DOWN COMES THE NIGHT is a dark, atmospheric tale of magic, rebellion, love, and self-discovery written in a prose that possesses a certain something that will make this novel a deep favorite for some. It takes on familiar tropes and spins them with intriguing twists while simultaneously crafting characters you can't help but feel curious about whether you despise them or love them.

I want to start this review out with two things to keep in mind throughout. 1: From a very early point, all the way until the end the thought, “How is this a debut?!” kept popping into my head on repeat. 2: This book is the gift that keeps giving, and by that I mean that every time I was content with something, it just got better!

I don’t want to give anything away in this review since at this time the book is still months away from release, so I’m going to try to keep things as vague as possible.

The characters in this book actually come to life in the page! Whether they’re kind, evil, icy, stoic, frustrating, or a combination of the above they live and breathe and are incredibly compelling. Speaking of, I’m gonna need a companion novel from Una’s POV.

I’m a fan of world-building in general, but that’s a secondary thing to characters/relationships for me. That said, I very much loved and felt I was a part of the world in this book. The writing is both atmospheric and practical, and I was so grateful for a different kind of fantasy world too! I mean, I’m a lover of both historical and fantasy stories, and this was honestly such a perfect combination.

I don’t want to only dedicate this section to romance because the other relationships in this book are so wonderful! But seriously though, the romance!! All of these relationships are so complex and beautiful for it. There are lgbtq+ characters/relationship, female friendships that are incredibly important, enemies-to-lovers romance, and an intriguing villain/hero dynamic. The relationships portrayed go above and beyond what my expectations were.; I mean, they made me cry!

I’m missing probably a million things that make this book special in this review, but that’s just more incentive to read it! If you want to read a book from the perspective of a compassionate (bisexual) heroine who isn’t a “sword girl” then this book is for you. If you want to read about complex characters who have complicated but touching relationships with each other than this book is for you! No book is perfect, but this one was pretty perfect to me. It left me feeling so many of the feels I experienced after the finale of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, and I mean that in the best way. Do yourself a favor, and give this book a read.

Wow. That’s really the one word that can describe this book. I loved it so much! From the first page I was drawn in and I wanted to know what happened. I don’t know if it was meant to be a Jane Eyre type retelling but it gave me those vibes for sure. I loved the twists and turns of this book and where it took you over the course of the entire story. I loved the characters and I found myself invested in what was going to be happening. While there was a lot going on with many moving parts, it wasn’t difficult to follow and I was immersed in the story as if I was really there. I highly recommend this title!

First off as a Fleetwood fan I really love the title of the book. Overall I really enjoyed this story, it was different than I expected. It was dark and Gothic with hints of beauty and the beast. You've got the war torn lovers just not in the way most books portray them. I was honestly expecting more of a "traditional" YA novel in regards to war, love triangles, and espionage. While there was elements of these things there was also a very Clue murder mystery thing going on and I really appreciated that. It kept me on the edge of my seat and my heart was racing.

The main character Wren, was someone I could really relate too in regards to the whole squishy emotional person. I've been there growing up and even now. No one wants to deal with messy emotions or tears, thinks it is very weak or something uncomfortable.

The magic system in this universe was really exciting and different! It is like its own system in the body working in harmony with the person which makes the effects the magic has completely unique to each person. It also kinda has this Avatar the last airbender feel to it with magic being passed down through bloodlines and having non magic users.

Now while the magic was new and refreshing I wish more was put into the world building and politics. It wasn't awful or lacking of anything important but i feel it could have been a little more in-depth or well rounded. When you get to the end some of the explanations fall a little flat not because it was an "egad this is a huge shock" moment but more because there could have been more character or world development going on.

This brings me to my other issue with this novel and it's timing. The transitions weren't the greatest and the time table everything followed was just really rushed. All of the story takes place within the span of a month at most and this wouldn't be a problem if the transitions or the pace was more organic. And this issue is something that may be edited and changed before the publication so I wouldn't take this as a huge drawback at all.

So in conclusion even with the issues I would still give this 5 stars. It is a different story some things you can see coming from a mile away but it is still thrilling and fun and different. It isn't the best book I ever read but I could see myself reading it maybe once or twice more in the future especially when I need that fuzzy happily ever after ending moment.

Enjoyable read that has a fun fantasy element and two countries at war due to religion. I appreciate the romantic aspect was handled very thoughtfully as well as inclusive. Very satisfying ending as well. I can see it as a standalone, but I'd love a follow-up novel!

