Book of Night

Book of Night

  • Downloads:3155
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-05-04 04:20:19
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Holly Black
  • ISBN:1250812194
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

#1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black makes her stunning adult debut with Book of Night, a modern dark fantasy of shadowy thieves and secret societies in the vein of Ninth House and The Night Circus

In Charlie Hall’s world, shadows can be altered, for entertainment and cosmetic preferences—but also to increase power and influence。 You can alter someone’s feelings—and memories—but manipulating shadows has a cost, with the potential to take hours or days from your life。 Your shadow holds all the parts of you that you want to keep hidden—a second self, standing just to your left, walking behind you into lit rooms。 And sometimes, it has a life of its own。

Charlie is a low-level con artist, working as a bartender while trying to distance herself from the powerful and dangerous underground world of shadow trading。 She gets by doing odd jobs for her patrons and the naive new money in her town at the edge of the Berkshires。 But when a terrible figure from her past returns, Charlie’s present life is thrown into chaos, and her future seems at best, unclear—and at worst, non-existent。 Determined to survive, Charlie throws herself into a maelstrom of secrets and murder, setting her against a cast of doppelgangers, mercurial billionaires, shadow thieves, and her own sister—all desperate to control the magic of the shadows。

With sharp angles and prose, and a sinister bent, Holly Black is a master of shadow and story stitching。 Remember while you read, light isn’t playing tricks in Book of Night, the people are。

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Reviews

Leslie

This is an extremely honest review。 So be fore warned! It may not be the popular opinion。 I couldn't wait to start reading the latest from Holly Black。 I snuggled in on a cozy morning。。。。and became immediately bored。 I was shocked! I kept going。。。。。I struggled。 Maybe it was keeping up with so many characters? I ended up putting it down for quite some time。 Well。。。。I don't like DNFs so I slugged my way past halfway and it FINALLY started to roll! Once it hit I finished that day。 It came together。 This is an extremely honest review。 So be fore warned! It may not be the popular opinion。 I couldn't wait to start reading the latest from Holly Black。 I snuggled in on a cozy morning。。。。and became immediately bored。 I was shocked! I kept going。。。。。I struggled。 Maybe it was keeping up with so many characters? I ended up putting it down for quite some time。 Well。。。。I don't like DNFs so I slugged my way past halfway and it FINALLY started to roll! Once it hit I finished that day。 It came together。 I still feel that maybe all the characters, maybe the setting just wasn't my taste。 Because of that and slow start I gave it a lower rating。 。。。more

Amanda

I won this ARC from a Goodreads giveaway。 I was very excited to read this book because I love pretty much everything the author has published。 I was disappointed in her venture into the world of writing for adults。 I really liked the main character。 I feel like there is a lot of room for development and the author explored a different side of hero than her typical main characters。 I liked her spunky, take no prisoners attitude, and yet she was covering a softness that she didn’t really let peopl I won this ARC from a Goodreads giveaway。 I was very excited to read this book because I love pretty much everything the author has published。 I was disappointed in her venture into the world of writing for adults。 I really liked the main character。 I feel like there is a lot of room for development and the author explored a different side of hero than her typical main characters。 I liked her spunky, take no prisoners attitude, and yet she was covering a softness that she didn’t really let people see。 I would be very interested in seeing more of this character。 What caused me to give the book 2* was the extreme depth the author dug into the mysticism as the foundation of the plot。 It was a great concept, but there were multiple times I felt like I needed to reread chunks of the chapter, and very slowly, to grasp what exactly I was supposed to understand about how the world worked。 It felt like the author knew what she wanted to say, had perhaps spent years internally building the storyline, then forgot that her readers were brand new to some of the concepts。My other issue was the extreme amount of profanity that the author chose to include。 Quite a bit of it felt gratuitous and only used because she knew that the adult genre (vs the YA) she wouldn’t get dinged for the excess and made to edit it out。 There was definitely more use of the f-word in the first 75 pages than in the rest of the book, but it did show up throughout all of the chapters。 There was a bit of sex in the book, but not even so much that it made me feel uncomfortable。Overall, with some editing (yes, I realize it’s too late for that), I think this book shows a lot of potential。 Ms Black is still one of my favorite authors。 。。。more

