The only book in Florence that I could find in English, I wasn't expecting much when I picked up this slim book. I read the book, LOVED IT, and then went around the next day in Florence, pointing out to my sister all the various different historical landmarks that were in the book. Although the discriptions drag a bit at times, the characters accurately display the love/hate relationship that many of us have with our sisters. Not something that I would give to my teenager, but very entertaining for a somewhat more mature audience.

This book is one of the most entertaining I have read in quite a long time. Kostova's descriptions are fantastic, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Very well researched, entertaining, and, hey, who doesn't love a good Dracula book?