Book of Night

*Did not finish*

This was my first Holly Black book, and I enjoyed it a decent bit. The magic was interesting and kept me hooked, and I really liked Vince and Charlie's relationship (though I wish we'd gotten a lot more of it than we did). Based on the ending I have a feeling there is going to be another book after this, which I honestly hope so with what happened.

Oh, this book. Where do I start? "Book of Night" by Holly Black marked her first step into the adult fantasy genre, and while it showed promise, it fell short in a few key areas. The pacing of the story was inconsistent, leaving readers feeling somewhat lost by the halfway point. Understanding the mechanics of the world remained a challenge, detracting from the immersive experience that fantasy readers crave. Characterization also left something to be desired. While the main character was presented as both complex and formidable, the depth of their personality felt lacking. It was as though we were only given a surface-level glimpse into their inner workings, leaving us wanting more. On a positive note, the conclusion did offer some closure. However, it was overshadowed by the clear setup for a sequel that has yet to materialize. This left readers questioning whether they would ever see the resolution they were hoping for. In summary, while "Book of Night" had its strengths, such as an intriguing premise and glimpses of compelling characters, it ultimately struggled to deliver a fully satisfying experience. As for future installments, I won't be tuning in. Holly Black should stick to what she knows best. "The Cruel Prince," for example, was a great read, and the series has a book I've rated 5 stars.

It dragged a lot. It had a neat ending, but I was fighting losing interest throughout much of the book.

Really loved this book, it had me gripped the whole time. I was enveloped in the whole mystery of what Lionel Salt had taken from Charlie…. But what did it turn out to be? Was it just her innocence? To be fair, I found him extremely sinister and chilling. In a world where shadows and magic exist - still a pretentious billionaire who’s used to getting anything he wants can be a compelling villain. (Yikes) Also, I really liked Charlie! She sort of snuck up on me and won my heart. A very different sort of YA heroine, set in her faults and hooked on the adrenaline of adventure that comes from doing a con. And Vince. At first, he was hard for me to trust. Then, I felt sorry for him. Then I felt betrayed. And that ENDING!!!! Wow! I wasn’t expecting that twist at all. I guess Vince snuck up on me, too. My heart is bifurcated. Excellent, thrilling, and very dark - and so spooky. I loved it.