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courtney_saba's review
5.0
Overall: 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Wow, yes! 2021 book slump is redeemed with this book! I'm so happy this wasn't a disappointment.
Some viewers may be writing that this book isn't Gothic enough, isn't dark enough, doesn't have enough horror elements in it, or is potentially predictable. But you know what? I really freaking enjoyed this book. I didn't need it to be the best Gothic book or the best dark book I've ever read. I didn't need it to be something it wasn't, or something that would cater to all readers. I needed to be entertained and believe in the story itself. And the author executed this brilliantly and I wouldn't change anything.
I loved the setting, the magic rules and limitations, the history, culture, and religion of these warring countries, the plot, and the worldbuilding. Was it extremely detailed? Not really, but I didn't need it to be because I couldn't put this book down. I thought it was really unique how the magic system worked and how science contributed and influenced the realism of the magic system. My career is in the medical field and so I really enjoyed all the medical jargon and anatomical references. You could tell that the author did some research, and I appreciated that.
The strongest and most entertaining part of this book was the romance. It was an enemies-to-lovers, slow burn deliciousness that kept me glued to the page. They talked about philosophy, their own prejudices, who they are with and without their magic, and how forgiveness, compassion, and working for peace can mean sacrifice and hard work. It was genuine, so very intimate, gentle, and meaningful. Their relationship is everything I look for, and I was very pleased with the outcome.
Was this book original? There were unique elements and styles, and there was a maturity to the writing that I really appreciated, but in the end, no, this book wasn't 100% original. Did I need it to be 100% original? No, because I enjoyed the hell out of this book and sometimes good writing and storytelling can trump the original status. There were not any major tropes or cliches that I can think of, any that would make it unbearable to read. There were no Mary Sues or special snowflakes. The gothic genre is not as familiar to me as other genres, but there definitely was a Gothic tone to the book. The overarching plot and execution of the idea were superb, and I couldn't really ask for more.
Would I re-read this book? Yes.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. I think anyone would enjoy this book if they enjoy a slow-burn romance, a magical system that's unique, and genuine intimacy and maturity between characters, not to mention storytelling.
Was I entertained? Yes. I couldn't put the book down.
Enjoy, Goodreads fiends.
Wow, yes! 2021 book slump is redeemed with this book! I'm so happy this wasn't a disappointment.
Some viewers may be writing that this book isn't Gothic enough, isn't dark enough, doesn't have enough horror elements in it, or is potentially predictable. But you know what? I really freaking enjoyed this book. I didn't need it to be the best Gothic book or the best dark book I've ever read. I didn't need it to be something it wasn't, or something that would cater to all readers. I needed to be entertained and believe in the story itself. And the author executed this brilliantly and I wouldn't change anything.
I loved the setting, the magic rules and limitations, the history, culture, and religion of these warring countries, the plot, and the worldbuilding. Was it extremely detailed? Not really, but I didn't need it to be because I couldn't put this book down. I thought it was really unique how the magic system worked and how science contributed and influenced the realism of the magic system. My career is in the medical field and so I really enjoyed all the medical jargon and anatomical references. You could tell that the author did some research, and I appreciated that.
The strongest and most entertaining part of this book was the romance. It was an enemies-to-lovers, slow burn deliciousness that kept me glued to the page. They talked about philosophy, their own prejudices, who they are with and without their magic, and how forgiveness, compassion, and working for peace can mean sacrifice and hard work. It was genuine, so very intimate, gentle, and meaningful. Their relationship is everything I look for, and I was very pleased with the outcome.
Was this book original? There were unique elements and styles, and there was a maturity to the writing that I really appreciated, but in the end, no, this book wasn't 100% original. Did I need it to be 100% original? No, because I enjoyed the hell out of this book and sometimes good writing and storytelling can trump the original status. There were not any major tropes or cliches that I can think of, any that would make it unbearable to read. There were no Mary Sues or special snowflakes. The gothic genre is not as familiar to me as other genres, but there definitely was a Gothic tone to the book. The overarching plot and execution of the idea were superb, and I couldn't really ask for more.
