I like the premise of the book, but the execution was lacking. It seemed liked satire at times because the characters were so one dimensional.

4.5 stars

Anna Rasche’s The Stone Witch of Florence is a captivating historical novel that expertly blends magic, mystery, and medieval intrigue. Set against the backdrop of the Black Plague in 1348 Florence, the story follows Ginevra di Gasparo, a healer with a unique gift for harnessing the powers of gemstones. Banished for her abilities and now called back to a city in desperate need, Ginevra faces an unexpected challenge: tracking down a thief targeting sacred relics.

Rasche’s portrayal of Ginevra is both compelling and nuanced. Her struggle with societal rejection and her quest for redemption are portrayed with depth, making her journey through the plague-ridden city all the more engaging. The intrigue surrounding the theft of sacred relics adds a thrilling layer to the narrative, as Ginevra navigates a web of deception and danger.

The rich historical setting is vividly brought to life, and the blend of magical elements with historical detail creates an immersive reading experience. The novel’s pacing and suspense keep the reader hooked, with well-developed characters and a plot full of twists.

While the resolution may feel a bit predictable, The Stone Witch of Florence is a standout in historical fantasy, offering an enchanting and gripping tale.

The Stone Witch of Florence is beautifully written. The characters are complex and fully realized and the imagery is outstanding. I felt like I was in the midst of the plague. I also loved the blending of magical realism and historical fiction. Magical stones and a protagonist who is adept at feeling what is needed. What the plague caused different characters to do felt very real, particularly when Rasche describes the corruption of higher officials in the Church of Rome, but still manages to make an Inquisitor a sympathetic character!

There is also the centuries old condemnation of heretics and witches. The protagonist, Ginevra, was banished at the hands of powerful men who claimed she was a witch despite the fact she was healing the citizens of Florence. Rasche weaves her past and present story together to give us a complete story from child to adult. Fortunately, Ginevra never loses her compassion and works hard to temper it with wisdom.

Called back to Florence to help the Bishop and Inquisitor discover who is stealing relics from the city’s churches, Ginevra befriends Lucia, who has been abandoned by her husband, and the Inquisitor, Michele, who is terrified of contracting the plague. Both Lucia and Michele and later, a couple of other friends play a crucial role in helping Ginevra conquer her past while helping the citizens of Florence. Rasche also gives us a villain who isn’t a true villain, adding to the overall story, and main plot line.

Reviewers Note: The Author’s Note is definitely worth reading! The amount of research Rasche did for this book is truly inspiring and her job as a gemologist and jewelry historian greatly add to the authenticity of the story.

Ginevra is a healer and we follow her in 1300s, Italy.
Plot 3.5
Characterisation 4.5 (oh, the humour)
Prose 4
Mood 4.5
Quite engaging, witty, fun and ironically modern.

The setting of this historical fiction novel is the Middle Ages in Florence and Genoa during the bubonic plague. The protagonist is a woman, Ginevra, who has magical healing talents. The antagonists are men in power, superstitions and the plague.

Ginevra is a plucky, interesting character who is tasked with finding the culprit who has stolen relics that have healing powers from the churches. If she succeeds she is promised that her banishment (because she is accused of being a witch) will be lifted but most importantly she will be allowed to join the society of doctors and grocers.

But of course there are dangerous power seeking men, nobles and church officials who wish to use the present circumstances to enhance their wealth and influence. Mayhem ensues.

The special attraction of this book is the abundance of information about what was thought to be the healing power of stones, the dangers of society toward women, who had no power and no voice, and the rich description of the effects of the plague. (bodies, smells, vomit everywhere).

I appreciated the depth of research that went into this story, the complexity of the characters and the fast pace of the story telling.

This was a great read! I enjoyed the writing style, the characters and the rich history throughout. The magic was believable and you can tell the author did a lot of research to make this book the beauty that it is. Would definitely recommend!

The Stone Witch is set in medieval Florence with actual magic. Ginevra wants to clear her name and return to the city she loved. She tries to uncover the mystery of the missing relics and along the way changes people's lives as well as her own.

I enjoyed the book. The medieval feel was well written and the characters full of life. There's laughter and tears as Ginevra goes through life in the old city. I hope Rasche writes more stories is this old city.

In medieval times, cures were frequently lucky discoveries or superstitions. During the Black Plague, many cities searched for cures. Florence had a multitude of churches dedicated to various saints. These saints were all said to help people with certain needs such as patience, health, childlessness, and other needs. Each church is supposed to have a relic for its particular saint within the church. Fabric from a tunic, hair, and a finger, are all examples of the types of relics found in the churches. Each church has a special location for its relic and is very proud of it. During the frightening Plague, people flocked to the churches hoping their prayers would keep them healthy.

When worship failed to produce the desired result, some people would turn to persons known by word of mouth to have special abilities. These persons would offer alternative healing. Ginevra di Gasparo is learning about cures from the local healer. During training, Ginevra is discovered to be able to use gemstones to evoke healing. Her mentor warns her to keep her powers hidden, but Ginevra believes that her abilities are God-given and should be used for the good of all. The Bishop of Florence disagrees and banishes her from Florence. An envoy arrives to see Ginevra. The Bishop offers her welcome back to Florence if she will return to help with the plague. With her wish to return home granted, Ginevra goes to Florence. What she sees upon return is shocking. The Bishop renegotiates with Ginevra, tasking her with solving the theft of relics to remain in Florence.

