What a breathtaking novel! I was particularly fond of the FMC Ravenna and her magic throughout the book, which was equally interesting to see her journey of acceptance of it.

While this is a fantasy-based historical novel, I didn’t find that the “history” section of it bothered me. It was also refreshing to see the amount of time and research went into crafting this novel - something that I rarely see in fantasy books now, so that was fun!

This was also a beautiful adult-debut novel! I’m curious if this will be a genre that Ibañez will continue with, or if she’ll dabble back and forth with YA.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this wonderful novel!

Isabel Ibanez is an author I’ve recently discovered. I have loved reading her books. This book was a slow burn in the beginning for me, but the second half was unputdownable. I really liked the setting with the Renaissance and I felt the author did a great job researching this time period.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Graceless Heart in exchange for my honest review.
Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez is a beautifully written, atmospheric fantasy romance steeped in Renaissance Italy’s art, politics, and danger. Ravenna Maffei is a sculptress whose rare magical gift is both her greatest asset and her deepest risk in a world where magic is forbidden. Her journey from Volterra to Florence is filled with intrigue, betrayal, and slow-burning tension, especially with Saturnino dei Luni, the enigmatic heir whose icy demeanor hides unexpected depth.
Ibañez crafts a vivid, immersive setting where every piazza, marble statue, and whispered secret feels alive. The romance is laced with tension and vulnerability, balancing the high stakes of survival with moments of quiet intimacy. With political intrigue, forbidden magic, and rich historical detail, Graceless Heart delivers a story as sharp as it is enchanting—a perfect read for fans of lush, romantic fantasy.

I have discovered my newest book boyfriend.

Now that I’ve hooked the BookTokers - Graceless Heart is a beautiful and timely commentary on the fact that those in power will often publicly decry certain types of people and objects while finding them incredibly useful in private. Being set in 1400s Florence makes spreading this message easy, as the conflict between Lorenzo de’ Medici and Pope Sixtus IV is relatively well-known and fertile ground for storytelling. Injecting fantasy into an already enchanting setting lends the tale an enthralling touch, heightening the stakes and enriching the love story threaded throughout.

Ravenna and Saturnino were the highlights of this story for me, as I’m sure they were meant to be (alongside the true star of this story, Ombretta, of course). Although I was a bit leery of their first encounters - I am not a fan of a woman falling for her captor when he holds power over her - Ibañez balances the scales just enough to let their love (and banter) blossom into something heart-wrenchingly beautiful. The desperate confession during the climax of the book had my eyes welling at work.

Ibañez has crafted another book rich with political intrigue, romance, and thrilling suspense. I can’t wait to reread it on release day (and force my friends to read it too!).

Loved loved LOVED it!!! Isabel Ibanez has cemented her place as an auto-buy author for me with Graceless Heart. Loved the tension and romance in this, and the renaissance Florence background was so fun! Pro-tip, watch Medici: Masters of Florence, it takes place around the same time and features some very important overlapping events.

I loved the atmospheric Italian renaissance setting. The world was vibrant and rich and the magic was so unique. I loved the cameos of real historical figures (hi da vinci) and the incorporation of sculpting into the magic system.

The romance was a classic enemies to lovers (which I love). I will say it felt a bit rushed towards the end, they went from enemies to being desperately in love a bit too fast for my personal taste.

But all in all a great book and what a gorgeous cover!

Thank you so much for the ARC of this book. This is the first book I've read from this author and was very excited after reading the synopsis. I really enjoyed how the book was set in "real" life, but has magic, it was fun to experience history but not. The main characters were well rounded and I enjoyed their relationship, however, the female main character definitely got on my nerves as I feel like she kept making some really bad decisions. I wanted more from the supporting characters as well, at first I felt like there could be a real "found family" bit with the other characters, but it just never delivered. Unfortunately, I nearly did not finish this book at about 70% through when you learn more about the characters and their back story - it was a bit too much for me and really took me out of the story. I do feel like this book had a ton of potential, but fell flat for me at the end.

This book was beautiful written with sumptuous descriptions. The world-building was impeccable. However, the pacing for the first 60% of the book was lacking.

