There is a really good story in here. Act one is a bit chaotic and has a lot of different characters. How do they all fit together? The middle is a bit confusing until things start to fall into place. The end is a good resolution. I did find some of the character background a bit jarring in how sad they were when the main story was lighter in tone.

Thank you NetGalley, Feiwel & Friends, and Macmillan Young Listeners for an eARC and advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review!

The premise of a heist set during the Renaissance was catnip to me, especially because the Medici family are perfect for intrigue and court politics.

Schneiderhan knows how to write a scene, and I thought the action in this was very well done. Her writing reads smoothly and I think she’s got a good grasp on basics. Despite the fact this is easy to read, the overall story and characters felt flat to me—I struggled with differentiating the characters from one another and at times it kind of just felt like a collection of scenes rather than a novel.

The descriptions are cinematic in nature and I came as close as I could to “seeing” a scene in my head (historically, it’s just dark up there for me. there is no movie playing in my head, but sometimes I can get the vaguest impressions). I think this would make a really solid miniseries and actors could really bring the characters to life, but based on the writing alone it felt like a standard YA heist novel. The plot beats were solid but there’s a missing spark, I think, and if Schneiderhan’s writing hadn’t been so digestible, I would’ve gotten really lost.

The audiobook was well done, and I think Sara Alexander did a good job at trying to bring little quirks to each of the characters, even though I had a hard time telling them apart. It definitely contributed to the overall movie-like feel of the book, so while this won’t stick with me, I did have an overall positive experience.

Thanks to NetGalley for the Audio ARC!

3.5/5 stars

Narrator was fantastic - did all the voices, sounded wonderful, and pacing was perfect!

This was perfectly fine - well written with interesting characters. It just wasn't anything new or exciting enough to make me go "Wow! This is fantastic!". I thought the setting was interesting and I appreciated the use of Michelangelo and Da Vinci, but that was really just a new front on a heist story we've all ready 10000 times.

I don't mean to be negative - it really was well done and I did enjoy it. I simply wasn't blown away, thus the middling rating.

I love a good heist story, and the setting of early 1500s Italy sealed the deal with this novel.

Rosa was wronged by the corrupt Medici family and has spent the past six years plotting her revenge. She can’t pull off her plan alone, so when she returns to Florence she recruits a team to help her. The team includes a tinkerer, a master of disguise, a fighter – and Michelangelo. Yes, the one and only.

This author knows how to set a scene, and the descriptions of sixteenth century Italy paint a beautiful picture. It’s easy to imagine these characters moving about the streets of Florence as they lay the building blocks of Rosa’s plan. As a devoted fan of snark, I certainly enjoyed some of the quips between these characters and laughed out loud more than once. With four different POVs, the story is told in alternating chapters. I liked how Rosa recruits each team member and the way each of their backstories is gradually revealed, with some tugging at my heartstrings. The story moves at a breakneck pace near the end as Rosa’s meticulously constructed heist encounters roadblocks, and the characters’ fates are uncertain. The ending plays out like an Ocean’s movie as actions the reader might not have picked up on are divulged – it left me with a smile on my face.

While I enjoyed the strong found family vibe, the four main characters weren’t as distinct as I’d hoped. I listened to the audiobook and unless the character’s name was mentioned, I wasn’t always clear whose POV chapter I was in. Still, it’s an exciting story.

Recommended for readers who enjoy David vs. Goliath-type stories, found family, and intricate heist plots.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book had so much going for it. Renaissance Italy, a heist, found family, rich in history. I was so ready to fall head over heels in love with it but sadly my feelings are only lukewarm.

The POVs jump around a lot and I struggled to keep them straight. I also found that there is too much telling instead of showing with the writing style.

I did like the characters but I wanted more of them as people instead of their factual backstory. I feel like I didn’t connect with them enough.

I was hoping for THE GILDED WOLVES or SIX OF CROWS meets Oceans 11 but sadly, I only got a fraction of that.

Good but not great. I would try this author again because I did love the premise of this book.

I did enjoy the narration. I also appreciated that it was a single narrator despite being multiple POVs. I prefer that when the writing is in third person. The narrator did a good job of capturing different aspects of each character and I felt like the voices used were close to what I imagined for each character.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love the Medici era of Italy. And I love a heist. And I love a found family. This is everything I want in a book. This is Italian Six of Crows and I loved every minute of it.

