Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Book of Night by Holly Black

13 reviews

taythegreat's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really enjoyed this book! Holly Black is the best when it comes to morally gray FMC. I loved that our heroine had flaws that but not in the "not like other girls" kind of way, Charlie was a lot of fun and I loved following her even when she made dumb decisions. She stayed on brand for sure. 

This was a very slow book at first, I knew little to nothing about it when I started reading so I wasn't expecting it to be twisty-turny, pleasantly surprised for sure! I had some parts of the ending figured out early on and thought I had it all figured puy. I was pretty smug about it ngl, but the unexpected hit and was so satisfying. 

The one thing I don't love is I went into this book thinking it was a stand alone, probably my fault for not researching it first, so the cliff hanger was a doozy. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

magdalenahai's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Oikein mainio urbaanin fantasian pläjäys. Viihdyttävä tarina, jonka spefielementti oli tarpeeksi omaperäinen. Päähenkilön neuroepätyypillisyys(?) oli kuvattu uskottavasti ja sopi hahmon elämänkaareen (lähes syrjäytyminen, impulsiivisuus, huonot valinnat). Pahis oli ällöttävä tyyppi ja väkivallan uhkaa käytettiin tarinassa taitavasti luomaan lukijalle pelkoa päähenkilön selviytymisestä. Ainoa, mikä harmitti, oli se, että
tajusin ekoista vihjeistä lopun suuren käänteen (Vince=Red). Ei pilannut lukukokemusta, mutta jäi mietityttämään, miten paljon antoisampi käänne olisi ollut, jos sen olisi tajunnut pikkuhiljaa tai vasta sen paljastuessa.
 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

blamelucy's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

It's honestly fantastic. Just the kind of Holly Black fantastic you hope for when picking up one of her books. World building, intelligent young adult fiction writing genius. No cheap tricks to keep readers hooked. Just very very fantastic writing.

Holly Black continues to be fantastical fiction queen.

<Spoiler> Scary at points but I'm easily scared. Twists in unexpected ways.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

wrensreadingroom's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

thebelugaloo's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Loved the magic system, plot was good, but the ending was spoiled a little when attempting to make room for a sequel.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bruts_bane's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really liked this book, there were so many times where I started and couldn’t put it down. Just make sure to pay attention to the beginning and the characters introduced cause I didn’t and it made it so confusing. I really enjoyed the world the books set in, it’s totally different to what I expected. The concept in general of blights and shadows was SO cool. I think it’s a strong book, and I can’t wait for a sequel!! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lisa_m's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I don't really know what I expected going into this but it's a good book. I liked Charlie Hall and there was a lot of action! I don't know what exactly but something was missing for me though.

I like the mystery aspect of it and also the reveal at the end! The whole revenge aspect of it was quite satisfying to read about as well.
I guess I was only scared that she would fail and because of that I was constantly on edge while reading.

This book wasn't the most fun time but it was definitely entertaining. And I think especially people who like their books a bit more brutal will like this.

I do have to say that I am quite confused by the worldbuilding still. I don't quite understand what exactly it is that shadows do and what they are? Also the magical powers seemed quite random. You can just do what you want? Also what are Cabal and Carapace and all those important people? Why do you need a Hierophant? Why did no one check if the Shadow took over?
Well anyways I have loads of questions and I really hope they will get resolved in book 2. (Oh and I hope it's a Duology because I feel like the story should have been a standalone and I hope it won't just be stretched out..

I think mainly what I didn't like where the flashbacks. Not because they were bad but because I didn't like the things that happened. It was great because that way we got to get to know the characters but still.
I really dislike Charlie's mum and I have to say I don't particularly like her sister either.. I did really like Vincent though but oh well hahah

Also wtf is wrong with Adeline!? I really dislike her and I feel like she is a lot like her father.. I don't understand why Vincent kept her picture? I don't get the whole thing with her and Remy.. honestly just very weird vibes.. I'm pretty sure she is going to be the villian of book 2.


The ending was great though. I saw a few things coming but definitely not all of them! If I could I would start reading the second book immediately! So I'm absolutely going to pick it up when it comes out :)

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

carlyoc's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

One of my favorite books to come out this year. Although classified as fantasy due to the shadow magic element, I would say this book has more of a thriller/mystery vibe. 
Charlie Hall used to be known as Charlatan, the thief. She's trying to put that life behind her and not screw up the stability she's built with a steady job, a good boyfriend named Vince, and funds to just barely put her little sister Posey through college. But Charlie can never resist a little bit of danger. 
Besides, Posey doesn't want to go to school; she wants to figure out how to join the ranks of Gloamists, the people who can consciously manipulate their shadows to become corporeal and act independently from their bodies to various degrees. 
Meanwhile, there's a reason Vince never ever talks about his past. Charlie is keeping secrets from him, too, but the truth will out. 
Charlie is hired to find a mysterious book from the collection of rich and cruel Lionel Salt, which allegedly contains a ritual for a shadow to rid itself of its human controller and be fully autonomous. She must pull together different threads of clues to out-smart everyone hoping to watch her fail. 
The structure of the novel alternates scenes from Charlie's perspective in the present storyline with vignettes from both Charlie's and Vince's pasts.   

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kayladaila's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ceruleanseas's review

Go to review page

dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Charlie Hall has never found it easy to live honestly, but she's trying. She's got a decent bartending job, a shadow-less boyfriend, and her magic-obsessed sister will be going to college soon (if they can scrounge up enough for tuition). But Charlie's past won't stay quiet, so when her boyfriend disappears and dangerous people start asking questions, she ends up embroiled in a scheme that could end with her dead or worse. 

Holly Black's first foray into adult fantasy is a fascinating story of magic, shadows, and the inescapable histories that make us who we are.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings