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.

I truly loved this book. I fear people will start this book- see the "interview" style writing and think "Daisy Jones and the Six". It's similar, but so much more. This is a book that tells the story of the band Nev and Opal. But it's also the story of a young woman trying to understand more about the death of her father, the racism and hatred the caused it, and power/ powerlessness that black women had and continue to have in our country. It's just as much the story of the author as it is about Nev- and really about Opal. A great read!

3.5 stars The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is written in the style of an oral interview with editor commentary throughout - all surrounding a fictional rock 'n' roll duo that shot to fame in the 1970s. A lot of the buzz around this novel compared it to Daisy Jones & the Six - and I think that is mostly because of it's style. Although, once you got to thinking about Daisy Jones, you couldn't help but also be reminded of Evelyn Hugo in the character of Opal Jewell.

I started this book so excited for the ride. In the early parts of the book I really came to love Opal - she was fierce and sassy and I loved it. However, as the book went on, I felt like it was a little more heavily focused on the music industry process than the story line. There was definitely a lot of character development, so if you love really getting in to the nooks & crannies of your characters, this will probably draw you in. Also, if you are really interested in learning about how a struggling music label navigates a fast moving and highly competitive industry while trying to figure out how to "polish" the gems they are sure they have... this can pull you in.

For me, I felt like the book seemed much longer than it was. I checked a few times to make sure - it was 370 pages. I don't necessarily feel like it should have been shorter, but I just wished there was a little more action or anticipation in the story itself.

The added narrative of the struggles surrounding race added some extra depth to the story for sure. I can't exactly put my finger one what I felt was missing, but for me something was missing. That all being said, if the summary sounds interesting to you, I encourage you to read it for yourself!

Thanks to #NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advance copy! Pub date is tomorrow (March 30, 2021 - grab your copy!)

Though the premise may sound similar to Daisy Jones & the Six, this novel is completely unique in its execution—and in my opinion, is superior to Daisy Jones (though both novels are fantastic for different reasons). Using an oral history format to delve into the story of a fictional band is where the similarities between these novels stop.

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is not only a captivating exploration of the rise and fall of the titular Afro-punk duo, but also explores how racism, sexism and the politics of the era tints their relationship, musical direction, and growth as characters. This novel is very successful in how it tackles these tough topics, with all inclusions feeling natural and necessary to the story, allowing the characters and setting to feel incredibly authentic and well-developed.

The mixture of fictional situations with real historical events made the novel feel grounded and real, as if this was a history of a real band. I was surprised by how well these historical and societal elements complemented and connected with the musical storyline, allowing this book to bring a fresh perspective to the oral band history genre.

Despite (or perhaps because of) being comprised of almost exclusively dialogue with some “editors note” commentaries from Sunny—the daughter of the band’s former drummer, editor of a music magazine, and the book’s fictional author—interspersed throughout, we were able to get deep insights into the inner workings of all characters, with most of the major players feeling complete and complex. I will say Jimmy’s character (Sunny’s father) could have been fleshed out a touch more, but given that he wasn’t able to be interviewed directly but rather only explored via other characters’ reflections, the slightly less amount of depth he received makes sense, and pairs well with Sunny’s frustrated desire to learn more about her father.

I also highly enjoyed the writing style of this novel. Though the dialogue frequently had amazing, highlightable sections, it still sounded like something people would actually say, which is impressive given the high quantity of dialogue. Each character had a unique voice, making it easy to tell who was talking at any given time, even without the name headers above each interview portion, and making each character memorable, not just Opal and Nev.

Though we stayed in some eras of the duo’s career longer than others, the pacing still felt spot-on through most of the book; we never left the exploration of a specific period or event too quickly or lingered too long. This kept me engaged throughout, allowing enough time for a character insight or societal connection to be well-developed before moving on to the next scene. However, at times the editors notes disrupted the flow of the plot just when things were coming to a head.

Overall, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is shaping up to be a top book of 2021. Though there were the few minor issues I mentioned above, the depth and flair the author brought to the musical oral history setup still made this a 5 star read to me.

