The Medici Seal by Theresa Breslin

Matteo, an orphaned gypsy boy, is harbouring a precious object, which many would kill to possess. While being pursued by Sandino, a vicious bandit, he falls into a river and is left for dead.

The famous artist, Leonardo da Vinci, saves Matteo who is taken under the protection of his saviour and the family Dell’Otre. But now not only the bandits, but others know what Matteo hides, and they will stop at nothing to get it.

I didn’t enjoy The Medici Seal.  While it is filled with murder, adventure and a few exciting twists, I found it largely tedious, with a very predictable ending. The characters were very one-dimensional: I didn’t feel myself bonding, or becoming emotionally involved, with them.

The upside is that it beautifully portrays life in 16th century Italy, from the poverty and discrimination experienced by the gypsies to opulence  of the high classes and war of the great families who ruled the country’s many states.

Overall rating for The Medici Seal - four out of ten.

The Medici Seal by Theresa Breslin is published by Doubleday. To order a copy from Amazon, please click the link below:

 The Medici Seal