If you are a fan of Jay Kristoff, you will love this book. I liked the story that was told and the band of characters we met through multiple povs. A high fantasy with paranormal characters.

This book certainly felt a lot like a roller coaster. I absolutely love the backstory, the idea that immortals are the normal and humans are a myth. Instantly loved it the first moment I read it. I enjoyed majority of the banter though some of the villains like to talk too much and got rather repetitive and boring. The ending felt rushed, and the big fights in the end felt… too easy. Especially with the revelation when it comes to Sage. I love Sage, by the way. By far the most intriguing of characters in my opinion. I definitely look forward to continuing this series.

Palace maid Sam rebels against her vampire overlords and tries to better herself through blackmail. When the son of the city’s ruler is murdered and she finds the only clue to his death, she seizes the chance to blackmail her way into a better class and better blood.

She falls in with the Leeches, a group of like-minded servants, and does her best to solve the murder while improving her lot, and perhaps the lot of her fellow maids.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Publishing for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Lightfall!

I did end up DNFing Lightfall. I liked the first chapter but after that I had no idea what was happening. The world building was confusing and I felt there were too many characters introduced in quick succession.

The power system based on drinking different blood types of animals was really interesting and original. In the time I knew her I did like Sam even though I didn't feel connected to her or any other character in Lightfall.

Overall I think readers who like murder mystery, epic fantasy and intersting magic systems, would find this book interesting. Lightfall may get better past the point I got to but for the time being I'm going to move on from this book.

Dnf. The pacing of the book is slow. I couldn't concentrate on the story because it was a little boring.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read an early copy.
Now for the balls of it…it wasn’t for me. The pace was a bit slow and it was kind of boring. Sadly I couldn’t get into this story. I usually love politically intriguing tales that follow the characters up or through their social classes and finding their places but this once was just not it for me. I’m sure I’ll pick it up later or even listen to an audio be it available as sometimes that makes it so much better for me. For me I’ve got to shelve it right now.

A supernatural cast for this murder mystery novel it's an interesting read but I didn't connect with the characters. Might have been my fault and I wasn't in the right mood for it.

It all starts, as always, with the main character seeking adventure and death, almost as if it's her hobby.

Then quickly, we’re thrown into a covert operation, unraveling mysteries and facing dangers.

Time passes, and all the heroes come together as a whole gang.

Somewhere near the end, I found myself sitting there, trying not to cry, saying, "I knew you would do this to me" (I still get ridiculously attached to characters).

My thoughts on the last chapters were: What? How? Oh, that’s why.

I felt the beginning was a bit rushed, especially how Sam jumped into danger without a second thought.

The book is told from multiple perspectives, which I love, allowing us to see the story from different angles and noticing common threads among the characters.

There’s a vampire society mixed with a dash of murder mystery. We also have werewolves and sorcerors, political intrigues, and a game that unfolds over a long time. There are no mortal people, but everyone is thinking about them.

It's a tale of how different beings come together.

The perfect read for cozy autumn evenings!🌑🩸

P.S. Thanks for the chance to read the ARC!

I heard so many great things about this book that I was excited to read it but I ended up stopping at about 20%. The world felt messy and slightly unplanned to me. I also only ended up liking one character and that was Sage. A lot of the characters and character interactions felt very YA and juvenile to me. I just couldn't get into it.

It's one of the best books I've read this year. Well written, great story of a world where humans are a myth and the vampires, werewolf, and sorcerers are immortal. World building was a bit complex, with great characters that really drew me in. Looking forward to next book in the series.

An excellent start to a new series with phenomenal world-building. With enough description to put you in the environment, you feel a part of this rag-tag team. The tale pulls you in in degrees as you feel the struggle to just stay alive and improve current circumstances, to uncovering secrets of the past (mortals), to exposing corruption .. and all this while solving the murder of the supreme ruler's son. By the time that the team fully joins ranks, you feel committed to the quest. This was dangerous and exciting and full of action in the periphery as well as in the forefront. And the twists at the end have me absolutely hooked - I cannot wait for the next book to come out!

A vampire caste society combined with a murder mystery. Add werewolves, and political scheming, and you end up with a well-written book that has an engaging plot that makes you want to read 'just one more page'. I eagerly anticipate the sequel.

Lightfall by Ed Crocker is a unique tale of vampires that I was pleasantly intrigued by.

The book begins between the two separate points of view of Sam and First Lord Azzuri, who each offer a unique perspective into different vampire hierarchies. First Lord Azzuri is at the top of the food chain (pun intended) as a vampire who gets the very best of the blood and all the other benefits that come with his position, whereas Sam is at the bottom, receiving the dregs of their society which provides nothing more than sustenance. What ties their two unique perspectives together is the mystery of why the First Lords son has been killed, the secrets he was pursuing and who ultimately ended his life. They both provide an essential view of this investigation as Sam is looking for answers that can get out of her poor position in life, while Azzuri simply wants to know what would drive his son to risk his life as he did prior to death by leaving the city and exposing himself to the threat of the Gray's. I really enjoyed both their views as they were such different characters with such compelling motivations and I found myself hooked into the mystery immediately as they sought out the clues available to them with their different roles in the castle and the opportunities they each got as a result of this.

I was even further intrigued by the sorcerors and their different kinds of magic which make an appearance with Sage Bailey's introduction to being a point of view character. There are five different types and I immediately wanted to know more, particularly about the Quantas who are looked down upon by all others. Suffice it to say this world created by the author had me so invested to quickly. It raised all kinds of questions I just wanted to keep reading to find answers for, and it was such a unique world with fantastic world building.