Like all found family, heist books, if you check out for ooooone second during listening, you miss things. So this is definitely a book I'M going to need to physically read at some point, but that being said, I loved this enough to yes, want to read it again. The checking out on this was entirely my fault as I listened while doing other things.

The characters? Lovely. Each and every one of them. The plot? Delightful. I love a heist. This is a bit slow moving, it's not packed full of action at every turn, but honestly it works so well with this story. The writing? Stun.Ning. The way Schneiderhan describes their surroundings is marvelous. Rather than focusing on the old Italian vibe, she leans into the art that surrounds them in their everyday life.

There's a line when Rosa is describing seeking refuge in a church, only for it to catch fire, and she's watching everything burn and the line ends with, "...as the frescos that had always whispered God to her had been torched." And I'm sorry, but how do you not read that line and FEEL something?

Everyone that didn't love this book is wrong. That's all.

I’m the type of person who loves art, history, heists, and I’m a sucker for well-written stories with a diverse three-dimensional cast of characters. If you look at the books I read you’d discover that all of them deliver on one or two of the things I love. I never thought I would ever find a book that could deliver on all of these points. That was until I read Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan. Medici Heist is an absolute unicorn of a story that took everything I love about the world and packaged it in a thrilling tale that I simply couldn’t put down.

A fun, fast-paced YA heist. Definitely got the Oceans 11 x Renaissance Florence vibes. Loved the way historical details and figures were weaved into the story.

Thank you Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic audio review copy of this great book. I really enjoyed this historical fantasy fiction with fun characters and fast moving plot. Would recommend it to the historical adventure lovers.

This was a fun and interesting book to read, but I wasn’t the biggest fan of the main characters. There was also a lot of info dumping in this one, but I did like the heist aspect. Maybe would have liked this more when I was younger!

This is an interesting heist story that almost reads more like a screenplay than a novel. Given the author's background, I could easily see this translated into a TV show or movie. Unfortunately, as entertaining as this story is, it does make it harder to read. I had a hard time at first differentiating the characters from one another. While we do get many points of view as the buildup to their plans goes on, allowing us a wide view of the situation as it develops, it makes the story feel disjointed and confusing. I felt like some of the more interesting characters didn't get as much screen time as I would have wanted, and it took longer to understand and like the more focused characters. Since the heist takes place in the second half of the story, it makes the book feel long as we wait for that climax and makes some parts in the middle feel boring. Maybe I'm too old these days, but these characters felt and acted too young to be able to even think of pulling off a plan of this magnitude. The story overall is well written, and I would recommend it to those looking for a historical standalone heist novel, but something about it didn't fully work for me.

The audiobook is easy to follow and the narrator does a good job expressing emotion. It is easy to follow even at a higher speed (I listened at 2.5x).

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

Medici Heist is an exhilarating YA historical fiction with fantastic characters and an engaging plot.

I had so much fun with this one! It was sweet and entertaining, with wonderful characters, character development, and plotting. I loved the different settings, relationship dynamics, pacing, and romances. The historical incorporations were also very fun. Fans of Six of Crows and The Gilded Wolves will enjoy this one!

The audiobook narrator for Medici Heist did a lovely job. Her voice and accents fit the characters wonderfully, and she immersed me in the story.

Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC!

"Medici Heist" offers an engaging premise set in the opulent and treacherous world of Renaissance Florence, featuring a young conwoman, Rosa Cellini, and her crew of skilled misfits. The idea of a heist targeting the wealth of the Medici Pope, Leo X, immediately captivates, promising a blend of historical intrigue, action, and drama.

