This is a bit of a mixed bag. Interesting idea for a story - the Black Plague, relics, a healer...
The execution was a little off in that parts were engaging and other parts dragged on.
I think this is worth reading for historical fiction fans who are seeking a book that is a different time period than most HF novels and a bit of a different spin with a deep dive into aspects of the time.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Apprenticed to a stone witch and healer in early 1300s Genoa, Italy, Ginevra's talent and powers become clear early on. Her teacher sends her to Florence to work at a convent and there she uses her powers to cure a sickness that has befallen the city. But the Catholic authorities try her as a witch and she is banished back to Genoa. That is, until a young boy comes to bring her back at the invitation of the bishop.

Thinking her long, lost lover will welcome her, she travels back to Florence during the Black Plague where most of the city's inhabitants have died or are dying. What the bishop and his inquisitor in fact want is to have Ginevra discover who is stealing the religious relics from the city's churches. This leads to her search, her friendship with a wealthy woman who she's cured of the Plague and later on, the inquisitor himself.

While this book is less than 400 pages, I felt like it dragged a bit. The historical and magical details were all there, and the reader learns a lot about the Plague and the role of the Church. But I didn't feel fully engaged and just wanted to finish it.

I was provided an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley.

1348 - Italy As the Black Plague rages, Ginevra di Gasparo after a decade of being exiled. She thinks she is being summoned to help heal the sick with her unusual gift. She unfortunately is summoned to help in another way. Can she help the city, or will she fail and be condemned forever?

This book does a great job of taking me back to a period I have not read much historical fiction on. During the 14th Century while the plague is wiping out huge populations of people, this woman's story comes to life. I related well to this story because she is a modern day physician or healer, though because she is a woman people think she is a witch.

The story is well written and interesting throughout - and I really liked the time setting. I also liked how it would flash back to her early education days and then back to present time.

First I want to thank Netgalley for an arc of this book.

At first when I started this book I had a hard time trying to get into it as I think at the time I wasn't in the mode for historical fiction. I had to take a step back and come back to it and I'm so glad I did! Once I got over the hurtle I really enjoyed the story.

I don't hear about many books using gemstones as a way of a magic system and it gave me a whole new interest in gemstones after this. The author had a great knowledge for her art and has done her research with gemstones to help make me as a reader understand what she is trying to tell you.

I enjoyed being in a new city of Florence for a while reading this, plus throwing in witches is always a favorite of mine when it comes to reads! I would definitely recommend reading this if you need a getaway or looking for a witchy read for the fall season!

I was swept away by this immersive glimpse into 14th century Northern Italy--Genoa, but primarily Florence. The cities have been decimated by the Black Plague, and survivors are clinging to their beliefs--especially the power of relics. However, a mysterious thief has been stealing relics from local parishes, leaving the residents at greater risk of illness and death.

Healer Ginerva di Gasparo, who was banished to Genoa from Florence as a young woman for the heresy of using powerful gemstones as a healing source, is summoned by the religious leaders to Florence to use her gifts and help find the thief. But all is not as it seems as she navigates the city, uncertain about whom she can trust. Based on an actual medieval book about the healing power of gemstones.

1348. The Black Plague ravages Italy. Ginevra di Gasparo, condemned as a witch and banished from Florence, returns after a decade of exile. Summoned to use the same powers for which she was expelled [using magic gemstones--hence the Stone Witch--and "sorcery"], instead Ginerva is in search of a thief who is ransacking Florences's churches for relics. If she succeeds [she is told] she will be recognized as a physician and no longer accused as witchcraft. As she soon discovers, it's not what it seems!

And so her search begins for the relics, the thief, and mending her reputation. BUT....!! Of course many obstacles in her way and not an easy path.

This would seem right up my alley--magic, history, a strong female protaganist. The beginning and especially the last quarter of the book captivated me. I enjoyed the search for the relics near the end and no [real] spoiler from me--"putting it all together." Not so much the rest; I seemed to slog through much of the middle. Quite a cast of characters--including Taddea, the Inquisitor, Monna Vermilia, Becchino, and many more.

New words:
monstrance--vessel used in the Roman Catholic Church
helidor--crystal, member of beryl family
malocchio--evil eye, jinx
cilice--hair shirt

Be sure to read the epilogue!

3.5, not rounding up.

In the 1300s in Italy, people revered the bodily remains of saints as protectors of their health and lives. Set amidst the black plague, a woman, a healer trained by knowledgeable women before her in the use of gemstones, uses her empathy and skills to attempt saving those who face certain death. The beginning of the novel sets a wonderful tone for what life and death was like. The author created a believable world and characters. The strongest part of the book is the first third or so that explores the gemstones and their uses. Later on, a character or two become rather farcical and were a bit of a letdown. However, this was a story that kept my interest and read easily.

Thanks to NetGalley and Park Row for the ARC to read and review.

