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princessleopard's review
4.0
Preface: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this little book. It's a dark fantasy novel, the beginning to a series, but isn't bogged down by too much exposition or wondering what the heck is going on. The characters are compelling, and easily differentiated from each other. Rachel is a likable protagonist - believable, but tough enough that you can root for her pretty easily (she does have one issue, but I'll get into that). The three love interests (??) are all good in their own right. And of course the lil old lady is wonderful. The plot isn't overly complicated, but interesting, as the lives of many kids are at stake. The mystery unfolds at a good pace - not too slowly, but not too quickly, either.
I do have a few quibbles, the biggest being the three (???) love interests (????). A love triangle is to be expected in YA, but this one felt a little overboard. There are three boys: Dougal, from Scotland, Greg from her hometown, and Orion, who is from....elsewhere. Each gets their own little section in the story where they ride shotgun with Rachel trying to unravel what's happening in the town. They're all likable dudes - none of them are too aggressive or possessive or anything like that. It's just the number of them that's weird - and how quickly Rachel flits from one to the next. There's a silly staged make-out with Greg, and she and Orion hit it off almost instantly, to the point where they have their first kiss only hours after meeting. Honestly, that's my only problem with Rachel's character - this weird flightiness. But, in the end, the love interest stuff mostly seems to sort itself out? Dougal is off-limits because they might be distant cousins, Greg is a summer fling, and Orion is the most solidly set-up to be a future love interest (along with all the drama that provides, because of who he is). I'm not /complaining/ about this aspect, per se - again, it was handled as well as it could be, given that all three characters are likable and respectful of Rachel. It's just odd.
The climax also seemed weird to me. We had this tense moment where they're trying to save the kids while Orion distracts the Night Weaver. This seems like it should be our big finish...but instead, that scene ends, we have some down-time and /then/ we get into the final confrontation, during which Rachel has nothing to do because she's woefully underpowered compared to the other forces in play. That build-up and let-down seemed odd to me - I think it would have made more sense to lump them together. But that might just be me.
Overall, this was thoroughly enjoyable, and a good start to a promising series. I'll definitely check out the next novel, and I'd recommend this to any YA fantasy reader.
I thoroughly enjoyed this little book. It's a dark fantasy novel, the beginning to a series, but isn't bogged down by too much exposition or wondering what the heck is going on. The characters are compelling, and easily differentiated from each other. Rachel is a likable protagonist - believable, but tough enough that you can root for her pretty easily (she does have one issue, but I'll get into that). The three love interests (??) are all good in their own right. And of course the lil old lady is wonderful. The plot isn't overly complicated, but interesting, as the lives of many kids are at stake. The mystery unfolds at a good pace - not too slowly, but not too quickly, either.
I do have a few quibbles, the biggest being the three (???) love interests (????). A love triangle is to be expected in YA, but this one felt a little overboard. There are three boys: Dougal, from Scotland, Greg from her hometown, and Orion, who is from....elsewhere. Each gets their own little section in the story where they ride shotgun with Rachel trying to unravel what's happening in the town. They're all likable dudes - none of them are too aggressive or possessive or anything like that. It's just the number of them that's weird - and how quickly Rachel flits from one to the next. There's a silly staged make-out with Greg, and she and Orion hit it off almost instantly, to the point where they have their first kiss only hours after meeting. Honestly, that's my only problem with Rachel's character - this weird flightiness. But, in the end, the love interest stuff mostly seems to sort itself out? Dougal is off-limits because they might be distant cousins, Greg is a summer fling, and Orion is the most solidly set-up to be a future love interest (along with all the drama that provides, because of who he is). I'm not /complaining/ about this aspect, per se - again, it was handled as well as it could be, given that all three characters are likable and respectful of Rachel. It's just odd.
The climax also seemed weird to me. We had this tense moment where they're trying to save the kids while Orion distracts the Night Weaver. This seems like it should be our big finish...but instead, that scene ends, we have some down-time and /then/ we get into the final confrontation, during which Rachel has nothing to do because she's woefully underpowered compared to the other forces in play. That build-up and let-down seemed odd to me - I think it would have made more sense to lump them together. But that might just be me.
Overall, this was thoroughly enjoyable, and a good start to a promising series. I'll definitely check out the next novel, and I'd recommend this to any YA fantasy reader.
bobbeym's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
sarahk_aa15's review
4.0
The Night Weaver by Monique Snyman is a dark and twisted tale that will leave you with goosebumps. The book follows a group of teenagers as they try to uncover the truth behind a string of disappearances in their town.
