The world crafted in this book was so rich and gorgeously gothic. The enemies-to-lovers romance was beautifully swoon-worthy. I thought the way this relationship was built against a backdrop of heavier topics, such as the impact of war, was done very effectively. It can be challenging to set up a convincing romance when opposite sides of a war are involved, but the balance of power, trust, and remorse (especially since the characters were pulled into war at such a young age) was thoughtfully presented. I didn't find Queen Isabel's character arc very compelling (her huge change didn't feel supported), nor the character of Lowry sufficiently developed as an antagonist (he came across as a fairly superficial caricature), but I don't think they were the heart of the story anyway, and there are limits to space, so I'm glad the focus was kept on Hal and Wren.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Down Comes the Night was such a fun book to dive into! Even if I predicted who the villain was way before it was revealed. It was just way too obvious not to think of that one person being evil. I will also admit that this book had some interesting twists as well.. but some of it was, again, a bit predictable.

Don't get me wrong, I devoured this book when I was awake and had coffee in me. There was just something about Hal and Wren that just made me fall in love. At first, I was thinking Wren and Una were a thing because they had some tension going on between them. Then Hal came into the picture, and Wren and him just fit better in my opinion. That doesn't stop me from shipping Una and Isabel though. Especially after that ending..

In the end, I'm really happy with out it ended. Although I feel like it seemed that a book 2 could happen? Not sure if that's true or not.. but I wouldn't be mad. Who knows.. out of the three kingdoms.. one could have some revenge in the next book. Just saying..

Down Comes the Night is about a magical healer for the Queen's guard named Wren Southerland who is constantly berated for her recklessness and empathy. In an attempt to prove herself to her Queen, she accepts an offer from a lord of another nation to visit his estate and cure his servent of a mysterious disease. However, upon arriving, she realizes that the servant is not a servant at all, but her kingdom's sworn enemy Hal Cavendish, a brutal and feared warrior that can tear down enemies with his eyes alone. As both Wren and Hal realize that their respective kingdoms may have been deceived, they grow closer and fight their treasonous feelings for one another.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book all that much. I was REALLY anticipating it, hence my reading it so early before the release date, but I must say I'm disappointed. I went into this book thinking that it would be a gothic romance/suspense, but I felt that the promise of that from the marketing fell extremely short. Down Comes the Night did not know exactly what it wanted to be--a murder mystery? A gothic romance? A fantasy? And sure, it's perfectly fine to be a mix of all of those, but the book seems to change genre so starkly as if a curtain falls over one genre as it introduces the next. The "gothic" part of it was barely there. And personally, I would have preferred the good ole gothic romance with the creepy factor turned up a few notches! Additionally, it's extremely wordy, so much so that my eyes started skimming for the important bits instead of taking it all in. I feel as though Saft lost the plot while detailing everything else.

If you know me, you know I am a huge fan of enemies to lovers--it's probably my favorite romance trope. And in terms of this story, I think calling it *slow burn* enemies to lovers is not super accurate. The whole story takes place within like 14 days, so... that's that. Also, the story needed more Hal in general or needed more from him. I'm allllllll for a baddie with a deadly magical trait, but sadly I was not satisfied there.

Something I want to praise is having a bisexual heroine at the forefront. From the very beginning of the story, Wren is in love with her female commanding officer Una, who is also her closest friend, and I really liked that whole arc between the two of them. Also, another positive part of the book is the message that being kind and having a heart is a strength, not a weakness. Was it a little too on the nose at times? Sure, but as a fellow empath, I resonated with this part of the story, even though I didn't particularly have any feelings towards the main characters themselves.

All in all, this book was alright, but certainly not very fun to read like I was hoping for. It wasn't what I wanted personally, but that doesn't mean it won't work for others--I'm certain a ton of people will love this fantasy romance.

Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft

Initial Thoughts: So, I chose this book because I really like the creepy vibe of the cover. Then, after reading the description, I was sold. And it turns out I was right!

