Scan barcode
franjessca's review
4.0
4 moons - City of Eternal Night by Kristen Painter Kristen Painter pulled in a lot of twists and turns in the second book in her Crescent City series. I was not expecting City of Eternal Night to lead up to that kind of ending and several moments of twists throughout the story. I think I'm still in shock over that ending. (Let me regroup for a minute)………………...
Things that I loved in City of Eternal Night:
I am in love with Augustine. There is no double about it, I am love with Augustine. He has changed in City of Eternal Night due to him becoming the guardian of the city. He has a lot of responsibility now and he also has changed from player boy to having his eyes on one certain person…Harlow. Although, in this book Auggie is hiding some major secrets from Harlow, so he not ready to admit his true feelings to Harlow until he can be more open. In fact, one of the secrets involves Harlow's mother. Harlow may not forgive him for his secret.
I loved the world building in this book due to how Kristen introduces more supernaturals into the story. These supernaturals all despise one another, especially the witches vs. Fae. The witches want to take over NOLA and they will do anything to gain that power. The witches have their own enemy they are dealing with in this book. The voodoo practitioners will do anything to prove they are not be messed with. It's a world-wind of crazy power happening in NOLA.
I did enjoy Harlow's character in the beginning of the book because she is opening up to being Fae now and she is more determined to learn how to fight for herself. Unfortunately, I had issues with her towards a certain incident she did. She did something very crazy and it left me in shock on why she would even trust this certain someone. Ugh!
The one thing that did bother me in City of Eternal Night was Harlow and her crazy irrational decision that I mentioned just a moment ago. Oh…Harlow, honey you should've just listened to Lally. I was seriously in shock over her 360 decision she made without consulting someone else first. I thought it went to quick for her to make the decision. I also didn't like the certain someone she helped. Ugh! But I know, this character had to come forward in the story, I just wasn't too prepared for it to happen. I was hoping Harlow would get some help in the matter.
I'm a very curious on where Kristen Painter is going to take the story next because that cliffhanger was a shocker. I was not expecting this story to go the way it did. I enjoyed every bit of characterization and world-building in this book. I have no idea how Kristen Painter keeps up with all the details, but she is a master at it. She makes every one of her characters interesting and unforgettable. I'm still thinking about every one of the characters and that ending. I need to know what happens next.
I give this book 4 stars and highly recommend this book to Urban Fantasy readers out there. Readers that have read Kristen's House of Comarre will recognize some other characters to show up in City of Eternal Night. =)
Things that I loved in City of Eternal Night:
I am in love with Augustine. There is no double about it, I am love with Augustine. He has changed in City of Eternal Night due to him becoming the guardian of the city. He has a lot of responsibility now and he also has changed from player boy to having his eyes on one certain person…Harlow. Although, in this book Auggie is hiding some major secrets from Harlow, so he not ready to admit his true feelings to Harlow until he can be more open. In fact, one of the secrets involves Harlow's mother. Harlow may not forgive him for his secret.
I loved the world building in this book due to how Kristen introduces more supernaturals into the story. These supernaturals all despise one another, especially the witches vs. Fae. The witches want to take over NOLA and they will do anything to gain that power. The witches have their own enemy they are dealing with in this book. The voodoo practitioners will do anything to prove they are not be messed with. It's a world-wind of crazy power happening in NOLA.
I did enjoy Harlow's character in the beginning of the book because she is opening up to being Fae now and she is more determined to learn how to fight for herself. Unfortunately, I had issues with her towards a certain incident she did. She did something very crazy and it left me in shock on why she would even trust this certain someone. Ugh!
The one thing that did bother me in City of Eternal Night was Harlow and her crazy irrational decision that I mentioned just a moment ago. Oh…Harlow, honey you should've just listened to Lally. I was seriously in shock over her 360 decision she made without consulting someone else first. I thought it went to quick for her to make the decision. I also didn't like the certain someone she helped. Ugh! But I know, this character had to come forward in the story, I just wasn't too prepared for it to happen. I was hoping Harlow would get some help in the matter.
I'm a very curious on where Kristen Painter is going to take the story next because that cliffhanger was a shocker. I was not expecting this story to go the way it did. I enjoyed every bit of characterization and world-building in this book. I have no idea how Kristen Painter keeps up with all the details, but she is a master at it. She makes every one of her characters interesting and unforgettable. I'm still thinking about every one of the characters and that ending. I need to know what happens next.
I give this book 4 stars and highly recommend this book to Urban Fantasy readers out there. Readers that have read Kristen's House of Comarre will recognize some other characters to show up in City of Eternal Night. =)
ciannareider's review
5.0
Pick up this book.. if you're questioning, don't. It's worth it, whatever price you see, completely totally worth it!!
