The Royal Pawn of Venice

'The Royal Pawn of Venice' is a historical fiction novel by Mrs. Lawrence Turnbull that tells the story of Caterina Cornaro, the last queen of Cyprus. Through her marriage to James II of Cyprus, Caterina ascended to the throne of Cyprus and witnessed the end of the Lusignan dynasty and the takeover of the island by the Republic of Venice. While the book follows historical events, it takes some liberties, including referring to Cornaro's husband as Janus rather than James. Nonetheless, the book does an excellent job of bringing to life the court of Caterina Cornaro and the period of history marked by the transition to Venetian rule, making it a must-read for history enthusiasts.