Caravaggio: Signed in Blood

3.3

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Author(s)

Mark David Smith

Genre(s)

Historical Fiction

Age Range

12+

Release Date

February 15, 2016

ISBN13

9781896580050

ISBN10 or ASIN

In 17th Century Rome, connections are everything. But for 15-year-old Beppo Ghirlandi, an indentured servant accused of murder, there is nowhere to turn. The only one who will help him is the painter from across the Piazza, the madman-genius known as Caravaggio—who, unfortunately, has himself just killed a man. By helping Caravaggio flee, Beppo might just be able to stay alive.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

An Exciting, Quick Historical Fiction Read

May 30, 2016

Overall rating

3.3

Writing Style

N/A

Plot

N/A

Characters

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

What I Loved:

CARAVAGGIO SIGNED IN BLOOD by Mark David Smith is a high stakes historical adventure. It’s a quick and easy read and will easily entertain with its various sword fights, piracy, painting, and on-the-run feel.

Beppo, a fifteen-year-old indentured servant finds himself in trouble when he witnesses the murder of master. While on the run, he comes across the famous painter Caravaggio and helps him after he is charged with murder himself. Soon after, the two are on an adventure running from the law all over Italy.

Beppo is a purely fictional character while Caravaggio is an actual painter and a brief biography is included on the last pages of the book. I enjoyed the way Smith weaved together the actual events of Caravaggio’s life with a fictional narrator. It brought to life the culture, art, and danger of the time in a unique way. Anyone who is a fan of historical fiction should definitely consider this read.

What Left Me Wanting More:

Beppo finds a love interest towards the middle of the story which I found distracting and unconvincing. Beppo is sure Dolcetta is the love of his life and they do end up married at the end of the story, the constant internal lovesickness of Beppo distracted me from the action that was happening on the page and read a little annoying. While I didn’t think it was a necessary storyline, I can see how some readers would enjoy a taste of romance.

Final Verdict:

CARAVAGGIO SIGNED IN BLOOD by Mark David Smith is an exciting and wonderfully quick historical fiction. It’s full of action, adventure, and beautiful descriptions of the life and artistic culture of Italy in the early 1600s.