I also loved how the different perspectives were somewhat linked together throughout the story. They all had some kind of tie to the question of First Lord Azzuri's sons death and although each character was vastly different and came from very different backgrounds and positions in society, there was this link between them and Azzuri which kept things so interesting. Not to mention, the mysterious, deadly entity that was the Gray's was so intriguing and I wanted so badly to find out what they were and why they had forced the people from Lightfall and to be contained in their new city or die. Not to mention Sage Bailey and his investigation into the fable that is mortals. I had so many questions and was so desperate for answers. This book did a phenomenal job of keeping me intirgued and providing a super different, enthralling world.

Lightfall completely took me by surprise. I did not expect to love it as much as I did, but this one was that rare type of book that blew me out of the water with how good it was. I honestly can't stop thinking about it and I am so excited for the sequel. Having to wait is going to be brutal because there are so many questions I'm desperate for answers to and I really want to see where this series is going to go. I highly recommend this one, particularly to epic fantasy lovers who are fans of vampires (but not exclusively because this is so much more than a vampire story).

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. I like vampires but this was not the book for me. I wasn't a fan of the writing style, especially since the POVs did not feel distinct. The actual story was also pretty boring.

I think I just fell in love with a story that only just barely gave me a glimpse of the world beyond the city of Lightfall. A story already rich in intrigue and possibilities, leaving the reader thirsty for more.

This is NOT your average paranormal vampire/werewolf read. First off all, there are sorcerers too. In this world, the Great Three seemingly sprang from nowhere, mere beasts to intelligence during a time of the Great Intelligence. What was before is unknown? What is known is that they are all immortal.

Wars between the races have driven them apart or together depending on the enemies. Peace has reigned for a time. But peace grows old. What do beings do with too time on their hands? Scheme.

Vampires, living a caste society, relegate their people's lives based on the quality of blood they receive to sustain them. The 'Worns' get the lowest quality that barely sustains them, keeps them docile, not really immortal and allow them to age. These are the working-class but by far the largest population of vampires. The 'Midway', as their name indicates, are middle management. They get a better class of blood and not age. They get treated better that the Worns and are the handlers of the Worns. 'Lords' control it all and get the magicked blood, top quality, best of the best. They make and break the rules with no consequences. This is their world to rule. They are the schemers and dreamers.

With all the vampires now trapped in the only safe city left to them, the Lords ruthlessly hold to traditions for centuries even while the Worns are ground down. This city is just a pressure keg ready to go. All it will take is the mysterious death of the First Lord's son to set off a chain of events that will change everyone's lives.

I'm really looking forward to the next book to really see how the author explores not only the small world he has created within Lightfall and the vampires, but how he expands that the greater world of the wolves with Raven and even Sage and the Sorcerers. Finding out more to these little easter eggs of dropped knowledge - Last Light, the birth of sorcerers, and the mortals, would be delightful to know.

This book is a MUST READ! What begins as a slow-burn introduction to a seemingly unconnected cast of characters evolves into an epic tale that immerses readers in a high fantasy world where vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers coexist without mortals, and someone - or something - is out destroy that society. This book is unique in that it features intricate yet accessible world-building, allowing readers to dive deep into the story without feeling overwhelmed; something not always easily achievable in the fantasy genre.
The plot unfolds at a nice pace, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. However, it’s the characters who truly steal the show. Fun, strong, and well-developed, each one brings unique personalities and backgrounds that make this mismatched crew perfectly suited to work together.
Lightfall delivers the action and adventure every fantasy reader will love and is truly my next five star obsession!

I did DNF this book the synopsis sounded really good and caught my attention, but the writing style was just not my favorite. It felt very clinical and too straight to the point.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book early and review.

I debated between 3 or 4 stars, but I decided to round down for the fact that the dialogue kept throwing me off. It's a story with a lot of potential and a strong plot and characters, but the dialogue was a little too wordy or forced and just didn't seem to fit.

Also....I don't know if it was the copy I had or if the finished product will still have it, but there...were....so...many... unnecessary...ellipses...in...the...most...random...places.

I will continue with the story when the next book comes out, waiting to see how the story progresses.

Lightfall is a book about vampires, werewolves and sorcerers. In fact, it might be the most innovated novel about vampires, werewolves and sorcerers that I’ve read in decades, and I do not say that lightly.

Mr. Crocker has managed to create a world of immortals and make the reader worry about their humanity. This book really tilts everything with its politics and hierarchy plays. That this is Mr. Crocker’s first novel is even more amazing. Some authors just have the gift right out the gate.

The city of Lightfall is a fallback haven for the vampires who were basically chased out of their primary city of First Light by the very mysterious Grays. Blood determines the rules, and if you are nobility, you have access to the powerful blood, and if you are a worn, you get basic stuff that causes you to show age over time. Nobody leaves Lightfall in fear of being killed by the Grays.

One problem, though. The city’s ruler’s youngest son is murdered, and by some ingenuity, and a lot of luck, palace maid Sam finds the only substantial clue. What entails pulls in a magic-less sorcerer cult, an apex predator werewolf, and a whole lot of mystery and intrigue.

This book is super high on my best books of the year list, and it doesn’t even come out until January 2025! The way Mr. Crocker has written each character’s point of view is masterful, and the worldbuilding is absolutely top notch. It’s been a very long time since someone brought something this dynamic to the genre without it falling back on cliche. This is a novel that came to me out of left field and I could not be happier.

Let me just tell you that the last quarter of Lightfall is an insane roller coaster that had me guffawing and gasping with each turn of the page. I absolutely cannot wait for book number two, and I will be giving many friends “raincheck” Christmas presents so I can get this in their hands come January.

This book was fantastic!
Vampires, Werewolves and Sorcerers...yes please.
The author does a brilliant job of creating a unique world with compelling complex characters, vivid world building, intense fight scenes, political and social conflicts. With plot twists that left me a tad speechless.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc.