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A review by paperprivateer
The Kiss of the Nightingale by Adi Denner
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
I saw later that this book was supposed to give Bridgerton vibes with some added Phantom of the Opera feeling. I didn’t pick up on either of those while reading it, but if you like those elements of opera, intrigue, and romance, then this book may appeal to you.
The magic system in this book is likely to appeal to many YA fantasy readers. The blood magic and gift elements are reminiscent of other works, but it has uniqueness that makes the book as a whole feel fresh. The setting also had familiar elements, and the details of things like opera performers fighting for parts and fame made the side characters and setting come to life. There’s an almost dizzying amount of description of both opulence and desperation that make reading the book feel enchanting. I do wish there was more context on talents and how people survive without them since it’s such a major part of the story, but I only had those questions after I finished, not during it.
The main character, Cleo, is an interesting one, as she is somewhat naive and world-weary at the same time. She’s been used to loss and disappointment, and she’s desperate to change her life and her sister’s. Because of that, she doesn’t always fully think through the consequences of doing something or the emotional response she has to something. She makes several bad decisions and gets in with the wrong people. However, I liked how in the end, she’s given the chance to make things right and is allowed to change and grow. She doesn’t get off lightly, but there is an understanding of the nuance and complexity that she’s had to navigate.
Cleo’s frequent battles are both frustrating and endearing, making reading the book fun for me. They demonstrate how people in desperate circumstances sometimes make desperate decisions, but it’s never done in a way that makes me get too frustrated with her or the book to continue. In a nutshell, she feels very human.
There’s something of a love triangle, but this one didn’t feel annoying. The choices were so different, representing different wants, needs, and things Cleo is trying to discover about herself. It’s less of a love triangle for the sake of one and more a reflection on the complexity Cleo is facing in trying to determine who she wants to be and what she wants her life to look like. I did wish the lesbian side of the relationship read as a little less exotic and potentially stereotypical that way, but the fact that there are other LGBTQ characters in society helps take away some of the annoyance of that. I did REALLY want Cleo to take a second to think about something other than her female love interest's body for a change though, especially considering how little she seems to think about the male interest’s physical appearance. It occasionally seemed imbalanced, but it feels like it ends with the right mix and decision.
There’s a lot about this book that feels almost seductive. It’s full of wonder, glitz, glam, passion and romance, desperation, mystery, loyalty, friendship, enchanting characters, and enough ties to the real world to feel grounded. While not a perfect book, there’s a lot to enjoy here, and I can see romantasy readers and YA fiction lovers alike enjoying this.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. The opinions are my own and were not influenced by receiving a copy.
The magic system in this book is likely to appeal to many YA fantasy readers. The blood magic and gift elements are reminiscent of other works, but it has uniqueness that makes the book as a whole feel fresh. The setting also had familiar elements, and the details of things like opera performers fighting for parts and fame made the side characters and setting come to life. There’s an almost dizzying amount of description of both opulence and desperation that make reading the book feel enchanting. I do wish there was more context on talents and how people survive without them since it’s such a major part of the story, but I only had those questions after I finished, not during it.
The main character, Cleo, is an interesting one, as she is somewhat naive and world-weary at the same time. She’s been used to loss and disappointment, and she’s desperate to change her life and her sister’s. Because of that, she doesn’t always fully think through the consequences of doing something or the emotional response she has to something. She makes several bad decisions and gets in with the wrong people. However, I liked how in the end, she’s given the chance to make things right and is allowed to change and grow. She doesn’t get off lightly, but there is an understanding of the nuance and complexity that she’s had to navigate.
Cleo’s frequent battles are both frustrating and endearing, making reading the book fun for me. They demonstrate how people in desperate circumstances sometimes make desperate decisions, but it’s never done in a way that makes me get too frustrated with her or the book to continue. In a nutshell, she feels very human.
There’s something of a love triangle, but this one didn’t feel annoying. The choices were so different, representing different wants, needs, and things Cleo is trying to discover about herself. It’s less of a love triangle for the sake of one and more a reflection on the complexity Cleo is facing in trying to determine who she wants to be and what she wants her life to look like. I did wish the lesbian side of the relationship read as a little less exotic and potentially stereotypical that way, but the fact that there are other LGBTQ characters in society helps take away some of the annoyance of that. I did REALLY want Cleo to take a second to think about something other than her female love interest's body for a change though, especially considering how little she seems to think about the male interest’s physical appearance. It occasionally seemed imbalanced, but it feels like it ends with the right mix and decision.
There’s a lot about this book that feels almost seductive. It’s full of wonder, glitz, glam, passion and romance, desperation, mystery, loyalty, friendship, enchanting characters, and enough ties to the real world to feel grounded. While not a perfect book, there’s a lot to enjoy here, and I can see romantasy readers and YA fiction lovers alike enjoying this.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. The opinions are my own and were not influenced by receiving a copy.