by Jo Walton
First published 2019
Girolamo Savonarola possesses an extraordinary gift. He perceives demons that others cannot see and banishes them through sheer force of will. His reputation spreads through Renaissance Florence as he forms alliances with powerful figures like the Count of Concordia. His influence reaches beyond the city walls when he persuades the French king to show mercy to Florence. Success brings recognition, but it also breeds doubt. Girolamo finds himself wrestling with fundamental questions about his identity and purpose. The supernatural abilities that elevated him now feel like a burden he cannot fully understand. As his fame spreads and his power deepens, the mystery of his true nature becomes impossible to ignore. The revelation that awaits him will shatter his assumptions about himself and his place in the world.
Genres: historical-fiction, fantasy, supernatural
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, identity-crisis
Setting: Florence, Italy
Period: Renaissance
382 pages · Hardcover · Tor