In 15th-century Volterra, sculptress Ravenna Maffei enters a competition hosted by a secretive, immortal family who offer an invaluable boon to the victor. Desperate to win so she can save her brother, Ravenna reveals a rare magical talent--a dangerous act in a city where magic is forbidden. Her revelation makes her a target, and she is kidnapped by the Luni family and taken to Florence, a city of breathtaking beauty and cutthroat ambition.
There, Ravenna is forced into an impossible task where failure means certain death at the hands of Saturnino dei Luni, the family's enigmatic and merciless heir. But under his cold reserve hides a vulnerability that draws her closer than she ever intended.
Meanwhile, Ravenna's forbidden magic does not go unnoticed. The Pope, waging war against Florence, the Medici, and magic itself, has his own interest in her abilities, seeing her as a potential weapon in his ruthless campaign.
As alliances shift and war brews on the horizon, Ravenna must navigate the treacherous line between survival and betrayal, between love and duty. With time running out and her every move watched, the choices she makes will determine the fate of not just her own life, but the fragile balance of magic and power that could unravel Florence itself.
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I love historical fiction and fantasy, two of my favorite genres. I loved the way that the author combined the two genres. The cover and title are what drew me to the book first, and once I read the summary, I knew I had to check it out, and I’m glad I did. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, since Graceless Heart was the first book I had read by the author. It didn’t take me long to be captivated by the story. I loved the setting of this book, and the way Isabel described everything; I was transported while reading it. It was magical.
I did feel that there were parts where the pacing was slower, but it didn’t last for long. In general, I kept on reading without realizing how much time had passed. Graceless Heart is one of those books that you won’t forget. I finished it a couple of days ago, and I am still thinking about the story and the characters. You can tell how much research went into this book, based on the historical details throughout the book. Descriptions were my favorite parts of the book, flowing like poetry. I liked the characters, and you will find yourself caring for and connecting with most of them, even the ones you shouldn’t.
At first, I wasn’t sure about Saturnino. I didn’t like him, and I didn’t blame Ravenna for not liking him either. However, I knew that’s how he was supposed to be. He had characteristics that gave you a feeling that you could grow to like him. I liked the way that the relationship between Ravenna and Saturnino grew through the book. Each interaction between the two of them had me wondering what is going to happen between the two of them next. I had read few historical fantasy books in the past, but this one has been my favorite so far. I’m excited to see what the author has in store for us next.
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