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Bianca's Cure: A Novel
For fans of Lessons in Chemistry, a based-in-fact novel imagining young Renaissance noblewoman Bianca Capello’s experiences as she pursues a cure for malaria in the Medicis’ Florence.
Florence, 1563. Forbidden from practicing her herbal cures in Venice, the young noblewoman Bianca Capello flees to Florence, where the ruling Medici family practices alchemy. There, she wins herself an invitation to their palace, and, as it turns out, a path to the duke regent Francesco’s bed.
The impassioned bond between Francesco de Medici and Bianca is at the core of this fact-driven dive into medicine, politics, love, and ultimately death in Renaissance Florence. Malaria killed many of the Medicis, but traces of the poison arsenic were recently found in Francesco’s remains. Even more Bianca’s remains have never been found. To this day, what happened to Bianca and Francesco remains one of the greatest mysteries surrounding Renaissance Italy’s legendary Medicis.
Bianca’s Cure?probes what might have been as Bianca’s quest for a malaria cure—in palaces, gardens, sick rooms, and whorehouses—collides with Francesco’s?intensifying illness. Her main tool is the herb artemisia—medicine still used today. A woman who dared to practice science well ahead of her time, Bianca fights off self-doubt until she believes herself invincible. But is she? When only she stands between Francesco and death, her skill?may save him or doom them both.
Florence, 1563. Forbidden from practicing her herbal cures in Venice, the young noblewoman Bianca Capello flees to Florence, where the ruling Medici family practices alchemy. There, she wins herself an invitation to their palace, and, as it turns out, a path to the duke regent Francesco’s bed.
The impassioned bond between Francesco de Medici and Bianca is at the core of this fact-driven dive into medicine, politics, love, and ultimately death in Renaissance Florence. Malaria killed many of the Medicis, but traces of the poison arsenic were recently found in Francesco’s remains. Even more Bianca’s remains have never been found. To this day, what happened to Bianca and Francesco remains one of the greatest mysteries surrounding Renaissance Italy’s legendary Medicis.
Bianca’s Cure?probes what might have been as Bianca’s quest for a malaria cure—in palaces, gardens, sick rooms, and whorehouses—collides with Francesco’s?intensifying illness. Her main tool is the herb artemisia—medicine still used today. A woman who dared to practice science well ahead of her time, Bianca fights off self-doubt until she believes herself invincible. But is she? When only she stands between Francesco and death, her skill?may save him or doom them both.
304 pages, Paperback
Published February 10, 2026
9 people are currently reading
4961 people want to read
About the author
Gigi Berardi
6 books33 followersA Fulbright scholar in Italy and professor at Western Washington University in Bellingham, GIGI BERARDI also teaches in Florence, Italy, the setting for Bianca’s Cure. The author of more than 400 reviews and articles for print and broadcast media, her work has been endorsed by Forbes and Foreword Reviews, as well as leading authors in food writing and fiction.
She's also published in numerous scientific journals such as BioScience, Ethnohistory, Human Ecology Review, Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, and Society and Natural Resources. Her articles and reviews have appeared in newspapers (Anchorage Daily News, Los Angeles Times, The Olympian), and her public radio features (for KSKA, Anchorage, Alaska) have been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists. She is an elected member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and maintains popular blogs at
https://gigiberardi.com/
She's also published in numerous scientific journals such as BioScience, Ethnohistory, Human Ecology Review, Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, and Society and Natural Resources. Her articles and reviews have appeared in newspapers (Anchorage Daily News, Los Angeles Times, The Olympian), and her public radio features (for KSKA, Anchorage, Alaska) have been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists. She is an elected member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and maintains popular blogs at
https://gigiberardi.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
February 16, 2026
Rating: 4* of five
The Publisher Says: For fans of Lessons in Chemistry, a based-in-fact novel imagining young Renaissance noblewoman Bianca Capello’s experiences as she pursues a cure for malaria in the Medicis’ Florence.
Florence, 1563. Forbidden from practicing her herbal cures in Venice, the young noblewoman Bianca Capello flees to Florence, where the ruling Medici family practices alchemy. There, she wins herself an invitation to their palace, and, as it turns out, a path to the duke regent Francesco’s bed.
The impassioned bond between Francesco de Medici and Bianca is at the core of this fact-driven dive into medicine, politics, love, and ultimately death in Renaissance Florence. Malaria killed many of the Medicis, but traces of the poison arsenic were recently found in Francesco’s remains. Even more sinister: Bianca’s remains have never been found. To this day, what happened to Bianca and Francesco remains one of the greatest mysteries surrounding Renaissance Italy’s legendary Medicis.
Bianca’s Cure probes what might have been as Bianca’s quest for a malaria cure—in palaces, gardens, sick rooms, and whorehouses—collides with Francesco’s intensifying illness. Her main tool is the herb artemisia—medicine still used today. A woman who dared to practice science well ahead of her time, Bianca fights off self-doubt until she believes herself invincible. But is she? When only she stands between Francesco and death, her skill may save him or doom them both.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: The impact of culture on a woman's choices about the course her life should take is hard to overstate. Author Berardi pushes that effort to its maximum degree by centering Bianca Cappello, facyually the Grand Duchess consort of Tuscany; and here shown as an early scientist pursuing a cure for malaria.
These things sit oddly together. I'm interested all the more because they're in such immediate, and irresolvable, tension: did Bianca Cappello correctlt identify artemisia as a substance that can bring the scourge of malaria, a killer of huge numbers of humans since the genus Anopheles began spreading it before History began, under control? The trajectory of Bianca's amazing story, from poverty to the arms, heart, and home of the Medici Grand Duke of Tuscany, would be astounding enough. Adding onto it the story of her quest for artemisinin as a malaria treatment adds poignacy to the manner of her, and her husband's, deaths. There is doubt as to the cause of death...malaria or poisoning? Either is likely. Both are possible. Very little poison is needed to send off someone dramatically weakened by the ravages of malaria.
It's a solid, involving set-up for an Italian Renaissance tale of love, of ambition, and of an extraordinarily gifted woman's determination to chart her own course. It is inspiring to read that story set in any time period. I'm glad that it crossed my path. I'm not going to tell you Biance succeeded...her death within a day of her Medici husband's exposes the forces that will array against a woman who tries to become more than her sex has predetermined her upper limit to be. That both she and her husband might have died of poisoning, though without a body to test for arsenic we can never know for sure about her, and her husband had both arsenic and malaria in his body upon modern testing.
The story told here is clearly the result of much learning about the manners, the mores, and the culture we're introduced to. I'm glad the author's note was there at the end to outline the liberties a novelist must take with the facts to build a story that works. I strongly support the message that Author Berardi sends about women needing to involve themselves in the pursuit of knowledge. I liked how clear-sighted Bianca was presented to be. Her goals were, like the men in Renaissance-set fiction, shown to be not only worthy but to be her main focus. I don't think that's at all anachronistic; rather I suspect it's underreported due to filters in place that say woman = mother/wife, not woman = ambitious, intelligent actor on the world stage.
Of course the act of taking any action means making enemies. Bianca's dead first husband's family loathe her and use her as spitefully as they're able; her second husband the Duke has a wife when they meet, who quite understandably hates Bianca for becoming his mistress and bearing him a (bastard) son before she manages a legitimate heir; then when the wife dies and the Grand Duke marries her, Bianca's most spiteful enemy comes to light. Her husband's brother, the Cardinal, despises this "adventuress" who has seduced his brother. He resists her son's legitimation, he tries to prove she's a witch for messing about with herbs, and as he survives her and her husband (most suspicious, that!) he refuses to countenance her burial in the Medici family crypt. This effectively denies us the opportunity to test her bodily remains for traces of poison and, later, for the malarial parasites found in her husband.
It's hard not to see this as more than just a slight on an intimate enemy.
As a novel, the story has wonderful bones. As a story told, it focuses its reader's attention on actions as opposed to emotions. I think that choice keeps us reading away but in the end lets us gloss over a bit the really unplumbed depths of a mother's feelings for her son, and concern for his fate; a loving wife's deeper worries for her husband's fate not only her own struggle to cure him of malaria; in short, the underpinnings of why she does what she does. It's what prevents me from offering the fifth star this story, on its base merits, could easily have earned.
As it is, an enthusiastic four stars for feminist readers an those historical-fiction gobblers who like seeing a new angle on a familiar setting.
The Publisher Says: For fans of Lessons in Chemistry, a based-in-fact novel imagining young Renaissance noblewoman Bianca Capello’s experiences as she pursues a cure for malaria in the Medicis’ Florence.
Florence, 1563. Forbidden from practicing her herbal cures in Venice, the young noblewoman Bianca Capello flees to Florence, where the ruling Medici family practices alchemy. There, she wins herself an invitation to their palace, and, as it turns out, a path to the duke regent Francesco’s bed.
The impassioned bond between Francesco de Medici and Bianca is at the core of this fact-driven dive into medicine, politics, love, and ultimately death in Renaissance Florence. Malaria killed many of the Medicis, but traces of the poison arsenic were recently found in Francesco’s remains. Even more sinister: Bianca’s remains have never been found. To this day, what happened to Bianca and Francesco remains one of the greatest mysteries surrounding Renaissance Italy’s legendary Medicis.
