The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is the debut novel of Dawnie Walton. It is an oral history of Afro-punk singers Opal & Nev. This book reminded me of a Behind the Music episode. Told by multiple viewpoints, Opal and Nev seemed so real, I kept trying to look their albums up before I reminded myself this was fiction! I can’t wait to see what this author writes next. Awesome fictional debut. Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

What a book! The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is an amazing oral history format story of Opal, a black woman from Detroit pairing up with Nev, an earnest English musician who needs a partner to bring his music to the next level.

There is a love affair, racism, charged atmospheres filled with violence and a moment that changes the duo's life forever. ` I found this book to be a really fascinating read. It looked at music and social issues with an interesting lens. It gave us fully realized characters who were interesting and thought provoking. The going back and forth in time to hear the accounts of all parties involved made for some poignant commentary on today's issues and what things were like back in the 70s.

Highly recommend this book! Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ACR.

I am a huge Daisy Jones & the Six fan and I've noticed many comparisons between it and The Final Revival of Opal & Nev. There are definitely similarities. Both books utilize an interview style in the story-telling and the setting is the 1970's. In addition, both books are about people trying to make a go in the music industry...but it's also so much more. There is a lot of insight into the treatment of people of color - - especially women. The book is set in 2016 with interviews that take the reader back to the 1970's and the events that lead up to one tragic night that has deadly repercussions.

The storyline takes many issues head on. For one, it shows that sitting on the sidelines and not actively speaking out can sometimes be just as damaging as being on the opposing side of the message. It's eye-opening and heartbreaking all at the same time. It was fascinating to see how Ms. Walton wove this story into actual events from the past. At times, I felt like Opal and Nev must be real people. It just felt so much like a part of history. This storyline is blunt, honest and raw. It isn't an easy read, but is most definitely a timely one as it addresses, with heartbreaking clarity, the racial unrest in our country.

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is a well-written novel with a graceful flow between the present and past events. I did feel like the storyline moved slower in some areas. However, overall I found this to be a solid read with a clear message.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

This book right here is excellent!  I loved the way the story was structured and how bold and strong the storytelling was.  I felt like I was in an episode of Unsung with all the stories of the interviewees.  I was eating up the descriptions of Opal and her climb to be somebody.  This is a completely fictional book but it reads like non-fiction - which is a credit to the author’s writing for sure.

Told in the style of an oral history of the formation and dissolution of a fictional proto-punk band breaking ground in New York City in the early 1970s, “The Final Revival of Opal & Nev” deploys exquisite detail and a menagerie of narrational voices to relate a story that feels topical, timely, vivid, and almost too believable.

Opal & Nev are formed by impressionable white British transplant Neville Charles and electric, exciting, opinionated, iconic African-American Opal Jewel, a unexpected pairing whose brash new music caught fire in a cultural moment drawn taut with racial tension. Their rise to fame is chronicled in their own voices as well as the words of their colleagues and friends, strung together through the editorial voice and choices of S. Sunny Curtis, a music magazine editor with a personal connection to their tale.

The structure of the book is tight and well laid out, with momentum building in the past as revelations unfold in the present. The energy of the New York music scene and the alchemy of Opal & Nev’s partnership feels visceral and exciting, your heart pounding along with theirs as the music finds its wings and takes flight in the studio. The baggage of tangled personal relationships gains weight in the intervening 40 years, spilling open in the story’s present.

Walton sure-handedly focuses the narrative on the characters with the most to say: Opal, a force of nature who pulls focus with her presentation and uses the attention to fiercely tell her truth; and Sunny, the emotional ground and the cultural observer with the most perspective. Walton has an equal gift for spectacle (huge concert setpieces) and for small, observed details that situate the narrative in our hearts and eyes (“that time of the afternoon when the sun is strong coming in through the curtains – a million specks of dust exposed and floating in the light, telling stories on you”).

Past history and present drama ramp up in tandem, leading to a climax that brings the stories together with a sharp clap. As Opal says, “That’s just time working like the thing on your phone. What’s that you called it? …A GIF, yeah. Looping around and around…” “The Final Revival of Opal & Nev” is an immersive and necessary debut that offers as much to think about as there is to enjoy. As much as we’ll wish to hear Opal Jewel’s next album, we will eagerly await what Dawnie Walton has to say next.

Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC.

THIS BOOK!!! This historical fiction debut novel was told in an interview format following a famous rock ‘n’ roll duo from the 1970s. On the night of their biggest performance to date, the rival band from their record refuses to play without their beloved Confederate flag and Opal stands up against them and 45 years later one editor wants to get to the bottom of what happened as Opal & Nev are on the verge of a reunion tour.

