“Dark, strange, thick with mystery and twists―a story so believable in its magic, you’ll be keeping one eye on your shadow as you turn the pages.” ― Leigh Bardugo, New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House
“If Neil Gaiman channeled Stephen King, the result might be this book . . . scintillating prose, whiplash twists, and a voice of character that demands to be heard from again.” ― James Rollins, New York Times bestseller of The Starless Crown
“Heart, soul, and a bit of kink―Book of Night is smart, decadent fun.”― Kelly Link, Pulitzer Prize Finalist
“A dark romp full of danger and shadows with a razor sharp heroine and vivid magic.” ― Zoraida Córdova, Nationally bestselling author of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina
“A deliciously clever page-turner.” ―Paolo Bacigalupi, New York Times Bestselling author of The Water Knife
“Book of Night delivers hot sex, a breathless plot, perfect characters, and some of the most gorgeous writing I’ve read in years, sharp as a razor blade, clear as a one-way glass.” ― Ellen Kushner, award-winning author of Swordspoint
“A delicious, dark, adrenaline rush of a book. I’m already dying to see Charlie Hall’s next con.” – New York Times bestselling author, Alix E. Harrow
“A dark and glittering cocktail of a book, heady with glamour and seediness, deep magic and desperate grifters. Black’s spiky, irresistible heroine will lead you like a will o’ the wisp into the dark.” ― Melissa Albert New York Times Bestselling author of The Hazel Wood
“Holly Black is a master of fantasy with the Midas touch–there is no story she cannot turn to gold.” ― V.E. Schwab, New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
“A gripping ride from start to finish. Book of Night invites you to reckon with the shadows of your past.” ― Olivie Blake, author of The Atlas Six
“Black is a master at world-building.” ― The New York Times
Praise for The Cruel Prince:
“Lush, dangerous, a dark jewel of a book…. This delicious story will seduce you and leave you desperate for just one more page.” ―Leigh Bardugo, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Six of Crows and the Shadow and Bone trilogy
“I require book two immediately. Holly is the Faerie Queen.” ―Victoria Aveyard, #1 bestselling author of the Red Queen series
–This text refers to the hardcover edition.
Becket Hampton Warren
Holly Black’s “debut” Adult NovelI have the term debut set aside by quotation marks in the title of my review because, at fifty-seven years of age, I have voraciously read as many of Holly Black’s YA offerings as I could get my greedy hands on. (Or ought I to write, on which I could get my greedy hands? Proper grammar and usage is surely more adult, right?)Book of Night fits neatly into the author’s canon: her world-building, her inclusion of magic, her thoroughly-realized characters, and her astute almost preternatural grasp of exactly how much information and detail to feed her readers —and what to withhold— will all feel familiar in the best ways to her fans.Charlie, the novel’s heroine, has the grit, determination, and drive to pursue her goals. Charlie’s activities involve theft, larceny, and the art of the grift, and she tiptoes across dangerous tightrope strung above highly toxic, unprincipled foes. Charlie also works to protect her younger sister (sometimes from herself), and tries to figure out her complicated relationship with her secretive but gentle and kind lover, Vince, work.These traits make her intriguing, but it is the author’s deft handling of Charlie’s unorthodox past, her traumas, wounds (literal and figurative), insecurities, and disappointments that make the reader root for Charlie despite her faults and rash decisions.I am eager to read more of Holly Black’s adult fiction, and I’ll still gobble up her YA novels as well. This author truly delights readers of many ages. If you have not read her books, hie thee to a bookstore. You won’t be sorry.
JennyConk
Heists, secret societies, and shadow magic, oh my!Heists, secret societies, and shadow magic, oh my! I loved this book! I wasn’t so sure at first, the beginning is definitely slow and I’m not still 100% on the rules of the magic system (but either is the protagonist.) But the magic system was really unique and interesting and left you wanting to know more about it, something that is hopefully explored in future books.I liked that even though the protagonist made bad decisions – she wasn’t dumb, she was impulsive and reckless in a calculated way more than anything – more of a “I know this is a bad idea but I’m going to do it anyway” and that is something I can def get behind in a fantasy mc. I also liked how she was morally grey but still loyal to those close to her etc. (def some parallels between Jude and Charlie, but I think Charlie is a bit softer than Jude)I really hope there is a second book coming: I did not feel ready for the story to end. Also, I think there’s some re-read value after knowing one of the twists.Finally, as a fan of the Folk of the Air Series I think you may be disappointed by the amount of romance/tension in it. But what was there, I really enjoyed.
Biff'nJaye
The Shadow KnowsHolly Black’s characters invariably bring me back to the terrifying time in my life when my grown up self was still emerging and I was uncertain of how I was ever going to make my way in this world. Her books make me feel like I am hanging out with my new best friend in middle school, scheming, teasing, testing, and generally not making one bad decision when we might just as easily make two. So it is with Book of Night. Black gives us a completely original take on a world in which magic is suddenly real, where the shadows of a few quicken, becoming powerful extensions of a lucky few who undergo what it takes to bring shadows to life, or who are able to acquire the stolen shadows of others. We start in the middle of a (fleetingly) quiet period in which Charlie Hall’s “gunshot is healing nicely”. What other reviewers experienced as a slow start was to me a tantalizing unfolding origami of a narrative. I gobbled it up. I expected a cliffhanger twist of an ending, and voilá there it was! I look forward to the sequel in which things will be set right and new facets of this world will be uncovered.
Karwyn
Black’s Adult Urban Fantasy is FANTASTICI’ll be more than honest, in that I haven’t read Black’s young adult books yet. I am aware of her writing as she co-wrote Spiderwick, which my son as a kid loved. I picked this book up because urban fantasy is one of my favorite genres, and was blown away by Black’s world building. The book being urban fantasy has the frame work of a world the reader can relate to but it just happens to have magic. I loved how Black used a little know fairytale as the spark for this imaginative adventure centering around speciality thief Charlie Hall. Hall being a thief could have been an unsympathetic character, but Charlie is wrote with both heart and grit. It’s the grit that made me adore this female protagonist. For those who love a relationship with their urban fantasy Charlie has a intriguing boyfriend named Vince. The characters be they good, evil or in between are all well written and make the book a full immersive experience. If you love Briggs, Bishop, or Butcher then this book is for you.
AK1700
Predictable but EntertainingThere were no ‘wow’ or ‘didn’t see that coming’ moments for me in this story, which is fine since I did enjoy the world and characters a lot. I like that the characters are not exactly ‘likeable’ because it makes them seem like real people. It’s a bit of a bummer that it ends with a cliff hanger, but I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Nothing that explicit considering it was written as an adult novel (which I’m not complaining about). 4.5 out of 5!
Holly
Slow but well written and interesting endingI am not YA, but I loved the cruel prince series, so was very excited about this new adult release by Holly Black. She is brilliant and this piece is no exception. Very unique premise, which took me a bit to get into. Also not tons of action, so I found the book drug along quite a bit. Lots and lots of backstory and facts about the shadow world, which at times was hard to follow. But, the book ended in a REALLY interesting spot and left me wanting more. I love the strong, flawed, and clever heroine. Can’t wait for the next release!
L. J. Erste
Phenomenal!!This is an amazing story. Absolutely amazing!I am in awe of Holly Black’s magical powers. Her magic is strong to be able to conceive of these amazing characters and this incredible book. I couldn’t put it down.Hoping there’s another book after this one!!!
Amazon Customer
uhhh yo?Boy, lady, I sure hope there are plans for a sequel. Because my full opinion is wholly dependent on if the story will go on.
Leigh-Ayn Absolom
Excellent first installment into a new urban fantasy worldWhen I heard Holly Black was writing an adult urban fantasy novel I was excited.I was not disappointed! What an exciting new world and characters to get to know. This book reminded me about why I love urban fantasy. This was classic UF and I loved it.