Around the 60% mark, the book picked up significantly and I struggled to put it down. I tend to pick up twists long before they occur, but was caught unaware twice, which I love.

📖 ARC Review 📖

Summary:
A sculptress with a secret.
An immortal with a curse.
A pope bent on purifying the land.

In order to save her imprisoned brother, Ravenna must enter the sculpting competition occurring in her town. The problem? She’s a woman, and this is 1400s Italy. Desperate for the promised boon, she ignores all protests and outrage and enters for the chance to request his freedom.

What she does not know is that this one action will trigger a set of events that will change her life forever. Cue a brooding immortal who kills without remorse, a powerful family desperate to hide their secrets, and a pope willing to commit atrocities in the name of the greater good.

My Overall Thoughts:
This book had all the ingredients to be an incredible standalone: a heroine with a unique and refreshing talent, a historical setting featuring real life figures, a broody love interest with promises of an enemies to lovers story, a crystal based magic system, and a drool worthy cover. But what we actually got . . . left a lot to be desired.

I try not to rate books poorly because I genuinely respect the hard work that goes into writing. That said, I strongly feel this book just wasn’t ready yet. In its current state, I found myself struggling with multiple aspects. I’m talking plot holes, uneven pacing, flat character development, and a heroine that I could not get behind. I didn’t just have a hard time finishing it . . . I found myself kind of offended? 😅

However, if you enjoy historical fiction, light magic systems, damsels in distress, and YA tropes, this might STILL be your cup of tea. I just can’t say I recommend it.

My Rating: 2.75 ⭐️ (rounded up for netgalley and Goodreads systems)
Release date: January 13th 2026

Thank you to NetGalley and Saturday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was painful to write but you asked for honest feedback. 😬

What I Liked
💎 The Historical Setting! You can really tell the author did her homework here. The inclusion of real historical figures, vivid descriptions of Renaissance Italy, and references to actual events made the world feel rich and immersive. The wording and atmosphere placed you straight into a world filled with chaos, misogyny, witch hunts, and political corruption. I especially appreciated the author’s note at the end detailing what exactly was based in real history.
💎 The Clothing Descriptions! I’m usually not big on fashion in books, but the clothing descriptions in this one shined. Every time the author elaborated on the outfits, I found myself completely absorbed. It gave off total Ever After vibes, and I was here for it.
💎 Actual Enemies
So many books claim to be “enemies to lovers” when it’s really just mild annoyance to kissing. Not here. These two hate each other at the start and it's genuine. While the transition to lovers felt like a flipped switch, I still appreciated that they started as true enemies. No sugarcoating.

What I Didn’t Like
💎 The FMC. When I say I disliked her… I really could not stand her. She spent the entire book avoiding her powers, making horrible decisions, wasting time, and constantly needing to be rescued. By the end? I felt actual rage.
💎 The Plot Twists. The plot twists just didn’t work for me. Without giving spoilers, just know that with each new reveal I felt more frustrated with the storyline and the author lost me a little more. 😅
💎 The Villain. I love a good villain. But the Pope? He felt like a caricature, a cartoon bad guy with a curly mustache he twirls while monologuing. His dialogue was cringe worthy, and he lacked any real depth or menace.
💎 The Writing. Unfortunately, the author’s YA roots really showed. The dialogue and character mannerisms screamed young adult, despite this being marketed as more new adult/adult fantasy. Will this bother everyone? Absolutely not. . . but it did bother me.

Magic, art, religious treachery, oh my! Sculpture Ravenna tries to rescue her brother but finds herself in the middle of a feud between the Medici family and the pope. Stakes are high on both sides with each party trying to use her to unlock a magical stone with her sculpting and magical abilities. Meanwhile, heartless Saturnino seems to both sabotage and support her in her quests, though she can’t truly trust him given his alliance with the Medici’s. As both sides try to use her, Ravenna must navigate the best course to save herself and her family.

This book is a historical fantasy based on historic Italy during the renaissance. The setting is a rich combination of this setting combined with divine magic. The lush descriptions of the art and setting are truly immersive. and I could picture what Ravenna experienced. Saturnino was also an interesting character, and there were a few great twists I didn’t expect!