Snyman's writing style is captivating, with vivid descriptions that bring the setting and characters to life. The story is fast-paced and full of suspense, keeping the reader on edge from start to finish.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own unique strengths and flaws. The protagonist, Aiden, is particularly compelling, as he grapples with his own inner demons while trying to solve the mystery.
The Night Weaver also delves into deeper themes of grief, trauma, and mental illness, adding layers of complexity to the story. Snyman handles these topics with sensitivity and nuance, never shying away from the darker aspects of the human experience.
While the book is not for the faint of heart, it is a gripping and satisfying read for fans of dark fantasy and horror. With its strong writing, complex characters, and intense storyline, The Night Weaver is a solid 4-star read.
Snyman's writing style is captivating, with vivid descriptions that bring the setting and characters to life. The story is fast-paced and full of suspense, keeping the reader on edge from start to finish.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own unique strengths and flaws. The protagonist, Aiden, is particularly compelling, as he grapples with his own inner demons while trying to solve the mystery.
The Night Weaver also delves into deeper themes of grief, trauma, and mental illness, adding layers of complexity to the story. Snyman handles these topics with sensitivity and nuance, never shying away from the darker aspects of the human experience.
While the book is not for the faint of heart, it is a gripping and satisfying read for fans of dark fantasy and horror. With its strong writing, complex characters, and intense storyline, The Night Weaver is a solid 4-star read.
a_blue_box_full_of_books's review
5.0
The Night Weaver is the rotten poisoned apple in Snow White. It is the first comparaison that comes to mind. Everything is beautiful and seems fine from the outside and you just need to scratch a little the surface to realize that something is wrong. It is what the reader, but also what Rachel, the main character, goes through, after reading a few pages of the novel. Yes, Shadow Grove seems to be a charming and calm little town, bordered by a beautiful green forest. But weird things definitely do happen there. Starting with the children, who disappear without a trace, leaving the adults at best a little worried.
Monique Snyman is definitively a strong story weaver and a master in story building. The heavy atmosphere is palpable. The drops of humor sprinkle here and there in the story are definitely needed. If you are acquitted with celtic folklore and beliefs , you rapidly understand what kind of creatures are lurking in the shadows. If you aren’t , they make themselves known throughout the pages, and you will appreciate the book the same, following the clues with Rachel.
I love the work Monique Snyman has done with the Fair Folk. It is to me, one of the best novels I have read on the subject for a while. It reminded me of Raymond E. Feist ‘s Faerie Tale or The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. It is dark, and draws deep inside human primal fears, nourishing of darkest dreams. So yes. Very good novel. I am definitely keeping an eye on Monique Snyman’s work.
nicozzy's review
2.0
This book started off so quick, there wasn’t a lot for me to stand on. So often it felt like I was reading the 2nd or 3rd book in a series because people and the town’s & Rachel’s history was referenced like I should know this already.
For one there’s zero world building. It appears like the setting is the ‘normal world: contemporary’. But when Rachel discovers a Black Annis - a Celtic forklore that was told to scare children - is not only a legend but is a real creature and is haunting her town & stealing children, she hardly even questions the discovery. Ugh and then comes the fae. She accidentally falls into a portal into the fae world and escapes fae captures with her cousin, Dougal. She doesn’t ask one question to Dougal about the fae - because apparently he knows fae are real, even though he seemed just as clueless as Rachel did when they set out looking for clues about the missing children.
How & when does he all of a sudden know these things?
There is almost no believable reaction made by Rachel or any of the characters, to what was happening in their town or what they were discovering.
Not to mention of the conversations between characters- particularly Greg & Rachel- is often awkward and stilted. I couldn’t help thinking - people don’t say things the way they did in a conversation.
I kept wondering why this book was compared to Twilight, until we meet Orion Blackwood. Orion is a fae prince hiding out in the mortal world. Apparently very attractive & powerful.
We get to glimpses of Orion’s past and how he’s connected to the Night Weaver. Even though the fae world does sound intriguing, once again there’s literally zero world building. Just all of sudden he has powers & apparently he has mastered 5 different magical abilities. Again, not very impressive when there’s no context.
