I started the spooky season off with the perfect monster read! Atia is a monster who feeds on fear, and as the last of her kind, she spends her time wandering the world alone. Silas on the other hand works for the gods and has been stripped of who he was to pay for past mistakes he can’t remember. When given a chance to change their fates these two team up and go on an adventure that will make them truly decide what they want. This is such a great YA read that is coming out at the perfect time to add to your October tbr list! Make sure you mark October 10th on your calendar so you don’t miss out!

Thank you @macmillanusa and @netgalley for the early copy. 🎃

I think the premise of this was really interesting, but there was it was so heavy in dialogue and so light in world building detail that it didn't hit right for me.

Atia is the last of the Nefas, a monster that feeds on fear. Silas is a Herald, a messenger of the fickle gods, who cannot remember his past though he desperately wants to know who he once was. They are enemies by nature, which is why an alliance between them is dangerous and deadly. Silas promises to help Atia avenge her family and fight against the gods who have cursed her, if she helps him discover his history and return his humanity. It will require them to face a vampire, a banshee, and the gods themselves. But soon, their quest turns into something more, something that could shape their world forever...

I was extremely excited when I saw this book on Netgalley. I have enjoyed every one of of Alexandra Christo's books that I've read, and the synopsis of this book along with the gorgeous cover (U.S. edition, the U.K. edition is meh) I was sold. I would say that the beginning of this book drags a little, but it's worth it in the end. 4 stars.

This book mixes some mythology with fantastical monsters. The human world is split into five kingdoms and Atia has traveled them for years, feeding on fear and hiding from vengeful gods that play as though fate is a game. When Atia is cursed for breaking a rule the gods have put upon monsters, she begins a quest to break her curse, renew her powers, and fight against the gods. Alongside her is Silas, a Herald who has never fit in with his peers--thoughtless messengers who simply do as they are told and nothing more. They'll be joined by a rag-tag group to help on their adventure, which solidifies the found-family focus of this fantasy adventure novel.

And while I really enjoyed the second half of the book, I would be remiss if I didn't say that the beginning is a bit of a slow start. Dual-narrated by the first-person viewpoints of Atia and Silas, there is a little bit of tonal monotony across their viewpoints, and they aren't always super distinguishable from one another. The first steps of the adventure also skip through days and weeks as the characters move from one goal to another, but once their quest becomes something more than just their personal goals, it became much more interesting and well-paced.

This is definitely a book I would recommend for those who like a standalone romantasy-adventure. Just don't give up too soon; the later chapters are where the real adventure begins.


Posted to Goodreads on October 3, 2023.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Night Hunt is another intriguing YA fantasy romance from Alexandra Christo. It’s a fun blend of dark and cozy, taking inspiration from Greek mythology while still being an original story. I loved the mix of gods and monsters, banshees and vampires.
The characters are pretty fun, and while they’re not the strongest aspect, they’re serviceable for what the narrative needs. Atia is a heroine after my own heart, being unapologetically herself. I love the way her hunger for others’ fear is explored, and how that’s counterbalanced with her moral code. Silas is a great counterpart for her, being a Herald forced into a hundred years of servitude to determine his fate after death, which is an interesting counterpoint to Atia losing her immortality due to being cursed. With them coming together as reluctant allies to accomplish the common goal of killing a god, I enjoyed seeing their bond grow and the walls come down between them.
There’s a pretty solid supporting cast as well, and while they’re not as well-developed, I enjoyed their relationships with one another, and the found-family vibes that develop throughout.
The quest plot makes for a pretty fast-paced narrative, complemented by a slow-burn romance. There’s a great balance of fun action bits and the more introspective romance moments, keeping the story well-balanced throughout.
This is a fun, fast read, and I’d recommend it to readers of fantasy romance, or those looking for something somewhat spooky-season adjacent, but not scary.