This is an amazing debut novel by Dawnie Walton, and I look forward to following any future publications from her. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've read several pop music oral histories with great pleasure; until this one, I'd never read a FICTIONAL oral history of any kind. Initially, I wondered if that gambit would work: isn't long-marinated suspense about "what really happened" what drives reader interest in books like PLEASE KILL ME or THE UNWOMANLY FACE OF WAR? As I dawdled through OPAL & NEV's opening, looking for a spark, my lack of front-loaded historical curiosity pushed me to focus on style and character: I found Walton's work on the former a bit corny and naive, while she seemed to struggle with making the various voices distinct. However, her ability to create a unique fictional situation that I would love to have seen happen, her subtlety in critiquing that '70s situation from our current perch, and her view into the music industry and the journalism that struggles with it quickly won me over. Also, Opal Jewel is a credible trailblazing Afro-Punk protagonist that fired my imagination: I want to see and hear someone like her--there have been a few who are close, but not quite replicas. A successful experiment!

I fell so deeply into THE FINAL REVIVAL OF OPAL & NEV by Dawnie Walton that I forgot I was reading. When accomplished, ambitious, and passionately curious journalist Sunny probes into the life and times that shaped her own life, identity, and brought her to this present, she gets far more than she expected. Rather than the ultimate scoop of her career, getting closer to and knowing the phenomenally successful, passionate, and genius Opal and Nev, Sunny is challenged by what she discovers about herself and the world they created. While comparisons between this story and Taylor Jenkins Reid's DAISY JONES AND THE SIX may be inevitable since both stories take place in the same time period with strong female protagonists and music, they are each their own story, each brilliant and artful in their own way. Walton probes the social and political tumult that took lives, but does so with candor, unflinching at the violence, horrific cultural clashes, and desperate search for community, art, and connection.

This has the vibes of Taylor Jenkins’ Evelyn Hugo and some say Daisy Jones (though I still have to read this one so I cannot compare). I am not into the music scene but I love watching concerts and missing those at the moment after reading this.

As the title itself, the story is told in oral history and tackles from the very start of how Opal and New met leading up to the final revival. Coming to Detroit, young, fierce, independent Opal discovered by aspiring British singer Neville Charles at a bar’s amateur night. She takes advantage of the offer to make music together under Rivington Records. While trying to boost their fledging career, during a promotional concert, Opal’s bold protest and the violence that follows reminds us of what it is to be Black women who just wants the truth and fair treatment. Decades later, in 2016, Opal considers a renunion with Nev. The newly promoted editor-in-chief Sunny Shelton takes the opportunity to tell the story of her idols. As everybody knows and to much of what Sunny knows of what happened to that ill fated night of the duo’s showcase in ’72, she discovers a disturbing allegation from an unreliable source that would threaten everything she works hard to build.

In an industry dominated by white men, especially during the 70s, centering on the story more on Opal and Sunny view are refreshing. I like how the author interperse true events with fictional ones, making me hoping that Opal and Nev are real characters. The author doesn’t shy away from discussing the blatant racism Black people experienced then and now. I like the first part and the strong build up of the story as well as the last part. I wish there were to the duo’s rising to stardom together. I want more of Jimmy’s character and his relationship to Opal, which I think is important in the story. Still, overall this is a strong debut novel and will definitely watch for more of the author’s future works!

Thank you NetGalley for the providing the e-ARC. Pub Date: March 30, 2021

Very daisy jones and the six vibe but dare I say better? Opal is so much more likable than Daisy and that was an instant win for me! Loved this.

Thank you to Netgalley, 37 Ink, and Simon and Schuster for an eARC of this wonderful book!

Do you ever get giddy while you’re reading a book? During the ‘Editorial Notes’ introduction to Dawnie Walton’s The Final Revival of Opal & Nev I was full of giddiness. It was like Opal Jewel was a musician that I loved and I was finally getting her full story.

While I’m sure most reviews of this book will compare it to Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones & the Six, these books tackle different topics and emotions. Yes they both center strong, fierce women. But the stories of these women, Daisy and Opal, shine spotlights on overlooked histories.

Had I gone completely unaware into this book, not having read Daisy Jones or read anything about this book, I’m positive I would have been bamboozeled and thought this was a book based on non-fiction.

This book feels so REAL. The mix of fictional characters and rock and roll icons creates such a realistic world. This book is so cinematic and Walton creates such a vivid world. Virgil and Opal’s fashions jump off the page. I wish these characters were real, I would love to see these looks in real life. And would LOVE to see this book adapted to film or TV! And I’m sure the audiobook of this one will be incredible!

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev follows Sunny, the first black editor-in-chief of music magazine Aural, as she writes a history of the afro-punk duo Opal & Nev amidst reunion rumors.

I won't lie, this book took a little while for me to get into. I had seen comments about the similarities it holds to 2019"s Daisy Jones and the Six, so I was worried about drawing constant parallels in my head. While that did happen, occasionally, due to the oral history/interview format, the stories are so different and each has its own merits.

One thing that I felt stood out about this book was the clarity in the story. I never got lost in the interviews, because Walton kept the timeline very clear. The frequent pops back into Sunny's editorial commentary helped reorient the story and smooth any gaps that may have happened between points in time if the entire book had been written in interview format. Much like with the aforementioned novel, I did have to keep reminding myself that this was NOT a non-fiction book as it was so detailed and specific - it really does make you feel like you're there in the studio with Opal and Nev in the 1970s and witnessing the fallout thereafter in first person.

As I previously mentioned, it did take a while for me to get into this book. While the premise was intriguing, and the writing was excellent, I found myself bogged down in the details at the beginning. There were so many side characters that it became had to keep the straight - particularly people involved with Rivington like Howie Kelly and Bob Hize. This became clearer as the book went on, accenting each person as their own individual character with very distinct personalities.

The conversation that is started by Opal & Nev is important. Though fictional, it highlights a real and present issue that has plagued the US in history and in continues to do so in present day. This means that at times, it is not an easy read and does depict many instances of hate crimes, explicit racism, and use of the n-word. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of oral histories of the music industry, 70s music lovers, people who love an unashamedly outspoken and assertive lead female.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster/37 Ink and NetGalley for this arc! All opinions written here are my own.

This book took me a few tries to get into, but once I hit the halfway point, I could NOT put it down! It's written in an interview format, which took a while to get used to, but the author does such a fantastic job of creating convincing voices for her various characters.

The Final Revival of Opal and Nev follows Sunny, the first black editor-in-chief of Aural magazine, as she attempts to write a book about the history and potential reunion of Opal and Nev, a punk rock duo. Sunny herself has complicated ties to the story. The band's leading lady, Opal Jewell, had an affair with Sunny's father, Jimmy, who was murdered before Sunny's birth. After the duo split, Opal became an activist, while Nev had a successful solo career. Sunny interviews Opal, Nev, and various people close to the duo to find out the true story of what really happened to her father all those years ago.

I loved Opal's character and her transformation throughout the book so much. It was also so interesting to read about how the music industry worked, as well as the social justice movements that Opal became a part of. I have heard comparisons of this book to Daisy Jones and the Six. Though I haven't read that book myself, I will say that this book is definitely worth a try.

The Final Revival Of Opal and Nev is about the rise and fall of a 70’s Afropunk duo of Opal, an unapologetically outspoken Black woman, and Nev an easygoing, artistic White man. We get to see how the duo deals with all the usual music industry problems, as well as racist problems that come from having a Black woman as a lead in a 1970’s rock band.

I really enjoyed this book! The story was told so well through the interviews. It can be hard reading a book written in the interview format without getting confused, but I never had that problem with this book. The timeline was very clear. This book really transported me into the story. I had to keep checking to make sure this book wasn’t non-fiction because it was so detailed and authentic! It really transported me into the 70’s. The characters felt like real people. No one was perfect. Everyone made mistakes. No characters were two-dimensional. I really felt like I knew these people. And Opal was so amazing! She made this book the perfect feminist read!

