First published 2026
Sculptress Ravenna Maffei enters a competition in 15th-century Volterra, hosted by an immortal family who promise an invaluable prize to the winner. She needs this boon to save her brother. During the contest, Ravenna reveals her rare magical abilities, a deadly mistake in a city where magic is banned. The Luni family kidnaps her and drags her to Florence, where she faces an impossible task from Saturnino dei Luni, their merciless heir. Failure means death. Yet beneath his cold exterior, Saturnino harbors a vulnerability that pulls Ravenna closer than she planned. The Pope wages war against Florence, the Medici, and magic itself. He views Ravenna as a weapon for his campaign. As alliances crumble and war approaches, Ravenna walks the razor edge between survival and betrayal, between love and duty. Her choices will decide not only her fate but the delicate balance of magic and power that holds Florence together.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, fantasy, magic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity
Setting: Volterra, Florence
Period: 15th-century
488 pages · Hardcover · Saturday Books
Content warnings: violence