Florence, 1517. Five Individuals are planning an almost impossible heist, planning rob the most powerful family in all of Florence: the Medici Family.
I actually really like the general idea: a heist novel but historical fiction? Sounds good!
But I couldn't really enjoy it because I really couldn't connect with the characters, so their tragic backstories and generally sad/shocking/tense elements in the book didn't evoke any emotion in me. Which is pretty bad considering that I was partly 90 percent through the book and still didn't really care about anything that happend in it.

The setting and time period is what drew me to this book. A bunch of intriguing characters stumble upon each other in Florence in the 1500s, as the Medici family rule over the city. The first chapter draws you in immediately and the pace is quite fast throughout. This is a multiple point of view novel. I am not much of a fan of this format, because I feel it takes a while to get accustomed and attached to all the characters, but I know many readers will love that. The language used sometimes feels a little off considering the time period the story is set in, but this did not bother me too much. It keeps the dialogue moving and conversational.

All in all, this is a fast-paced adventure set in 16th century Florence with a team of lively characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This is my honest opinion of the novel. This review is available on Goodreads.

Medici Heist follows a 17 year old who recruits a group of people to pull of a heist. This book is historical fiction and contains a lot of that. It really reminded me of Six of Crows. The writing was great (I discovered mid book that the author is a screenwriter for Stranger Things, which became obvious in her writing but by no means was it bad).

The plot unfortunately fell a little flat for me, whether that's because in my head I couldn't help but compare it to SoC or not. A decent read with found family, some romance and good writing.

I really loved the heist element of this story - you can imagine it being made into a film with all the different characters having to pull together and show their individual strengths in order to pull off the crime, but the tone was a bit too YA for my personal liking, plus the language was way off for the period it's set in which kept pulling me out of the story. Having said that, I can imagine that this will be a big hit, it's got a good story and likeable characters.

I wish I enjoyed this book more than I did!

Unfortunately, it was a bit YA for me, I’d have loved it when I was 14 but as an adult it just felt a bit immature in its writing, and everything was tied a bit too neatly into a happy ever after

Absolutely expect that this will be loved, it’s just not for me!

First of all, I'd like to thank NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for giving me an Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Total rating: 3.5 (rounded up to 4) 🌕🌕🌕🌗

As you cannot do half stars, I will now be rating in moons. Now moving onto the review!

This is my first try at an Italian book history book I realise, so it really was new territory for me. I first picked up this book because I was intrigued by the idea of 4 teenagers dragging Michelangelo into a big heist, and although I was interested in the premise of the book I have to admit it did take me a little bit of time to get into it.

But once I hit the 40% mark? All bets were off. I was definitely sucked in, with each chapter showing a different point of view for everyone and dropping hints as to how they would do this heist, yet despite it all I still wouldn't have been able to guess any of the actual methods used to make it work. Right up to the end of the book, I was doing my level best to piece together the heist. The way it was actually done as well? Absolutely incredible. I read a bulk of the book in one sitting as I needed to know more about how they were going to actually enact their plan, before admittadly putting off the ending a little since I didn't want it to be over.

Switching between the different points of view also gave me a chance to get to know the characters better, even if there were times where I would purposely be left with a cliffhanger with one for what felt like forever.

If you are interested in this kind of premise, I would 100% give this book a read. Definitely a great start for a debut novel (discounting the stranger things book, she wrote for the show so it doesn't really count). If Caitlin ever decides to bring out another book, I'll be sure to give it a read.

“Nothing is impossible. There are only things that very clever people haven’t done yet.”

Rosa Cellini arrives in Florence the same day as the Medici Pope Leo X arrives to regain power. With the Pope extorting money from the people of Florence Rosa has a plan to pull off the Renaissance's biggest heist.

A well executed thrilling read!

There are a lot of characters in this book to keep track of,the main group was quiet easy to like. Rosa and Sarra are undoubtedly my favourites. I did get a bit lost in some parts but it all wound back together as I carried on reading.

If you like the Renaissance period and a found family trope this is the book for you!

Medici-era Florence? Ragtag group of characters on their found family journey? An impossible heist? Michelangelo is somehow involved? If this doesn't sound like the perfect book I don't know what does. I had high expectations going into this because the premise is so fun and promising. And I did have a lot of fun!

