Helpful Score: 7
A juicy, gothic historical romance. I found the hero and heroine and other characters in their circle quite likeable. Though everyone is entitled to their opinion, I did not find Nicoletta "whiny" as one reviewer described her. I found her quite charming. Also, considering the times and the fact that Nicoletta is forced into marrying the scary Don Scarletti, I really couldn't help but admire and like her. Nicoletta is known as a healer and is used to roaming unfettered among the plants outside her village to cultivate them for her natural healing methods. Then, after her marriage to the Don, she has to go live in his palazzo, a scary looking large building guarded by stone gargogyles. Though the Don is silent and brooding he is kind and protective towards Nicoletta. But, in keeping with the historical rumors of the Scarletti "curse", she arrives at the palazzo in the midst of various murder attempts on the Don's life and actual murders of other characters. Of suspicion are the Don's relatives living there - his father, brother-in-law, young niece, imperious sister and her disagreeable daughter. Though there are enough twists in the plot to keep any reader's mind busy, I found it obvious who the mysterious murderer was among this group of people. Despite that, the book has a wonderful ending and is thoroughly an enjoyable, fun book.
Helpful Score: 6
Great suspenseful, steamy period love story about a peasant healer and an arisotcrat under a curse.
Helpful Score: 6
GREAT BOOK! Another paranormal side of Christine Feehan and she kept me turning the pages.
Lynette C. (lynettemichelle) reviewed The Scarletti Curse (Scarletti, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I didn't like it. I read it because it's a Christine Feehan and I love her other series, it was good background information, but this is a book of her I liked the least.
Helpful Score: 3
I read this book a while ago, but to my recognition it was actually pretty good. Slow start but picks up as you go along
Helpful Score: 3
Probably one of the worst books I've ever read. Where was the editor on this one? Feehan usually writes a compelling, interesting read. This one was boring and the heroine was a whiner.
Helpful Score: 3
Once again Christine Freehan has outdone herself. Don Giovanni is a much feared character, but he is a character that the reader loves. He is a determined man and this causes fear to those who do not understand him.
Helpful Score: 2
Very good/gothic italian culture
Helpful Score: 2
This book gives a little history that ties in with Dark Symphony. Brought back memories since I had read this book beofre Dark Symphony.
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent, a page turner! This one is a gothic historical romance. Unlike Feehan's "Dark Series", it does not have vampires or Carpathians. This is the story of the village healer, a beautiful girl names Nicoletta and the fierce, dark and cursed Don Giovanni Scarletti. Together they must fight the evil threatening to kill them both and overcome the Curse.
Elizabeth G. (lizliteyear) reviewed The Scarletti Curse (Scarletti, Bk 1) on + 120 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Loved every page of this book!
Helpful Score: 1
This is a gothic romance novel about Nicoletta, an orphan from a small village with a special gift for healing and knowing when someone needs her. Because of her "gift" the villagers try to hide and protect her from outsiders because they are afraid that she will be burned as a witch. The village owes fealty to the nearby Don Scaretti who resides in the mansion nicknamed by the locals as the Palazzo della Morte (Palace of Death). Nicoletta's mother was one of the women who died there under mysterious circumstances. All of the wives of all of the Scarletti men have died and the Scarletti family is said to be under a curse. Unfortunately for Nicoletta, Don Giovanni Scarletti has noticed her in spite of the villagers' efforts to keep her hidden and he invokes his rights of choosing a bride from the maidens who reside on his land. Will Nicoletta survive the Scarletti family curse? This book was a page turner.
Helpful Score: 1
I really loved this book! I always enjoy anything with secret passages and a man not afraid to be open about his feelings! Definitely a keeper!
Helpful Score: 1
Great book. Shelfkeeper. I like it so much I've re-read it a few times. Not an easy feat with 140+ in my TBR stack. It is not part of the Dark Series but future generations are. Strong, smart heroine. Great read.
Helpful Score: 1
Very good story. If you like Feehan, this is one of her older ones but I think she wrote this at her best.
Helpful Score: 1
A little different from Feehan's usual works. But interesting storyline with likeable characters.
Helpful Score: 1
Related to Christine Feehan's Dark Series and Leopard Series! I loved it.
Helpful Score: 1
As you read this one you forget it is a historical romance.
Helpful Score: 1
one of Feehan's better books!
