Thoroughly enjoyed this enthralling debut novel! It embodies so many aspects that historical or fantasy readers absolutely love and ties them together beautifully! To do this, the author takes a horrific time in world history, sets the story in 14th century Florence, Italy, one of the most intriguing and rich cities of that era (or any, really), weaves a bit of ancient folklore and adds a touch of fantasy to create a riveting story. The history is spot on, the folklore is factual, but it is that little bit of fantasy that gives the book the magic that makes it resonate and keeps it enjoyable where others may become tedious.

Ginevra is a young lady who has been tortured, disfigured and banished for using "witchcraft" to help heal. Yet, when the Black Plague ravages Italy, the bishop of Florence remembers her and calls her back to help save the city. Admittedly, Ginevra is a gifted healer who uses the old legends that precede Christianity, to manipulate stones and gems in her work. This is made especially interesting as the author herself is a noted gemologist, making the plot ring real and bringing a depth and richness to the narrative. Then, the added and documented folklore is woven in to make the entire fantasy aspect shine, as it wraps the reader completely up in both the era and the intrigue.

Yes, there are a points that stretch believability and others that tip into the slightly confusing and somewhat silly, as Genevra races to the climax of the conflict. But, even with those small blips, the overall adventure twists and turns its way to a very happy and satisfied smile as the last page is turned.

The enchanting tale of a folk healer tasked with trying to catch a relic thief during the Black Death. I understand Genevra’s past was important to telling her story and that the structure of the story had to do it through flash backs, but it made it hard to understand what the story was - of the folk healer or the hunt for the relic thief.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is about a woman named Ginevra who uses stones to cure people, hence the Stone Witch. She is taught from a young age how to use her natural abilities and help people. Unfortunately, she uses her powers for good and is condemned by the Catholic Church. She is the lover of the son of a powerful family and instead of being killed, she is disfigured. She leaves the convent and keeps a small, quiet shop. Soon though a plague is rampaging the city of Florence and her former lover begs her to come back and save the city. She is told by the Inquisitor that if she can stop the plague, she will have her name cleared and be able to become a doctor. Evidently the plague is happening because holy relics are being stolen from the churches. Ginevra starts out to find the thief. This is a great premise but it goes downhill from here. The dialog is not quite believable. Ginevra is not afraid of anything because she has her stones. It would be better, in my opinion, for there to be some doubt. The author seems to know her subject but I was hoping for more facts woven in the story (Think Alison Weir or Phillippa Gregory). This book didn’t do it for me but it is a fast read. If you have something else on your TBR pile, pick that. Thank me later

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my review. I thought Anna Rasche's love of the earthly connections with herbs and stones were creatively shown in this story. When I requested this book, I was so ready for a supernatural journey. It did take me for a loop at times, but I did feel it lagged in some areas. It took me longer than usual to get through, but really wanted to see to the end. The story involving a "witch" trying to cure the plague from people who are worshipping saintly bones was not exactly my idea of supernatural. I had no idea The Stone Witch would be about religion and false profits. Sad to say that's where I lost interest. However, I did appreciate this tale as it read as a historian briefing and the author seemed to have a love of gem stones and their possible healing abilities.

This book took a bit to get into, however it does pick up. The authors knowledge and research really shines through in the amount of detail provided - it was excellently executed in that regard.

However, I found myself not being a huge fan of the constant back and forth of years. I would get a bit lost on when we were, and would have to go back and check. There was also a lot more religion than I anticipated, however considering the setting it does make sense. It does incorporate the witchy aspect in an appropriate way as well…even if the religion can clash with it.

The Stone Witch of Florence is the perfect book for a rainy, stay-at-home day or even a long travel day. It releases on October 8, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

It was an amazingly interesting book with the story in the 12th century. I read it so quickly because it was so captivating. A total different genre that will have readers wanting to explore more .

Yes! Yes! Yes! If you love all things witchy and historical this book is for you! Fromt the first chapter, I could not tear myself away. Pick this up immediatly!

DNF - I read about 20% before stopping. The world building is great, the story line/plot is unique, however, I'm not a fan of 2nd person POV and too much mention of religion. I know that it is an important part of the storyline in the persecution portion of being a witch in that era, however, I don't think that much is necessary. I wish I could h gotten into it more because the plot seems interesting but this one's not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row., for this amazing book.

Wow! What a great read. Anna did a super fantastic job. The history, the characters, the storyline, and the magical system were all amazingly done.