"Medici Heist" is what I would consider the perfect little palate cleanser between denser, bigger books. It's well-written and mostly fast-paced, it has a charming enough cast of characters and a great setting. Now, does Schneiderhan reinvent the wheel with her debut? No, you won't be surprised by anything here. The characters are all charming in their own way, but they're also rather typical for the genre and they're not always given enough space to do what they're supposed to do. Our tinkerer, Sarra, for example rarely tinkers but is always said to be tinkering. In general I often felt like especially the two women, Sarra and Rosa, weren't distinct enough to really make me see them as their own characters. They felt very samey, which is a shame because their relationship had so much potential and I loved its focus on actual found family and what it means to either of them. Still, the relationships between the characters are fun and the romance between Giacomo and Khalid is cute. The other romance, between our mastermind Rosa and the artist Dominic, doesn't have enough space either to really mean something, but in theory they're cute too and I did love how they didn't rush into love but stay true to their characters until the end. The side characters admittedly fell a little flat, even Michelangelo.
The political world building around the Medici is interesting though also very black and white, which leads to the main antagonist turning out to be a little boring. But the heist itself is a lot of fun and I loved the individual reasons the characters had for joining in.

All in all this is fun, a quick read with likeable characters set in an amazing place and era that I do think we barely see in fiction. It won't be your most memorable read, but you'll have a good time while it lasts.

This novel is heavy-on-the-fiction historical fiction.

"Medici Heist" by Caitlin Schneiderhan is a captivating historical fiction novel centered around Rosa Cellini, a 17-year-old thief returning to Florence after a six-year hiatus. Her mission: to dismantle the powerful and allegedly corrupt Medici family, now led by Pope Leo X.Rosa, a masterful thief, assembles a diverse team of misfits, each driven by personal motives to take down the Medici. The heist they plan is intricate and perilous, demanding meticulous strategy and execution.

The novel deftly portrays the Medici family's corruption, especially Pope Leo X, who wields his power to exploit and manipulate others, setting the stage for the protagonists' actions. Rosa's thirst for revenge against the Medici propels the narrative. Her quest is fueled by a desire to rectify past injustices and deliver justice to the wronged.

Alongside the pursuit of retribution, the heist symbolizes a quest for freedom and fortune. Rosa and her team are prepared to risk everything to achieve their goals and attain the liberty and wealth they crave.

The novel also delves into themes of identity and loyalty. Characters, particularly Rosa, grapple with their complex relationships with both their families and the Medici, all while striving to maintain their values and objectives.Despite the novel's engaging plot, it occasionally falls short in character depth. The characters, while numerous, often lack emotional complexity and diversity. Notable figures like Michelangelo and an elderly woman who serves as a witch/apothecary add some variety, yet the narrative can feel somewhat superficial at times.

Nevertheless, "Medici Heist" offers an enjoyable escape to the historical allure of Florence, making it an excellent choice for readers seeking a blend of adventure and historical intrigue.

I really liked the premise of this book, the heist itself was really well executed, I think my issue overall was that I didn't really connect with the characters, it took about 30-40% of the book to get to know them before the heist took off in a more pacy manner and I can't help but think that could have been done a bit faster., or a lot easier if there weren't so many characters. It seems to lend itself to making the characters less dimensional that I would have liked. The setting and historical detail are very well crafted and quite cinematic. This book would be a great introduction to heist novels for a lot of people but I think the issue is that I have already read quite a lot of them and the actual heist part doesn't take up a lot of space which made me feel like the title was a bit misleading.

I love historical fiction but I can be a little wary of heists - the cast of characters has to be perfect (or near to) for me to enjoy it, or else someone inevitably starts grating on me, making me want to put the book down. Luckily, that wasn't the case at all with Medici Heist and I enjoyed every single character.

It's easy to see Caitlin Schneiderhan has a background in Hollywood based on the way she writers - so visual and electric. Even when the pace is slow at the beginning, the visual descriptions were lush and kept me hooked.

Honestly, I wish there was more fun historical YA fiction like this, especially when they feature real historical figures doing things completely inaccurate to what we know of them. It's a lot of fun!

Thank you Netgalley for the arc in exchange for a review.

My rating : 3.5 stars

This book showed great premises and I was looking forward to it. A heist? Set in 16th-century Florence? Immediate yes!

Overall, I thought the heist was well-executed, with good tension and intriguing twists. I loved the setting, and I was drawn by the atmosphere of the Italian Renaissance right away.