Rating: 4,5-stars!

In this novel, Wren, a magical healer, leaves for Colwick Hall, a estate in neutral territory. The Lord of this estate has a servant suffering from a mysterious disease and Wren is asked to save this patient. Wren is happy to oblige, as her recent reckless behavior has caused her to be suspended and temporarily send back to the Abbey. Wren seizes this chance to prove her worth to the Queen. However, her patient turns out to be not any patient.... In Colwick Hall she uncovers a sinister plot that could either save or destroy her nation. Wren faces tough choices in which she tries to do what is right....

What I liked about the book:
So, as a Fantasy-fanatic, Biomedical Sciences-student, this book is just everything you need. There is magic, medical and biological references, creepy houses and an even creepier atmosphere. I loved it!
At first, the book was a bit hard to get into, as the story progressed I got so hooked on the book I could not stop reading. As soon as the creepy house got in the picture of this book, it gave me 'The Haunting of Hill House'-vibes, which I liked. Furthermore, there was enemies-to-lovers in this book, with a lovely slow-burn love. That is my favorite kind of romance in a book. I really liked how the characters evolved around each other. Additionally, I liked the relationships Wren, our main protagonist, had with other characters in the book. This really made me feel for Wren, got frustrated for her or made me cheer for her. The character development and the relationships within this book were really well developed.
Last, but not least, I LOVED the magic system in this book, mostly because of the endless medical and biological references. As a real Biology nerd, this is something I will always admire about authors. Also the references to evolution, genetic mutations, etc. Fantastic! Every medical procedure was so well written and so detailed, I really admired it. It gave the magic meaning, instead of just: Poof, now his wound is better. Allison Saft gave very detailed descriptions of how Wren healed, how Wren examined her patients, and that was really awesome! Taken together, the world in which the story takes place was also very great. I like the differences between the different nations and I loved how this was woven through the book.

Things I did not like:
I am always a bit skeptic about third person writing, ever since I read Fallen, in which it just did not work out well. However, after getting used to the third person writing, I really liked it in this book! Allison Saft did a great job on this perspective! As I said, the book was hard to get in to at first, but after a certain point the book just opens up and I promise you, you cannot stop reading! Other than that... I do not really think there was much I did not like.

I mean:
- Slow burn, enemies-to-lovers: check,
- Creepy well-written setting: check,
- Awesome plot with twists: check,
- Villain with a solid motive for his actions: check,
- Fantastic magic system: check.

It must be obvious by now, that I loved the book and I would recommend it to anyone, not just Biology-Fantasy-nerds like me. This book has something else over other books I read, it has a mixture of things normally not combined in one book and that was what really drew me in. After reading the E-Book, I pre-ordered the physical book, because this is definitely a book I will re-read some day! Cannot wait to read more of Allison Saft!

The world building was breathtaking and I really enjoyed the writing. Can't wait to see more from this author!

I enjoyed the ARC I received from the publishers. It is a story about two war torn countries and the hatred between them. Wren is a healer who is trying her best to prove to those around her that she is worth something and not just a screw up. After screwing up one too many times she takes a huge risk and ends up defying orders. She thought she would be able to fix things, only to realize that she stumbled into a bigger problem when she is asked to heal the biggest enemy of her country,

I did enjoy the story, but there were a few things that just didn't add up and were a little distracting/confusing. But all in all I think it was interesting and fun.

Incredible romance and characters!

Typographical errors:
Chapter 18, page 163/348:

Hal did not withdraw from her even when she raised his* gaze to his.
correction: HER gaze*

Chapter 26, first line:
No one could never* accuse Alistair Lowry of lacking a sense of humor.
correction: could ever*

Goodness! What a read, and that cover! Simply lovely. Characters are immensely likeable and/or quite fascinating.

