Scan barcode
katreadsalots's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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
3.25
dilchh's review against another edition
4.0
I really did not want to be reading another YA series, especially the fact that I felt somewhat cringey due to the title of this book; it's just somewhat to emo? But the premise got me curious. Alchemist? Necromancy? It reminded me of Fullmetal Alchemist and honestly it's been a long time coming since I read a book with those kind of themes, so I thought maybe I shouldn't quick to say no to this book?
I'm glad that I read this book, though. The story was interesting, though one must be patient enough, because the first part of the book was such a snoozefest. It's like your typical poor kid goes to rich kids' school, got bullied, yadda yadda. I really don't have time for that. But, gosh who would have thought the second part of the book was so engaging, as we race against the time with Nedra, the main character, in fighting the mysterious death that befallen the island where she lives.
There is some things that don't sit quite well with me, and I will elaborate.
One, I am so sick of the monologue of our dear female main character from a YA book that seems to constantly compare themselves with their female siblings, how they're not as pretty, not as graceful, and how "ooh I'm so different from my siblings, I don't like girly stuffs, I don't care about my appearance." Like, you know you can care about your appearance and still good enough to fight the bad guys, right? Why are we still going with this trope. Like, there's nothing bad about caring about girly stuff, and there's nothing wrong if you don't care also. Stop going with this trope, please.
Two, yep, definitely reminded me well of Fullmetal Alchemist. Not complaining though. Just stating the fact. Still like the storyline.We all know that Nedra eventually turned to Necromancy, so it was just my curiosity on how she turned to necromancy that kept me reading. It was well written, so not complain there. And some added story about the hidden politics aren't boring either. So, kudos for that. But, I won't be reading the second book, though. I really don't have any other lingering question that would need answering by reading the second book. Not because I didn't enjoy it, I just really not in the mood to be reading series anymore.
I'm glad that I read this book, though. The story was interesting, though one must be patient enough, because the first part of the book was such a snoozefest. It's like your typical poor kid goes to rich kids' school, got bullied, yadda yadda. I really don't have time for that. But, gosh who would have thought the second part of the book was so engaging, as we race against the time with Nedra, the main character, in fighting the mysterious death that befallen the island where she lives.
There is some things that don't sit quite well with me, and I will elaborate.
One, I am so sick of the monologue of our dear female main character from a YA book that seems to constantly compare themselves with their female siblings, how they're not as pretty, not as graceful, and how "ooh I'm so different from my siblings, I don't like girly stuffs, I don't care about my appearance." Like, you know you can care about your appearance and still good enough to fight the bad guys, right? Why are we still going with this trope. Like, there's nothing bad about caring about girly stuff, and there's nothing wrong if you don't care also. Stop going with this trope, please.
Two, yep, definitely reminded me well of Fullmetal Alchemist. Not complaining though. Just stating the fact. Still like the storyline.We all know that Nedra eventually turned to Necromancy, so it was just my curiosity on how she turned to necromancy that kept me reading. It was well written, so not complain there. And some added story about the hidden politics aren't boring either. So, kudos for that. But, I won't be reading the second book, though. I really don't have any other lingering question that would need answering by reading the second book. Not because I didn't enjoy it, I just really not in the mood to be reading series anymore.
bookdevouringmisfit's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars!
The ronance happened way too fast for my liking. I guess i’m just a whore for slow burn romances hehe. aside from that.... this book is really good. love the heroine. <3
The ronance happened way too fast for my liking. I guess i’m just a whore for slow burn romances hehe. aside from that.... this book is really good. love the heroine. <3
ambeesbookishpages's review against another edition
4.0
The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz
Give the Dark My Love has been on my radar for quite a while now so I was really excited to start it! (it also helped me out of a super inconvenient book slump, so yay!) This is actually my first Beth Revis book and I have heard nothing but amazing things about her writing, so I was even more eager to have this beautiful book in my hands. Though I had a few tiny issues with this book I overall loved the premise and how everything unfolded.
I loved Nedra's character a lot, she aspires for more in life then living in her small village. She wants to be a medical alchemist and help others. Being accepted into Yugen on a scholarship is her chance to make that dream come true. We watch Nedra from the start of the novel learn the magic of alchemy and her natural born talent. With the plague sweeping through her country Nedra is eager to help at the quarantine hospital where her alchemy training and abilities can help the ill. As the plague worsens and Nedra becomes desperate she starts dabbling in Necromancy, an illegal form of alchemy that deals with the dead. But what if the plague has everything to do with Necromancy? I loved how Revis showed us Nedra's decline into the darkness of Necromancy. We see Nedra's desperation to save people and the people she loves. Her desperation that nothing will stop her. She drives herself mad with the need to fix the illness she has no control over.