Now for the things I didn’t love about this book. It took me a little while to really get invested in the story, but once I got about 30% into the book, I was hooked. In the beginning, however, I had a hard time keeping up with the side characters. It took me a while to know the difference between Bob Hize and Howie Kelly as well as other pairs of characters that seemed similar to me, but as the story went on they became very distinct. Other than those two things, I had no other problems with the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves character driven stories about the 70’s, rock music, and standing up against racist ideologies.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster/37 Ink and NetGalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.

TW: racism, hate crimes, use of the n-word

Review goes live on Lair Of Books on 3/29/2021 @8am EST

THE 411...

Written in oral history format this is the story of a young black woman with a whole lot of style and personality. A visionary who knew how to entertain and couldn't see herself working a 9 to 5, Opal knew she'd be recognized one day and catch her big break. Born & raised in Detroit alongside her sister and single working mother, she was always up for a performance. Opal's sister had the voice and was very attractive while Opal was considered unusual due to having Alopecia Areata. She had begun to lose her hair in patches and while she struggled with self image, it did not deter her from the limelight. Opal didn't have the voice but what she lacked there she more than made up for in stage presence which eventually led to her getting the attention of Nev Charles. Nev who was out with his manager in search of an act that would enhance his performance which was missing something. A singer/songwriter, Nev was born and raised in Britain but had traveled to New York in search of his big break. Signed to Rivington Records, a small and struggling label who took a chance on him, Nev extends the opportunity to Opal after one of her performances at a bar in Downtown Detroit.

Set during the early 70's in New York City, a time of political tension and racial injustices reaching a climax. Where artists and musicians were providing commentary through their work and a girl like Opal could find her voice. Opal & Nev were never mainstream however they did have a strong cult following. They appealed to those society considered misfits as well as marginalized teenagers who were coping with all sorts of issues like drug addictions, abuse and self harm. Things decisively change for Opal in particular when Rivington Records decides to sign a band who openly praised the confederate flag. During a promotional concert backstage that flag is waved which leads to Opal taking action in protest, this then leads to an outbreak of violence and the loss of life. Nothing is the same after this night, not for these artists individually or for them as a duo. Decades later Opal is considering a reunion tour of sorts with Nev who has shot to stardom while her career has entered a stage of dormancy. Sunny Shelton the daughter of Jimmy Curtis, the black drummer playing for Opal & Nev who was brutally beaten and killed that night, sees an opportunity to put together an oral history of her idols. What she uncovers while conducting interviews however paints a very different picture of what led up to the violence that night.

Content Warning: drug & pill addiction, overdose, cancer, xenophobia, Infidelity, homophobic slurs, violence, racism, death

"People always used to comment on how different the two of us were, but a lot of that was optics. Me and Nev had real soul connections-funny stories about growing up, the hilarious things you do to make your way through this world as an outsider. But behind that there was some heaviness too."

WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS...

I'll admit that my interest was initially piqued when I heard rumblings of this book being similar to Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid which I absolutely LOVED in 2019! However, Opal & Nev is its own story also told in oral history format but with a ton of funky personality. Not only did the author do a phenomenal job of bringing Opal & Nev to life but the cast of characters also will remain unforgettable. These voices linger and it's kind of hard not to open up a web browser and run a search for them even though you know they're fictional. So much of what was going on in New York during the 70's with Nixon, racial injustice, and HIV/AIDS was brought to the page in a way that further fleshed out their story. If Opal were a real person in todays society and culture, not only do I think she'd be ICONIC but also she'd be joining grassroots efforts to fight the injustices that continue to plague black communities. I was very close to 5 starring this book & it's probably still going to make my list for best books of 20201. In between the oral history Sunny is piecing together from each character, we get what's titled "Editiors Note" from Sunny herself. Sometimes I did feel these parts took me out of the narrative a bit even though I was still genuinely interested in Sunny herself. It was never enough to take away from my enjoyment of the story, perhaps it was a matter of Opal taking center stage so much that I found it hard to pull away from her voice. Overall I found this to be quite the engaging character driven read and I already have my eyes on the audiobook from Librofm which is released this Tuesday March 30th with a FULL cast!