Alistair Lowry must be one of the most complex and dreadful characters I've come across in a long time, but one you cannot drag your attention away from, I was repelled and intrigued in equal measure. Wren was okay, a bit of a mooner to be honest, although she came right in the end. I wasn't mad about Una, or Isabel, who went from being a right so and so to suddenly being reasonable. I loved Hal, he added something to the story, strength, and dependency without being cloying or overbearing.

Definitely worth reading, and a world I'd love to delve into a little bit more.

Many thanks for my ARC.

I really enjoyed this thrillling fantasy novel! I loved the gothic feel and was enamored by the storyline. With magic, mystery and forbidden love you won't want to put this down!

A refreshing twist on the magical tale! I really enjoy the creativity, the excellent writing,the twists and turns and the storyline.

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Allison Saft’s debut Down Comes the Night was a read entwined with magic, darkness, secrets, and betrayals. It was a captivating sort of read, yet at times I did feel my attention drifting. I went into this one almost blind, except being deeply intrigued with the description. Sadly, it wasn’t a read that was 100% me, but did have its high points.

Wren is a healer who has never been able to live up to the standards of her aunt Isabel, who is also her queen. Her dearest friend, Una, and her fiercest love does her best to look out for her, but even Una’s rank won’t be able to save her when Wren makes the mistake of letting an enemy of the kingdom escape their grasp.
When Wren decides to secretly take a job to heal someone from their neighboring and enemy kingdom, she will have to hurt the one she loves most in order to save their kingdom and bring honor back to her name. Though, not so much in a Mulan sense.

Right away, I was not digging the relationship between Una and Wren. Namely because Una was just so cold and emotionless. It was amazing that she and Wren shared a night together off page of the story. Una is girl very much married to her job and rank. She’s all about the rules and when Wren starts breaking them, she turns her back on her. It almost felt like she just wanted Wren to be her little pet or something by the way she goes on about her always having to take care of her. I was just not feeling the love, Wren was crazy in love with Una, but it just didn’t feel like Una felt the same.

Then of course, we get a bit of a love triangle when the person Wren is sent to heal is the Reaper of Vesria. Of course, Lord Lowry, her employer does not seem to know that his newest servant is the famed assassin who kills without remorse. Wren saw him once upon a time a few years ago and managed to live to tell the tale. Wren feels a conundrum when she sees her patient. Should she heal him as she was hired to do? Or should she let the murderer rot?

Well, as you might guess, she takes the healing path, if only to turn him over to her queen to regain her favor. But naturally, things start to change between them as they spend more time together. And it soon becomes apparent that someone inside the household of Lord Lowry wanted Hal, as the Reaper is truly known by, dead.
I think one issue I had with this book was the pacing. It was a little slower than I would’ve liked. I was doing fine with it for the first half but when I thought I had to be nearly done with the book, I discovered I was only halfway through. I did some skimming through the chapters just to get through them and caught onto most of the story. But I was just feeling a disconnect from the characters and the story in front of me. It wasn’t turning out to be the story I was hoping for in the long run.

I did enjoy it in some sense, I can honestly say I don’t really know what I was hoping for. I was with the story for the first half, but somewhere down the line I felt disconnected from everything happening. It wasn’t overly predictable but some things were and I guess the motives were just so bland that I was struggling to even finish the book. But I did.

The ending was a good one. I liked where the characters ended up and that it was a standalone was refreshing. I love a good standalone every now and then! While this wasn’t the 5 star read I was hoping for, it still made for an entertaining time. I guess I was just expecting a little something more and a little bit of a faster and more enticing pace.

But if Down Comes the Night sounds like a captivating read for you, I would highly recommend checking it out for yourself. While it wasn’t a favorite read for me, it could be your next all time favorite!


Overall Rating 3/5 stars

Down Comes the Night releases March 2, 2021

I couldn’t really get into the characters on this one and it sucks but I did like the atmosphere presented to the reader.

