Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for an Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Set in Medici-ruled Florence, Medici Heist follows a group of young thieves who set out to rob the Medici Pope, Leo X, of his fortune. The descriptions of the city were very well done – I could easily tell that the author put a lot of time and research into getting the feel of 1500s Florence right. I appreciated all the historical and political aspects of the Medici family and their broader impact on Florence, the church, and Italy as a whole.

While reading, I struggled to discern the characters from one another. Their personalities were all quite similar, along with their motivations for participating in the heist against the Pope. The romantic elements of the story felt forced, and I often wondered why certain side characters were cropping up when and where they did. Sometimes, they felt more like plot devices than anything else.

Each of the main characters would have benefited from being fleshed out further. One of the main reasons they believed the heist could be pulled off was due to the engineering talents of Sarra – yet the reader never sees her actually engineer or create anything.

Overall, an intriguing and seemingly high-stakes premise that ultimately fell flat for me.

I love a good heist story, and the setting of early 1500s Italy sealed the deal with this novel.

Rosa was wronged by the corrupt Medici family and has spent the past six years plotting her revenge. She can’t pull off her plan alone, so when she returns to Florence she recruits a team to help her. The team includes a tinkerer, a master of disguise, a fighter – and Michelangelo. Yes, the one and only.

This author knows how to set a scene, and the descriptions of sixteenth century Italy paint a beautiful picture. It’s easy to imagine these characters moving about the streets of Florence as they lay the building blocks of Rosa’s plan. As a devoted fan of snark, I certainly enjoyed some of the quips between these characters and laughed out loud more than once. With four different POVs, the story is told in alternating chapters. I liked how Rosa recruits each team member and the way each of their backstories is gradually revealed, with some tugging at my heartstrings. The story moves at a breakneck pace near the end as Rosa’s meticulously constructed heist encounters roadblocks, and the characters’ fates are uncertain. The ending plays out like an Ocean’s movie as actions the reader might not have picked up on are divulged – it left me with a smile on my face.

While I enjoyed the strong found family vibe, the four main characters weren’t as distinct as I’d hoped. I listened to the audiobook and unless the character’s name was mentioned, I wasn’t always clear whose POV chapter I was in. Still, it’s an exciting story.

Recommended for readers who enjoy David vs. Goliath-type stories, found family, and intricate heist plots.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As soon as I heard about this book - a historical based heist novel - I was like 'yes, please'. So big thanks to Net Galley and the publisher (Feiwel & Friends) for the chance to read this ARC.

This book is so much fun! It's a fun, fast paced read with such enjoyable characters. I love the way things just keep going, it's not a peril-filled book, but it is fast-paced. To be honest, it's one of the few books I've read this year that I was fully confident reading just before bed because I trusted the author very quickly to not fill the book with unpleasantness.

The heist story is fun and I definitely feel some Leverage in it. (Which is all for the good for me as I love that show.) Things don't go smoothly, of course, but our mastermind Rosa is well up to the task.

For as much as I love the historical - which it plays super fast and loose with - heist aspects of this book, I am a character reader and that's were so much of my love for this book goes.

The characters each have their own personalities and they play off of each other wonderfully - and I adore the way you could tell they obviously like each other. A lot of times when I read ensemble cast books, even the ones that are supposedly all about the 'friendship' or 'found family' vibe, I don't get a real feel that there is a tight knit group.

In this book, though, right away, they like each other and you can tell. There's no pettiness, no backstabbing, maybe some needling and arguing, because friends don't let friends do stupid things. (And friends always know where to poke to hurt the most.)

Because this is an ensemble, I was very pleased - and somewhat shocked - to find out that everyone has a story. I'm not used to the level of fairness that this book has with the plot. Each of our narrators has something else going on, has things that tie into the heist plot. And you get to find out a lot about them and their pasts and I just really appreciate the fact that this isn't an 'ensemble' with one or two obviously main characters, two secondary characters and one or two people that are always forgotten and you pretty much don't know why the author even created them. Everyone has a story and everyone is important to the heist.

I'm honestly super glad I requested this book from Net Galley because the lower Goodreads reviews - and a lot of them talking about how lacking the characters are - would have probably caused me to give the book a pass. And the fact is, yes, the book isn't a deep, thoughtful, navel-gaze-y, what is the meaning of the world type book. (I don't like those type of books, anyway.) But what it is is fun with a cast of characters that I truly loved spending time with and a snappy story and writing style that does bear out the authors screenplay roots.