*Minor spoilers in this paragraph*
I think the scene that has stood out the most to me was when Nedra and her sister Nesta were quarantined with in their home when their parents had gotten ill with the plague and died. I think the rawest scene in this section when in desperation to save Nesta, Nedra had to amputate her sister's arm to stop the spread of the illness, absorbing her sister's pain. My heart shattered, the desperation and the pain both metaphorically and physically that Nedra had endured stuck out to me.
I think my only issue with this book was that at certain moments it felt predictable. I called who the villain was and where the plague originated from pretty early on in the novel. I do love how Revis incorporated these things though.
I LOVED the ending to Give the Dark My Love. In the sense that, Nedra had embraced the darkness and her remnants. There wasn't a point for her to turn back to. Everything that she had grown to love was gone, there was nothing more for her. Her love for Grey wasn't even enough for her to fight the darkness. I would have been quite content if Give the Dark My Love was a stand alone. I thought the ending wrapped up a lot of things pretty well. I am intrigued though to see where Revis is going take Nedra and Grey next.
Give the Dark My Love has been on my radar for quite a while now so I was really excited to start it! (it also helped me out of a super inconvenient book slump, so yay!) This is actually my first Beth Revis book and I have heard nothing but amazing things about her writing, so I was even more eager to have this beautiful book in my hands. Though I had a few tiny issues with this book I overall loved the premise and how everything unfolded.
I loved Nedra's character a lot, she aspires for more in life then living in her small village. She wants to be a medical alchemist and help others. Being accepted into Yugen on a scholarship is her chance to make that dream come true. We watch Nedra from the start of the novel learn the magic of alchemy and her natural born talent. With the plague sweeping through her country Nedra is eager to help at the quarantine hospital where her alchemy training and abilities can help the ill. As the plague worsens and Nedra becomes desperate she starts dabbling in Necromancy, an illegal form of alchemy that deals with the dead. But what if the plague has everything to do with Necromancy? I loved how Revis showed us Nedra's decline into the darkness of Necromancy. We see Nedra's desperation to save people and the people she loves. Her desperation that nothing will stop her. She drives herself mad with the need to fix the illness she has no control over.
*Minor spoilers in this paragraph*
I think the scene that has stood out the most to me was when Nedra and her sister Nesta were quarantined with in their home when their parents had gotten ill with the plague and died. I think the rawest scene in this section when in desperation to save Nesta, Nedra had to amputate her sister's arm to stop the spread of the illness, absorbing her sister's pain. My heart shattered, the desperation and the pain both metaphorically and physically that Nedra had endured stuck out to me.
I think my only issue with this book was that at certain moments it felt predictable. I called who the villain was and where the plague originated from pretty early on in the novel. I do love how Revis incorporated these things though.
I LOVED the ending to Give the Dark My Love. In the sense that, Nedra had embraced the darkness and her remnants. There wasn't a point for her to turn back to. Everything that she had grown to love was gone, there was nothing more for her. Her love for Grey wasn't even enough for her to fight the darkness. I would have been quite content if Give the Dark My Love was a stand alone. I thought the ending wrapped up a lot of things pretty well. I am intrigued though to see where Revis is going take Nedra and Grey next.
cynnn's review against another edition
4.0
3.6 Round up
Predictability aside, I think there is a lot working for this book where it still felt like a good payoff at the end. Maybe not as much as I’d have liked but enough for me to appreciate the build up.
The romance in this is refreshing. I’m sure plenty of people would argue it’s either barely there, or suddenly too in your face and to that I say: read less romance and try to remember that realistically sometimes love is a bubbling undercurrent that pops up occasionally but then gets put on the back burner for more pressing things in life. You don’t forget it’s there, but you have to in order to keep going. This gives us that.
A strong woman who remains strong, gets stronger, really and then gets even STRONGER? Fun read.
Predictability aside, I think there is a lot working for this book where it still felt like a good payoff at the end. Maybe not as much as I’d have liked but enough for me to appreciate the build up.
The romance in this is refreshing. I’m sure plenty of people would argue it’s either barely there, or suddenly too in your face and to that I say: read less romance and try to remember that realistically sometimes love is a bubbling undercurrent that pops up occasionally but then gets put on the back burner for more pressing things in life. You don’t forget it’s there, but you have to in order to keep going. This gives us that.
A strong woman who remains strong, gets stronger, really and then gets even STRONGER? Fun read.
samio's review
medium-paced
5.0
I love the fmc villain arc and that she put her goals above everything else. Very satisfying read.
nyeran's review
2.0
“He looked like he belonged in a painting contained in a gilded frame, and I was the girl who couldn't afford admission into the museum.”
