Every now and then, a book comes along that completely resets your expectations and Graceless Heart did exactly that. I picked it up because of the stunning cover and all the buzz I’d been hearing about the author, and what I found inside? A story that fully captured my attention and ended up being one of my favorite reads of the year.

It’s a historical fantasy, which usually isn’t my comfort zone but this book handled the genre so beautifully. The historical elements were clearly well-researched, but they didn’t weigh the story down or feel overly academic. Instead, they added depth to a plot that was already rich with emotion, tension, and twists I never saw coming.

The story follows Ravenna, who enters a high-stakes competition to save her brother, only to find herself caught in a strange and eerie family’s web of secrets and manipulation. That family dynamic is what pulled me in at first. It gave off serious Interview with the Vampire and Bury Our Bones energy, gothic, unsettling, and completely addictive.

What really made this stand out to me is how it avoids so many of the tired fantasy tropes. There’s no overdone war drama, no cookie-cutter plotlines. Instead, there’s intricate political intrigue, strong character work, and a romance that’s slow-burn and meaningful, not just smut for the sake of it.

And the POVs? So well done. Ravenna drives most of the story, but we get short glimpses into other characters’ perspectives that add just the right amount of tension and insight without dragging the pace.

If you’re looking for something fresh, original, and genuinely gripping, Graceless Heart is it. It’s thoughtful, atmospheric, and so smartly written. I’m officially obsessed and now I need more people to read it so we can scream about it together.

WOW. Graceless Heart was phenomenal. I felt like I was physically in Italy during the Renaissance while reading. Our FMC is Ravenna who is trying to win a competition in order to save her brother. However, she ends up being kidnapped. Saturnino, our MMC from the family who has kidnapped Ravenna volunteers to keep an eye on her. He is every bit of a vicious captor you'd expect him to be. Despite being utterly psychotic, there is that yearning/tension between them you can't deny. I absolutely loved every second of it. Giggling and kicking my feet.

Thank you so much St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books for the e-ARC!

Ever the mood reader, the book cover caught my attention. It’s gorgeous! I read the synopsis and was intrigued. However, upon reading the book I could not get hooked. I continued reading but I did not fall in love with it. I expected it to be an enemies to lovers renaissance but it focused more on the historical part of it. Points for the chapter titles being in Italian! That was a great touch! I did not find myself enjoying the various POVs. This book has a great premise but I don’t think it’s hitting the mark with character dialogue.

I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!

Once I started, I couldn't put this book down. The worldbuilding is excellent, and the characterization is sharp and on point for the time and era. It got a little difficult to follow the plot twists towards the end, but otherwise this was a very enjoyable read!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez will take readers into a gorgeously rendered vision of Renaissance Italy, where politics, religion, and magic entwine. The setting is, without a doubt, the crown jewel of this novel. Ibañez paints Florence and Volterra with lush, evocative detail, weaving in historical figures like the Medici, the Pope, and Leonardo da Vinci with flair. Her author's note was a highlight—it’s rare to see real history brought to life in such a compelling way.

The plot centers on Ravenna, a young woman with secret magic tied to powerful gemstones, and Saturnino, the man who kidnaps her for those abilities. Their romance didn’t quite sweep me away—particularly in the slower middle portion—but I appreciated the beginning and ending beats. Ibañez excels at crafting women who fight to claim power in a world that seeks to shrink them, and Ravenna is no exception. Still, I’d love to see a heroine someday whose arc isn’t sidetracked by romance.

The magic system, involving “nightflames” and gemstones, was unique and full of potential. I only wish we’d seen more of its depth. The shifting POV chapters added welcome tension and offered a wider view of the morally gray cast, which I loved.

While some moments felt repetitive, and the story itself remained fairly straightforward, Graceless Heart still delivered a rich and immersive experience. If you’re drawn to historical fantasy with light magic, layered politics, and vibrant worldbuilding, this one is well worth your time.

What I learned from the author's previous books: her stories are all vibes coming from historical settings. And if you loved The Secrets of the Nile duology, you will love this one too.

