Bookseller Reviews
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A wonderful historical escape
As ever, Isabel Ibanez does a brilliant job of whisking you away to a different setting. I thought the weaving of magic was clever, the characters engaging... READ MORE
A beautiful blend of history and fantasy!
I enjoyed this book so much. The Italian setting, based in the 15th century, allowed for a beautiful story that felt so full of history. The magic found wi... READ MORE
“Why do you fear the magic inside you?”
“You are either helping me to get what I want, or you are standing in my way…Please do not make an enemy of me.”
Anyone else a huge fan of historical fa... READ MORE
Power, Passion and Politics!
Graceless Heart manages to blend court intrigue, magic and emotional tension into a beautiful historic romantasy. The story explores themes of identity, lo... READ MORE
Synopsis
An instant #1 Sunday Times bestseller!
'Richly imagined and full of heart' REBECCA ROSS
'A lush and dangerous story' MARY E. PEARSON
'A breathtaking blend of intricate magic, riveting intrigue, and hypnotic romance' AVA REID
A lush, atmospheric and achingly magical standalone adult fantasy romance set in Renaissance Italy from a #1 New York Times bestselling author.
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.
TROPES TO DIE FOR . . .
enemies-to-lovers
slow-burn
magic vs religion
political intrigue
EARLY READERS LOVE IT!
'The prose is lyrical, lush and inviting, the setting is unique and so engaging' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'If you only read one book in 2026 let it be this one' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Spellbinding! Bewitching!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'That tension? That yearning? The mistrust? Absolutely amazing' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I was on the edge of my seat multiple times, praying for a resolution' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publisher information
- Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
- ISBN: 9781399742689
- Number of pages: 496
- Dimensions: 236 x 158 x 46 mm
- Weight: 780g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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This was beautifully written and the start really hooked me.
Ravenna and Saturnino are great together and the tension at the start was brilliant.
Th... READ MORE
An instant favorite!
Thank you so much Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape for the arc! It’s mid-October and this book might be my favorite this year, I’m totally obsessed!
"Yo... READ MORE
Historical Fiction done right!
Thank you Hodderscape for this ARC for review!
4⭐️| OUT January 13th 2026
Oh my goodness what a ride this book was!
Firstly can I just start with ... READ MORE
Fascinating history
I was impressed with the historical detail of this novel. This is my third book from the author and she writes fantastic historical novels with strong fema... READ MORE
Little disappointed
Thank you, Hodder & Stoughton Publisher for opportunity to review Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez.
I will say this book is very hard to review because ... READ MORE
Fantasy set in Renaissance Italy
Set in a richly imagined Renaissance Italy, Graceless Heart follows sculptress Ravenna Maffei. After revealing her forbidden magical powers to save her bro... READ MORE
Lush Renaissance fantasy with unrealised potential
3.5 stars
Set in 15th-century Italy, Graceless Heart offers a richly imagined blend of history, magic, and political intrigue. The Renaissance setting i... READ MORE
Beautiful in every sense of the word!
Graceless Heart is one of my favourite books that I’ve ever read. I thought it was absolutely beautiful. The world building was gorgeous. The cover art is ... READ MORE
If you only read one book in 2026 let it be this one
*I received an ARC via Netgalley*
Everything about it was perfect, the characters, the world building. I was hooked from the first chapter. The world buil... READ MORE
Such a beautiful book brimming with Florentine vibes!
I was definitely sold on this when I saw that it was Italian Renaissance set, but didn’t expect it to be so historically inspired! Anyone who’s been to Flo... READ MORE
Yearning, political intrigue and a captivating plot!
This is a beautifully written, enchanting historical fantasy. Ibañez has created excellent characters and a plot line that will keep you on the edge of you... READ MORE
An enthralling tale
4.5 stars rounded up
I have been meaning to read Isabel Ibañez’s books for quite a while, seeing the praise received by her Secrets of the Nile duology,... READ MORE
Renaissance Italy meets fantasy romance
I was intrigued to read Graceless Heart based on the concept of an adult fantasy romance set against the backdrop of Renaissance Italy. It was refreshing t... READ MORE
Too ambitious
3 stars
Content warning: death, murder, kidnapping, entrapment, religious warfare and indoctrination, injury detail, blood and gore
Thank you to the au... READ MORE
Entertaining with an Unusual Premise
This is a standalone romantasy from an author that I have enjoyed reading in the past. It's set in 15th century Florence (for the most part) and features a... READ MORE
Original
I really enjoyed Graceless Heart.
