queenstaves 's review for:

Book of Night by Holly Black

4.0

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

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The worldbuilding feels natural and textured. The characters feel real and complex. The story is engaging emotionally and in terms of action, while allowing for the reader to allow down and process. The foreshadowing is excellent, and even I "called" the ending, I was still surprised and satisfied, like I solved a puzzle instead of predicting a story. 

I am so in love with the protagonists. I'm very excited for the second in this duology. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Gore, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

I did put a warning for inc3st because one antagonist has an unhealthy love for a relative and it's not gratuitious but it's also not dealt with in a way where it feels like a necessary plot point. It explains an obsession but its narratively underdeveloped and that makes it stand out in a way that feels like it's not treated the most appropriately. The protagonist is trained by an adult but nothing physically/sexually abusive happens. There are people who think that it happens, and that is talked about. Two protagonists are drugged, as well as one supporting character. There are mentions of characters that we never meet struggling with addiction, and having addiction being used as a manipulation tactic. There are family dynamics of abandonment and abuse. Ultimately, the content comes across as being a natural complex part of the world and dealt with in a way that feels real to the tone and plot, and not used as "edgy" flavor.