3.5 Stars

A captivating debut that pulled me in from the very first page. This is my first time reading a book by this author, and I found Ginevra's story to be both enchanting and engaging. Rasche's writing immerses you in a beautifully crafted world where magic and mystery intertwine.

I particularly enjoyed how the mystery surrounding the stolen relics unfolded. The gradual revelation of clues kept me intrigued, and I found myself eagerly flipping pages to uncover the truth. The magic system was well-developed and added a unique flavor to the plot, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the story.

Additionally, the setting of Florence was vividly portrayed, making me feel as if I was wandering the streets alongside the characters. Rasche's attention to detail brought the city to life in a way that deepened my connection to the narrative.

Overall, while there were moments where I wished for a bit more depth in certain areas, "The Stone Witch of Florence" is a delightful read that left me wanting more. I’m excited to explore more of Anna Rasche’s work in the future!

A gripping story about one woman's path to redemption and the magic that can both impede and liberate her.

I was instantly pulled into Ginevra's story. I felt her grief and her triumph. The magic of the stones, the malevolence of the evil eye, the corruption of those in power, and the relationships of convenience made this an enchanting read. I loved how the mystery of who took the relics unfolded and I saw none of the breadcrumbs dropped until it was revealed. Same goes for the false accusation scheme against Ginevra. I wanted more from Lucia and Piero but as a whole this was a great read. I do wish that she could have been reunited with her love but despite that tragedy it was refreshing that Ginevra has a happy ending found in her own worth as a woman and realized her seemingly unachievable dream. Pretty empowering.

The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche such an amazing read it gives a new perspective just because you been told one way doesn’t always mean it’s the only way with the help of lady who show you the ways of healing you have to hide those ways because the town does not allow the practice of witchcraft and for expanding your knowledge for a women, you get banish and be disappointed with the man who led you to a scar to show your crime when all you did was fall for him. Now the town waits for your return to save the deaths of many.

Things I enjoyed about this book - The stone/gemstone magic system and the portrayal of the main character Ginevra especially her selflessness. The last 1/4 of the book is action packed and was an easy finish for a book. You can tell the author did lots of research on the time period, alchemy and stone history.

On paper this should seem completely up my alley and the premise caught my attention. Historical fiction with witchy elements? I was sold. However, the religious iconology, slow movement of the first 1/2 of the book made it drop a couple of stars for me. There was humor sprinkled through the book, and the tone was sometimes hard to follow. Overall entertaining and can see lots of people loving it!

Thank you NetGalley and Harelequin Trade Publishing for the copy of the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Promising debut that’s perfect for fans of Sarah Penner’s historical mysteries (with a touch of magic). In general, I enjoy historical fiction but am pretty burnt out on the usual settings—World War II or London of any era. Anna Rasche’s debut novel, instead, takes us to a 14th century Florence, Italy that’s been ravaged by the plague. Ginevra, a healer, was exiled from Florence years ago as a heretic, but the current inquisitor has drawn her back to solve the mystery of stolen relics that the Florentines are blaming for the widespread death in town.

Rasche does a fabulous job of immersing you in her setting. I loved the details about the singing gravedigger, the merry looters, and even household things like well eels. Ginevra is a likeable protagonist, and the inquisitor is a likeable foil for her. The beginning and ending had me turning pages, although the middle of the novel had some pacing issues and felt a bit repetitive. There’s also what felt like a bit of a tonal change a little after the halfway mark where a considerable amount of absurd comedy starts making its way in. I didn’t necessarily dislike this, but it was a little jarring.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and would read another historical mystery by Rasche in a heartbeat.

i got an advanced copy of this book. i found it to be quite interesting i liked the discussions about the healing properties of the stones and the history of the times in the 1300's......the story was quite good but not great.... im glad i read the book

The year is 1348. Ginevra is tasked with solving the mystery of what has happened to religious relics that are being stolen from various churches throughout Florence. At the same time, the Black Plague is running rampant throughout Italy. Ginevra is able to use her skills at gemstone magic to accomplish this assignment while simultaneously helping to heal some of the plague's victims. Her sole desire is to be recognized as a physician and not condemned as a witch. There are several unexpected twists that complicate her ability to locate and rescue the missing relics. Ginevra is resourceful at using whatever is available to her to succeed in her mission. A fascinating and gripping tale that encourages the reader to cheer her on. An original and creative narrative.

In 1348, at the height of the Black Plague in Florence, holy relics are being stolen from churches around the city, seven gone missing so far. Papal inquisitor Fra Michele di Lapo Arnolfi is desperate to solve the crime, and upon hearing that the exiled witch, Ginevra di Gasparo is in Florence at the bequest of Bishop Fra Angiolo Accianiuoli who is willing to reverse her exile, he summons her to attend on him. In exchange for a promise to allow her to openly practice healing and join the Guild of Doctors, she agrees to uncover the thief and return the sacred relics to Fra Michele. Ginevra is known for healing using precious stones, but she can also walk through contagion without succumbing to its effects. This gives her access to parts of the city others cannot enter. But as her search progresses, with the aid of the wealthy Lucia, who Ginevra has healed of the plague, she realises there are sinister forces at work and her quest may not have the outcome she seeks.

