From the moment I learned of "The Brilliant Death," I knew I needed to read it. I almost never read fantasy, but this one--with gender fluidity beating at its heart--was enough of an attention-grabber to make me curious.
In the end, I greatly enjoyed this. The plot was complex and full of action, but we also had slow moments wherein we learned about our characters and their development. There were enough twists to keep you guessing, and the ending definitely left you wanting more.
I do see, though, that this is the first book in a series, meaning that it does fall back on some of the problems first-books have. The world building is occasionally oddly paced, and I feel as though the magic needed to be explained a little better. That being said, these things can be developed in future installments with little to no issues.
What I loved most about this book was Capetta's connection to here Italian history; you could feel the emotional connection to this ancestral component of the story. And it was great fun to read about a mythos not always explored in literature, particularly YA.
I would recommend this book for its queer representation first, and then its fantastical elements. This books greatest strength is its diversity, and the rest of the series may strengthen its story.
In the end, I greatly enjoyed this. The plot was complex and full of action, but we also had slow moments wherein we learned about our characters and their development. There were enough twists to keep you guessing, and the ending definitely left you wanting more.
I do see, though, that this is the first book in a series, meaning that it does fall back on some of the problems first-books have. The world building is occasionally oddly paced, and I feel as though the magic needed to be explained a little better. That being said, these things can be developed in future installments with little to no issues.
What I loved most about this book was Capetta's connection to here Italian history; you could feel the emotional connection to this ancestral component of the story. And it was great fun to read about a mythos not always explored in literature, particularly YA.
I would recommend this book for its queer representation first, and then its fantastical elements. This books greatest strength is its diversity, and the rest of the series may strengthen its story.