The Blackest Time: A Novel of Florence during the Black Plague

by Ken Tentarelli

“Tentarelli's ability to immerse readers in medieval Florence's sights, sounds, and struggles makes this a novel worth diving into.” –The Literary Titan

It's Europe in the 1300s, and Gino, a young man living in rural Italy, leaves behind the familiarity of his family's farm to seek a new life as an apprentice in an apothecary shop in Florence.

But Gino's dream quickly becomes a nightmare as relentless rain destroys crops in the countryside, leading to famine and despair in the city. He is grief stricken to lose contact with his family when they are forced to flee their farm.

Just as the rains end, the devastating Black Plague sweeps through Florence. Fear and superstition consume the city, targeting priests, immigrants, and women accused of practicing witchcraft.

Even with his own challenges, Gino offers help to the suffering—a woman left alone in the city, a young girl orphaned by the plague, and people who have lost everything. And just as he's providing hope to others, glimmers of happiness come his way as well, even in a world teetering on the edge.

The Blackest Time is a powerful tale of compassion, love, and the human spirit's ability to endure immense adversity.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Italy

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2025

About the author

Ken's latest books are a series of novellas featuring Persephone "Seph" Carano, an agent of the (fictional) Cyber Security Agency who leads the charge against cybercrime. Find the books and the scoop on Seph at https://cybercase.tech

Ken began his writing career as the author of a series of six historical thrillers set in the Italian Renaissance that have earned an Elit Silver Book Award, the Indie Reader Discovery Award, a Book Excellence Award finalist, a Publishers Weekly starred review, and the 2023 Next Generation Indie Book Award mystery winner, and and 2024 Independent Press Award favorite.

Ken's seventh book, The Blackest Time, a novel set during the Black Plague, is available from publisher Black Rose Writing.

Ken Tentarelli is a frequent visitor to Italy. In travels from the Alps to the southern coast of Sicily he developed a love for its history and its people. He has studied Italian culture and language in Rome and Perugia. When not traveling, Ken and his wife live in New Hampshire. He is a strong advocate for his local library.

Connect with Ken at www.KenTentarelli.com He'd love to hear from you.

Reviews

[Janis Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ken Tentarelli’s The Blackest Time immerses readers in 14th-century Italy with a vivid and deeply human story of endurance amid one of history’s darkest eras. Through the eyes of Gino, a young apprentice in a Florentine apothecary shop, Tentarelli captures the sweeping devastation of the period. From rain-induced famine to the terror of pestilence, the novel reflects both the fragility and resilience of humanity. As relentless storms destroy the countryside’s crops and famine drives peasants into the city, Gino’s yearning for familial connection becomes a beacon against despair. When the plague descends, the narrative mirrors modern parallels during our recent Covid crisis: citizens searching for scapegoats, physicians overwhelmed, leaders torn between faith and fear. As Tentarelli writes, “They wanted something more tangible than bad air—possibly someone—to blame for the misery.”

What makes The Blackest Time stand out is Tentarelli’s meticulous research, placing the reader squarely in medieval Florence—its narrow alleys, the clearly divided city along societal lines, incense-filled churches, and apothecary shelves lined with hope and folly alike. The result is not just historical fiction, but a fully realized moment in time.

Ultimately, Gino’s journey embodies the endurance of the human spirit. Even as Florence teeters on the edge of ruin, his small acts of kindness become symbols of faith in humanity itself. The Blackest Time is a moving, immersive, and timely tale that reminds us that even in history’s darkest hours, compassion is its brightest light.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blackest Time offers a glimpse at a difficult period in medieval Florence through the eyes of a young man, Gino, an apothecary apprentice. Not long after Gino arrives in Florence, Tuscany experiences two years of unrelenting rains, resulting in widespread famine. The city fills with refugees desperate for food and work. Just as the weather begins to moderate, the Black Death arrives. Although these are dramatic events, this is the story of how people coped with unexpected and overwhelming tragedy. The author hasn't filled the pages with lurid descriptions of the Bubonic Plague; instead, we read of the frustrations of doctors and apothecaries desperate to help patients. This is a quiet, thoughtful tale of family and friends facing unimaginable, catastrophic events without losing their humanity. This book transported me to another time and place...I read it in one sitting. If you enjoy character-driven stories, rich in historical details, I highly recommend The Blackest Time.

My thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for the ARC. All opinions and the review are entirely my own.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learn About Historical Florence through Fiction

I enjoyed the historical fiction novel The Blackest Time: A Novel of Florence during the Black Plague by Ken Tentarelli. From reading it, I would guess that the author was trying to include extra information on Italian history and culture, so when the author information at the back of the book mentioned that he taught courses on Italian history, I was not at all surprised.

The story is about Gino, a young man who grows up on a farm and works in an apothecary shop, after he moves to Florence to be an apothecary there shortly before the Black Plague strikes. Since he is unfamiliar with Florence, that is how the author educates us about the city. I appreciated what I learned and will be looking to see what else he wrote. The author’s descriptions are detailed, so you can imagine it. The characters are well-written, too, so you can connect to them.

I rate it 4 stars. I received this book for free via Goodreads.

[Lucille Guarino · Rating 5 out of 5]

In one of the darkest chapters of European history, we follow Gino, a young apothecary apprentice, as he experiences the Black Plague's impact in 14th-century Florence, Italy. I appreciated author Tentarelli’s detailed and immersive depiction of the city of Florence, the people, the sounds, the smells, the food. I was immediately transported to the medieval era. The character of Gino is likeable, family-oriented, and honest, and I kept wondering if he and his loved ones would survive. As I read The Blackest Time, it occurred to me that the feelings of fear and confusion were reminiscent of those during the recent Covid pandemic, which made me reflect on the cyclical nature of existence. A thought-provoking read.

[Mary Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Dixie Miles’ post in a book club, I discovered The Blackest Time, and it completely drew me in. Tentarelli masterfully captures the despair of plague-era Florence while highlighting the unwavering compassion of his main character, Gino. It’s a sobering but hopeful read, reminding us of the power of empathy during crisis. Historical fiction lovers will find this both insightful and emotionally moving. An unforgettable story of love, loss, and endurance.

[Brian Kaufman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gino is a fourteenth century apothecary's apprentice. Tuscany is in the grip of crop-destroying rain, bringing waves of starving refugees, followed by the Black Death. Gino finds that, even in a disastrous time, compassion matters. The Blackest Time is a tale of quiet heroism. Odd that a tale set in an overwhelmingly horrific historical moment is so uplifting and hopeful. The author's story, worthy of any book club, was deeply moving.

[Tony Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came to me through an online historical fiction club, and it quickly became a favorite. Tentarelli doesn’t just write about the plague—he writes about the people who lived through it. It's a story of quiet bravery, sacrifice, and enduring love. Book club members couldn’t stop talking about it.

[Cheryl Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads raffles. I found the book very interesting! I did not know much about Florence or that time frame. The book was good and relatively historically accurate. The story was a bit choppy but in the end you did find out the fate of most of the characters.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through the lens of the main character, Gino, we get a glimpse of Italian history during the 14th century.

If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:

https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...

[Ingrid Donaldson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent tale of life in medieval Tuscany. The hero, Gino is very talented and resilient during extremely difficult times. He and his family and friends faced famine and plague and death but helped strangers along the way. Gino's kind nature and generosity were rewarded which made for a happy ending.

[FD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing review of Florence during the plague of time.
Very well written and a clear concise dialogue which runs through with good breadth of emotions.

Thank you Voracious readers for the advance copy

[Nancy Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A look at life during the plague.

This book leads you through what life must have been like during the time of the black plague. Its heart wrenching because you become attached to the characters. Very good read.

[Kerry Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Kept my attention while I also learned about this time and place in history. Hope there will be a sequel.

[Gill Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight into the Plague

Fascinating account of the Plague in Florence and surrounding countryside. The horror but also the creative and resilient response is well described.

[Claire Flanagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the historical aspect 4 out of 5 for the setting and atmosphere 3 out of 5 I wanted more descriptions of the town and locations

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Felt super choppy to me and difficult to connect emotionally to the characters. Was also a little frustrated that the plague, despite being in the title, didn’t come until over 60% through.