Review of The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 17 Nov 2022, 07:55

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci" by Belle Ami.]

5 out of 5 stars

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The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci by Belle Ami is a novel that mixes thriller, romance, historical fiction, and supernatural fiction. Angela Renatus is doing an internship at the Getty Museum and she thinks that her biggest problem is her boss, Director Alberto Scordato, who exploits his power to make advances on women. Things get more complicated when she starts having visions of Leonardo da Vinci, his friend Fioretta Gorini, and Giuliano de' Medici. Those visions seem to be linked to a lost painting someone thinks is just a legend.

Alex Caine is an art detective who's looking for the lost painting on behalf of a German financier who's trying to find it because he knows that his late uncle was the one who took it during World War II and hid it in a secret place. Alex and Angela join forces in a partnership that quickly goes far beyond art. However, Scordato is looking for the painting as well and is ready to use any means necessary, including his ties to the mafia.

Leonardo da Vinci is an Italian icon that goes far beyond art, as he can be considered the archetype of the Renaissance man. I'm Italian, so I got curious about this novel, though good stories that include this genius are not easy to write. In this novel, he appears only occasionally while one of his paintings is central to the plot.

The plot includes some historical events, as the parts set in the 15th century mainly concern Giuliano de' Medici and Fioretta Gorini, who are painted together by Leonardo da Vinci. Giuliano was supposed to marry another woman for political reasons but he and Fioretta were lovers and had an illegitimate son, who became Pope Clement VII. Belle Ami starts with that love story exploring some possible ramifications that are not present in historical records.

The connections between past and present are at the center of the plot and include a romantic element. Romance is not my thing but there's nothing cheesy in this novel, as the love of three couples in different centuries is part of a dramatic storyline with connections that are slowly revealed with a supernatural element as well. The plot is melodramatic in some bits I consider the ones I liked the least. This is a subjective judgment, so other readers might consider them among the novel's merits.

Overall, my impression of this novel is really positive. Belle Ami created a great mix of genres with the mystery centered around Leonardo da Vinci's painting developed in a thrilling plot that goes from the 15th century to the present passing through World War II and the romantic stories of three couples in the different historical periods. Answers are given bit by bit, and that keeps the readers' attention until the end in a story full of action and twists. The way all the parts came together at the end is what I liked the most about this novel.

Love is a central part of the plot and is expressed in some erotic moments as well. Belle Ami didn't go into many details but some bits are explicit making it a novel for adults. The book contains a few errors, mostly with punctuation, which didn't detract from my enjoyment. I had great fun reading a novel I found very well constructed, so I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. It's the first book of a series but it has a proper ending. I recommend The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci in particular to fans of historical thrillers and romance.

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The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci
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Louange Masiga · Post by **Louange Masiga** » 05 Dec 2022, 09:46

Great review! I was thinking about whether to add this book to my "Want to Read" shelf, but I wasn't sure. Now that I have read your review, I realize it's not my type of book. Thanks for the clarity.

Nemanja Jankovic · Post by **Nemanja Jankovic** » 05 Dec 2022, 15:06

Belle Ami combined historical facts and fiction in an excellent way so that the result is a beautifully written book. BTW excellent review.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 05 Dec 2022, 16:44

Lecdeliv wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022, 15:06 Belle Ami combined historical facts and fiction in an excellent way so that the result is a beautifully written book. BTW excellent review.

The mix of the various elements is indeed very skillful. Thank you for your appreciation!

Post by **Emily Meadows** » 05 Dec 2022, 19:40

I really enjoyed reading this book, and rated it similarly. The paranormal elements were what made this book so original. I also could easily see this book being made into a movie. Thanks for the great review!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 06 Dec 2022, 02:26

Emily Meadows wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022, 19:40 I really enjoyed reading this book, and rated it similarly. The paranormal elements were what made this book so original. I also could easily see this book being made into a movie. Thanks for the great review!

The protagonists being connected was an important part of the story. This and the other elements that were well mixed make a story that could indeed be adapted into a movie. Thank you for your appreciation!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 09 Dec 2022, 08:34

Louange Masiga wrote: ↑05 Dec 2022, 09:46 Great review! I was thinking about whether to add this book to my "Want to Read" shelf, but I wasn't sure. Now that I have read your review, I realize it's not my type of book. Thanks for the clarity.

Reviews are supposed to help readers to understand if books are suitable for them. Thank you for your appreciation!

Post by **Kirsi Cultrera** » 13 Dec 2022, 11:28

I just read and reviewed this same book, and therefore, it is interesting to read what others think of it. I loved the Italian atmosphere in this book, even though I am not the one who could say if it was realistic or not. Anyway, it fitted to my idea of Italy. Thank you for the insightful and thorough review.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 13 Dec 2022, 16:03

Kirsi_78 wrote: ↑13 Dec 2022, 11:28 I just read and reviewed this same book, and therefore, it is interesting to read what others think of it. I loved the Italian atmosphere in this book, even though I am not the one who could say if it was realistic or not. Anyway, it fitted to my idea of Italy. Thank you for the insightful and thorough review.

I had a positive impression from the author's descriptions of the Tuscanian settings. Thank you for your appreciation!

Post by **Hager Salem** » 18 Dec 2022, 07:29

I agree that the writer created a good mix of romance and mystery. I envy you for being Italian, you understood all those beautiful terms we didn't

Ogunkoya Mayowa · Post by **Ogunkoya Mayowa** » 19 Dec 2022, 12:53

Belle Ami did a great job in connecting characters together. I also like how he add love as a central part of the plot. This is a book I would love to read. Thanks for the review.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 19 Dec 2022, 16:22

Ogunkoya Mayowa wrote: ↑19 Dec 2022, 12:53 Belle Ami did a great job in connecting characters together. I also like how he add love as a central part of the plot. This is a book I would love to read. Thanks for the review.

In this novel, love connects people beyond time, regardless of the century they're living in. Thank you for commenting!

Rwill0988 · Post by **Rwill0988** » 22 Dec 2022, 23:10

This sounds like an interesting book. Your description of the book almost reminds me of an Elizabeth Kostova book. I'll probably check this book out. Really enjoyed reading your review.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 23 Dec 2022, 09:15

Rwill0988 wrote: ↑22 Dec 2022, 23:10 This sounds like an interesting book. Your description of the book almost reminds me of an Elizabeth Kostova book. I'll probably check this book out. Really enjoyed reading your review.

I never read Elizabeth Kostova's books, so I can't comment on the possible similarities. Thank you for your appreciation!

Post by **MAHAD BAIG MIRZA** » 14 Jun 2024, 04:52

You did a great job highlighting the intricate mix of thriller, romance, historical fiction, and supernatural elements in The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci by Belle Ami. Your review beautifully captures the plot's complexity and the seamless connection between different historical periods, giving readers a clear idea of what to expect from the novel.