Title: Book of Night
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication date: May 3, 2022
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Summary
In Charlie’s world, shadows can be altered for a variety of reasons. Even to increase one’s power and influence on others, even to manipulate other people’s feelings. But not without a cost. Every time you manipulate a shadow you could be gambling hours or days from your life. After all, shadows are what keep your secrets for you.
Basically raised as a con-artist, Charlie is trying to distance herself from the underground world she was once a part of, currently working as a bartender. However, when someone from her past returns, her life is suddenly thrown into chaos. Charlie now finds herself in the world of magic and shadows. And more and more unsure of her future.
Review: Book of Night
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for an advanced copy of this to review! I think almost everyone knows Holly Black from her young adult books, but this is her first foray into adult fantasy. For the most part, I’d say that it is a success! Especially if you enjoy dark, atmospheric fantasy.
One of the things I enjoyed about this book is the unique magic system. Literally using shadow magic makes for an interesting magical world. Even if at times, it gets a little gruesome, since blood is often needed to make the magic work. In general, I think Holly Black is great at writing magic systems, and this is definitely on display in this book. Honestly, I wish most of the beginning had been focused on how this particular magic works instead of giving us so much of Charlie’s backstory.
However, the first half of this book is definitely pretty slow moving. It takes the plot a long time to get going, so much so that it’s difficult to see where the plot might even be going at first. Once you get about halfway through, the plot starts to pick up, with more twists and action. The overall tone and pacing is quite different from her YA series, in my opinion. Those are easy to fly through, while Book of Night takes its time.
Don’t let that turn you away if you’re a Holly Black fan, though! Even if the beginning is a bit slow, if you’re a fan of her writing, you’ll probably still enjoy this book. Just go into it knowing that you won’t necessarily get that might action from the get go.
3.5 stars