Cleo Bouch

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Omg omg omg。 I literally can’t get over the ending。 I loved the book although the romance was a little slow。 Like I didn’t fully see it coming (kinda thought they would break up and he would be like an irrelevant-ish side character at the start) towards the end it just kept getting better。 Actually loved it。 So excited for the next one。

Kala __reads

Firstly I would LOVE to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the first three chapters 😍😍 You’re the absolute best!!I’m a huge Holly Black fan and this is one of my anticipated reads of 2022 and I absolutely loved the taster of this book!! ❤️❤️ I’m already so fascinated by Charlie - she seems so cool but with a side of melancholy and regret。 I’ve met Vince and Posey and I’m totally intrigued by them too。 I’m so interested in where the story will go and what the shadow magic really is。 The murder Firstly I would LOVE to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the first three chapters 😍😍 You’re the absolute best!!I’m a huge Holly Black fan and this is one of my anticipated reads of 2022 and I absolutely loved the taster of this book!! ❤️❤️ I’m already so fascinated by Charlie - she seems so cool but with a side of melancholy and regret。 I’ve met Vince and Posey and I’m totally intrigued by them too。 I’m so interested in where the story will go and what the shadow magic really is。 The murder that happens early on totally has me hooked and now I’m just sitting and waiting for my copy to arrive from Waterstones 😂😅 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for sure(This will be updated when I’ve read the rest of the book of course!!) 。。。more

Kristen Beverly

The Book of Night is bestselling author Holly Black’s fantastic adult fantasy。 It is set in a world where shadows can be manipulated to do things for their owners and they can also be stolen。 Charlie Hall has done some nefarious things in her lifetime, but she’s trying to go on the straight and narrow when someone from her past reappears。 Now, Charlie must do some dangerous things and steal a secret in order to survive。 This is a dark and twisted fantasy that is perfect for fans of The Invisible The Book of Night is bestselling author Holly Black’s fantastic adult fantasy。 It is set in a world where shadows can be manipulated to do things for their owners and they can also be stolen。 Charlie Hall has done some nefarious things in her lifetime, but she’s trying to go on the straight and narrow when someone from her past reappears。 Now, Charlie must do some dangerous things and steal a secret in order to survive。 This is a dark and twisted fantasy that is perfect for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Ninth House and Black’s previous books。 I'm really excited to see where it goes next。 。。。more

Marlene

If you're itching for a book that's simply all vibes and a shallow plot you can guess the outcome of within the first 20 pages, with even shallower characters and a bonus unresolved weird incest storyline, this one is for you。 (1。5) If you're itching for a book that's simply all vibes and a shallow plot you can guess the outcome of within the first 20 pages, with even shallower characters and a bonus unresolved weird incest storyline, this one is for you。 (1。5) 。。。more

Emma Davies

My first insight of a Holly Black book and it didn't disappoint! This three chapter excerpt has certainly wet my appetite and I found it most intriguing。 I want to know more about shadow magic, Carapaces, Puppeteers and Gloamists。 And, who was the stranger with shadow hands? I can see this book being a very popular read。 My first insight of a Holly Black book and it didn't disappoint! This three chapter excerpt has certainly wet my appetite and I found it most intriguing。 I want to know more about shadow magic, Carapaces, Puppeteers and Gloamists。 And, who was the stranger with shadow hands? I can see this book being a very popular read。 。。。more

