This book resonated with me on so many levels.

In 1969, I moved from a large city to a small Canadian town near the US border. For the first time in my life, I was exposed to US news and a world much larger than me. I watched a country torn apart by race riots and protests against Vietnam, things that made no sense to me as a young girl. As I moved towards my teens, I started listening to rock music partly as an expression of that horror I felt for what was going on around me. I kept wondering how I'd missed listening to Opal & Nev as Opal so perfectly expressed what I was feeling back then--that rage against oppression, the lack of a voice (for me as a girl, for her as not only a woman, but a black woman in a hostile country), that feeling that you have less to offer because of training or upbringing (and suppressing your voice as a result).

This was a book as much about SerahLena and her quest to figure out what happened to her father, how Opal fit into that story and her own growth into her voice and power. Her story is just as important as Opal's story, just as moving, resonates just as much for me.

This book is moved me deeply as I watch again as a country is torn apart by the same things we witnessed or lived through in the 70s. Opal and SarahLena scream (or whisper, or sing) that black lives matter, that women's voices matter. Will we listen this time?

3.5 stars. The Final Revival of Opal and Nev tells the story of a fictional 1970s rock pair — Nev, who is white and British, and Opal, who is Black and American — who began their rise to fame after the racial killing of their drummer. Although often compared to Daisy Jones & The Six (which I thoroughly enjoyed), this novel is much more serious and darker. True, it has the backdrop of rock music and its story is told predominantly through “oral history” (basically a series of interviews), the comparison with Daisy Jones & The Six ends there. What this novel really focuses on is hard issues such as innate prejudice, sexism and race relations.

While I found the novel fascinating in many respects, some of the side stories seemed superfluous and some characters were just too odd for me. I also found it to be just a bit drawn out and too long. Overall, however, I did find this to be an enjoyable read and was especially impressed that this is a debut novel.

I really enjoyed this book but I felt like the only thing that made this book kind of like Daisy Jones was the fact that it was about a band. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed this and it covered a lot of important topics. It was a lot heavier than I was anticipating. I still enjoyed it though.

It’s hard to imagine a book more designed to succeed in 2021 than this one. Reminiscent of both ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ and ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ by way of Black Lives Matter, Walton’s debut is almost too cleverly packaged to be about rock and roll: it has the market-minded strategising of pop music. And, in the early moments, I was finding things as derivative and predictable as that particular musical genre can so often be.

But, fortunately, things do start to pick up as Walton adds her own riffs to the oral history formula laid down by Taylor Jenkins Reid, ultimately offering a more nuanced investigation of music stardom and the inescapable presence of white privilege and racism.

‘The Final Revival of Opal & Nev’ tells the story of an unlikely rock and roll duo: a flame-haired British songwriter and a fiercely independent young black woman and how their careers and lives became enmeshed and defined by the race relations of both the 1970s and again thirty years later in 2016. Our ‘editor’ for this story is the first Black woman to run the ‘Aural’ music magazine, S.Sunny Shelton, whose interest in the duo is much deeper than just cultural appreciation: her father was a studio drummer who died in tragic circumstances following an affair with Opal Jewell. As Shelton’s professional mission to document Opal & Nev’s career becomes entangled with her personal desire to learn more about her father, who died before she was born, she begins to discover dark secrets and buried truths that threaten to implode all of their lives.

Though it take a little while to get going, and though I had to cringe through some of the early moments recounting Nev’s childhood in England, once unlikely duo ‘Opal & Nev’ are established and heading for their relative, short-lived fame, the book slowly reveals its true intentions and becomes something all the more intriguing and impactful and, well, fun.

Unlike in ‘Daisy Jones’, the musical and lyrical genius of its talented, troubled stars is not the headline act here. In fact, the fictionalised musical output of ‘Opal & Nev’ is largely background noise; Walton instead frames her musical memoir around systemic racism, performative allyship and the importance of legacy.

The book centres around two significant moments: one, the ill-fated 1972 gig that descended into a tragic riot, and the duo’s long-awaited reunion performance at a major festival. In the chapters detailing these defining events, Walton’s writing really shines, full of a tension that thrums and builds to two magnificent crescendos, both of which have a lot to say about race in America.

Like all good concerts, I really wanted an encore at the end, one that more definitively concluded proceedings, but nevertheless this was an immersive read that I have no doubt is going to be topping the charts upon its release. With vivid characterisation- particularly of the badass Opal- and timely resonance, this book heralds Dawnie Walton as a rising literary star.

Thanks to NetGalley & Simon & Schuster for this ARC read.

So good. What else to write? This book, organized via short snippets from a rotating cast of character tells a story that starts in the late 1960s and buttresses up to present time. It’s the fictional account of Afro-part in before it was coined as such, and begs the question of ownership, and art? Who gets to own a genre and how does commercial success limit and expand our artistic abilities? Again, so good.

This book takes novels like Daisy Jones & the Six and Utopia Avenue to the next level by adding race, civil rights, and a present-day storyline to the mix. I loved these preceding novels, but the racial and civil rights elements in this book add a historical realness missing from them. The present-day storyline that forms the basis for the creation of the "oral history" is also interesting and a nice addition. The reunion show impetus for this storyline reminded me of the movie Pain and Glory, which also uses flashbacks. The ending of this book was slightly unsatisfying, but overall this was a great read that I think will get a lot of attention once its released.

I knew I had to read this one as soon as I saw the synopsis!

That being said, it took me a while to get into the story and the writing style, but after I figured out the flow, I really liked it! It is largely written in an oral interview style that I thought was fun and unique. Themes of race, racism, sexism, addiction, family and fame are all discussed throughout the book from the perspective of each character. I really liked reading the interviews- especially Opal’s. She is such a strong, independent and memorable character and I enjoyed seeing her grow and change throughout the story.

This book is smart, enjoyable and it is hard to believe Opal and Nev are fictional!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

This novel is AMAZING! And it's a debut? Outstanding!! From the opening "Editor's Notes," this book grabbed my attention and did not let go. Opal is a character unlike any other. Sunny, "the editor" and the other supporting characters are just as fully fleshed and sparkle on the page. Not just a novel about the history of a rock duo, but also the history of race relations in America, and what it means to be a black woman from the 1960s through the present. This takes the concept of "Daisy Jones and the Six" to an entirely new level.

"Opal is a fiercely independent young woman pushing against the grain in her style and attitude, Afro-punk before that term existed. Coming of age in Detroit, she can’t imagine settling for a 9-to-5 job—despite her unusual looks, Opal believes she can be a star. So when the aspiring British singer/songwriter Neville Charles discovers her at a bar’s amateur night, she takes him up on his offer to make rock music together for the fledgling Rivington Records.

In early seventies New York City, just as she’s finding her niche as part of a flamboyant and funky creative scene, a rival band signed to her label brandishes a Confederate flag at a promotional concert. Opal’s bold protest and the violence that ensues set off a chain of events that will not only change the lives of those she loves, but also be a deadly reminder that repercussions are always harsher for women, especially black women, who dare to speak their truth.

Decades later, as Opal considers a 2016 reunion with Nev, music journalist S. 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."

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. As we follow the characters through the years, from the beginning of their partnership right up until its end, we get to live and breathe their deepest desires. Nev and Opal, a character so vividly portrayed I still see her when I close my eyes, are flawed and yet so achingly relatable. Dawnie Walton’s style of writing too is so addictive - each entry takes us further into a story ripped from the past, so realistic it made me feel as though I was privy to some secret correspondence, I cannot recommend this book enough!

Thank you #Netgalley and 37 Ink for allowing me to read this ARC. The book started slowly, and for the first part I was not overly engaged. I think the idea was to introduce all of the characters as well as some backstory, but in the long run, most of the characters didn't really matter, so it felt like a waste. I loved Opal, she was such a great character she overshadowed all of the other characters in the book. while Nev kind of faded into the background. When Part Two started though, the book started to pick up momentum and I could not put it down. As someone who was in high school in the 70s I remember when everyday racism was accepted because no one talked about it., at least in my town and this book reminded me of it.
I admit, I had problems keeping track of the time periods, but that could be because I am used to dual timelines that are clearly marked. Now that i have finished to book, I kind of want to go back and read the book again, now that I wil be able to keep the characters straight!

This book is 🔥🔥🔥⁣
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I started and abandoned two books this weekend and when I saw THE FINAL REVIVAL OF OPAL & NEV on NetGalley (and it was a Read Now pick), it seemed like a slump-breaker. And it was! ⁣
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This book will inevitably draw comparisons to DAISY JONES & THE SIX as it has a similar frame: an oral history of band that hasn’t been together in decades. I really liked how one reviewer put it...if you liked DAISY JONES but wish it had something to say, TFRON is that book. It delves into racism, addiction, sexism, all while drawing vivid character portraits and settings. The voices are so specific that even in the oral history format, I never lost track of who was talking. ⁣
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Definitely pick this up when it debuts next month! ⁣
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book tries to be a more literary version of Daisy Jones and the Six, with a focus on social justice and the African American experience in music, but I feel that it fails to live up to any of those goals. I thought the plot was uneven, as I was intrigued at points and completely bored at other points. This is also not really my type of book, but I kept hearing a lot of hype for it, so I thought I would try it out. This book is going to appeal to a lot of readers, but I was not one of them (and that's okay).