I did find that this book tried too hard. Between the romance, the magic, the sculpting, the political battle, and the role of the church, it was sometimes confusing the role of each, and I wish certain plot lines were more developed; primarily how magic works in this world. It felt fast paced but kind of jumbled. I found it too disorganized for my taste.

Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez is a beautifully written historical fantasy set in Renaissance Italy. I really enjoyed following Ravenna, a talented sculptress hiding her magic in a world where it’s outlawed. When her secret slips, she’s drawn into the politics of the immortal Luni family, especially their enigmatic heir, Saturnino.

The setting feels rich and real, and the mix of art, magic, and political tension kept me hooked. The romance builds slowly and naturally, adding just the right amount of spark without taking over the story. If you like immersive worlds, well written characters, and a good blend of intrigue and romance, this is a great pick. I can’t recommend it enough.

This was a pretty solid adult debut for Ibanez. I have to say, the magic stone aspect almost seemed unneccessary at points; just the intrigue of being caught in medieval Florence between the Medici, a possible fae family, and the Pope as a young Jewish sculptress would've been enough, honestly. The male romance object was fun enough to read. It's overall solidly constructed and the characters are real well created as well too. It just feels a bit unnecessarily maximalist at times. As a historical romantasy goes though, it's pretty solid.

I am going to focus on my favorite aspects of it. The setting: 15th century Europe and culture, The main character enters an intrigue, politics' game, she is pretty cool in the beginning. The idea that they all want to use her and her skills and underestimate her as a person.

Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez is a lush, romantic, and perilous fantasy steeped in art, magic, and betrayal. Ravenna Maffei, a gifted sculptress with a dangerous secret, risks everything to save her brother only to find herself trapped in Florence, a city where magic is outlawed and survival means navigating deadly games of power. Under the watch of Saturnino dei Luni, the immortal heir as captivating as he is ruthless, Ravenna is drawn into a high-stakes struggle that could decide the fate of the city itself. Ibañez’s vivid prose and rich historical-fantasy setting bring Renaissance Florence to life, blending political intrigue, forbidden romance, and the tension of a looming war. This is a sweeping, seductive tale where every alliance is dangerous, every choice could kill you, and beauty itself can be a weapon.

Dark and stormy Italian knight named Saturnino. (That should really sell the book all on its own) but here’s a little more. So swoon. So romance. In fact I was super suprised by how romance forward this book was and… I AM HERE FOR IT!! The writing is lovely, the setting textured, well researched, and intriguing, we root for our heroine and fall for our villain. Just like the “good girls” we are. Read. It. Holy crap read it.

POV - multi but mainly our FMC
World - historical fantasy via 15th century Italy
Magic - magic stones and witches/wizards but mention of Fae and Vampyers?
Brain Power - mid
💧Emotional Damage - a few tears were shed
Romance and Swoon - just full swoon from the moment we meet the tall dark “villain” and pretend like we hate him
🔥🔥🔥🔥- woah. Yes!! Wasnt sure there would be. Happy to report - yes.
Audio - since arc reading I didn’t listen but I’m assuming there will be one and it will be amazing and I might just have to reread via audio to get those Italian accents.
Kindle Unlimited - trad
Special Editions - the first edition is freaking stunning and I feel sure there will be more coming.

Over all ⭐️ Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Isabel Ibanez you genius. I love this book!!

DNF @22%

Listen guys I tried my best to brave the turbulent seas that is this book but I swear to the heavens above, if you put a gun at my head and told me to continue reading, I will tell you to pull the fucking trigger

Allow me to get into it.

Graceless Heart is a book about a female sculptress who enters a competition where she presents a stone statue in order to win a boon from one of the city's most powerful - and infamous - families. This boon was to save her brother. One of the side effects of receiving this boon is that she gets kidnapped by said infamous family. We started off decently, with Ravenna's motivations clear and the plot moving at a passable pace — it was slow, but I thought it was so because the author wanted us to acclimate to the world she crafted. I had expected it to get faster as more things start to happen, but to my dismay the pacing remained the same speed.

