As a History Professor, I was excited for the idea behind this book. It had some good points but overall, I did not feel the writing was on par with what young adults would be interested in. I think it's a nice one time read; however, I do not believe that it is a book I could read again.

I try to take into account that I am not within YA’s target audience (age wise) anymore when I read this category. But at risk of sounding a bit harsh, everything about this book is mediocre. It’s not that bad in terms of prose or characters or plot, but something about it is incredibly boring to read. It’s the kind of book you pick up and repeatedly think to yourself: “There are much better YA heist stories out there I could be reading right now.” I won’t list titles to compare because I think that would be a bit unfair to do, but this is really the feeling you’re left with.

Medici Heist follows Rosa’s return to the city state of Florence in the year 1517, six years after she originally left the city. Pope Leo X, also known as Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici, returns to the city after his exile on the same day. Thus begins our heist story. Rosa gathers her old friends Sarra, Agata, and Giacomo, as well as newcomers Khalid and Michelangelo (yes, the very one you are thinking of) to assist her with stealing indulgences from the Pope.

The cast of characters and the dialogue are easily the strongest things about this story. Are they breaking any molds? No, but they’re serviceable. A few more rounds of polish and they might begin to really stand up on their own instead of falling a bit more into the trope-y side of camp. I had no idea that Schneiderhan was a writer for the latest season of Stranger Things until after I had received the ARC, but I think it’s very apparent that she is used to screenwriting. This can be a strength as much as it can be a weakness – the dialogue is a bit clunky, but like I said, it’s the strongest thing Medici Heist has going for it.

The biggest issue this story faces is that it felt as though the stakes were truly nonexistent. I think a major problem comes from starting the book off with a little girl character who isn’t a POV. I can understand wanting to set the correct tone for your book, and maybe chapter one wouldn’t have accomplished that in a way you would’ve liked, but opening up with a non-POV character can be extremely confusing and jarring to the reader. There’s a certain way you have to navigate that sort of decision and I feel like it was done poorly. I really had no idea she was even a small child (though we were given very weird, confusing hints at it I suppose) until towards the end of the chapter/Rosa’s POV.

I’m not sure how you would go about fixing the stakes to make the heist seem extremely vital/serious way earlier on, but I think this book is genuinely suffering because of it. It’s hard to care about any of the characters as it stands because it feels like nothing is really riding on them successfully stealing the indulgences. Sure, the Medici family rule Florence with an iron fist and that sucks, but we need established personal connections within the first couple of chapters as to why this is so important. We need more than just a vague, “People are unhappy the Medici family are back and posting flyers around town about Florence being a republic.” Especially when nothing in any of these characters' lives would have changed from the Medici family coming back. They would still be involved in the criminal circles they’re in, would still be going about their day to day lives just fine, etc. No one besides Michelangelo has a good enough reason to undermine the Medici power structure in Florence.

I think all of these things made me very unenthused with the book.

I loved the idea of the “Medici Heist” by Caitlin Schneiderhan, historical fiction set in Florence during the reign of Pope Leo X. It centers on an interesting premise, but unfortunately for me, the characters never came into focus and the plot to steal from the Medici was so convoluted that the story was hard to follow. When I read historical fiction, I am looking for rabbit holes for the author to lead me to, that I need to follow up and learn more about. That never happened. Maybe it is because I know quite a bit about this era, and have traveled to Florence more than once. While the setting and the premise captured me, the book never delivered. I wanted to quit starting about half way through, but I persevered. The ending (no spoilers) was disappointing. There were so many better ways that the story could have come to a conclusion that would have been more satisfactory. I also struggled to see this as a YA novel, maybe because the characters were all teenagers? I received a copy of this in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book had me with old time Florence, a heist, and a found family. All of these elements created a compelling story that captivates both lovers of historical settings and intricate heists.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for accepting my request for an ACR of this book!
3/5
“Very well,” she said. “Let’s rob the Medici family.”
This to me felt like an Italian version of Six of Crows. First off is the Pros, I love a good heist, this one was no different. The setting was a breath of fresh air, there aren't a lot of Italian based stories out there, and there should be more. Not to mention the time period and the fact that there was a corrupt Pope?! I loved the characters, and their personalities. Now for the cons, I had trouble keeping everyone's stories straight. I felt there was obviously more of a spotlight on some of the characters than the others. I also felt like the pacing was just a tad hard to follow.

This was a very enjoyable read! I think my favorite part of this book was the time period that this story takes place. I feel like this is somewhat of an under-explored period in this genre of books and it felt very fresh to me. I absolutely loved the characters and found the dialogue to be very funny (I actually snorted in parts). The heist itself was my favorite part of the story! Overall, a solid read.

