The Secret Market of the Dead is a gothic dark fantasy novel, written by Giovanni de Feo, and published by Saga Press. A coming of age story that touches themes such as sibling dynamics, a feminist take on fighting patriarchal societies and defying expectations in a lush and gothic world that blends together legend and myth, the logical and the supernatural, all woven with the mastery of a seasoned storyteller.

Set in Lucena, an 18th century town in the Kingdom of Naples, our story starts following eight-year-old twins, Oriana and Oriano; Lucena's society is heavily rooted into tradition and that means a patriarchal society where Oriano is favoured, while Oriana, despite being more studious, is dismissed. She dreams of becoming an apprentice at her father's forge, but her mother and fate have other plans for her.
At this point, Oriana has a first encounter with the creatures of the Night and their world, the nocturnal realm, ruled by seven immortals; her fate will irremediably change after having to enter the Secret Market of the Dead to fulfill a task in the name of Emistuchivio.
Fast forward, at 14, Oriano is chosen as the first apprentice to the family forge, effectively making him the one who would inherit it; using an obscure law, Oriana challenges him to three trials. However, she soon experiences that despite in theory they would be given the same opportunities, Oriano is favoured during the teachings for the challenges, having Oriana embark on a quest that will take her back to the nocturnal realm, in a path that will get her towards the myths, all due to her ambition to change society.

Oriana is an excellent main character: a female with liberal ideas who is fighting against the established gender roles; she's ambitious, and that would also mark the decision that will change her path. As a reader, you want her to succeed, but also fear that she will end up being engulfed by the nocturnal realm, trapped by the astute creatures that call it their home. In comparison, Oriano is a conformist; while he's aware he's being benefited by the system, he won't move in favour of Oriana. He's a product of the ideas that form Lucena's society.
De Feo also establishes a colourful but dark cast of creatures that are part of the nocturnal realm, playing with the fates and trying to get advantage of those that dare to enter their domain; all while keeping that eerie sensation of them not being of our world.

The prologue/introduction of this book is actually a promise that De Feo fulfills marvelously: that this will be the same experience as such a storyteller would be recounting you the legends of place, let you be absorbed by the narrative. The pacing is well suited to the story, slowly introducing you to Lucerna, and keeping you engaged until the very end.
The worldbuilding is another of the highlights of this novel: not only because the gothic aspects of the narration make Lucerna such a special place, but also in how De Feo blends together folkloric stories, mysticism and Christianity to create a living lore of Lucerna; a place where the frontier between realms is diffuse and some humans might end stepping into their stories.

The Secret Market of the Dead is an excellent novel, perfect if you are looking for a gothic fantasy that plays to the best with the folkloric inspirations; the triumph of a storyteller that wishes to keep your attention focused on the richness of this world while giving you a compelling main character. Just the English debut of Giovanni De Feo, but I hope this is not the last time we have the pleasure of reading novels by him in this language!