Tuesday, August 9, 2016

NEVERNIGHT by Jay Kristoff

Nevernight (The Nevernight 

Chronicle #1)

In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family.
This is one of those books that people seem to LOVE LOVE LOVE or HATE with a thousand burning suns (or maybe just three). *Shrugs* I fall into the LOVE camp, but there is something to be said for the latter. Mainly, some of those DNF reviews are hilarious. Some are actually in the voice of the book's narrator, which, again, hilarious. But it also tells me the book spoke to them...just not in a way they liked.
Ahem.
The beginning is a little tricky. Time-shifty and complicated.  The reader is tossed right in; left to sink or swim. I like complicated. I like dark. This book is both. I read it at a slower pace than my normal. First, because I wanted to savor it. Second, so I didn't miss anything. As far as pacing, the book really picks up about a third of the way through and hauls ass until the end. 

The story is clever and so well done. It's vivid and gory in a delightful way. Did I mention it's dark? Yep, dark. The voice here is fabulous. Like, I fell in love from the first page. There's a large cast of characters and they are all unique and fully fleshed. I had an "aha" moment about 75% of the way through, where I knew what was going to happen next, though it made it no less enjoyable when it actually happened. 


But, holy shit, I did not see that ending coming. At all. Late in the story, some of the...happenings (no spoilers here) felt a tiny bit too anticlimactic, which stifled some of the feels I might've had in the feels department. Of course, I don't know if the finished version changed anything. Overall, I'm 100% on-board with this series and can't wait to see where it goes.


I give it 5 ***** glowing stars, because I will definitely read it again. I loved it so much, I pre-ordered a copy for my bookshelf so I can pet it. (Don't judge me.) This is not a YA book. YA protagonist, yes. YA content, not so much. It's dark and not for the faint of heart, but if that's your thing, you need this book in your life. If you're not sure if dark and complicated is your thing, start with this book. 


Find more reviews and links to buy on Goodreads. And leave me a comment, tell me what you think. 

Happy reading,
Chelly
@chellypike

*I received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  

RATING SCALE:

5* = OMFG loved it. Will read it again. Touch my book and I will cut you.
4* = Really good. Highly recommend. Miiiight reread. Maybe. Don't touch my book.
3* = Good. I liked it. 
2* = Not for me, finished but struggled. Didn't connect.
1* = DNF. Couldn't do it.

3 comments:

  1. I feel like a loser for not having read this book yet. I mean, I started it and then had to put it down to read more time-sensitive books, and I haven't gotten back to it yet. I feel like everyone I know is in-love with it. I'm glad you enjoyed it as well! I hope I get to read it soon ^_^

    Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL. Read it soon. Read it soon. The first part is slow and complicated but then it smooths out and speeds up.

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    2. LOL. Read it soon. Read it soon. The first part is slow and complicated but then it smooths out and speeds up.

      Delete