(And, honestly, I would LOVE to see this as a movie. That would be so awesome!)

This book had so much going for it. Renaissance Italy, a heist, found family, rich in history. I was so ready to fall head over heels in love with it but sadly my feelings are only lukewarm.

The POVs jump around a lot and I struggled to keep them straight. I also found that there is too much telling instead of showing with the writing style.

I did like the characters but I wanted more of them as people instead of their factual backstory. I feel like I didn’t connect with them enough.

I was hoping for THE GILDED WOLVES or SIX OF CROWS meets Oceans 11 but sadly, I only got a fraction of that.

Good but not great. I would try this author again because I did love the premise of this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

A fantastically FUN romp of a YA heist, with plenty of pining and the best kind of angst! I loved the way the heist was written--that's really difficult to pull off! Heists are notoriously easier on screen, but Schneiderhan does a great job. The banter/language is more modern than the setting, but that didn't pull me out of the narrative. The setting is so incredibly vivid. I wanted to leap through the pages!

Medici Heist will make a wonderful movie. It’s full of fast action scenes, cinematic descriptions, a relatively short timeline, and diverse characters. Usually, that would be a good thing. But the medium of a novel didn’t match the story. Scenes that would’ve felt incredible were they filmed felt choppy and distorted written down. Character descriptions that would’ve been amazing notes for an actor to bring to life instead fell flat. Whip-smart dialogue that would’ve been hilarious to hear on screen ended up feeling repetitive without vocal tonal shifts. As you might’ve guessed, my main issues with this novel were the writing and the characters.

First, there were too many repetitive characters. One thing you’re taught as a writer is to cut/combine characters whenever possible. If two characters have the same skill set, it’s okay to make them into one person. Sarra and Rosa were essentially the same person with different skills and the book would’ve been better had they actually been one person. Most of the interpersonal conflicts they dealt with could have easily been simplified into one storyline instead of two separate arcs that weren’t needed and slowed down the pacing. The author didn’t spend enough time developing them as separate people, so I was bored every time I read from their perspective.

As for Giacomo and Khalid, they got more character development, but not enough. Readers could’ve used more time getting to know their individual backstories and motivations instead of a few flashbacks. Again, this book will work well as a movie. Every written scene would be more powerful on screen with more than words to bring it to life because the words alone weren’t enough to transport me into the characters’ minds. To me, flashbacks serve a purpose when they’re charged with emotional resonance. Here, there were a ton of flashbacks that showed an event rather than making the audience feel it.

That brings me to my next issue: writing. Medici Heist would make an excellent blueprint for a film, yet as a novel, I grew bored. It was like reading the black-and-white outline of what the story should be: the color hadn’t been filled in, nor had the depth or emotion. The author spent more time describing the architecture than she did developing her characters’ emotions and thoughts, leaving readers feeling like spectators rather than immersed participants.

Even the plot structure was set up like a movie instead of a novel. There were training montages (literally), scenes of scheming that needed flashy transition music, and a storyline that followed the three-act structure down to a T. Every twist was obvious because it was foreshadowed the way you would foreshadow something on screen—flashy dialogue and dramatic threats meant to grow suspense rather than to plant the seeds of a possible twist.

Don’t get me wrong, the plot was amazing. It was easy to follow without being boring, and though I took significantly longer to finish the novel than I usually do, I always remembered what was going on because the characters would refer back to past events. The historical setting was fun without being overdone and the pacing was perfect. Whenever Medici Heist becomes a movie, I will be first in line to see it. But until that day, the story left me hoping for more.

An engaging heist story set amidst the backdrop of Medici Florence. Filled with historical detail and peppered with real historical figures. The exciting plot to steal from the Medici keeps the story moving, but it is the engaging characters, who you really come to care deeply for, that make this a must read!

The only thing harder than pulling off a good heist....is writing one this well. Though the first 40% is slow (though still enjoyable and necessary to set up the rest), this heist set in renaissance Italy hit every story-beat, closed every character arc, and had me squealing at the conclusion (no spoilers). From her distinct and flawed characters to the minor twists that kept me guessing, Schneiderhan did so much right that I could forgive a few missed opportunities to explore the beautiful setting.

