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A Dangerous Bargain
Not yet published
Expected 22 Sep 26A young artist who has bargained away most of his life for divine inspiration pairs up with fellow apprentice Leonardo da Vinci to infiltrate the Medici family and find out the truth about his missing brother in this Renaissance-set young adult mystery perfect for fans of F.T. Lukens.
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.
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.
384 pages, ebook
Expected publication September 22, 2026
About the author
Erin Cotter
3 books100 followersErin Cotter writes young adult fiction. Originally from Buffalo, New York, she currently calls Austin home. When not writing she spends time with her partner and pets, eating tacos, and searching for Golden-cheeked Warblers in the Texas Hill Country.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book, in which Leonardo da Vinci is the love interest, is fantastic, everyone!
Every artist learned to create art without magic, and then, once we were good enough to be apprenticed, we decided our hands and eyes and minds weren’t good enough to create on our own anymore.
A Dangerous Bargain is about magic: how it can make everything easier, more beautiful. But there’s also a downside, even a dark side. What does it cost you? Your creativity? Or even your life?
To me, the magic felt like AI these days: how it takes away the ability to make mistakes, how everything starts to look the same, how it drains creativity. Even how it threatens us because it consumes water that’s needed for drinking. Don’t expect only a dark story, though!
I adored A Dangerous Bargain. I adored Virgil, I adored Leonardo, and of course I adored Lupo, “the angel.” The one who made me smile the most was messy, always late, extremely talented, and oh so caring, ADHD-like Leonardo da Vinci. The one with the red-gold hair that annoys Virgil so much, except in reality it’s attraction he feels.
Sometimes a book and its characters make me smile so much I just want to keep reading, and that was the case with A Dangerous Bargain. So expect a story with great themes and wonderful characters. I highly, highly recommend reading it!
Actual rating: 4.5 stars.
Thank you, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley, for this fantastic ARC!
Follow me on Instagram.
Every artist learned to create art without magic, and then, once we were good enough to be apprenticed, we decided our hands and eyes and minds weren’t good enough to create on our own anymore.
A Dangerous Bargain is about magic: how it can make everything easier, more beautiful. But there’s also a downside, even a dark side. What does it cost you? Your creativity? Or even your life?
To me, the magic felt like AI these days: how it takes away the ability to make mistakes, how everything starts to look the same, how it drains creativity. Even how it threatens us because it consumes water that’s needed for drinking. Don’t expect only a dark story, though!
I adored A Dangerous Bargain. I adored Virgil, I adored Leonardo, and of course I adored Lupo, “the angel.” The one who made me smile the most was messy, always late, extremely talented, and oh so caring, ADHD-like Leonardo da Vinci. The one with the red-gold hair that annoys Virgil so much, except in reality it’s attraction he feels.
Sometimes a book and its characters make me smile so much I just want to keep reading, and that was the case with A Dangerous Bargain. So expect a story with great themes and wonderful characters. I highly, highly recommend reading it!
Actual rating: 4.5 stars.
Thank you, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley, for this fantastic ARC!
Follow me on Instagram.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Leonardo da Vinci, angels in Florence, the Renaissance, and life-stealing bargains? This is a one-sitting sort of book and I loved it. We move from Virgil's workshop, where he's an apprentice alongside rival Leonardo da Vinci, to his family's home, to luxurious Medici properties (illegally). Virgil is a fun character to explore, guided by a desire to find his brother, and Leonardo is like a golden retriever. By far, though, my favorite character was Lupa, the workshop's new angel who's named she-wolf for a reason. And the glimpses of Dante's Inferno as a motif throughout the book felt like a golden thread. I had so much fun reading about Virgil, Leonardo, and Lupa's (again, kinda illegal) adventures through Florence. I felt so immersed in the world and couldn't put down this book. And that epilogue? AH! Would read a thousand times over.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Simon Teen for the physical arc! The cover is just beautiful!
Wow, this book was exceptional! I absolutely loved the setting in 1469 Florence, Italy during the Renaissance Period. As an art history fan, this book was made for me. I found the angels so interesting. The risky bargains with the angels added a layer of stress as Virgil is searching for his brother. There were several plot twist that shocked me and a few moments that had me yelling “no!” at my book. The sweet romance between Virgil and Leonardo was everything, and I felt the ending was especially touching. This was such a quick and addictive read! I loved everything about it.
Wow, this book was exceptional! I absolutely loved the setting in 1469 Florence, Italy during the Renaissance Period. As an art history fan, this book was made for me. I found the angels so interesting. The risky bargains with the angels added a layer of stress as Virgil is searching for his brother. There were several plot twist that shocked me and a few moments that had me yelling “no!” at my book. The sweet romance between Virgil and Leonardo was everything, and I felt the ending was especially touching. This was such a quick and addictive read! I loved everything about it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 3.25/5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
The concept was super intriguing and I was very excited to read. But, unfortunately, I just think the directions the plot took didn't quite work for me. I expected MORE, I think. But the majority of the plot was a lot of sneaking around. Plus, Virgil and his 1st person POV narrative irked me at times. I wish I liked him more. I understood him and the way that he was, but his personality and habits mixed with the 1st person POV brought a sort of whiny tone to the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
The concept was super intriguing and I was very excited to read. But, unfortunately, I just think the directions the plot took didn't quite work for me. I expected MORE, I think. But the majority of the plot was a lot of sneaking around. Plus, Virgil and his 1st person POV narrative irked me at times. I wish I liked him more. I understood him and the way that he was, but his personality and habits mixed with the 1st person POV brought a sort of whiny tone to the story.
Review of advance copy
A historical mystery, plus soul-stealing angels "with pointy teeth" and queer romance.
In fifteenth century Florence, 17-year-old Virgil enlists help from his fellow art apprentice and rival, playboy Leonardo da Vinci, to learn why Virgil is no longer able to make bargains with their workshop angel--and learn that the angels are not what they appear to be.
The ending feels like the set-up for a sequel.
In fifteenth century Florence, 17-year-old Virgil enlists help from his fellow art apprentice and rival, playboy Leonardo da Vinci, to learn why Virgil is no longer able to make bargains with their workshop angel--and learn that the angels are not what they appear to be.
The ending feels like the set-up for a sequel.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
A gorgeous, lush visit to Renaissance Florence featuring a hot, funny, sweet romance filled with yearning. Everything about this book was so much fun and just such a pleasure to read. I devoured it. The world and the magic system was extremely cool, and the characters were so endearing. I was yearning right there along with the characters in the romance. Highest recommendations and I'm immediately going to check out Erin Cotter's other work.
August 1, 2026
3.5 ⭐️!
I enjoyed this book so much! As someone who recently visited Florence for the first time, it was amazing to read a book that took place there so many years ago! I loved the banter between Virgil and Leonardo. The magic system was great and the mystery with angels and demons was interesting to read. Lupa surprisingly ended up being my favorite character! I also really loved the found family vibes with her, Leonardo, and Virgil!
Thank you so much to Simon Teen for the advanced copy!
I enjoyed this book so much! As someone who recently visited Florence for the first time, it was amazing to read a book that took place there so many years ago! I loved the banter between Virgil and Leonardo. The magic system was great and the mystery with angels and demons was interesting to read. Lupa surprisingly ended up being my favorite character! I also really loved the found family vibes with her, Leonardo, and Virgil!
Thank you so much to Simon Teen for the advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Set in the Italian Renaissance, where artists sell their souls for a drop of divine talent, following two rival artists with witty banter and fierce but achingly tender chemistry? YES. This was so good, so well done, so devastatingly beautiful. Virgil and Leonardo have my WHOLE heart, and Lupa! My feral angel! I love them all so much. You won't regret picking this beautiful book up!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I liked the setting and the idea of angels and demons in the renaissance. The setting and plot were great.
I just didn't love the characters or their romance as much as I would have wanted.
I just didn't love the characters or their romance as much as I would have wanted.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews