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cc_shelflove's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
Four days of pure TORTURE, and not even in a good way! This book was a mess. There was no world building and the magic was explained only in bits and pieces. At times I had no idea what I was reading. In short, people in Book of Night can modify their shadows—give them wings, memories they don’t want anymore, magical powers… I still don’t totally know and I don’t care! For this reader, it almost felt like there was a book missing before this one. Also, Holly Black calls herself a New Englander but doesn’t even know that Dunkin’ Donuts does not sell bear claws? The fuck?? This book had the dullest, crappiest characters ever, man, and it even included a paragraph about a third nipple that I have no idea how it got past the editor. Save your time and don’t read this. Truly one of the worst books I’ve ever read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
tuckedwithinpages's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Murder
Moderate: Drug use
iloponis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
holly black, how can you name drop so many western mass landmarks and not refer to the umass library as web du bois library
i kind of didnt really understand a lot of this plot and i did predict parts of the ending but i ended up rly enjoying this. loooved vince.
i kind of didnt really understand a lot of this plot and i did predict parts of the ending but i ended up rly enjoying this. loooved vince.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Murder
taryn_g's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Gore, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent
bezarue's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I actually liked this a lot more than I thought I was going to. The world was well set up, and the mystery kept me gripped to see how it was all going to play out. I worked out that Vince was Red long before it was revealed but I don't think that rly ruined it for me. I didn't love any of the characters but they didn't irritate me either so. Yup, solid
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Alcohol
taylora's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Incest
leedolee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I've always been fascinated by the idea of shadows existing as separate and living entities so this book certainly fit the bill. It was a great and entertaining read and had a world I will surely return to when the sequel is released.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
lost_windsock's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This story captured my attention from the first page. The back and forth between the past and present was compelling, and the shadow magic was interesting and well executed. There was plenty of action and a lot of tense moments, and it just flowed so perfectly and had me hanging on every interaction and decision Charlie made.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
chrisduhbird's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Addiction and Sexual content
leahfoko's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was so good. It took me a little bit to get into the story and understand the world because there was a lot to it, but once I was hooked I was hooked. I felt like I was able to predict some of the twists but at that the same time I had no idea what was coming. The plot beats and surprises were the kind that looking back maybe should’ve been obvious but they felt like HUGE surprises at the time and were so unique from the kind of plot points you’d expect in a fantasy. Which is the best kind, the kind where all the pieces were set up for you along the way and you put the puzzle together as Charlie did.
Speaking of Charlie, at times I got kind of annoyed at her character for being bullheaded but that was also who she was and I couldn’t fault her for that at the end of the day because she needed to be that way to develop as a character and get to where she was at the end of the book.
I really felt while reading this book that I had never read anything like it before and that is saying something. Holly Black once again coming in with the unique and wonderful world building. I also really liked that the story wrapped up pretty succinctly at the end while also leaving me intrigued for the second book. For a bit there I wasn’t sure what was going to be left to keep me hooked into wanting to read book two, but then she did it! Last minute hook to keep me coming back for more, while also feeling like the book could stand pretty well on its own if it needed to. I really appreciated that.
Overall I really liked this book, I’m going with 4.5 stars because it took a bit to get going and at times I felt a bit confused and lost trying to keep track of all the pieces of information about the world that were coming my way that it felt a bit like an overload of information at times. But that comes with the elaborate world building at times. I would definitely recommend this book though to fans of Holly Black!
Speaking of Charlie, at times I got kind of annoyed at her character for being bullheaded but that was also who she was and I couldn’t fault her for that at the end of the day because she needed to be that way to develop as a character and get to where she was at the end of the book.
I really felt while reading this book that I had never read anything like it before and that is saying something. Holly Black once again coming in with the unique and wonderful world building. I also really liked that the story wrapped up pretty succinctly at the end while also leaving me intrigued for the second book. For a bit there I wasn’t sure what was going to be left to keep me hooked into wanting to read book two, but then she did it! Last minute hook to keep me coming back for more, while also feeling like the book could stand pretty well on its own if it needed to. I really appreciated that.
Overall I really liked this book, I’m going with 4.5 stars because it took a bit to get going and at times I felt a bit confused and lost trying to keep track of all the pieces of information about the world that were coming my way that it felt a bit like an overload of information at times. But that comes with the elaborate world building at times. I would definitely recommend this book though to fans of Holly Black!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Sexual content