Bianca’s Cure probes what might have been as Bianca’s quest for a malaria cure—in palaces, gardens, sick rooms, and whorehouses—collides with Francesco’s intensifying illness. Her main tool is the herb artemisia—medicine still used today. A woman who dared to practice science well ahead of her time, Bianca fights off self-doubt until she believes herself invincible. But is she? When only she stands between Francesco and death, her skill may save him or doom them both.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: The impact of culture on a woman's choices about the course her life should take is hard to overstate. Author Berardi pushes that effort to its maximum degree by centering Bianca Cappello, facyually the Grand Duchess consort of Tuscany; and here shown as an early scientist pursuing a cure for malaria.
These things sit oddly together. I'm interested all the more because they're in such immediate, and irresolvable, tension: did Bianca Cappello correctlt identify artemisia as a substance that can bring the scourge of malaria, a killer of huge numbers of humans since the genus Anopheles began spreading it before History began, under control? The trajectory of Bianca's amazing story, from poverty to the arms, heart, and home of the Medici Grand Duke of Tuscany, would be astounding enough. Adding onto it the story of her quest for artemisinin as a malaria treatment adds poignacy to the manner of her, and her husband's, deaths. There is doubt as to the cause of death...malaria or poisoning? Either is likely. Both are possible. Very little poison is needed to send off someone dramatically weakened by the ravages of malaria.
It's a solid, involving set-up for an Italian Renaissance tale of love, of ambition, and of an extraordinarily gifted woman's determination to chart her own course. It is inspiring to read that story set in any time period. I'm glad that it crossed my path. I'm not going to tell you Biance succeeded...her death within a day of her Medici husband's exposes the forces that will array against a woman who tries to become more than her sex has predetermined her upper limit to be. That both she and her husband might have died of poisoning, though without a body to test for arsenic we can never know for sure about her, and her husband had both arsenic and malaria in his body upon modern testing.
The story told here is clearly the result of much learning about the manners, the mores, and the culture we're introduced to. I'm glad the author's note was there at the end to outline the liberties a novelist must take with the facts to build a story that works. I strongly support the message that Author Berardi sends about women needing to involve themselves in the pursuit of knowledge. I liked how clear-sighted Bianca was presented to be. Her goals were, like the men in Renaissance-set fiction, shown to be not only worthy but to be her main focus. I don't think that's at all anachronistic; rather I suspect it's underreported due to filters in place that say woman = mother/wife, not woman = ambitious, intelligent actor on the world stage.
Of course the act of taking any action means making enemies. Bianca's dead first husband's family loathe her and use her as spitefully as they're able; her second husband the Duke has a wife when they meet, who quite understandably hates Bianca for becoming his mistress and bearing him a (bastard) son before she manages a legitimate heir; then when the wife dies and the Grand Duke marries her, Bianca's most spiteful enemy comes to light. Her husband's brother, the Cardinal, despises this "adventuress" who has seduced his brother. He resists her son's legitimation, he tries to prove she's a witch for messing about with herbs, and as he survives her and her husband (most suspicious, that!) he refuses to countenance her burial in the Medici family crypt. This effectively denies us the opportunity to test her bodily remains for traces of poison and, later, for the malarial parasites found in her husband.
It's hard not to see this as more than just a slight on an intimate enemy.
As a novel, the story has wonderful bones. As a story told, it focuses its reader's attention on actions as opposed to emotions. I think that choice keeps us reading away but in the end lets us gloss over a bit the really unplumbed depths of a mother's feelings for her son, and concern for his fate; a loving wife's deeper worries for her husband's fate not only her own struggle to cure him of malaria; in short, the underpinnings of why she does what she does. It's what prevents me from offering the fifth star this story, on its base merits, could easily have earned.
As it is, an enthusiastic four stars for feminist readers an those historical-fiction gobblers who like seeing a new angle on a familiar setting.
January 28, 2026
Bianca’s Cure is set in mid-to-late 16th-century Italy, where malaria ravages Europe. Bianca, trained as an herbalist by her mother, takes up the search for a cure after the disease claims her mother’s life. Her journey leads her to Venice, where she gains the support—and love—of a Medici duke while facing a society that dismisses women’s intellect and a Church eager to brand her a witch.
The premise is strong, but the execution falters. Given that malaria has killed an estimated 50–60 billion people throughout history, the novel never fully conveys the staggering scope or terror of the disease, which diminishes the urgency of Bianca’s work. In addition, much of the book is consumed by repetitive descriptions of growing, crushing, and boiling herbs. While the scientific process is inherently slow, Bianca’s decades-long trial-and-error approach makes the story feel far longer than its 300 pages.
That said, the character work is excellent. Bianca, the Duke, and the Cardinal are richly developed, and their ambition, devotion, and moral compromises make them memorable long after the story ends.
I received an advance copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The premise is strong, but the execution falters. Given that malaria has killed an estimated 50–60 billion people throughout history, the novel never fully conveys the staggering scope or terror of the disease, which diminishes the urgency of Bianca’s work. In addition, much of the book is consumed by repetitive descriptions of growing, crushing, and boiling herbs. While the scientific process is inherently slow, Bianca’s decades-long trial-and-error approach makes the story feel far longer than its 300 pages.
That said, the character work is excellent. Bianca, the Duke, and the Cardinal are richly developed, and their ambition, devotion, and moral compromises make them memorable long after the story ends.
I received an advance copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 7, 2025
This book was a bit of a miss for me. I felt there wasn’t much depth to the characters until the very end and then just the surface was scratched. Also it would have been nice and lended better to the story of a woman in science if Bianca had more struggles to accomplish things rather than having the opportunity the first time for everything. Leaving after her first major time and immediately meeting a Medici and having an opportunity to study her alchemy right away.
To me Bianca came across as pretentious and willing to use everyone she came across for her own gains no matter the cost to those around - her personality grated on me which I think affected my enjoyment of the book.
I appreciated the historical research put in to write a book like this, but felt some sections moved so quickly, a year in a 5ish page chapter or 7 years in an 8ish page chapter made me feel like maybe I was missing some important background.
I think I would have enjoyed a slightly longer book with better character development than a shorter book that missed the mark for me.
To me Bianca came across as pretentious and willing to use everyone she came across for her own gains no matter the cost to those around - her personality grated on me which I think affected my enjoyment of the book.
I appreciated the historical research put in to write a book like this, but felt some sections moved so quickly, a year in a 5ish page chapter or 7 years in an 8ish page chapter made me feel like maybe I was missing some important background.
I think I would have enjoyed a slightly longer book with better character development than a shorter book that missed the mark for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2026
The premise of this book grabbed my attention and I looked forward to learning about the life of Bianca and the possible cure for malaria. However, the story seemed to drag on and on and could not keep my attention. The primary character, Bianca, is not a pleasant person. She is selfish, an adulteress, and so wrapped up in herself and motivation for wealth to the point of abandoning her child that I could not stand to read about her life. Not a pleasant read for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The essential details of Bianca Cappello’s life are easy to find with a simple Google search. Born in 1548, she was the second child and only daughter of the Venetian nobleman, Bartolomeo Cappello, and Pellegrina Morosini, who was from one of the richest and most powerful Venetian families. At age 15 to escape an arranged marriage, she fled with her young lover to Florence, where they married. When interest in her husband and the limited life she had with him waned, she was able to attract the attentions of Prince Francesco, the son of the grand Duke Cosimo I of Florence, and soon became his mistress. After the murder of Bianca’s husband, and the eventually the death of Francesco’s long-suffering wife, Bianca and Francesco were free to marry. For the rest of her days, Bianca was the recognized grand Duchess of Tuscany and a member of the powerful Medici family.
But who was Bianca Cappello, really? Aside from the love she shared with Francesco, did she have any interests, passions, and ambitions that were hers and hers alone? In Bianca’s Cure, Gigi Berardi applies her innate curiosity and keen research skills to propose that, yes, indeed, Bianca was much more than a mistress and eventual grand Duchess.
Bianca’s Cure offers a compelling reimagining of Bianca Cappello’s life as a woman—also in possession of intense curiosity and a mind for science—with a near singular focus: to find a cure for malaria. That malaria in the 16th century represented a clear health threat in Tuscany and particularly in Florence is well-documented. Because several high-profile members of the Medici family succumbed to the disease, the real Bianca Cappello would undoubtedly have been well-aware of its devastating impact.
Berardi’s Bianca was driven by an unwavering interest in science, botany and—thanks to the death of her mother from malaria—a desire to find a cure for the deadly disease. Additionally, her beloved grand Duke, Francesco, suffered periodically throughout their relationship. Berardi’s meticulous research into the alchemy, remedies, and scientific methods practiced in the 16th century is on display as she describes Bianca’s years of work applying techniques for developing herbal preparations and distillates she had originally learned from her mother, long before ever laying eyes on Francesco.
Thanks to her eventual attachment to Francesco, she was able to secure the resources needed to continue her scientific search for a cure—access to plants, a garden in which to grow her own, lab equipment, and the time and freedom to experiment. But even with the resources, Bianca faced many obstacles—she was neither believed or taken seriously by the male power structure of the time nor allowed to be heard beyond the confines of the ducal palace—all too familiar to women in science for centuries after her death in 1587. Her reimagined life, as a woman with a passion for science at a time when the only recognized scientists were men, reminds us not only how far we’ve come but how important it is to protect the critical role women now play in scientific advances today.
But who was Bianca Cappello, really? Aside from the love she shared with Francesco, did she have any interests, passions, and ambitions that were hers and hers alone? In Bianca’s Cure, Gigi Berardi applies her innate curiosity and keen research skills to propose that, yes, indeed, Bianca was much more than a mistress and eventual grand Duchess.
