The Brightest Star

An enjoyable historical fiction set in Florence in 1496, the Medici family is in exile and an extremist preacher Savonarola has great influence over the lives of the people. The main character is Luna, the eldest daughter of the Fusilli family, who have a wool business. Luna was born with a deformed foot and her father has kept her and encouraged her to learn in a time when women weren’t educated and disabled people were considered marked by the devil. Its easy to read this story, Luna is a bright character and there’s plenty of details about how people lived, both good and tragic. What happens to the family is a bit of a shock even though the build up probably foreshadows it and the later chapters are interesting as a young Copernicus enters the story. A fascinating read.

One of the things I love so much about reading is learning about different eras and Emma Harcourt has taken me back to Renaissance period in Florence where we get to meet Luna a young woman who was born with a deformed foot which caused many to think she was spawned by the devil even her own mother, her life is not an easy one especially with the way her father Signore Vincenzo Fusili encouraged her to learn, come along and meet Leonarda Lunetta, Luna.<br /><br />It is 1496 and the renaissance is opening its eyes to lots of learning especially about astronomy for the men anyway, there are groups of men that meet and debate lots of issues, Florence is being controlled by Friar Savonarola and his ideas are very different from what most of the people think, he has exiled the Medici family who has always been close to the Fusili family and Vincenzo is working hard to bring them back but this is putting so much pressure on the family, also his daughter Luna is becoming someone who people are taking notice of not necessarily because of her deformity but because of her outspoken ways, that he has encouraged over the years by helping her learn and become so knowledgeable.<br /><br />Luna wants so much to become an astronomer not a wife but things are starting to get very dangerous in Florence and before long Luna is alone and being sent to a convent with a stop along the way a family who was always close to the Fusili family here she is encouraged to be herself and here she meets student Nicolaus Copericus who also loves astronomy and soon Luna is finding happiness again away from Florence will she be able to live and learn the way she wants too?<br /><br />This is a fabulous story that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish, Luna was strong and filled with passion about learning and a very likeable character, it would have been a very hard era to live in especially for woman and with the intelligence that Luna had keeping that locked away was never going to happen, this is one that I would highly recommend.<br /><br />My thanks to Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review.<br />

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/">https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...</a><br />I was expecting this story to be about Luna's battle to be accepted as a woman of knowledge, and this was partly the story, but it was more about the politics of Venice in the 15th Century and the suppression of women.<br /><br />Set in Renaissance Florence, a time when the judgement of others ruled everyday moments, <i>The Brightest Star</i> is rich in political intrigue as the governance of Florence comes under question.<br /><br />Emma Harcourt's writing is beautiful to read and I had so many magnificent quotes highlighted throughout the book, however the subject matter didn't hold my interest. I found myself more invested in the lives of the country folk, and their preparations for the coming winter, than the politics of the time.<br /><br />Harcourt's writing evokes a powerful sense of time and place and I am certain <i>The Brightest Star</i> will be enjoyed by many Historical Fiction fans.<br /><i>*I received my copy from the publisher</i>

Florence is one of my favourite settings for a novel and the Renaissance is one of my favourite eras, so it should come as no surprise that I was drawn to this latest release by Emma Harcourt, The Brightest Star. The events unfold during the dark period upon which Florence was within the grips of the extremist Savonarola, a preacher who sacked the city, expelled the Medici’s, destroyed so much art and so many books, all in the name of religious purity. At the time of this story, the Medici’s are in exile and plotting with loyalists to raise an army to return. The atmosphere within Florence is one of volatility, fear an ever-present undercurrent for families of means as they wait for Savonarola to cast his eyes their way for the slightest of provocations. To date, I had only read up to the period where the Medici’s were exiled, so I found it quite fascinating to dive into this period through fiction. I thought the tensions and volatility were conveyed through the narrative with precision, keeping the reader on edge, a certain sense of doom pervading all and giving you cause to brace yourself for what you surely knew was inevitable.<br /><br />Luna is the eldest child of one of Florence’s leading families. Propelled by guilt, her father has nurtured her precocious mind through the provision of an education that is usually reserved for sons. It is only as Luna approaches adulthood that he begins to rue his decision, viewing her educated mind as much of a repellent for suitable husbands and a secure future as her deformed leg. As Luna becomes increasingly aware of the fate her father plans for her, she resists as much as she can, with the ultimate and most tragic of consequences. But it is in the aftermath of tragedy that Luna realises her full potential. I particularly enjoyed these later scenes where Luna is coming to terms with her grief whilst grappling with a yearning for knowledge that may not be barred to her any longer within her newfound circumstances. The early ideas of female agency tied in with female hysteria and the ‘harmfulness’ of educating women were tightly woven into the narrative, giving a well fleshed out story that reflected the politics of 15th century Florentine society within the context of a woman born a step out of her own time.<br /><br />‘It was wrong that women were damned and silenced for expressing any of the glorious and complicated emotions they felt.’<br /><br />Overall, I found The Brightest Star to be a most engaging read, tense and interesting, highlighting an era of history that has not been overly plundered through fiction. Highly recommended.<br /><br />Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.

