This is an odd book to consider. Mike Resnick is a sf writer of quite some renown who writes fast paced tales set against a galaxy wide empire. Art Encounters is a series of novels aimed at American High School students, each one telling a fictional story that features a famous artist and the creation of a masterpiece.

Seems an odd mix. It works though!

Leonardo da Vinci has been commissioned by his patron to paint a picture of his patron's mistress – and unfortunately for Leonardo she wants it painted holding her pet cat. Animals being animals though, this cat refuses to co-operate and keeps moving around, disturbing the lie of the woman's dress changing the way the light plays on the material and driving Leonardo to despair.

Following a particularly annoying session with his model, Leonardo notices a odd looking little creature, with legs jointed in a most bizarre way. For man as inquisitive as Leonardo this creature is something he simply has to examine.

Just after this the animal's owner, a man from the 26th Century who lost his pet on a time-travelling vacation, returns to retrieve the animal.

The only problem for the time-traveller (Mario Ravelli) Leonardo wants answers, answers that Mario cannot give. However the artist makes Mario an offer he cannot refuse. Leonardo offers the traveller the chance to stay with him during the period his Patron is away, and Mario accepts with certain conditions – that is that he will only answer certain of Leonardo's questions.

And so he spends a few weeks in the company of Leonardo experiencing Renaissance Italy, its sights, sounds and smells – living for a while without the comforts he is used to in the his own time.

This is one of the most easily readable books I've come across, and I suppose that, given that it is aimed at younger readers, this is understandable. But for that it is still a book that can be enjoyed by adults.

Resnick brings to life the character of Leonardo, takes the reader into the thought patterns of the man, and shows you his world. It's not the typical Resnick fare by any means, you'll encounter no spaceships, you will not leave Earth, and the only alien you will meet is a small furry ferret like creature Marion keeps as a pet.

But for all that the writing is most definitely Resnick. Of all the authors I read, this guy's prose is about the clearest and most comfortable to read that there is. This is a trait I most definitely admire in a writer. Too many times I have read a book where the story is obscured by overly decorative description.

And the good news is that the author is going to be writing other titles in the "Art Encounters" series. Now all I have to do is wait until they are released.