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heabooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
NIGHTVINE grabbed my attention from the very beginning and I read the entire book in a single day because I just couldn't stop. I loved seeing a new country and learning more about the islands; the world building is just great in this series.
Ev was her usual steady self, taking care of Alizhan and making sure there's a workable plan. But we also get to see a little bit of a new softer side as she tries to work through her feelings for Alizhan. But things are made more complicated for Alizhan because she's forced to confront truths that are painful and damaging. There's a lot of struggle for Alizhan in NIGHTVINE and her ability to cope with social situations is not great. Added into the mix is Thiyo, a genderfluid character, who is charming, flirty, and outrageous. He's from the island Hoi and he grew up with a more accepting and diverse culture where people can be and love anyone they want. But in the rest of the world it's not as open, so Thiyo has to hide his true self. With Alizhan and Ev he finds acceptance. I loved the unique flair he brought to this little group and I hope it's all going in the direction I think it is because Alizhan, Ev, and Thiyo are perfect for each other.
I do have to warn other readers that NIGHTVINE does end on a cliffhanger so make sure you have the 3rd book on hand.
Content Warning: References to abuse, torture, homophobia based on sexual orientation and gender identity; main character references almost being raped
Ev was her usual steady self, taking care of Alizhan and making sure there's a workable plan. But we also get to see a little bit of a new softer side as she tries to work through her feelings for Alizhan. But things are made more complicated for Alizhan because she's forced to confront truths that are painful and damaging. There's a lot of struggle for Alizhan in NIGHTVINE and her ability to cope with social situations is not great. Added into the mix is Thiyo, a genderfluid character, who is charming, flirty, and outrageous. He's from the island Hoi and he grew up with a more accepting and diverse culture where people can be and love anyone they want. But in the rest of the world it's not as open, so Thiyo has to hide his true self. With Alizhan and Ev he finds acceptance. I loved the unique flair he brought to this little group and I hope it's all going in the direction I think it is because Alizhan, Ev, and Thiyo are perfect for each other.
I do have to warn other readers that NIGHTVINE does end on a cliffhanger so make sure you have the 3rd book on hand.
Content Warning: References to abuse, torture, homophobia based on sexual orientation and gender identity; main character references almost being raped
dylan_tomorrow's review
5.0
This is very much that second part of a trilogy where everything our heroes try kind of fails and kind of works. Nothing goes as planned, but not all hope is lost.
Because of that it took my longer to get through. Not because it's less well written. but because it's much more painful, sad and infuriating to read and the stakes are so much higher.
At least the romance between Ev and Alizhan develops, in a good, wonderfully written way. They sure need it!! Same goes for their friendship with Thiyo and all the helping people they meet along the way.
This is not the book I wanted to read but there is, I am afraid, nothing wrong with it. It just has the hopes and dreams of our heroes collide with the cruel, bleak reality of this fucked-up world. So much to be sad and angry about.
Thank god for world-weary Thiyo snarking at everyone to make it more bearable while unsuccessfully pretending he is heartless.
And that ending, plus the first chapter of the next book, combined, are just one evil cliffhanger that I will thankfully not have to live with for more than a month or so. But still. Come on!
The third book better have some hard-earned triumph for our heroes. Because if it won't, I will throw it at the wall like Alizhan a certain book.
Since the next book is not out here, let me declare my demands right now, not that anyone cares 😂: Iryat out of power, her conspiracy uncovered thanks to Alizhan restoring everyone's memories, Alizhan and Ev happily together leading the house, magic and same sex love legalized.
A total pipe dream, considering how utterly fucked Ev, Alizhan and Thiyo are right now, but I want to believe!
Because of that it took my longer to get through. Not because it's less well written. but because it's much more painful, sad and infuriating to read and the stakes are so much higher.
At least the romance between Ev and Alizhan develops, in a good, wonderfully written way. They sure need it!! Same goes for their friendship with Thiyo and all the helping people they meet along the way.
This is not the book I wanted to read but there is, I am afraid, nothing wrong with it. It just has the hopes and dreams of our heroes collide with the cruel, bleak reality of this fucked-up world. So much to be sad and angry about.
Thank god for world-weary Thiyo snarking at everyone to make it more bearable while unsuccessfully pretending he is heartless.
And that ending, plus the first chapter of the next book, combined, are just one evil cliffhanger that I will thankfully not have to live with for more than a month or so. But still. Come on!
The third book better have some hard-earned triumph for our heroes. Because if it won't, I will throw it at the wall like Alizhan a certain book.
Since the next book is not out here, let me declare my demands right now, not that anyone cares 😂: Iryat out of power, her conspiracy uncovered thanks to Alizhan restoring everyone's memories, Alizhan and Ev happily together leading the house, magic and same sex love legalized.
A total pipe dream, considering how utterly fucked Ev, Alizhan and Thiyo are right now, but I want to believe!
achingallover's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Really good story and world building but some aspects seemed clumsy. More thorough review to follow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Child abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Ableism, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
theduchess93's review
5.0
All I can say is I'm counting down the days until the next book comes out. 100 stars out of 5.
moonandthesun's review against another edition
5.0
Even better than the first book although this one wasn't as action packed as Thornfruit, but still the progression of the plot, the twists, the expansion of the worldbuilding and the character dynamics were great. I love Ev, Alizhan and Thiyo sm
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, so good! I almost never like the second book in a trilogy, they usually feel like a boring featureless bridge to cross to get to the climax of the final volume, but this one has tons of action and is even more absorbing than the first book. And that ending!!
freya_amber's review against another edition
4.0
There are parts of this I really enjoyed, but it just misses some charm to make me love it.
I like the world building
The characters make several foolish decisions which gets a bit irritating. It's not an overly complex story, so it feels like I'm just waiting for things to to wrong because of those decisions.
I don't like that the two vegetarian characters were made to eat fish. It's so hard to find books with vegetarians, that it was one of my favourite parts of the book.
I like the world building
The characters make several foolish decisions which gets a bit irritating. It's not an overly complex story, so it feels like I'm just waiting for things to to wrong because of those decisions.
I don't like that the two vegetarian characters were made to eat fish. It's so hard to find books with vegetarians, that it was one of my favourite parts of the book.
bookishescapades's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
hjerteknuser's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5