Slow burn, enemies to lovers, and medical magic. Sold. Just so so sold. After a long search for a copy of this manuscript I was gifted one and approved on Netgalley within days of each other. I’m happy to report that this book did not disappoint.

I thought the slow burn romance between Wren and Hal was excellent. I found Wren to be very easy to relate to in many ways. I loved that she cries when she angry. It’s such an incredibly frustrating problem to have! It was lovely to see that in a story. Hal is portrayed as both tortured and complex. I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop. It was very evident that Wren struggled with the growing feelings for Hal knowing the atrocities he’s committed in the past. It made for an engaging story. I thought Lowery was a surprisingly interesting character. I really wish there was more of Hannah. I love books with the development of a platonic friendship and there was so much potential with Hannah. We were just starting to get to know her and then the plot moves onward. I was hoping that she would somehow be involved in the last act of the story but we don’t hear from her again.

The medical magic in this book was something that I just adored. I specifically love the concept that Danu healers and their magic don’t require any conventional medical knowledge but our character takes the time to tackle conventional medicine which is part of the reason why she stands out as an impressive healer. It gives the magic a practical anchor which I really enjoyed. Also, I was pretty impressed by the research Saft must’ve done for the medical aspects of the book. It showed through.

I really only have one thing I was disappointed by. I found myself wishing for more time spent with descriptions of the environments, especially Colwick Hall. I wanted to know all about it and I didn’t feel like I was able to picture it in all of its glory. Saft did however do a great job of conveying the feel of the environments. The grime and the crowds of the city. The cold, the isolation and the claustrophobia of the house. I would’ve enjoyed more specifics to help build the picture in my mind but it ultimately didn’t take away from or cause me to enjoy the story any less. I wonder if there was a worry that adding more could have interrupted the pacing which tends to be faster in YA?

Overall I thought Saft arrived with a beautiful debut and I highly recommend checking it out. I look forward to reading more of her stuff in the future as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for giving me the chance to read this book early.

DOWN COMES THE NIGHT is a debut YA dark fantasy filled with magic, mystery, and a forbidden romance set in a winter-drenched landscape where two enemies are trapped inside a crumbling manor fighting for their survival as each night threatens their lives.

I did enjoy the story, and loved the fact that it was a standalone novel that felt complete, but ended up being disappointed by the novel’s description labeling it as a “gorgeously gothic” YA debut.

Having a forbidding landscape of ice and snow and a crumbling mansion does not make for a Gothic read.

What Down Comes the Night did excel at was its strong combination of magic and science set in a fantasy world of gods and goddesses where two enemy kingdoms are battling for supreme reign. It had all the elements that I enjoy in a dark fantasy.

Wren Southerland is the Queen’s most talented healer, but after using her abilities to mend an enemy soldier she is removed from her post and finds herself sent far north to the doorstep of a reclusive lord in order to cure his servant of a mysterious disease.

Nothing is quite what it seems. The lord is odd, the staff distant, and the patient hiding secrets. All of which I loved.

Wren uses her healing abilities, which are a blend of science and magic, to heal. This gave the novel a unique feel and Wren’s personal struggle to use her healing in a meaningful way made her a relatable and engaging heroine.

There is a slow-burn romance that I enjoyed while the mystery surrounding his illness and the remote location of the manor, made for a sinister feeling of danger.

Overall, I enjoyed the writing. The story felt atmospheric and its unique blend of magic made this YA fantasy interesting. There is also a nice message about forgiveness and compassion that readers will appreciate.

I would recommend this to readers of YA fantasy and look forward to more of Saft’s work. I anticipated a dark Gothic read but got a dark fantasy instead, enjoyable, but not what I expected.

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

"Whatever is done unto you, let it be repaid thrice over."

What the heck is up with this book?! I honestly don't know what I'm feeling right now. It's all too much and I. Need. More.

Probably one of the best decisions I ever made in my life is picking up this book. This wonderfully written, enchanting and filled to the brim with yearning book. It won't be out 'til next year and already I want to read it again.

Allison Saft's writing was nothing short of breathtaking. The story had me addicted from the very beginning and the characters were all so impossibly endearing they will forever hold a special place in my heart.