*<a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com">https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com</a><br /><br />‘It was the wet nurse who sealed Luna’s fate. So powerless a figure yet her small act of defiance changed the path of the Fusili family history forever. None could have foreseen the turn of events she would initiate by letting the baby cry. Such an innocent sound and so loud.’<br /><br />Australian author Emma Harcourt’s 2018 The Shanghai Wife brought her to the attention of historical fiction readers. Now this Sydney based author, researcher and journalist brings to light a time in our history books that has largely been overlooked. The Brightest Star is a story of faith, bravery, passion, education, intellect, personal challenge and astronomy.<br /><br />Taking readers back in time to the fifteenth century, The Brightest Star covers the life and times of a young woman surviving in Renaissance Florence. As the world and Florence in particular begins to embrace change, thanks to a strong intellectual movement, the citizens of this city must also adapt to this clear shift in thinking. We meet Leonarda Lunetta, the oldest child of a religious father. Luna is a woman of the written word, thanks to her family’s passion for education and religion. But Luna is very different to her peers. She has a disability, but Luna’s thirst for knowledge in any form is potent. Society does not view a young woman like Luna favourably, which makes her already hard going life more trying. Luna dreams of becoming an astronomer, which is unheard of in this male dominated society. While she gazes into the night sky, Luna begins to develop radical and dangerous ideas thanks to her connection to another astronomer. Danger and suspicion awaits Luna, but still she is compelled to follow her passion for free thinking. A revolutionary of her time, will Luna succeed or fall?<br /><br />I’m a big fan of historical fiction and I especially love to read books set in the Second World War period. It was a refreshing change to be presented with a new historical fiction novel that is a set in a completely different time and place to the books I usually read. I applaud Emma Harcourt for taking on Renaissance Florence and the life of a disabled woman with a beautiful mind into her capable hands. I was really intrigued by this one and I found quite a lot to appreciate about this new Emma Harcourt release, especially the beautiful writing.<br /><br />Renaissance Florence is a tough gig to take on. I valued the level of specific detail and rich information that was integrated into The Brightest Star, it is clear that the author adores this historical landscape. The Brightest Star contains a plethora of knowledge and facts about this tumultuous era, thanks to Harcourt’s generous prose. I did find this backdrop to be a little dry in places especially the politics and religion side. However, I understand how essential it was to provide the reader with this historical background as it fully immerses the audience in the lifestyle of this time. Astronomy is a fascinating subject line and I have to admit I know very little about this topic. Harcourt brings this field to our attention and she does it well. There is a lot to take in, but keen-eyed historical fiction lovers will lap this area of the novel up.<br /><br />Luna was an extraordinary figure. I enjoyed following her revolutionary path and I applauded Luna’s unique journey. Luna is balanced out well as Harcourt shows us how her lead had to conform to the conventions of the time, yet she still managed to challenge the status quo. Headstrong, tenacious, carious, inquisitive and inquiring, it was satisfying to see Luna find her true calling. Harcourt reveals the conditions of life especially for females at this time and the setbacks Luna must overcome due to her gender and disability. There really weren’t many opinions for women at this time if they did not want to fade into the background as a dutiful wife or serve God as a nun. Harcourt integrates some interesting additional characters into her story, who all offer something to Luna, may it be positive or negative. I did find the moments between Luna and her father some of the most interesting and endearing aspects of the tale. What struck me the most about Harcourt’s new novel was the sheer battle faced by Luna to survive in this restricted world, where female intellect was suppressed at any cost. It is a quite heartbreaking, but an essential history to gift to readers.<br /><br />Those with a thirst for learning more about living in a world where female knowledge was restricted but some curious women were tempted to fight back will find The Brightest Star an enlightening read.<br /><br />*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.