Graceless Heart is placed in Renaissance Italy - and the picture Ibañez is painting is so colorful and intriguing that I couldn't help but vibe along. In combination with her marvelous prose, this is already everything I needed from this book.

Add to it plots surrounding the Medici, the Pope and Leonardo da Vince - and I'm truly satisfied.

The MCs are Ravenna and Saturnino, the former with secret magic and kidnapped by the latter for her abilities. The romance is not what I came for, and it would not have made me stay. Both characters are likable enough, but the author's character descriptions and arcs have never been what hooked me in her books.

What hooked me again though, was her way of placing women who "should not be seen" in settings where they just aim to reach their goals despite society (aka patriarchy) wanting them to stay small. The only thing that can make them stray from their path are...well...men.
That said, I would love for the author to write a book where there's no male to distract them from their path. But that's just me.

I'm wholeheartedly recommending this book if you loved any of the above.

4/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the eARC!

#GracelessHeart #Italy #Netgalley #Bookstagram

I desperately wanted to love this but there was too much happening and not enough of it felt …. Properly explored?

There are about 5 big plot things happening that become a touch hard to follow before suddenly being neatly died up in a bow. I really wanted more from the world and the characters but it all rushes to an end and I didn’t really feel attached at any point, so it felt hard to be connected to anything.

Maybe some fine tuning to flesh it out before the final copy comes out to play?

Another amazing book from Isabel Ibanez ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved the Secrets of the Nile duology and I was very much looking forward to this book as well. Set in Renaissance era Florence? Forced proximity? Magic powers?! Count me in! I knew it was going to be a delicious read and sure enough it was! The characters were incredible from Ravenna, a witch who has to hide her powers, to the family de Luni full of secrets and power plays, to Ombretta the mischievous cat. I loved it all! There was a hint of enemies to lovers but it was very much a slow burn tension. There are also several chapters written from differing point of views that were not the main character, while normally I don’t love pov shifts it worked well to see into other characters minds. I am also really glad it was a standalone novel and it did not leave us on a cliffhanger. I was very worried when I was about 90 percent done and the book had not yet resolved, but thankfully everything worked out to be a happy ending. I really loved this book and cannot wait for Ibanez next book (which she has already been hinting is also a historical romance with some mystery).
Spice level- low
Favorite character- Ombretta the cat
Favorite part- the ending as it was satisfactory

I really enjoyed this romantasy!

I think this is my first time reading a book that was labeled as New Adult (officially—by the author I mean), and it did not disappoint!

The world was my favorite part of this book! It was Italian-inspired, and also inspired by true events that occurred during the late 15th century in Italy. It was neat to read the author’s note where she explained it all, and I appreciate how she used real people but made them compelling characters. I’d never read a historical fantasy that did that before now!

Speaking of the characters, I liked them a lot. My favorite chapters were those told from outside of Ravenna’s POV, I think because there were so many side characters who had their own motives and agendas throughout the story, so it was neat to be able to get see the big picture through their perspectives.

I liked the romance between our FMC and MMC, particularly at the beginning and the end of book. But I do think the middle, where they slowly fell in love with each other, could’ve been fleshed out a bit more. I still enjoyed reading about them as characters though.

The magic system with the gemstones was really cool as well! I wish that we got to see more of the magic throughout the story—I feel like we just scratched the surface in regards to seeing the potential good and bad that would come with such powerful stones. But ultimately, I liked how the nightflames connected to so many different characters in such big ways.


I would definitely recommend this book for someone who is looking for a romantic, historical, and emotional read! (Plus it’s a standalone novel!)


Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read the digital ARC!

The absolute shining star of this novel is the setting! Isabel Ibañez never fails to create such an immersive atmosphere and setting, and it is very evident that she put in the work to transport us readers right into Renaissance Italy. The visuals are stunning, and the details were painted in such specific, visceral ways. Another major strength was the political/religious element. The politics within and with the church, as well as within the various families (many of whom are true historical figures), was so intriguing and made for a riveting chain of events.

The story itself was actually quite straightforward, as was the magic system. It definitely is a book that feels lightly magical and heavily historical/political, but the magic itself is intriguing when utilized (and there is a certain reveal that was SO interesting and caught me off guard). The characters themselves were also pretty easy to understand. Almost every main/supporting character in this novel, aside from the FMC, is morally complex or dubious, which made for a compelling dynamic. There are also these really cool chapters with distinct changes in POV that created this super neat element of mystery, and I found myself looking forward to the next one. The MMC himself was also nice and complex character that was both broody yet tender, and it worked well with Ravenna's ferocity and drive.

Some moments felt a little repetitive, and I wanted to see even more of the magic and the magical world outside of Florence/Volterra, but I was not distracted or put off by either of these details. There is a part of me that wishes this could have been a duology where we could see more of the world/magic and get to know some of the characters a bit better, but it definitely is a really engaging and intriguing standalone that transported me right into the heart of Renaissance Italy (and the last 25% had me absolutely hooked!).

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I'm excited for this story (and that GORGEOUS cover) to be out in the world so soon!

This magical story about magic, sculpture and immortals was a winner for me and I couldn’t put it down. I loved learning about the politics and history of the time period and the gorgeous Italian setting was perfect. The mfc Ravenna was a human girl who helped her family run their rural Italian inn and created sculpture in her leisure time. She was being taught by her aunt who was a beautiful sculptress, and loved Ravenna despite her magical talents. Most of the story took place in Florence during the Medici era, and there were a lot of politics discussed regarding the Roman Pope and the opposing Medici and friends. When it comes to the notice of the immortal Luni famiglia that Ravenna has magic inside her, they invent a sculpting contest and grant her the winner, before kidnapping her, and taking her to their villa in Florence. Throughout the book, Ravenna tries to complete the task. the family has set for her, and begins to develop feelings for the eldest immortal son. This book is romantic, historical, and magical. I loved the characters even the ones I loved to hate! Descriptions of the clothing and food and homes were so lush and opulent, and the different characters were all incredibly unique and interesting. isabel Ibanez outdid herself with this fantastic book. NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.

Ravenna Maffei is the eldest daughter in her family and a talented sculptress. She enters a competition to save her brother from the death sentence, which means she has to reveal her magical identity. Ravenna chooses one of her sculptures and adds a magical energy. Her talent makes her a target and she is kidnapped by the powerful Luni family, who take her to Florence.

At their estate, Ravenna is forced to perform an impossible task, which could cost her life. With no real choice, she obeys and begins working under the watchful eyes of Saturnino dei Luni, the eldest son and heir.

Ravenna’s magical abilities draw her closer to war between The Pope and the Medici in Florence and both sides seek to use her as a weapon.

As the war looms, Ravenna must choose whether to betray the person she loves or stand with the people of Florence.

This book is absolute magic, I’ve read all of Isabel Ibanez books, this one stands out as a true gem.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Isabel Ibanez, and Macmillan Publishers for the opportunity to read this book ahead of its release. This book was pure magic! It centers around Ravenna, a sculptress living in Renaissance Italy who enters a competition in order to save her brother. After competing, a chain of events is set off that leads Ravenna away from everything she knows and loves and allows her to find and accept her true self. She also learns about love along the way. This book was thoroughly enjoyable and I simply couldn't put it down! I have always loved fantasy, romance, historical fiction, and Italy as a novel setting and this book was the perfect blend of all of these things. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a standalone fantasy novel that will hook you from the very beginning!

First things first: that cover is absolutely beautiful. I loved the authors’ Secrets of the Nile duology so I had a feeling I’d feel similarly about her foray into an adult standalone. Normally I’m not too big of a fan of historical fiction stories but this novel didn’t even feel like it was one. Ibañez managed to seamlessly weave a fascinating original story with a dash of real history without boring me to tears. The main couple was enemies to lovers and she did suuuuch a great job with their tension and yearning. I was on the edge of my seat wondering when they would finally cross the line! Some of the plot points were a little bit predictable yet I was still shocked by the most major, the mystery surrounding the immortal Luni family. The magic system was original and exciting, although I would have loved to see more of the other types. There were also soooo many questions I had towards the end that were never resolved, and it felt as if the epilogue ended on a cliffhanger. I truly loved the experience of reading this novel, and even if it’s marketed as a standalone I really hope she continues to write in this universe. Five stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC!