Bianca’s Cure offers a compelling reimagining of Bianca Cappello’s life as a woman—also in possession of intense curiosity and a mind for science—with a near singular focus: to find a cure for malaria. That malaria in the 16th century represented a clear health threat in Tuscany and particularly in Florence is well-documented. Because several high-profile members of the Medici family succumbed to the disease, the real Bianca Cappello would undoubtedly have been well-aware of its devastating impact.
Berardi’s Bianca was driven by an unwavering interest in science, botany and—thanks to the death of her mother from malaria—a desire to find a cure for the deadly disease. Additionally, her beloved grand Duke, Francesco, suffered periodically throughout their relationship. Berardi’s meticulous research into the alchemy, remedies, and scientific methods practiced in the 16th century is on display as she describes Bianca’s years of work applying techniques for developing herbal preparations and distillates she had originally learned from her mother, long before ever laying eyes on Francesco.
Thanks to her eventual attachment to Francesco, she was able to secure the resources needed to continue her scientific search for a cure—access to plants, a garden in which to grow her own, lab equipment, and the time and freedom to experiment. But even with the resources, Bianca faced many obstacles—she was neither believed or taken seriously by the male power structure of the time nor allowed to be heard beyond the confines of the ducal palace—all too familiar to women in science for centuries after her death in 1587. Her reimagined life, as a woman with a passion for science at a time when the only recognized scientists were men, reminds us not only how far we’ve come but how important it is to protect the critical role women now play in scientific advances today.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I read this book as an ARC from NetGalley and this review is based on my completing the book and reflects my honest feedback on it.
This book was a bit different from my usual range of reading books and I finished it with mixed feelings and will start with the good and addressing the elephant in the room, Gigi’s passion for Renaissance Florence and for historical inquiry which is obvious on every page. The novel draws a clear line between curiosity and consequence and when it works, it really works. The scenes centered on herbal practice, the tense beauty of Medici Florence and Bianca’s refusal to fade quietly into the background are all rendered with care and conviction. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a scientific or medicinal angle will likely find plenty to admire here.
That said, my overall experience landed firmly in mixed territory, which is why this is a three star read for me being a blow hot blow cold story. The core issue for me lies in the tone and structure. Bianca’s single minded drive is clearly meant to be the novel’s engine, but the narrative does not always support it with enough emotional depth. At times her obsession feels pushed into melodrama rather than explored with nuance. The book wants us to sit with a contradiction - Bianca’s brilliance and the damage her choices may cause, but the emotional groundwork is uneven, which weakens the intended impact.
Where the novel shines is in atmosphere and research. Gigi’s familiarity with Florence and with herbal medicine gives the setting real texture. Markets, hospitals, and private workspaces feel lived in and the story convincingly captures what it might mean to pursue knowledge as a woman in a world determined to restrict it. These moments are immersive and confident and they highlight the book’s strongest interests. When the focus stays on place and process, the story feels most alive.
Unfortunately for me, the pacing and characterization became stumbling blocks, especially in the second half. Several secondary characters seem to have been created just to move the plot along than to deepen it and its unintended consequence is that for me it lowered the emotional stakes just when it should have intensified. Relationships that could have added tension and complexity instead feel underdeveloped. The story would have benefited from a tighter edit and a deeper investment in the supporting cast to balance Bianca’s dominating presence.
This is a book with an appealing premise and clear ambition. Readers who enjoy historical fiction centered on women working against the limits of their era will likely appreciate its intentions and research just like I did but again, those like me who also need strong character dynamics and consistently polished execution may find it frustrating in places.
In the end, Bianca’s Cure is a thoughtful and well researched novel that does not fully deliver on its emotional promise. I enjoyed the setting and admired the concept, but the execution kept it from being a standout.
Three stars. A solid and engaging read with real strengths, but also noticeable flaws that hold it back from greatness.
This book was a bit different from my usual range of reading books and I finished it with mixed feelings and will start with the good and addressing the elephant in the room, Gigi’s passion for Renaissance Florence and for historical inquiry which is obvious on every page. The novel draws a clear line between curiosity and consequence and when it works, it really works. The scenes centered on herbal practice, the tense beauty of Medici Florence and Bianca’s refusal to fade quietly into the background are all rendered with care and conviction. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a scientific or medicinal angle will likely find plenty to admire here.
That said, my overall experience landed firmly in mixed territory, which is why this is a three star read for me being a blow hot blow cold story. The core issue for me lies in the tone and structure. Bianca’s single minded drive is clearly meant to be the novel’s engine, but the narrative does not always support it with enough emotional depth. At times her obsession feels pushed into melodrama rather than explored with nuance. The book wants us to sit with a contradiction - Bianca’s brilliance and the damage her choices may cause, but the emotional groundwork is uneven, which weakens the intended impact.
Where the novel shines is in atmosphere and research. Gigi’s familiarity with Florence and with herbal medicine gives the setting real texture. Markets, hospitals, and private workspaces feel lived in and the story convincingly captures what it might mean to pursue knowledge as a woman in a world determined to restrict it. These moments are immersive and confident and they highlight the book’s strongest interests. When the focus stays on place and process, the story feels most alive.
Unfortunately for me, the pacing and characterization became stumbling blocks, especially in the second half. Several secondary characters seem to have been created just to move the plot along than to deepen it and its unintended consequence is that for me it lowered the emotional stakes just when it should have intensified. Relationships that could have added tension and complexity instead feel underdeveloped. The story would have benefited from a tighter edit and a deeper investment in the supporting cast to balance Bianca’s dominating presence.
This is a book with an appealing premise and clear ambition. Readers who enjoy historical fiction centered on women working against the limits of their era will likely appreciate its intentions and research just like I did but again, those like me who also need strong character dynamics and consistently polished execution may find it frustrating in places.
In the end, Bianca’s Cure is a thoughtful and well researched novel that does not fully deliver on its emotional promise. I enjoyed the setting and admired the concept, but the execution kept it from being a standout.
Three stars. A solid and engaging read with real strengths, but also noticeable flaws that hold it back from greatness.
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January 25, 2026Bianca's Cure by Gigi Berardi
Gigi Bernardi has written a very interesting book bringing the Renaissance era of Italy to vivid life. With lively prose, she tells us about Bianca Capello, born in Venice, Italy in 1548 to a rich well-connected family. She and the other main characters of her book, Bianca’s Cure are actual historical figures who lived much as Berardi relates them. There are several important portraits of Bianca Capello by major artists of her time. The Medici family was extremely important in Florentine history having ruled it for more than a century, and Bianca figures in that history as Grand Duke Francesco de Medici’s second wife and Grand Duchess. Francesco and Bianca’s palaces and workshops are important museums now. Her first husband Piero was indeed probably murdered by the family of one of his mistresses. And the actual cure for malaria, found by a Chinese woman who received the Nobel prized for it in 2015, was based on Artemisia (artemisinin). However, Bianca becomes, in Berardi’s able hands, a vivid very determined woman, acting ingeniously, using her beauty and brains to make an independent scientific life for herself, an idea which is not readily seen in historical evidence.
The author portrays Bianca as a well-educated, wealthy young woman in a time where men were beginning to do science and art in new exciting ways…but women were not allowed into that world. We know of a few women who made living as artists and even fewer who were thinkers or scientists. Berardi characterizes Bianca as determined to find a cure for malaria and willing to do anything to make that dream happen in spite of the obstacles of being a woman. She is intelligent, beautiful, immoral, scheming and opportunistic but loyal also, especially to Francesco. The tragedy of their death as told by Berardi, could be true. they did indeed die with in a day of each other in 1587, and his body, recently exhumed, contained arsenic. Her body has never been found.
This book was fun and fascinating to read. The setting as a time of great scientific and artistic achievement with bold, powerful, violent men and women and Florence at the center of all that was great. The characters were believable to the point that I was moved to do research to discover what was real and what the author’s invention. Bianca’s ambition and single minded pursuit of her own destiny was jarring in a way. She seems too modern. But Berardi reminds me that people have always been people with ambitions, drive, talents and flaws…humans probably have been just like us for millennia. Berardi’s novel is a very good piece of historical fiction, well worth reading….and fun at that!
Gigi Bernardi has written a very interesting book bringing the Renaissance era of Italy to vivid life. With lively prose, she tells us about Bianca Capello, born in Venice, Italy in 1548 to a rich well-connected family. She and the other main characters of her book, Bianca’s Cure are actual historical figures who lived much as Berardi relates them. There are several important portraits of Bianca Capello by major artists of her time. The Medici family was extremely important in Florentine history having ruled it for more than a century, and Bianca figures in that history as Grand Duke Francesco de Medici’s second wife and Grand Duchess. Francesco and Bianca’s palaces and workshops are important museums now. Her first husband Piero was indeed probably murdered by the family of one of his mistresses. And the actual cure for malaria, found by a Chinese woman who received the Nobel prized for it in 2015, was based on Artemisia (artemisinin). However, Bianca becomes, in Berardi’s able hands, a vivid very determined woman, acting ingeniously, using her beauty and brains to make an independent scientific life for herself, an idea which is not readily seen in historical evidence.
