The Subterfuge of an Undetectable Mask - an Editorial Review of "Artimon"

Book Blurb:

In late 15th century Venice, only four people are aware and accepting of the subterfuge of his undetectable mask, and Rade's true scarred face behind it. His father-in-law urges him to leave Venice and immerse himself in the French invasion of the states of Italy. Create a story. Get rid of the mask. Come back as who you really are - so the rest of the world will accept your scars. He presents Rade with an unruly cavalry horse named Artimon. A gift Rade doesn't want. Rade departs, accompanied by his manservant and friend, Alberico, along with a mule train loaded with grain to sell to the French. Things start going wrong early on. Crossing the Apennines, an accident separates Rade from Alberico and Artimon. Bereft, his young bride, Caterina, struggles to reorder her life and Rade makes the acquaintance of Maria. Thus begins a journey that culminates in the notorious Battle of Fornovo - for Rade, a struggle for survival. His marriage, strained to the breaking point, falters.

Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/9338XAu

Author Bio:

Leigh Grant has degrees in art history and fine art. She attended Hollins College, now Hollins University, and Pratt Institute and studied and lived in Paris and London. A former illustrator, with a number of books to her credit, she won the Steven Dohanos Award for Our Own Show, Society of Illustrators, appeared on the Christmas Today Show with Katie Couric, and was selected by the Book of the Month Club for her book The Twelve Days of Christmas: A History and Celebration, which, other than the lyrics, she both wrote and illustrated. Two popup books on Rome and Egypt followed. Having completed the certificate course at NYU, she is currently an appraiser of fine art. As a writer, she is fascinated by the Italian Renaissance and the Venetian Empire. Mask of Dreams, as an unpublished manuscript, was recipient of Chanticleer Reviews 2017 Chatelaine Grand Prize for Romantic and Women's Fiction and short-listed for Winner Historical Fiction Before 1750, Chaucer Award. A sequel is underway. She has two children, loves Rhodesian Ridgebacks, riding, sailing, Nantucket, and adventure, and lives in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Editorial Review:

The night had been hot and the day promised to be even hotter. Rade’s clothes were already stuck to his skin. He narrowed his eyes against the glare. Despite the early hour, the brilliance of the place was intense; the air tremulous with rising heat; the lagoon a vast, placid pool of concealed inhabitants, finned or armored. Even the lines of pines on the faraway barrier islands, the lidi, wavered in the heat.

The usual rude banter, the creak of the oars in their forcole, the splash of water from the blades gave way to thoughts of last night’s supper conversation. All too often, it seemed to be the efforts of bankers, particularly those from the lesser branch of the Medici, as well as the political machinations of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, that were dragging the world toward war. That and French claims to the Kingdom of Naples. What had once been city-states and principalities fighting among themselves had become an open invitation to a power outside the peninsula to intervene.

They moored the lagoon boat by a nameless island.

“God’s balls, take the jacket,” said Antonio, handing him one of the padded tunics for their rough practice.

Rade squinted at his three companions, the menservants: Antonio, Battista, and Alberico.

In Artimon (Sequel to Mask of Dreams) Leigh Grant skillfully carries on her captivating historical narrative, transporting readers to the volatile world of Venice in the late 15th century and beyond. The protagonist of the book is Rade, a guy whose position in society is determined by his secret emotional and physical scars. Grant tells a gripping and intensely engaging story of personal growth, tragedy, and redemption as he sets out on a trip that entwines with the major political and military movements of Renaissance Italy.

There are maps, as well as a glossary at the start to help you familiarize yourself with the language and certain terms that may be used inside. I found this really helpful, since I would not have known some of these words heading into the book.

Artimon's compelling premise captures the reader's attention from the first page. His father-in-law encourages Rade, who is used to hiding behind an invisible mask, to take off his disguise and show the world who he really is. Armed only with his cunning, a mule train of grain, and a reluctant gift - an untamed military horse named Artimon - he is thrown into the turmoil of the French invasion of Italy.

The stakes are escalated as his voyage progresses through a number of unexpected turns: he is left alone in a dangerous and politically intrigued area when an accident in the Apennines separates him from his loyal friend and servant, Alberico, and his unruly horse. The narrative gains depth as his young bride, Caterina, battles with his absence on an emotional and psychological level.

