'Richly imagined and full of heart' REBECCA ROSS
**'**A lush and dangerous story' MARY E. PEARSON
'A breathtaking blend of intricate magic, riveting intrigue, and hypnotic romance' AVA REID
A lush, atmospheric and achingly magical standalone adult fantasy romance set in Renaissance Italy from a #1 New York Times bestselling author.
In 15th-century Volterra, sculptress Ravenna Maffei enters a competition hosted by a secretive, immortal family who offer an invaluable boon to the victor. Desperate to win so she can save her brother, Ravenna reveals a rare magical talent-a dangerous act in a city where magic is forbidden. Her revelation makes her a target, and she is kidnapped by the Luni family and taken to Florence, a city of breathtaking beauty and cutthroat ambition.
There, Ravenna is forced into an impossible task where failure means certain death at the hands of Saturnino dei Luni, the family's enigmatic and merciless heir. But under his cold reserve hides a vulnerability that draws her closer than she ever intended.
Meanwhile, Ravenna's forbidden magic does not go unnoticed. The Pope, waging war against Florence, the Medici, and magic itself, has his own interest in her abilities, seeing her as a potential weapon in his ruthless campaign.
As alliances shift and war brews on the horizon, Ravenna must navigate the treacherous line between survival and betrayal, between love and duty. With time running out and her every move watched, the choices she makes will determine the fate of not just her own life, but the fragile balance of magic and power that could unravel Florence itself.
TROPES TO DIE FOR . . .
enemies-to-lovers
slow-burn
magic vs religion
political intrigue
EARLY READERS LOVE IT!
'The prose is lyrical, lush and inviting, the setting is unique and so engaging' ?????
'If you only read one book in 2026 let it be this one' ?????
'Spellbinding! Bewitching!' ?????
'That tension? That yearning? The mistrust? Absolutely amazing' ?????
'I was on the edge of my seat multiple times, praying for a resolution' ?????