A quick & enjoyable YA fantasy involving monsters, quests, curses, mythology, and conspiracies. I loved the dual POV between Atia and Silas and I thought their romance was believable despite the book being on the shorter side. It was really fun to follow their quest to break their respective curses and to meet all kinds of monsters along the way. I adored the found family aspect and the character development was well done. I was actually shocked by one of the reveals which is always good. Alexandra is great at writing standalones and if you enjoyed her other books, you’ll like this one as well!

Thank you to Macmillan for the ARC!

The Night Hunt by Alexandra Christo is everything I love in books on paper but not so much in execution. This is my third book by this author I have read and my third three star book by her. There is nothing inherently wrong with this author’s books. I just don’t really care one way or the other. Even though they seem amazing from the synopsis.

This wasn’t very dark like the synopsis says and I just did not connect with the characters at all, especially Silas. I am glad I read this because I know for sure this author isn’t the author for me. I think if I was a teen, I would absolutely love this book. I just don’t think it translates well to an adult audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fierce Reads for an e-arc of this book!

Christo does villainous female main characters so well, or dark ones, however you want to phrase it. They're some of my favorites written, because I'd call them the "stabby heroine" type, which I adore.

In this book Atia is a monster who feeds on fear, but she is more than that. Her story parallels with Silas, a Herald who deals with death. Silas and Atia have a common goal: kill a god. Each have their own reasons for wanting to kill a god, and the backstory of both characters was excellently strung out. I like how throughout the book the plot has different pieces that tie in, I felt that it was a well developed book.

I thought the world building (especially for a standalone!) was great, because you were drawn into this intoxicating mythological world, which you can tell is based on real mythology. I think that makes it easier for world building in such a limited space. I enjoyed how the "monsters" functioned in this book, as well as the gods.

I also really loved the writing in this book. It was a dark, atmospheric read, it made me think of a dark fall day or winter's night as I was reading. There were also some amazing, stunning quotes that I highlighted throughout this book.

I was invested in Atia as a character. The side characters in this book as well were strong, I loved Tristan and Cillian as well as Thia -- they all made excellent bell ends for Silas and Atia. Honestly, all the main characters arcs were fascinating, and I loved the emphasis behind the story of what makes a monster a monster.

This is very much a quest storyline, and it has its typical ups and downs. There were a few parts I felt that the pacing was a little off (a lot of travelling, and there were just some parts that I didn't love) but most of it was well done. I enjoyed the slow blooming romantic relationship in this book, Atia was especially my favorite.

This is an excellent YA dark fantasy/romance that is both sweet and dark at the same time.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The cover for this book immediately pulled me, and the synopsis even more so. Greek mythology weaved within worlds of gods and monsters.
⭐ 4 stars overall ⭐

This is my first book by Alexandra Christo, and her writing style did not disappoint! I felt it was easy to read and nothing snagged me or stopped me within my reading. She was able to create a captivating atmosphere in whichever “world” we were in and the personalities of both of our MCs were very much their own. We had a dual POV in this book, and while I prefer one POV in most of the books I read, I found the dual POV to be really interesting here. Without it, I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed the story as much.

Throughout reading, I fell to enjoy both of our characters, whereas at first I was not really sure if I would like either one. The mystery of both of them, what happened in their pasts and where they come from and why - all of it unfolded. The character arcs and backgrounds are very intertwined with the plot and world building, so it’s impossible to talk about them without also diving into the plot and world building. Our story also has romance, an enemies to lovers trope & friends to lovers, which was an unexpected treat for me! Though it’s not a spicy novel, it’s still a lot of fun to read those interactions.

The plot essentially centered around this: the mystery and the revenge for the pasts of these two characters. I enjoyed the way it unfolded but especially towards the end of the story. The last 20-30% was when we really found out about their pasts and what really happened, and before that we would receive hints and riddles in the way other characters spoke. While the beginning pulled me in and the end really pulled me in, I felt the story did lag a bit in the middle and I wasn’t as captivated, but when we hit that 65%-70% mark in the story, I was pulled back in. I think these were the best parts, and I felt really rewarded when I read the ending and information started to unravel. The ending was also really action packed and dark. There were gory parts and violence in some of the last chapters of the story. Though we did get a lot of world building, especially as the mysteries were revealed, I do wish we would’ve seen more of the different realms and learned more about them as well. We do receive general explanations, but more would’ve satisfied my world building needs in fantasy stories such as these.

