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citrus_seasalt's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
2.75 stars. The Brilliant Death was a book that captivated me with its premise, but I didn’t really enjoy it as much as I thought it would. Firstly, I found the way the story tackled gender and identity to be a mixed bag. Gender seemed to be almost intrinsically tied to sex, and with Cielo especially, there was more of an emphasis on that than expression/presentation(which made for a few uncomfortable sentences?). It felt pretty gender norm-y, which I would’ve expected from the macho, sexist dudes of the story but not in regards to the POV of our genderqueer protagonist. (To be fair though, this book was published in 2018, and the author writes under a different name now so I presume from the deadname on the cover they didn’t have as much of an understanding of gender, perhaps their own, and that impacted Teo and Cielo’s characterization.) By the end, though, there was more of a dissection/discussion of gender and I felt it improved.
Magic/power system was basically nonexistent here, too. We got a vague idea of Teo’s limitations(which were improved upon more, oddly, when they got a sort-of-power-upgrade towards the end), and I thought their abilities were silly. I can’t really take seriously a person that points a hand or finger at a foe and poof! now they’re a music box or some other fancy-schmancy object of choice. (If it actually described how a person or entity was altered by it, bit by bit, I probably would’ve been able to take it seriously.)
I was also on-the-fence about the main romance, which was a disappointment because it was actually a factor that drew me in based on what I heard of the book. It was very inta-lust(romantic feelings weren’t developed until later), and as a result I felt Cielo and Teo’s relationship moved a little too quickly until the end. But, there were some sweet moments, I’ll admit: I’m a sucker for love interests who put themselves on the line for whoever they love, and this was no exception. (Cielo was a pretty average “sarcastic, handsome dark-haired love interest” archetype though. To those who love that kind of thing, great, you will absolutely eat this up, but I’m not one of those people. To each their own.)
I also didn’t like the plot. It felt very Typical YA, there wasn’t a single twist I was surprised by and the characters overall fell very flat.
Even with its flaws, though, it was immensely enjoyable and I lost track of my pages until I reached the end and stared at my copy stunned at my progress. So…maybe it’s too harsh to call it a bad book, but don’t call it top-notch fiction either.
Magic/power system was basically nonexistent here, too. We got a vague idea of Teo’s limitations(which were improved upon more, oddly, when they got a sort-of-power-upgrade towards the end), and I thought their abilities were silly. I can’t really take seriously a person that points a hand or finger at a foe and poof! now they’re a music box or some other fancy-schmancy object of choice. (If it actually described how a person or entity was altered by it, bit by bit, I probably would’ve been able to take it seriously.)
I was also on-the-fence about the main romance, which was a disappointment because it was actually a factor that drew me in based on what I heard of the book. It was very inta-lust(romantic feelings weren’t developed until later), and as a result I felt Cielo and Teo’s relationship moved a little too quickly until the end. But, there were some sweet moments, I’ll admit: I’m a sucker for love interests who put themselves on the line for whoever they love, and this was no exception. (Cielo was a pretty average “sarcastic, handsome dark-haired love interest” archetype though. To those who love that kind of thing, great, you will absolutely eat this up, but I’m not one of those people. To each their own.)
I also didn’t like the plot. It felt very Typical YA, there wasn’t a single twist I was surprised by and the characters overall fell very flat.
Even with its flaws, though, it was immensely enjoyable and I lost track of my pages until I reached the end and stared at my copy stunned at my progress. So…maybe it’s too harsh to call it a bad book, but don’t call it top-notch fiction either.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Violence, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexism
deborahplace's review against another edition
4.0
I am thrilled to have won a copy of The Brilliant Death from BookishFirst because after reading the excerpt, I knew I was reading something special. Set in a Renaissance Italy-inspired world full of magic, power hungry families, and of course, romance, The Brilliant Death made for a fun, fast-paced read I won’t soon forget. I loved the writing style. It was descriptive and lyrical, but never overdone. I also enjoyed the setting and magic system. The symbiotic magic concept was something I’ve never seen before and I liked how it tied into different plot points. I have only one complaint. I wish the conflict resolution and some emotional moments in the story weren’t so rushed, especially the ending. I had so much fun reading this so I don’t mind too much, but I definitely hope there’s a sequel because there’s a few lose ends left I would love to see resolved. I want more Teo and Cielo, what can I say?
Lastly, I am a huge fan of the fantasy genre, but as a queer woman, I always felt disconnected from many of the characters and the worlds they navigated. However, Capetta creates a world where magic can be a tool to fully express oneself in a misogynistic, patriarchal, narrow-minded society. I can’t believe I read a fantasy book with two queer gender fluid main characters. This book will be a mirror, a gift and an adventure for so many readers.