The story felt fresh and original, especially the way art, magic, and history were woven together.
I felt the pacing ... READ MORE
An evocative fantasy in the Renaissance
Graceless Heart was one of my most anticipated releases of this year. The Renaissance setting, just for itself, made this book already a winner and, writte... READ MORE
Breathtakingly Magical
Graceless Heart follows Ravenna, a sculptress who is whisked away to complete an impossible task, only to find that there's more to this family than meets ... READ MORE
Not Good Enough
Big Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the Publisher for the advanced copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this revi... READ MORE
Immersive
Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibanez is an immersive historical fantasy which blends 15th-century Italy with witchcraft, magical stones and romance. I really e... READ MORE
Stone and Shadow in Florence
Graceless Heart is set in Renaissance Italy and follows Ravenna, a sculptress whose forbidden magic is exposed when she saves her brother, forcing her into... READ MORE
The writing really leans into the beauty and atmosphere of Renaissance Italy
No one’s more disappointed than me that I didn’t really enjoy this.
I’m a huge fan of Isabel’s Secrets of the Nile duology, so I was genuinely thrilled ... READ MORE
A fantasy, historical romance definitely worth reading!
Firstly, I loved the world that Isabel Ibanez has created within this story.
The plot is fast paced with a well fleshed out FMC and side characters that m... READ MORE
absolutely beautiful
graceless heart is a magical and atmospheric standalone adult fantasy romance. it follows sculptress Ravenna Maffei as she enters a competition to save her... READ MORE
Fun at Times, but Nothing New
It’s hard for me to review this book, because I actually had a decent time reading it, and I enjoyed it more than most titles of a similar kind. Yet at the... READ MORE
Not what I expected
“I’ve always thought villains are misunderstood.”
Graceless Heart wasn’t what I expected it would be, and it, without any doubt, influenced how it read ... READ MORE
Historical fantasy based on real life cultural references plus magic!
The gorgeous cover and blurb immediately drew me in and is an ambitious attempt for an adult debut novel Isabel Ibañez. The novel leans into historical‑ins... READ MORE
A lush and atmospheric recreation of medieval Italy
'Graceless Heart' is advertised as Isabel Ibañez’s first foray into adult fiction having previously written YA fantasy/romance novels. I’m not sure that th... READ MORE
Beautiful Historical Romance
I really enjoyed this book, but did find myself struggling a bit till the 30% mark then I couldn't put it down.
The competition didn't do it for me, but... READ MORE
Renaissance Fantasy Mastery - this tale is a work of art!
I love a book that keeps me guessing and on the edge of my seat as it pulls off the perfect poker face, giving nothing away. Heartless Grace’s plot-poker ... READ MORE
Review
An alternative Italian Renaissance world with a unique magic system!
We follow Ravenna, an inn-keeper and sculptress as she enters a sculpture competiti... READ MORE
An immersive magical renaissance italy
This book novel promised everything younger me adored, fae, magic, art and renaissance Italy. It definitely delivered, the worldbuilding was lush, the pros... READ MORE
Gorgeous cover but...
I wanted to love this. It has a gorgeous cover that caught my eye and I thought the idea of a young woman as an expert sculptress but also with a special p... READ MORE
A masterpiece of romance and atmosphere
Finished Graceless Heart I felt utterly enchanted. It's set in a vividly alive Renaissance Florence with vividly alive characters. I Loved so much Ravenna ... READ MORE
Add this to your tbr asap!
5 stars all day, everyday!!This is perfection in paper form, romance, mystery, deception, spice, enemies to lovers, religion, corruption, history, murder a... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
A masterpiece of romance and atmosphere.
Finished Graceless Heart I felt utterly enchanted. It's set in a vividly alive Renaissance Florence with vividly alive characters. I Loved so much Ravenna... READ MORE
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