The author portrays Bianca as a well-educated, wealthy young woman in a time where men were beginning to do science and art in new exciting ways…but women were not allowed into that world. We know of a few women who made living as artists and even fewer who were thinkers or scientists. Berardi characterizes Bianca as determined to find a cure for malaria and willing to do anything to make that dream happen in spite of the obstacles of being a woman. She is intelligent, beautiful, immoral, scheming and opportunistic but loyal also, especially to Francesco. The tragedy of their death as told by Berardi, could be true. they did indeed die with in a day of each other in 1587, and his body, recently exhumed, contained arsenic. Her body has never been found.
This book was fun and fascinating to read. The setting as a time of great scientific and artistic achievement with bold, powerful, violent men and women and Florence at the center of all that was great. The characters were believable to the point that I was moved to do research to discover what was real and what the author’s invention. Bianca’s ambition and single minded pursuit of her own destiny was jarring in a way. She seems too modern. But Berardi reminds me that people have always been people with ambitions, drive, talents and flaws…humans probably have been just like us for millennia. Berardi’s novel is a very good piece of historical fiction, well worth reading….and fun at that!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Could a woman be a scientist in 16th Century Italy? Could a woman make a worthwhile – even momentous – contribution outside the traditional roles of wife and mother or the church? From the first page of this intriguing novel these questions frame the story of Bianca Cappello, a historical character born in Venice, then moving to Florence where she became the lover and eventually wife of Francesco de Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. The answers, basically, are Yes and Yes, but only by utter determination and strategy amounting to obsession in the face of prejudice and obstruction on the part of male and religious authorities. Berardi recounts Cappello’s progress and setbacks in crafting a herbal cure for malaria, then a major scourge, including among the ruling Medici family. Her marriages, and even the possible curing of her husband Francesco, are means to the end she seeks. And tragically, it seems that the obsession is, at the last, self-defeating. Cappello is adamant not only that ‘Malaria will be cured,’ but that ‘I’ll be the one to do it’ (page 167). So her secret and largely solitary labours are not just necessary but also her choice, and the story ends with the implication that her cure dies with her. Indeed, Berardi tells us in an Author’s Note that a herbal remedy for malaria, similar to ‘Bianca’s cure’ but based on traditional Chinese medicine, was only formally identified in the 21st Century. This book is not, then, a feel-good tale of a protagonist – a woman – triumphing against the odds. It is a powerful reminder that the struggle of women against strictures imposed on them by men has occurred throughout history, and is all too often still necessary today.
How realistic is this portrait of Cappello, and how typical for 16th Century Florence? I would like to know more about the city, its people – rulers, financiers, artists, artisans, servants – in a word, about the Renaissance as a setting for the story. And more about the science: what is the plant Artemisia and how were its possible effects on malaria identified? But then I am a scientist – and I have collaborated with many disciplines and with many women over many years. I hope that ‘Bianca’s Cure’ will encourage such collaboration today and into the future. It is also an engaging story.
How realistic is this portrait of Cappello, and how typical for 16th Century Florence? I would like to know more about the city, its people – rulers, financiers, artists, artisans, servants – in a word, about the Renaissance as a setting for the story. And more about the science: what is the plant Artemisia and how were its possible effects on malaria identified? But then I am a scientist – and I have collaborated with many disciplines and with many women over many years. I hope that ‘Bianca’s Cure’ will encourage such collaboration today and into the future. It is also an engaging story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In sixteenth century Italy, a beautiful young woman named Bianca Capello became the mistress and, later, wife of Grand Duke Francesco di Medici. The couple shared an interest in alchemy. They died, mysteriously, within a few days of each other. This much is history.
Bianca's Cure tells the story of a fictional person called Bianca Capello who dedicated her life to finding a cure for malaria. She becomes a self-taught expert on herbs and distillations, works with nuns in a hospital, and seduces a young man she barely knows so he will marry and take her to Florence where she can attach herself to the wealthy Medici family and use them to further her career as a scientist.
Although the subject is interesting, I had trouble reading this book because the main character is almost completely horrible. Bianca truly cares for no one besides her dead mother. She ignores and cheats on her first husband who conveniently dies, ignores and abandons her first child, has a slight fondness for the second because he reminds her a bit of herself, and her devotion to her second husband (who worships her) seems motivated less by real love than by a constant awareness of how much she needs his influence, money, and power to help her accomplish her goal.
Although I enjoy historical fiction, I feel that characters should be either completely fictional or real. The woman whose single-minded focus ruins every page of this novel is neither. I found myself stopping frequently to look up whether an event described was at all based on fact. The writing is good enough to hold my attention but I could not summon much sympathy for the author's "Bianca." She could not be more different from the main character of Lessons in Chemistry (to which this book is compared in the description.) I found it hard to believe that her dedication was not primarily motivated by a desire to vindicate herself as a scientist rather than any real concern for the people she might cure. She is an amoral seductress, an adulteress and a bad mother. That the men depicted in this book are no better is hardly an excuse.
I would like to thank NetGalley and SheWritesPress for the opportunity to access a free advance copy of Bianca's Cure in exchnage for my honest review.
Bianca's Cure tells the story of a fictional person called Bianca Capello who dedicated her life to finding a cure for malaria. She becomes a self-taught expert on herbs and distillations, works with nuns in a hospital, and seduces a young man she barely knows so he will marry and take her to Florence where she can attach herself to the wealthy Medici family and use them to further her career as a scientist.
Although the subject is interesting, I had trouble reading this book because the main character is almost completely horrible. Bianca truly cares for no one besides her dead mother. She ignores and cheats on her first husband who conveniently dies, ignores and abandons her first child, has a slight fondness for the second because he reminds her a bit of herself, and her devotion to her second husband (who worships her) seems motivated less by real love than by a constant awareness of how much she needs his influence, money, and power to help her accomplish her goal.
Although I enjoy historical fiction, I feel that characters should be either completely fictional or real. The woman whose single-minded focus ruins every page of this novel is neither. I found myself stopping frequently to look up whether an event described was at all based on fact. The writing is good enough to hold my attention but I could not summon much sympathy for the author's "Bianca." She could not be more different from the main character of Lessons in Chemistry (to which this book is compared in the description.) I found it hard to believe that her dedication was not primarily motivated by a desire to vindicate herself as a scientist rather than any real concern for the people she might cure. She is an amoral seductress, an adulteress and a bad mother. That the men depicted in this book are no better is hardly an excuse.
I would like to thank NetGalley and SheWritesPress for the opportunity to access a free advance copy of Bianca's Cure in exchnage for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2026
Bianca’s Cure by Gigi Berardi is a historical novel taking place in Medici Florence is the mid-1500’s starting in 1558 and moving forward with the story. Bianca Capello was five years old when she started working with her mother to combine plants to develop cures. She was ten years old when her mother died of malaria, one of the diseases they had been working to cure. Her aunts did not approve of their work, relying on older cures for disease. She was fifteen when she met a man and seduced and married him, simply because he loved in Florence, near the Medicis who were famous for alchemy and other chemistry pursuits. She didn’t love this man and really didn’t enjoy his touches but did what she had to do and became with child. When she was about four months gone, she met Francesco Medici, who had a lab and workshop of his own which he used to develop porcelain. They became intimately involved, in love even. By this time her husband spent most of his night away and his mother, with whom they lived, was thrilled to take care of her granddaughter. Thus life went forward, with plenty of twists and turns yet to come.
Bianca is a good character, bright, alert, and clever. Berardi is the ultimate storyteller and she brings all of these characters alive. She and Francesco had a good life together, despite the fact both of them were married to others for most of their time together. Bianca never took her eye off her ultimate goal: a cure for malaria. It became more important to her as Francesco suffered from it and became ill from it regularly. Most knew of their affair and ignored it. Things didn’t go smoothly for them, for her especially, as she was not living by the rules and some didn’t like it. This was an engaging and informative story. Where the Medicis are there is always drama and this story is full of it. Great read!
I was invited to read Bianca’s Cure by She Writes Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #SheWritesPress #GigiBerardi #BiancasCure
Bianca is a good character, bright, alert, and clever. Berardi is the ultimate storyteller and she brings all of these characters alive. She and Francesco had a good life together, despite the fact both of them were married to others for most of their time together. Bianca never took her eye off her ultimate goal: a cure for malaria. It became more important to her as Francesco suffered from it and became ill from it regularly. Most knew of their affair and ignored it. Things didn’t go smoothly for them, for her especially, as she was not living by the rules and some didn’t like it. This was an engaging and informative story. Where the Medicis are there is always drama and this story is full of it. Great read!
I was invited to read Bianca’s Cure by She Writes Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #SheWritesPress #GigiBerardi #BiancasCure
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Bianca's Cure is a soon to be released historical fiction novel based on the relationship of Bianca Capello and Francesco de Medici Grand Duke of Tuscany. I will say I have always been facinated by the Medici family from what I know about Catherine de Medici Queen of France and Medici Master's of Florence netflix series. While they were known for their violent nature when it comes to poisons this novel explores the scientific side of the work that Bianca and Francesco did during their lifetime.
We are introduced to Bianca who lives a very comfortable life in Venice. From a very young age she has always been facinated by medicine and after losing her mother from Malaria she vows to find a cure. However, her father and various other people in her life discourage her saying what she is doing is witchcraft. She meets Pietro from Florence who promises to provide her a comfortable life and an opportunity to work on her cure for Malaria. Bianca agrees to marry him and leaves her father's house.
At the beginning her prospects in Florence are useless as her husband is gone for much of time with his job and philandering ways. She manages to seek an advancement with medcine with the nuns and is later directed to the Medici palace where she meets Francesco de Medici who is a patron of the sceinces. From there she leads a double life as wife to Pietro and searching for a cure for Malaria at the Medici palace laboratory while being Mistress to Francesco.