Strengths:

Setting and Atmosphere: The vivid depiction of 1517 Florence is a standout element. The author successfully transports listeners to a time of grandeur and peril, capturing the essence of the Renaissance with its rich details.
Diverse Characters: The team Rosa assembles is intriguing, each member bringing unique skills and backgrounds. Sarra the tinkerer, Khalid the fighter, Giacomo the master of disguise, and even Michelangelo as a reluctant ally add variety and depth to the narrative.
Narration: Sara Alexander's performance is commendable. Her ability to differentiate between characters and maintain a consistent tone adds to the overall experience, making the story more engaging.
Weaknesses:

Pacing Issues: The story sometimes drags, particularly in the middle sections. While the buildup is necessary, it could have been more tightly woven to maintain momentum and keep listeners fully engaged.
Character Development: Despite the diverse cast, some characters feel underdeveloped. Their motivations and backstories, while hinted at, could use more exploration to create a stronger emotional connection with the audience.
Plot Predictability: The plot, though intriguing, follows a somewhat predictable path. While there are moments of tension and surprise, the overall trajectory of the heist and its complications can be anticipated by seasoned listeners of the genre.
Conclusion:

"Medici Heist" is a decent historical heist novel with a strong sense of place and an interesting ensemble of characters. However, its pacing issues and predictable plot prevent it from being truly standout. Sara Alexander's narration elevates the material, making it a pleasant listen despite its shortcomings. For fans of historical fiction and heist stories, it offers a worthwhile, if not exceptional, adventure in Renaissance Florence.

If you like historical fiction and six of crows, this book is for you.

Set in Florence during the time of the great artists, this book has political intrigue and a heist that keeps the readers hooked. With multiple POV from characters that are complex and well written, this book is perfect for anyone need their Crow fill (disclaimer, this is still historical fiction).

I LOVED this audiobook. The narrator not only read the words, but inserted the right amount of spunk and sass that comes with a heist story. Love, love, love. If you enjoyed Ocean's 8, read this book

This was a highly anticipated release, and I'm so disappointed that it just … never hit. The heist itself felt quite lackluster and I never knew what any character was doing to help their goal. And the characters themselves felt somewhat charmless. Their backstories all came so late, aside from Khalid's, and they didn't really stand out from each other voice-wise, aside from Giacomo. I so badly wanted to see what they could do but they never reached their full potential. The one character enlisted *the* Michealangelo to the cause and I felt absolutely nothing.

DNF @40%

This was simply was not for me. I really struggled to connect with the characters and the story that was being told.

I loved Sara Alexander as the audiobook narrator. She has a knack for vocal inflections and accents to go with multiple characters. Sara helped keep me engaged in this book. I agree with another reviewer that having a male narrator alongside Sara to cover all the male characters would have been a nice touch. Nonetheless, Sara narrating the Pope was funny at the beginning.

Sometimes the descriptions feel a little too long for an audiobook format. Even though I'm an avid details/background lore fan. It almost felt more fit as a printed book to remember all the details. Only the beginning was initially a little confusing for me to know who the main character was. At first, I thought it was the girl who threw dung towards the Pope. Then the story revealed it wasn't her. Point-of-view switches happen a bit too frequently for me to keep up, so I think decreasing the number of main/secondary characters would have helped a bit.

The rest of the story and characters were good despite some pacing issues. No particular character stood out from the rest, but I always admire old European settings with female protagonists. Nonetheless, it was a good story to listen to my long work commute. If Caitlin Schneiderhan makes another story, I'll give her another try. Thank you again for "Medici Heist."

At 30% mark i realized that I didn’t care about whatever happened at all. The characters weren’t appealing enough, despite one of them being THE Michelangelo. The plot, in hindsight, basically just a bunch of people teamed up for a “very hard, almost impossible” heist. Definitely not an original idea, and there’s already a good famous heist story out there. But i kept on reading. And then came character flashbacks that threw off the pace and make it harder to keep up with the plot. So i decided to stop. I might revisit this book someday, but idk. Sorry!!

I love the narrator’s voice, it’s nice to listen. But i just didn’t click with the story so I couldn’t continue. Also, an additional male narrator would be nice since this book has several male POV.

Medici Heist is a very well-written book with a great premise but I don't think it was my cup of tea. The book seemed to read as a script rather than a book and finding out the author was a screenwriter makes so much sense. The book has great building blocks to make it an amazing book but I feel like throughout the book was very boring. There were loads of dumping: historical facts, character backgrounds, etc. I kept waiting for it to get interesting but it never did for me. This story had a good atmosphere; the descriptions, especially of the city and the setting, were excellent, and I could tell there was a lot of thought put into them. In my opinion, the romances did seem very unnatural as well, I found myself in disbelief whenever romances were hinted at in the book. If the amount of thought had been put into the characters and romances in the book's setting, I think it would have read better and would have brought the readers into the story more.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review.