If I could choose one word to describe this book it would be transportive. The descriptions just felt so real and I felt like I could picture the concerts and the outfits and the album covers and I just felt like I was there at a concert or reading about a real band. The social commentary in this book was really powerful and extremely relevant. Also it was a debut (!!!!) like I will read anything this author writes!! I really want to listen to this on audio because I think it would be so so good!!

You know it’s a great book when you’re so so angry at the end that you can’t go and google the band and the people to see everything and listen to the music. It just felt that real!

This was a good read. It is reminiscent of “Daisy Jones and the Six” (which I also enjoyed), but it focuses on a punk, interracial music duo throughout the backdrop of various parts of American history. While it has some slow moments, telling the story through interviews and articles allowed the story to be shared from various viewpoints, which I think enhanced the story. I enjoyed the plot and how politics and race weave their way into their music and the industry workings. I just could not really find much support in the book for a true connection between Opal and Nev that would have allowed their group to function for the time that it did. Nonetheless, I did enjoy this and rate it at 4 stars ⭐️. I could see this translating well into a mini series. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

Dawnie Walton’s The Final Revival of Opal & Nev draws the reader into a completely unique and immersive experience. The story is seamlessly woven through many different characters’ voices across cultures and continents. Opal is the heroine you’ve always wanted, searching for love while finding herself and her voice. There is something for every reader in this book and it‘s unlike any book to come before it. The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is a must-read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster / 37 Ink for an advance copy of this ebook. I loved it so much I ordered my own hardcover copy already!

The Final Revival of Opal and Nev is the Behind the Music episode of your dreams. Told as the fictional oral history of proto-Afro-punk legend Opal Jewell and British singer-songwriter Neville Charles, the book has lots of satisfying, page-turning show-biz drama, but also lots of honest-to-goodness heart, and wow, does its politics ever feel timely in this year of racial reckoning.

The ubiquitous point of comparison is Taylor Jenkins Reid, both for Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo. This makes sense: like Evelyn Hugo, Opal and Nev is a showbiz story narrated by a journalist with a personal stake in the events. (If you like Reid’s work, this is a no brainer, you should read this book now!)

Without giving too much away, Opal and Nev’s fledgling musical partnership gets tested when violence erupts at a turning-point performance, forcing everyone to make decisions about who they are and what they stand for. Decades later, surprising truths about those decisions emerge in the lead-up to a big Coachella-like festival reunion performance, revealing the trade-offs everyone considered making when the dramatic events pitted the promise of fame against human decency.

I particularly loved the book's real musical and cultural touchpoints, several of which sent me scrambling to Google to learn more. I’d not heard of Max’s Kansas City, for instance, or Josephine Baker’s performance at the Battle of Versaille, or the unrest at the Altamont Free Concert; I enjoyed the Wikipedia rabbit holes this book sent me down. These cultural and political touchstones make the book feels like it lives in the real world, but the hippest possible version of that world.

(On the flip side of this, there’s a brief section of the book where real people are fictionally quoted, and that section did not really work for me; hearing, for instance, Quentin Tarantino talk about the importance of the fictional music took me out of the story a bit, because it felt jarring to have real people saying made up things-- since so much of what I liked about the book was the way it lives in the real world.)

The other extremely minor quibble is that the editor’s notes--footnotes, too!--could briefly sandbag the book’s considerable pageturner momentum. The journalist narrator had to share facts to move things forward, but I felt my attention dragging during those exposition-heavy sections, eager to get back to the interviews, and the charisma of the leads’ own voices.

So hey, maybe you can skip some of the footnotes, but don’t skip this book; I expect this to be one of my favorite reads of the year. This book is so much fun and so satisfying. It asks interesting and timely questions. Opal and Nev builds a lovely, complicated, stylish little world to escape to, a world that reflects its complexity back on our own turbulent times.

I was interested in this book because I saw that the format was oral history. I really enjoyed Daisy Jones & the Six and had been looking for a book with a similar style. Did the book feel too much of the same? Absolutely not!

Nev Charles is a British singer/songwriter looking for someone to make music with him. He notices Opal singing in a Detroit bar and this is how they form a duo. Even though the book names both Nev and Opal, the book really focuses more on her story. In 2016, due to the possibility of the duo reuniting, one of the characters, S. Sunny Shelton, is working on gathering information about them and people surrounding them by form of interviews.

