It has been an incredible year for historical fiction! Whether they’re told in single or dual narratives, we at THP have been eating up all the new releases. And today, we have the honor of reviewing A Dangerous Bargain by Erin Cotter.
Set in 15th-century Florence, Italy, A Dangerous Bargain follows a 17-year-old artist named Virgil, who has bargained most of his life away to an angel. When he finds out his missing brother is in danger, he has no choice but to team up with his annoyingly talented rival apprentice, Leonardo da Vinci.
A YA historical mystery featuring a queer romance and a dash of magic, we were hooked on this Renaissance-era read. Here are three reasons why you should read Erin Cotter‘s A Dangerous Bargain!
Book Overview: A Dangerous Bargain
Content warnings: death, gore, violence, bodies, stabbing, homophobia, forced captivity, serious injury, weapons
Summary: It’s the height of the Italian Renaissance. In the golden city of Florence, art is equal to holiness—and angels walk among us, bestowing their talents…for a price.
Seventeen-year-old artist Virgil is in trouble. To support his family, he’s bargained most of his life away to an angel—only to discover that his missing brother is in danger, and nothing but magic can rescue him. Now, with just a few months left to live, Virgil is desperate enough to try the one thing he swore he would never, ever do—team up with the infuriating, annoyingly talented, and most notorious playboy in all of Florence, the charming Leonardo da Vinci.
As the two journey through Florence’s gilded streets, luxurious cathedrals, and glorious Medici palaces, they unearth dark truths beneath the city’s facade.
Those in power will do anything to keep their deadly secrets safe, but with his feelings for Leonardo giving him new life, Virgil is determined to expose their lies before he runs out of time.
Even if it might cost him his soul.
The Historical Setting
First, we haven’t read very many historical novels that endeavor to go as far back as the Italian Renaissance. But Erin Cotter does so beautifully in A Dangerous Bargain while still making the setting and language accessible to the modern reader. From the Florentine buildings and cathedrals to the everyday clothing of our characters, we were fully transported. The Italian words and phrases sprinkled throughout each chapter also helped with the immersion. Not to mention the vivid descriptions of all the paintings and statues within the workshop and beyond.
So Many Dark Secrets
When Virgil decides to find the truth about his missing brother, Niccolo, he realizes he must contend with the Medici family, the wealthiest and most powerful family in all of Florence. And when the Medici family starts looking to hire a painter, Virgil enlists Leonardo’s help in infiltrating the palace. But the more he digs around for information on Niccolo, the more he uncovers about the truth behind Florence’s angels and the bargains he has made. The rich and powerful will stop at nothing to keep their secrets safe. Virgil risks everything to expose the lies, even as he’s running out of time.
Virgil & Leonardo’s Happy Ending
Finally, as angsty as some scenes get in A Dangerous Bargain, we are proud to report that Virgil and Leonardo get a much-deserved happy ending. The pair goes through so many highs and lows (mostly lows) in this book. As they figure out their feelings for each other, they must also deal with the dangers of defying the Medici family. Each character makes the ultimate sacrifice for the other. And we found ourselves whisper screaming multiple times in the last part of the book. The ending gave us hope not only for Virgil and Leonardo’s future, but also for Virgil’s family.
Erin Cotter’s A Dangerous Bargain takes us straight to the Italian Renaissance, blending a twisty YA historical mystery with a queer romance that is as angsty as it is hopeful.
A Dangerous Bargain by Erin Cotter comes out September 22nd, and you can order a copy of it here!
What do you think of Erin Cotter’s latest novel? Have we interested you in this Renaissance-era mystery? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
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