I have mixed feelings about this book. I LOVE that is was set during this time period, there needs to be more historical YA that share Renaissance stories. It was definitely more heavy on the fiction than the historical, but that didn’t really detract from the overall plot. In terms of the heist part of the novel, I think it was very well thought out by the author. There were a lot of moments of “how are they going to pull this off?” I did however feel that it was WAY too reminiscent of Oceans Eleven. Like, there were too many plot points that matched up that it actually annoyed me a little bit that it was not more original in that sense. The characters were interesting, even if all of their stories dragged a bit in the middle. I particularly appreciated the relationships among the characters that were involved in the heist. Overall, if you like historical fiction and don’t mind it taking some liberties while also sharing a bit of a thriller plot, give this one a go.

Rosa put together a team to try to rob the wealthy and powerful Medici family in Florence. While the team seems like a random grouping of individuals (a tinkerer, an apothecary, an artist, an enforcer, and a grifter), they will come together with their particular skills to try to pull off one of the greatest heists in history. Will troubles in their personal lives ruin the heist?

This book did a good job of showing the political tensions that were happening in Florence in the 1500s. I always enjoy weaving actual people from history into the story. As a historian, I like seeing how other people imagine those historical people would have been. Personally, I’ve always found the Medici family interesting and the parts that intrigued me are in the book. They were a wealthy family that supported many of the famous Renaissance artists. They were also greedy and power hungry and they made sure to find a way to one of the most powerful offices of its time, the Papacy.

Reading this book almost felt like I was watching a heist movie. We were given glimpses and pieces of what the characters were doing but the plan wasn’t revealed until later. The hints and clues make it fun to try to figure out how they will pull it off. Near the end of the book, I kept wondering “how are they going to pull this off?” All I will say is that the ending was great and worth the read.

* Special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

★★★★★ - 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan
Standalone Book
༘Spoiler free ༘
⭐️4.5/5
Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Heist/Adventure
Multi POV
➳ Heist
➳ Found Family
➳ Renaissance Italy
➳ Corrupt Authority Figure
➳ Complex Relationships
➳ Mastermind FMC
➳ Band of Misfits
➳ Moral Grey-ness

✨ “There is nothing so ‘impossible’ in this world that God has to take it on himself. There are only things that very clever people have not done yet.“ ✨
Embarking on the journey within 'Medici Heist' thrusts readers into a riveting historical escapade, illustrating the ingenuity and steadfast determination of an unconventional crew under the cunning Rosa Cellini. Through the intricate manoeuvres of a daring heist against a corrupt Medici Pope, the narrative unveils unforeseen twists, spotlighting the boundless capabilities of sharp minds. With an endearing ensemble and a gratifying resolution, this narrative of found family and unwavering resilience emerges as an indelible exploration into historical intrigue, celebrating the victorious spirit of clever inventiveness.

📚📚📚

❧✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*❦*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧❧

In this gripping narrative, Caitlin Schneiderhan effortlessly blends the magnetic allure of historical intrigue with heart-pounding heist and adventure genres. Whether you're well-acquainted with the Italian Renaissance or stepping into its vibrant world for the first time, Schneiderhan guides you through this aesthetic setting. The story unfolds like a cinematic masterpiece, with characters' dialogue crafting vivid scenes in your mind. If you’re a fan of narratives filled with dynamic dialogue and sprinkled with the charm of witty banter, Medici Heist is written just for you.

Each character, as if painting their own story on the canvas of history, reveals layers of their past as the heist unfolds. These glimpses create an intimate connection, making it feel as if we've known these characters our entire lives. The narrative crafts an emotional journey, keeping us on edge, yearning for their unscathed escape. They all have their own distinct strengths, weaknesses, and undergo personal growth, painting an intricate mural of interconnected character arcs that captivate. Rosa, the mastermind, is irresistibly clever, and her diverse misfit crew adds depth to the narrative. Of the Narrators I found Rosa, Dominic and Khalid to be the most compelling.

