An Italian-inspired gothic historical fantasy debut in which a young woman competing with her twin brother to inherit the family forge finds her power in the nocturnal world that lurks beneath her own.
My Review
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free copy for review.
This book is a richly imagined gothic fantasy that blends myth, history, and feminist defiance into a darkly lyrical coming-of-age tale. Set in 18th-century Lucerìa, a patriarchal town in the Kingdom of Naples, the story follows Oriana, a clever, determined girl navigating injustice, supernatural forces, and a family that never quite sees her for who she is.
From childhood, Oriana is held to different standards than her twin brother Oriano. While he’s adored for his charm and mischief, Oriana’s dreams of following in their father’s footsteps as a smith are met with resistance especially from her own mother, whose emotional cruelty shapes much of Oriana’s early life. The novel’s depiction of a rigid society, and the simmering misogyny within it, sets the stage for Oriana’s slow-burning rebellion.
The story takes a fantastical turn when Oriana is drawn into the otherworldly realm of the Night, where she meets immortal beings and makes a fateful bargain in the eerie, enchanting Secret Market of the Dead. Though the title suggests this market will be central, it’s only a small part of the tale, a bit of a missed opportunity, given how tantalizingly strange and magical it is.
Years later, when Oriano is chosen to inherit the family forge, Oriana challenges him to three mythic trials. These contests become the heart of the book, a test not just of skill, but of identity, pride, and destiny. Oriana’s journey is complex: at times admirable in its boldness, at others frustrating in her pride and coldness toward allies. She grows, but unevenly, and her emotional arc doesn’t always feel fully earned.
Still, the novel shines in its atmosphere and ambition. The worldbuilding is spectacular interweaving pagan folklore, Christian myth, and original creations like the night saints and the power of Moira, which allows people to rewrite fate at great cost. The prose is elegant, the pacing steady, and the twist at the end genuinely surprised me.
Despite some character inconsistencies and my wish for more time spent in the Secret Market itself, The Secret Market of the Dead is a compelling read. YA readers will appreciate the magical trials and themes of sibling rivalry, while adult readers will find layers of commentary on gender, tradition, and autonomy. Also, there’s a talking cat enough said.