I knew immediately from the first paragraph that the writing was not for me. The prose is heavily narrative and overly expositional. It was supposed to be a fast/high-action chapter, but it felt slow because it’s so narrative, even with its short length. I stopped after chapter 1 (2%). I’d guess it will be a three-star for the target audience, four to five for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the ARC.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I LOVE that is was set during this time period, there needs to be more historical YA that share Renaissance stories. It was definitely more heavy on the fiction than the historical, but that didn’t really detract from the overall plot. In terms of the heist part of the novel, I think it was very well thought out by the author. There were a lot of moments of “how are they going to pull this off?” I did however feel that it was WAY too reminiscent of Oceans Eleven. Like, there were too many plot points that matched up that it actually annoyed me a little bit that it was not more original in that sense. The characters were interesting, even if all of their stories dragged a bit in the middle. I particularly appreciated the relationships among the characters that were involved in the heist. Overall, if you like historical fiction and don’t mind it taking some liberties while also sharing a bit of a thriller plot, give this one a go.

Rosa put together a team to try to rob the wealthy and powerful Medici family in Florence. While the team seems like a random grouping of individuals (a tinkerer, an apothecary, an artist, an enforcer, and a grifter), they will come together with their particular skills to try to pull off one of the greatest heists in history. Will troubles in their personal lives ruin the heist?

This book did a good job of showing the political tensions that were happening in Florence in the 1500s. I always enjoy weaving actual people from history into the story. As a historian, I like seeing how other people imagine those historical people would have been. Personally, I’ve always found the Medici family interesting and the parts that intrigued me are in the book. They were a wealthy family that supported many of the famous Renaissance artists. They were also greedy and power hungry and they made sure to find a way to one of the most powerful offices of its time, the Papacy.

Reading this book almost felt like I was watching a heist movie. We were given glimpses and pieces of what the characters were doing but the plan wasn’t revealed until later. The hints and clues make it fun to try to figure out how they will pull it off. Near the end of the book, I kept wondering “how are they going to pull this off?” All I will say is that the ending was great and worth the read.

* Special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

★★★★★ - 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan
Standalone Book
༘Spoiler free ༘
⭐️4.5/5
Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Heist/Adventure
Multi POV
➳ Heist
➳ Found Family
➳ Renaissance Italy
➳ Corrupt Authority Figure
➳ Complex Relationships
➳ Mastermind FMC
➳ Band of Misfits
➳ Moral Grey-ness

✨ “There is nothing so ‘impossible’ in this world that God has to take it on himself. There are only things that very clever people have not done yet.“ ✨
Embarking on the journey within 'Medici Heist' thrusts readers into a riveting historical escapade, illustrating the ingenuity and steadfast determination of an unconventional crew under the cunning Rosa Cellini. Through the intricate manoeuvres of a daring heist against a corrupt Medici Pope, the narrative unveils unforeseen twists, spotlighting the boundless capabilities of sharp minds. With an endearing ensemble and a gratifying resolution, this narrative of found family and unwavering resilience emerges as an indelible exploration into historical intrigue, celebrating the victorious spirit of clever inventiveness.

📚📚📚

❧✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*❦*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧❧

In this gripping narrative, Caitlin Schneiderhan effortlessly blends the magnetic allure of historical intrigue with heart-pounding heist and adventure genres. Whether you're well-acquainted with the Italian Renaissance or stepping into its vibrant world for the first time, Schneiderhan guides you through this aesthetic setting. The story unfolds like a cinematic masterpiece, with characters' dialogue crafting vivid scenes in your mind. If you’re a fan of narratives filled with dynamic dialogue and sprinkled with the charm of witty banter, Medici Heist is written just for you.

Each character, as if painting their own story on the canvas of history, reveals layers of their past as the heist unfolds. These glimpses create an intimate connection, making it feel as if we've known these characters our entire lives. The narrative crafts an emotional journey, keeping us on edge, yearning for their unscathed escape. They all have their own distinct strengths, weaknesses, and undergo personal growth, painting an intricate mural of interconnected character arcs that captivate. Rosa, the mastermind, is irresistibly clever, and her diverse misfit crew adds depth to the narrative. Of the Narrators I found Rosa, Dominic and Khalid to be the most compelling.

The narrative unfolds, exploring themes of conquering challenges and achieving the seemingly impossible through human ingenuity and cleverness, rather than relying on divine intervention. Schneiderhan integrates these motifs, infusing depth and resonance into the characters' journeys. This exploration not only propels the plot forward but also forges a compelling connection between readers and the characters' resilient spirit to overcome corruption.

While adventure/heist books may experience pacing lulls, a brief dip near the middle is skillfully overcome by the characters and plot, culminating in a highly gratifying conclusion. For readers sensitive to pacing, please note that this slowdown is fleeting, with the story swiftly regaining its momentum.

The prose, a hidden maestro orchestrating the characters' clever banter and humor, elegantly complements the enthralling plot and character development. Its wit and humor not only enhance the narrative but also serve as the driving force behind the story's captivating rhythm. Overall, this read is a thrilling, captivating, and predominantly fast-paced delight. A must-read for enthusiasts of well-crafted heists or those intrigued by Italian Renaissance fantasy.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

💖
LIKES:
⋆ Suspenseful Heist
⋆ Dynamic Character Arcs
⋆ Historically Rich
⋆ Clever Dialogue & Humour

❤️‍🩹
DISLIKES:
⋆ I would have loved to see more of Agata

**Fantasy Scoring**
Worldbuilding ➷ ✅ 5/5
Foreshadowing ➷ ✅ 4/5
Plot ➷ ✅ 4.5/5
Relationships ➷ ✅ 4.5/5

Thank you to Caitlin Schneiderhan, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide my honest opinion on the ARC of this book.

I could not put this book down!! What a wonderfully written heist story. It kept me on my toes…nothing is as it seems. Just when you think you know what is happening, everything changes! The character development was great too. The story is told from several different view points and each of those characters overcame a flaw. Love, love, love this story!

I'm always glad to see more YA historical fiction, and Medici Heist offers a really fun take on a fascinating and under-explored time period. This is exactly the kind of book that teens will connect with--yes, it's historical and will appear to kids interested in history, but it also explores themes that are relevant to modern readers, all set against a thrilling heist and unique character voices.

While not a perfect read by any means, Medici Heist was a super fun read. It was somewhat reminiscent of Six of Crows, but the characters weren't quite as gripping. If you love historical fiction, multiple POV, and a fast paced plot, this one is for you!

Medici Heist is a well written novel. The author has an obvious grasp of story structure that deserves praise. She also created dimensional characters that reader will fall in love with.

I had a lot of fun reading this one. Rosa and her crew were a delight to follow. This heist set on that backdrop of Florence Italy will take you on a journey full of twists that our heroes must overcome. It's told in multiple POVs that I think worked well for the story.

This novel has plenty of complex relationships, intrigue, and romance. There are two romances and one of them was my favorite but the other one wasn't bad either.

If you're a fan of heist pick this one up! Out August 6th 2024

Thanks netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book has a lot of potential! I found it hard to get into at the beginning. Plus, there were a few too many characters to keep straight at first, and I found I wasn't super interested in getting to know them. I did enjoy the plot and the descriptions of the setting -- I felt like I was really there.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this book for review.

Loved this ! Classic heist movie vibes, very "I'm assembling a team" and "You son of a b*tch, I'm in".

Coupled with the aesthetic setting of the reign of the Medici pope, the found family, and the well developed ensemble cast, I am in.

Scratches the exact itch you want it to.

When I first saw this book in Netgalley, I was intrigued by it, since it fits within the genres I like to read (young adult and historical fiction). But, after getting a few chapters into the story, I found that I just couldn't get into the story, it wasn't holding my interest, and that unfortunately this book will have to go on my 'did not finish' pile. But, if you're looking for a good heist story, I'd definitely suggest giving this book a try.

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

This was a truly delightful read that I easily devoured. It felt like I was reading a movie, with nonstop action and daring, charismatic characters. The characters were definitely my favorite part of the story, especially with the alternating points of view. They each had their own strengths and weaknesses, with complex pasts and motivations. I do wish I could have gotten to know them a bit better, especially the characters that didn’t get their own point of view. As for the plot, it was as fun as the characters. I love a good heist, and even if there were cliches they were all in good fun. There was plenty of action, with clever twists and turns, to keep my on the edge of my seat. I do wish there had been some more calm moments with whole crew bonding, since most character interactions were one on one. But I still got a great found family vibe, and those one on one interactions were so well done. And of course I absolutely adored the setting of Medici Florence and its rich imagery. Overall, this is an amazing, exciting read and I highly recommend it.

Welcome to Florence, 1517, a world of intrigue, opulence, secrets, and murder. The Medici family rules the city from their seat of wealth, but the people of Florence remember the few decades they spent as a Republic, free from the Medicis and their puppet Pope, Leo X.

This was a really well-written and fun historical fiction piece. Rosa is an excellent protagonist and the world-building was great.