What I really enjoyed about this book was that, contrary to Daisy & Jones, I felt some of the topics discussed are very relevant in our society (apart from sex and drugs). A topic it touches upon is racism across the years and it is something we can still see today. I enjoy books that navigate these difficult topics and allow conversations to be had since it is still relevant. Additionally, I think the book style worked really well. By describing also what was going on in America while the story was developing, the reader can feel like these were not fictional characters

One thing I didn’t enjoy was the pacing of the book. Some areas were really slow and too detailed which made me want to skip ahead. This is minor compared to all the great aspects of the book.

Overall, this debut novel was fantastic and I can’t wait to read more from Walton. Four stars! Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange of my honest review.

Riveting story of a duo's rise to fame and their fall. Storytelling in an oral history format, emotional and heart wrenching. Themes of addiction, stardom, and infidelity. An interesting and innovative read in the footsteps of Daisy Jones and The Six.

I know that I am in the minority but I am really not a fan of the oral history format and I hated Daisy Jones and the Six. I decided to give this format another try by reading The Final Revival of Opal & Nev. While I still disliked the disjointed nature of this style of writing I did like this book more the Daisy Jones and the Six primarily because I found the characters that Walton created to be very captivating especially Opal who was fierce and not afraid to break societal conventions and say what she really feels.

The biggest reason why I rated this book four stars was the I disliked the portions that focused on the editors notes. While I felt that Sunny was a well developed and strong character I felt that the editor’s notes detracted rather than added to the story. I was glad that I read this book all of the way through because the powerful ending of the book will stick with me.

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

For fans of Daisy Jones and the Six, the construction of this work—an oral history of a 70s musical duo—will feel familiar, and it's similarly well executed here. OPAL & NEV focuses less on the music, though, with some song descriptions but only a few written lyrics.

I really connected with the second half of this book, which depicts the quick rise and demise of Opal & Nev as a duo and how Opal emerges as a Black cultural icon and an artist unto herself. The first half felt slow, probably because I was waiting for the explosive moment with the Confederate flag that's described in the flap copy. But the second half was engrossing.

I loved all the characters, especially Virgil, Opal's longtime stylist; the characters for me were more memorable than the plot. But I wanted more Opal—even at the end, she felt like a fascinating enigma.

Ultimately, my anticipation of a moment that comes just before the midpoint twist kept me from fully connecting with the story. But I appreciated the oral history structure and the way this work depicts an artist with deep significance in Black history.

3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

WHAT I LOVED 💟 The writing is very sober and to the point. The book is dynamic, with faceted and well-written characters and multiple points of view and builds a relevant discussion around sexism, politics and racism. The structure and story are similar to those of DAISY JONES & THE SIX by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but, despite the resemblance, THE LAST REVIVAL OF OPAL AND NEV does not suffer too much the (unavoidable) comparison. It was an enjoyable book, and one that I think would be lots of fun as a book club pick.

WHAT DIDN’T WORK 💔 Mine will probably be an unpopular opinion, but for some reason the plot did not hold my attention until the end, and I found myself rushing through the last pages 🤷🏻‍♀️

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is hands down one of my favorite new releases of the year. I loved everything about it: the rock and roll vibes, Opal's kick ass/take names attitude, the scandal between the two, the social injustice messaging that is still prevalent today. I could go on and on (believe me, I think I already have) but this is a must read, especially for music lovers. This book is being compared to Daisy Jones & the Six, which it is similar in the sense that it is an historical fiction oral history told through interview format and there is *somewhat* of a potential love story/controversy between the two lead singers, but what Daisy Jones lacks, Opal picks up. The two are nothing a like, besides the fact that they are female vocalists.

I am not exaggerating when I say that if you loved Daisy Jones, you will become obsessed with Opal & Nev. Mid-way through the digital galley, I was fighting to keep my eyes from succumbing to sleep, when BAM! a twist came out of nowhere and I was floored. This book is a page turner people! I have a feeling the audiobook will be stellar.

My first thought when I read the synopsis for Opal & Nev was probably the same as many other readers: oh, it's the next Daisy Jones. Reese's Book Club pick, 2019 Goodreads fan favorite, bookstagram darling, the fictional oral history of a 1970s rock band is beloved by everyone, it seems, but me. I liked it fine, but was not swept away by the story or the format, as I'd been hoping. And now that I've read several books in the oral history format, I'm finding it's just not really for me, I think (with this notable exception). I miss the exposition, the details between the dialogue. Would The Final Revival of Opal & Nev prove to be the same?

