Synopsis:
“Promise that you will come back.”
Born in 1495 and raised in 2012, Alice Ferro’s life has been anything but normal. The only problem is, she doesn’t know it. As a 17-year-old in 2029, she has an ideal life, complete with loving parents, the latest technical gadgets, and a summer vacation in Italy. Upon arriving in Florence, sensations of surreal memories begin to surface, leaving her puzzled and confused.
Knowing that reconnecting with his lost love could be dangerous for both of them, but willing to take the risk, Claudio Moro seeks out Alice in her new world. His very existence in 1512 is at stake! Having been accused of both treason and murder, he needs Alice to help clear his name and redeem his family’s honour. The question is, will Alice remember their love and care enough to leave her perfect future to redirect his doomed past?
My Review:
A big thank you to E. Graziani for letting me read her debut novel ‘Alice of the Rocks’. This read was a little different to the usual books I go for but it didn’t disappoint! This is a great story of adventure, time travel and romance.
The story focuses on two time periods:
Florence in 1512. Elise a scullery maid working for the Medici family is one day confronted by two courtiers and thankfully saved by Count Claudio Moro.
Florence in 2029. Alice is on holiday with her family visiting her home town where she meets Claudio who is working at the villa she is staying in.
Now first off, I am rubbish at knowing any history so I could be completely wrong but I felt that the book was well researched and I enjoyed reading all about Florence and its history. The story was very cleverly put together, how it jumped back and forth and connecting the two time periods. I never once found the story confusing, E. Graziani is fantastic at putting all the pieces of the puzzle together so well to produce a well thought out plot.
Going back to the story and in 1512, Elise and Claudio grow close however the love they have for one another is not permitted and after trying to escape together Claudio is accused of treason and murder. Having to part, Elise ends up running for her life with guards out for her arrest, she arrives at the door of Leonardo Da Vinici (who Claudio had been an apprentice for) desperate and alone she asks him for safety.
Fast forward to Alice in 2029, she starts to encounter some déjà vu moments where certain places trigger long lost forgotten memories that she struggles to understand and feelings for Claudio start to develop. Claudio takes a risk and comes clean to her on why he is there, the déjà vu moments and the connection she feels towards him. Claudio must try and convince her that she returns to 1512 with him to prove their innocence. Will Alice leave 2029 and her life for him?
Like I said before, the story is very clever and the characters are so likeable, the relationship between both Claudio and Elisa and Claudio and Alice are so lovely to read.
This story is set in beautiful Italy, includes romance, science fiction, history and the one and only Leonardo Da Vinci if you need escapism then this book is ideal! I know there is a follow up to this story which I will definitely be reading!
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