? But when she’s ordered to kill her lover Bastiano, things escalate even more. How can she uncover a powerful man’s secrets in order to save the lives of the two people who matter the most to her? What is she willing to do to save her daughter?

The Assassin of Venice is action-packed and smart, and it puts our characters into seemingly impossible circumstances. But I love how cunning Valentina is, her friendship with a fellow courtesan, and the strength she shows throughout the novel. I also enjoyed the glimpses into her past in 1527, when she went by a different name and experienced a life-changing loss, and how it comes back around in the end. As much as I love these characters, I wouldn’t hesitate to read more books set in this world.

Audiobook
Nicol Zanzarella is an excellent narrator for The Assassin of Venice. She breathes life into Valentina, capturing her strength and courage well. She also speaks with the kind of Italian accent that, for me, made the audiobook much more immersive. It felt like I was whisked back in time to 16th century Italy, making the story that much more vivid.

The Assassin of Venice is an utterly captivating novel. It has historical details, emotionally compelling trials, strong characters, and a fast pace that keeps it engaging throughout. I loved getting to know these characters and seeing them navigate difficult choices. This is the kind of novel I need to read more of! Though this is only my first time reading Alyssa Palombo, I have all of her other books high on my TBR, so look out for more reviews of her work.

Special thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

* Please read my full review on my blog, Amanda's Book Corner! *