Years pass and with the death of both their spouses Francesco and Bianca do marry. Bianca works hard to search for a cure and manages to suceed when she heals Francesco from a bout of the disease. However, in their time together enemies who disapprove of their relationship manage to destroy that.
Overall there is a lot of interesting history to this novel and I am super glad that I took the opportunity to read it!
We are introduced to Bianca who lives a very comfortable life in Venice. From a very young age she has always been facinated by medicine and after losing her mother from Malaria she vows to find a cure. However, her father and various other people in her life discourage her saying what she is doing is witchcraft. She meets Pietro from Florence who promises to provide her a comfortable life and an opportunity to work on her cure for Malaria. Bianca agrees to marry him and leaves her father's house.
At the beginning her prospects in Florence are useless as her husband is gone for much of time with his job and philandering ways. She manages to seek an advancement with medcine with the nuns and is later directed to the Medici palace where she meets Francesco de Medici who is a patron of the sceinces. From there she leads a double life as wife to Pietro and searching for a cure for Malaria at the Medici palace laboratory while being Mistress to Francesco.
Years pass and with the death of both their spouses Francesco and Bianca do marry. Bianca works hard to search for a cure and manages to suceed when she heals Francesco from a bout of the disease. However, in their time together enemies who disapprove of their relationship manage to destroy that.
Overall there is a lot of interesting history to this novel and I am super glad that I took the opportunity to read it!
February 10, 2026
Besides decades of romance between Bianca and the Medici prince, there were decades of meticulous experiments and documentations of her findings. Bianca was determined to find a cure for malaria, especially for her Prince Francesco, but also for the others in the world of Florence. The setbacks and frustrations and overt hostilitiy towards her as a woman in the 1500's, dabbling in 'brews' would have been enough to halt a person of lesser caliber, but not Bianca. She forged through relentlessly. I liked her strength in this aspect.
This work of historical fiction has been based on real pepole (as reflected in the main characters). Of course as this is fictional, there are the added 'salt and pepper seasonings'.
I mostly enjoyed the narrative but did find it somewhat draggy. Perhas there were too many descriptions. Overall, it felt long and drawn out. However, this could be the cleverness of the author to mirror the long years of Bianca's scientific work in progress. If so, it surely gave me, the reader, the 'feel' for that slow pace of the whole process she had had to work through. Either way, I felt impatient, waiting for the story to end.
This could be just me though. Other potential readers may find it thoroughly fascinating especially with the descriptions of the plants and leaves and distellations as Bianca created her medicines.
Just so you know, for those who are adverse to initmate bedroom scenes, there are plenty of them in this book. This is the one other caution I'd have for this narrative.
~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~
January 2026
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.
This work of historical fiction has been based on real pepole (as reflected in the main characters). Of course as this is fictional, there are the added 'salt and pepper seasonings'.
I mostly enjoyed the narrative but did find it somewhat draggy. Perhas there were too many descriptions. Overall, it felt long and drawn out. However, this could be the cleverness of the author to mirror the long years of Bianca's scientific work in progress. If so, it surely gave me, the reader, the 'feel' for that slow pace of the whole process she had had to work through. Either way, I felt impatient, waiting for the story to end.
This could be just me though. Other potential readers may find it thoroughly fascinating especially with the descriptions of the plants and leaves and distellations as Bianca created her medicines.
Just so you know, for those who are adverse to initmate bedroom scenes, there are plenty of them in this book. This is the one other caution I'd have for this narrative.
~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~
January 2026
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.
February 14, 2026
Bianca’s Cure has a premise that immediately grabbed me: a fact-inspired reimagining of Bianca Capello set against the intellectually electric—and politically dangerous—world of Medici Florence. As a fan of historical fiction, especially the kind that fills in the silences history leaves behind, I found a lot to admire here. Tackling a story so far removed from our own era is ambitious, and the author clearly put immense care into capturing the atmosphere, science, and tensions of the time.
The novel shines brightest in its sense of place. Florence feels alive with curiosity, risk, and the strange mingling of alchemy and early science. The characters—Bianca in particular—are vivid and textured, and the plot flows with an engaging momentum. Her pursuit of a fever cure, and the fine line between medicine and poison, gives the narrative a compelling scientific undercurrent.
That said, the book isn’t without its challenges. There’s quite a bit of repetition, with certain themes and conflicts resurfacing without much new being added. While Bianca’s struggles as a woman in a male-dominated scientific world are mentioned often, I sometimes found myself questioning the historical plausibility of just how much freedom and access she was granted. Even acknowledging the creative license of historical fiction, a few moments felt more anachronistic than intentional.
Still, the novel’s heart—its blend of ambition, mystery, and the haunting gaps in the historical record—kept me invested. The idea that Bianca’s brilliance could both elevate and endanger her is powerful, and the author handles it with sensitivity.
Overall, Bianca’s Cure is a thoughtful and atmospheric read with real potential, even if parts of it feel uneven. A solid 3 to 3.5 stars.
The novel shines brightest in its sense of place. Florence feels alive with curiosity, risk, and the strange mingling of alchemy and early science. The characters—Bianca in particular—are vivid and textured, and the plot flows with an engaging momentum. Her pursuit of a fever cure, and the fine line between medicine and poison, gives the narrative a compelling scientific undercurrent.
That said, the book isn’t without its challenges. There’s quite a bit of repetition, with certain themes and conflicts resurfacing without much new being added. While Bianca’s struggles as a woman in a male-dominated scientific world are mentioned often, I sometimes found myself questioning the historical plausibility of just how much freedom and access she was granted. Even acknowledging the creative license of historical fiction, a few moments felt more anachronistic than intentional.
Still, the novel’s heart—its blend of ambition, mystery, and the haunting gaps in the historical record—kept me invested. The idea that Bianca’s brilliance could both elevate and endanger her is powerful, and the author handles it with sensitivity.
Overall, Bianca’s Cure is a thoughtful and atmospheric read with real potential, even if parts of it feel uneven. A solid 3 to 3.5 stars.
November 14, 2025
In a time when men dominated life, Bianca Capello forged her own way. Never satisfied with the idea of becoming merely a wife and mother, Bianca's goal was to be a scientist and cure malaria. As a young girl, she observed her mother working with herbal remedies. When her mother became ill with malaria, Bianca believed she could concoct a cure using her mother's herbal remedies. After her mother's death, she became obsessed with finding a cure. The cure for malaria became her sole goal in life. Bianca did marry and have children, but these events were merely a means to an end. If she kept the men in her life content, they would indulge her scientific goals. These goals had a stranglehold on her and kept her from enjoying the simple aspects of life. No one seemed to understand how deeply she was committed. Her brother-in-law, Cardinal Medici, could not understand her unfailing focus. He believed her to be a witch or insane. Misunderstanding Bianca's zeal leads to tragedy.
Bianca did create a cure. She did help people ill with malaria. Sadly, she never achieved the recognition and acclaim that she yearned for.
Bianca's commitment to science in a time when women lacked the education made her an unusual woman. Although she was never recognized for developing a cure for malaria, her work is unusual and demonstrates a dedication rarely encountered. Imagine what she would be able to do in a modern lab! History focuses on Bianca's affair and subsequent marriage to Francesco Medici, ignoring her scientific contributions. Fortunately, author Gigi Berardi lifts the curtain on the life of Bianca Capello, more than a Medici mistress, a Medici scientist.
Bianca did create a cure. She did help people ill with malaria. Sadly, she never achieved the recognition and acclaim that she yearned for.
Bianca's commitment to science in a time when women lacked the education made her an unusual woman. Although she was never recognized for developing a cure for malaria, her work is unusual and demonstrates a dedication rarely encountered. Imagine what she would be able to do in a modern lab! History focuses on Bianca's affair and subsequent marriage to Francesco Medici, ignoring her scientific contributions. Fortunately, author Gigi Berardi lifts the curtain on the life of Bianca Capello, more than a Medici mistress, a Medici scientist.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Would you like a travel get-a-way? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go back in time to the Renaissance? If so, I think you will enjoy this historical novel that Gigi Berardi's imagination has brought to life.
The main character is Bianca Capello. She is a most rare personality for any time and especially for the time in which she lived. Her life in every aspect is driven by her science, by her obsession to find a cure for malaria. That drive determines every decision of her life. The need to work so single mindedly towards finding a cure would be difficult in any time, but as a woman going against the mores of the 1500's and the ideas of how to go about discovery at the time, make Bianca a very unusual person.
Bianca is schooled by her mother in the medicinal use of herbs and plants as a young girl. The death of her mother at the age of ten makes a profound impression on her. Later, she escapes an arranged marriage in Venice to flee to Florence. There she has the opportunity to pursue her science. She faces difficulties, but also opportunities, and with her beauty, guile and luck she makes her way to the court of the famous Medicis. Bianca's love story with Francesco de'Medici is central to her life story.
I especially enjoyed the writer's description of Florence during the later 1500s. I could form a picture of the crowded narrow streets, the monasteries, the brothels and the castles, and Bianca's gardens and her laboratories.
Bianca's Cure is a great way to join in an imaginary trip to the past and follow the life of an exceedingly determined woman scientist.
