This was such a highly anticipated read for me but honestly it was incredibly boring. I got to 30% and I just couldn't force myself to read anymore. What I did read would make a great movie but doesn't translate well to a book, it was like reading a screenplay rather than being immersed in a book. The premise is good but overall wasn't executed in an engaging way, I did not want to read on and when I wasn't reading I didn't think about it. The characters were very one dimensional and I usually love multiple POV but I found it difficult to discern between them. It does have potential but just wasn't for me, I felt very disconnected

A fun heist novel in Medici Florence. It really reads like the author loves Florence, which I do too! The characters are fun and interesting, and I loved all the little moments of sleight of hand. An enjoyable read overall!

Thanks to Atom and NetGalley for providing an ARC for review.

This is was a fun and for the most part an easy, enjoyable read. I’m a fan of a heist and found family plot in general and was excited by the setting of 16th century Florence, Italy. I felt that the setting was an element handled really strongly. It was so vividly rendered and that came across very strongly - to me it felt like Italy really jumped off the page.

I enjoyed the characters, especially their interactions as a group. Interestingly the one I cared about least was Rosa despite her being the main protagonist. It also felt like her romance subplot didn’t feel hugely committed to and as a result didn’t exactly feel necessary.

The political undertones were really interesting and enjoyable. I was glad to see that add an additional layer but I really would have loved to see the heist planning and preparation used more within the plot. That’s one of my favourite parts of a heist storyline, having that understanding of the shape the heist plot should take and then seeing how it goes wrong along the way. I felt like I was trying to figure out why things were happening and how it linked to the heist.

Overall I enjoyed it and it definitely reminded me how much I enjoy a heist storyline. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on anything else released by the author.

Medici Heist is the debut novel from Caitlin Schneiderhan published on August 6th. Set in Florence 1517 this is the story of a set of misfits who decide to rob from the most influential family in Florence, the Medici. Action, adventure and romance with loveable rogues make for an enthralling read, think of Sinatra’s Ocean’s 11.

I really don’t know where to start with reviewing Medici Heist as there is just so much I loved about it. Considering the period it is set in I liked that the leader of the heist was a woman Rose. Rose had been pulling tricks and scams since she was a child with her mother and with fellow thief, Sarra and her father, but this is her biggest scheme by far. Anyone reading this book will take Rosa to their heart, she is alone in the world after the death of her mother, and this has made her focused and determined to take on Pope Leo X, also known as Giovanni de’ Meici. Rosa can come across as cold and aloof, and due to the nature of this heist she has trust issues, leading to her bringing in people in whom she knows she can trust. Sarra, aka the Tinkerer, is like a sister to Rosa and well known as an inventor. Giacomo is a thief who uses disguise and prosthetics to keep his identity hidden, and Khalid whom she brings to Florence from Genoa is a fighter. The fifth person was a surprise, but a fascinating one in Il Divino, Michelangelo himself, their way into the Medici Palazzo. I actually loved all of these characters, all had a difficult past and secrets that could leave them vulnerable but all show solidarity to their group.

This is a brilliant piece of debut fiction from Caitlin Schneiderhan, balancing a compelling plot, likeable characters and historical facts. Her detailed prose brought early sixteenth century Florence to life, from the beautiful palazzos with their luxurious decors, stunning art work and general opulence, to the more humble living conditions with people like Sarra and her brother living above their print shop to the dirty and stinking river Arno. She also captures the political feeling of Florence at this time, the citizens wanting to go back to a Republic rather than have the self effacing Medici in charge The tension ramps up as the date of the heist draws near and of course problems arise, putting them all in danger which adds to the suspense of the plot. I will admit that I really wanted them to succeed, the David to the Goliath of the Medici (like Michelangelo’s statue), whose corruption is well known.

I found Medici Heist to be an immersive and compelling read. I love the idea of the book, these young adults, thieves and con artists, taking on the power of the Medici family; good versus evil. The larger than life characters, each with their own intriguing backstory, are at the heart of this book, with their loves, losses and personal grievances. This is a fast paced read, with plenty of action, a touch of romance, friendship and revenge that will keep you entertained and turning the pages late into the night.

What a pleasant surprise Medici Heist turned out to be. This book is a roller-coaster of emotions, blending tension and fun in a way that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Caitlin Schneiderhan masterfully weaves together a cast of lovable rogues, placing them in a richly detailed historical setting brimming with intrigue and opulence. The story is a cinematic thrill ride, following sharp-witted conwoman Rosa Cellini and her team of highly skilled misfits as they navigate the treacherous world of Florence in 1517. Each character is wonderfully rounded, adding depth and complexity to the plot. All in all, a captivating adventure, filled with twists, turns, and a perfect mix of suspense and charm. Don't sleep on this one!

