MEDICI HEIST is a caper set in Renaissance Florence simmering with discontent and a misfit group of conmen and women take on the most powerful family there is.

I like historicals and I like heist books and this story combines both in such a fun way. It takes all the simmering resentment of the time and adds all the classic elements of a heist novel - conspirators with secrets, things going wrong, major adjustments to the plan. And all of this without any digital technology (which honestly I liked; I often find the technology feels pretty sci-fi in some movies.)

As with any heist, the cast and their dynamics bear a lot of the weight - you have to want to cheer them on as the odds are stacked further and further against them, you have to be on a knife's edge over whether their interpersonal dramas and secrets will bring it all crashing down. MEDICI HEIST delivers a group cast novel in style, with four main narrators (Rose, Sarra, Khalid, and Giacomo) with an additional minor narrator (Dominic).

Rosa has her own reasons for planning the heist, Sarra keeps her activities a secret from her brother, Khalid has a debt called in, and Giacomo's past is about to pounce on him. Any one of them could bring it toppling down and need to learn how to be open with one other if they are going to succeed. It's a lot of fun watching them try to wrestle the problems alone all while grudgingly coming to like one another enough to open up. Dominic's the character who's not meant to be involved but is in the wrong place at the wrong time too many times and gets pulled in.

It all comes together in a slick heist sequence full of last minute problems to think around, unexpected people to deal in, and people to double cross. There are switches and reveals that are very satisfying even if I did guess a few of them. It's a long section, as you'd hope, but the pacing makes it fly by.

It is a standalone and the heist is all wrapped up by the end, but I feel like it could have a second book to explore some of the characters further - particularly Dominic.

It took me a while to get into this book, but I did like it in the end. I liked the characters and the ending was very clever. But for most of the book, I felt like there wasn’t much there to set it out from any other heist book. I don’t know how much my reading slump had to do with how much I wasn’t into it though.

I really liked the relationship between Khalid and Giacomo. They were perfect with their bickering and sass. Honestly I loved Giacomo so much. He was the sort of character that I really like and the author pulled him off perfectly.

The ending I think was my favourite part though. It was skilful writing and exactly what you want in a heist book. I loved the mis-direction. How you couldn’t possibly guess what was about to happen next and yet when you look back at it, the clues were all there.

Overall, I want to give it a higher star for the ending and the characters but I can’t really escape the fact that I wasn’t really having fun through most of the book.

Okay, I haven't had this much fun with a book in a long time!
Move back in time, Ocean's Eleven in Florence with the insane goal to rob THE MEDICI!
Absolutely brilliant idea that was also brilliantly made!
With her impeccable plan, Rosa Cellini is recruiting a colorful gang of grifters to relieve the Medici family of their amounted indulgence money….but it's not all about the money, it's about her past too.
When you have Sarra the tinkerer, Khalid—the right-hand man to the weaver of Genoa, the irresistible and charming Giacomo that can relieve you of anything you own with a smile, innocent looking old lady Agatha with her apothecary….and the cherry on top is to recruit IL Divino himself in your team.
With a team like that, nothing could go wrong right and nothing is impossible, right?
“There is nothing so ‘impossible’ in this world that God has to take it on himself. There are only things that very clever people have not done yet.”
Colorful characters with so distinctive voices that each and every one of them goes under your skin and makes you feel everything.
Khalid and Giacomo are my favorite because they are the absolute opposites and their interactions steal the show every single time and make you chuckle.
Another favorite thing is how the heist plot is used to tell their personal stories and the two run side by side, making the dynamic of the book feel perfect and immersive.
Moreover, the way how historical bits were used and seamlessly interwoven into the story was incredible and pique your interest so much that you start researching hungry for more information about those events.
Remarkable book that I can't recommend enough!

I was so excited by the premise of this book: a historical heist novel set in Renaissance Italy is such an interesting idea. I was hoping for something similar to Six of Crows or The Lies of Locke Lamora, except historical as opposed to fantasy. Unfortunately the book failed to engage me and I ended up DNF-ing a third of the way in.

