I wish this had been written in a more typical novel format. I didn't find the oral history aspect to be very well done having done and read many oral histories. I loved the characters and the storyline but the format didn't work for a story that came to a head the way this one did. It made it seem flat when it was objectively very interesting!

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is Dawnie Walton’s impressive debut novel, and tells the story of a fiction rock duo from the 70s. The novel is partly an oral history collected by Sunny, the first black and first female editor in chief of Aural magazine. Sunny has a connection to Opal that is explored in the book, and Sunny interviews Opal and Nev, and the people around them, to recount their brief time working together in the early seventies. Opal is a dark skinned, bald black woman, who is outspoken and confident. Nev is a white guy from Britain, who sought out a partner to help him round out his sound, and finds that in Opal. The story alternates between interviews and Sunny’s own experiences trying to put this book together, and the challenges she faces. Sunny uncovers something in her interviews that surprises her, and this twists the plot quite a bit. There is a lot going on in this book. I can’t say I really liked any of the characters, but I thought Walton did a great job illustrating the blatant and underlying racism that Opal experienced, and also highlighting Sunny’s own experience with racism and microaggressions 45 years later. Walton is an excellent story teller, and I cannot wait to read more from her in the future.

I thought this was an amazing book. It has a similar style to Daisy Jones & The Six by being mostly in an oral history format, but I feel it would be unfair to Dawnie Walton’s work to only review it in comparison to DJ&TS.

The oral history style was such a good choice that really brought the characters to life - I kept finding myself wanting to listen to the songs that were being mentioned or find pictures of Opal’s avant garde fashion choices. It was also a great way of getting key characters’ perspectives on the climactic event of the book. Mind you, I also know it’s a fairly hit or miss style but for those who generally enjoy it, this is a wonderful example of it.

Walton did an amazing job of balancing her exposé of Opal and Nev’s musical collaboration and the personal relationships that developed through it with the real world issues of racism and privilege that she covered. I loved the story leading up the promotional concert that acts as a climax in this book (I’ll leave it at that so as not to spoil). I loved the intense play by play that we got of the concert - knowing that something would go wrong, and knowing part of the outcome right from the beginning but not knowing the details. I genuinely could not put the book down during those chapters. I thought the story afterwards was a bit less gripping, but seeing how the fall out affected Opal, a black woman, so differently to Nev, a white man was really valuable and felt incredibly real.

Especially for a debut, this book is absolutely phenomenal. I’m incredibly excited to see what Dawnie Walton writes in the future.

* I received this ARC from Simon & Schuster and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review *

Its easy to read the synopsis of The Final Revival of Opal & Nev and see the oral history writing style and automatically think of Daisy Jones & the Six. But the comparisons stop there. This story has so much more to offer, especially to the conversations we as a society are having right now. This book documents the story of how Opal & Nev came to be, the major "event" that defined them, and their reunion. Oh... did i forget to mention they have a connection to the magazine editor?? The characters are well defined and the writing is rich, I look forward to revisiting this book in audio form in the future!

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There was a lot that I liked about this book. The oral history format? Loved it! It made the story feel so real, and I wish I was able to listen to the songs that were referenced throughout the book. The characters? Loved it! The author did an awesome job of giving each character a distinct voice and you really felt like these were actual musicians.

But I was only so-so on the plot. I was invested for the first 60% of the book, but after that, my interest waned. We find out about halfway through the book what really happened the night of Opal and Nev's infamous concert, and then it just kind of...disappears? It's brought back up at the end, but with a lot of random fluff in between. I was disappointed in the latter half of the book and that bumped it from 4 to 3 stars.

Overall, still an entertaining read, and fans of Daisy Jones will definitely enjoy it.

This is a story of not only rock n' roll, but racial and social justice, or should I say injustice. It is so well done that it feels as if the story could be real. The characters are truly fleshed out, and you get a sense of growth or change from them throughout the story. The situations the characters go through mirror what has happened, and is happening right now. At times I had a hard time putting the book down, it simply pulls you in that much. The only let down to me was the conclusion. It makes sense, and I understand it, but I wanted more. I wanted to stay in the story longer, and if that doesn't explain how interesting these characters and their story is I don't know what will.

This takes what "Daisy Jones and The Six" did and elevates it to another level, and I'm saying that as someone who loved both books. I absolutely adored the structure and the writing itself, but it's really the characters that shined here for me, specifically Opal and Sunny. Music is the thing that got me through my childhood and my childhood dream was to write for a music magazine, so there was a lot for me to relate to here. My only complaint was that I wish we got to know Sunny more outside of her quest to write this story, which I think speaks to just how well developed Opal was in comparison to Sunny. I found myself double-checking people and events to be sure they weren't real because of just how well reality and the story were woven together. Another big takeaway here was how often racism and sexism in the music industry go undiscussed, and maybe I just know a lot more than the average person, but this book nailed all the issues I know to exist and shines a light on them in a way I think even non-music fans can understand and should learn lessons from. I can't recommend this one enough.