Will Ginevra be able to untangle this mystery? She is alone and has been away from Florence for many years. In a city where the plague is rampant, would you want to be investigating anything? There is a reason that the Bishop doesn't investigate this himself. Ginevra is viewed as expendable. Anna Rasche's book illuminates the ignorance of medieval times, lack of proper hygiene, and disrespect of women. Set during the Black Plague, this story almost sounds horrific. Through deft writing, Anna Rasche develops a story that is full of interest. Each character adds an important element and combined with Ginevra's desire to return to the city she loves we have a solid foundation for this historical fantasy. This book moves slowly while introducing everyone but soon the action begins and it becomes hard to stop reading. Historical fiction, mystery, and fantasy lovers alike will enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin, and Anna Rasche for the advanced copy.

An excellent read!
I’m generally not a fan of historical fiction, but this book is the perfect example of the type of historical fiction I really can get into. Taking the background and history of the black plague and embedding a strong character and story into it is not an easy task. Doing it in such a way that the reader is engaged and invested in the story is even harder. The author has done a wonderful job in this instance, and I will definitely look for more from her in the future.

Historical fiction with a bit of magic and mystery thrown in! Set during the Black Plague, an exiled witch, Ginevra, is called back to Florence to determine who is stealing the relics of the many churches there. As death envelops the city, Ginevra pieces together the mystery and tries to help those she can with her magic stones and witchcraft. She finds help in unlikely places and is hindered by unexpected villains. I found it to be an engaging and VERY well researched read. Highly recommend!

## The Stone Witch of Florence: A Gem of a Story

Anna Rasche's The Stone Witch of Florence, is a wonderful blend of historical fiction and fantasy that transports readers to 14th century Florence. The novel introduces us to Ginevra, a woman with a unique gift: the ability to harness the power of gem stones to heal. Ginevra's talent sets her apart, but also marks her as an outsider.
The backdrop of the Black Plague adds a layer of historical authenticity and heightens the stakes for Ginevra and her community. The author skillfully weaves together the historical context with elements of magic, creating a believable world where superstition and faith intertwine with scientific inquiry.
While the novel explores themes of gender inequality, prejudice, and the power of belief, it also delivers a thrilling mystery. The search for the stolen relics keeps the reader engaged and guessing until the end.
Overall, The Stone Witch of Florence is a gem of a story that combines historical accuracy, interesting characters, and a touch of magic to create a truly engrossing reading experience. Fans of historical fiction and fantasy alike will be captivated by this tale of a woman who defies expectations and harnesses the power of nature to heal and protect.
Written by me with the help of Gemini AI

3-3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book but sadly I wasn’t super-wowed by it.

I liked how well the author balanced the historical fiction, mystery, and fantasy aspects of this book. That can be hard to do, and I think she did it well.

However, while I praise her for that, I think that’s exactly what preventing the story from wow-ing me. I wish she had leaned more heavily into one of those genres over the others as the balancing act didn’t seem to allow me to feel super involved in the story as I might have been if the mystery were deeper and more complex, the magic stones utilized even more, etc.

I also think trying to balance the genres prevented me from feeling like I knew the characters. For example, apparently Ginevra was the love of Ludovico’s life, but because we don’t get really long or deep scenes between them, the vibe I actually got was that he, the rich boy, was using her, essentially a servant, as a fling.

I did really enjoy Lucia and Becchino—I wish we had gotten more of them. (Becchino pretty much made the finale scene with his taunts and jokes towards the bishop lol.)

So while I enjoyed the story, I most likely won’t be buying the book when it comes out. However, if the author decides to write a series where Ginevra and Fra Michele solve mysteries together, sign me up!

In 1348 the Black Plague is decimating Italy. After eight years of banishment as a witch, Ginevra di Gasparo is summoned back to Florence because she can heal the sick with her ability to use the hidden powers of gemstones. However, when she arrives in Florence, she must use her jewels for another purpose.

The first pages of this book were charming. Ginevra's predicament drew me in. As I read farther, the story began to drag, and I lost interest in the plot. To me, the dialogue was uneven, mixing time-appropriate wordage with present-day phrases. I kept reading because I loved the history and Anna Rasche's knowledge of gemstones.

Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book. The comments expressed are my own.

Ginerva di Gaspsro has a gift, she can heal the sick with her mystical powers from gemstones. She is condemned as a witch and is exiled from Florence. When the black plague hits she is summoned back to Florence. Upon returning, she is requested to track down a thief who is stealing relics from the churches of Florence.
The premise of the Stone Witch intrigued me. I couldn’t wait to read this book. I love Historical Fiction and mysteries.
I was captivated by the magic of the stones, but at times this story dragged on. I wasn’t that interested that much about the relics.
Anna Rasche did extensive research to transport her readers back to medieval Florence and the history of the stones. Her writing was beautiful. I felt though the ending was rushed and not satisfying.
Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for this advanced copy of this book.