Lastly, I am a huge fan of the fantasy genre, but as a queer woman, I always felt disconnected from many of the characters and the worlds they navigated. However, Capetta creates a world where magic can be a tool to fully express oneself in a misogynistic, patriarchal, narrow-minded society. I can’t believe I read a fantasy book with two queer gender fluid main characters. This book will be a mirror, a gift and an adventure for so many readers.
apollo0325's review against another edition
Idk, concept’s interesting, but I have so many series to read and I don’t know if this is going to keep my attention enough to read a sequel. Curbing my physical TBR
grayh722's review against another edition
just didn’t find it as interesting as i had hoped.
talon1010's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, I lied; I'm not finished; I'm on page 243/330 (EDIT: done now). But Goodreads won't let you post a full review on an update, and I'm gonna cut myself off if this current scene doesn't get interesting or resolve the plot, anyway. I've been moving through it SO. FUCKING. SLOWLY. It's really killed the streak I had going, and I'm pretty bitter about it, but I refuse to return it, because it's also compelling. And I think I've cracked it.
The gender is incredibly deep and nuanced; the characters are pretty great and interesting, and their interplay is fascinating. But the plot SUCKS. It's cliche, underdeveloped, overambitious, and poorly written; floral language abounds in saccharine quantity. The whole thing is overkill.
(NOTE: This is speculation, and wrong)So I've come to believe that I think the author must have been big in, I don't know, Assassin's Creed fanfiction, got a big head about it, and wrote a novel. AC is a guess, it could have as easily been something steampunkier or less related, it just feels like the tone and skill of someone who hasn't written anything for an audience that wasn't interested in plot, only in seeing their favs in cafes. It would explain the lack of color in anything except what would pop in smut online. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd be shocked to find that Capetta has other, well written, published books outside of this one. It's kind of fascinating from this angle; perhaps there should be a forward inviting readers to think of Cielo and Teodora as whomever they like. Probably that would tear down what legitimacy it retains, but in a vacuum, this book really sucks (ha).
I want to say also that fanfiction, and any small-time LGBT fiction aren't bad. I've met extremely avid readers who have read exclusively online, unoriginal content for years. Hundreds of thousands of words of it, and they can be picky as you will. I get it, to an extent; I like some characters a lot, and I'd love to see where they'd go in less severe circumstances. It is an interesting take on the art of writing, and not an invalid one. But please, if anything, know that there is good, legitimate, original fiction with fantastic LGBTQIA representation. Check any of my shelves; any and all contain books with nonbinary, gay, lesbian, and any other queer characters. Not all, but a lot.
Graphic Novels specifically thrive with representation, but plenty of excellent novels, too. To anyone else disappointed by this book, check out Black Sun, or Miranda in Milan, two of my favorites from book club that prominently feature tertiary genders and lesbianism at the forefront (respectively), and in a somewhat similar setting to this one. You might also like Angel Mage by Garth Nix, or any number of graphic novels: Heartstopper, Saga (series), The Wicked + The Divine (series), The Girl from the Sea, I am Not Okay With This (not as gay as you think, but it's worth it, trust me) and so many more. All the good Image books have gay folks. But let me know if there are any others with trans shapeshifters, that bit was really cool.
PS: To any concerned: my opinions stand, largely (the plot isn't so bad, it's really the language that got me, and almost entirely in the first half), but I was completely wrong about my fanfiction conspiracy. Capetta is apparently an MFA with multiple novels. She just didn't learned to moderate metaphor, I guess. Have an extra star in apology.
I'd also qualify that I'm sure this book is a great read to someone young enough to fall in love with curly YA language; there is value in "okay? okay." and other various turns of phrase that end up in brushstroke fonts on Instagram or whatever. I'm only of the opinion that YA readers, be they children, teens, or proper YA's, deserve the best writing you can give, not the most marketable. John and Hank Green, Rainbow Rowell, Maureen Wagner, Chris Paolini need hardly advertise for a reason. You don't accumulate ethos like that without bloated marketing for nothing.
I'm pretty tired of reading over-advertised books; it's lead me to some places I wouldn't have gone, for which I am thankful. But they're also not, generally speaking, that good. This from someone who's read two John Green books in the last year (i.e., I like him, despite similar reviews): you deserve the writing you like. Put a bad book down if it doesn't make you happy. Your time and mind are valuable, regardless of economy or compulsion. Be, and let be.
The gender is incredibly deep and nuanced; the characters are pretty great and interesting, and their interplay is fascinating. But the plot SUCKS. It's cliche, underdeveloped, overambitious, and poorly written; floral language abounds in saccharine quantity. The whole thing is overkill.
