Ginevra di Gasparo is summoned back to Florence when the black plague spreads through the city. The same people who called upon her are the same that banished her for being a witch, now they need her gemstone magic to stop the plague.

Rating: 4/5 stars

I enjoyed this story for multiple reasons. The writing is a nice and has an “old” story type vibe to it. I felt like I was reading an old historical novel.

The magic system with the gemstones was interesting as I’ve never read a story where they are used the way they are in this story.

Ginevra was a great character and I loved following her story.

Lastly, on a more personal note, Florence Italy is like my second home, so I loved that the majority of the story was set there.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing Park Row for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Historical FictionMystery, Witches
Spice Level: Closed-door
Language: Sometimes crude

THE STONE WITCH OF FLORENCE is an interesting read about Italy during the Black Plague. The gems have magical properties that we learn about through the main character, Ginevre. There magic is subtle because it centers around the belief in the gem stones.

Another interesting thing about this book is that it's not centered around a romance. There are romantic thoughts and such, but it's not a romance. I would say it's more about Ginevre coming to grips with who she is and what is important to her. Even that is not quite giving the texture I want readers to understand—the novel deals with prejudice, found family, family, corruption, politics, and more.

I think people who love historical novels will love it even if they don't love fantasy because the magic is so subtle.

Also, the author is highly qualified to write this (as noted in her bio).

Happy reading!

I absolutely love historical fantasy and this was sooo good! I enjoyed the characters and the dialogue was amazing! This was very engaging. It did drag a bit but it was still enjoyable to me! I also enjoyed the the jump between flashbacks and the present.

Folk healers, religion, medicinal practices, and magic intertwine to create a transportive tale back in time to the 1300s, in Florence, Italy. I savored every minute of this medieval mystery. I tend to be drawn to ancient magic in my witchy reads, but have never read about gemstones as the primary source of magic. This was so beautifully done, blending historical fiction with fantasy, while the author utilized centuries old records and lapidary texts to inspire the majority of the content in this book.

“𝑇𝑜 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑐 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠— to 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑡-𝑖𝑡 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡.”

Set in 14th century Florence, through the eyes of Ginerva, an exiled gemstone healer, transported me straight to this time period-when church politics governed all, superstitions ran high, and women practicing alternative healing methods outside of medicine were condemned. Astrology, alchemy, and folklorish superstitions are other occult themes interwoven throughout.

“𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑒𝑑, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑣𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑖𝑟, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤.”

Because this was set against the Black Plague, it was fascinating to learn about the traditional medicinal methods of the time compared to the alternative “witchcraft.” Women have been underestimated for centuries, and Ginerva and those brave women she worked alongside get the recognition they deserve in this book! The author’s background and passion for the subject matter in this made for a spellbinding debut and one I highly recommend to all this fall season!

"𝒴ℴ𝓊 𝓀𝓃ℴ𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒷ℯ𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈ℯ 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝒶𝓇ℯ 𝓉𝒾ℯ𝒹 𝓉ℴ 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓈𝓉𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒶𝓇ℯ 𝓉𝒾ℯ𝒹 𝓉ℴ ℯ𝓋ℯ𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 ℯ𝓁𝓈ℯ. To 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓅𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒻𝓊𝓉𝓊𝓇ℯ, to ℴ𝓉𝒽ℯ𝓇 𝓅ℯℴ𝓅𝓁ℯ, to 𝒸𝓇ℯ𝒶𝓉𝓊𝓇ℯ𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉ℴ 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝓃𝓉𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉ℴ 𝓈𝓉ℴ𝓃ℯ𝓈."

•𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 •
+ set in Florence, Italy, 1348
+ gemstones that possess magic
+ a mystery involving missing relics
+ set during the Black Plague
+ slow burn
+ medieval historical fantasy plus content inspired by ancient records
+ medical, folk healers, religion, and magic intertwine
+ ancient, ancestral magic & witches
+ read if you collect crystals or gemstones
+ read if you like bold women in HF such as The Lost Apothecary or The Frozen River

𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: October 8, 2024
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: HF • Mystery • Magical Realism • Debut
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: Physical ARC 📖 (368 pgs)
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★★★ 𝟓
𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭: I loved it!

✨Thank you @htp_hive @parkrowbooks @netgalley for my #gifted ARC!

Historical fantasy can be hit or miss for me, but this story drew me in with the interesting magic.of the stones. I appreciated the author's note at the end explaining about the various magic books from the time period that inspired her character's magic abilities. The mystery aspect as the characters searched for the relic thief also kept the story moving to a definitive climax. I think this book would make a great book flight with Leigh Bardugo's The Familiar with another aspect of hidden magic under the Inquisition. (3.5 stars)

The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche tells the story of Ginevra di Gasparo who was exiled from Florence for using stones to heal. But when the plague is devastating Florence, she is called back. The church wants her to find the thief who is stealing holy relics.

I enjoyed reading this book. I liked the characters and the dialogue between the characters was fun to read. If you like Florence and a bit of witchcraft, this is a good read.

Thank you NetGalley and Park Row for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The narrative is skillfully crafted and consistently engaging, with particular commendation for its well-executed temporal context. The inclusion of flashbacks to the protagonist's formative academic years, seamlessly interwoven with the present timeline, adds a compelling layer of depth to the story.

I found this story very difficult to follow and sadly cannot recommend. I usually enjoy historical, not sure how to describe this genre., mystical perhaps. Sure many will enjoy but it was not my type of story

"The Stone Witch of Florence" is a captivating blend of fantasy and historical fiction that immerses readers in a richly imagined world. The narrative weaves together themes of love, betrayal, and the supernatural, all set against the backdrop of Florence’s colorful landscape. The author is adept at balancing creativity and realism, delving into the mysticism of healing power of gemstones and the bleak reality of The Plague. The characters are well-developed, each with their own intricate backstories that add depth to the plot. The writing is evocative, bringing the city and its magical elements to life. While the pacing may lag at times, the overall experience is engaging and thought-provoking.

4 ⭐️ I loved this tale of a plague stricken Florence, Italy, set in 1348. Ginevra de Gasparo is a healer armed with magic gemstones. She’s is tasked with finding the culprit behind the theft of relics from various churches in the area, in exchange for a recommendation for admission to study medicine.

I was immersed in the story of a plague ridden city, the hold of the Catholic Church, the roles of women in healing, magic, and the many unique characters that all played into the great ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Park Row Publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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.