First some positive things: I enjoyed Khalid's chapters and felt that I got a strong sense of his backstory and motivations right from his introduction. I appreciated the established friendship between Rosa and Sarra, two of the female characters, and their interactions. I also liked that the heist team was relatively diverse, including a man of colour and three women (one of whom was a elderly.) Agata, an apothecary with a knack for explosives, was so intriguing and I would have liked to see a lot more of her.

There were a lot of characters (both point of view characters and supporting cast) who I found it difficult to keep track of. Because the book uses short, multi-perspective chapters I didn't feel like I got chance to get invested in any of the individual characters; although I did feel that Khalid and Sarra were more engaging because they both had clear stakes and motivations.

I found the book slow paced, especially for a heist novel, possibly because of the time spent introducing the ensemble cast. A third of the way into the book, they didn't seem much closer to their goal. One element I did like, was the re-emergence of Khalid's former employer, to provide conflict.

The historical setting did not feel immersive and the characters thought and acted in modern ways. While it makes sense that a team of criminals targeting the Pope might be less religious than the average person, religion did not seem to be a consideration at all, making the setting seem inauthentic. I did enjoy that Sarra spent a portion of her time in boy's clothes for practicality (as I'm a huge fan of gender non conforming characters) but again, it seemed unrealistic that no one seemed especially phased by this, despite the fact she was not attempting to pass as male. It felt like a missed opportunity not to have fear of discovery being a

Despite all that, I can imagine this story being successfully adapted in the vein of Enola Holmes. The actual concept is very intriguing and I think in some ways might be more suited to screen than page.

I would usually not give a star rating to a book I'd DNF-d, but as NetGalley requires me to rate it, I've given it a 2.5, rounded up to a 3.

I unfortunately had to DNF this book. I loved the idea of the premise but I felt that the execution couldn't keep me interested. For a historical setting the writing felt too modern and kept trying to be funny when it didn't fit. There were a few scenes where it felt ripped from a fanfiction and was used for tiktok quotes. There were too many chaacters. With a heist that is expected but I often got confused with the side characters as they weren't real people. But the main gaff is the two main girls: Rosa and Sarra were basically the same person. I would get confused midchapter over who we were following. I think maybe this being a YA book didn't help my lack of enjoyment. Hopefully other people can enjoy this, but I don't need to force myself to.
I don't feel it's fair to give a star rating but I have to. It's 2 stars as I don't think it merits a 1 star, but i couldn't finish the book so anything higher wouldn't be truthful.

Rosa Cellini returns to her home town of Florence, determined to bring together a group who can pull off a huge robbery, and demonstrate that the Medici are not the all powerful force that they like to believe. The group includes Sara the tinkerer, hiding her involvement from her printer brother, Khalid, trying to pay off huge debts and trapped as a fighter, Giacomo the charming master of disguise who has his own family issues, and Agatha the possible witch and definite apothecary genius. There's also Michaelangelo (yes, that one), and his apprentice Dominic, who may or may not be willing and able to help them.

All of them have stories which will affect how the job goes, and the city of Florence itself is on a knife edge of revolt, adding a lot of extra tension. Can their meticulous planning really pull it off, or is it all going to go horribly wrong?

It's very enjoyable, and even though you know it will work out in the end there's a reasonable amount of tension in seeing how it will happen and what's actually resolved at the end! There was just enough of the actual history involved to ground the story and place it in history without overloading the plot with explanations, and keep everything moving.

I'd happily read more by this author (maybe Agatha's back story?)

Actual rating: 3.75/5 (rounded up to 4).
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The setting was very enthralling and atmospheric. The plot was not the most complex plot ever but it worked and was well-built. The characters were pleasant and their relationship dynamics were well thought out. The author brought some bits of romance but they did not step on the plot and I really appreciated that. I’m not the biggest romance fan. Also, it felt a bit more mature than some other young adult books, which was also appealing. I did like the writing very much as well. And the ending was satisfying.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I loved this! It hit all of my personal favourite things: a good heist, historical fiction, well developed romance. The balance between all the different point of views was good, it was well paced, and I found myself wanting more of these characters. I couldn't ask for more!

This proof was given to me through Net Galley, and the following review is my own thoughts. Net Galley, the author and the publisher have not affected my review.

The ruse that this book was like 'Six of Crows' but without the fantasy was what drew me to it. I've heard nothing but good reviews of 'Six of Crows', and it's on my To Be Read. So, I thought that it would be a great way to read it when I saw it up on Net Galley.

