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sydapel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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? No
3.5
this had better be the start of a series, that's all I'm saying. There were a lot of elements I liked about this, from a plus sized kick ass female MC to the themes of greed and memory and forgiveness that always really draw me to urban fantasy. My grievance comes mainly from how little I felt I understood any of the magical elements, especially in the final act. Sure, I was hanging on every thread, but I'm not entirely sure I followed them in their entirety.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual content, and Physical abuse
sauvageloup's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
SO GOOD! Wish i hadn't tried to rush quite so much because of the event and savored it a bit more but still loved it
pros:
- the magic!!! i haven't read a book (that i remember) with shadow magic in it and i loved the whole thing. the alterationists, quickened shadows, the way the magic became known to the general public through the internet, etc. all of it :D
- Charlie. She's such a mess but she never really means badly by it and I loved how there's the reveal at the end how's she's been holding herself back because she's been afraid of what happens when she really tries. Her nickname of the Charlatan, her past with Rand, her really grey morality but still being loyal and good at heart, as well as her proud sexuality and her relationship with Vince - she doesn't realise how much she likes him and they've kept so many secrets, and yet they're both totally dedicated to the other and i loved that :)
- all the other characters!! Vince was amazing and I didn't guess at all that he was Edmund's shadow, which i should've really, but i'm so glad Charlie wasn't that fussed about it and i loved Posey, with her determination to be a gloamist. she was a mess too and making some questionable decisions, but she comes through for Charlie and i liked that she got some healing at the end too.
- the ending was bittersweet but in kind of a perfect way. I liked the possibility of Vince/Red getting his memory back and that Charlie wasn't gonna quit on him.
- Salt was such a good villain too, and Charlie's horror story past of meeting him first was so well done and creepy, because she was so young and relatively defenseless then, but still managed to keep her wits. she's such a survivor :)
- i definitely felt the similarity between BoN and Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. There's no dark academia, but the main characters are both 'not on their first mistake, but maybe their last' (as Black put it), a bit older, survivors and smart but jaded and making bad mistakes. there were strong resonances in the magic too, even though it's entirely different, there's the same wild danger of it and not quite knowing how it actually works or how the magic arises/the shadow is quickened. And there was a similar complex, mystery-based plot where both had too many names and was a bit confusing. but i loved both books all the same, and that type of tired-but-fierce female MC who is holding onto life with her teeth is the best :))
cons:
- there's a lot of names. i definitely got lost. Malik and Mahir i muddled up, i forgot who Paul Ecco and Adam and a bunch of the others, as well as small clues like the magnet Charlie found. i did rush through a bit, but it was still pretty complicated
- i did also find that Charlie's chaos kind of spilled into the plot? so i got lost a bit about how much time this was all taking, and the clues/plots/twists and turns felt very haphazard, according to just when the thought showed up in Charlie's mind. it definitely felt organic, but maybe a bit too much so
- also i'm not quite sure what was hinted at with Vince and Adelaine? did she have a relationship with Red? or Vince? or did she hurt Red when Vince wasn't there? idk
But overall, adored it and can't wait for book 2 :D
pros:
- the magic!!! i haven't read a book (that i remember) with shadow magic in it and i loved the whole thing. the alterationists, quickened shadows, the way the magic became known to the general public through the internet, etc. all of it :D
- Charlie. She's such a mess but she never really means badly by it and I loved how there's the reveal at the end how's she's been holding herself back because she's been afraid of what happens when she really tries. Her nickname of the Charlatan, her past with Rand, her really grey morality but still being loyal and good at heart, as well as her proud sexuality and her relationship with Vince - she doesn't realise how much she likes him and they've kept so many secrets, and yet they're both totally dedicated to the other and i loved that :)
- all the other characters!! Vince was amazing
- Salt was such a good villain too, and Charlie's horror story past of meeting him first was so well done and creepy, because she was so young and relatively defenseless then, but still managed to keep her wits. she's such a survivor :)
- i definitely felt the similarity between BoN and Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. There's no dark academia, but the main characters are both 'not on their first mistake, but maybe their last' (as Black put it), a bit older, survivors and smart but jaded and making bad mistakes. there were strong resonances in the magic too, even though it's entirely different, there's the same wild danger of it and not quite knowing how it actually works or how the magic arises/the shadow is quickened. And there was a similar complex, mystery-based plot where both had too many names and was a bit confusing. but i loved both books all the same, and that type of tired-but-fierce female MC who is holding onto life with her teeth is the best :))
