A historical novel of power, poison, and survival in Renaissance Rome.
Rome, late fifteenth century.
Graziella Maraval is trained in herbs and remedies, far from the centers of power. When she is brought to the Vatican, her knowledge makes her useful—and therefore dangerous.
Inside the Borgia court, alliances shift constantly, appearances deceive, and poison is as common as prayer. Graziella must navigate political intrigue, manipulation, and violence while trying to survive in a world where women’s bodies and knowledge are tightly controlled.
As the line between healing and harming grows thinner, she learns that silence, observation, and restraint can be weapons—and that survival often demands moral compromise.
House of Masks and Knives is a historical novel focused on power, coercion, and female agency in Renaissance Rome. It favors psychological tension and political dynamics over romance or action-driven plots.
Expect:
- morally complex characters
- court politics
- themes of control, knowledge, and female agency
Content notes: violence, coercion, misogyny, execution, psychological abuse.
Ideal for readers who enjoy literary-leaning historical fiction rather than fast-paced commercial plots.
