This book was not for me. I found it very hard to finish this book. I made it to 75% before I gave up. I really liked her other books. This just terrible writing in my opinion.

is a must-read for anyone who craves a intriguing exploration of identity, belonging, and the power of human connection, as this poignant and uplifting tale will resonate deeply with readers who appreciate character-driven fiction and stories that celebrate the beauty of the human experience.

Holly Black’s Book of Night marks the acclaimed fantasy author’s first foray into adult fiction, and it is a dark, thrilling, and intricately woven tale that captivates readers from start to finish. Known for her ability to create richly imagined worlds and compelling characters, Black brings her signature touch to this shadowy story filled with magic, danger, and intrigue.

The novel follows Charlie Hall, a bartender with a talent for deception and a past filled with criminal exploits. Charlie lives in a world where shadows can be manipulated, enhanced, and used as tools of power. This shadow magic is the domain of gloamists, a secretive and often dangerous group that Charlie has tried to leave behind. However, she finds herself pulled back into this perilous world when a series of events threatens not only her life but also the fabric of shadow magic itself.

Black’s protagonist, Charlie, is a complex and flawed character. Her history of crime and her struggles to stay on the right path make her relatable and deeply human. Charlie’s sharp wit, resourcefulness, and resilience shine throughout the narrative, making her a compelling heroine who readers will root for, even as she navigates morally gray areas. Black’s portrayal of Charlie’s internal conflicts and her determination to protect those she loves adds depth and emotional resonance to the story.

The world-building in Book of Night is masterful, with Black creating a richly detailed setting where shadows are more than just absence of light. The rules and lore of shadow magic are intricately developed, providing a fascinating backdrop to the novel’s events. Black’s descriptive prose brings this world to life, from the gritty urban landscapes to the eerie and mystical realms of shadow manipulation. The atmosphere is charged with tension and mystery, enhancing the book’s dark and immersive tone.

The plot is intricately woven, filled with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Black expertly balances action, suspense, and character development, creating a narrative that is both thrilling and emotionally engaging. As Charlie delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding shadow magic and confronts her own past, the stakes continue to rise, leading to a climax that is both unexpected and satisfying.

One of the novel’s standout aspects is its exploration of themes such as power, identity, and redemption. Black delves into the moral ambiguities of shadow magic and the ways in which power can corrupt and define individuals. Through Charlie’s journey, the novel examines the complexities of identity and the possibility of redemption, even for those who have walked a dark path.

The supporting characters in Book of Night are equally well-crafted, each adding their own layer of intrigue and complexity to the story. From Vince, Charlie’s enigmatic and loyal boyfriend, to the various gloamists and shadow manipulators, Black populates her world with memorable and multifaceted characters. Their interactions and relationships enrich the narrative, providing both tension and moments of unexpected tenderness.

In conclusion, Book of Night is a spellbinding entry into adult fantasy by Holly Black. With its darkly enchanting world, compelling characters, and intricate plot, the novel is a must-read for fans of fantasy and supernatural thrillers. Black’s ability to blend magic, mystery, and emotional depth makes Book of Night a standout in the genre, showcasing her talent for storytelling and her keen insight into the human condition. Whether you are a longtime fan of Holly Black or new to her work, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression and a desire for more adventures in the shadowy realms she so expertly crafts.

Brilliant, bleak and wholly Holly Black.

An amazing first adult novel by the queen of the fae. Although I ended up enjoying the thievery and bad decisions of Charlie Hall, it was a journey to get there. I struggled with the emotionally dark parts of her childhood, but was more than intrigued by the shadow magic.

I think readers will love this fresh - and continuing?? - adult fantasy book!!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

I sadly had to dnf this book because the writing style isn’t for me and I just couldn’t get into the story.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

This book had an interesting premise from the start. Holly Black made an excellent shift into the realm of adult novels with this one. Stunning and engaging to the end.