Wow! This book was fantastic! I have to say that KP did even better with book 2 then book 1, though I loved both completely. Coming into the series not having read any of KP's outside a novella or two, I really liked her world building skills, and really fleshing out both characters and scenery. There's so many little additions to this book that just take it over the top, from the description of costumes to the sights and smells of New Orleans. I've been struggling to find the right words to describe this book. Augustine is a great leading man, he's a rake turned gentleman, and he's all about Harlow. Harlow really grew in this book, she's strong, and she's more willing to put herself out there and stop being so selfish. These characters are not flat by any means. They explode off the page, and have you thinking about them even when the book is closed. I was really impressed with the detail in this book. Many authors either give way too much detail and clog the book up, or they give too little, and you imagination is left scrambling for more. KP gives you the perfect amount. You can visually picture the characters, their outfits, the parades, and the battles. You're in it like it's a movie, and you're along for the ride. I just honestly adored this book. I wanted to quit my job and read this book for a living! The villains are dark, twisted and just plain wrong, and there's so many shades of 'grey" dealing with right and wrong, that characters are not intentionally good or bad, or maybe they are? It's a great interest to see how characters develop, and judging my book two there's some characters I'm really interested to see if they develop for good or bad. Overall, the book grabbed me and refused to let me go, and I lost sleep because of it, but I wouldn't change it! The ending wrenched my heart, and I wanted to scream and throw the book, but it's just too darn pretty to do that! I'm completely team Augustine & Harlow, and I'm just so excited for what KP has in store for book 3! I'm a fae girl through and through and this book was perfect! It had everything I was looking for, plus witches, vampires, and some voodoo! It's just a big giant dose of amazing wrapped in a paperback cover. I flew through book 1 and book 2 in just 3 weeks. Non stop reading (when I wasn't working). So, thank you KP for bringing this world to me! I'm loving it, and plan to read everything else you've ever written!
*I was given a copy of this book from publisher for review.
Wow! This book was fantastic! I have to say that KP did even better with book 2 then book 1, though I loved both completely. Coming into the series not having read any of KP's outside a novella or two, I really liked her world building skills, and really fleshing out both characters and scenery. There's so many little additions to this book that just take it over the top, from the description of costumes to the sights and smells of New Orleans. I've been struggling to find the right words to describe this book. Augustine is a great leading man, he's a rake turned gentleman, and he's all about Harlow. Harlow really grew in this book, she's strong, and she's more willing to put herself out there and stop being so selfish. These characters are not flat by any means. They explode off the page, and have you thinking about them even when the book is closed. I was really impressed with the detail in this book. Many authors either give way too much detail and clog the book up, or they give too little, and you imagination is left scrambling for more. KP gives you the perfect amount. You can visually picture the characters, their outfits, the parades, and the battles. You're in it like it's a movie, and you're along for the ride. I just honestly adored this book. I wanted to quit my job and read this book for a living! The villains are dark, twisted and just plain wrong, and there's so many shades of 'grey" dealing with right and wrong, that characters are not intentionally good or bad, or maybe they are? It's a great interest to see how characters develop, and judging my book two there's some characters I'm really interested to see if they develop for good or bad. Overall, the book grabbed me and refused to let me go, and I lost sleep because of it, but I wouldn't change it! The ending wrenched my heart, and I wanted to scream and throw the book, but it's just too darn pretty to do that! I'm completely team Augustine & Harlow, and I'm just so excited for what KP has in store for book 3! I'm a fae girl through and through and this book was perfect! It had everything I was looking for, plus witches, vampires, and some voodoo! It's just a big giant dose of amazing wrapped in a paperback cover. I flew through book 1 and book 2 in just 3 weeks. Non stop reading (when I wasn't working). So, thank you KP for bringing this world to me! I'm loving it, and plan to read everything else you've ever written!
*I was given a copy of this book from publisher for review.
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
City of Eternal Night continues Kristen Painter's House of Comarre spin-off series.
Harlow is still in New Orleans having decided, after the horrific encounter with her father, to stay. She's been feeling this hollowness inside ever since her encounter with a vampire and she can't explain it. Things between her and Augustine are going well. Their attraction to one another is apparent on both sides, but they are both proceeding with caution. Harlow fears saying anything about the darkness inside her will turn Augustine away, but she really has no one else to turn to.
Augustine, as Guardian, is getting ready for the Fae Exemplar Krewe Ball. The Ball features a symbolic kidnapping of the Faery Queen. This time, however, the kidnapping proves to be the real thing and the ransom note that comes calls for Augustine's life in order to get the girl back safe and sound.
City of Eternal Night continued the story threads that were started in [b:House of the Rising Sun|18453118|House of the Rising Sun (Crescent City, #1)|Kristen Painter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1390835803s/18453118.jpg|26098033]. I liked City better for the simple fact that I liked Harlow a lot better in this book. She's finally starting to come to terms with being Fae. Even with the unknown facts about her powers, she's still not turning her nose up, she wants to learn more about herself, and she's giving Augustine a chance. Right there is reason enough for me to like this book more.
