The historical adult debut novel by # 1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Kate, The Orphan's Song is a sweeping love story about family and music--and the secrets each hold--that follows the intertwined fates of two Venetian orphans.
THE ORPHAN'S SONG by LAUREN KATE
Publication date: June 25, 2019
Published by: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Genre: historical fiction
SYNOPSIS
Venice, 1736. Violetta has a secret: When she climbs out of her window at The Hospital of the Incurables, the revered music school and orphanage that has always been her home, she can look out over the city and dream. But when she stumbles upon Mino, a violinist from the boy's hall who also seeks solace in the skyline, she feels a surprising connection. The two begin a passionate duet that will transform their lives.
Yet as Mino becomes determined to find his lost mother, and Violetta's desire to sing in the ospedale's famous coro make clear she can never leave its walls, they find their love torn in two. Known as the "city of masks," Venice is the perfect place to hide one's heart, but as Violetta becomes a legendary soprano with a secret nighttime life, and Mino seeks the truth among the city's canals, their fates prove inextricably linked. A haunting memory Violetta has kept hidden since childhood soon leads them both to a shocking confrontation.
Vibrant with the glamour and beauty of Venice at its zenith, The Orphan's Song takes us on a breathtaking journey of passion, heartbreak, and betrayal before it crescendos to an unforgettable ending, a celebration of the enduring nature and transformative power of love.
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Praise for The Orphan's Song:
“The Orphan’s Song plunges the reader into the streets and canals of eighteenth-century Venice, where the world of Carnivale roils with music, love, and intrigue. Lauren Kate is a masterful storyteller, with a stunning command of her rich historical material and the ability to draw forth the beautiful and intimate songs of the human heart.”
—Allison Pataki, author of Sisi
“Lauren Kate mesmerizes in a tale that brilliantly recreates 1700s Venice – a city of high-stakes intrigue and earthly delights – where a pair of abandoned children find solace in music and each other. I was swept along as their lives formed a tangled knot of betrayal and love, lies and redemption. Marvelous.”
—Fiona Davis, bestselling author of The Masterpiece
“In a gorgeous ode to eighteenth-century Venice, Lauren Kate uncovers the intriguing, little-known origin of the era’s most famous Baroque musicians in The Orphan’s Song, in a tale brimming with love, deception, and ultimately, surprising truth.”
—Marie Benedict, bestselling author of The Other Einstein, Carnegie’s Maid, and The Only Woman in the Room
“Delightful . . . Kate’s enchanting story brings the canals and backchannels of Venice to vivid life and will appeal to fans of Elizabeth Chadwick.”
—Publishers Weekly
“An operatic and opulently detailed tale of longing, secrets, and high-stakes quests for freedom, love, art, and home…Kate vividly conjures a city of beauty and pain, piety and criminality, helplessness and ruthlessness, while choreographing a suspenseful, soaring love story of anguish, ecstasy, risk, and stunning reversals.”
—Booklist
“Kate brings the romance of 18th-century Venice to life in this light historical…it’s an engaging read with likable characters and an emotionally potent plot.”
—Library Journal
“The Orphan’s Song plunges the reader into the streets and canals of eighteenth-century Venice, where the world of Carnivale roils with music, love, and intrigue. Lauren Kate is a masterful storyteller, with a stunning command of her rich historical material and the ability to draw forth the beautiful and intimate songs of the human heart.”
—Allison Pataki, author of Sisi
“Lauren Kate mesmerizes in a tale that brilliantly recreates 1700s Venice – a city of high-stakes intrigue and earthly delights – where a pair of abandoned children find solace in music and each other. I was swept along as their lives formed a tangled knot of betrayal and love, lies and redemption. Marvelous.”
—Fiona Davis, bestselling author of The Masterpiece
“In a gorgeous ode to eighteenth-century Venice, Lauren Kate uncovers the intriguing, little-known origin of the era’s most famous Baroque musicians in The Orphan’s Song, in a tale brimming with love, deception, and ultimately, surprising truth.”
—Marie Benedict, bestselling author of The Other Einstein, Carnegie’s Maid, and The Only Woman in the Room
“Delightful . . . Kate’s enchanting story brings the canals and backchannels of Venice to vivid life and will appeal to fans of Elizabeth Chadwick.”
—Publishers Weekly
“An operatic and opulently detailed tale of longing, secrets, and high-stakes quests for freedom, love, art, and home…Kate vividly conjures a city of beauty and pain, piety and criminality, helplessness and ruthlessness, while choreographing a suspenseful, soaring love story of anguish, ecstasy, risk, and stunning reversals.”
—Booklist
“Kate brings the romance of 18th-century Venice to life in this light historical…it’s an engaging read with likable characters and an emotionally potent plot.”
—Library Journal
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Kate is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Fallen novels, the Teardrop novels, and The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove. Her books have been translated into more than 30 languages. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
You can find her on:
The Orphan's Song by Lauren KateMy rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Life was like music; if you changed a single note, you changed the entire song.
The first stage of the story begins in early childhood, taking you through the innocence and hope of first love. This is my favorite part of the book, watching them steal away in secret to meet in the quiet hours of the night. You learn how regimented their life is, how sequestered they are from the world, and how their lives are not their own. All decisions are made for them, and punishment is swift if you don't obey. Violetta is an impulsive and rebellious girl for her time, but her rebellions have always been minor until she met Mino.
From the very first time they encountered each other on the rooftop, they felt a special connection unlike any other in their young lives. It began with a song, and that song would tie them together through friendship, love, heartbreak, and unattainable dreams. They share a love of music in a way that wouldn't be approved of, but they can't help but hold it close while they have the chance. Incurable girls were expected to be chaste and obedient, and Violetta doesn't feel confident that she fits the mold she's required to fit in. When she sings, this causes her to be timid and unsure. But the song she shares with Mino will unlock passion in her voice that could give her a future in the coveted coro. It's something she's always been desperate to achieve, but suddenly she's conflicted.
Mino's affection for her was instant and touching. He was so devoted to his Violetta and desperate to find a way to hold onto the time that was slipping away from them. Unfortunately, life gets in the way of his grand plans for their future. When we move into the next part of the book, bad decisions and betrayals were made that cause an irreparable break. They both despair, and go through a period of that leads them down lonely paths. Perhaps it was just their youth causing these rash choices, but it really illustrates how one action can change the entire course of your life when you're on the edge of adulthood. This portion of the story was a little slow for my liking, and kind of depressing to read, especially on Mino's end. He goes through some desperate times that really hurts your heart.
Mino and Violetta are living in the same city, but so isolated from each other that it seems impossible that they'd ever find a way back to each other. With time they try to move on, but the feelings they shared are pressed into their hearts where time and circumstance can never touch them. As we barreled on in the hope that they would meet again, there are secrets lurking that will change both of their lives forever. I started to get a hint at what was to be revealed somewhat early on, and it turned out just as I'd suspected. It was disturbing and uncomfortable, but surprising, no. Most of the story wasn't really romantic, it was somewhat dark and dismal. However I appreciated the themes of family, love and sacrifice, and how they can change and grow through hardships and challenges in life.
This was a well written historical fiction novel. I absolutely loved the setting and learning so much about the time period. The love story was often bittersweet, making your heart ache for what these two must go through. While I didn't always agree or understand their choices, I enjoyed the final destination and their lessons learned. This is Lauren Kate's first adult fiction, and my first time reading her. It certainly won't be my last. I love her beautiful way with words, and her skill in bringing her characters to life so sharply. If she has any more historical novels planned, you won't have to pull my arm to read it. I'll be lining up to see what she has to offer next.
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