Overall - this felt like a very underdeveloped story. It felt like the author had a lot of ideas so she put them all into one book and didn’t take the time to smooth things together and make it cohesive. It’s relatively short with 240 pages, so I’m not sure why the author didn’t expand on things. It’s disappointing because this felt like an interesting story if there was more to it besides surface level. Not to mention I loved the cover.
For one there’s zero world building. It appears like the setting is the ‘normal world: contemporary’. But when Rachel discovers a Black Annis - a Celtic forklore that was told to scare children - is not only a legend but is a real creature and is haunting her town & stealing children, she hardly even questions the discovery. Ugh and then comes the fae. She accidentally falls into a portal into the fae world and escapes fae captures with her cousin, Dougal. She doesn’t ask one question to Dougal about the fae - because apparently he knows fae are real, even though he seemed just as clueless as Rachel did when they set out looking for clues about the missing children.
How & when does he all of a sudden know these things?
There is almost no believable reaction made by Rachel or any of the characters, to what was happening in their town or what they were discovering.
Not to mention of the conversations between characters- particularly Greg & Rachel- is often awkward and stilted. I couldn’t help thinking - people don’t say things the way they did in a conversation.
I kept wondering why this book was compared to Twilight, until we meet Orion Blackwood. Orion is a fae prince hiding out in the mortal world. Apparently very attractive & powerful.
We get to glimpses of Orion’s past and how he’s connected to the Night Weaver. Even though the fae world does sound intriguing, once again there’s literally zero world building. Just all of sudden he has powers & apparently he has mastered 5 different magical abilities. Again, not very impressive when there’s no context.
Overall - this felt like a very underdeveloped story. It felt like the author had a lot of ideas so she put them all into one book and didn’t take the time to smooth things together and make it cohesive. It’s relatively short with 240 pages, so I’m not sure why the author didn’t expand on things. It’s disappointing because this felt like an interesting story if there was more to it besides surface level. Not to mention I loved the cover.
astifel21's review
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this YA thriller fantasy book. I couldn’t put it down. It was so good and I got so absorbed in it that when my boyfriend walked into the room to ask me something I screamed and nearly fell out of bed. This book had it all: disappearing children, creepy forest no one ever goes in, fantasy creatures, teenage romances, and teenagers having to save their parents. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I already feel so invested in the characters.
librarycatnip's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
3.75
A good fae adventure with a gentle urban fantasy setting.
dreamer4ever's review
3.0
Look at that cover, it's stunning. Now about the book, just real quick. Parts were really good and other parts, not so much. The story that was being told was good and there was some truly creepy and chilling things going on. The Night Weaver is a creature from nightmare. Now, the not so good...this was choppy and suffered from no flow. Reactions by the characters to certain things happening were either non existent or ridiculously inept for what they experienced. I did love a few of the characters and even Rachel, the main character wasn't so bad, she was brave and showed courage. Maybe this would have been better if it was longer and things had a chance to develop and play out, but it was rushed and for that, it suffered. So, I will not be reading the next one when it comes out. I had high hopes for this one.
vewokie's review
5.0
Wow! What an insanely fantastic book!
I've always enjoyed Monique's writing and her previous work (Muti Nation) is still one of my favourites.
This is, however new for Monique and absolutely incredible.
The story is gripping, dark and a definite read at every open gap you can find! The chapters are a little longer than I'm used to and I admit, most of the time I was on the edge of my seat, excited to read what's next.
I love that Monique doesn't have this airy fairy prettiness to her writing. It's a thrilling kind of dark that really appeals to me.
I cannot fault this book and I'm disappointment not more people have had the pleasure of reading it. It's fantastic and you WON'T doubt it.
Waiting impatiently now for book 2!
I've always enjoyed Monique's writing and her previous work (Muti Nation) is still one of my favourites.
This is, however new for Monique and absolutely incredible.
The story is gripping, dark and a definite read at every open gap you can find! The chapters are a little longer than I'm used to and I admit, most of the time I was on the edge of my seat, excited to read what's next.
I love that Monique doesn't have this airy fairy prettiness to her writing. It's a thrilling kind of dark that really appeals to me.
I cannot fault this book and I'm disappointment not more people have had the pleasure of reading it. It's fantastic and you WON'T doubt it.
Waiting impatiently now for book 2!
friedatweehuysen's review
5.0
So powerful! This is a strong story with fabulous characters. Rachel is great.