‘It was the wet nurse who sealed Luna’s fate.’<br /><br />Florence, 1496. Leonarda Lunetta (Luna), the eldest daughter of Signore Vincenzo Fusili, is a teenager. Born with a misshapen leg, she is often the subject of ridicule. Luna reads to escape and would love to learn to be an astronomer. But the city state of Florence is in the grip of Friar Girolamo Savonarola, the fundamentalist preacher holding sway after the Medici family were driven out of Florence in 1494. It is a dangerous time to question views held to be orthodox. <br /><br />While encouraged to learn by her father, Luna finds the world more restrictive when she reaches a marriageable age. And her father, a supporter of the Medici, has some problems of his own. Luna meets astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus whose beliefs, while considered heretical, are similar to her own. <br /><br />Ms Harcourt captures the turmoil in Florence, the volatile atmosphere as Savonarola and his supporters increase their control, as suspicions are cast on anyone who is different. Luna is destined for the convent when her family meet with tragedy. This tragedy provides Luna with an opportunity to consider a future different from what her family envisaged. I particularly enjoyed this part of the story. Luna learns some truths about the past which make it easier for her to embrace the future.<br /><br />Highly recommended.<br /><br />Jennifer Cameron-Smith<br />

<div> <br> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLJqJkR1xT0/Wz225feNdHI/AAAAAAAAhAk/Hy7dQ65djrMB3H4GVzJkuNm-oz96OT2LgCLcBGAs/s1600/3.5%2Bstars.png" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1530771405i/25925776.png" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a> </div><br><br>Thank you Harlequin for my copy of the Brightest Star<br><br>I like a book set in a historical setting, and this is a setting that i have not read about before.<br><br>Set in Medici-esque Florence, we are taken back to a period of time where religion is everythign and females are there to be seen and not heard<br><br>And when Luna makes herself heard, trouble follows.<br><br>It did take me a while to get into this one. It did seem to just go... nowhere for a long while. I know a lot of that was the set up but after we knew who was who and what was what, to me it just floundered for a little while before things moved along again.<br><br>I did enjoy Luna - like they say, well behaved women rarely make history, and she would have certainly had a page or two in the history books.<br><br>What I also liked what that I learned something new - as I was reading I had my phone by my side, googling people and events in the book.<br><br>This was my first Emma Harcourt book, but I will read more in the future.<br><br>

I must say I had a bit f a hard time getting into this as the story seemed to be going nowhere at first and I nearly put it down. But I did persevere and it was a pretty good story. Another very long book that I feel could have been shortened a bit as there did seem to be some parts of the story that repeated itself as it was told in the eyes of Luna and then of her father Vincenzo Fusili. <br /><br />But having said that it is an interesting story and I did love Luna and her attitude to the way things were in those times. As the story went on it did get better for me and there was a bit more going on. The characters are interesting, the times are interesting and the story did flow well but it wasn't one of my favourite historical reads I'm afraid.<br /><br /><a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/60257050.The_Brightest_Star" title="The Brightest Star by Emma Harcourt" rel="noopener">The Brightest Star</a><br /><a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/17496430.Emma_Harcourt" title="Emma Harcourt" rel="noopener">Emma Harcourt</a><br /><a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/15071894.Harlequin_Australia" title="Harlequin Australia" rel="noopener">Harlequin Australia</a>