cons:
- there's a lot of names. i definitely got lost. Malik and Mahir i muddled up, i forgot who Paul Ecco and Adam and a bunch of the others, as well as small clues like the magnet Charlie found. i did rush through a bit, but it was still pretty complicated
- i did also find that Charlie's chaos kind of spilled into the plot? so i got lost a bit about how much time this was all taking, and the clues/plots/twists and turns felt very haphazard, according to just when the thought showed up in Charlie's mind. it definitely felt organic, but maybe a bit too much so
But overall, adored it and can't wait for book 2 :D
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Violence, Self harm, Murder, Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Grief, Gore, Body horror, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Death, and Cursing
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Drug abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, Incest, and Forced institutionalization
the self harm is only explicitly for finger pricks for blood, but there's a lot of bad, self-sabotaging decisionsmidnightrose_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Book of Night is the first Adult book from fantasy author Holly Black. It’s about Charlie Hall and her life as a con artist. In the world of the book shadows play a huge part, and she’s tasked with stealing a book called the Liber Noctem or ‘Book of Blights’ for an eccentric billionaire named Lionel Salt. She has a past history with Salt as you learn while reading, as well as how her boyfriend Vince DaMamino is connected to him as well.
The first portion of the book is hard to get into (you’re essentially dropped into the world where you scramble to understand its mythology) and it wasn’t until after about 55 pages into it that things started to pick up. Definitely the later half, and particularly towards the end is when things get interesting. It took me way longer to read than it should have (the book is only 304 pages). Not sure if I will be continuing this series even though the last scene specifically was intriguing. If I do I will listen to it on audio or borrow it from the library.
The first portion of the book is hard to get into (you’re essentially dropped into the world where you scramble to understand its mythology) and it wasn’t until after about 55 pages into it that things started to pick up. Definitely the later half, and particularly towards the end is when things get interesting. It took me way longer to read than it should have (the book is only 304 pages). Not sure if I will be continuing this series even though the last scene specifically was intriguing. If I do I will listen to it on audio or borrow it from the library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Kidnapping and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content
roxy_reads_romance's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Incest
emma_lasagna's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse
Moderate: Sexual content
nicoley3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cursing, and Death
Moderate: Drug use, Alcoholism, Murder, and Sexual content
sarafreddie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have been a Holly Black fan since I was seventeen and first picked up her Modern Fairy Tale series, and after reading all of the subsequent releases she’s become an auto buy author for me, I loved The Coldest Girl In Coldtown, The Darkest Part of The Forest, The Folk of The Air series and even the first book in the Curseworkers series (which I enjoyed but still need to read the rest of that series.)
Now, I absolutely loved her early style of writing which I found a lot darker and imbued with a grittier realism that we don’t see as much of in her work post The Cruel Prince. With the announcement of her first adult fantasy, I had high hopes that the grittier tone would make a reappearance in The Book of Night. And for the most part, I’d say it did!
The wickedly dark, urban fantasy tone that I’d come to know and love in Kaye and Roiben’s story is back. But instead of duplicitous fae, we get shadowy magicians, a murder mystery and a retired criminal and a high stakes heist that I was definitely invested in.
I loved Charlie our protagonist and resident underdog and she tries to unravel the mystery she’s unexpectedly connected to, magnificently unravelling one plot twist after another. I do warn that the mystery aspect is pretty intregal to the plot and so, despite being fantasy it does read more like a mystery that happens to have magic/ fantastical elements rather than a straight urban fantasy.
I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoiling the plot but, if like me you’ve read and enjoyed The Modern Faerie Tales or The Curseworkers series—or are partial to urban fantasy with elements of dark realism and a ton of plot twists, then I definitely recommend checking this out. If you’re looking for the next Cruel Prince however, you may find yourself a little disappointed.
Personally I absolutely loved this and feel the only downside was the cliffhanger ending. I’m hoping this is the start of a series and not a standalone because I really need to know what happens next!
