IL MORO (THE MOOR)

By Daphne Di Cinto

1529. There are three illegitimate men at the head of House Medici: Pope Clement VII, Alessandro de' Medici and Ippolito de' Medici. However, Alessandro is aware that he is the family's plan B. While his cousin Ippolito seems like the perfect option as the future leader of Florence, he carries around the stigma of being the "son of a slave". Unexpectedly, a decision from the Pope changes their destinies and pits the two cousins against each other. Alessandro, forced to question his place, roots and identity, discovers the truth about his parents. Will he be able to fend off Ippolito's attacks and demonstrate that his African origins can go hand in hand with being the first Duke of Florence?