Review Detail

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.