The main character is Bianca Capello. She is a most rare personality for any time and especially for the time in which she lived. Her life in every aspect is driven by her science, by her obsession to find a cure for malaria. That drive determines every decision of her life. The need to work so single mindedly towards finding a cure would be difficult in any time, but as a woman going against the mores of the 1500's and the ideas of how to go about discovery at the time, make Bianca a very unusual person.
Bianca is schooled by her mother in the medicinal use of herbs and plants as a young girl. The death of her mother at the age of ten makes a profound impression on her. Later, she escapes an arranged marriage in Venice to flee to Florence. There she has the opportunity to pursue her science. She faces difficulties, but also opportunities, and with her beauty, guile and luck she makes her way to the court of the famous Medicis. Bianca's love story with Francesco de'Medici is central to her life story.
I especially enjoyed the writer's description of Florence during the later 1500s. I could form a picture of the crowded narrow streets, the monasteries, the brothels and the castles, and Bianca's gardens and her laboratories.
Bianca's Cure is a great way to join in an imaginary trip to the past and follow the life of an exceedingly determined woman scientist.
November 15, 2025
Bianca’s Cure by Gigi Berardi takes place in Florence and Venice in the 16th century. The Medici’s are the ruling family in Italy at that time. Women are not considered to be of importance. Only males are taken seriously.
Bianca Capello is the young daughter in a noble family in Venice. Her mother considers herself to be a scientist, something that would never happen in this male dominated world. She has been working on developing a cure for Malaria which is running rampant in their country. She uses a wide variety of herbs and other ingredients. However she contracts the Malaria and dies. Her daughter Bianca continues to pursue her mother’s dream even though she is very young. She knows that the Medici’s in Florence are known for their alchemy and marries someone that is going to Florence in order to continue her research there. A Medici son becomes attracted to her and that is the help she has been hoping for to complete her research and develop a cure.
The story makes us aware of how worthless women are in any areas aside from raising a family and looking pretty on a man’s arm. Aside from the Medici son, her attempts to perform the experiments needed to discover what works is blocked in every way. I found Bianca to be totally consumed with her attempts at finding this cure. She really didn’t care for much else and I felt that she was using everyone too achieve her goal. I was very unhappy with the ending as it really left me hanging.
I would like to thank Net Galley and The Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
Bianca Capello is the young daughter in a noble family in Venice. Her mother considers herself to be a scientist, something that would never happen in this male dominated world. She has been working on developing a cure for Malaria which is running rampant in their country. She uses a wide variety of herbs and other ingredients. However she contracts the Malaria and dies. Her daughter Bianca continues to pursue her mother’s dream even though she is very young. She knows that the Medici’s in Florence are known for their alchemy and marries someone that is going to Florence in order to continue her research there. A Medici son becomes attracted to her and that is the help she has been hoping for to complete her research and develop a cure.
The story makes us aware of how worthless women are in any areas aside from raising a family and looking pretty on a man’s arm. Aside from the Medici son, her attempts to perform the experiments needed to discover what works is blocked in every way. I found Bianca to be totally consumed with her attempts at finding this cure. She really didn’t care for much else and I felt that she was using everyone too achieve her goal. I was very unhappy with the ending as it really left me hanging.
I would like to thank Net Galley and The Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
November 22, 2025
This book's a historical standalone novel about Bianca Capello, a real historical figure whose life was mixed with things made up by the author. The protagonist's a scientist and wants to cure Malaria with her herbal studies. To do so, the Venetian noblewoman runs away from her city and father to Florence. Here, her life intertwines with Francesco Medici's.
This woman is fierce, bold, clever, hardworking. She stands for her ideas and uses all the weapon she has to be able to study, practice and observe. She wants to find a remedy, a cure for that disease, and she doesn't let anyone or anything stop her. I loved her character, with her determined personality and fascinating behaviour. But exactly because she's that type of person (one that puts her studies first, above everything else), she can come across bitter, manipulative, self-centered. Sometimes, a little bit too harsh and cold.
Francesco, on the contrary, is eccentric, bubbly, naive, sometimes a little bit too childish. But he's crazy for Bianca and, even when he doesn't fully understand her studies and choices, he still fully support her and protect her in every way he can. He's not perfect, this has to be clear, and often he's so focused on himself that that he neither understands nor sees what surrounds him.
The plot takes place over many years, so there are occasional time jumps, sometimes quite significant. However, it never becomes confusing: there's always some phrase or term that lets the reader know how much time has passed.
This woman is fierce, bold, clever, hardworking. She stands for her ideas and uses all the weapon she has to be able to study, practice and observe. She wants to find a remedy, a cure for that disease, and she doesn't let anyone or anything stop her. I loved her character, with her determined personality and fascinating behaviour. But exactly because she's that type of person (one that puts her studies first, above everything else), she can come across bitter, manipulative, self-centered. Sometimes, a little bit too harsh and cold.
Francesco, on the contrary, is eccentric, bubbly, naive, sometimes a little bit too childish. But he's crazy for Bianca and, even when he doesn't fully understand her studies and choices, he still fully support her and protect her in every way he can. He's not perfect, this has to be clear, and often he's so focused on himself that that he neither understands nor sees what surrounds him.
The plot takes place over many years, so there are occasional time jumps, sometimes quite significant. However, it never becomes confusing: there's always some phrase or term that lets the reader know how much time has passed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Renaissance Florence
At the core of this history driven story is the bond between Francesco de Medici and Bianca Capello and her obsession with science-artemisia and her pursuit of a cure for malaria. On the other hand, the Medici put alchemy ahead and were more concerned with science. Eventually, Bianca’s trajectory brought her to the Medici court and ultimately to the Grand Duchess’s seat.
The characters in his story were real figures at the time Florence was a republic and malaria was killing the Medicis.
“Bianca’s Cure” is a story of love, ambition and the ever-present threat of violence. It is not a feel-good story of feminine empowerment rather one of confrontation where tradition collides with invention and the opportunity for advancement.
I found this story to be in the tradition of the best historical fiction where the author has taken a least known woman and has created a stirring account of a relentless pursuit of a cure for the heat disease. This fiction depicts a life shrouded in mystery and the voice-driven narrative skillfully describes the tortuous path a woman of science takes.
Elegantly written “Bianca’s Cure” has intellectual depth as well as emotional drive and depicts science in a unique way. Bianca was well ahead of her time.
Her skill may have doom them both Francesco and herself….read it and find out for yourself….
I don’t mind passing time reading story that is well-said and well-done.
My thanks to the publisher She Writes Press for this ARC which I received via Book Whisper and Netgalley
At the core of this history driven story is the bond between Francesco de Medici and Bianca Capello and her obsession with science-artemisia and her pursuit of a cure for malaria. On the other hand, the Medici put alchemy ahead and were more concerned with science. Eventually, Bianca’s trajectory brought her to the Medici court and ultimately to the Grand Duchess’s seat.
The characters in his story were real figures at the time Florence was a republic and malaria was killing the Medicis.
“Bianca’s Cure” is a story of love, ambition and the ever-present threat of violence. It is not a feel-good story of feminine empowerment rather one of confrontation where tradition collides with invention and the opportunity for advancement.
I found this story to be in the tradition of the best historical fiction where the author has taken a least known woman and has created a stirring account of a relentless pursuit of a cure for the heat disease. This fiction depicts a life shrouded in mystery and the voice-driven narrative skillfully describes the tortuous path a woman of science takes.
Elegantly written “Bianca’s Cure” has intellectual depth as well as emotional drive and depicts science in a unique way. Bianca was well ahead of her time.
Her skill may have doom them both Francesco and herself….read it and find out for yourself….
I don’t mind passing time reading story that is well-said and well-done.
My thanks to the publisher She Writes Press for this ARC which I received via Book Whisper and Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨Gifted ARC✨
Bianca’s single-minded determination and grit, as well as the historic Italian setting and Medici drama, made this historical fiction an interesting read!
THOUGHTS 💭
🧪 I enjoyed being thrown back to and immersed in 1500s Italy. We watched Bianca’s whole life go by, from girlhood to adulthood. Sometimes, chapters went from one day to the next; others, years would go by, making sure we were getting the most interesting parts of Bianca’s story and life.
🧪 Poor Bianca - the times were not made for young girls/women who had thoughts and ideas and an interest in science and cures. She was a strong, stubborn FMC who was sure that she would be the one to find the cure for malaria.
🧪 Men were a means to an end for Bianca and finding romance/a partner was not one of her life goals. She truly had a single-track mind and finding the cure to malaria was her life’s mission.
🧪 Would she do it? Would Bianca cure the heat disease and save hundreds, thousands, millions of souls with her cure? I kept turning the pages, because I HAD to know where her story would take us!
🧪 There were bits of a love story in this read; Francesco’s love felt dedicated, understanding, and sweet and his love language was definitely long chats about alchemy and gift giving.
🧪 This book, based on historical figures, sadly does not have a happily ever after (as much as I wished it for these characters). I loved the author’s note at the end that helped unpack the ending and the story as a whole.
Thanks so much to Gigi Berardi, Get Red PR, and She Writes Press for the wonderful ARC of this book!
Bianca’s single-minded determination and grit, as well as the historic Italian setting and Medici drama, made this historical fiction an interesting read!
THOUGHTS 💭
🧪 I enjoyed being thrown back to and immersed in 1500s Italy. We watched Bianca’s whole life go by, from girlhood to adulthood. Sometimes, chapters went from one day to the next; others, years would go by, making sure we were getting the most interesting parts of Bianca’s story and life.