This is a good example of Christine Feehan's work.
I love Christine Feehan's books . I have two of this one so am willing to let one go. All of her books are "keepers"
A very intriguing read again by Christine Feehan. Any fan of Miss Feehan's will only need to know it was by her hand this book was written. They will know it will be a most enjoyable book.
interesting tale
This was said to be the prequel to Dark Symphony. So I read it expecting to read about the curse that made them into shifters... not a word and if this was truly a prequel than I am sorry to say it was not a very good one. I love Christine Feehan's books and this one was ok but not what it was said to be. A better prequel to Dark symphony would have been the Lion's Lair (which was a good book too) So in short if your reading this to connect to the Dark symphony don't waste your time, if your reading it to enjoy one of Christine's books then you will enjoy.
Nicoletta, who has the gift of healing is forced to marry Don Scarletti, though she has sworn never to marry. However, she begins to care for the Don as she fulfills her healing nature and begins to heal the Scarletti curse.
OK, not as good as other Feehan books
Linda A. (Springfieldreader) reviewed The Scarletti Curse (Scarletti, Bk 1) on + 458 more book reviews
I love all of her books.
Very good story!
This is one of my favorite novels by Christine Feehan.
NOT A GOOD BOOK
THE BEAST
Strange, twisted carvings and hideous gargoyles adorned the palazzo of the great Scarletti family. But a still more fearful secret lurked within its storm-tossed turrets. For every bride who entered its forbidding walls was doomed to leave in a casket.
THE BRIDE
Mystical and unfettered, Nicoletta had no terror of ancient curses and no fear of marriageuntil she looked into the dark mesmerizing eyes of Don Scarletti. She had sworn no man would command her, had thought her gift of healing set her apart, but his was the right to choose a bride from among his people. And he had chosen her.
THE BARGAIN
Compelled by duty, drawn by desire, she gave her body into his keeping, and prayed the powerful, tormented don would be her heart's destiny, and not her soul's demise.
Strange, twisted carvings and hideous gargoyles adorned the palazzo of the great Scarletti family. But a still more fearful secret lurked within its storm-tossed turrets. For every bride who entered its forbidding walls was doomed to leave in a casket.
THE BRIDE
Mystical and unfettered, Nicoletta had no terror of ancient curses and no fear of marriageuntil she looked into the dark mesmerizing eyes of Don Scarletti. She had sworn no man would command her, had thought her gift of healing set her apart, but his was the right to choose a bride from among his people. And he had chosen her.
THE BARGAIN
Compelled by duty, drawn by desire, she gave her body into his keeping, and prayed the powerful, tormented don would be her heart's destiny, and not her soul's demise.
The Beast,The Bride,The Bargain-Compelled by duty,drawn by desire,she gave her body into his keeping,and prayed the powerful,tormented don would be her heart's destiny,and not her soul's demise.
Tracy C. (country-angel-89) reviewed The Scarletti Curse (Scarletti, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
The Beast
Strange, twisted carvings and heideous gargoyles adorned the palazzo of the great Scarletti family. But a still more fearful secret lurked within it's storm-tossed turrets. For every bride who entered its forbidding walls was doomed to leave in a casket.
The Bride
Mystical and unfettered, Nicoletta had no terror of ancient curses and no fear of marriage...until she looked into the dark, mesmerizing eyes of Don Scarletti. She had sworn no man would command her, had thought her gift of healing set her apart, but his was the right to choose a bride from among his people. And he had chosen her.
The Bargain
Compelled by duty, drawn by desire, she gave her body into his keeping, and prayed the powerful, tormented don would be her heart's destiny, and not her soul's demise.
Strange, twisted carvings and heideous gargoyles adorned the palazzo of the great Scarletti family. But a still more fearful secret lurked within it's storm-tossed turrets. For every bride who entered its forbidding walls was doomed to leave in a casket.
The Bride
Mystical and unfettered, Nicoletta had no terror of ancient curses and no fear of marriage...until she looked into the dark, mesmerizing eyes of Don Scarletti. She had sworn no man would command her, had thought her gift of healing set her apart, but his was the right to choose a bride from among his people. And he had chosen her.
The Bargain
Compelled by duty, drawn by desire, she gave her body into his keeping, and prayed the powerful, tormented don would be her heart's destiny, and not her soul's demise.