Now, I absolutely loved her early style of writing which I found a lot darker and imbued with a grittier realism that we don’t see as much of in her work post The Cruel Prince. With the announcement of her first adult fantasy, I had high hopes that the grittier tone would make a reappearance in The Book of Night. And for the most part, I’d say it did!
The wickedly dark, urban fantasy tone that I’d come to know and love in Kaye and Roiben’s story is back. But instead of duplicitous fae, we get shadowy magicians, a murder mystery and a retired criminal and a high stakes heist that I was definitely invested in.
I loved Charlie our protagonist and resident underdog and she tries to unravel the mystery she’s unexpectedly connected to, magnificently unravelling one plot twist after another. I do warn that the mystery aspect is pretty intregal to the plot and so, despite being fantasy it does read more like a mystery that happens to have magic/ fantastical elements rather than a straight urban fantasy.
I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoiling the plot but, if like me you’ve read and enjoyed The Modern Faerie Tales or The Curseworkers series—or are partial to urban fantasy with elements of dark realism and a ton of plot twists, then I definitely recommend checking this out. If you’re looking for the next Cruel Prince however, you may find yourself a little disappointed.
Personally I absolutely loved this and feel the only downside was the cliffhanger ending. I’m hoping this is the start of a series and not a standalone because I really need to know what happens next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Addiction and Incest
katiemack's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've heard many good things about Holly Black, but this is the first book of hers I've read. (And it happens to be her adult debut.) It starts off strong--Charlie's backstory is incorporated well, and her dialogue with the other characters is sharp and unexpectedly funny. Black's world-building ability is strong as well, and the chemistry between Charlie and Vince is solid.
By the middle of the book, I found myself getting a little bored and was struggling to pay attention to the different characters. Somehow it felt like nothing was happening while Black simultaneously introduced different side characters and their roles in this treacherous, underground shadow world. I thought there would be a little bit more action and less politics, I suppose.
I'm still curious enough to read a follow-up, and I'm definitely going to read Black's YA novels (about which I've heard rave reviews). Give this a try if you're looking for a new dark urban fantasy novel.
I've heard many good things about Holly Black, but this is the first book of hers I've read. (And it happens to be her adult debut.) It starts off strong--Charlie's backstory is incorporated well, and her dialogue with the other characters is sharp and unexpectedly funny. Black's world-building ability is strong as well, and the chemistry between Charlie and Vince is solid.
By the middle of the book, I found myself getting a little bored and was struggling to pay attention to the different characters. Somehow it felt like nothing was happening while Black simultaneously introduced different side characters and their roles in this treacherous, underground shadow world. I thought there would be a little bit more action and less politics, I suppose.
I'm still curious enough to read a follow-up, and I'm definitely going to read Black's YA novels (about which I've heard rave reviews). Give this a try if you're looking for a new dark urban fantasy novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
ode_to_readers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
4.5
WTF WAS THAT ENDING EXCUSE ME HOLLY BLACK
Okay so the book was a little slow to begin with, the build up and understanding of how shadows worked and the lingo being a struggle. The chapters flick between past and present, Charlie and others. It's both a good thing and a bad thing because the in-between chapters give some more depth but they happen just as there's a cliffhanger on the previous chapter so half the time I'm tempted to skip forward.
At first I didn't really care for Charlie all that much. I like her now but there's still something I can't quite place my finger on why she bothers me. However, Vince became my favourite about half way through and I loved their relationship with each other.
Towards the end of the book, the amount of times you think something is about to happen the way you want it to and Holly just snatches that hope right out of your hands. And then does it again and again.
AND THAT ENDING?!?!?!
Okay so the book was a little slow to begin with, the build up and understanding of how shadows worked and the lingo being a struggle. The chapters flick between past and present, Charlie and others. It's both a good thing and a bad thing because the in-between chapters give some more depth but they happen just as there's a cliffhanger on the previous chapter so half the time I'm tempted to skip forward.
At first I didn't really care for Charlie all that much. I like her now but there's still something I can't quite place my finger on why she bothers me. However, Vince became my favourite about half way through and I loved their relationship with each other.
Towards the end of the book, the amount of times you think something is about to happen the way you want it to and Holly just snatches that hope right out of your hands. And then does it again and again.
AND THAT ENDING?!?!?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Self harm, Drug use, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual content and Cancer