And I have to say, this does deliver. The story navigates around several different characters, from different walks of life. Not all of them are thieves, conmen or grifters. There are ones impassioned by how the Medici are planning nefarious plans for the city. And, it's nice to have these all woven together, because whether this heist is for money, or, for the republic, the reason for all to be involved are believable.

It also doesn't hurt that the real character of Michelangelo is involved either.

There are no characters who are left to be 2D. They are more than their decisions to take part in this heist. While quite a bit of their lives are hidden, only slowly being dripped into the story as it progresses, there is at no point when the reader feels as though it doesn't make sense for one or more of the characters to be involved. You fully believe that they have a reason. It might not be apparent at that moment, but when it all comes together... It's a major 'oh' for the reader.

I don't want to give much of this away. It's a heist story. There are twists and turns. There is the 3rd Act where everything appears to go wrong. Will the 'Weaver' get everything, or, will the Medici foil it all because several of the characters were pulled off script? It's all there.

I'd highly recommend this book. When it comes out, I will be debating getting the Kindle version or the Audio. It depends on the narrator for the most part, because if the various characters are handled with the care they deserve by the narrator... Then that's an automatic credit for me.

A very entertaining alternate-history novel that mixes real facts and characters, like Leone X, and the selling of indulgences which is related to Martin Luther and dates back to XIV century.
It was not related to the exile of Medici after Savonarola. No indulgence, no ransom.
Giuliano de Medici (future Clemente VII), Leone's brother was quite popular. Leone X is one of the most important patron of arts in Renaissance.
This is history, the we have alternate history and Leone X is different and there's a group of misfits who want to enact a sort of Ocean XI in XVI century.
I had fun in reading this novel as it's fast paced and entertaining. The characters are interesting and there's plenty of twists and hidden agendas.
A lively and fun read I enjoyed as I decided it was something set in a parallel universe.
Have fun and read it.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was a well crafted historical novel. Centred on Florence at the time of the Medicis, there are three parts to the book, an introduction to the characters, the struggles they went through to make them who they are and then the heist. The characters are great and the plot is really imaginative and detailed. At times som3 of the detail is hard to follow but this does not detract from what is a rattling good story

A very twisty page-turner, blending historical fiction with the archetypal heist genre. Half expected Danny Ocean to make an appearance…

This sounded right up my street and I was excited to read it. Historical setting and a heist too. The mud and the Pope made me smile. Hoever, it rapidly became quite confusing with numerous POV and also very, very slow going. There just wasn't enough to hold my interest and it took me a long time to read. Sadly not my thing

I was really excited to read this as it’s set in Florence l, a city I absolutely love and adore after only spending 3 days there last year and can’t wait to go back to!
Also the history and heist element was really appealing and exciting as I’d learnt a bit about the Medici family history on my walking tour.
Despite my excitement, I really struggled to get into this story, having so many POVs and switching back and forth was a struggle for me to keep up and considering this is for a younger audience I felt if I struggled, younger people definitely would too.
If I’m truely honest it’s taken me months and months to read this, but I’ve powered on .
The plot and premise had so much potential but I do think the multiple PoVs and slow pace has let it down.
2.5 stars

Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderman is a well crafted YA debut which has been compared to Six of Crows and I can honestly see why. Set in 1517 Florence the book follows the adventures of a group of young con artists and thieves as they embark on an ambitious and audacious plan to rob Pope Leo X, the Medici Pope of the vast wealth he has extorted from the faithful in the form of indulgences, gifts to the church which garner heavenly favour for the donors. Rosa, the brains behind the operation has a personal reason for her choice of target, Leo was responsible for her mother's death several years before and now she has returned to the city to seek her revenge with the help of some old friends like Sarra the tinkerer, a young woman and gifted inventor who was like a sister to her growing up, Giacomo the master of disguise and aspiring actor and Khalid the muscle who carries the burdens of his father's debts .
This is a fairly fast paced read, propelling along by the shifting perspectives which allowed the various layers of both the plot and the plan to unfold. While the characters were interesting I do wish that there had been a little more effort to differentiate more between Sarra and Rosa in terms of voice, the style of both perspectives was very similar and occasionally I found myself checking back to see which point of view we were in. Where the author really shone was in setting the scene and bringing the past so vividly to life on the page, her descriptions of the sights, sounds and especially smells of the ancient city certainly had my imagination taking flight and I was not surprised when reading the author's notes at the end of the book to hear that it had its origins in a screenplay - in fact I think this is a book that would work very well adapted to a visual medium.
Overall this was a fun, fast read that really entertained .
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
4 stars book from me. Loved the plot and the stories in this book. Loved every single second reading it.