This is a standalone novel, but I would be happy to read another one in this world. I enjoyed this one and I enjoyed the range of emotions and traits we experienced with each characters. This is marketed as a YA but I think adults would also love to read this and would fit perfectly for targeted audience. There are some TWs to be aware of that are listed with the book.
Overall a really enjoyable book with an ending that I loved - I would re-read this one again!

This has quickly become my favorite Alexandra Christo book to date! I just adore the world of The Night Hunt and the immersive writing makes it feel like it's right there. I also love a love-story that feels doomed in mroe ways then one and both of these smiten creatures are cursed!

I got an ARC of this book and I decided to DNF it. They is nothing wrong with this book I just don’t love it and I feel like if I kept reading it would only be a three star and I have other books I want to read more then this rn. I DNFed at 22%. I felt like I just knew where the story was going and I was able to guess quite a few things before they happened so I felt like the plot would be too predictable for me. I’m also not super into reading about Greek gods or anything like that and I could feel like it was about to have a LOT to do with the gods. The writing style wasn’t bad and I actually did enjoy it but I just didn’t love the plot.

3.75 -⭐⭐⭐💫💫

She was Atia. The Last of the Nefas. And the Gods did not like it.

The Night Hunt is a Young Adult Fantasy Romance following Atia and Silas as they are brought together in a hunt for the gods, beings that have for far too long wreaked havoc and destroyed their lives.

Atia is the last of her kind. She is as Nefas, a type of monster that feeds on fear. Years ago her family were murdered at the hands of a god and she has spent her life simmering with anger and hiding in the shadows for fear she may be next. I found her fierceness and frustration to be so believable. She is a gruff character but also fiercely loyal.

Silas is a being known as a herald who are meant to assist the god of death to ferry souls and messages. Silas chafes at this role, especially when he is told this is a punishment from something he did and he yearns to know what that is...except his memories and his previous life have been stripped from him. Silas is an interesting character as he is both desperate and manipulative in his attempt to find out his past. He shows remorse as the story progresses and he starts to see Atia for who she is but there is vulnerability under the surface.

This book has no spice as it is YA. There is a small amount of kissing and a fade to black. I felt that the romance tugged on my heartstrings, especially in Silas' POV but I found it took a long time to build up and by the time it did the story is very close to ending. I think if this was a multi-book series it would be fine but the way things ended it seems complete. Now, don't get me wrong the romance, when it arrives, is beautiful; I just wish we had more of a build up.

"Who are you?"
"Yours," I tell her in a breath. "Only yours..."

The world in this book is really fascinating and drew me from the start. The lore around the different gods and creatures as well as realms really fleshed out this world and it was done in a way that never felt rushed - it was given in pieces as the characters progressed.

The story itself is engaging and well paced. I found the quest aspect to it to be done so well alongside the found family vibe that grew in their journey. Tristan and Cillian were the perfect compliments to Silas and Atia with their humanity and kindness. I loved how they were able to so easily go with the flow. Through it all, this story is a journey of discovery as they unravel the truth of the past while also learning to move forward. There is action and the dark aspect of the fantasy is there with the violence but the payout is rich characters influenced by their pasts. The ending is extremely well balanced and I wish this world was not over because the build up had been demanding more.

Overall, if you are looking for a rich fantasy world with aggressive yet loveable characters, powerful lore, and found family lives with a dash of the most heart tugging romance you will devour this book.

Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends for the e-ARC!

Like many of the books I've read this year, I feel pretty indifferent to The Night Hunt. I really wish I didn't have to say that because the premise of this book seemed so cool, but I just didn't connect with this book in the way that I hoped. I just felt that for a dark fantasy, this book could have done much better. I also felt like the romance in this book was quite lacking, and given that this book is being pushed as a romantic fantasy, I expected more.