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton is an interesting historical fiction story. Was I googling Opal Jewel by the first page? Yes, I was. Did I mention this is historical FICTION? Lol!

Opal & Nev are the rock n roll odd couple. Opal Robinson grew up in Detroit, Nev Charles grew up in the UK. Opal was raised by a single mom whose aspirations for her daughter were to work a 9-5 job either at Michigan Bell or the GM plant. Nev’s mother dreamed her son would be a star. This story magnifies the differences in American culture, ethnic background, family, society and privilege. Set during the turbulent 70s, and ending in 2016, Opal & Nev, together and separately, create a career that propels then to stardom but then burns out quickly. In the years between, they experience personal highs and lows, but can they overcome the past to revive what they originally built?

I enjoyed Opal & Nev. This book is told in an oral history format so it’s compared to Daisy Jones & The Six. This book is NOT Daisy Jones and, for me, it was unfortunate that it had the comparison because my expectations may have been too high. I loved Part 1! My jaw dropped at the reveal. But Part 2 was very disappointing in that it went a direction I wasn’t expecting and didn’t care about. Part 3 also was a bit disappointing but I did like the ending although the story wasn’t quite as tightly wrapped up as it could have been.

Thank you to #netgalley and @37inkbooks for the advanced e-copy of #thefinalrevivalofopalandnev !

Rock duo Opal and Nev represented a moment of musical brilliance. White British singer-songwriter Nev discovers Opal, a soulful Black singer, at an open mic night, and the two join forces in the 1970s music scene. But things are never that simple. When Opal and Nev are forced to perform on the same ticket as a racist Southern band, Opal steals their Confederate flag and lights it on fire while on stage, inciting a riot and igniting public opinion against her. While Nev continues on with a successful solo career, Opal is left behind - until a reunion concert planned for 2016. Will Opal finally have the chance to speak her truth? What really happened that night on stage?

Wow - this book is a gut punch. Since it's a rock history, you're probably thinking it's like Daisy Jones and the Six. Yes and no. You get the same "fly on the wall in a recording studio" vibe that music history buffs will love, but there's so much more social and political commentary to unpack here. Opal's actions on stage started a movement - but at what cost to her? When people reprint the pictures of her on stage, they are repeating one of the most painful moments of her life, almost celebrating her pain. Walton really gets readers into Opal's head, helping us feel all her emotions.

Nev is a complicated character, and Walton makes sure the reader knows it. He may think of himself as an ally - he sings duets with a Black woman - but he's constantly telling Opal to let things go, trying to diminish her feelings. And after the concert, he drops her and their bluesy rock style in order to become a solo artist.

Walton effectively uses this story to show how racism and misogyny, both overt and in the form of microaggressions, are so ingrained in society. If you're looking for a book that will make you think, I would not hesitate to recommend this one! There's a lot more than meets the eye here, and I'm sure I'll be rereading it.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster/37Ink for providing a ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Posted to Goodreads and Instagram March 17th, 2021.

This is probably a 4.5 star book for me. I was fully invested in the story. It felt so real that I found myself googling the concert name as well as the artists name to double check that this wasn't a biography of actual artists. I liked Opal's character and how she appeared to know what she wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it. Nev's character was just ok to start with and as the story developed I disliked him more. Really the only thing I feel I can ding the book on is it's length. It just covered a lot in these 400 plus pages. Otherwise, it was a great historical fiction.

DNF. Did not enjoy the writing style/voice in the first three chapters and it would not be fair to continue with the book and negatively rate it at the end.

“Though in moments it might break your heart, as it surely did mine, this story is the closest I could get to true.”

THE FINAL REVIVAL OF OPAL AND NEV is a fictional oral history of a rock’n’roll duo who became quite famous in the 1970s. the book includes interviews that tell the story of the duo’s rise to fame and the decades thereafter, asking questions and uncovering secrets all along the way. I was caught up in the story wanting to know what all went down with Opal and Nev, but I also appreciated the exploration of the heavy and important themes of racism, feminism, and learning to use your own voice.

Where this book is extremely well written and definitely will appeal to people who love rock revivals and musician stories, it did not do much for me.
I have never been a fan of drug use, cheating, etc. I know that this is the life of a rockstar, I do not like escaping to this world.
If I am to get down to the point of the story. I was entertaining. It brought the struggles of afro-punk musicians and how they were judged by blacks and whites.
Again, if you life stories about musicians, you will probably love this book.

REVIEW - 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 🌟
TW:

Synopsis: Sunny Shelton seizes the chance to curate an oral history about her idols. Sunny thought she knew most of the stories leading up to the cult duo's most politicized chapter. But as her interviews dig deeper, a nasty new allegation from an unexpected source threatens to blow up everything.

