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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!
jkataoka's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
a_wyne's review
1.0
I WANTED TO LOVE THIS BOOK!
Considering this book was one of my most anticipated reads, I'm so disappointed. The main character is so dramatic yet boring, and a bit stupid. The first half of the book felt like a chore, and I had to dnf around 60% because life is too short to read books you don't like.
It wasn't for me, but I am happy other people enjoyed it.
Considering this book was one of my most anticipated reads, I'm so disappointed. The main character is so dramatic yet boring, and a bit stupid. The first half of the book felt like a chore, and I had to dnf around 60% because life is too short to read books you don't like.
It wasn't for me, but I am happy other people enjoyed it.