Allegra

Allegra is the sequel to Christine De Melo's Sabina. Allegra Castagno is Sabina Rossi's granddaughter. She learns basic goldsmithing in her father's workshop but has a special talent for jewelry. Her father decides to allow her to be apprenticed to a friend of his, Domenico, even though the guilds, clergy and magistrates forbid women from working in the trade. After completing her training Allegra begins designing a few pieces. Her work becomes in demand but her father cannot tell anyone who the designer is. He decides to say that "La Castagna" is the designer. Allegra works tirelessly in the business, spurning many wealthy suitors over the years because marriage would mean having to give up her goldsmithing. One day a man returns to her life that challenges her desire for both a work and family life in 16th century Florence.

Allegra was an enchanting novel but it is impossible not to compare it to Sabina. Sabina was better. However, I must say that Sabina was so good that nothing could probably come close to being as good as it was. Allegra did not have the lavish setting descriptions that the earlier novel had. Instead, it was action driven. Most of the characters were less developed than those in Sabina except for Bianca Cappello. She led an extravagant life which the author wrote about in detail. This detail was something I expected after reading Sabina where each character's sinful behavior was generously recounted. Allegra, however, seemed to me to be a 16th century version of how can a woman have it all, both job and marriage. Does she get it all? Read the book!

4 out of 5 stars!