So many people will draw a comparison between Opal and Nev and Daisy Jones. The best comparison I can make is that they are both awesome books. Taking the format of transcribed oral interviews, every character brings a unique voice to the story - and it works! Special details make it unique - the footnotes are a work of genius. Are we reading a novel? Journalism? I literally found myself going back to the internet to make sure this was a work of fiction. Why? Because it is so relevant in the times we live in. Opal is a force to be reckoned with! She doesn’t shy away from the truth - standing up for what she believes in, those she cares for, and what she knows to be true, I can imagine how younger generations of girls - especially those of color - will revere her spirit. I found myself wanting to meet her, talk to her - get her view on life.

I listened to Daisy Jones and the Six as an audiobook, and can imagine the creativity this could bring as an audiobook as well. But for me - something about reading it just the way it was, going back and forth between the footnotes, and google to see “if that REALLY happened! You know you do that, too…) the print version was just right for me.

I recommend this to anyone who has ever truly loved a music group, a strong woman, or is looking for a new role model in the world today. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster/37 Ink for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Special thanks to @netgalley and @simonandschuster for the advanced reader copy of this one in exchange for an open and honest review!

The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton

Genre: Historical fiction

Synopsis: Written like an oral history of the fictional singers/songwriters Opal and Nev, this book weaves between interviews and the editor, Sunny’s, notes to tell the story of this Afro-punk duo. Nev is a scrawny British guitarist who has a passion for songwriting. Opal is a unique black woman who grew up in the Civil Rights era in Birmingham, Alabama and has always stuck out. The two shouldn’t go together, but somehow find themselves to be exactly what the other needs. Through these interviews and notes, we learn the dark history that allowed this duo to rise to fame.

Review: Although this one was a slow burn...it was completely worth it. First of all, as a history major this book just happened to line up with my class that I am taking regarding the race tensions and turbulence of the 1960’s and the 1970’s. Second, for a historical fiction this is SO relevant to today and learning about our past. It was equal parts important as it was heartbreaking which is how most of this history is. I felt so many emotions reading this. As an educator, I would use this to help my students understand just how tense this era was regarding race. And to show how while we have made progress...there is still progress to be made. I give this one five stars. EASY!

I love rock-and-roll books. I kept wanting to check Apple Music to see if they had Opal and Nev’s music to listen to as I read. So much of the story felt real and authentic. I also loved the fashion details. One thing I was left wanting was a final confrontation or acknowledgment between Opal and Nev after the Derringdo concert.

It’s hard to not compare The Final Revival of Opal & Nev to Daisy Jones and the Six. Both are told in a similar format: through interviewed segments with people at the heart of the events. But Opal & Nev are not Daisy Jones and the Six.

Dawnie Walton has done a magnificent job of capturing life and the music scene in the 1970’s, as well as introducing us to two people from completely different lives who came together in a legendary way. Opal is one of those women who isn’t the most beautiful, or even the most talented, but has more star power than anyone else. Nev is a quiet, geeky Brit, who has never really been the best musician. Together, they’re a fair musical group, but a culmination of events leads to an infamous concert—and a man’s death—that puts them on everyone’s radar. And from that, a legend was born.

Now—over thirty years later there’s a rumor that Opal & Nev will be reunited, and the woman whose father died at that fateful concert is interviewing those involved, and uncovering secrets that have lingered in the shadows.

Walton’s writing is so smooth and draws you right into the story. There were times I wasn’t sure if this was truly fiction or based on real-life events (I Googled it—it’s fiction!). This is just a fantastically rich and fulfilling novel.

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev will be released 3/30/21.

*I received a copy of The Final Revival of Opal and Nev from Simon &Schuster and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Really enjoyed this involving story about a black singer/model and her musical partner, a white singer-songwriter. Very rich and believable characters and it kept me gripped until the end, especially after the totally unexpected twist. Thought-provoking, but fun to read as well.

I really enjoyed the Final Revival of Opal and Nev, I will say, I was a little confused at first because the writing style almost had me believing it was non-fiction! But as the story goes on, the interview format really works very well with the story line.

The story is a series of interviews going back to the early days of Nev Charles and Opal Jewel. How did they get from an absolutely unknown band to mega stars? Right at the brink of their first big break, there is unspeakable violence at one of their shows. A rival band brandishes a confederate flag and it lights a fire in Opal. Opal will find her voice and stand up for what is right, but as a black women in a crowd of white men, it comes at a huge cost for Opal and her loved ones.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev follows Opal Jewel and Nev Charles from their early lives, through their brief musical partnership in the 70s, to current times when they are considering a reunion. I really loved this book. The scenes are set so well that it truly feels like nonfiction in many ways. I was invested in the characters of Opal and Sunny, but also supporting characters like Jimmy and Bob. There was a lot of music history interspersed throughout the book, which isn't really my area of interest, but it helps to set the scene and makes the book feel that much more realistic.