The Stone Witch is truly a masterpiece and feast for the senses. The story of a woman with secrets, magic, and a hidden plague will keep readers enthralled til the last sentence.

The Stone Witch of Florence is a medieval mystery featuring the magical healing powers of stones.

As the Black Plague rages on throughout Italy, Ginevra di Gasparo, an exiled stone witch, is summoned back to Florence to help heal the sick. To her surprise, once she arrives in Florence she is tasked with recovering stolen relics from the churches which are the city's only hope in warding off the plague. Using her gift as a gemstone healer, Ginevra will need to step out of her shadows and secrets and harness her magic to save the people of Florence. Striking a deal with the inquisitor, if she is able to recover the relics, she will be recognized as a doctor and have her witchcraft accusations removed. To clear her name once and for all, Ginevra is lured into a dark conspiracy that will force her to use her power of stones to not only save the relics, but herself.

I have been wanting to read a book about gemstone magic for years, and The Stone Witch of Florence did not disappoint. The history of gemstone lore sparkles and shines throughout this book. The ancient healing properties of stones and their magical uses were straight out of centuries old lapidary texts, so much so, that this book read like a medieval manuscript. The time and place of this story, 14th century Florence, was the perfect time period and location to set a book about gemstones since this was a huge part of the belief system, superstitions, and medicine at the time. Despite a large focus on church politics, the story was well balanced with occult elements, such as alchemy, astrology, and of course gemstone magic.

The story was bejeweled with Ginevra's stoicism, selflessness and witchy abilities which pulled me into her world making it feel as though I was there with her watching everything unfold. The hermetic and divine perspectives of gemstones were equally included in this story, with the complicated relationships between light and dark and the sacred and supernatural exploring the heretical and magical contentions of this craft.

If you enjoy historical fantasy novels, or loves crystals, this book is a must read. The author's passion for the subject shone through, emitting warmth and light like one of Ginevra's magical stones.

Overall a very enjoyable read. I found it was a bit start and go, felt a bit clunky. However, it was very evident the author took great care in researching the time period, the world building was good, The beginning had me engaged and then it kinda petered and I wasn't sure and then towards the end picked up again, but the ending didn't quite completely satisfy making this a solid 4 star.

Ancient sorcery. Magic gemstones. Only one woman can save a city in ruins…

That was enough for me to dive right in!

It’s 1348 and the Black Plague is rolling over Italy, taking saints and sinners alike, giving disreputable people a cover for their crimes.

Ginevra di Gasparo has been summoned to Florence by the very people who drove her out of the city. Is this a trick?

Ginevra is a stone witch. She works with gemstones and rocks to work her magic. It also keeps her from being infected so she is in demand during the plague.

When she gets to Florence, it’s not a good situation. Empty streets, bodies waiting to be disposed of, and men who are not honorable. Tasked with finding the relics stolen from the churches, she soon realizes, she is being used.

Will she survive this time?


I loved this story. I hope there are more!


NetGalley/ Harlequin Trade/ Park Row October 08, 2024

This book started out really strong and I thought I was going to love it. I did love how the story went back in forth from Ginevra's past and present so we were able to learn more about her and understand her better. However, the story started to drag about a third of the way through the book. The last 20%ish of the book really made up for it though. The humor throughout and towards the end of the book definitely helped to keep my attention though the slower parts of the story. 3.5⭐️ overall.

Somewhat entertaining tale of magic and religion during the plague in Medieval Italy. I enjoyed the humor dispersed throughout but the ending felt a little too silly. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.