On its surface, Opal & Nev is certainly very similar to Daisy Jones: the story of a 1970s rock duo and their fallout, complete with a drug addiction and an extramarital affair, told in the oral history format. But there are a couple things that this story has that Daisy Jones didn't: the fictional editor of the book, Sunny, has a very specific stake in the story (as hinted at in the opening line), amping up the drama and providing more narrative to the structure, plus the additional discussion of racial issues, as Opal is black and Nev is white. In fact, reading this simultaneously with Caste was a fascinating book flight, and I think I picked up on more things in that regard that I would have otherwise. The title character of Opal Jewel was a powerhouse, both as a performer and as a Black woman in America, not letting herself get pigeon-holed or bullied throughout her career. (In a television interview discussing their decision to avoid some southern cities on their upcoming tour, the interviewer keeps harping on the fact that Opal might be too scared to travel into the deep south singing some of their more charged lyrics, Opal responds with, "Why are you so deeply invested in proving I'm scared? Does a Black person showing they're scared make you feel safer? I suggest you sit back and interrogate that.") As such, she becomes an idol to many younger women of color in the story, including Sunny herself. Watching that tension manifest, as Sunny recognizes her admiration for the woman that was sleeping with her father while her mother was pregnant and may have contributed to his untimely death, was one of the most compelling parts of the story.

Overall, I liked it much better than Daisy Jones and the Six, while still realizing that I don't have to love oral histories as much as everyone else seems to. I thought Walton provided two incredibly compelling female leads in Opal and Sunny, although I did think the Nev character fell flat -- he seemed just as interesting at the start, and then... spoilers. However, I hope this book gets all the love it deserves when it debuts tomorrow!

An electrifying novel about the meteoric rise of an iconic 1970s rock duo, their sensational breakup, and the dark secrets unearthed when they try to reunite for one last tour.

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is an oral history of rock duo Nev Charles and Opal Jewel, their complicated history, and a pivotal moment in history. Our narrator, Sunny, reveals up front that she has a personal stake in the story, and shares reflections and insights throughout the novel in editor's notes.

I found the storytelling to be just as powerful as the story. It did not feel like we were waiting for a final reveal or surprise, but the story held intensity and was gripping from interviews with hair stylists to debriefs with Opal and Nev themselves. The way details were revealed, the mix of characters, and the writing - especially the dialogue - were all supreme.

The story had strong themes of Black female empowerment, an anchor in relevant politics, dimensional characters that felt authentic, and sharp commentary on race, family, and identity. I want everyone I know to read this book.

This will surely be on my list of best books of 2021.

This was such a thought provoking, emotional read. I really enjoyed the format and thought that it did, in fact, remind me a bit of Daisy Jones and The Six, as advertised. I would recommend this book to people that enjoy an in-depth character study, as well as music lovers and history buffs.

The Elephant in the Reading Room with “The Final Review of Opal & Nev” is the format: It’s quite similar to Daisy Jones and the Six (oral history, American music industry, 1960s and 70s). Trust me, however, there are more differences than similarities.

Opal & Nev’s story reminded me more of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom than of Daisy Jones. Both Opal and Daisy are females who transcend the male “leaders” of their group and capture the public’s attention – Daisy drifted into it, while Opal thrust herself in, capturing what she had always deemed her rightful place.

Opal, though – like so many Black musicians of the era, she's cut out of deals and royalties and venues and control of her career, in ways to which the white decision makers were oblivious.

While “Daisy” made me feel nostalgic and created sympathy for the characters who, after all, brought all the stuff they endured onto themselves, “Opal” gave a powerful, fierce face to exploitation and blame. I mean, come on – she was blamed for the riot at the Smythe Theater. If a white performer had made that simple gesture, no one would have noticed or commented.

I loved Daisy Jones and the Six. It was the most pleasant, articulate kind of escape (I went back and counted: I bookmarked nine passages in that novel!) The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, on the other hand, sort of led me to that place where I had to engage. It took me out of my (white) comfort zone and schooled me, in the very best way.

And Opal's supporting characters! Virgil Lefleur: a solid-rock friend with a distinctive voice; a man who knew who he was. Opal's sister and her pastor husband, just as single-minded on their own path as Opal was on hers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an advance readers copy.

Opal Jewel and Nev Charles are an unlikely music duo that were known as much for the events of one of their fateful concerts in the 1960's as they were for their music. Opal is a black women from the South and Nev is an awkward, red headed English man. This book, being compared to Daisy Jones and The Six, is also a "behind the music" style book in it's format, but is very different than Daisy Jones (which I also loved.) This book is more about artists finding their voices, politics and racism, and the turbulent times. It has some great parallels to today and some really interesting things to say about race, class, and the music business. This was a fun book and definitely worth a read if you like books about fictional musicians, concerts, or rock/funk music history.

Thank you to Netgalley for the fun and different book for review.