(NOTE: This is speculation, and wrong)
I want to say also that fanfiction, and any small-time LGBT fiction aren't bad. I've met extremely avid readers who have read exclusively online, unoriginal content for years. Hundreds of thousands of words of it, and they can be picky as you will. I get it, to an extent; I like some characters a lot, and I'd love to see where they'd go in less severe circumstances. It is an interesting take on the art of writing, and not an invalid one. But please, if anything, know that there is good, legitimate, original fiction with fantastic LGBTQIA representation. Check any of my shelves; any and all contain books with nonbinary, gay, lesbian, and any other queer characters. Not all, but a lot.
Graphic Novels specifically thrive with representation, but plenty of excellent novels, too. To anyone else disappointed by this book, check out Black Sun, or Miranda in Milan, two of my favorites from book club that prominently feature tertiary genders and lesbianism at the forefront (respectively), and in a somewhat similar setting to this one. You might also like Angel Mage by Garth Nix, or any number of graphic novels: Heartstopper, Saga (series), The Wicked + The Divine (series), The Girl from the Sea, I am Not Okay With This (not as gay as you think, but it's worth it, trust me) and so many more. All the good Image books have gay folks. But let me know if there are any others with trans shapeshifters, that bit was really cool.
PS: To any concerned: my opinions stand, largely (the plot isn't so bad, it's really the language that got me, and almost entirely in the first half), but I was completely wrong about my fanfiction conspiracy. Capetta is apparently an MFA with multiple novels. She just didn't learned to moderate metaphor, I guess. Have an extra star in apology.
I'd also qualify that I'm sure this book is a great read to someone young enough to fall in love with curly YA language; there is value in "okay? okay." and other various turns of phrase that end up in brushstroke fonts on Instagram or whatever. I'm only of the opinion that YA readers, be they children, teens, or proper YA's, deserve the best writing you can give, not the most marketable. John and Hank Green, Rainbow Rowell, Maureen Wagner, Chris Paolini need hardly advertise for a reason. You don't accumulate ethos like that without bloated marketing for nothing.
I'm pretty tired of reading over-advertised books; it's lead me to some places I wouldn't have gone, for which I am thankful. But they're also not, generally speaking, that good. This from someone who's read two John Green books in the last year (i.e., I like him, despite similar reviews): you deserve the writing you like. Put a bad book down if it doesn't make you happy. Your time and mind are valuable, regardless of economy or compulsion. Be, and let be.
jacquibear's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
wintersorbit's review against another edition
4.0
[4.5 ☆]
GAH i loved this so much, the characters and the world are so great, i couldn't get enough of them. i relate to teo so much and i adore cielo as well. the romance felt slightly underdeveloped at certain points, but was incredibly enjoyable regardless. i felt like the book used some awkward similes and metaphors at the beginning, but that got less and less as the book went on, so i'm not that bothered by it.
definitely recommended if you're looking for 19th century italy inspired fantasy that features genderfluid streghe, political intrigue, a cool magic system, and a fun romance.
GAH i loved this so much, the characters and the world are so great, i couldn't get enough of them. i relate to teo so much and i adore cielo as well. the romance felt slightly underdeveloped at certain points, but was incredibly enjoyable regardless. i felt like the book used some awkward similes and metaphors at the beginning, but that got less and less as the book went on, so i'm not that bothered by it.
definitely recommended if you're looking for 19th century italy inspired fantasy that features genderfluid streghe, political intrigue, a cool magic system, and a fun romance.
amberrose's review against another edition
Lost interest around 40%
I don't know if I can put my finger on exactly why I lost interest in this. I love stories that include gender-queer characters but without a solid story behind them, Cielo and Teo just fell flat. The transitions between scenes were so quick that I didn't feel like I had enough time to fully feel the weight of everything that was happening. The plot and the character's emotions were just all over the place and it was difficult to feel grounded in the story.
I think I would like to come back to this someday and finish it. The world seemed interesting enough and I'd be interested to see how it all ends. But that interest just isn't there for me right now.
I don't know if I can put my finger on exactly why I lost interest in this. I love stories that include gender-queer characters but without a solid story behind them, Cielo and Teo just fell flat. The transitions between scenes were so quick that I didn't feel like I had enough time to fully feel the weight of everything that was happening. The plot and the character's emotions were just all over the place and it was difficult to feel grounded in the story.
I think I would like to come back to this someday and finish it. The world seemed interesting enough and I'd be interested to see how it all ends. But that interest just isn't there for me right now.