A passionate love story. Historical fiction. Rags to riches. Musical interpretation. How best to describe this book? I was enthralled by Anna Maria della Pieta's passion for music and in particular, her all -consuming love for the violin. The book races along, taking in Anna Maria's upbringing in the orphanage by the nuns (of whom there seem to be only two or three), her music lessons with the real-life maestro composer, and her relationships and deep friendships with 2 other orphans in particular. Is her love for the violin and all-consuming desire to be the best violinist worth the hurt and pain it causes both her and her friends? And will she succeed in her life's ambition?

A beautifully written and well-constructed book, which takes the reader back into the world of 18th century Venice and in particular to the Ospedale della Pieta, the convent for orphan girls. Many of the girls were disfigured and disabled in some way, particularly after suffering small pox. Yet many of the girls formed a wonderful orchestra that performed in many spectacular settings; and some became muses and confidantes of Antonio Vivaldi. In the novel, Anna Maria is on "a mission to become Venice’s greatest violinist and composer, and in her remarkable world of colour and sound, it seems like nothing can stop her. But it is 1704 and she is, after all, a girl. The pursuit of her ambition will test everything she holds dear". The story grabs the reader's attention and suddenly I was immersed in this wonderful world of music, of unfortunate girls, of a passionate and compelling love for music and its performance.

I absolutely loved the book and am about to reread it as I found it such a wonderful book to read. Even if Italy, music or history are not what one enjoys most, the way this story is told is certain to grip the reader and have them longing to know what happened to Anna Maria and how she did indeed become a renowned and famous violinist.

With thanks to the publishers and to Netgalley for the ARC copy.

I did enjoy this book to start with, but unfortunately, I gave it up halfway through.  I think it was very skillfully written. The author put into words the beauty of music and captured Anna Maria passion for violin.

But I found the story too slow, and there were not enough events to keep my interest.
Definitely, this book will appeal to readers who like slow paced atmospheric historical fiction. Sadly, it just wasn't for me.

Anna Maria sees music as colours and this is her story. An orphan who becomes a maestro in eighteenth Century Venice.
A beautiful story and I couldn't put it down until I had finished it. The description of colours, sights and smells are all vivid and the tale is brilliant. Highly recommended.