Titas Choudhury

This is my first read from Holly Black and I have mixed feelings。 I have been given the first three chapters to review and I enjoyed reading them, and won’t mind reading the entire book。 The introduction isn’t slow, but isn’t fast either, and a lot of information is thrust at the reader which gets explained consequently。 The style of writing is unique, and is serious in a way not seen much in fantasy novels。 The air of magic and mystery was nice to read, thrown in with humanised characters。 The This is my first read from Holly Black and I have mixed feelings。 I have been given the first three chapters to review and I enjoyed reading them, and won’t mind reading the entire book。 The introduction isn’t slow, but isn’t fast either, and a lot of information is thrust at the reader which gets explained consequently。 The style of writing is unique, and is serious in a way not seen much in fantasy novels。 The air of magic and mystery was nice to read, thrown in with humanised characters。 The mix of real and fantasy was also a balanced blend, making the read more pleasurable。 The only place I felt odd was the ending of chapters, which have no incentive to make the reader keep reading。 Perhaps this is because these are the first three chapters, but all of them ended with a certain sense of closure。Since the rating system is in whole numbers, I’d like to mention, so far, I’d rate the read 3。5 stars。 。。。more

Jess

I received this ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Macmillan/Tor-Forge in exchange for an honest reviewI will extend this review soon, but for now let's just say this is a solid adult fantasy debut from an author who is already one of the masters of YA fantasy。 It's darker and more grown up than Black's YA works, but it is still very much a Holly Black book。 I received this ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Macmillan/Tor-Forge in exchange for an honest reviewI will extend this review soon, but for now let's just say this is a solid adult fantasy debut from an author who is already one of the masters of YA fantasy。 It's darker and more grown up than Black's YA works, but it is still very much a Holly Black book。 。。。more

Jacquelyn

Having never read her Folk of the Air series (or any other book by her) the Book of Night is my introduction to Holly Black and let me tell you it was quite the introduction。 I am a sucker for a good morally gray character and Charlie ticks all of the boxes for me。 She was such a fun character and I loved her and Vince together。 The story was told in alternating timelines (past vs present) as well as multiple perspectives (mostly Charlie but there are a few glimpses from Vince and/or Remy)。 Put Having never read her Folk of the Air series (or any other book by her) the Book of Night is my introduction to Holly Black and let me tell you it was quite the introduction。 I am a sucker for a good morally gray character and Charlie ticks all of the boxes for me。 She was such a fun character and I loved her and Vince together。 The story was told in alternating timelines (past vs present) as well as multiple perspectives (mostly Charlie but there are a few glimpses from Vince and/or Remy)。 Put all of these together and we, the reader, can get a more complete picture of what is really going on in this world。 The magic system fascinated me。 I won't lie though, I may have looked at my shadow once or twice just to make sure it wasn't moving on its own。 And that twist。。。。I wasn't expecting that at all!!Overall a solid introduction to a new world and characters and I can't wait to see where Black takes these characters next。 The ending alone has me here eagerly waiting another book so that I can spend more time with these characters。Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the advanced digital copy。 。。。more

Sam

This was so different than anything I’ve ever read, but reminiscent of some of my favourite video games for it’s dark heist qualities and multiple twists。 The middle slowed the whole story down and something like this required a lot of world building but overall everything fell into place。 But I’m ANGRY 😤 That end! This better be a series!