4/5

There's something about being trapped inside a crumbling mansion with your sworn enemy that can actually be so personal. After Wren Southerland is suspended from the queen's guard for her reckless actions, she travels to the estate of an enigmatic lord who's sought out her healing services for one of his servants. Upon her arrival, she discovers that the very person she's been tasked with healing is none other than Hal Cavendish, an enemy of the kingdom and of Wren herself. As the two grow closer, they uncover a sinister plot at work within the dilapidated estate connected to the very fate of their respective kingdoms.

This truly is a rich, gothic fantasy, that seemingly pulls you into its gravity from Wrens arrival at Colwick Hall. The setting is eerie and atmospheric, and an air of mystery is present that is palpable from the very start. To say this book felt like a dream would be putting it lightly. Maybe it's because I read this all in one sitting, but there is truly no way to describe the feeling of reading this from start to finish. The characters were witty and utterly hilarious, and the slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance kept me going during moments where things needed a spark. I think the magic system that the author presents is really fascinating, but there needed to be more explored within the world since it played such an integral part to the plot. The same could be said for the character background of Wren. You don't get the whole picture of who she is as a person or what drives her to do what she does beyond the events in the book. There are some key moments mentioned, but not thoroughly examined for my liking. A blanket statement for this book: it just needed more. I loved what was given, but if you look beyond the surface, it's clear that it's lacking something. The plot is altogether imaginative and I thoroughly enjoyed where everything ended up though. If you came here for enemies trapped in a mansion together and solving a mystery, look no further. This one doesn't disappoint.

I adored this book.

Wren is a strong lead who is kind, brave, and we get to see her grow a lot in the story. Hal is sad and misunderstood.

I loved seeing their relationship and personalities develop as they learned to trust and love each other.

If you love a good enemies to lovers trope, this book is for you!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Hardened hearts were breakable. But hers had endured again and again."

The only pitch you have to give me for a book is "gothic" and "romance", and I'll immediately pick it up and settle in. So when NetGalley provided me with and ARC of DOWN COMES THE NIGHT by Allison Saft, a book I'd been hearing rave reviews about all over and in every sphere of the internet, I was very VERY eager to try it. A mix of political intrigue fantasy with a complex yet easy to understand magic system and a dark, moody atmosphere, it gave me exactly what I expected and so much more. The characters and their strong personalities, the theme of forgiveness in the face of expectation, the snow-covered setting that I fell in love with, it all was perfectly interwoven into a well written blend that kept me reading. Wren was a character to connect to, her flaws and strengths so deliciously human. And Hal.... what can I say other than I love him so much, his whole character was reminiscent of some of the greatest "villains" in YA. I'm the most impatient slow burn reader, I hate waiting for *anything*, yet DOWN COMES THE NIGHT's central romance was extremely enjoyable and palatable. My only complaint was the beginning was a tad bit slow, but it didn't detract much from my personal reading experience. A lovely debut from Allison! I give it 4.5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the chance to read an advance copy of Down Comes the Night. I just finished reading and am casting about for words to describe the journey of this book - certainly it's an exciting debut work!

I haven't read too many gothic novels aside from the classics, but I think Down Comes the Night embodies those dark and ominous vibes well. Most of the novel is set in a haunting estate tucked far away in the mountains while a dangerous and impassable snowstorm rages outside. Wren Southerland, our protagonist, hails from the kingdom of Danu, and is the most capable Healer mage in the Queen's Guard as well as the Queen's neice (though she has been cast aside by her stoic aunt.) The Danubians have always been at war with their neighbors, the Vestrians, though this novel begins during a shaky, tenuous armistice that threatens to blow into all out war when mages from both armies go missing. Wren embodies a healer's oath of Do No Harm to the utmost - even to her detriment when it comes to prisoners who might have information on their missing friends.

When her prisoner escapes, Wren loses her position in the Guard and loses what minuscule favor she had from the Queen. Desperate, she answers a summons from the mysterious and flamboyantly dramatic Lord Lowry from the neutral kingdom of Cernos. He seeks her help to heal his servant in exchange for Cernos' aid to Danu to prevent war and return Wren to a position of respect.

