I was looking forward to Book of Night. I’ve read several other Holly Black books and recall being very pleased with them. I had high hopes going into this audiobook. It did not disappoint. This book had several sentimental triggers for me, including homemade cinnamon coffee (which I used as a poor university student to make the crappy coffee I bought taste more delicious) and the use of the word “gloam” (which I first heard in a Radiohead song when I was an angsty teenager) to highlight a few. Those references deepened my connection to the book and made me want to like it more.
Book Information
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
First Published: May 2 2022
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Sara Amini
Source: Library
Genre: Thriller, Fantasy
This book is a slow reveal with a novel approach to magic. I got frustrated early in the book because I didn’t understand the magic rules, the timeline of the discovery of magic or how it impacted the world. Think similar to the True Blood series, where vampires always existed, but the public wasn’t aware. The pace was so slow, despite feeling like it should be a thriller or suspense, that halfway through the book, I’m pretty sure I yelled “GET ON WITH IT” at my car speakers. The current timeline would break for chapters on past experiences that give context to the world and the characters, and it felt jarring. The technical aspects of the delivery are explained to increase the anticipation, and I’m glad they were included.
A common trope in romance novels is to keep the lead characters from communicating to fabricate drama and set conflict. I thought Black was using this plot mechanism, which lessened my expectations for the rest of the book.
There was a significant tipping point about three-quarters in. All of a sudden, things snapped into place. My initial confusion aligns with the main character’s foray into learning more about magic as she becomes further embroiled in the escapade. Looking back, it made Book of Night more fun and engaging. The lack of communication between the main characters was very well explained by one character’s lack of experience (this is an intentionally misleading way of phrasing it).
From there, IT RACED. The plot started racing towards the climax. It was tense, thrilling, and suspenseful. All the pieces began to come together, and I liked Charlie and Vince even more. The tension between Charlie and Vince was excellent.
Book of Night was a roller coaster for me. I went in with high expectations, was bummed out by the slow pace, confusing magic and backstory, and was annoyed by the miscommunication trope, to being highly impressed and satisfied at the end. I’d be so pleased if this was a series about their adventures.
Excellent narration from Sara Amini. Her voice acting was dynamic and kept the tension high.