I honestly can't think of anything more to say right now. I just finished the book a few minutes ago and I'm still feeling WAY too much. But mainly? I just want more of Hal Cavendish. This beautiful, broken soul has stolen my heart and I don't care if he never gives it back. I just want to give him the biggest hug.

I am so impossibly in love with this book. Wren is an amazing and an admirable heroine. I love how she stays true to herself even when everyone around her makes her question it. Her compassion and kindness and loyalty know no bounds. Her strength lies in her caring, selfless heart and I love her for it. Una was another character I absolutely adore. I didn't care much for her in the beginning but she grew on me and now I just want to be her bestfriend. (Might she even get her own book? Because I'm totally all for that. *fingers crossed*)

A definite must-read! Go do yourself a favor and read this one asap!

“I don’t care to believe that the sum of us is what we do.”

“You understand you’ve made a serious commitment, yes?” She wound her arms around his neck and breathed in the familiar scent of him: black tea and sugar. “I might not let you go.”
“A terrible fate, indeed, to be your prisoner.”

I received an e-arc to read and review.

Holy madre, this was such a surprise! I mainly requested it for the title, a Fleetwood Mac lyric, but the characters and romance really captivated me. Lovely!

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to read this book early. It was a real treat.

Down Comes the Night feels a bit like YA Daphne du Maurier by way of Wuthering Heights - it's got a lovely Gothic element and tangled friend-and-family ties, both of which are the undisputed strong points of the writing. Wren's journey to understand that she's allowed to be who she is, even if others tell her she's "too emotional," is worthwhile and works nicely with the overarching plot of two countries who seem determined to keep fighting wars because that's what they've always done. The war plotline is well written enough to make readers think about real-world parallels as well, which is a plus.

My only major complaint (because I suspect that an odd fixation on sexy collarbones and some awkward scene shifts will go away in the final version) is that apart from Hal, every single relationship Wren has is toxic. Almost unforgivably so. That undermines the theme of "everyone deserves forgiveness" because after what *SPOILER* [Una and Isabel did to her, I really don't think they deserve the whole-hearted forgiveness Wren bestows upon them. Una especially - she's borderline abusive to Wren and not only is that uncomfortable in the book's LGBTQIA+ plotline (Wren is bisexual), it's also not something that should be swept away with broad strokes of kindness. (hide spoiler)*END SPOILER*] It's the kind of content in YA romances that makes me wonder why it's still present here when it's largely gone from adult genre romance.

That's why this is a 3.5 rather than a 4, because beyond that issue, I really enjoyed this Gothic delight.

I was raised on a steady diet of sci-fi, fantasy and atmospheric gothics and this book hits ALL my weaknesses at once.

An ostracized plucky heroine? (Check) A remote gloomy manor full of shadows and secrets? (Double check) A twisted spiral of wants, needs, does & don’ts & mysterious disappearances & deaths, yep! Throw in a mercurial lord, dueling nations, a really interesting system of magic and her country’s greatest enemy and you’ve got ALL the ingredients for an OUTSTANDING story!

The plot is tight and twisty. The characters fully fleshed and invested in their motivations, and it keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat to the very end!

Really appreciate Netgalley granting me the opportunity to read & review this outstanding book. Can’t wait to get my hands on a hard copy and start lending it to all my friends. Here’s hoping Ms. Saft will revisit the continuing adventures in Vesria & Danu of Wren, Una, Queen Isabelle & Hal very, VERY soon!

Saft is an excellent slow burn romance author. The beginning of the book started off fairly slow, whether it's because of quarantine putting me into a reading slump or not is beyond me.

Once I hit the halfway point, the story started to pick up. The slow burn romance had me picking up the book wanting the characters to finally give in. Once they did, it was worth the wait. There's so much twisted corruption and delicate relationships within the 3 countries and the game has to be played a certain way or lose everything. I was very satisfied by the ending, it made me happy & bubbly inside.

This book was ABSOLUTELY DREAMY. Enemies to friends to lovers is my dream team and the world building and writing in this book brought that dream to life. I’m so glad I got a chance to read this and I cannot wait to hold a physical copy in my hands !

Danu and Vesria, sworn enemies, have recently had soldiers disappear from their borders each kingdom blaming the other. Wren Southerland is a gifted healer in the Danbian Queen's guard, her compassion for others is seen as a weakness by her supervisors. When Lord Lowry, sends a letter asking Wren to come heal one of his servants from a mysterious disease that has been plaguing his estate Wren thinks this will be an opportunity to prove her worth. Wren soon discovers that Lord Lowry is not what he appears to be. Her patient is none other than Hal Cavendish, The Reaper of Vesria, and her countries most sworn enemy. Trapped in the estate and part of an evil plan that may lead to both kingdoms downfall, Hal and Wren must work together if they want to save their kingdoms.