booksforscee

What’s the book you are most excited to read this year ? 🌱✨In a world where shadows really are more than they seem Charlie Hall does her best to ignore them。 This one is definitely a rollercoaster once things really get going, and more pieces fall into place。 It’s definitely not what I was expecting with the secret societies and such - but tbh I love that。 It’s definitely the outsiders pov looking at the secret societies and using what they need。 I like to call it wild dark academia。 You can lea What’s the book you are most excited to read this year ? 🌱✨In a world where shadows really are more than they seem Charlie Hall does her best to ignore them。 This one is definitely a rollercoaster once things really get going, and more pieces fall into place。 It’s definitely not what I was expecting with the secret societies and such - but tbh I love that。 It’s definitely the outsiders pov looking at the secret societies and using what they need。 I like to call it wild dark academia。 You can learn what you need from anywhere, rules are made to be broken and formal education is meaningless if you don’t use your brain。✨Charlie is pretty done with life - a sentiment we can all relate to lol。 She has some pretty heavy self confidence issues。 Shes self destructive BUT she still keeps a sort of family life which is great。 Shes trying the straight laced life, when all her life she’s only been good at nefarious activities - the thrill of a con the only thing that makes her feel alive。 But trouble keeps finding her, so she starts following a mystery that started in her childhood and one that she is determined to see an end to。✨Tbh I struggled with the flashbacks every other chapter at the beginning - it really took me out of the story - like I just wanted to get back to the current day storyline lol。 Also there’s tons of modern brand drops and stuff - ik it’s modern day but it gives me such a take for a minute for some reason 😂But once things started to actually kick up a level ( which was a good 100 pages in btw ) it got easier to get hooked。 Definitely gave me Supernatural, House of Hollow vibes the whole way through and It’s left me wanting more too。More ramblings to come 🌱✨Huge thanks to @delreyuk publishing and @blackholly for this amazing opportunity 。。。more

Scottie Draughon

Shadow magic。 Shadows as their own things。 It was like Peter Pan but instead of just Peter's shadow it is literally everyone's shadow (and sometimes no one's shadow! Just a shadow! On its own!)。 Charlie "Charlatan" Hall is a thief and con artist through and through, but she's trying her best to go straight。 She has a boyfriend and a job and no plans to go back to her previous life。 However, while no plans is her intention, life doesn't seem to have the same thing in mind。 While walking home one Shadow magic。 Shadows as their own things。 It was like Peter Pan but instead of just Peter's shadow it is literally everyone's shadow (and sometimes no one's shadow! Just a shadow! On its own!)。 Charlie "Charlatan" Hall is a thief and con artist through and through, but she's trying her best to go straight。 She has a boyfriend and a job and no plans to go back to her previous life。 However, while no plans is her intention, life doesn't seem to have the same thing in mind。 While walking home one night, Charlie comes across a dead body with its shadow shredded and the Hierophant, the hunting dog of the Gloamists, nearby。 Gloamists are those with quickened shadows, shadows that have become more than。 Charlie finds herself drawn back into that world and one last heist, one that will change everything for her and those she loves。 I love shadow magic and I love heists and this combines both of those into one amazing story。 Charlie is a character who, if not always likable, is always understandable。 Her motivations feel authentic。 The story itself isn't predictable either, or maybe I should say it's just predictable enough。 I never felt caught off-guard, everything makes sense as it happens, and I only figured out the twists until I was supposed to (or just before I was supposed to)。 Amazing, and I will be buying it when my store puts it out。 。。。more

Angie Elle

2。5 stars。Pacing, confusion, a lack of action and an unsatisfying ending made this one a dud for me。

Joleen (starlightbooktales)

I’m not 100% how I feel just yet

Veronica

I really enjoyed this book。 The magic presented is unique and kind of gritty。 This is a book about street magic and real people who do stupid things even as they try to do better。 Charlie is a fully fleshed out and complex character, as are those around her。 I haven't read any of Black's YA fiction, so I can't speak to the differences, but this didn't read as a YA book to me at all, the way some authors who make the jump do。 This book stands complete by the end, but Black could easily do a follo I really enjoyed this book。 The magic presented is unique and kind of gritty。 This is a book about street magic and real people who do stupid things even as they try to do better。 Charlie is a fully fleshed out and complex character, as are those around her。 I haven't read any of Black's YA fiction, so I can't speak to the differences, but this didn't read as a YA book to me at all, the way some authors who make the jump do。 This book stands complete by the end, but Black could easily do a follow-up and I'd read it asap。 Highly recommended。 Thank you Tor and Edelweiss for granting me an eARC for review。)(This book put me in mind of Elizabeth Hand's The Book of Lamps and Banners, which also features a down-on-her-luck book thief。 I like both, but maybe this one a bit better。) 。。。more

