Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez

Ravenna Maffei intended to enter a sculpture contest to free her brother. What she didn’t intend was to end up trapped herself. 

When Ravenna’s brother is captured by the authorities in her 15th century town of Volterra, Ravenna sees only one way to free him: by entering a sculpture contest. If she wins, she will be granted a request. Ravenna prevails in the contest, but it comes with a cost: her hidden magic, an affinity with stones, reveals itself and exposes her rare talents to the nobles. 

Kidnapped by the rich and immortal Luni family, Ravenna is left with no friends or allies. The family demands she use  her sculpting expertise and magic to free some powerful stones––or else, she will die. Ravenna soon realizes that many have failed before her, and she will likely fail the family just like the others. But when the Pope offers Ravenna and her family immunity against any claims of witchery or other harm, Ravenna must play both sides to keep her family––and herself––safe.

The story is fast-paced and thrilling while also subtly educating readers on the political and religious dynamics of 15th century Europe.

Ravenna also must navigate death threats from one of the Luni sons, Saturnino, who discovers her lackluster work and decides to offer some “motivation.” When his threats come up fruitless, Saturnino decides to romance Ravenna, thrusting them both into a precarious world where their tense relationship grows softer every day. While Saturnino originally intended to use Ravenna as a pawn, his heart softens for the first time in a century, as she shows him what love can look like.

As Ravenna and Saturnino grow closer, so do the looming threats from both the Luni family and the Pope. Stuck between protecting her love, future, and family, Ravenna must choose which side she stands on in order to survive. 

In Isabel Ibañez’s adult debut Graceless Heart, the reader is introduced to a rich, historical fantasy. The narrative is carefully woven through history, as Ibañez explains in her author’s note. Details of the time period, such as names of families, and historical characters that are all carefully thought-out in an impressive manner. 

Graceless Heart is the perfect fantasy novel for those who want an adventure where readers can trust no one. The tension among the characters in the novel is palpable and keeps readers hooked until the last page. Fans of the romance in The Cruel Prince and Once Upon a Broken Heart will immediately be drawn to Ravenna and Saturnino’s story. Yet, with the novel’s historical fantasy and adult themes, Ibañez brings the forbidden love trope to new heights , where the political elements are steeped in historically accurate events. The story is fast-paced and thrilling while also subtly educating readers on the political and religious dynamics of 15th century Europe. When looking for a respite from the real world, Graceless Heart offers readers an adventure that will leave their hearts racing in anticipation for the next installment. 

Graceless Heart is available now from Saturday Books, an imprint of St. Martin's.

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