The Brilliant Death

By: A. R. Capetta

Narrated by: Carlotta Brentan

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.

Critic reviews

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

Fun story

I liked the magic and world building and that it used an AU Italy. Loved the main characters. Not aure how I feel about the ending, hopefully the sequel clears up some loose ends.

Amazing genderfluid love story!

The Brilliant Death is a touching piece about love, death, and finding your identity. While not all of us have strega magic to help us change, we still hold the power to be who we want to be. The role life hands you never has to be the one you accept, which Teo teaches us beautifully.

Amazing in so many ways!

Let's start with the narrator, because that is make or break for me. She was excellent, and the Italian accent was wonderful. She made me believe that she WAS the character she was reading at all times.
On to the story! What a captivating universe Amy builds for you!! So many moments had me stopping everything else I was doing, riveted and waiting to hear what happened next! There was a quote very close to the end that gave me absolute chills!!! I can only hope that there is more where this came from, because I absolutely loved the whole story!!!

what an amazing book!

I absolutely loved this book! the love and adventure that happened made me want to keep going. every chapter brought me into a deep trance, as if I was the character. what made it even better what the magic, making my imagination spark. I recommend this book to anyone!

I had high hopes and they were met!

Politics. Magic. Intrigue. Murder. Shapeshifters. This book had so many things I love, and combined them in a lovely Italian-inspired fantasy world. As a genderfluid person myself, I felt seen as the main character discovered it for themself too. And Cielo is a lovely person who I enjoy immensely. I’m going to need more of these characters and this world. And, like many genderfluid people, I will live with the jealousy that they can change their forms lol