B

Still trying to figure out how I felt about this book, but usually I can finish a book in 2-4 days and this one took me over 20 so I think that。。。 might be a tell。

Penny

I’ve never read a book by this author because I’m not a huge fan of YA, but I’ve heard such good things about her that I requested to read this book。 I started this book, and I thought the universe was unique with the shadows being a huge part of magic。 After finishing it, I’m seriously conflicted。 It was very well-written and interesting, but I really didn’t feel for the characters for quite a while, and it seemed to take a while to get the action going。 However, it flowed very well, it did imp I’ve never read a book by this author because I’m not a huge fan of YA, but I’ve heard such good things about her that I requested to read this book。 I started this book, and I thought the universe was unique with the shadows being a huge part of magic。 After finishing it, I’m seriously conflicted。 It was very well-written and interesting, but I really didn’t feel for the characters for quite a while, and it seemed to take a while to get the action going。 However, it flowed very well, it did improve, and I did eventually get really invested in the book。 I think fans of this author will enjoy this。 3 ½ stars rounded up。 Recommend。 I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed。 。。。more

Julith Perry

We definitely need more adult books from Holly! This book for sure isn’t for everyone and it might be a bit of an adjustment for readers of her other work but I really did enjoy it! Check CW’s before reading, please。

Cait

I really wanted to like this book as I have been such a fan of some of Holly Black's young adult novels。 Unfortunately, this did not really deliver for me。 This book had tremendous potential, the inspiration was intriguing, the characters (especially Vince) engrossing, and the tone unique。 Frankly, the last third of the book I enjoyed immensely as it made me want to turn the pages and see what would happen。These positives were forced to contend with:1。 Poor pacing: More than the first half of th I really wanted to like this book as I have been such a fan of some of Holly Black's young adult novels。 Unfortunately, this did not really deliver for me。 This book had tremendous potential, the inspiration was intriguing, the characters (especially Vince) engrossing, and the tone unique。 Frankly, the last third of the book I enjoyed immensely as it made me want to turn the pages and see what would happen。These positives were forced to contend with:1。 Poor pacing: More than the first half of the book read like exposition and was both boring and muddled with too many characters, time jumps, and unnecessary details。 The book picks up and focuses near the end, but much too late。2。 Confusing world building: The systems of how shadows operated became clear too late and I was left with a lot of questions while reading where I felt like I was reading a ton of information, but not any that answered my questions。3。 Lack of Clarity: This book presents itself as a stand-alone novel but reads very clearly as a start of a series。While I think the book becomes much stronger as it goes, and I will likely read a sequel should this become a series, I would not have finished this book had I not meant to review it, which I think speaks more clearly towards the average reader's experience。 。。。more