I also didn't like the characters at all. I found Atia to be obnoxious and very "fake deep", while Silas had the personality of a cardboard box.

I will say, however, that this was a fairly quick read that you can definitely finish in just a couple of hours. I'm currently in a reading slump, so it took me longer, but this would be great if you're looking for something fast and easy. The monsters and magic system were also cool -- I think this is were the book succeeded the most.

The Night Hunt by Alexandra Christo is the newest fantasy novel by this author. After already loving To Kill A Kingdom, I was very excited for this dark fantasy.
 
The concept of this book is absolutely amazing, and, in this world, there are paranormal beings like vampires, but also monsters and godly helpers. The atmosphere in this book is very dark and lush and it sucks you right in.
 
The protagonist Atia is one of the last Nefas who are monsters of illusion who feed on fear. She was such an intriguing person and I liked how you get to see that she is much more than just a monster. I also liked her vampire friend Sapphir.
 
Silas is cursed by the gods and was stripped of his past. His current role of a herald means that he is a messenger for the Gods and must help people into the afterlife. This reminded me a bit of the underworld in Greek mythology, and I absolutely loved it. Silas is a great person who rediscovers himself in this book.
 
Atia and Silas are a pair you wouldn’t expect to work together as they are on complete opposite ends of this world. But they can help each other and go through a dangerous mission. The plot was absolutely engaging, and captivating and I couldn’t put this book down. There was also a bit of romance, but I wish this would have been more elaborate.
 
Overall, this story is perfect for all dark fantasy lovers and for this year‘s spooky season. 4 stars.
 
(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)

(3.5) The premise of the story sounds super fun and overall I really enjoyed it. However, I do think that the worldbuilding could’ve been a bit better. Right now, I feel like the world Atia lives in was just kind of… there. I would’ve like to see some more world descriptions, as right now I struggled visualizing the lands Atia grew up in.

I did majorly enjoy the characters, though. The story is dual POV, which I always love. Atia’s character arc especially was fun to read. She starts of a grumpy loner and ends up… well still being grumpy, but not as alone anymore. She truly learns the value of friendship and working together for a common goal. Silas is a good counterpart for Atia, as he is quite opposite to her. It makes for fun interactions. His arc was also fun to read. I do feel that the development of the side characters deserved some more attention, though. They mostly existed to support Atia in her goal, but they also interact with each other. I wish that those interactions were a little more prominent, so that the relationships between all characters would be more rounded.

The plot was pretty solid, too. Right from the beginning you know there’s something not entirely right about the Gods and what happened to Atia’s kind. But it’s something to which the answer is not easy to guess. There were plenty of twists, but there was one specific one that I did not see coming at all, which I love. It’s quite impressive really, because the reader gets no chance to even guess what it is. I felt the buildup to the finale was done quite well, but I do wish the Gods were more involved throughout the whole story.

This was a really easy read that was also perfect for curling up with a blanket and a hot drink. It's kind of comforting. I especially think this is the perfect time of year for a book like this.

The world building and mythological aspects were some of my favorite details. However, the characters and some of the dialogues came across as just a bit too ya for me. So, with that said, I think this is a good book and that many people will enjoy it, but it just wasn't for me.

Out October 10, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

LOVED THIS. I absolutely fell in love with this story. I love the way this author writes morally grey YA characters. The main characters here Atia (a monster known as a Nefas) and Silas (a Herald- basically death) are truly morally grey, watching them find their humanity through their journey was heart-warming and entertaining. The relationship that develops between them is so romantic. I just love a Romantasy where he falls for ALL of her, especially her monstrous side. I loved the found family theme (the side characters are so lovable) the plot was fast paced and action packed. I really could not put this down. This is the perfect seasonal read. Full of gods and monsters this was incredibly entertaining! I highly recommend if you like:
✔️ Dual POV
✔️ Morally grey MC’s
✔️ Found Family
✔️ Spooky vibes
✔️ Gods & Monsters
✔️ Banter
✔️ MMC with Shadow Magic
✔️ YA Romance
✔️ Enemies to reluctant allies to lovers
✔️ Short Chapters
✔️ Stand-alone
✔️ Fast paced plot

Monsters & Magic & Gods & War & Kisses. I am going to put that on a t-shirt Key and Peele style because I loved everything this book was. The Night Hunt was nothing short of mythically bloodthirsty and romantically unstoppable. I absolutely adored this story by Alexandra Christo.

