A magical Italian inspired folktale with a unique exploration of gender/identity/sexuality
Teodora di Sangro is a Strega, a witch, who has the ability to transform objects. Teodora keeps her abilities a secret from everyone but her father. To protect her family, she uses her magic to turn her family’s enemies into music boxes, mirrors, or other trinkets. When the ruler of Vinalia poisons the leaders of the countries five leading families, including Teo's father, she vows revenge. Each family is requested to send a son to report to the Capo's court in Amalia and discuss the new treaty. Teo has one week to determine how she can take her brother Lucas place, get revenge on the Capo, and obtain the antidote and save her father’s life. Then Teo meets Cielo, a gender shifting Strega and everything changes...
The Brilliant death is a YA fantasy based around Strega folklore and set a historical Italian inspired world. The Strega are hunted and murdered for their magic and so Teo is forced to keep her abilities a secret. When she meets Cielo, a Strega who has the ability to transform their body, she asks them to teach her so she can take her brothers place. Neither Cielo nor Teo have ever felt as if they fit into confines society has placed on them. What begins as a partnership turns to romance as they both try to discover their identities. I loved that the author was inspired by historical Italy and the Strega folklore to create such a unique tale. I found the gender shifting element to be an interesting and clever romantic concept allowing the characters not to be bound by gender or societal expectations. Although some of the narrative felt rushed, especially in conflict resolution, I enjoyed reading this and finished it in a day. This was an entertaining and enchanting novel with a unique exploration of gender/identity/sexuality.
The Brilliant death is a YA fantasy based around Strega folklore and set a historical Italian inspired world. The Strega are hunted and murdered for their magic and so Teo is forced to keep her abilities a secret. When she meets Cielo, a Strega who has the ability to transform their body, she asks them to teach her so she can take her brothers place. Neither Cielo nor Teo have ever felt as if they fit into confines society has placed on them. What begins as a partnership turns to romance as they both try to discover their identities. I loved that the author was inspired by historical Italy and the Strega folklore to create such a unique tale. I found the gender shifting element to be an interesting and clever romantic concept allowing the characters not to be bound by gender or societal expectations. Although some of the narrative felt rushed, especially in conflict resolution, I enjoyed reading this and finished it in a day. This was an entertaining and enchanting novel with a unique exploration of gender/identity/sexuality.