Would I re-read this book? Yes.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. I think anyone would enjoy this book if they enjoy a slow-burn romance, a magical system that's unique, and genuine intimacy and maturity between characters, not to mention storytelling.
Was I entertained? Yes. I couldn't put the book down.
Enjoy, Goodreads fiends.
soupe's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
maddlemae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
adequateannie's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
saadiyya_reads786's review
1.0
This book was predictable and boring. Horror books should be scary...this one was not.
victorsvales's review
5.0
*4.75
that was so precious!! I love wren and hal so so much they deserve the world
that was so precious!! I love wren and hal so so much they deserve the world
cmdufresne's review
5.0
YA fantasy meets Frankenstein. I didn't know that was something I needed in my life, but it absolutely is.
The first few chapters I was a little bit hesitant. It didn't quite seem to fit the cover or gothic description and it was difficult to pin down exactly where the world was, (at first the magic made me picture middle ages but eventually realized it had more similarities to turn of the century London)...
BUT as soon as Wren arrived at the manor I was hooked. Great character development and relationships, enough twists that you think you know what's going to happen, without ever being sure, and beautiful combination of magic and science.
In her world of black and white, Wren sees all the grays, and that is something that we need more of in this world.
The first few chapters I was a little bit hesitant. It didn't quite seem to fit the cover or gothic description and it was difficult to pin down exactly where the world was, (at first the magic made me picture middle ages but eventually realized it had more similarities to turn of the century London)...
BUT as soon as Wren arrived at the manor I was hooked. Great character development and relationships, enough twists that you think you know what's going to happen, without ever being sure, and beautiful combination of magic and science.
In her world of black and white, Wren sees all the grays, and that is something that we need more of in this world.
mienreads's review against another edition
3.0
This book was very disappointing to me. I feel like the author tried to mix a little bit of everything in there which resulted in the story being convoluted but still lacking. I also couldn’t get a grasp on this world and the time frame. The book was a hodgepodge of gothic novel, fantasy, enemies to lovers, and politics. Nothing felt fully fleshed out and it left me wanting more. Good concept but flat execution with okay characters.
fluffles's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
laelyn's review
4.0
Oh how I loved this book! I admit I went into this with some level of expectations because I've heard good things, and these expectations were absolutely met. "Down Comes the Night" has a beautiful cover and an intriguing premise, its atmosphere being likened to Guillermo del Toro's movies which is the aspect that got me the most interested. Admittedly, it started a little too slow for my taste and it took me a moment to really get hooked, but once the book moved into its more gothic scenery, I was sold. Once Wren, the protagonist, arrives at the eerie mansion of Colwick Hall, the atmopshere gets darker and grittier and I couldn't put the book down until I finished it.
Saft has a beautiful writing style that she uses for rich world building and great character development. Wren is sympathetic and endearing, and her love interest Hal appropriately dark, mysterious and different-than-she-thought. They have chemistry and the perfect amount of enemies-to-lovers-tropeyness to make the reader root for them. While the book never really hides its antagonist, the mystery is still fun to solve especially due to the tense, dark atmosphere of Colwick Hall.
Some aspects of the story would have needed a bit more development - the relationship between and reconsiliation of Queen Isabel and Wren being one example - but these little things never took away from the enjoyment of reading this gothic little gem.
many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the arc!
Saft has a beautiful writing style that she uses for rich world building and great character development. Wren is sympathetic and endearing, and her love interest Hal appropriately dark, mysterious and different-than-she-thought. They have chemistry and the perfect amount of enemies-to-lovers-tropeyness to make the reader root for them. While the book never really hides its antagonist, the mystery is still fun to solve especially due to the tense, dark atmosphere of Colwick Hall.
Some aspects of the story would have needed a bit more development - the relationship between and reconsiliation of Queen Isabel and Wren being one example - but these little things never took away from the enjoyment of reading this gothic little gem.
many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the arc!