I can give leeway to meandering plots if the characterisations and relationship dynamics interest me, but this book failed to hook me in that regard too. Ravenna was likeable at first, but then she met the male lead and everything went to shit. She turned out to be a lot more stupid and generic than I thought. Saturino's entire personality is also just "emotionless" (but he quirks his eyebrow a lot) and "being a creep", which... forgive me for not finding that attractive. The interactions between Saturino and Ravenna were also entirely unimaginative and reminded me of literally every romantasy enemies-to-lovers dynamic ever.

I will say that the writing is detailed and vivid, but it's not enough for me to continue reading. Usually I'd give the book some more time before I DNF, but I felt like I gathered enough of the story and character to put this book down with confidence. My brain also refuses to read another word from this book, despite my valiant protests, so, yk.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC; all thoughts are my own. I hope other people have a better time because gods this nearly put me in a reading slump

I just finished readingthus. I had a very hard time putting it down. If you love fantasy, romance, and intrigue you will love this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Isabel for the ARC ♥️

This book is the reason why I enjoy historical fantasy.

✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Who Did This To You?
✨ Enemies-To-Lovers
✨ Political Intrigue
✨Witches, Wizards, Vampyres, Dark Magic
✨ Incredible Plot Twists
✨ Renaissance Art


First and foremost, this world is extremely well done. Isabel is so talented with her creative writing.
I loved the art through this whole story and the way history is weaved into it. Especially with the arrival of Leonardo De Vinci *fan girling at that part*

The witches and vampyres? Such cool elements to 15th century Italy.
The Pope — he gave me Claude Frollo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame vibes. He is so vile but I enjoyed his position in all the politics inside Florence. His greed for power with the magic and witches.
Ravenna — she is an amazing FMC. A girl who is headstrong in her wants and struggled so hard to be there for every person she loved. There was so much heartbreak ❤️‍🩹 I loved her determination and the sudden switch in beliefs.
Saturnino— oh my Saturnino, he was so cold and wicked and I didn’t know what would truly come about him until it finally connected and I loved the dialogue between him and Ravenna.

The love between FMC AND MMC …. Uhm I cried near the end. They’re what every girl wants. 😭😭 the plot twist that connected their relationship really pulled me because the ending I knew was going to shred me. It worked.

I took a star off the rating because of the dark magic elements. In the beginning, it was very intriguing but I feel like Ravenna’s inherited magic and the night flame gemstones got utterly lost within the plot twists and the romance. It seemed to have lost its purpose.
Perhaps I wanted to see her wield her dark magic a bit more intensely 🤪


Over all, this was absolutely wonderful story and I loved it all. It is gripping, enchanting, bloody, deceitful, and beautiful all at once. I definitely recommend reading this 📖

The atmosphere pulled me in right away, and the romance kept its edge from start to finish. Even with a slower beginning, the strong writing and vivid worldbuilding made it easy to stay invested. I liked that the banter felt natural and the chemistry between the leads never tipped into cliché. The mix of danger, politics, and magic gave the story real momentum once it hit its stride. A solid pick for anyone who likes their historical fantasy layered and character-driven.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's for an advanced copy!

2.5/5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Ravenna is responsible young woman who is dedicated to running her familys inn turning to keep her dark magic under wraps from the world. The book opens with her brother being help captive and locked in cage and so she enters a competition where she has to create a sculpture. If she wins she gets a boon. It was a very promising start and I thought it was heading in the right direction but the plot completely lost... the plot?

The whole thing with her winning and releasing of her brother and then suddenly being kidnapped. Also the work kidnapped is used so loosely in this. Because what do you mean her kidnapers are throwing her a ball in her honor? I did not like Ravennas' character at all, the man was literally threatening her every other minute but she can't help but me mesmerized by his good looks. Saturnino was a bore the only thing interesting about him was his name.

The romance was not romancing at all. Their relationship progression was very odd. Quite literally she was telling herself that she shouldnt trust this man and he was the devil incarnate and the next shes asking him if he has seen mermaids, telling him she liked roads and then spilling her deepest thoughts about her aunt and what could have been. Girl was distracted and did not seem to have her priorities straight. Also the big reveal about why she needed to do what they kidnapped her for was anti climatic.

PS. Sorry for being a hater but I had to give my honest review.