You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
chelsaat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As a big fan of Holly Black’s Folk of the Air series, I was super excited for her first foray into adult fantasy. And I really enjoyed the concept - a murder mystery in a world of shadow magic! The MC is a con artist! But unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me.
The main reason for this was the writing itself. It just felt…kinda muted? I don’t really know how to articulate this, other than saying that the world and characters of Folk of the Air felt SO alive and vibrant; I read those books in one sitting. This book is only 300 pages but it took me a few days and I struggled to pay attention. Maybe it’s the somewhat confusing shadow magic system, but everything felt dulled here and nothing really came to life for me.
This is especially true for the characters. Charlie is the kind of prickly, acerbic main character I usually love, but I really struggled to connect with her. I liked the peek into how Charlie became how she was, but in the present day I didn’t get that same spark. Vince was held at arm’s length as well, but that at least made more sense, plot-wise. (Totally called that twist, by the way.)
This is all very subjective though, and I do have to say that the ending was pretty incredible. I CACKLED. Legitimately can’t wait for the sequel now, and I hope now that the world building and characters are already developed, Black can just go ham.
The main reason for this was the writing itself. It just felt…kinda muted? I don’t really know how to articulate this, other than saying that the world and characters of Folk of the Air felt SO alive and vibrant; I read those books in one sitting. This book is only 300 pages but it took me a few days and I struggled to pay attention. Maybe it’s the somewhat confusing shadow magic system, but everything felt dulled here and nothing really came to life for me.
This is especially true for the characters. Charlie is the kind of prickly, acerbic main character I usually love, but I really struggled to connect with her. I liked the peek into how Charlie became how she was, but in the present day I didn’t get that same spark. Vince was held at arm’s length as well, but that at least made more sense, plot-wise. (Totally called that twist, by the way.)
This is all very subjective though, and I do have to say that the ending was pretty incredible. I CACKLED. Legitimately can’t wait for the sequel now, and I hope now that the world building and characters are already developed, Black can just go ham.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child abuse
fireinherveinzz's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
So so disappointed because I loved holly’s writing with the folk of the air series and this was just terrible . This was not Adult at all in the slightest. It was very YA minus the lack of sex scene / spicy moments. The plot was all over the place . Everything was super confusing and Charlie wasn’t really someone I could root for or even liked she didn’t have much of a relationship with any of the other characters . I didn’t buy Charlie and Vince’s romance at all .. not even at the end just no . Was groomed by an abusive older man and just wrote it off like oh he was a con man ? And even her mother brought this up and she’s like it’s fine ? No it was not . The magic system and world building made no sense at all , I got the side characters and back stories confused so much . I didn’t get the whole deal with Adam and Dolores at all . Also is Vince not Edmund then , a grandson / relative of Lionel salt or is he just what Remy/ shadow demon thing Red renamed himself I’m so so confused ? Also What the fuck did remy and adaline who WERE SIBLINGS HAVE AN AFFAIR including remy’s shadow red .. really holly incest .. love an incest plot twist NOT . the end was just ehh??? I will not be continuing this series at all . It’s too bad I liked her writing .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, and Sexual violence
katiemack's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've heard many good things about Holly Black, but this is the first book of hers I've read. (And it happens to be her adult debut.) It starts off strong--Charlie's backstory is incorporated well, and her dialogue with the other characters is sharp and unexpectedly funny. Black's world-building ability is strong as well, and the chemistry between Charlie and Vince is solid.
By the middle of the book, I found myself getting a little bored and was struggling to pay attention to the different characters. Somehow it felt like nothing was happening while Black simultaneously introduced different side characters and their roles in this treacherous, underground shadow world. I thought there would be a little bit more action and less politics, I suppose.
I'm still curious enough to read a follow-up, and I'm definitely going to read Black's YA novels (about which I've heard rave reviews). Give this a try if you're looking for a new dark urban fantasy novel.
I've heard many good things about Holly Black, but this is the first book of hers I've read. (And it happens to be her adult debut.) It starts off strong--Charlie's backstory is incorporated well, and her dialogue with the other characters is sharp and unexpectedly funny. Black's world-building ability is strong as well, and the chemistry between Charlie and Vince is solid.