Each chapter of the book advances the plot, and the tempo is expertly managed. Grant keeps readers interested by skillfully balancing action, reflection, and historical exposition. Nothing short of spectacular, the Battle of Fornovo conclusion preserves the emotional stakes that have motivated Rade's trek while demonstrating the savagery of war.

The book has a polished, expertly crafted narrative flow that makes it easier to read. Grant's painstaking attention to detail guarantees historical authenticity without overburdening the reader with detail. Because of the neat formatting, reading is delightful and free from interruptions from typographical or structural errors.

Outside Brisighella, carts carrying gypsum from the quarries passed him, clattering out of a covered street, their drivers streaked with dust, their route presided over by a castle high on the hill. Twice he stood aside for long mule trains, one heading west, loaded with salt; the other heading east, not unlike the mule train he had brought from the Euganean hills, carrying sacks of grain. The last had to be destined for the army in the east although where in the east had yet to reveal itself. All who passed him, a lone traveler, tall, lean, scarred with a small sack slung over his shoulder and carrying a sword, seemed to assume he was either a deserter, a disbanded soldier, or a brigand―none of which encouraged passing conversation or prolonged proximity.

In the foothills, the fields were cultivated, the vineyards staked, white oxen browsed or worked, and the houses grew more substantial. Most of the days were cloudy or it rained. Rade rarely saw the sun. But he kept traveling northeast, doggedly pursuing the path to the Roman road a band of homebound soldiers might have taken; knowing he would make a turn north for Ferrara. And someday, his task accomplished, another turn northeast by east, the direction of Caterina and home.

Character development is one of the book's strongest points. Rade, who battles with survival, love, and self-acceptance, is an incredibly captivating heroine. He undergoes a significant and emotionally impactful transformation from a man hiding behind a mask to someone who must face his actual self. Rade's inner anguish is faithfully balanced by Alberico, and their connection gives the narrative layers of warmth and companionship.

The character arc of Caterina is equally well-developed. She is more than just a supporting character because of her suffering and development while Rade is away; she is a whole person with her own challenges and assets. Rade's loyalty to his wife is called into question by Maria, a new acquaintance, who also heightens the tension in an already compelling story.

Grant keeps the historical locations and earlier character arcs consistent, which is a great continuation from Mask of Dreams. Transitions between the various storylines - Caterina's hardships, Rade's voyage, and the larger political scene - are seamless and well-coordinated. Grant's mastery of historical fiction is demonstrated by the way the personal narratives, and the historical setting never seem to be separated.

Without giving anything away, Artimon has a moving and fulfilling conclusion. It wraps up the novel's themes - identity, acceptance, and resilience - rather than simple answers. The ending offers an emotionally satisfying feeling of closure while also leaving space for future development in the series.

The reader is thrust into Rade's world of survival and secrets in the first few lines of Artimon. Grant writes in a vibrant and captivating style that establishes the mood for the journey to come. To keep readers interested right away, the opening paragraph creates a sense of mystery and urgency.

Despite the fact that historical fiction frequently retraces well-traveled routes, Artimon stands out for its attention to a little-known era and its intensely intimate storytelling style. A distinctive fusion of history and human emotion is produced by the themes of self-acceptance and metamorphosis against the backdrop of Renaissance Italy. The novel gains further uniqueness from the use of Artimon, the horse, as a physical and symbolic barrier.

The novel appeals to both historical epics and character-driven narratives because of Grant's balance between action and introspection, her descriptions of 15th-century Venice and the war-torn Italian states are rich without being overly dense, and her dialogue is purposeful and sharp, revealing character motivations and historical context naturally.

The novel follows a well-defined arc, with apparent advancement in both storyline and character development. The suspense rises organically, culminating with the final battle and the emotional resolutions that follow. Because of the well-paced layout, readers are guaranteed to stay interested throughout.

Rich historical knowledge and a very personal tale are combined in this story. Readers will be captivated by Leigh Grant's compelling story of identity, love, and perseverance long after they've turned the last page.

4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company

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