I have mixed feelings about this book, ultimately it left me perplexed and disappointed. It had so much potential with the plot and setting, but it failed to hit the mark. Terrible pacing in the first half, and I don’t blame anyone for quitting. I marched on, only to skim read the rest, especially near the end where, apparently, everything under the sun was on the table.

Marketed as adult historical fiction / romance / fantasy, yet it was strongly leaning juvenile with some really cheesy dialogue. Anyone looking for a story based in these genres would be disappointed in one thing or another. I found the romance lacking, yet the whole book revolves around Ravenna and Saturnino. I didn’t buy into their connection, there was no chemistry, it was Stockholm Syndrome with two people having the personality of a door mat. Ravenna was a bland damsel, there wasn’t any character growth, she felt like a puppet having her strings pulled by others.

The historical fiction angle had the perfect setting, the use of real historical figures was interesting, but nothing of real importance happened in the plot. The political machinations were a footnote, squandering any real intrigue potential.

Now getting to the fantasy elements will be hella confusing to anyone. Ravenna is a witch, maybe? Saturnino and his family are immortal. There are fae, but we don’t know them. Throw in a random vampire, and I’m surprised the author didn’t write in aliens too. It was kind of a hot mess at the end there.

Maybe this review makes no sense, I guess it was an okay YA story. It just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy.

Pub date: January 13, 2026

Title: Graceless Heart
Author: Isabel Ibañez
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Historical Fiction
Rating: 2/5 ⭐️⭐️