Lowry's estate is grim, dark, seemingly marked by unimaginable tragedy, and full of surprises. Without getting too much further into the plot (I wished the jacket and descriptions hadn't revealed the identity of the servant/patient!), I will say that I enjoyed seeing Wren's unassailable compassion and compulsion to Heal and her ensuing interactions with her patient. They went from guarded and untrusting to risking everything to save each others' lives and I found it believable and engaging. I really liked the patient a lot, he was mysterious and full of depth. I did not however care for Una, Wren's best friend and commanding officer in the Guard (and allegedly her first love). I wanted to be invested in them, and I think a bisexual MC is pretty exciting, but I was unconvinced by most of their interactions and the resolution of where they ended up at the end. It seemed to me that Una gaslit and silenced Wren at every turn and did not really ever appreciate her. I did however get the sense that Wren was simply unable to see the truth (like Stockholm Syndrome) and that she wasn't an impartial narrator. I also felt that the first... maybe quarter of the book was slow to start, mired in Wren's feelings of inadequacy and the mistreatment she was receiving from Una and the Queen with stretches about the theology of the region which wasn't fully fleshed out (nor did I want to see more of it). Things really picked up when Wren was engaged in trying to treat her patient, and from then on the rest was a really interesting and exciting read! All of the events that take place at Colwick Hall were well written and engaging.

As someone in the medical field I also really appreciated the snippets of real medical facts interspersed through Wren's narration!!
In sum: 3.5/5

Wren Sutherland is a member of the Queen’s Guard who uses her magical abilities combined with her medical knowledge to assist her best friend, and first love, Una. When Wren’s recklessness and unrelenting kindness lands her in trouble with the Queen, she accepts an offer from Lord Lowry to take care of one of his ailing servants. Wren quickly realizes that something is amiss in Lowry’s manor and teams up with Hal Cavendish in a race against a time bomb that threatens both of their kingdoms.

This book was a bit of a let down. I was exceedingly excited to read this novel as I had heard that the main character was bisexual and was interested in medicine. The storyline, however fell a bit flat and it often felt like characters acted abnormally from their established character traits just to further the plot. The romance between Hal and Wren was also very boring to me and I really couldn’t find a reason to be attached to Hal which lead to many of the “twists” of the book feeling very anticlimactic.

Overall, it’s a decent novel. It definitely didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat and I predicted most of the case before I was halfway through the novel but it’s a simple, light read.

This is a riveting, gothic-style tale that successfully blends elements of mystery, fantasy, and romance. The plot is multi-layered and intriguing, the characters are relatable and beautifully drawn-out, and the writing is masterful. The first few chapters started off a little slow but once the major plot lines were underway, I was highly invested in the story because of how deeply I connected with the characters. This genre-blending debut delivers a satisfying punch as the characters uncover mysteries, form and dismantle alliances, and ultimately discover what they stand for.

Author Allison Saft offers wonderful world building, an interesting magic system, and a slow-burn, forbidden romance in this debut YA fantasy tale. There is much to like here!

I really enjoyed my read of Down Comes the Night. It was an easy escape into the chilly halls of a spooky mansion set during what appears to be the turn of the century, but with magic.

The magic rules and world building are a bit meager and sort of iffy, and the author tries to tie it in with medical science as much as she can. This was interesting and I can overlook any weak points of the magical society.

At its core, this is a murder mystery with gothic elements. The mystery isn’t that mysterious, in my opinion, but I still enjoyed the romance and plot overall. It is a simple fluff read.

What I loved the most is Wren. I loved her relationship with Una. I loved the dynamics of Una’s cold, strong personality contrasted against Wren’s empathetic heart. Oh how 16 year old me needed a Wren protagonist to show the value of an empathetic heart.

Wren is the reason I want to purchase this book for my classroom library. She is a fantastic female lead who is both strong, and emotional.