We get a dual POV from Atia and Silas. Atia is a Nefas (a monster of fears and illusions) and is the last of her kind and Silas is a herald of souls. When Atia is cursed to lose her powers, she teams up with Silas, Tristan, and Cillian to regain her power and restore glory to the Nefas.

I adored following both Atia and Silas for very different reasons. Atia is all strength. Truly proud of who she is and will fight tooth and nail to regain everything she lost. Whilst Silas also wants to regain what he lost, he is gentle and almost calming yet at the same time fierce and unyielding. I loved watching these two collide and couldn’t have loved it more.

The twist at the end was such a fabulous one. I had suspicions but could not quite nail down what it was. I love it when you get a good gasp of surprise. Also, I definitely slightly swooned over the God of Death and think he absolutely needs his own book… just saying. If you’re into Gods and monsters with an adventurous journey and a side of romance, you definitely need to pick this one up!

The Night Hunt 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the change to review this book! I was quick to jump on board since "To Kill A Kingdom" was a favorite dark romance of mine.

"The Night Hunt" is an absolute gem. It had me on the edge of my seat, constantly surprising me with its twists. I was awestruck by the unique world it painted, where humans and monsters coexist. The dual POV from Atia and Silas made the story even more engaging, keeping me interested and swept away in this amazing world.

The characters—Cillian, Tristan, Silas, Atia, and Thia—felt like friends I didn't want to part with. Silas and Atia's slow-burn romance was both heartwarming and *chefs kiss*.

I can't recommend "The Night Hunt" enough. The cover is just a glimpse of the magic inside. Alexandra Christo has poured her heart into this, and I'm eager for everyone to dive into this enchanting adventure. 📚✨

Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

While The Night Hunt by Alexandra Christo was marketed as a “dark romantic fantasy”, this book wasn’t very dark or romantic.

Let’s start with the story itself. While there was nothing necessarily wrong with it, it was very shallow and convenient. At no point was I worried about any of the characters or feeling any of the stakes of the situations they found themselves in. I’m not sure what was supposed to qualify this as a “dark” fantasy (maybe the dark backstories of the main characters?), but I did not see it as that at all as it did not have the intensity and emotion of a dark fantasy. It was just a normal fantasy book.

In terms of characters, Atia and Silas both had very interesting backstories and complexities, but their actions and words weren’t always consistent. It felt hard to get a feel for who they were as individual people. As a romantic pairing, I truly could not believe their relationship as it was not very well developed. That goes for their relationships with Tristan and Cillian as well. They were supposed to be this found family, be each other’s “home” but I’m really not sure where that trust and loyalty was built as I didn’t see that on the page.

That being said, I really did like Tristan and Cillian as side characters and wished we got more of them. They kind of felt like they were just there during pivotal points of the story.

The dialogue between characters was probably the best part of the book. There was some very well-written banter, I just wished I was more attached for the characters themselves.

Overall, not a structurally bad book, it just could’ve used some more depth all around. If you’re looking to get into the fantasy genre, definitely give this book a try!

3 out of 5 stars

The author who write To Kill a Kingdom and a few other books is back with another Ya fantasy that’s on the darker side. We follow 2 characters Atia and Silas, Atia is a monster who feeds on peoples fear and Silas ferries the dead into the afterlife so very Charon from greek mythology. Well Atia breaks a law and now the Gods are sent out to hunt her. This is a standalone book so you don’t have to worry about a cliffhanger as it wrapped up nicely. This was absolutely right up my alley, great characters, dark story, an interesting world. Recommend for sure!