Stravaganza: City of Flowers by Mary Hoffman

This is the third book in a wonderful fantasy trilogy which began with Stravaganza: City of Masks. Each book follows the adventure of a London teen drawn into the dangerous world of political intrigue and murder inTalia, a land that resembles Italy in the 1500's. In this book, Sky Meadows finds an antique perfume bottle, a talisman which turns him into a Stravagante, one of a select society who are able to travel back and forth between present day England and the imaginary Talia. The cast of characters is huge, but there is a family tree to help you keep everyone straight. I liked the parts of the story set in England, with the teens struggling with their own problems in addition to the feuds, poisonings, sword fights, etc. they are part of in Talia. A great series, although I found the beginning of this one slow going. Review by Stacy Church