Stravaganza City of Secrets (Stravaganza)

by Mary Hoffman

When Matt is unexpectedly transported to the Scriptorium of Padavia (real-life Padua) University, he discovers he is a Stravagante who can travel through time using his talisman, a leather-bound book. Together with Luciano, now studying at the University, and Arianna, in disguise as a boy, he must fight the dangerous di Chimici clan who are on the verge of making a terrifying breakthrough into our world. A breathtaking and thrilling novel that will delight all Stravaganza fans.

• ISBN10: 0747592500
• ISBN13: 9780747592501
• Publish Date: 7 July 2008 (first published 1 July 2008)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 11 March 2021
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 400
• Language: English
• URL: http://bloomsbury.com/Trade/

Reviews

The Stravaganza Sequence is one of my favourite childhood series and while my ratings are influenced by nostalgia, this series is starting to go downhill. 

There are some aspects that keep me interested such as the di Chimici family and their plotting, the secret printing press and the persecution of groups practicing different religions (as well as its parallel to current events). Padavia is a charming city, but its exploration and the plot is repetitive and has been done before. 

At this point, I have a theory that the Stravaganza Sequence follows the story of Arianne and Luciano through the PoV of random side characters. The random side character in City of Secrets, Matt, is another boring and forgettable protagonist. The characters from previous books (with the exception of Sky and Alice) are likable so I enjoy their appearances in City of Secrets. Though, Enrico changing sides is odd because it doesn't seem to follow his character arc and is rather done for the sake of plot progression. 

There are a few aspects that are starting to bother me a little. This series revolves around time travelling to an alternate Renaissance Italy and though there has always been plot holes, they're becoming more noticeable. It's also weird that the science aspects are seeming more like magic such as using glamour to make Matt and Luciano look like each other and using the water from the swamp to douse the fire.

My review seems to point out the negatives more than the positives and while City of Secrets might be predictable and repetitive, it's still an entertaining and engrossing read.