The writing style and the descriptions were really good, but something was missing. It didn't feel like this book was set in 16th-century Florence. The whole scene setting didn’t feel fleshed out and the whole book felt as if it was written for a tv show.

I wasn't invested in the story, and didn’t feel overly connected to the characters and therefore whilst they had good intentions, their actions frustrated me at times.

It is 1517 in Florence, the height of the Medici rule, but people are remembering when they were a republic. Seventeen-year-old con artist Rosa has plans for the money the Medici and their puppet of a Pope are extorting from the people of Tuscany. She is going to pull off the greatest heist of her time. To do this she utilizes a group of many talents, including Michelangelo! In a city on the verge of exploding their heist becomes more than a simple heist...

Starting with a 'mud pie' in the face of the Pope, we know we are entering the domain of a sassful, entertaining narrative with wonderful humor threaded through its cinematic demeanor. There is an observational tone to the descriptions, details to the precision needed, setting the reader into this world firmly. There are inviting flourishes of beauty in the figurative speech.

I really liked how cleverly each player was introduced, a variety of different but strong personalities, each quirksome, sometimes challenging, so bickering is inevitable and boy do they bicker. This isn't found family, this is dysfunctional family. One you can't help but like. There is a sense of urgency but also a dose of melancholy in each charecter's story.

The plan is intelligent and executed as such with hiccups as would be expected as it progresses, often quite creative. It is wonderful we don't know the whole plan upfront but learn it piece by piece along the way. Half the fun is figuring out what they are doing and why. Also some of the hiccups have to do with secrets each member seems to have and wants to keep from others.

I understand that these are characters bound to have secrets but do we have to keep them from the reader too. It was a bit irritating at times and the story trips in a lot of places because of them, even though I like the reveals. This is a heist so there are quite a few moving parts already, therefore so many back and forth in the narrative from present to past, sometimes even during the action and to the immediate past contribute in making it too busy, even confusing. When the story finds its footing it unfolds into the high stakes, shaped by the characters, adventurous affair we hoped for and needed.

With generous helping of excitement, suspense and surprises, and a masterful plan with a lot of twists this is a memorable ride.

It wasn't a bad read; I just didn't feel invested... I didn't develop any particular attachment to the characters, and unfortunately, the plot didn't manage to keep me intrigued. It's quite frustrating because I can see the potential of such a story, especially as a film adaptation, but I just couldn't get into it. For me, the plot starts and moves too quickly, and the focus isn't on the right elements to create a 'page turner' effect. The author's writing style is smooth and easy to read, though, and I will keep an eye on her future releases because, although the story is relatively basic, the setting remains original.

I had mixed feelings about this book…

Medici Heist has a strong opening that I was intrigued and my eyes are glued to my kindle, however the pacing turns slower as that made me wonder the direction of this story.
The motive of the heist wasn’t revealed until it hit the 60% mark which is where the pace finally picks up and things gets interesting again.

The first few chapters is where the author spend the time to introduce the character as well as the world building. I really like the setting of the palace but I can’t say the same for the characters.

The last few chapters where the heist finally takes place really had me at the edge of my seat - wondering how they were gonna pull it off. It has a very surprising twist which I didn’t see coming.

In conclusion, for a debut novel it was okay. It still need developments on some parts.
I enjoy the found family trope and the world building despite the slow pacing and lack of character depth.

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: Grief, death of a parent, brief mention of confinement and physical abuse

This debut novel was a funny, witty and fast paced adventure through the streets of 1500s Florence following a group of highly skilled youngsters brought together to pull off a robbery to take back extorted money by the Medici regime.

Led by the very intelligent and clever Rosa Cellini this absolute whirlwind escapade will have you routing for them all.

I loved all the main characters; Rosa, Sarra, Khalid and Giacomo, their relationships and the parts they played. Also loved that the great Michelangelo made an appearance!

A great fun, historical heist adventure with comedy, thrills, tension and plenty of action.

I adored this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author this ARC.

Dreamy, thrilling, historically satisfying and an astonishing heist with the most amazing cast of characters — this is The Medici Heist in one sentence,

I absolutely devoured this novel, the fast pacing and always turning plot made it such a pleasant reading experience. The setting is wonderful, the fine line between betrayal and loyalty is explored well! Definitely add this book to your reading list!

I really wanted to really like it, but sadly it wasn't my cup of tea.

The way it is written conjures images and a feel of a tv series, rather than a book.
I was drawn into it from the first time that I saw the title, I mean Medici, set in Firenze, Heist, what more would one want?

------Some small spoilers ahead-------
I was a bit let down that it was a group heist with the trope of gathering a team, it is just not my kind of thing I guess, but I could have ignored my feeling towards that. My reason for the two stars is the way in which is is written - they are far too many unnecessary details (for me) that don't help to develop the main story, side stories or characters arcs. At one point I started to almost glide over these, just because I saw no point in reading them.

