I absolutely loved this book. it was so unique and yet felt so familiar. I appreciated the backstory, the plot overall, and the execution. This book made me want to read whatever comes next from Julie Carrick Dalton.

I received a free advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

Cadie Kessler is now a forestry researcher trying to prove that a certain rare type of beetle is responsible for the sudden onslaught of forest fires in the region. All of a sudden, she gets a message from her estranged childhood best friend, Daniela Garcia, and she needs to return home as quickly as possible. When they were both kids, Cadie and Daniela were witnesses to something awful and it is slowly resurfacing. Combined with that is the possibility of wildfire thanks to the same beetle as well as tensions between locals and migrant farm workers.

I never really got into this book for some reason. The plot was okay though a bit slow. However, I think ,my main issue was that I did not really get much character development in this story. I think the author focused a bit too much on the plot and not enough on building the characters.

The author was very good at building a scene though. She was very descriptive and I felt as if I could see where the story took place.

Knowing this is her first book, I probably would try another if she writes something again, hopefully with some more character development.

Due to some adult themes, I would suggest that this book is read by older teens and adults only. There was also some obscene language and sexual content.

Had to DNF this one, just could not pull myself into the story whatsoever. I usually would totally go for something like this - atmospheric, environmental, steeped in reality ... but there was just something about the flatness of the main characters that pushed me away every time I tried to pick up this book. And believe you me, I certainly tried. The character development was subpar, in my opinion, and I just wasn't getting where I needed to be in order to actually appreciate what this story was trying to do.

Part coming of age story, part suspense, this offering had a satisfying (but unexpected) ending, but took a while to get there. I found myself slightly frustrated with parts I deemed repetitious. It took me over week to read it, partly because I simply didn't feel compelled to get back to it.

However, the descriptions of the New Hampshire woods and bugs was interesting, and the story line good and current.

Actual rating 3.5, rounded up to 4 stars.

This is another book I suggest reading to absorb the story instead of rushing to uncover the secrets, as I said about Where the Crawdads Sing. The writing is heartbreakingly scripted, beautifully written. At times I was taking deep, slow breaths to relax and engross myself in the descriptions of the Earth. Even if you aren't an environmental advocate, this book makes you stop and take a true look at what we are losing; also what we have.

Descriptions like, "Horizontal lines in the granite recorded time, a hundred thousand years between lines of crystallized minerals. Climbing her mountains meant traveling through time, treading on scars of each millennia."

At the cost of sounding like one of those people who stand in front of an art piece and blab about the metaphors and allegories, even after the artist said their weren't any, I'm still going to say it. (Mainly because, isn't art, writing included, one of those things that you see the way you see it because of your own thoughts?) Here goes: I wasn't as interested in the actual secrets as I was in taking my time to enjoy the overall story. I didn't feel the expected angst at the coming answers as much as I felt the metaphor that the journey had the with the Earth. This quote especially brought home environmental truths as much as Cadie's own truths and secrets:

"All the other creatures had fled. The mice, spiders, crickets, squirrels. The silence they left behind hurt. The owl sat on a charred branch. Its home had been in these woods. Its mottled brown and amber stood out in stark contrast to the black and gray backdrop. Exposed without camouflage, the great bird blinked at Cadie and pulled its square head lower into its shoulders. Its whole body shuddered, as if shaking off a bad memory."

"She pressed sooty earth over the seeds and looked up at the clouds brewing overhead. The truth can be buried, crushed, or burnt, but it will always rise."

I felt the distress for the Earth. I also felt the hope.

Thanks to Forge Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My first by this author. She is definitely a very flowery, descriptive author. A story of childhood friends who friendship dissolves with a tragi accident. They are back in their childhood town dealing with their friendship and the accident years later. A story of small town racism. A story of climate change. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

This story reminded me of the writing in Where the Crawdads Sing, which I also loved. The writing is so beautiful and descriptive, you really paint a picture of the scenery in your mind. This book brings up so many discussion topics as it tackles love, racism and a changing climate.

I was so excited to read WAITING FOR THE NIGHT SONG, which I imagined would be a lyrical love song to the natural world while exploring childhood secrets that have resurfaced. I was a little surprised and disappointed that the childhood storyline takes over so much of the narrative and is the driving force propelling the plot forward. So much of the novel takes place when our main character is in high school that it feels almost like a YA story. The fire/beetle/bird storyline felt much more interesting and relevant and I wish it hadn't taken a back seat.

I also anticipated (perhaps unjustifiably) that this would be a literary novel. However, it's much more of a suspense/mystery. And, unfortunately, it's oddly paced for that genre. Definitely a slow build.

Then the ending - wow - so much is packed into the last several chapters. My head was spinning from all the dramatic reveals and action - not necessarily in a good way. It was as though the author focused on plot more than character. But plot can feel meaningless if we aren't connected to the characters....