🧪 Poor Bianca - the times were not made for young girls/women who had thoughts and ideas and an interest in science and cures. She was a strong, stubborn FMC who was sure that she would be the one to find the cure for malaria.
🧪 Men were a means to an end for Bianca and finding romance/a partner was not one of her life goals. She truly had a single-track mind and finding the cure to malaria was her life’s mission.
🧪 Would she do it? Would Bianca cure the heat disease and save hundreds, thousands, millions of souls with her cure? I kept turning the pages, because I HAD to know where her story would take us!
🧪 There were bits of a love story in this read; Francesco’s love felt dedicated, understanding, and sweet and his love language was definitely long chats about alchemy and gift giving.
🧪 This book, based on historical figures, sadly does not have a happily ever after (as much as I wished it for these characters). I loved the author’s note at the end that helped unpack the ending and the story as a whole.
Thanks so much to Gigi Berardi, Get Red PR, and She Writes Press for the wonderful ARC of this book!
February 13, 2026
Bianca’s Curse comes in hot with dark vibes, high drama, and a curse that’s apparently determined to ruin everyone’s emotional stability. The premise is solid — mysterious, angsty, full of potential — and for a while, it really feels like it’s building toward something big.
Bianca herself? She’s intense. Which can be great. She feels things deeply. She reacts quickly. She makes choices that definitely move the plot forward… even if they don’t always make you want to cheer for her. There are moments where you empathize with her struggle — and moments where you’re like, “Girl. Please. Let’s think this through.”
The romance leans heavily into the angst. And I mean heavily. There’s tension, but it often runs on miscommunication and emotional spirals that could probably be solved with one honest conversation. If you love dramatic stares, unresolved feelings, and prolonged back-and-forth energy, this will absolutely hit. If not, it might feel like watching two people argue in slow motion.
Pacing-wise, it has strong bursts of intrigue, then dips into repetition. The atmosphere is consistent, though — dark, broody, and very committed to the drama. You won’t forget the tone, that’s for sure.
Overall, it’s a book that knows its audience. If you’re here for emotional chaos, cursed destinies, and romance that thrives on tension, you’ll probably enjoy the ride. If you’re looking for tight plotting and subtle character development… you may find yourself side-eyeing a few chapters.
Bianca herself? She’s intense. Which can be great. She feels things deeply. She reacts quickly. She makes choices that definitely move the plot forward… even if they don’t always make you want to cheer for her. There are moments where you empathize with her struggle — and moments where you’re like, “Girl. Please. Let’s think this through.”
The romance leans heavily into the angst. And I mean heavily. There’s tension, but it often runs on miscommunication and emotional spirals that could probably be solved with one honest conversation. If you love dramatic stares, unresolved feelings, and prolonged back-and-forth energy, this will absolutely hit. If not, it might feel like watching two people argue in slow motion.
Pacing-wise, it has strong bursts of intrigue, then dips into repetition. The atmosphere is consistent, though — dark, broody, and very committed to the drama. You won’t forget the tone, that’s for sure.
Overall, it’s a book that knows its audience. If you’re here for emotional chaos, cursed destinies, and romance that thrives on tension, you’ll probably enjoy the ride. If you’re looking for tight plotting and subtle character development… you may find yourself side-eyeing a few chapters.
February 15, 2026
History can be so fascinating and I learned quite a bit about the Medici family and the woman who captured the heart of one member of the family, while testing the limits of acceptability with the others. Bianca loved learning about plants, herbs and their healing powers from her mother, but when she dies from the heat disease her father is determined to marry her off so she can become a wife and stop this madness of trying to treat people. But Bianca is determined to find a cure to what killed her mother and hundreds of others, so she finds someone who will get her to Venice. The place where the Medici family and all of their alchemy practices are conducted. She just needs a place to conduct her mixtures and to be able to test them on others until she has the right concoction to cure Malaria. Then no one will brush her "witchery" off again. After taking a chance and running into one of the Medici, she can hardly believe her luck! Francesco believes in her and will give her pretty much anything she wants. A place to work, conduct her mixes as well as a room of her own. Struggling with being a mother and wanting to find a cure, Bianca will stop at nothing to find one even if it means risking everything and everyone around her. She was a fascinating woman for this time and I loved her drive even though she often was risking lives. I hope the mystery of the end of her life comes to light someday! Thank you to the author and publisher for the complementary novel and to GetRedPR for the invite to review this novel.
November 17, 2025
Bianca’s Cure is the story of Bianca Capello, a 16th century Italian aristocrat who lived a very scandalous life. The book centers around Bianca’s singular purpose to find a cure for malaria. The story portrays her marrying only to further her scientific study. I was fascinated by this woman who seemed so far ahead of her time.
As my kids would say, I searched her up to learn more. I was completely surprised to learn that she wasn’t a scientist or healer at all. Her life was certainly scandalous from a romance perspective but the medical portion of the story is apparently not factual at all.
Despite this, the history of Bianca and her family and the malaria epidemic were very interesting. It was fascinating to think about the possibility of medical trials happening so long ago. Bianca’s singular purpose in finding a cure was disturbing to me though. I didn’t find her to be a very likable character and hated how she abandoned her children.
The details of her experiments were very repetitive. I was curious what doctors or healers (if any) existed at the time and what they would think of Bianca’s treatments. Who else was working on finding a cure? The Crusca Academy was fascinating and I wanted to learn more about their objectives and projects. Her real life demise is quite mysterious!
A well written story about a time I’ve read very little about.
I was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
As my kids would say, I searched her up to learn more. I was completely surprised to learn that she wasn’t a scientist or healer at all. Her life was certainly scandalous from a romance perspective but the medical portion of the story is apparently not factual at all.
Despite this, the history of Bianca and her family and the malaria epidemic were very interesting. It was fascinating to think about the possibility of medical trials happening so long ago. Bianca’s singular purpose in finding a cure was disturbing to me though. I didn’t find her to be a very likable character and hated how she abandoned her children.
The details of her experiments were very repetitive. I was curious what doctors or healers (if any) existed at the time and what they would think of Bianca’s treatments. Who else was working on finding a cure? The Crusca Academy was fascinating and I wanted to learn more about their objectives and projects. Her real life demise is quite mysterious!
A well written story about a time I’ve read very little about.
I was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love historical fiction, especially when it’s based on true facts - and double points for love when set in one of my favorite cities, Florence. Such is Bianca’s Cure.
Bianca Capello leaves Venice where she is not allowed to practice her herbal cures. She arrives in Florence; it’s 1563 and the time of the Medici who practice alchemy. She advances her career right into the bed of Francisco Medici whose intense love affair is the core of the book. Bianca wants to find a cure for malaria which may be the cause of Francisco’s illness - malaria plagues much of Florence and has killed some of the Medici. Bianca believes artemisia is a possible cure which interestingly I learned that in 2015 a Chinese woman scientists won the Nobel Prize in Physiology/ Medicine for the discovery of artemisinin, a potent antimalarial drug - I love these connections! And an again a woman is leading the way.
Bianca is a strong female character who moves ahead in life in spite of many barriers women faced in those times and dares to practice science. While little is known in history of her, the author brings her to life reimagining her in a delightful way - she’d have been interesting to know. The palatial life of Florence is also described so well.
The book is captivating and good historical fiction. It’s for anyone who loves realistic historical fiction.
My thanks to NetGalley and She Writes Press for allowing me to read this ARC
#biancascure
#gigiberardi
#shewrirespress
Bianca Capello leaves Venice where she is not allowed to practice her herbal cures. She arrives in Florence; it’s 1563 and the time of the Medici who practice alchemy. She advances her career right into the bed of Francisco Medici whose intense love affair is the core of the book. Bianca wants to find a cure for malaria which may be the cause of Francisco’s illness - malaria plagues much of Florence and has killed some of the Medici. Bianca believes artemisia is a possible cure which interestingly I learned that in 2015 a Chinese woman scientists won the Nobel Prize in Physiology/ Medicine for the discovery of artemisinin, a potent antimalarial drug - I love these connections! And an again a woman is leading the way.
Bianca is a strong female character who moves ahead in life in spite of many barriers women faced in those times and dares to practice science. While little is known in history of her, the author brings her to life reimagining her in a delightful way - she’d have been interesting to know. The palatial life of Florence is also described so well.
The book is captivating and good historical fiction. It’s for anyone who loves realistic historical fiction.
My thanks to NetGalley and She Writes Press for allowing me to read this ARC
#biancascure
#gigiberardi
#shewrirespress
November 11, 2025
This was quite a fascinating book, with some problems.
Bianca's Cure offered a very interesting glimpse into Medici Florence and the story of Bianca Capello and Francesco Medici, which had quite a mysterious ending in real life. Berardi has re-imagined Bianca's story, taking a little-known historical figure and breathing new life into her.
I found her passion and drive for finding a cure for malaria very interesting, though at times it was a bit tedious too. I understand just how driven scientists are with finding the answers to their questions, but I also know that they have a life outside of the laboratory, with not every thought consumed by their science.
This is where Berardi's book went a little overboard. By framing absolutely everything Bianca did through the lens of finding a cure -- not an easy task for a woman in those times, to be sure -- she made Bianca come across as wooden, manipulative, and completely self-absorbed. This is a pity, because there was the scope and potential to make her a more well-rounded figure. Still, it was a rather interesting read.
Thanks to NetGalley for sending me an ARC!
