[Review] The Secret Market of the Dead by Giovanni De Feo

This is a DNF review at 33%. The Secret Market of the Dead is a frustrating book because it is so technically skilled in some areas, yet still failed to hold my interest.

The worldbuilding is masterful, creating a richly atmospheric ancient Italy. The prose itself is polished and impeccable. On a technical level, it is a truly competent piece of literature.

Unfortunately, masterful prose cannot compensate for a lack of emotional connection. The main character felt more like a placeholder than a person, with no discernible personality. This had a domino effect on the plot; with no character to root for, the incredibly slow-moving story felt like a flat and meaningless string of events.

Ultimately, a book can be technically perfect, but it falls short if it doesn't make you feel. While the premise is intriguing, the execution unfortunately left me bored.

Note: I received this book as an ARC. It was released July 8, 2025.

3 stars