Graceless Heart (The Spellbound History, #1) by Isabel Ibañez

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A lush, atmospheric and achingly magical standalone adult fantasy romance set in Renaissance Italy from a #1 New York Times bestselling author.

In 15th-century Volterra, sculptress Ravenna Maffei enters a competition hosted by a secretive, immortal family who offer an invaluable boon to the victor. Desperate to win so she can save her brother, Ravenna reveals a rare magical talent--a dangerous act in a city where magic is forbidden. Her revelation makes her a target, and she is kidnapped by the Luni family and taken to Florence, a city of breathtaking beauty and cutthroat ambition.

There, Ravenna is forced into an impossible task where failure means certain death at the hands of Saturnino dei Luni, the family's enigmatic and merciless heir. But under his cold reserve hides a vulnerability that draws her closer than she ever intended.

Meanwhile, Ravenna's forbidden magic does not go unnoticed. The Pope, waging war against Florence, the Medici, and magic itself, has his own interest in her abilities, seeing her as a potential weapon in his ruthless campaign.

As alliances shift and war brews on the horizon, Ravenna must navigate the treacherous line between survival and betrayal, between love and duty. With time running out and her every move watched, the choices she makes will determine the fate of not just her own life, but the fragile balance of magic and power that could unravel Florence itself.

"A strange feeling unsettled him, like hearing a single haunting note in a quiet room, its resonance hinting at a symphony far richer and more complex than expected. Ravenna Maffei was no simple tune; she lingered, an echo in his mind he couldn't quiet, not matter how much he wished to."

First off, I’m confused about whether this is meant to be a standalone or part of a series. The synopsis calls it an “achingly magical standalone,” but Goodreads lists it as book one in The Spellbound History series. That distinction matters, because the story doesn’t actually wrap up by the end. Instead, it stops mid-moment. Ravenna starts to say something, Saturnino tells her to come with him—and that’s it.

After such a drawn-out story, the abrupt ending was incredibly frustrating and left the conclusion feeling unfinished. The beginning also drags, and the world-building left a lot to be desired. I understand that the author intended this to be historical fiction, but I wasn’t thrilled with her depiction of religious leaders in the Catholic faith or the way she chose to weave real historical events into the fantasy elements.

The secondary characters also fell flat, as most of them were either nonexistent or felt like plot devices meant to further the MC’s storyline. It was a missed opportunity to develop friendships and give us more reasons to like—or dislike—the other people Ravenna interacts with. Instead, it’s Ravenna doing almost everything on her own, and Saturnino undergoes a noticeable personality change about halfway through the book. Yes, he starts to admit feelings for Ravenna, but I didn’t think it meant he also had to change so drastically.

There’s also a hole in the story that doesn’t make sense. A prominent character is the child of two other important characters, but they’re also said to have a brother. How does that work? The main focus is on this one child, and it’s clear that the two weren’t conceived by the same parents.

In the end, Graceless Heart didn’t wow me the way I was expecting. All the ingredients for an amazing story are there, but I think the author botched the recipe. The book could have benefited from more emphasis on world-building and character development. While I liked Ravenna, it would’ve been nice to spend time with other characters as well. Saturnino had the makings of a good morally gray love interest, but the switch from bad guy to lover didn’t feel natural or smooth. I’ll be curious to see whether this stays a standalone or turns into a series, but either way, it’s probably not one I’ll continue. (★★★☆☆)

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.