Down Comes the Night is a beautifully written debut fantasy involving two characters each with powerful magical abilities who happen to be sworn enemies. Wren is a compassionate young woman who possesses the magical gift of healing; she is often seen as weak for her prevalence towards mercy. Hal Cavendish is a known as a merciless monster; his magical eyes kill anyone who dares to meet his stare. When they find themselves prisoners of a sinister plot, they begin to work together and eventually develop feelings for each other. The novel does contain sexually romantic elements (both lesbian and straight) but the content wasn't explicit and I felt it was appropriate for even young YA readers. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this novel but I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed this one. I look forward to seeing more novels by this author.

This was actually quite good! I enjoyed the magic, the drama and the romance. A few parts dragged for me but other than that I enjoyed the story line and the friendship between Wren and Una. I feel like this story had something for everyone.

Okay, I started this book eight months before it comes out because Charlotte made me. I knew I’d like it from the dedication (“For the girls who feel too much“) and guess what, I did! Part fantasy, part Gothic horror, Down Comes the Night explores what is more important: your duty or doing what’s right.

The illegitimate niece of the queen of Danu, Wren is a magical healer and a soldier who’s been told over and over that her emotions get the best of her. Still, she heals a prisoner and gets suspended from her position, sent back to the abbey where she was raised. A mysterious letter arrives one day from Lord Lowry from a neutral country; he offers her a chance to prove herself in exchange for healing one of his servants. She seizes this chance even when the queen refuses to let her go. Unfortunately for her, the servant she’s been summoned to heal turns out to be her country’s biggest enemy: Hal Cavendish, a Vesrian cold-hearted killer whose magic allows him to kill with a look. However, they grow closer in this strange estate, and they soon set off together to solve the mystery of missing soldiers from both of their countries.

I really enjoyed the prose of this book. This is a Gothic horror novel set in a fantasy land, and an air of mystery is woven throughout the book. The worldbuilding was also incredibly detailed; we have both magic and science here. Magic is a recessive gene that’s only active in the people of Vesria and Danu. Also, it’s noted that Wren is unique as a healer in that she doesn’t only rely on her magic to heal, but also her scientific knowledge of the body.

I also really liked the presence of religion. Vesria and Danu have very different religious systems that explain their magic. Danu has a three-faced Goddess who is alternately compassionate and cold, whereas Vesria’s God is cruel and primarily associated with death.

The plot pulls you in, slowly but surely. Wren reluctantly agrees to heal Hal, only because he has information on some missing soldiers, one of whom is Wren’s friend. They investigate Lowry’s estate, but there are more sinister forces at play. Wren also has to fend off the queen’s soldiers who are looking for her while facing her feelings for Una, her friend and the person leading the search for her.

Perhaps what I love most about this book are the characters. Again, Wren is someone who feels too much; she’s been told often by the queen and Una, who are both withholding in their emotions, that she’s too compassionate. Really, Wren just wants to be loved; she was sent away by the queen, her aunt and the person whose approval she seeks the most, as a child. This is why she upholds her healing magic as the most important thing in her life: if she can’t be kept around because she’s loved, she will be valuable because she’s useful. It’s perhaps not the healthiest thing, but I found it very relatable. Wren’s yearning for love is palpable and I really loved that we got such an empathetic protagonist.

Hal also has more depth to him than being the most decorated Vesrian soldier; he too suffers under the weight of expectations. I also liked Una, who’s uncomfortable with expressing emotions. She’s the opposite to Wren in this way; I found it funny when she tries to comfort Wren but she clearly has no idea what to do.

I also loved the romance! Wren and Hal have an enemies-to-lovers dynamic although it didn’t have as much hate-to-love as I wanted. Still, they were so soft, and I love them. Oh, also, there’s a “oh no! there’s only one bed” scene, and I cried. I also liked that LGB relationships are normalized in this Victorian-esque world. Wren is bisexual, and Una is sapphic. There are other characters who also are, mentioned in passing. It’s never a point of contention, which I liked.

This is a stand-alone fantasy, and it wraps up very nicely. I actually really loved the ending; I might’ve teared up a little. Please, Allison Saft, I would love a little sequel novella!

