This historical fantasy was like nothing I've read before and I adore it SO much.

Raveena, a sculptress, wants nothing but to protect her family from the war between the Medici's and Rome. But when she wins a competition in effort to save her brother, she finds herself living and working for her enemy.

As someone who is a history buff, the world building in this was lush and so clear. You can tell Isabel Ibanez loves her history with how she describes her setting and tidbits of the culture surrounding them. Raveena is a great FMC! She's the perfect amount of grit and self perseverance with a soft spot for those she loves. Her banter with her MMC, Saturnino, was engaging, I loved seeing them argue.

The magic in this story is what really kept me. Yes, we've read plenty of fantasy books with magical beings, but I loved how the different species of fantastical beings interacted. I was on edge to discover what the de Luni family was and the reveal was amazing. It really says a lot about Saturnino's character and how he develops in the story. It was interesting seeing the religion intertwining with the magic.

I also really enjoyed the POVs in this. Most of the story follows Raveena's POV - but the chapters where we get in the heads of other characters were some of my favorites. Everyone truly was living and surviving for themselves.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an eARC. All thoughts are honest and my own.