I'm sorry I didn't enjoy this one more, especially because Julie Carrick Dalton is such a talented author. I really love her descriptions and the sense of setting. I felt like I was exploring the woods with the characters and that aspect of the novel was wonderful. I will definitely look for more books by this author and will follow her career with interest.

Julie Carrick Dalton's Waiting for the Night Song was a book that I didn't know I needed. Beautifully written, the storyline is expressive of a young girls friendship that dissolves with a tragic incident, leaving them both to talk down different paths. Dalton writes such beautiful characters that just came alive for me, and her take on small town racism is one that I think everybody could relate too. The fear of the unknown that leads to justified actions. A wonderful telling that the world could truly use.

Intense thematic thriller. The story of the power of friendship and the pain of estrangement- themes of racism and environmentalism in this complex debut. A slow build, well written and engaging. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this ARC.

4.5

A gripping tale! I couldn't put it down! I love the central theme of friendship and how we are often put to test those bonds.

A story that weaves the past and present together seamlessly. I honestly couldn't decide which parts I enjoyed more, the past or the present.

The book leaves off with a satisfying end. I will definitely be recommending this one to many of my friends and family!

This took me a little while to get into but once I reached about 30% read, I couldn’t put it down! Really well written addressing illegals status in the US and climate change with plenty of personal drama to keep the reader hooked. Really enjoyed reading it!

Cadie has been trying to live a normal life while carrying dark secrets from the past with her every day. When her childhood best friend Daniella reaches out to her after more than two decades asking for her help, she is forced to face the past head on. Cadie’s work and personal life collide as the story unfolds.

This debut novel by Julie Carrick Dalton pulled me in and I felt as if I traveled alongside Cadie back to her hometown with the descriptive language used in this book. The racial injustice and struggles the main characters face are unfortunately very relevant in today’s society and the overall message is important. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

As a child Cadie loved the forest and the nature of her home in maple crest. She spent hours in the woods with her dog and her best friend, Daniela.
As an adult she became a great entomologist researching a particular beetle and it’s impact on pine trees. That is until it takes her back to her home town where things that happened during one summer are brought out into the open after the remains of a body are found.

This was such a great book. I loved how you are taken between the summer when Cadie’s life changes and the present day. It gives you an insight into everything that happened to her and her friend. It was really easy to read and quick to get into the storyline where I found it difficult to leave.

Can being on a scene of a crime as a youngster haunt you forever? This is the story of Cadie, a forest researcher for whom trees have no secrets. She will come back to her hometown and will have to face the truth. What really happened that day and who was the real killer? Memories are often clouded by feelings and Cadie will painfully unfold the timeline which has been haunting her. An engulfing fire will destroy her town and oblige her to make choices which will lead to her redemption and hope for the future. This is a well-written and deeply felt story which is an important read especially since it is such a good debut.

I really wanted to love this story, but I had a hard time getting into it and connecting to the characters. The fact that “that summer” happened at all is pretty crazy, but worse is what Dolores did to Cadie by cutting her out and not giving a child the support she needed after a trauma like they experienced.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Oh my goodness. Such a good book. From the first page, this book had me hooked. I couldn't put it down. I loved the little surprises along the way that I did not see coming. Like Delores involvement in the murder. I loved Cadie and Daniela's character. From the get go, I liked them. Highly recommend this book. It would be a great book for a book club.

Terrific debut novel by Julie Carrick Dalton,

Wonderful read of growing up, friendships and secrets that will be revealed many years later. The book also addresses the issue of climate change and what can happen as a result.

I loved the descriptions of New Hampshire, I want to go and forage for blueberries!

For readers of Where the Crawdads Sing, this is your book. I am recommending this to my Book Club, also to the two libraries where I volunteer.

To the author, please start a new book!

Cadie Kessler has spent decades trying to cover up one truth. One moment. But deep down, didn't she always know her secret would surface?

An urgent message from her long-estranged best friend Daniela Garcia brings Cadie, now a forestry researcher, back to her childhood home. There, Cadie and Daniela are forced to face a dark secret that ended both their idyllic childhood bond and the magical summer that takes up more space in Cadie's memory then all her other years combined.

Review
This book was intersting to say the least.
Had thriller and ecological warning! Pretty great.
This is a story about story of friendship, racism.
I found it really hard to stop reading this book!
I finished in one day.
It was a fast read, love it.
Perfect end of the summer book

Thank You NetGalley, Publisher & Author for this gifted E-arc.

Rating- 4/5

Cadie is getting samples for research but could get arrested for trespassing. The forest is at risk of a fire. There are studies of how a beetle is effecting a rare bird and causing fires. I liked Cadies research. Daniela messages Cadie and a long forgotten night from childhood may come back to haunt her. I was hooked from the beginning. I liked reading about Cadies childhood with Daniela. Cadie wants to tell the truth about what happened with Daniela but it could cost her career. I liked the story of Garrett the young boy Daniela and Cade met long ago. I liked how Garrett reappeared and tied to the trauma of what happened. I loved the characters especially Cadie. I really liked Sal