Fairyloot Adult #47: January 2026
A new year, a new series of book boxes on the horizon. And yes, even though I resolve every year to be more selective and use my skip options more often, there’s always something that makes me hesitate.
For this first FairyLoot box of 2026, it was mainly the impressive list of artists. That alone made my mouth water. And when I later discovered which author would be in the box, the deal was sealed, although I realized afterward that I had completely confused that author with someone else. Oops.
Anyway, let me start at the beginning.
At the beginning of December, FairyLoot announced the theme for their January box: Divine Rebellion. The book of the month was recommended for readers who enjoy the Renaissance, political intrigue, and forced proximity. And yes… that really got me too.
The book of the month was Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez.
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.
Let me get the embarrassing moment out of the way first: I really thought this author was the one behind The Hacienda and The Possession of Alba Díaz. But no, that’s Isabel Cañas. Not that I’ve read anything by her, but she was on my radar.
So this book is by Isabel Ibañez (the confusion probably stems from the Isabel and that little curl in the surname, lol), whom I also haven’t read yet.
Anyway, confusion aside, this blurb sounds fantastic. An immortal family in Italy inevitably reminds me a bit of Twilight, but with a Renaissance twist. And a story set in Florence, with art, power, magic, and political games? Yep, that sounds like something I can completely lose myself in.
With its newly designed cover, featuring illustrations by @andrewdavis_designs, FairyLoot immediately scores again for originality and grandeur. This simply exudes fifteenth-century Italy.
I’m getting so many Duomo-in-Florence vibes from this: that architecture, that symmetry, that monumental feeling. Truly magnificent.
I already loved the standard cover, and FairyLoot traditionally features it on the back cover, but with a slightly modified colour palette (more purples, haha).
That original cover is absolutely stunning, but by now you know how I feel about frontal characters on covers. As beautiful as this illustration is, I’m happy with the FairyLoot alternative. And at the same time, I’m glad the standard cover gets a place here too.
OMG, photographing this hardcover was truly a challenge.
The first impression is of a rather busy pattern, but that makes it perfectly suited to Italy, Florence, and the Renaissance aesthetic. It almost feels like a luxurious tapestry.
Both the front and back cover also feature gold foil illustrations by @emiscape. My photos don’t do them justice at all – getting the lighting just right was nearly impossible – but believe me, they’re incredibly beautiful in person.
The edges of the book block also feature a beautiful illustration, designed by @aeadraws. These deep, saturated colours perfectly complement the cover and only enhance that luxurious feel.
And then… those endpapers.
Man, I literally had to let out a little gasp. What. A. Beauty.
The illustrations are by @thelolloco and they look like they’ve been plucked straight from a Renaissance painting. Bombastic, rich in colour, full of detail, yet so elegant at the same time.
I was completely speechless.
FairyLoot also lavished them with gold foil, which, of course, fits perfectly with the whole Renaissance theme. These are, without a doubt, some of the most beautiful endpapers I’ve ever seen in a FairyLoot edition.
The book also includes a letter from the author with a digital signature, and a bonus chapter with author’s notes.
Oh, man… FairyLoot has really started 2026 strong.
They’ve executed the “Renaissance” mission with complete conviction: bombastic, colourful, opulent, with beautiful illustrations and an abundance of gold foil. Everything about this edition exudes Italy, art, power, and grandeur.
A mighty beautiful edition, completely spot on from start to finish.
If this is a sign of things to come, it doesn’t bode well for my skip resolution, lol.
Cheers,
Charlotte