If you enjoyed Six of Crows and are intrigued by teenager stealing from corrupt clergymen (ie THE POPE)...this is your next favorite read. Highly recommend.

I love a good heist story with an ensemble cast. The historical setting of 14th century Florence, in which a group of thieves develop a scheme to rob the powerful Medici family. The rewards are twofold: eye-watering wealth and revenge against the family which has overthrown the Florentine Republic and taken control of the Catholic church.

The story was engaging enough, if a little unevenly paced. The actual heist doesn't begin until two thirds of the way into the book. Much of the planning and preparation happens off page, leaving the first two thirds of the book to develop the backstories of the heist crew's main figures: Rosa the mastermind, Sarra the Tinkerer, Khalid the muscle, and Giacomo the conman. I would classify this book more as a political drama, as the simmering unrest in Florence takes larger focus than the heist itself. The heist itself also comes across as a more elaborate magician's trick than a slickly satisfying plot in an Oceans film.

Even so, this was enjoyable enough.

This book was everything for me. A thrilling heist story, complete with a stunning setting and delightful nods to history and art. The cast of characters (because every heist story needs a large, well developed crew) was fantastic, each having their own backstory and believable goals. I was completely sucked in, rooting for them and waiting for the inevitable catastrophe-turned-twist (because again, it's what every heist story needs). Even knowing the twist was coming, I was second guessing myself and going back to previous chapters to see what I might have missed. I was truly along for the ride with this one and I want a billion more. I don't care if it was maybe a bit predictable - again, it's a heist story - and a well done one at that.

Thanks for the e-ARC! I have links here on NetGalley to my Goodreads and Storygraph reviews for this title, and I will review on Amazon when it's published.

The year is 1517, and the Medici family has a stranglehold on the city of Florence. Though not everyone agrees with the Medici family’s choices, their money, power, and influence keep them on top. When an industrious youth learns of a chink in the Medici family’s armor, though, she begins to bring together a team of like-minded comrades to develop a plan. Their ultimate goal is to infiltrate the Medici family’s stronghold to recover their ill-gotten money and unseat them for good. But there is no easy way to accomplish their mission, and they must capitalize upon each of their unique strengths in order to have any chance of success.

This engaging story is captivatingly written, incorporating a wealth of details within its distinctly written narrative. The story is told from the perspectives of several characters in the third person, which allows readers to directly understand each character’s drive and ambition. Though young, the characters in this novel have lived complicated lives, and they each have a compelling reason to want their heist to succeed. Clever dialogue, LGBTQIA+ elements, and what diversity might have been possible in 1500s Italy all help to create a robust tapestry within which this novel can take place.

While this fictional novel reads as a story written for young adults, its historical components are well-researched and blend well with the narrative. After the novel’s conclusion, readers will be inspired to discover more about Italy in the 1500s to understand exactly where the line between fiction and reality can truly be found. Some liberties are taken, of course, but it is intriguing to wonder about whether something like the events in this book might have ever taken place. Though there are moments of slowness as the heist is being developed, the story ultimately keeps readers engaged, and the novel is left open for a potential sequel. Well-written and filled with depth, this story will appeal to readers who enjoy young adult novels with a touch of history, adventure, romance, and rebellion.

This was a fun and interesting book to read, but I wasn’t the biggest fan of the main characters. There was also a lot of info dumping in this one, but I did like the heist aspect. Maybe would have liked this more when I was younger!

This is an interesting heist story that almost reads more like a screenplay than a novel. Given the author's background, I could easily see this translated into a TV show or movie. Unfortunately, as entertaining as this story is, it does make it harder to read. I had a hard time at first differentiating the characters from one another. While we do get many points of view as the buildup to their plans goes on, allowing us a wide view of the situation as it develops, it makes the story feel disjointed and confusing. I felt like some of the more interesting characters didn't get as much screen time as I would have wanted, and it took longer to understand and like the more focused characters. Since the heist takes place in the second half of the story, it makes the book feel long as we wait for that climax and makes some parts in the middle feel boring. Maybe I'm too old these days, but these characters felt and acted too young to be able to even think of pulling off a plan of this magnitude. The story overall is well written, and I would recommend it to those looking for a historical standalone heist novel, but something about it didn't fully work for me.