Sifa Poulton

I received an ARC from the publishers in exchange for an honest review。 It has not affected my opinions。BOOK OF NIGHT is a dark contemporary fantasy about not-so-secret societies, bad decisions, and a world where shadows can be magical - and take on lives of their own。Contemporary fantasy can be a bit hit or miss with me, but this is one I absolutely fell into and devoured。 The pacing was wonderful, managing to intersperse chapters about Charlie's past and a few non-Charlie POV chapters in witho I received an ARC from the publishers in exchange for an honest review。 It has not affected my opinions。BOOK OF NIGHT is a dark contemporary fantasy about not-so-secret societies, bad decisions, and a world where shadows can be magical - and take on lives of their own。Contemporary fantasy can be a bit hit or miss with me, but this is one I absolutely fell into and devoured。 The pacing was wonderful, managing to intersperse chapters about Charlie's past and a few non-Charlie POV chapters in without losing the tension of the main story。 The occasional timeline flips and POV switches could have utterly confused the story, yanking the tension rug out from beneath the reader, but that doesn't happen here。It's really clever how the series of event is designed to get you invested in the story。 At first, most of what happens to drag Charlie into the plot is a pretty disastrous set of terribly unfortunate accidents (wrong place at the wrong time)。 It means that you're on her side as she tries to claw her way out of the danger she's landed in largely by sheer dumb (un)luck。 And then it's hard to shift you from her side, from wanting her to win, because of the simple fact that it's not her fault she's in this mess。And then once that's firmly established, Black can unload twists and surprises galore on you to flip the story on it's head。 My favourite was the story line/assumptions that got flipped on itself enough times to create origami。 It felt so believable each time, so in line with the world and characters - and did make you question so many things that had come before (yet again!)The book flitted close to "con-men magic" that I love。 Charlie is an ex-con artist, with a history of petty theft, breaking and entering, and convincing people she's been possessed。 She doesn't really used magic in this book, mostly just her wits (and a heavy dose of luck at times) but the way she interacted with the magic, turned it against the wielders, and furthered her own aims felt reminiscent of that tricksy magic。AND THEN THE ENDING。 I think this is a standalone。 It's a really good standalone ending, feeling very satisfying and perfectly in line with the tone of the book, but it certainly leaves room open for another book。 I would not object if we got a sequel! 。。。more

Sarah Rice gallego

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with the first 3 chapters of Holly Black's first adult novel, Book of Night。I was hooked from the start。 This is dark and disturbing, the world building is fantastic and now I'm desperate for the rest of the book to find out what else is going to happen to Charlie。 The fantasy premise is original and spooky。 I love the idea of being able to change your shadow and how it can give you a bit of magic。 I can already tell that Charlie is goin Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with the first 3 chapters of Holly Black's first adult novel, Book of Night。I was hooked from the start。 This is dark and disturbing, the world building is fantastic and now I'm desperate for the rest of the book to find out what else is going to happen to Charlie。 The fantasy premise is original and spooky。 I love the idea of being able to change your shadow and how it can give you a bit of magic。 I can already tell that Charlie is going to be one of my favourite MC's。 Thank goodness I've pre-ordered this so I can continue ASAP!! 。。。more

milliereadsalot

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free sample of the first 3 chapters in exchange for an honest review!I was not ready for the sample to be over, I wanted to carry on reading so badly! I was so intrigued by the magic system and the whole world that we were thrown into。 I am so excited to read this whole book; even the prologue was fascinating。 Such a great start to what looks to be a great book! I will update with my full review once I have the physical book。

Tina Panik

After a disjointed start, the pace picks up and the characters gain clarity。 The use of shadows brings comparisons to Peter Pan, especially given the perpetual tantrums of the men in the story。 This was an ARC。

Camilla_Reads

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the first three chapters in return for my honest thoughts。 I am very intrigued already and can't wait to read the rest of this book。 The world set-up is interesting and original, and I was truly sucked in from the prologue alone! I'll be reading this in its entirety as soon as it releases and updating with my full review then。 Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the first three chapters in return for my honest thoughts。 I am very intrigued already and can't wait to read the rest of this book。 The world set-up is interesting and original, and I was truly sucked in from the prologue alone! I'll be reading this in its entirety as soon as it releases and updating with my full review then。 。。。more

RAVEN

Was free from Goodreads giveaway。 And first time I have read a book from Holly Black and I really enjoyed this book and and could my shadow really have power? Was a good read and will recommend and looking forward to reading another book by Holly Black。

