Medici Heist

Featured
81s7CQ+ZtsL
Age Range
13+
Release Date
August 06, 2024
ISBN
978-1250907189
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Welcome to Florence, 1517, a world of intrigue and opulence, murder and betrayal. Seventeen-year-old conwoman Rosa Cellini arrives in the city the same day that the Medici Pope, Leo X, returns to take up the reins of power. This is not a coincidence. The new Pope is extorting a mountain of indulgence money from the people of Florence to bolster his power and standing, and Rosa has a plan to take it back.

To pull off the Renaissance’s greatest robbery, she’ll recruit a team of specially-chosen, highly-skilled misfits: Sarra the tinkerer, Khalid the fighter, and Giacomo, the irrepressible master of disguise. To top it all off, and to smooth their entrance into the fortress-like Palazzo Medici, Rosa even enlists the reluctant help of the famed artist Michelangelo.

But as the authorities draw closer and the Medici’s noose pulls tighter around the land, old secrets resurface and tensions in the group start to flare. What began as a robbery could be the key to saving the city itself―if Rosa and company don’t destroy each other first.

Editor review

1 review
Medici Heist
(Updated: August 23, 2024)
Overall rating
 
3.3
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
3.0
Writing Style
 
3.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
It's 1517. Seventeen-year-old grifter Rosa Cellini arrives in Florence when Medici Pope, Leo X, returns. Needless to say, his arrival doesn't sit kindly on the Florence people. Rosa rounds up a group of highly trained misfits to help pull off a huge heist to regain the money the Medici family has taken from the people. This plan isn't without difficulties. They need to gain entrance to the fortress-like Palazzo Medici. Tensions within this group boil while planning to commit the greatest robbery of all time. Can they pull this off or will they destroy each other in the process?

What worked: Ocean Eleven meets Renaissance Florence. Adventure, high jinks, and a cast of misfit grifters all come together to plan the perfect heist and regain power for the people.

This story is told from numerous points of view. Readers follow Rosa as she sets off to get others to help her take back the money the Medici family has taken. Rosa is determined, bright, and resilient even when things start to fall apart. There's also a possible love interest.

One of my favorite characters is Khalid, the fighter, who has to pay off the debts of his father. His story reveals his frustration with being stuck to a life he doesn't want. Giacomo, the master of disguises, finds that an earlier encounter with Khalid might hold more than an angry memory. Their exchanges bring passion while they struggle with their true feelings.

One issue I did have is how some characters sounded the same. Sarra and Rosa felt like the same character. I wanted more out of the famous artist Michelangelo than the angry grunts. Ditto with the elderly Agata who does much more than apothecary with explosive results.

Readers who love a good historical heist novel won't be disappointed!

Fun historical heist in 1517 Renaissance Florence with a cast of loveable characters who set out to defeat the powerful Medici family's influence.
Good Points
1. Ocean Eleven meets Renaissance Florence
2. Adventure
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