The Brilliant Death, A. R. Capetta
The Brilliant Death, A. R. Capetta
List: $25.00 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.50

The Brilliant Death

Author: A. R. Capetta

Narrator: Carlotta Brentan

Unabridged: 9 hr 44 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/30/2018


Synopsis

Teodora di Sangro is used to hiding her magical ability to transform enemies into music boxes and mirrors. Nobody knows she’s a strega—and she aims to keep it that way.

The she meets Cielo—and everything changes.

A strega who can switch outward form as effortlessly as turning a page in a book, Cielo shows Teodora what her life could be like if she masters the power she’s been keeping secret. And not a moment too soon:  the ruler of Vinalia has poisoned the patriarchs of the country’s five controlling families, including Teodora’s father, and demands that each family send a son to the palace.

If she wants to save her family, Teodora must travel to the capital—not disguised as a boy, but transformed into one. But the road to the capital, and to bridling her powers, is full of enemies and complications, including the one she least expects: falling in love.

About The Author

Amy Rose Capetta has written several novels for young adults and holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from VCFA. She first dreamed of writing about Vinalia when she was younger than Teo. Once upon a time her father’s family lived in Italy, in a small town in the mountainside. Now Amy Rose lives in her very own mountains in Vermont, with her partner and their young son. To learn more, visit amyrosecapetta.com.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Emily May on September 24, 2018

Teodora di Sangro’s life is built on secrets. The Brilliant Death sucked me in pretty much instantly when the protagonist - Teo di Sangro, who is a strega - waltzes onto the page and turns a man into a music box for threatening the well-being of her family. As it turns out, this guy is just one m......more

Goodreads review by Elle on August 18, 2020

I had discovered a special way that women could be dangerous. They were trained to play close attention to people. To take them apart, like Luca had done with his clockworks, and study how they ran. 3 1/2 stars. This was so. freaking. interesting. A story following a genderqueer narrator......more

Goodreads review by Riley on November 02, 2018

If any of this interests you I highly recommend picking this up: - 19th century Italy inspired world - mafia family - political intrigue - unique magic system - queer main character - genderfluid love interest......more

Goodreads review by Chelsea on January 03, 2019

I wanted to love this one bc the queer rep was AMAZING, but I’d be lying if I said the plot didn’t have my eyes glazing over for 90% of the book. It takes a lot for me to like fantasy and this just didn’t do it for me 😕 womp......more

Goodreads review by julianna ➹ on April 21, 2019

wow our main characters are a genderfluid couple, amazing The Brilliant Death is set in an Italy-inspired land, Vinalia, where they’re ruled by the five mafia-esque dons. In this world, stregas are people who have various powers— such as being able to bake food that helps uncover hidden memories or t......more


Quotes

Raves for The Brilliant Death:

★ "A delicious and magical intrigue too tempting not to devour." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "A highly original magic system and a protagonist who is as ruthless as she is fiery make for a fast-paced adventure." --School Library Journal, starred review

“Mario Puzo meets Ursula Le Guin in a gender and genre bending tale as lush as it is vivid, and as daring as it is dangerous. The hype is deserved and the magic is real."--Alex London, bestselling author of Proxy and Black Wings Beating
 
"The Brilliant Death is a mesmerizingly written tale of identity, courage and family, wrapped up in magic that feels both folktale-familiar and enthrallingly innovative."--Alwyn Hamilton, New York Times bestselling author of Rebel of the Sands
 
"Writing so good it will give you goosebumps, and a story that will sweep you into a wild adventure full of old magic, new love, and dark delight."--Alison Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of Eon and Eona

“This first in a duology is a luminously imagined, Italian-inspired fantasy that thoughtfully speaks to ideas of gender perception and identity. A rich world, with much left to be explored in the next volume.” – Booklist
 
“One of the most artful, gorgeous, romantic books in the LGBTQIAP YA canon.” – B&N Teen Blog
 
“A unique mashup of fantasy, historical fiction, and queer romance… the kind of book you won't be able to stop talking about.” – Bustle