It had a good premise and I think the book mostly executed it well.

It is delightfully queer, with a genderfluid love interest. 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. Set in an Italian-inspired world and following a main character who can turn people into music boxes, The Brilliant Death is an inventive and exciting new fantasy. If she wants to save her family, Teodora must travel to the capital-not disguised as a boy, but transformed into one. 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. The Brilliant Death is a fast-paced joyride of a novel, containing magic, intrigue, and a genderfluid love story in the midst of high-stakes secrets and courtly lies. 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. The she meets Cielo-and everything changes. Nobody knows she’s a strega-and she aims to keep it that way. Once upon a time her father's family lived in Italy, in a small town in the mountainside. She first dreamed of writing about Vinalia when she was younger than Teo. Please see our disclosure policy for more details. Teodora di Sangro is used to hiding her magical ability to transform enemies into music boxes and mirrors. Amy Rose Capetta has written several novels for young adults and holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from VCFA. If you click and buy we may make a commission, at no additional charge to you.

The brilliant death amy rose capetta