With lovable characters and a soft romance, Down Comes the Night was an amazing debut; I can’t wait for more from this author. I loved the protagonist and the worldbuilding, and you will too. I definitely recommend Down Comes the Night if you like enemies-to-lovers, fantasies with detailed worldbuilding, and emotional female protagonists.

Down Comes the Night is a curious book, good but not great. With the high ratings I have seen, I was expecting something very different. I enjoyed the story. I would not call it gothic at all, besides the old mansion, there was nothing gothic about it. The story had so much promise but really fell flat for me, it was incredibly predictable. As for the characters, they are all over the place. I found Wren nasty and needy. While I loved her healing magic, the rest of her was terrible. I do think she would make a good villain in a future story. Una is the same, but flat with no personality. I did like the crazy Lowry character though. He was the best part of the book other than the setting. The author is a fantastic writer, I just never really found the story exciting enough to keep me really engaged.

I was excited when I first read the synopsis for this book. I didn't expect to like the main character Wren since at the beginning of the book she's very weak-willed but also defiant. She grows during the book to become this strong-willed woman who is still defiant. She basically just wants her aunt's approval (who is the Queen of Danu) as she is a bastard and her parents died leaving Isabel as her guardian and only remaining family. So Wren decides to accept a deal from a foreign nobleman to cure his ailing servant Henry (who is really Hal Cavendish, the Reaper of Vesria) without the Queen's permission. However, she doesn't realize it's a part of a sinister trap and she and Hal have to race against the clock to uncover a dastardly plot and stop a war.

I want to say that I loved this book. It's the first book I've read in a while that has made me excited to read again. Down Comes the Night gave me the same vibes I felt when I first read Wicked Saints. If this is Allison Saft's debut novel I can't wait to see what she releases in the future.

Just as I had predicted, DOWN COMES THE NIGHT did not contain a single thing I don't enjoy. Allison might as well have written this for me specifically. The story follows Wren, a magical healer who is part of the military but is guided by her empathy. She was a wonderful character - strong, but also kind. When her desire to help everyone in need causes her to stray from her duties, she's forced to face the consequences.

Luckily - or perhaps, not so - that's when Wren receives a letter from the enigmatic Lord Lowry, requesting her skills as a healer at his estate. And oooh, what a fabulous setting that estate was! It lends to that gothic, slightly claustrophobic sensation so well. Combined with the unrelenting snow, the atmosphere was all at once cozy and creepy. As Wren uncovers secret after secret, all the while healing the man she was certain is her - and her country's - worst enemy, the tension only continues to grow.

I don't wanna give too much away, but if you like:
- strong & sweet bisexual girls!
- dangerous bad boys!
- the nursing-back-to-health trope!
- mild body horror! (including medical stuff, which was SO well-researched)
- an impending sense of doom!
- only one bed!

THEN YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Allison's prose is top-notch and the story she weaves is at once complex and effortless.

Wow! I devoured this! Never has a book been more catered specifically to me. Fantasy? Check. Enemies to lovers? Check. Gothic mystery including crumbling house and creepy host? Check! Everything about this book, right down to the dedication “For all the girls who feel too much,” was absolutely perfect for me. Allison Saft has constructed a richly emotional and compelling story, filled with suspense and one of the more touching romances I’ve read in some time.

Allison Saft did an amazing job constructing the two main characters. By the end of the story I was in love with Hal and Wren. Their relationship was really beautiful, I loved watching it grow as Wren healed Hal. It felt very natural, and both of them grew tremendously by the end of the novel. I just found their relationship very sweet and it makes my heart sing!

Very rarely in books am I concerned about how it’s going to end. For the most part I realize (and this is definitely dependent on the type of book I’m reading) that it’s going to end with a happy (at least somewhat) ending. This was not the case with Down Comes the Night. I was stressed! I did not know how things were going to turn out! I was hoping for a happy ending, but there were times I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to get it. Saft’s writing was so engaging I was so sucked into the novel that I did now know how it was going to end. I loved it! I wish this would happen more often.

I am eager to see what Allison Saft does next, and I cannot wait to get my greedy little paws on her next book! If this is anything to go by, Allison Saft has a wonderful career ahead of her, and already a very devoted fan.

I will post a longer review on my blog closer to publication.

I received an ARC of this book from the publishers in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books and NetGalley!!