The Stone Witch of Florence takes place during and in the time leading up to the Black Plague in Europe. Ginerva is a woman skilled in using herbs and stones to cure people of various ills, something that she learns the hard way (on several occasions) that she has to be careful about sharing. I like the idea of a female doctor during these years in Europe, but admittedly, the fact that stones actually can cure things in this book takes something away for me. I don't doubt that during that time people thought they could, but I would have enjoyed a story more that was historical fiction about a very real, devastating event, than historical fantasy. And while it serves as an underlying storyline in the present tense part of the book, Ginerva is summoned back to Florence from exile (see above) not to help find a cure for the plague, but to hunt down relics that are disappearing from churches. I know that many people during this time also wholeheartedly believed in the power of the relics, but it just seems like a big waste of creating a woman doctor right smack dab in the middle of one of worst pandemics in history. In trying to hunt down where the relics have disappeared to, Ginerva sees some of the best and worst of humanity along the way - one of the redeeming elements to this story for me. This book will be much more appealing to a different audience than me. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Stone Witch of Florence is like stepping into a darkly enchanted Renaissance painting where every brushstroke hides a secret. Ginevra di Gasparo is the kind of fierce, complex heroine you want to root for—caught between a city that both fears and needs her, she’s trying to use her gemstone magic to help during the plague while being roped into a conspiracy that’s way over her head. The atmosphere is chef’s kiss—Florence during the Black Plague? Yes, please—but the plot, while intriguing, felt a little slow at times. Still, the mix of magic, history, and mystery totally worked for me, and if you love your historical fiction with a touch of dark fantasy, this book will cast a spell on you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Spoilers below!

This book has a very promising premise but just falls short of delivering a punch. I desperately missed something exciting in the first 75% of this book. I couldn’t tell you what it should have been, but its (lack of) presence felt more and more obvious the further I dove into it.

Make no mistake: this book is well-written. The author is a gem historian and explored Italy as she wrote this book—you can feel it in the rich history of this world. I remarked a few times in my version of “liveblogging” the book that there’s a depth to this historical time period that feels very lived in and very appropriate to the story. I feel like I learned a lot.

But that’s where it fell off for me. This book gives the reader a ton of information, but it also tells the reader what’s happening, and we don’t always see what the characters are seeing. There were plenty of times when I wanted to be inside Ginevra’s head, but we just weren’t permitted to be there for long. They were momentary stops along the way. We also shuffled through a few characters’ headspaces, which I loved, but I never got to bite down on anything for long.

I did appreciate the commitment to using stones as a magic system. It’s totally unique, and totally within the author’s wheelhouse. I could tell when the author was experiencing joy writing this novel and it’s great to see how their life’s work comes into play here.

The mystery also really only took up a small space in this novel, as a lot of the front half was Ginevra’s history. So everything felt a little rushed for me at the end as things tidied up. I did like the magical elemental to this fantasy and the way it played with Italian folktales and mysteries.

Overall, I felt like this book has great bones and was really rich in detail. There were some times when I told my wife it felt like I was reading a grocery list, but Ginevra is a character I’d like to know more about some day. I’m glad she got her moment in the sun!

Check this book out for yourself on October 8, 2024!

The year is 1348. Italy is beset by the black plague. In Florence not only are people dying but the holy relics they turn to for hope are being stolen. The bishop of Florence and his inquisitor are desperate. The Pope wants the relics found. Years earlier, Ginevra, a stone witch who channeled the magic of gemstones, was driven from Florence. Now the desperate Florentine clergy want her back, They don't want her to use her skills to heal people but to find the stolen relics and the thief. This was a very nice work of historical fiction- a good presentation of the plague period.

Italy is in the midst of the Black Plague and Ginevre can help protect and heal people with her stones. Instead of welcoming her help, she is banished from Florence to live for many years in Genoa. While in Genoa, she hones her skills and, when she is called back to Florence to help solve a mystery, she finds it hard to keep them hidden. Her dilemma is that if she cures people, she will be branded a witch and, well, we know what happens to witches.

Upon arrival back in Florence, she learns that the Bishop wants her to find the person who is stealing the relics of the city, leaving the people bereft and believing that the Saints have abandoned them.

On her hunt for the relics, Ginevra meets interesting people, encounters difficult situations, and uncovers a nefarious plot by a surprising individual. She does this all while trying to avoid the Mallocchio (the dreaded evil eye).

I was transported to another time - a very dark one - and felt the pain and triumph. The author, Anna Rasche, immersed me in the magic of stones and the tug between the Church and the traditional healing methods of the 15th century. I was engrossed in this book from beginning to end, enjoying Ginevra’s journey through Italy and the unfolding mystery of the missing relics.

Really engaging story, set in the days of the bubonic plague around 1348, mostly in Florence. Well researched too, judging by the author's note at the end. I really liked the small fantasy addition, of her use of gem stones for healing. This is a real tradition, and the conceit here is that it works, causing no end of trouble with the church for our hero. It missed 5 stars because it's a little too neatly resolved, with a couple of characters becoming nice a little too suddenly and the story wrapping up too cozily.