I feel like this has warrior girl meets six of crows vibes and it was so good! I loved the characters and the banter between some of them!

Medici Heist plunges readers into the opulent yet dangerous world of Renaissance Florence in 1517, following the exploits of seventeen-year-old conwoman Rosa Cellini. Rosa arrives in Florence on the same day the Medici Pope, Leo X, returns, not by coincidence, but as part of her grand plan to reclaim the wealth extorted from the Florentine people.

Strengths:

Historical Setting: Schneiderhan vividly recreates the atmosphere of Renaissance Florence, immersing readers in its intricate details and historical backdrop. The setting is rich and colorful, adding depth to the narrative.
Unique Ensemble: The diverse team Rosa assembles—Sarra the tinkerer, Khalid the fighter, Giacomo the master of disguise, and even the reluctant Michelangelo—adds variety and interest to the story. Each character's unique skills and personalities contribute to the dynamics of the group.
Intriguing Premise: The idea of a heist during the Renaissance, targeting the powerful Medici Pope, is an original and compelling concept that immediately captures interest.
Weaknesses:

Pacing: The novel suffers from pacing issues, particularly in its middle sections. The story sometimes lags, making it difficult to maintain engagement throughout. A more streamlined narrative could have enhanced the reading experience.
Character Depth: While the characters are diverse and interesting, their development feels somewhat superficial. More in-depth exploration of their backgrounds and motivations would have made them more relatable and emotionally resonant.
Predictable Plot: Despite its intriguing premise, the plot unfolds in a rather predictable manner. The twists and turns are not as surprising as they could be, which diminishes the overall impact of the story.
Conclusion:

Medici Heist is a decent historical novel with a strong sense of place and an interesting cast of characters. However, its pacing issues and predictable plot prevent it from being truly exceptional. For readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of adventure and intrigue, it offers a worthwhile, if not outstanding, journey through Renaissance Florence.

This is a slow building thriller as young Rosa Cellini plans the most significant and dangerous con of her life with people she does not necessarily trust and who, in turn, do not trust her or each other. The author does a great job building the tension between these characters as she brings them toward their one uniting factor - desire to succeed against the mighty Medici family and their current leaders, Pope Leo X (née Giovanni de Medici) and his nephew Giulio, a Cardinal. While I appreciated the backstories of the main characters, they, at times, were significant distractions from the forward movement of the main plot. The author did tie it all together in the end, but it felt like it took a really long time to get there. I loved the work with the historical setting - the descriptions of clothing, smells, and sights brought the time alive. While this is a YA book due to the ages of the characters, it did not feel like a YA book in terms of themes - it leans much more heavily to the historical fiction genre, which was its strength.

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel and Friends, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this interesting thriller.

If you like historical fiction and six of crows, this book is for you.

Set in Florence during the time of the great artists, this book has political intrigue and a heist that keeps the readers hooked. With multiple POV from characters that are complex and well written, this book is perfect for anyone need their Crow fill (disclaimer, this is still historical fiction).

DNF AT 25%

I really tried with this one but I wasn't a huge fan of the characters, the plot moved quite slowly, and it really took a lot to engage me and I just wasn't having it unfortunately!

Thanks so much to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for a chance to read and review.

The book cover is a solid 4.5 star, and the second version of this book cover is an absolute 5 star. I always judge books based on covers, and I went into this thinking I'd finally love a heist book NOT written by Leigh Bardugo. Sadly, it is yet another mid book based around a heist, just like the past three I read. Maybe this trope isn't for me unless written by Leigh Bardugo. None of the characters had originality that separated them, so all these characters bled together into the same one-dimensional figure.

I was originally really interested in this book because I knew this was one of the screenwriters from Stranger Things. The plot seemed fun and intriguing- kind of Six of Crows-esque? Unfortunately, that wasn't at all what was going on here. I'm not even positive who this book was really written for? I can't see any young adults sticking around for the massive amount of 16th century Italy info-dumping that was going on. I barely hung in there as an adult reader. There were peeks of really fun plot points, but other than that, everything was flat. The characters had no personality (and were all strangely similar to each other? I had a hard time differentiating them) and it was overall hard to keep reading. Good idea, not so good execution.