Augustine has been attracted to Harlow from the first time he saw her, but with her aversion to all things Fae, she couldn't stand him. Now, they are working together more in order to bring the kidnapped girl home and it's nice to see that he's encouraging her help, but not pushing, and he's not keeping her secluded from any and all danger. I love his devotion to her and her growing
Of course being Kristen Painter there are a lot of twists and turns, the issues between the Fae and the witches is touched upon a lot but towards the end it gets overshadowed by finding the girl. There is a cliffhanger ending, but it's not as bad as I made it out in my head. While reading, everything points to the resolution coming in the next book, and I'm ok with that. I guess I can say I appreciate where Kristen Painter leaves off with the characters, thinking that she could have made things a whole lot worse for everyone in certain matters (trying not to be spoilery here).
Overall, I like this series better than it's originator. I think a lot of the things that bothered me about the House of Comarre series (such as too many POVs) are resolved here. I'm excited to see how things play out in the last book.
Harlow is still in New Orleans having decided, after the horrific encounter with her father, to stay. She's been feeling this hollowness inside ever since her encounter with a vampire and she can't explain it. Things between her and Augustine are going well. Their attraction to one another is apparent on both sides, but they are both proceeding with caution. Harlow fears saying anything about the darkness inside her will turn Augustine away, but she really has no one else to turn to.
Augustine, as Guardian, is getting ready for the Fae Exemplar Krewe Ball. The Ball features a symbolic kidnapping of the Faery Queen. This time, however, the kidnapping proves to be the real thing and the ransom note that comes calls for Augustine's life in order to get the girl back safe and sound.
City of Eternal Night continued the story threads that were started in [b:House of the Rising Sun|18453118|House of the Rising Sun (Crescent City, #1)|Kristen Painter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1390835803s/18453118.jpg|26098033]. I liked City better for the simple fact that I liked Harlow a lot better in this book. She's finally starting to come to terms with being Fae. Even with the unknown facts about her powers, she's still not turning her nose up, she wants to learn more about herself, and she's giving Augustine a chance. Right there is reason enough for me to like this book more.
Augustine has been attracted to Harlow from the first time he saw her, but with her aversion to all things Fae, she couldn't stand him. Now, they are working together more in order to bring the kidnapped girl home and it's nice to see that he's encouraging her help, but not pushing, and he's not keeping her secluded from any and all danger. I love his devotion to her and her growing
Of course being Kristen Painter there are a lot of twists and turns, the issues between the Fae and the witches is touched upon a lot but towards the end it gets overshadowed by finding the girl. There is a cliffhanger ending, but it's not as bad as I made it out in my head. While reading, everything points to the resolution coming in the next book, and I'm ok with that. I guess I can say I appreciate where Kristen Painter leaves off with the characters, thinking that she could have made things a whole lot worse for everyone in certain matters (trying not to be spoilery here).
Overall, I like this series better than it's originator. I think a lot of the things that bothered me about the House of Comarre series (such as too many POVs) are resolved here. I'm excited to see how things play out in the last book.
hazel_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I loved it! This is such a great series. I love the magic, and I can just picture the costumes and everything from the details in this book. Once again, I was sucked in from the beginning and left wanting more. I will definitely be reading Garden of Dreams and Desires!
eloiseinparis's review against another edition
3.0
It was better than the first one, but the story is still spending to much time focused on Harlow and Olivia's shenanigans instead of Augustine. This time Olivia and Lally were forced to tell Harlow the truth, but they still found a way not to tell the whole story with enough gravity that would lend caution to Harlow's future actions. So when she does stupid things I'm not even mad at her because the people around her with knowledge are still playing games. Augustine is the most interesting character, but for some reason is playing second to Harlow. While Harlow coming from a flighty mother and abusive/violent father is interesting, the family dynamic that Augustine comes from is much more complicated and interesting to me. I was much more interested in the time he spent with his siblings than the time Harlow spent learning about hers.
I'm glad we finally found out why Lally talks like a runaway slave, but her behavior is still not fitting. Lally behaves like what white people think old black folks from the south are like, instead of how they actually are. Lally is like a combination of a maid from The Help and a slave from Gone with the Wind. But her family background would mean she would have a very different attitude. Especially coming from New Orleans, where the culture of the type of black folks she came from would've been much more "uppity". And considering all she's lived through and seen she should be different. She lives more than 50 years from now, but behaves like a stereotype from 60 years ago. Hopefully she drops the Mammy act in future books, and acts like a no nonsense southern Grandma instead. I'm also interested in the witch sisters. I get the feeling Zara is plotting a lot more than Giselle gives her credit for. I'm looking forward to the next book.
I'm glad we finally found out why Lally talks like a runaway slave, but her behavior is still not fitting. Lally behaves like what white people think old black folks from the south are like, instead of how they actually are. Lally is like a combination of a maid from The Help and a slave from Gone with the Wind. But her family background would mean she would have a very different attitude. Especially coming from New Orleans, where the culture of the type of black folks she came from would've been much more "uppity". And considering all she's lived through and seen she should be different. She lives more than 50 years from now, but behaves like a stereotype from 60 years ago. Hopefully she drops the Mammy act in future books, and acts like a no nonsense southern Grandma instead. I'm also interested in the witch sisters. I get the feeling Zara is plotting a lot more than Giselle gives her credit for. I'm looking forward to the next book.
More...