Reviews

The Nightland Express by J.M. Lee

shereadytoread's review

adventurous

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

“Go to that wonderful place and stay there as long as you can manage. In that place, you are free. In that place, we are all free.”

Review: 4.5 stars rounded up

The Nightland Express is a YA historical fantasy that takes place in the antebellum frontier. It is such a fun ride with depth and stakes. It follows two young people trying to escape their secrets as they join the Pony Express only to find out they are taking an adventure on the magical Nightland Express instead.

The main characters Jesse and Ben are such deeply written characters and their foil brings so much to the table. As their secrets are slowly revealed to one another, we see how important the promises that we make to ourselves and each other can be. The queer representation in the book is explored through the fantasy elements and it’s so beautiful. It also speaks to colonization and historical traumas very well.

I can say that I am not a big fan of historical fiction or westerns but the themes of this book push out of the genre and pulled me into the story.

Disclaimer: I received a gifted finished copy of this book. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence and Slavery

Minor: Transphobia

meganelise's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

the_one_krissy's review

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I requested The Nightland Express because the blurb instantly caught my attention. The Pony Express with mythical elements? Yes, please! And true enough, the novel started out promisingly enough by introducing the reader to the two protagonists, Ben and Jesse, whose points of view alternate throughout the story. In the beginning of the book, both of them are about to sign up for a "special" mission of a "special" branch of the Pony Express. The only obstacle is that there are only two places up for grabs, and many boys who want this lucrative job, so a competition will ultimately decide who gets to go.

Obviously, Ben and Jesse get the job, but it's plain from day one that it's not exactly a normal one. Ben's horse, courtesy of the Pony, seems able to go on forever without rest, and Jesse's beloved yet perfectly ordinary Morgan gets similar stamina from a tonic their boss provides. They get paid a fortune in advance - half up front, half when the package is delivered - but when they get to the waypoint where they're supposed to pick up this mysterious package, it's not... what they were expecting, either.

And there's also the weird spirit-like thing that can make it snow and, unfortunately, seems to be following them.

As the story progresses, it becomes clear that both Ben and Jesse have also come to the job with dangerous baggage and secrets that might mean more trouble than they bargained for. The job itself takes a turn to the bizarre, as the protagonists come to realize they've unwittingly ended up in the eye of the storm as their world and the Fae world clash and grind against each other. Instead of just riding to California with a package, they must now figure out what's happening around them and why.

I found the story idea to be interesting, but the execution unfortunately felt a bit lackluster. I think it was mostly because the characters remained somewhat distant with the exception of Ben and Jesse, and I was unable to relate to any of them. With no personal attachment to anyone, I could not really whip up much interest in the plot. The spirits in particular just kind of popped out of nowhere and I had trouble telling them apart at times. The plot moved along steadily with no pacing issues... but felt a bit disjointed. I wasn't always fully convinced.

Also, I must say the inconsistent use of pronouns for a certain character irritated me, because I could see no clear logic behind it. I might have missed it, of course, but it still annoyed me. I also found myself wondering if there's such a thing as too much representation. Now, I'm all for representation - it's only fair, after all - but this novel still felt crammed full of it. However, it did serve a purpose in the story, which had much to do about existing in two different worlds at the same time, so perhaps it was justified... if a little heavy-handed.

All in all, this was an enjoyable, relatively fast-paced story with an interesting twist, even if it was a bit all over the place sometimes and left me feeling lukewarm. The first half of the book was better than the second, I think.

mikaylaslibrary's review against another edition

5.0

Set against the backdrop of the historic Pony Express that traveled from Missouri to California, The Nightland Express follows two teens as they race against time, magic and each other. 

I loved this book, and I’ve already asked for a copy for Christmas. The dual POVs, the characters, the story and the setting are all woven together in such a neat way that it’s impossible to put down. 

Jesse and Ben are such unique characters, and the diverse representation in this novel is very well written. There are queer, gender-queer, mixed and Indigenous characters that are added in so effortlessly that it really added to the story. The magical elements are also added in such a way that it makes the story very believable, and doesn’t slow or drag the story down. 

There is the death of an animal on page, so be warned. Other than that, I loved this novel, and I can’t wait until it enters the world. Thank you to NetGalley, Erewhon Books, and the author for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death

cjbooks's review

4.0

I really liked the book itself. It was fun, it was weird, different, emotional, it was unexpected but also expected. It was a good read. But it also dealt with some really serious points. Like slavery, being gay in old times like that, being trans in the old times, the taking of land from the original people who lived there. But all wrapped up in an amazing way, and dealt with in an amazing way from what I can say about it (as I can not speak from every perspective ofcourse). But with the fantasy added to it, the faeries and the faerie land and the own problems with all that, it was still just a nice book to escape in. And a good nice twist. The end went a bit hard, a but sudden. But not really as bad? It just could've gone a bit slower for me. 
But overall. Amazing book. I really liked it. 

saucytoad's review

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75