Slow start but ultimately hard to put down. The story is engaging, and I like the structure of seeing the narrative evolve through the voices of different characters embedded within the larger structure of notes for an oral history the narrator is researching. It takes staggering writing skill to make a structure like that work as compelling reading! As other reviewers said, by the ending I was wishing Opal & Nev – or at least their records – were real.

Thanks to #NetGalley for advance copy.

(Posted to Goodreads)

This was an enjoyable read and a pretty good readalike for Daisy Jones and The Six, especially if you've added "stories on fictional bands" to your wheelhouse after reading said book. The opening sucks you right in and takes you for a wild ride.
My only complaint is that it feels a bit dragged out so it could have been cut shorter in my opinion.
Still a thumbs up from me. Would recommend.

When I read the description of this book, it reminded me of Daisy Jones and the Six, (which I absolutely loved!) The preliminary reviews of this book were amazing so I was so excited to receive an advanced copy. Unfortunately though, this book did not grab me and hold my interest like Daisy Jones did. I think I am one of the few people who feels this way and who gave this book only 3 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a free electronic ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The book is formatted in an interview style (similar to Daisy Jones). The interviewer, Sunny Shelton, is writing a book about the epic rise and fall of Opal and Nev, a fictional Afro-Punk group of the 1970’s. Sunny also happens to be the daughter of Jimmy Shelton, a member of the band who had an affair with Opal and lost his life in a tragic event. The reader is introduced to a cast of characters through interviews that Sunny conducts with them. She also inserts her opinions or background information through her “editors notes”. The reader actually feels as though you are reading an actual interview and I had to remind myself often that this book and these people were fictional.

While the author’s use of this format is appealing and her writing is superb for the most part, I found myself getting bored at times. The plot isn’t nearly as exciting as I had hoped and the novel itself drags on for far too long. There are also numerous side stories that really have no relevance to the main characters and only serve to confuse the reader ... Hence my rating of 3 stars.

When I read the synopsis for The Final Revival of Opal and Nev, I immediately wanted to read this book. Anything with music is going to automatically draw me in. While reading like Daisy Jones and the Six, you get a novel of so much more than just music. It features a strong, black, female lead in the 70s, when race relations were strained, as they are now. This is a timely novel as it addresses important issues still present in our society today, including why the Confederate Flag has such a terrible history and why people are passionate about the removal of monuments and anger toward those who decide to don it casually. As someone who grew up (and lives) in the South, I really appreciated the way the history was written and utilized in the book. This novel may make you uncomfortable, but this is a good thing. It's an excellent piece in pushing against racism and sexism.

My criticism was that I wish it moved a bit faster. It took me a little while to get into the book, but once I did, I found my heart aching for the characters, upset that this is the reality for many, and also mourning the fact that Opal Jewel does not actually exist. She's one badass woman.

4/5 stars.

If you liked Daisy Jones & the Six, then you’ll probably also immensely enjoy this book. But if you wanted something more out of that book, if you were disappointed that it had nothing of import to say, then you will be floored by The final revival of Opal & Nev.

It is a book about identity, race, fame and the many complications and dire consequences that can come of it if you identify as a minority.
It provided commentary that is still relevant, especially in the current political scene and highlighted the many struggles of black people and stressed the importance of having a voice, taking your agency back and pushing back against racism and sexism. A great and important read.

S. Sunny Shelton is a music journalist and author of the oral history of the fictional rock ‘n’ roll duo, Opal Jewel and Neville Charles who rose to fame in the 1970s New York scene and now, more than 40 years later, are in the process of a reunion tour.

The Afro punk singer, Opal Jewel is Sunny’s complicated idol since she had an illicit affair with her father and the duo’s drummer at the time when a vicious incident on a live perform led to his disturbing racial killing.

Opal is an outcast black girl from Detroit with a strong will and belief in herself, in her music and most importantly in her values; with a stubborn, fiercely independent and vivacious personality, a clever and quick tongue and an eccentric appearance she tries to make a name for herself.

Nev is a goofy white English boy with a strong inclination towards music, who prompted by his mother’s dreams for him, decided to try his luck in New York. I cannot say much else about him, you’ll have to come to your own conclusions.

These two completely different people decided to take a chance on each other that led to success, many complicated relationships and grim secrets rooted to the peak of their popularity.

As you can imagine, with an author so personally and unexpectedly related to the duo, the writing is poignant and does not shy away from the gruesome reality of being a black woman in the spotlight in that period.

The interviews with various friends, family, work partners and even fans, provide the full picture of the duo’s early life, to their rise in fame and to their eventual divergence. Each character had such a unique voice and distinct personality that I could tell who was speaking without having seen their name on top. Also the relationships and especially the friendships were exceptionally well fleshed out and they warmed my heart.

The only reason I cannot give this book the full five stars is because there many unnecessary side stories and references to things that were not crucial to the development of the story. In fact made they made the book drag out a bit after the big revelation.

It is a fictional oral history of a musical duo, Opal and Nev, who rose to fame in the early 70’s and are in talks for a revival concert in the present day. A book is being pushed before the concert comes to fruition and a successful editor, S. Sunny Shelton, is in charge of getting the interviews. She is also the daughter of Opal and Nev’s early session drummer who was tragically killed during a race riot. The book mixes in historical music figures and events while exploring the tumultuous rise and fall of the band to the intimate strenuous settings of making a record and everything in between of being a famous musician. The most important focus throughout the book was race and gender. Opal is a Black American woman and Nev is a white man from England. Although they have things in common and both start off as strangers in New York, Nev will never fully understand Opal because of their differences. When the story is switched to the present day, it parallels the divided political climate of today. At times, it was a slow burn especially in the beginning but it gets very interesting once it picks up. Dawnie Walton did such an amazing job immersing the reader into the lives of musicians who each had their strong attributes and weaknesses. Opal and Nev were entertaining from the start. I was convinced these were real people. It is a book that discusses important issues and also one that musicians and music fans will appreciate.

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me an advance copy of Dawnie Walton’s historical fiction novel, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, in exchange for an honest review.

#TheFinalRevivalofOpalNev is an incredibly slow burn. I was stunned to see the number of five-star reviews after finishing it, but that may be entirely my fault since I dove in expecting to read something similar to Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Aside from the format and a tenuous connection to music, the two novels have nothing in common. Another shining example of fake plugs to increase book sales.

Regardless, that is not to say that #TheFinalRevivalofOpalNev is bad per se, but it certainly will not resonate with all readers; especially, not those who are searching for a strong link to the music of the 1970s punk era in NYC.

I’m still not entirely sure what to make of this story, but I do know that it is an important read as we continue to struggle with the racial divide in this country. My best advice to the reader is to go into this with an open mind and eye towards atmosphere, mood, and setting. Do not compare it to Daisy Jones because you’re not going to find the poetic language of tormented lovers or descriptive passages of how music sounds. You will, however, be moved by themes of race, injustice, and the cost of freedom of expression; unsurprisingly, there are more details about fashion than there are about music throughout the text.

Where the novel loses me is that the characters are not as well-developed as one would hope. I think the story could have benefitted from stronger characters and the themes could have come across even more powerful than they did. Instead, the characters felt like background music to me. This is partly due to the fact that the story is told through excerpts of Sunny’s research, who is the editor-in-chief at the music magazine Aural and happens to be writing her own novel. For instance, it would have been a full gut-punch had the reader had complete insight into Opal’s thoughts and emotions.

On the pro side, the novel shines because of its gritty nature and the simmering undercurrent of anger that eventually explodes at two separate climaxes (once during the highly anticipated scene when we finally learn what transpired the night of James Curtis III’s death, and again, at the Derringdo Festival when Opal & Nev reunite).

My other gripe is how the story wraps-up with more of a whisper than a bang in two small footnotes. It is almost as if the ending is inconsequential when really those are two of the most significant points of the story. Footnotes are typically meant to supply additional information about a specific topic in the text. The information that these particular footnotes contain deserve their own page and a stellar ending. Perhaps, the author/editor/publisher was fiddling with a new format, but readers tend to skip over footnotes. So, in this case, don’t! Or you will miss out on how Opal & Nev ends.

Again, I’m not sure what to make of this story, but I do know that it is important and should be heard. It can easily be categorized as a contemporary fictional narrative since it certainly resonates with the times, but historical fiction works well too because as the novel makes clear—we have been dealing these issues for too long and exposing them through story is only step one of how we can start to resolve them.

Thank you publisher for ARC. Put this book due out April 20 on your TBR now. 5 outstanding stars for a story so relevant to this very day. Similar in format to Daisy Jones and the Six oral history/book within a book, the similarities end there. Focused on a fictional 1970s rock duo — he’s British, she is Black whose rise to (and fade from) fame follows a deadly racial concert incident. This is a story about the systemic racism and ignorance in our country (and the music industry) and how we have marginalized women, Black women especially.