Cassandra Mitchell

Book of Night by Holly Black5/5 Stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐•••Spoiler free review below•••If you loved The Folk of Air series because of Holly Black's sharp writing, creative world building, and relatable characters but wished they were a tad older, then you will love this adult debut。 If you are looking for the type of fantasy book with faeries and kings with tails, you might be disappointed。 For me, this was the perfect mix of magic and mystery。 I finished it and then immediately wanted to start it again wh Book of Night by Holly Black5/5 Stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐•••Spoiler free review below•••If you loved The Folk of Air series because of Holly Black's sharp writing, creative world building, and relatable characters but wished they were a tad older, then you will love this adult debut。 If you are looking for the type of fantasy book with faeries and kings with tails, you might be disappointed。 For me, this was the perfect mix of magic and mystery。 I finished it and then immediately wanted to start it again which, in my opinion, is the best kind of book。 I am calling it now as being my favorite (or at least one of my favorite) books of 2022!Charlie is a con artist in retirement who is suddenly sucked back into the world of shadow and thievery。 We flip back and forth between past and present as we see how Charlie became the way she is and why she will stop at nothing to get what she wants。 Throw in magical shadows and well thought out schemes and you have the making for the perfect fantasy read to binge。Also, oddly specific, but as someone who lives in central Massachusetts, I really enjoyed the western-MA slander。 iykyk。Book of Night will be released May 3rd and if it's not already on your tbr, it should be!。。。Special thanks to Macmillan/Tor for sharing an arc with me in exchange for my honest opinions。 。。。more

Blue

Want to see more。。。 Bookstagram Website Thank you Penguin Australia for this book in exchange for an honest reviewGenerally for me, a great read needs to have a few elements to get it over the line:-tGreat world building-tInteresting characters-tEvenly paced story-tA somewhat captivating plotUnfortunately, Book of Night didn’t have any of those elements。The start of the book is an information dump, there was such a need to make sure that you knew everything about EVERYTHING and that came without Want to see more。。。 Bookstagram Website Thank you Penguin Australia for this book in exchange for an honest reviewGenerally for me, a great read needs to have a few elements to get it over the line:-tGreat world building-tInteresting characters-tEvenly paced story-tA somewhat captivating plotUnfortunately, Book of Night didn’t have any of those elements。The start of the book is an information dump, there was such a need to make sure that you knew everything about EVERYTHING and that came without any real characters nor plot。 It was an information slap to the face, almost like reading school text, trying to cram as much information as possible before taking an exam。 It was overbearing。 Don’t get it wrong, you need the information, you just need it entwined with the story, not set apart from it。 The last two chapters were where it picked up with the plot and finally got entertaining but I don’t think it was worThe world building was really confusing and even after finishing the book, I’m not even sure where it was based。 It could have just been me on that front but I wasn’t easily able to imagine the world that she created, like I could for The Cruel Prince and her earlier works。 The characters weren’t as in depth or memorable either, which is crazy considering the memorable characters Black has written in the past。 Charlie, the main character was very self-entitled, unnecessarily angry and consistently making the wrong decisions, even if the situation was stupidly obvious, which was the right choice and which was wrong。 To me, that means the character didn’t learn nor grow as the plot developed。 I mean, if your mate is going to keep sticking his hand in the fire, I’m not giving any sympathy after the second attempt。 It was a cycle of stupid decision, which was followed by anger and then the loop starts again, which only led to me rolling my eyes。Book of Night was meant to be Black’s debut adult fantasy but other then the occasion swear word, I couldn’t tell the difference between this and her YA works。Overall, I was hoping for great things but it fell short, or maybe I had my hopes up? 。。。more

yasmin

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 4。5⭐️The beginning was a little slow to me and the book was hard to get into but once you get into it then you can’t stop。 Holly fucking crap。 My heart BREAKS for Charlie and Vince and it was just plot twist after plot twist in the end。 This book honestly reminded me of the atlas six but kinda better? Idk。 I JUST WANT CHARLIE AND VINCE TO BE HAPPY。

Genevieve

WTF WAS THAT ENDING EXCUSE ME HOLLY BLACKOkay 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 WTF WAS THAT ENDING EXCUSE ME HOLLY BLACKOkay 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?!?!?! 。。。more