Set in Florence, <i>The Brightest Star</i> by Emma Harcourt starts in 1479 with the birth of Leonarda Lunetta (Luna) Fusili. Luna is born with a misshapen leg and is immediately rejected by her mother. The eldest daughter of Signore Vincenzio Fusili, Luna is brought up with reading, debate, science and astronomy, usually the preserve of male heirs.<br /><br />Twenty odd years later and Luna's father is supporting the Medici family in secret after Piero di Lorenzo de’ Medici's banishment from the city. Renaissance Florence is beset by fundamentalist preacher Friar Girolamo Savonarola who reminded me a little of the High Sparrow in Game of Thrones. Luna finds herself taken in by him at one of his sermons:<br /><br /><i>"Luna heard tenderness in his entreaties to the congregation and there was a murmur of agreement from the floor. The people swayed and gasped as one as the preacher grew ever more impassioned. Luna swayed just as the strangers around her did, and there was a warm fealty in doing so."</i> Page 127<br /><br />When piles of precious books are burned and neighbours thrown out into the street for heresy, a feeling of dread pervades the family. Luna has a passion for learning and longs to continue her studies but her step mother's insistence she be wed or attend a nunnery on account of her leg is thwarting her plans for the future. Luna has received an education usually reserved for boys and she fights the inequality between the sexes, her lack of agency and the ignominy of her disability. Luna is a terrific protagonist and I really felt for her as she strived for what she wanted and fiercely resisted having her future decided for her.<br /><br />Despite the political tensions and the danger of incurring Savonarola's wrath, there are moments of light dialogue and sensational writing. I particularly liked this phrase:<br /><br /><i>"Now, wash your hands and find your sister for me. She frolics somewhere outdoors and ignores my calls to come inside. Her antics age me ten moons in a day."</i> Page 57<br /><br />Ten moons in a day, I think we can all relate to how that must feel!<br /><br /><i>The Brightest Star</i> is well researched by this Australian author, the Florentine setting felt authentic and I enjoyed the period details. I particularly enjoyed the two references to the period of the evening where the 'second sleep' of the night takes place on pages 77 and 167. Regular <i>Carpe Librum</i> readers will know this is one of my favourite nuggets of history surrounding sleep.<br /><br />The introduction of Nicolaus Copernicus as a minor character in the second half of the novel was a nice surprise and I enjoyed following Luna as she grew and matured into a young lady.<br /><br />Reading <i>The Brightest Star</i> by Emma Harcourt put me in mind of TV series <i>The Borgias</i> and I'm listening to that soundtrack right now as I compose this review. <br /><br /><i>The Brightest Star</i> by Emma Harcourt is highly recommended for historical fiction readers and those interested in Renaissance Florence, the power of a classic education, a disabled protagonist and a love of astronomy.<br /><br />* Copy courtesy of Harper Collins *

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Fiction Australia for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. <br /><br />Set in 1496 Florence, where the renaissance is opening the worlds eyes to new learnings in science and astronomy we meet the Fusili family. <br />Trapped between wanting to learn and discover more of the world, their allegiance to the exiled Medici family and the fanatical priest now ruling over the city. <br /><br />Our story is told by Luna the eldest daughter of the family, who was born with a leg deformity that ostracised her from the day she was born, starting with her mother and continuing with the people of Florence. But our Luna is no ordinary girl, adored by her father and with a passion for knowledge Luna is ready for a life of scholar and not to be a wife. However, Luna’s outspoken ways once thought clever at a young age are now making dangerous ripples for herself and her family in the already tense Florence. <br /><br />I really enjoyed this novel. Harcourt’s characters are wonderfully developed, you can easily picture and understand the relationship of those in the family and their friends and foes. <br />Her inclusions of the astronomical descriptions and theories were so easily written into the book that it fit so well and at no point did I feel I was reading a text book. <br /><br />I’ve always loved the story of a educated strong willed women in history and it was wonderful to read a novel which played out with realistic expectations and results. <br /><br />I only wish the story had continued passed the ending as I found myself wanting to read more as I wasn’t ready to leave the life of Luna behind. <br /><br />A truely lovely book.