The narrative unfolds, exploring themes of conquering challenges and achieving the seemingly impossible through human ingenuity and cleverness, rather than relying on divine intervention. Schneiderhan integrates these motifs, infusing depth and resonance into the characters' journeys. This exploration not only propels the plot forward but also forges a compelling connection between readers and the characters' resilient spirit to overcome corruption.

While adventure/heist books may experience pacing lulls, a brief dip near the middle is skillfully overcome by the characters and plot, culminating in a highly gratifying conclusion. For readers sensitive to pacing, please note that this slowdown is fleeting, with the story swiftly regaining its momentum.

The prose, a hidden maestro orchestrating the characters' clever banter and humor, elegantly complements the enthralling plot and character development. Its wit and humor not only enhance the narrative but also serve as the driving force behind the story's captivating rhythm. Overall, this read is a thrilling, captivating, and predominantly fast-paced delight. A must-read for enthusiasts of well-crafted heists or those intrigued by Italian Renaissance fantasy.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

💖
LIKES:
⋆ Suspenseful Heist
⋆ Dynamic Character Arcs
⋆ Historically Rich
⋆ Clever Dialogue & Humour

❤️‍🩹
DISLIKES:
⋆ I would have loved to see more of Agata

**Fantasy Scoring**
Worldbuilding ➷ ✅ 5/5
Foreshadowing ➷ ✅ 4/5
Plot ➷ ✅ 4.5/5
Relationships ➷ ✅ 4.5/5

Thank you to Caitlin Schneiderhan, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide my honest opinion on the ARC of this book.

I could not put this book down!! What a wonderfully written heist story. It kept me on my toes…nothing is as it seems. Just when you think you know what is happening, everything changes! The character development was great too. The story is told from several different view points and each of those characters overcame a flaw. Love, love, love this story!

I'm always glad to see more YA historical fiction, and Medici Heist offers a really fun take on a fascinating and under-explored time period. This is exactly the kind of book that teens will connect with--yes, it's historical and will appear to kids interested in history, but it also explores themes that are relevant to modern readers, all set against a thrilling heist and unique character voices.

While not a perfect read by any means, Medici Heist was a super fun read. It was somewhat reminiscent of Six of Crows, but the characters weren't quite as gripping. If you love historical fiction, multiple POV, and a fast paced plot, this one is for you!

Medici Heist is a well written novel. The author has an obvious grasp of story structure that deserves praise. She also created dimensional characters that reader will fall in love with.

I had a lot of fun reading this one. Rosa and her crew were a delight to follow. This heist set on that backdrop of Florence Italy will take you on a journey full of twists that our heroes must overcome. It's told in multiple POVs that I think worked well for the story.

This novel has plenty of complex relationships, intrigue, and romance. There are two romances and one of them was my favorite but the other one wasn't bad either.

If you're a fan of heist pick this one up! Out August 6th 2024

Thanks netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book has a lot of potential! I found it hard to get into at the beginning. Plus, there were a few too many characters to keep straight at first, and I found I wasn't super interested in getting to know them. I did enjoy the plot and the descriptions of the setting -- I felt like I was really there.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this book for review.

Loved this ! Classic heist movie vibes, very "I'm assembling a team" and "You son of a b*tch, I'm in".

Coupled with the aesthetic setting of the reign of the Medici pope, the found family, and the well developed ensemble cast, I am in.

Scratches the exact itch you want it to.

When I first saw this book in Netgalley, I was intrigued by it, since it fits within the genres I like to read (young adult and historical fiction). But, after getting a few chapters into the story, I found that I just couldn't get into the story, it wasn't holding my interest, and that unfortunately this book will have to go on my 'did not finish' pile. But, if you're looking for a good heist story, I'd definitely suggest giving this book a try.