♠ Diciamo che in linea di massima ho apprezzato il fatto che il libro non si sia soffermato troppo sulle lezioni di Nedra al punto da renderle noiose, d'altra parte però non si è soffermato minimamente sulle lezioni di Nedra al punto che noi assistiamo solo ad una lezione in croce e tutti i progressi che fa nel capire la malattia avvengono fuori pagina e noi degli indegni, evidentemente. Tra l'altro resta vaga anche la motivazione per cui Nedra sia stata ammessa alla scuola, viene detto che il padre ha scritto moltissime lettere a persone importanti ma questo non vuole dire niente, nessuno era tenuto a pagarle la borsa di studio, sopratutto perché lei non ha alcuna raccomandazione ne dicono mai che lei abbia frequentato scuole o altro, ha solo letto libri di alchimia quindi su quale base l'hanno ammessa senza nemmeno farle fare prima un test, una prova pratica, boh.
♠ Grey è inutile, davvero un personaggio inutile, sopratutto se paragonato a Nedra. Non si spiega come lei possa finire per provare qualsiasi cosa per un soggetto così. Capisco che l'autrice non abbia voluto togliere spazio a Nedra ma Grey non fa proprio niente nella storia, se ne sta semplicemente li ad esistere e anche i capitoli dal suo pov sono inutili e senza scopo. L'unica cosa che Grey avrebbe potuto e dovuto fare era darci delle informazioni sulla rivoluzione, sui piani politici del padre e del consiglio così da darci almeno una panoramica sull'altro lato della storia ma non lo fa mai. Il loro rapporto poi inizia e si evolve nel classico stile da insta-love con lui che si interessa a lei subito la prima volta che la vede senza nemmeno averci ancora mai parlato, lei che gli presta qualche attenzione ma è troppo presa dalle sue ricerche salvo poi, 4 capitoli dopo, accettare il suo invito ad una festa e guardarlo con occhioni dolci. Tra l'altro lui innamoratissimo e diverso dai suoi amici e suo padre che non difende Nedra mai, mai manco per sbaglio, e va bene che lei gli dice che non ha bisogno di essere difesa però cazzo Grey, neanche un po? Sopratutto perché lui stesso ammette che i suoi amici lo frequentano perché suo padre è importante e tutti hanno bisogno di lui e non si metterebbero mai contro il figlio, quindi?
♠ Ripensandoci forse il problema è stato il prologo, sapendo cosa mi aspettava non vedevo l'ora di arrivarci e tutto ciò che si frapponeva tra me e quel momento era di troppo, poi però arrivata a quel momento non mi interessava più andare avanti. E concludo dicendo che sono letteralmente scoppiata a ridere all'ipocrisia di Nedra quando se ne sta li con un armata di zombie comandati da lei, con la sorella morta affianco rianimata da lei, se ne sta li e pensa come avesse potuto quel necromante rianimare i morti e usarli come un esercito quando lei sta facendo la stessa cosa. E dice cose tipo che non pensava sarebbe mai potuta arrivare a farlo quando lo ha già fatto. È letteralmente circondata da un armata zombie. Perchè devi essere patetica? Perché non puoi semplicemente abbracciare la necromanzia e accettarla? Perchè devi essere una povera ingenua che non voleva però lo fa perchè non può fare altrimenti, perché la gente mi ha costretto perché è brutta e cattiva, io non volevo e vaffanculo, cazzo.
♠ Diciamo che in linea di massima ho apprezzato il fatto che il libro non si sia soffermato troppo sulle lezioni di Nedra al punto da renderle noiose, d'altra parte però non si è soffermato minimamente sulle lezioni di Nedra al punto che noi assistiamo solo ad una lezione in croce e tutti i progressi che fa nel capire la malattia avvengono fuori pagina e noi degli indegni, evidentemente. Tra l'altro resta vaga anche la motivazione per cui Nedra sia stata ammessa alla scuola, viene detto che il padre ha scritto moltissime lettere a persone importanti ma questo non vuole dire niente, nessuno era tenuto a pagarle la borsa di studio, sopratutto perché lei non ha alcuna raccomandazione ne dicono mai che lei abbia frequentato scuole o altro, ha solo letto libri di alchimia quindi su quale base l'hanno ammessa senza nemmeno farle fare prima un test, una prova pratica, boh.