I loved this read. I absolutely could not put it down. Had me reading page after page into the wee hous of the morning. I completely lost all track of time.

Highly recommend.

Ginevra lives in 13th century Italy. She wants desperately to be a member of the doctors guild as she brings the ability to work magic with gemstones. Said to be a witch, she is exiled from her town. The plague brings her back and she hunts for a
Someone who is stealing holy relics to clear her name.

Anna Rasche's "The Stone Witch of Florence" merges historical fiction and fantasy, immersing readers in the plague-stricken Italy of 1348. Ginevra di Gasparo, an exiled healer with the magical ability to harness the power of gemstones, returns to Florence to assist her beleaguered hometown. Rasche's narrative prowess breathes life into the medieval city, crafting an intricate tapestry of mystery, magic, and human tenacity. With its richly developed characters and gripping plot, this novel is an absorbing expedition from the first page to the last. If you love history, fantasy and Italy, this is a must-read.

This book was part witchy fantasy, and part historical fiction, and I absolutely loved the journey it took me on.
Filled with magic, mystery, healing stones, and all kinds of witchy goodness, the story kept me engaged from page one, and I found myself rooting for the FMC, Ginerva, every step of the way.
The writing was absolutely beautiful, and I was blown away by the character development, the effortless dialogue, and spot-on pacing of the story. Definitely put this on your list, especially if you’re looking forward to diving into a good witchy story, with lots of heart.

Thank you to NetGalley, and Harlequin Trade Publishing, for this advanced reader copy.

The Stone Witch of Florence is so good. I loved the magic of the stones, the feeling that permeates throughout the book of hope, despair and the magic of Ginevra. Ginevra is a woman that can feel the threads of magic in the world, use magic in various types of stones for healing. She wanted to be a doctor but circumstances have made her an outcast. With the plague moving through Italy she is tasked by the church to find the missing holy relics that have been stolen from churches and various other holy places. If Ginevra can accomplish that task she will be allowed to rejoin society, become a doctor and live a fulfilled life. With the plague settled on the country and dangers of all types lurking Ginevra is determined to find the relics.

This is just the right book to read when you are home sick for a couple of days or have a long train ride or are otherwise available for long stretches of reading time. The deep immersive plot, filled with almost as many unexpected turns as the narrow streets of Florence in the 1300's, will keep you engaged the whole time, although you will likely want a bath, a clean bed, and some food along the way because the descriptions of that plagued city are so excellent. When lonely banished Ginevra is summoned to cure the plague, she innocently hopes for love and redemption, demonstrating that she can cure patients in ways that nobody else can. Instead, she is swept into investigating stolen church relics and, yet again, maligned and falsely accused. But her gem-based cures really do work. And, for that reason, she finds allies and is able to re-build her own strength at the most dire moment.

Historical fiction, with strong elements of fantasy, religion, Italian-medieval history and strong women. I was very pleasantly surprised by the skill of this author.

Interesting tale that takes place during the Black Death in Italy. The book was enjoyable and took me back in time

This book delighted me. It’s deceptively simple and charming, built on a background of Black Death. The use of traditional beliefs around gems and stones is a great hook. If only there were dragons and time travel, it would have been perfect. 😂

DNF - I read about 10% but there was too much about religion for my tastes. It also seemed like the magic was kind of competing with religion which is not something wanted to read about.

ARC Review-

We enter the story with Ginerva, an exiled witch with the enhanced ability to feel the universe around her and use gemstones to aid her work as a healer. Her services are later required back in the same community that had exiled her so many years prior, when the plague tears through sparing nothing in its path, inviting new levels of crime to the city. With the opportunity to clear her name and have the exile rescinded, she sets forth to solve a series of thefts with little but her wits and precious stones.

I loved this one! This story gripped me from the very beginning. It had me laughing and also had me at near tears. I spent the whole novel trying to piece together the clues, along with Ginerva, to figure out this grand mystery and was very surprised by the plot twists. I loved the relationships she made along the way, and how she had a way of healing some bit of trauma in her new companions even without the actual act of healing with stones. Ginerva di Gasparo is a fierce FMC and I am so glad I got to read about her journey and her life in this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It took me a bit to get into The Stone Witch of Florence and I'm glad I pursued it. Its a interesting mix of the plague and mystical healing. Parts of the book are very dark and, I expect, fairly realistic in their portrayal.