Scan barcode
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: Confinement, Violence, Gun violence, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Murder
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: Death, Blood, Classism, Child abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, and Sexual content
molly_greenshields's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Folk of the Air was one of the best YA fantasy series' I read last year, so I was excited to delve into Holly Black's first foray into adult fantasy with Book of Night. Although it took me a minute to get into the swing of the pacing (slightly slow for my liking and a wee bit too technical on the world-building front), I grew to really love Charlie's character and the shadow magic was a stroke of creative genius! The ending was... a little bit predictable but I loved it nonetheless, and cannot wait for book #2. Holly Black: Faerie Queen & Gloamist Goddess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Gore
stardust_heidi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.5
I had a complicated experience with this book. It dragged so much, and then right when it started moving, we'd get a chapter where we jump back to the past. And all the momentum was lost. There were a lot of character that got garbled up at times, and the pacing was really rough throughout. I think it picked up for me in the last 75 pages, and of course it ended in a wtf moment. I'm kind of glad the next book isn't out yet, because I wouldn't be super motivated to continue at the moment. I'm hoping the next book is able to move more quickly now that we have the bulk of the plot/history outlined.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Physical abuse, and Gore
billie_budd's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
Holly Black is really excellent at writing compellingly sticky relationships and I loved getting to read that in an adult-fiction context. This book was grimy and gritty in all the right ways, really rich with setting and detail but still fast paced. Genuinely a delight to get a glimpse of drag shows and kink and gay makeouts in the background of so many scenes.
My main quibble with the book was with the magic-users’ little governance committee—I wish she’d gone for a structure and name without the antisemitic connotations of a “cabal.”
My main quibble with the book was with the magic-users’ little governance committee—I wish she’d gone for a structure and name without the antisemitic connotations of a “cabal.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
elocinrenae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Murder
jen0788'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
4.25
Really enjoy this. Well written and paced fantasy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Violence
kat_184's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.75
It took me about 100 pages into the book before I was really hooked, but once I was into it I could hardly put it down. Liked the original story, twists and turns I couldn't always keep up with (although I had the satisfaction of guessing one plot twist).
I loved that the main character, Charlie, is in her late-twenties. It's believable that she could have the knowledge she possesses for the crimes she commits - but I was expecting some more greatness to her skill than what we got to see (and never understood why she had to use ariel-silks to train since they never came up again).
The fantasy story in modern-day setting was a little jarring to me at first, but I settled into it eventually.
I've recently become a fan of Holly Black. I love her writing style and find she has a fascinating way of describing the most horrific scenes. In terms of romance, her slow-burn in The Folk of The Air series is more satisfying than what was in this Adult fiction - I don't particularly care, but some readers might come from the YA to this adult debut expecting more, so just cap your expectations.
I loved that the main character, Charlie, is in her late-twenties. It's believable that she could have the knowledge she possesses for the crimes she commits - but I was expecting some more greatness to her skill than what we got to see (and never understood why she had to use ariel-silks to train since they never came up again).
The fantasy story in modern-day setting was a little jarring to me at first, but I settled into it eventually.
I've recently become a fan of Holly Black. I love her writing style and find she has a fascinating way of describing the most horrific scenes. In terms of romance, her slow-burn in The Folk of The Air series is more satisfying than what was in this Adult fiction - I don't particularly care, but some readers might come from the YA to this adult debut expecting more, so just cap your expectations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Gore
avie_j's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Murder
casuallygle's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Child abuse, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Incest and Blood