Definately be aware that this is nonfiction when you read this novel. It is intriguing because it is a real story, there are real happenings in this novel, however, the story is a bit duller than the ficitioius acounts we (or should I say, I usually read) involving this subject matter. I'm an avid reader, but my reading isn't very scholarly, where to me, this came off as more of a research book. This is definately a biography, although it reads as a novel, don't be disapointed in the end. I did get very attached to the character of Guistiniana (HOW DO YOU SAY THAT NAME?!) and it was interesting watching her personality grow over time.To sum it up: I enjoyed this novel, however be aware that it IS nonfiction therefore it doesn't have the *BANG* at the end we're used to