I typically like Holly Black and her writing. I thought that the plot was interesting to listen to. However, I thought that this book fell flat to me.

In Book of Night, Charlie Hall works to solve a mystery of the past. This urban fantasy fails to capture the magic that this author's YA series did. The characters feel flat. The mystery is just there. There is plenty of worldbuilding, but to what end? It is always fun to have morally grey characters, but I didn't connect with them. It is on the shorter side which is interesting for adult works. I would recommend this title for folks who enjoy mysteries.

Thrilling and intricate! I love that she brought us into this world - I was immediately hooked. Holly Black does it again!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback.

Maybe I'll come back to this title at a later date, but for now it's a "did not finish" (DNF). I think I wanted something much closer to the Cruel Prince. Rating a 3 because I didn't finish it and it's not fair to the author for me to rate any lower with this circumstance.

I enjoyed this book, even though it felt more like young adult to me. The world building was good and I enjoyed the characters. It ended like there might be a sequel, so I'm hoping there is one. While not a perfect book, it was entertaining and one I'd recommend.

While the worldbuilding is beautifully fleshed out as usual for Holly Black, the main story itself was much slower going than her usual works. The characters are interesting and engaging, and the plot is good, but that's just it: it's good. Holly Black is usually beyond great. I'm not sure if it's due to the Adult audience this book is meant to appeal to, but on the whole it was slow to the point of dragging.

Holly Black is one of my absolute favorite authors, so it was strange finding myself slogging through and getting bored. It may be the time of year, or my general mood, I'm definitely going to give this one another try, but for now I'll leave it at this.

It being so well crafted is what gives it a decent rating, I just personally found myself dragging through it.

Received this book as an Arc. Holly Black is a phenomenal author. This story was fast-paced, full of dark magic. The play on the shadows and all of the back story that went into that was intriguing and never felt cliched. The mystery element of the story kept me guessing until the very end. I really felt like I could picture this world that Holly Black built around her main character. I would recommend this book to anyone who is already a fan of Holly Black, but also to readers who are interested in magical reads, but weren't sure where to start.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available to me.

Interesting world of magic shadows, full of gloams, glooms, blights, heirophants, shadow magic wannabes, magic fakers, con artists, and more. I didn't really "like" any of the characters, although the last 25% of the book redeemed that somewhat. I'll still be interested to read the next book in this series.

this started off pretty rough, but im glad i pushed through it because i actually ended up liking it by the end.

lets talk about the first half. yes, its slow. yes, the world-building is lacking. yes, its a little bit boring. yes, the characters are pretty flat. but eventually you come to a moment where you realise things are actually more interesting than you think.

Book of Night by Holly Black is an unforgettable urban fantasy heist novel that sympathizes with demonic shadows and con artists. Charlie is a retired con artist who stole valuable magical objects and now would very much prefer to live a normal life as a bartender with her normal boyfriend, Vince. But, when her old life catches up with her, she is thrown back into the magical world she tried to leave behind. There is nothing better than trying to watch Charlie and Vince pretend to be normal for each other so hard. Especially considering the fact that neither person in the relationship could identify as normal if they tried. For all lovers of fantasy worlds that reckon with the darker sides of human nature, you could not find a better book.

A fun book by Holly Black, and one of her rare standalones, which I always enjoy. The main character has had a rough upbringing, being trained by a con artist and a not-so-great mom, but she is trying to make ends meet without getting sucked back into that world. Except of course she is, and that's where the story really picks up.

It is a bit of a slow burn, but worth it in the end, at least if you enjoy things like shadow thieves, scary billionaires who need to get a comeuppance, and characters who try to take care of each other but kind of suck at it because things just keep getting in their way.

I've enjoyed Holly Black books in the past and was looking forward to her adult debut. Imagine Jude and Cardan style characters in an adult setting. It would be great. Sadly, Book of Night was not this. Somehow the book was a lot more dull and less exciting than her previous books despite more writing freedom allowed in adult fantasies. I ended up not finishing it.