Lush and rich, a magical mafia tale set in a fantasy 19th century Italy.
With such a unique and intriguing premise, and one that promised magic, political intrigue and so much more, I couldn’t help but be excited for The Brilliant Death. And if the above wasn’t enough to hook me, add in mafia and gender-fluid characters, all set against a backdrop of a fantasy version of 19th century Italy, and I knew this was going to be a book that worked for me. And it most certainly did.
The action starts almost immediately, with Teodora DiSangro’s father rendered immobile and on the brink of death from a mysterious letter that was delivered by an equally mysterious courier. The letter reeks of magic but only Teo knows that, since she’s not just an ordinary girl, but one who’s spent her entire life hiding what she is — a strega. Magic in her country is thought of as a myth, a legend, and certainly something not *real*. But Teodora is real, as is her magic, and having anyone find out that it isn’t a fairytale is sure to bring about chaos and probable death for Teo. Her father’s condition means that someone from her household must go to the capital and see the Capo in order to establish a new head of the DiSangro household, but the problem is complicated, to say the least. The only options for a new head are Teo’s younger brother, who’s much too meek and unwilling to lead, and her older one, who lives his life thriving on inflicting pain on others including his own family. The only thing Teo wants to do is save her father, and it’s up to her (and a new and very interesting ally) to try to save her father and their family name.
The Brilliant Death was such an interesting and immersive read and I really loved everything about it. The writing was lush and lyrical and a perfect companion to the equally lush and rich setting of an imagined 19th century Italy (which, take away the fantasy element, and it could have easily been an accurate representation of the real 19th century Italy.) The biggest selling point for me, though, was having a fantasy intertwined with the mafia and everything that goes along with it, including politics and power plays, and that part was definitely the highlight for me. Although running a close second was Cielo, a character who effortlessly transforms into both male and female, and Teo’s journey of figuring out her own sexual identity.
The ending, however, didn’t seem very final to me and I’m hoping that The Brilliant Death is the beginning of a new trilogy or series. Im hoping to see these characters again in the future and have my questions answered, so my fingers are definitely crossed in hopes of more to come.
The action starts almost immediately, with Teodora DiSangro’s father rendered immobile and on the brink of death from a mysterious letter that was delivered by an equally mysterious courier. The letter reeks of magic but only Teo knows that, since she’s not just an ordinary girl, but one who’s spent her entire life hiding what she is — a strega. Magic in her country is thought of as a myth, a legend, and certainly something not *real*. But Teodora is real, as is her magic, and having anyone find out that it isn’t a fairytale is sure to bring about chaos and probable death for Teo. Her father’s condition means that someone from her household must go to the capital and see the Capo in order to establish a new head of the DiSangro household, but the problem is complicated, to say the least. The only options for a new head are Teo’s younger brother, who’s much too meek and unwilling to lead, and her older one, who lives his life thriving on inflicting pain on others including his own family. The only thing Teo wants to do is save her father, and it’s up to her (and a new and very interesting ally) to try to save her father and their family name.
The Brilliant Death was such an interesting and immersive read and I really loved everything about it. The writing was lush and lyrical and a perfect companion to the equally lush and rich setting of an imagined 19th century Italy (which, take away the fantasy element, and it could have easily been an accurate representation of the real 19th century Italy.) The biggest selling point for me, though, was having a fantasy intertwined with the mafia and everything that goes along with it, including politics and power plays, and that part was definitely the highlight for me. Although running a close second was Cielo, a character who effortlessly transforms into both male and female, and Teo’s journey of figuring out her own sexual identity.
The ending, however, didn’t seem very final to me and I’m hoping that The Brilliant Death is the beginning of a new trilogy or series. Im hoping to see these characters again in the future and have my questions answered, so my fingers are definitely crossed in hopes of more to come.