Medieval Florence blossoms with an abundance of narratives — a city of wealth and beauty, outstanding art, powerful historical families and the birthplace of Niccolo Machiavelli. I truly wanted to be immersed in this story but it failed to grab my attention enough to feel pulled into this fascinating world. In a tell, don’t show way, I felt outside of the action. Dialogue between somewhat hollow characters doesn’t flow easily, and I’m not fond of anachronistic language (trash; reach out) in historical novels. But I will concentrate on what I definitely liked, and those are the sections about Ginevra’s early years from 1330 to 1347, particularly her life at the Augustinian convent of Sant’Elizabetta delle Convertite. I have read many books about witches, a currently popular subject in historical novels, and for me, sadly, this one doesn’t quite cut it.

The Stone Witch of Florence is an adventure. I like how it is set in 1348 so I felt like I was reading a classic without having to adjust my brain to actually reading a classic. This is a story of redemption for Ginevra who was kicked out of Florence due to her magical abilities. These abilities become a saving grace during the plague and she is summoned back. Although she is not entirely welcome and many are not willing to believe in her powers. Friendships are made and loves are revealed during Ginevra's journey as she fights for what she believes in. I love the strong female characters in this book and the plot is unique. Thank you NetGalley and Park Row for an ARC!

This ebook was provided by NetGalley but the review is my own.

I found this book quite a fascinating idea. The ability to go back to the Italian Renaissance by the side of a young woman who is learning about an ability that places her at the very cross hairs of the authorities and those in power. Being useful to one and thought of a witch by both. Having a look at the plague at its most viral and learning about what it must have been like to actual be there trying to survive. The visceral feel of this idea kept me going even when occasionally I hit a bump in the road and gave that booklovers hmmph.

The history, the mystery of stolen church artifacts, the descriptions of the villages, people, different areas of Italy were engrossing and well done. What weighs this story down is the magical realism that becomes a character itself. Unfortunately for me, one I lost interest in. There were times it just didn't need to be the player on the stage. Pages where although our main characters are quite young and make mistakes your reaction was, not again. And although this is all backed up by a mystery that started off as a challenge it quickly lost its appeal as the most important, why, was answered almost immediately.

This is not too say the book is unreadable just that you may find yourself reading bit by bit instead of devouring it. There are a few surprises hidden in this and they are worthwhile but at the end of the day I recommend borrowing the title first to see how you feel. Good read but not on my to be kept list.

Formerly banished from 14th century Florence as a witch for her use of the hidden power of gemstones, Ginevra di Gasparo is suddenly begged to return to Florence at the height of a Plague outbreak (she is immune because of the stones). Hoping to be reinstated as a citizen and perhaps even accepted as a doctor, Ginevra returns to discover her healing skills are not required, rather, she is asked to find out who is stealing the most sacred relics of Florence so they can be restored to the city and heal its people. Which she thinks is bizarre and has no clue on how to proceed, but what can you do but try?
And this is a BAD case of plague (I looked it up - about 2/3 caught it and most died). Ginevra is wandering through a ghost city full of empty homes and businesses, with only the corpse collector as a regular on the street. Ginevra eventually finds allies, and naturally, there is far more than to the disappearing of relics than mere greed or fear. This gives a fascinating view of plague ridden Florence at street level, gruesome and horrifying. The actions of many survivors are unexpected and often bizarre. Ginevra finds herself in much more danger than even plague can bring. The story is a bit slow and meandering and fairly predictable. Ginevra is not that compelling a character, but the secondary characters are quite intriguing. The magical elements seem more a plot device than particularly interesting. More interesting for the setting than anything else.

📚🇮🇹 BOOK REVIEW! [e-ARC] 🇮🇹📚

The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy
Length: 368 pages
Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book. The opinions stated are my own.

Synopsis:
It is the year 1348 A.D. in the middle of the Black Plague in Italy. Ginevra di Gasparo gets a mysterious letter summoning her back to her hometown in Florence to find missing saint relics that have been stolen from several churches. She is a known healer who uses the somewhat heretical-seeming methods of using gemstones to get results, and since she is immune to contracting the disease, the local Bishop has signed her up for the job. He also has promised that the charges placed against her for being a 'witch' will be dropped if she is successful. Ginevra has nothing to lose, but she becomes aware that this quest has many obstacles, some hidden even behind the guise of the Catholic church.

Opinion:
This was easily a 5-star read for me! I absolutely loved how the author used her own knowledge and trade of being a gemologist and historian of precious stones to insert so much factual information into a tale that is compelling, heart-warming, and exciting to read! I loved how she made me really see through the eyes of the Florentine people during a terrible time in history and I found Ginevra to be a strong and heroic main character. I highly recommend this book - I think it spans interest to many different genres readers. Now I want to go to Italy even more!