the premise of the book sounded amazing— an ensemble cast set against the backdrop of Florence while a heist is underway? sign me up!

but ultimately, the book fell a little flat for me. the characters were my main issue. they were pretty indistinguishable with very very similar voices. they didn’t feel like much beyond their basic archetypes so it was hard to care or root for them. and honestly, for a heist book… i expected more heist. it starts pretty late in the book and since the characters didn’t grip me, by the time we get to the heist it was hard to stay invested sadly :/

the book was an amazing concept but it lacked spark.

I admit that I had initially procrastinated on reading this book. However, once I had finally began, I became quickly enthralled!

Most of the main character’s in the story were found to be complex and interesting, and the friendships that rose among the scheming group’s members were adorable — I would like to emphasise on the ‘most’ since Sarra’s character appeared to me rather dull compared to Rosa’s or Dominic’s; I just could not see past a person who was estranged from her sister and a skilful engineer.
Additionally, the heist’s scheme and the Medici heist itself were equally engrossing for me — which is reflected on the high-marked rating. I cannot describe how ingenious it was that the way the few special details of the story managed to intertwine into the plot!

I am aware that some have described this book as an Italian version of ‘Six of Crows’ and ‘Oceans 11’, so if that sounds like your cup of tea, I definitely recommend!


This book was kindly bestowed to me by NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK. Thank you.

THE MEDICI FAMILY! A HEIST!! What more could you possibly want from a book?! 💰

🇮🇹 'Medici Heist' by Caitlin Schneiderhan is about a gang of misfits in 1517 Florence who band together to attempt an impossible heist on the Medici family. With anti-Medici sentiment causing unrest in the city, the stakes could not be higher!!

❤️ This was honestly SUCH A JOY TO READ. It felt so cinematic & just like I was watching a heist film. Action-packed, lovable characters, quick-witted dialogue - it has it all!

✍️ The characters were so well-crafted, I adored the whole gang & loved their 'found family' arc. My favourite was Rosa, the charismatic heist leader (but I also loved Giacomo, the chaotic liability!). There's also a surprise late addition to the crew who I won't spoil for you here but made me GASP OUT LOUD when they were recruited.

🪙 The political & religious backdrop really added a bit of depth - the Pope & the Cardinal are both Medicis and their family had taken over in Florence. However, many in the city preferred it when their city was a Republic, meaning that robbing the Medicis is about more than just the money.

⛪ The setting was so detailed. I love Florence & felt like I was back there and travelled back in time! All the artwork & architecture added a real sense of place to the book.

💕 If you've ever watched 'La Casa de Papel' / 'Money Heist' and got really invested in the romances which blossomed during the high-pressure heist environment, you'll love this. All the romance sub-plots are unbearably sweet!!

📖 This book was basically everything that 'Six Of Crows' was trying (and in my opinion, failing) to be. I think this was originally written for a YA audience because of the easy-to-read style, young cast, & fast pacing, but it's definitely enjoyable for any age.

🌟 Overall, an absolutely cracking book which I would highly recommend to everyone, even if they don't usually go for historical fiction.

📆 Publishes on 6 Aug with Atom Books. Thanks Netgalley for my gifted ARC.

A really fun book which combined two things I never knew needed to happen but now I'm very glad they have! We follow Rosa as she gathers her band of thieves and grifters together to pull the biggest heist of all time which simultaneously loosens the grip of the Medici on Florence. Each member of the group felt believable and had their own challenges going on - my one wish is that we got to see more of Agata as she very much remained in the background.
I loved the descriptions of the city here and Schneiderhan brings to life the different districts really well and adds in fun little details with the different churches or specific palazzos.

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants a fun historical read that also reminds them of Oceans Eleven!