♠ Grey è inutile, davvero un personaggio inutile, sopratutto se paragonato a Nedra. Non si spiega come lei possa finire per provare qualsiasi cosa per un soggetto così. Capisco che l'autrice non abbia voluto togliere spazio a Nedra ma Grey non fa proprio niente nella storia, se ne sta semplicemente li ad esistere e anche i capitoli dal suo pov sono inutili e senza scopo. L'unica cosa che Grey avrebbe potuto e dovuto fare era darci delle informazioni sulla rivoluzione, sui piani politici del padre e del consiglio così da darci almeno una panoramica sull'altro lato della storia ma non lo fa mai. Il loro rapporto poi inizia e si evolve nel classico stile da insta-love con lui che si interessa a lei subito la prima volta che la vede senza nemmeno averci ancora mai parlato, lei che gli presta qualche attenzione ma è troppo presa dalle sue ricerche salvo poi, 4 capitoli dopo, accettare il suo invito ad una festa e guardarlo con occhioni dolci. Tra l'altro lui innamoratissimo e diverso dai suoi amici e suo padre che non difende Nedra mai, mai manco per sbaglio, e va bene che lei gli dice che non ha bisogno di essere difesa però cazzo Grey, neanche un po? Sopratutto perché lui stesso ammette che i suoi amici lo frequentano perché suo padre è importante e tutti hanno bisogno di lui e non si metterebbero mai contro il figlio, quindi?
♠ Ripensandoci forse il problema è stato il prologo, sapendo cosa mi aspettava non vedevo l'ora di arrivarci e tutto ciò che si frapponeva tra me e quel momento era di troppo, poi però arrivata a quel momento non mi interessava più andare avanti. E concludo dicendo che sono letteralmente scoppiata a ridere all'ipocrisia di Nedra quando se ne sta li con un armata di zombie comandati da lei, con la sorella morta affianco rianimata da lei, se ne sta li e pensa come avesse potuto quel necromante rianimare i morti e usarli come un esercito quando lei sta facendo la stessa cosa. E dice cose tipo che non pensava sarebbe mai potuta arrivare a farlo quando lo ha già fatto. È letteralmente circondata da un armata zombie. Perchè devi essere patetica? Perché non puoi semplicemente abbracciare la necromanzia e accettarla? Perchè devi essere una povera ingenua che non voleva però lo fa perchè non può fare altrimenti, perché la gente mi ha costretto perché è brutta e cattiva, io non volevo e vaffanculo, cazzo.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books that I love more and more the longer I think about it. I haven't read many necromancy books as of late, so it was original and fun to read a book that has it as its core. Bearing that in mind as I went in, I was a little surprised at how "slow" the story began.
That said, the book centred on the characters, the main of the two being Nedra, who is phenomenal. I absolutely adore her. She is complex and layered and so sympathetic. Everything she did and said made sense to me and I understood her motivations, even as she pushed herself too hard. And when she was pushed over the edge, I understood her reactions, too.
Grey is also a great character, and I would love to see more of him. He's a sweetheart and while he makes mistakes, I never doubted his intentions or that his heart was in the right place. I would love to see their romance expanded on more, because...
The ending was CRAZY. The climax was explosive and nail-biting, twist after twist and intense carnage having speed through the pages because I needed to know what happened next. One of the best endings I've read this year, and it leaves me with so many questions I need answered!
Another thing I want to touch on are the emotions felt in this book. It truly is a work from the heart, and there were more than a few moments where I felt the gut-punch the author was going for. This has ben an exciting, dark, gripping read with a fascinating and morally complex main character, and I can't wait to see how it all wraps up.
That said, the book centred on the characters, the main of the two being Nedra, who is phenomenal. I absolutely adore her. She is complex and layered and so sympathetic. Everything she did and said made sense to me and I understood her motivations, even as she pushed herself too hard. And when she was pushed over the edge, I understood her reactions, too.
Grey is also a great character, and I would love to see more of him. He's a sweetheart and while he makes mistakes, I never doubted his intentions or that his heart was in the right place. I would love to see their romance expanded on more, because...
The ending was CRAZY. The climax was explosive and nail-biting, twist after twist and intense carnage having speed through the pages because I needed to know what happened next. One of the best endings I've read this year, and it leaves me with so many questions I need answered!
Another thing I want to touch on are the emotions felt in this book. It truly is a work from the heart, and there were more than a few moments where I felt the gut-punch the author was going for. This has ben an exciting, dark, gripping read with a fascinating and morally complex main character, and I can't wait to see how it all wraps up.
kathlgpa's review
3.0
This was an amazing book, and yet it I could not get into it as much as other books.
Maybe it was too dark for me right now, maybe I just did not feel invested in the romance or the personal conflict. Maybe even though it had an original plot the ending tied it up and the thread hanging loose just does not interest me.
I think a lot of people will like this book and I can see why.
Maybe it was too dark for me right now, maybe I just did not feel invested in the romance or the personal conflict. Maybe even though it had an original plot the ending tied it up and the thread hanging loose just does not interest me.
I think a lot of people will like this book and I can see why.