I will say, however, that my biggest issue was with the characters. I couldn’t connect with them or empathise with their stories. Seeing as they were the one moving the story and particularly considering the motivations driving some of the characters to pull off the heist, it was definitely one of the things that prevented me from becoming truly invested in the story. There were several main characters, each of whom seemed to fit into a certain role or category, and I wish we got to know them better as persons, as some of them hardly had any interaction with one another, and what we learned about their backstories and past seemed to come mostly from info dumps.

That being said, it was a very enjoyable story, and the fact that it is a standalone makes it a nice, fun read!

Medici Heist took me by surprise and I ended up really enjoying this book! I don’t often reach for historical fiction, but felt this had a really promising premise and I think it was a little lax on the historical accuracy (which I thought added to the fun, but may be a negative for some readers).

The pacing was quite slow in the beginning, but once we got going it started to really pack a punch. Heists almost always guarantee a good time and I loved the tension and mix of characters. I fell in love with Rosa and all of the crew to be honest, and really enjoyed watching their dynamics shift and develop as the story progressed. I think the characterisations in the book are what sealed the deal for me and helped me stay engaged as the heist became slightly secondary or like an afterthought at certain points.

It could be a little predictable at times, but overall I had fun and would definitely recommend this as an entertaining, light-hearted read.

What a great debut book for this author and one that I enjoyed immensely. Set in Florence in 1517 this is a story about the a pope extorting money and a con-woman who wants to take it back with the help of her band of misfits.

This is such a great read and I just couldn't put it down. It is easy to read yet action packed. It has a great story and wonderful characters that made me want to read more. The women in this book are women with spunk and strength. They bring such excitement and intrigue to the story and you just want them to achieve the goal they have set.

This is a book you will want to read as it is marvellous and fun, exciting and thrilling and there is even a bit of humour amongst the pages as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

«Medici Heist» is by far one of the best heist-themed novels I have read in a long time. It gave me the same “WOW” factor feeling that I got when I read The Founders Trilogy Series by Robert Jackson Bennett.

Sometimes, reading a book, you know you are reading the next big thing. This feels like that. This book feels like the next massive thing that will be made into a movie and be a worthy bestseller for years. It has that feeling because this writing made my pulse skyrocket.

“Medici Heist” was a spectacular read and it felt like I was right there as I read. The author writes in a very visual way, making it easy to “see”
Rosa is such a great character, and I love that the woman in this book has brains and smarts – not dull-witted “what do we do now” behavior.
The way Caitlin writes, is to read a master class in “show, don’t tell.” The plot dances around, connecting side characters, plot bunnies and the heist itself. Rosa is the main character, but her whole crew was in the spotlight, even when things started to go awry.

I need book 2 yesterday or now. Caitlin Schneiderhan is now permanently added to my “One click buy” list of authors I am now addicted to. I had so much fun reading this.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Atom for the ARC.

3,5 stars,

The setting and the concept are curious 5/5.
Characterisation 3.5/5
Writing style 3/5 - not for me

Plot: 2.5/5
Mood and themes: 3

I had high expectations and hopes,
Despite the interesting idea and my personal interest at the time period, I found that this book lacked layers, depth, and a fresh take.

I can see that it can be a more engaging and entertaining read for many readers, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the author, Netgalley and the publishers for the e-arc of Medici Heist. I absolutely loved this book it is so well written. The characters are brilliantly written with all of their stories interconnected.

Slow burn heist novel (think Ocean’s 8 set in Medici Florence). Although the number of characters is very daunting, and the pace begins slow, Schneiderhan really hits her rhythm around the 40% mark. Atmospheric and well-characterized, I think this is one worth sticking with. The romance beats were charming and subtle, and while the details of the heist sometimes felt like an afterthought, the character relationships were engaging enough that I didn’t mind. Real crossover potential here!

A heist novel set in 1500s Florence. I wanted to love this but it does very little to differentiate itself from similar novels, of which there recently have been many trying to establish themselves as the next Six of Crows. The setting, historical detail and the heist itself are strong, and the writing style is pacy. However there were too many characters, most of whom felt one-dimensional, and lacked any chemistry or cohesiveness. I probably would have preferred it if it wasn't YA. Not for me.

This book is beautifully written. A gorgeous thriller with an action packed plot to rob a very strong family of Florence. What could go wrong? The characters were relatable and very lovable. The novel is a standalone, filled with themes of love, betrayal, trust, family and friendship Reminiscent of Ocean's Eleven, the book is engrossing and dazzling. The book is a little slow, but it makes up for it.
Excellent for fans of Heists and fun crews robbing the rich.