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

This was a truly delightful read that I easily devoured. It felt like I was reading a movie, with nonstop action and daring, charismatic characters. The characters were definitely my favorite part of the story, especially with the alternating points of view. They each had their own strengths and weaknesses, with complex pasts and motivations. I do wish I could have gotten to know them a bit better, especially the characters that didn’t get their own point of view. As for the plot, it was as fun as the characters. I love a good heist, and even if there were cliches they were all in good fun. There was plenty of action, with clever twists and turns, to keep my on the edge of my seat. I do wish there had been some more calm moments with whole crew bonding, since most character interactions were one on one. But I still got a great found family vibe, and those one on one interactions were so well done. And of course I absolutely adored the setting of Medici Florence and its rich imagery. Overall, this is an amazing, exciting read and I highly recommend it.

Welcome to Florence, 1517, a world of intrigue, opulence, secrets, and murder. The Medici family rules the city from their seat of wealth, but the people of Florence remember the few decades they spent as a Republic, free from the Medicis and their puppet Pope, Leo X.

This was a really well-written and fun historical fiction piece. Rosa is an excellent protagonist and the world-building was great.

I really enjoyed this book so much! I flew through this book and I was so upset when it was over. The plot was fast paced but not much which is what I really enjoy. I am obsessed with the characters and can not wait to read more by this author. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

This was a DNF for me. A bit too many point of views and the writing style just didn’t mesh with my tastes. I loved the premise and really thought it would be a hit but I think I am just the wrong audience.

Schneiderhan, Caitlin, Medici Heist. Pgs. 432. Feiwel and Friends, 2024.

Set in 1517 Florence, the city is controlled by the Medicis. Using mountain of indulgence money, Pope Leo X is bolstering prestige and power to run the city. Rosa Cellini has been hired to steal something from the Medicis. Hiring a team filled with a tinkerer, a Khalid fighter, a master of disguise, and the reluctant help of an artist named Michelangelo, the group attempt to score the big score. As Rosa and others’ pasts come back to haunt them, will they succeed?
The plot drags in the middle but is well written and a typical heist plot. The characters are well-developed, unique, and draw the reader into the story. Character arcs are interlocking and work well together to bring the story to a satisfying conclusion. Fans of heist novels and historical adventure will want to pick this one up. 4 stars, Gr 7 and up

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

Heist? Found family? Renaissance FLORENCE?! Count me 100% in!

Medici Heist is a “heavy on the fiction” historical fiction, so it’s borrowing a lot from Florence (the Medici, Michelangelo, apprenticeships) while creating a fun and obviously unrealistic/completely accurate tale. The cast of characters is so lovable, with each chapter alternating a perspective. I loved learning the characters’ motives and the gentle romance was so sweet!

The reason this wasn’t a 5 star for me is that I wish there was a little more… something? Michelangelo makes a star appearance, but I think it would’ve been really interesting to incorporate more biographical information on him (there’s a lot out there). One of the characters in the heist group, Agata, is cast to the side and I’m honestly not sure what her role was? I’m inclined to say there were almost too many characters, but I really did love many of them. Giacomo was the star for me!

This gets a thumbs-up from me, mostly because I just love the vibes. More Italian Renaissance fiction!!!

What a fun adventure! I loved how a little bit of history was tied in to fill out a great story; action packed and thoughtful. Well done.

I don't typically read YA so I know I'm not the target audience but I did like the historical references a lot. Loved the setting too.

I like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for a chance at letting me read this book.

It pains to say I could only make it 20% into this book and I have no idea what I am reading.

Picture it like this. We know it takes place in Italy, Medici's and all that... Now picture a chaotic mess of people, ideas, descriptions, action and no sense of plot or direction and this is that book.

What has me baffled is this is one of the writers from Stranger Things. So how in the world could this be so chaotically done? I was looking for fluidity, someone to focus on on, something to get me to stay on track. I felt like I was going to have an anxiety attack reading this book because there was nothing making sense and no sense of movement, pause, or direction.

I'll be curious reading the reviews for this, but for me, this is certainly the first time I encountered a book where I felt like no editor was present and someone dumped a big block of text and ideas and pushed 'send' into the world.