Bianca's Cure offered a very interesting glimpse into Medici Florence and the story of Bianca Capello and Francesco Medici, which had quite a mysterious ending in real life. Berardi has re-imagined Bianca's story, taking a little-known historical figure and breathing new life into her.
I found her passion and drive for finding a cure for malaria very interesting, though at times it was a bit tedious too. I understand just how driven scientists are with finding the answers to their questions, but I also know that they have a life outside of the laboratory, with not every thought consumed by their science.
This is where Berardi's book went a little overboard. By framing absolutely everything Bianca did through the lens of finding a cure -- not an easy task for a woman in those times, to be sure -- she made Bianca come across as wooden, manipulative, and completely self-absorbed. This is a pity, because there was the scope and potential to make her a more well-rounded figure. Still, it was a rather interesting read.
Thanks to NetGalley for sending me an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Bianca’s Cure by Gigi Berardi is an absolutely breathtaking historical adaptation that brings the world of the Medicis in Florence to vivid life. The story paints a rich and atmospheric portrait of a country grappling with the devastation of malaria, all while weaving a deeply emotional tale of love, loss, and determination.Bianca and Francesco’s journey is beautifully rendered; from their initial connection to the tender love that blossoms between them, even as Bianca remains steadfast in her pursuit of a cure for the disease that claimed her mother. Berardi’s writing captures the tension and hope of Renaissance Florence with incredible grace, making every emotional high and low feel achingly real.The ending delivers a perfect sense of closure while still leaving readers yearning for more. I found myself wondering whether Antonio ever returned to the hidden shed to continue his mother’s work, or if Frederick’s threats kept him in hiding for good.This is an outstanding debut novel that combines rich historical detail with heartfelt storytelling. Gigi Berardi has given readers a masterpiece filled with passion, resilience, and the enduring power of love.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An interesting historical fiction about a woman searching for a cure for Malaria in Medici Florence. I admit to doing a google search on the real people, and found pictures and biographies to help me understand the characters.
Bianca came from a wealthy Venetian family. Her mother was an herbalist and when she died of malaria, Bianca swore to find a cure. Her father of course planned to marry her off. She thwarted him by running off with a clerk from Florence.
Bianca was not really a likable character as presented. Her single minded obsession with curing malaria, a disease that killed millions, might have been worthy, but not really interesting to read.
When she met Francesco de Medici, himself a scientist, he fell madly in love with her and she became his mistress. He supported her experiments, and gave her a laboratory.
He entered an arranged marriage with a Hapsburg Princess, but never gave up Bianca.
The ending was quite tragic, and the author imagines how the real life ending may have come about.
Sadly, if Bianca did find a cure for malaria, it was never published and it would be centuries before a cure was found.
Thanks to NetGalley the Book Whisperer and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
Bianca came from a wealthy Venetian family. Her mother was an herbalist and when she died of malaria, Bianca swore to find a cure. Her father of course planned to marry her off. She thwarted him by running off with a clerk from Florence.
Bianca was not really a likable character as presented. Her single minded obsession with curing malaria, a disease that killed millions, might have been worthy, but not really interesting to read.
When she met Francesco de Medici, himself a scientist, he fell madly in love with her and she became his mistress. He supported her experiments, and gave her a laboratory.
He entered an arranged marriage with a Hapsburg Princess, but never gave up Bianca.
The ending was quite tragic, and the author imagines how the real life ending may have come about.
Sadly, if Bianca did find a cure for malaria, it was never published and it would be centuries before a cure was found.
Thanks to NetGalley the Book Whisperer and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
February 10, 2026
Bianca lives a good life in Venice. After loosing her mother to Malaria, Bianca is convinced that she can find a cure so that others don't succumb to the disease. The only thing keeping her from the cure is all the men in her path who create obstacles that were and still are prevalent to women all over the world. Her first husband Pietro promises to support her in her research. The husband proves to be of no help and she slowly makes her way to the Medici family whose members have suffered from the disease. It is here that she meets Francesco De Medici. He is a supporter of science and believes in Bianca. As she navigates her married life and finding a cure, she also falls in love with Franceso.
This book was inspiring and full of important people and information. I always enjoy a book that teaches me something new and this one left me wanting to research Bianca and Francesco. Their story was captivating and Bianca's desperate need to find a cure was palpable. I enjoyed reading about Renaissance Italy. I am also a fan of the Medici family.
Thank you Netgalley and Book Whisperer/She Writes Press for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
This book was inspiring and full of important people and information. I always enjoy a book that teaches me something new and this one left me wanting to research Bianca and Francesco. Their story was captivating and Bianca's desperate need to find a cure was palpable. I enjoyed reading about Renaissance Italy. I am also a fan of the Medici family.
Thank you Netgalley and Book Whisperer/She Writes Press for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“Bianca’s Cure” is a historical fiction book by Gigi Berardi. This book is based upon Bianca Capello, mistress and then wife of Francesco de Medici. Bianca, in this book, is working on a cure for malaria and devotes her life to trying to find the right balance of ingredients in order to formulate said cure. I was a bit dismayed to discover that per online sources, Bianca wasn’t a scientist or healer, but thanks to her relationship with her eventual husband, she was a bit scandalous for the time. At times I felt this book was a bit repetitive in nature with her always working toward a cure and trying to find people who were sick but not too sick to try her cures upon. I also didn’t really feel that I knew why Francesco and she stayed together for as long as they did - she came across as smart and interesting, but her single-minded focus came across a bit too strong at times (but that’s just me). Overall, an interesting read.
“Bianca’s Cure” is a historical fiction book by Gigi Berardi. This book is based upon Bianca Capello, mistress and then wife of Francesco de Medici. Bianca, in this book, is working on a cure for malaria and devotes her life to trying to find the right balance of ingredients in order to formulate said cure. I was a bit dismayed to discover that per online sources, Bianca wasn’t a scientist or healer, but thanks to her relationship with her eventual husband, she was a bit scandalous for the time. At times I felt this book was a bit repetitive in nature with her always working toward a cure and trying to find people who were sick but not too sick to try her cures upon. I also didn’t really feel that I knew why Francesco and she stayed together for as long as they did - she came across as smart and interesting, but her single-minded focus came across a bit too strong at times (but that’s just me). Overall, an interesting read.
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January 25, 2026Bianca's Cure
by Gigi Berardi
Pub Date: Feb 10 2026
Forbidden from creating herbal cures in Venice, the young noblewoman Bianca Capello flees to Florence where the ruling Medici family practices alchemy. There, she wins herself an invitation to the palace, and as it turns out, a path to the duke regent Francesco’s bed.
The impassioned bond between Francesco de’ Medici and Bianca is at the core of this history driven drive into medicine, politics, love, and death in Renaissance Florence. Malaria killed many of the Medici, but traces of the poison arsenic have recently been found is Francesco’s remains. Even more sinister; Bianca’s remains have not been found.
Bianca’s Cure problem what might have been as Bianca’s quest for a malaria cure collides with Francesco’s intensifying illness. Her main tool is the herb artemsia—medicines still used today. A woman who dared to practice science, Bianca fights off self-doubt until she believes herself invincible. Is she? When only she stands between Francesco and death, her skill may save him or doom them both
by Gigi Berardi
Pub Date: Feb 10 2026
Forbidden from creating herbal cures in Venice, the young noblewoman Bianca Capello flees to Florence where the ruling Medici family practices alchemy. There, she wins herself an invitation to the palace, and as it turns out, a path to the duke regent Francesco’s bed.
The impassioned bond between Francesco de’ Medici and Bianca is at the core of this history driven drive into medicine, politics, love, and death in Renaissance Florence. Malaria killed many of the Medici, but traces of the poison arsenic have recently been found is Francesco’s remains. Even more sinister; Bianca’s remains have not been found.
Bianca’s Cure problem what might have been as Bianca’s quest for a malaria cure collides with Francesco’s intensifying illness. Her main tool is the herb artemsia—medicines still used today. A woman who dared to practice science, Bianca fights off self-doubt until she believes herself invincible. Is she? When only she stands between Francesco and death, her skill may save him or doom them both
October 28, 2025
Berardi does an excellent job of taking the reader into 16th century Europe - more specifically, Florence. Also, you can almost smell the herbs as the story goes along.
Bianca's mom taught her a lot about herbal remedies. But her mom died and Bianca wanted to learn more. Through a circuitous route, she ended up in Florence where she met Francesco de Medici who helps her by giving her a "laboratory" where she can grow herbs and make tinctures, etc.
The biggest threat to life at the time was malaria and Bianca was sure she could find a remedy - and she did, but only if folks came before they were too sick and often times they did not.
I really got tired of the male dominated world which put her down (she was just a woman after all). She was in every sense of today's word - a scientist and she made copious notes to detail her work.
I was unhappy with the ending, but this novel is based on fact, and the conclusion of the story follows the fact as much as possible.
Good read.
Bianca's mom taught her a lot about herbal remedies. But her mom died and Bianca wanted to learn more. Through a circuitous route, she ended up in Florence where she met Francesco de Medici who helps her by giving her a "laboratory" where she can grow herbs and make tinctures, etc.
The biggest threat to life at the time was malaria and Bianca was sure she could find a remedy - and she did, but only if folks came before they were too sick and often times they did not.
I really got tired of the male dominated world which put her down (she was just a woman after all). She was in every sense of today's word - a scientist and she made copious notes to detail her work.
I was unhappy with the ending, but this novel is based on fact, and the conclusion of the story follows the fact as much as possible.
Good read.
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