By the middle of the book, I found myself getting a little bored and was struggling to pay attention to the different characters. Somehow it felt like nothing was happening while Black simultaneously introduced different side characters and their roles in this treacherous, underground shadow world. I thought there would be a little bit more action and less politics, I suppose.
I'm still curious enough to read a follow-up, and I'm definitely going to read Black's YA novels (about which I've heard rave reviews). Give this a try if you're looking for a new dark urban fantasy novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
ode_to_readers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
4.5
WTF WAS THAT ENDING EXCUSE ME HOLLY BLACK
Okay so the book was a little slow to begin with, the build up and understanding of how shadows worked and the lingo being a struggle. The chapters flick between past and present, Charlie and others. It's both a good thing and a bad thing because the in-between chapters give some more depth but they happen just as there's a cliffhanger on the previous chapter so half the time I'm tempted to skip forward.
At first I didn't really care for Charlie all that much. I like her now but there's still something I can't quite place my finger on why she bothers me. However, Vince became my favourite about half way through and I loved their relationship with each other.
Towards the end of the book, the amount of times you think something is about to happen the way you want it to and Holly just snatches that hope right out of your hands. And then does it again and again.
AND THAT ENDING?!?!?!
Okay so the book was a little slow to begin with, the build up and understanding of how shadows worked and the lingo being a struggle. The chapters flick between past and present, Charlie and others. It's both a good thing and a bad thing because the in-between chapters give some more depth but they happen just as there's a cliffhanger on the previous chapter so half the time I'm tempted to skip forward.
At first I didn't really care for Charlie all that much. I like her now but there's still something I can't quite place my finger on why she bothers me. However, Vince became my favourite about half way through and I loved their relationship with each other.
Towards the end of the book, the amount of times you think something is about to happen the way you want it to and Holly just snatches that hope right out of your hands. And then does it again and again.
AND THAT ENDING?!?!?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Murder
Minor: Cancer and Sexual content
tualha's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
For fans of The Ninth House, A Deadly Education, or Robin McKinley's Sunshine (and not necessarily fans of Black's YA titles).
Holly Black's twisty adult debut follows Charlie Hall, a "reformed" thief and con artist. A slow burn for a mystery, it's got bad romantic decisions, tense family dynamics, and plenty of gory violence. Though it was a bit formulaic in terms of a mystery, folks who enjoy unique systems of magic and female anti-heroes will likely be at home.
Holly Black's twisty adult debut follows Charlie Hall, a "reformed" thief and con artist. A slow burn for a mystery, it's got bad romantic decisions, tense family dynamics, and plenty of gory violence. Though it was a bit formulaic in terms of a mystery, folks who enjoy unique systems of magic and female anti-heroes will likely be at home.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Books for an arc of this book.
Charlie Hall has lived her life making cons, but she's trying to ride the straight and narrow. When she sees a shadow tear another man apart, she gets dragged into her old life of gloamists and danger and stealing.
This was so highly anticipated for me because I absolutely love Holly Black! This was a great debut into adult writing and if you've read any reviews of this yet, you'll know everyone is wondering if there will be a sequel. If not--that was a bold ending!
The writing is really good and I seriously love Charlie. She is such a compelling main character and her motivations are so interesting to read about. I also really enjoyed Vince, though I wish he was in it a bit more--I feel like his character could have been developed better.
I think knowing if this is going to have a sequel or not would really affect my rating. Right now, I'm basing this assuming it is a standalone, and it left a little to be desired in the end. Hopefully there will be more Charlie to come!
Charlie Hall has lived her life making cons, but she's trying to ride the straight and narrow. When she sees a shadow tear another man apart, she gets dragged into her old life of gloamists and danger and stealing.
This was so highly anticipated for me because I absolutely love Holly Black! This was a great debut into adult writing and if you've read any reviews of this yet, you'll know everyone is wondering if there will be a sequel. If not--that was a bold ending!
The writing is really good and I seriously love Charlie. She is such a compelling main character and her motivations are so interesting to read about. I also really enjoyed Vince, though I wish he was in it a bit more--I feel like his character could have been developed better.
I think knowing if this is going to have a sequel or not would really affect my rating. Right now, I'm basing this assuming it is a standalone, and it left a little to be desired in the end. Hopefully there will be more Charlie to come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Self harm
uranaishi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Car accident, and Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Incest, Medical content, and Death of parent
More...