I have been reading this book for awhile now and I unfortunately just can't get into it. The pace feels very slow and the story seems a bit all over the place. I'm hoping I'll come back to this one closer to release day but for now I am putting it down. Thank you so much St. Martin's Press for the arc!

I took a chance on this story because a goal of mine for this year was to read more in this genre. I am so happy I did. This story was fascinating, and I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Isabel crafted interesting characters, and the entire book had me invested. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Graceless Heart is a darkly romantic historical fantasy set in a dangerous version of Florence where power, immortality, and forbidden magic twist through every street. Isabel Ibañez introduces Ravenna Maffei, a sculptress with a secret, who is drawn into a deadly competition and forced to navigate a world where beauty and brutality walk hand in hand.

The worldbuilding is vivid and immersive, capturing the tension between the church’s war on magic and the immortal families who rule from the shadows. Ravenna is a strong and layered protagonist, and her dynamic with Saturnino dei Luni balances tension, mistrust, and slow-burning attraction. The plot moves at a solid pace, full of political games, high stakes, and emotional weight.

While I usually enjoy the magical elements in fantasy, I found myself wanting more from the way magic actually worked in this world. The fact that it was forbidden was clear, but I wanted to understand the why behind it, the structure of the system, and what made it so dangerous or powerful. That depth would have added another layer to an already intriguing story.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Saturday Books, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. This book blew me away.

Right from the start, the historical setting had me hooked. This time period is one of my absolute favorites, and I’m already a sucker for anything with history. You can tell the author did their homework, because all the historical details felt so natural, not forced or info-dumpy. Real history being worked into the plot *chef’s kiss*.

The story itself had me trying to piece everything together like solving a very tragic puzzle. As well as debating who to trust and taking the information to decide which side of the argument or team I was on. Just when I thought I had it, something would shift. Also, that ending?? I was quite literally biting my nails, then holding my breath, then letting out very audible gasps—all within seconds of each other. It was perfect how everything came together for the finale.

Don’t even get me started on the main character. I swear I saw myself in her. From her thoughts and fears to the way she looked at the world. Her doubts, desires, and sharp intelligence were portrayed perfectly. That connection had me feeling like I was right there beside her, feeling what she felt, which made the story hit even harder. And don’t even get me started on a certain male, who now has a piece of my heart.

I loved how the author included Italian and Latin throughout. My studies in college involve language right now, so seeing that mixed into the story made me weirdly happy, and it gave the book even more depth and authenticity. It also emphasized the cultural and historical significance of the setting in a way that just made the world come alive.

Fellow lovers of historical fiction, especially those with a taste for Italian history and a clever, resilient heroine, will not want to miss this one. Graceless Heart is 100% worth picking up.
(round of applause for Isabel Ibañez, who undoubtedly put so much heart and hard work into this piece of literature)

This book was really slow with not much plot and a lot of inner thoughts and poor character drive. I couldn’t seem to tell what direction the book was going and Ravenna just seemed absolutely clueless and so lost. I couldn’t tell which side she was on. Skimmed a lot as I lost interest in the book. I had high hopes with her talent and magic but that seemed lost in the plot too.

The setting of this story is absolutely beautiful — the descriptions of the architecture and scenery made me feel like I was in Italy. The world building is where this book really excels.
I was also immediately pulled in by the magic system. It was incredibly unique, and I was so excited to keep reading and find out more.

The characters & romance are unfortunately where I felt let down with the story. Most of the characters felt as if they didn’t have much depth to them, and there was no character development throughout the story. Similarly, the relationship between Saturnino & Revennna felt shallow and surface level.
There was a lot of repetition throughout the story, sometimes using the same word or phrase multiple times on the same page.

Despite my issues with the story, I would still recommend it and did like it — I just think it needs to be slightly more polished. There are still several more months before the book is published so it’s likely many of these issues will be fixed by the time it comes out!

Thank you to St Martins Press & Isabel Ibanez for the early copy of this book 🫶🏻
Pub date: 1/13/26