The story started off strong and I was liking it a lot, but the pacing and plot fell off a little bit. I enjoyed the writing style and the unique ideas the author had. A solid 3 stars.

I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. I had only read YA by Holly Night but I was very happy with this adult novel. The story and characters drew me in and I will definitely be doing a refresher reread before the next book comes out.

Holly Black can do no wrong, a masterful storyteller, compelling plot and endearing characters, love love love! Cannot wait for the sequel!

Book of Night is a fantasy novel from Holly Black, although the tone and characters give it much more of an adult feel vs. her middle-grade and YA works.

Charlie Hall is a scrappy, self-sufficient underdog of a character who views the moral high ground as a luxury she doesn't have. Charlie has a crappy job, a crappy apartment, and a survivalist instinct fostered by her early exposure to criminal activity. Her only aspiration is to help her younger sister achieve some form of success. Her decision to go for one last grift that would expose the one magic everyone wants to keep a secret lands her in the cross-hairs of the most powerful of those that wield magic. The imperfections and low level/non-existent ambitions of the heroine make this fantasy unique in comparison to the others in the genre. Amazing world-building, salty heroine, and magic are the perfect combination in what is yet another Holly Black home run. I've read this book at least three times since it was first published, and I can't wait for the sequels!

Even after reading this a second time, this story still blows me away. Holly Black is a story-telling queen! Every book released by this author is always a knock out and this one is no exception. The characters, the plot, the twists and turns, all perfectly constructed and executed flawlessly. The shadow magic and world building is so unique and really showcases the talent of such a great author. I'll be impatiently waiting for book two!

It’s no surprise to say that I devoured this with the same hunger that overcomes me every time I pick up a book by Holly Black. There’s just something so addictive and all-consuming about her prose that makes her stories impossible to put down. I’ve loved everything of hers that I’ve previously read, and I loved Book of Night just as much. I’ve also said this a lot by now, but if you’re like me and also willing to die on the hill that Curse Workers is Black’s strongest YA offering? You want to read Book of Night. The vibes are similar and immaculate and just—YES.

I was instantly drawn into this dark world full of cons and twisted magic and things that go bump in the night. The world-building has Black’s signature stamp—it feels otherworldly and yet so incredibly possible. Which frankly, makes it all the more terrifying. The characters were fantastic and disastrous by equal measure, but still you want to root for them.

And that ending?! I’m sure it’s bound to be divisive among readers, but it’s absolutely going to leave you staring at the wall trying to figure out if what you just read—and what just happened—actually happened. Please tell me there is more to this world, because I need it.

I really enjoyed Book of Night. Here we have a morally gray woman MC, proving just because something is illegal doesn't mean it's wrong. There are flashback sequences that show what her childhood was like, making you understand why she lives a life of crime. I was really able to relate to her and wanted her to break ALL the rules. I found the romance subplot so sweet and the magic system extremely unique. I can't wait for the sequel!

This was an enjoyable realistic fantasy read, based in the real world with some fantastical elements. Included plenty of romance, drama, mystery, and thriller. Despite their short comings the characters were likeable and I wanted to read to the end to find out what happened to them.