Thank to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC edition of the book

Wow wow wow! An absolutely heart stopping adventure awaits you in the form of Medici Heist. When skilled thief Rosa hatches a plan to rob the highest religious institution in Italy, she sets up a team of the best she can find: an enigmatic tinkerer, a mad master of disguise, an ancient and infamous alchemist and a skilled fighter with a heart of gold.

This group captured my heart from the get go, and had me breathless, devouring every page and rooting for them to succeed. I cannot wait to see what Schneiderhan has in store for them next!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and thank you to Caitlin Schneiderhan for the amazing story.

This was a fun and lighthearted read. Set in Florence in 1517, this book could fit into the historical fiction genre, with a cast of characters that banned together to steal from the city's richest in a robin hood-esque heist.
There were a few things that made me rate this book 3 stars, the pacing being one of them. The plot only felt like it picked up halfway through, and the heist itself seemed a bit too straightforward to be believable. The characters, while sweet, sometimes felt rather underdeveloped at times and I really would've loved to see more of each of their storylines.
However, the romance in this was cute, and if you like cozy historical fiction this might be something you'll enjoy.

This is a difficult book for me to review. It was one of my most anticipated of the year, and it ended up disappointing me a little bit. The writing was really good. I love the writing style and the descriptions, but something was missing. It didn't feel like this book was set in 16th-century Florence.

The characters also felt very bland. They had good motivations, but I didn't connect with them. I wasn't invested in the story, and mostly slogged through it. Again, I don't think it's badly written, I just think it needs more depth.

I loved this story that was a whirlwind of young adult, found family, history and of course, a whole lot of con-artistry! It was definitely a very different take on historical fiction, it was ambitious and a fast paced, fun read. I did feel like there could have been a bit more interaction between some of the characters to really get that found family vibe, but overall an entertaining read!

A fun historical crime caper oozing with period detail and heart.
Florence is the perfect city, dripping with opulence, art and strength. However, the pride and power exerted by the Medici family has bred discontent, with uprisings on the brink of erupting. Set amongst this turmoil Medici Heist plots the audacious plan of Rosa and her crew of maligned low level criminals and thugs to hit the presiding family where it hurts - their vault of savings.

Schneiderhan definitely has you rooting for the underdogs, but what plan ever goes smoothly, even with the help of Michelangelo himself! Who will come through unscathed, which bonds will break and which attachments will survive.

A compelling journey through the underbelly of the Renaissance.

This was such a fun and exciting take on a heist book; I really enjoyed it!

So, because of the influence of Six of Crows, I now love heist books. I can't help myself. They're fun, thrilling and exciting. They're probably the closest I'll get to enjoying thrillers. So, I was already excited about this one, as the main plot focuses around a heist. But it gets even better. Because this heist, is set during the sixteenth century, in Florence. My little historian heart just burst. I think it is SUCH a great and original setting for a heist book.

The book centres around the planned heist of the infamous Medici family in Florence. Each character has a vendetta and reason for wanting the heist to go ahead, either due to financial gain or a personal vendetta against the Medici family. The head of the operation, Rosa, very much falls under the personal vendetta category, and we are presented with Rosa's backstory and family history.

Each character is really well drawn, I think. There is always the fear that the main character gets all of the author's attention, and the others are just left as skeletons, and background characters. But that is certainly not the case here; every character is fleshed out and has a backstory. They're all very different from each other but mesh well together. I will say that it does feel a bit like not all of the characters spend enough time with each other, and they sort of couple up and go off on their own. However, I still enjoyed everyone's chemistry.

I also found some of the character's relationships a bit confusing; I'm still confused how Rosa and Sarra/Pietro know each other/are related?

Rosa really is the star of the show (and operation). She has a very sad backstory and a compelling reason for wanting to strike against the Medici family. She's a really interesting character and I very much enjoyed her relationship with the rest of the characters (or at least, the characters she interacts with), particularly Dominic. I want a second book about Rosa and Dominic please!

The heist itself I found very satisfying and well-crafted; there weren't any plot holes or sequences that didn't add up.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend!

Florence 1517 The Medici family are returning to power. They are collecting money from the wealthy in Florence to bolster their army.
Conwoman Rosa and her team are ready to commit the greatest robbery of the century.
The pacing of the story and back stories of the team can be a bit slow.
The robbery set up does not always go to plan and there is some ingenious plotting to pull the heist off.
Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This is a cracking adventure book, part Famous Five and part criminal masterminded thriller. A bit like a female Robin Hood in Florence, with her team of merry likeminded people. A gang. Undercurrent themes include family problems, desertion, abandonment, the difficulty of being gay and coming out, the great weight of promises made long ago. A little bit of everything, with a slug of humour and a dash of romance.