Review - Darkdawn

Nevernight Chronicles

Title: Darkdawn

Series: Nevernight Chronicle (Goodreads)

Publisher: Harper Voyager
Genre: Fantasy
Author: Jay Kristoff   
Age Group: Adult
Source: Received as a gift

Review

Very rarely does a book make me cry, I could probably count the few that have managed this on one hand, and Kristoff’s Darkdawn is definitely among them. Also, without a doubt Jay Kristoff knows how to destroy souls and break hearts. If you have read Nevernight and Godsgrave there is still nothing that will prepare for the end!

What has been most important throughout the entirety of the Nevernight Chronicles is the importance of family and Darkdawn is no exception. There is a new character introduced to us in Darkdawn that is very important to Mia, I will not share their identity as it would ruin the books, all I will say is that they bring to the forefront once again the significance of family. Throughout the Chronicles Mia has fought to avenge her family and the wrong that was done to them all and so even though there is brutal murder, bloodshed, and yes smutty sex the one overriding theme and reason for Mia’s actions has always been her familia! I believe the following quote sums up the importance of family perfectly:

“… IT MEANS FAMILIA CAN HURT YOU MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE. BUT THAT IS ONLY BECAUSE THEY MATTER MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE. WHEN YOU SPEAK SO, THOUGH MIA DOES NOT SHOW IT, IT WOUNDS HER…”

There is only one other author who rivals or equals Kristoff’s theme of family and that is currently for me Sarah J Maas. They both equally illustrate that family whether it is those we choose or cannot, will be the most important individuals and relationships in our lives, that even though family can cause each other pain like none other there is nothing that can destroy the bonds of family.

Darkdawn could not have been complete without bloodshed, murder and death. What friendships Mia has built over the past two books are pushed to the limits and of course not everyone survives, if you have read the previous books or other Kristoff books, you could not have expected less. If you are a new to Kristoff’s books, welcome, and enjoy the pain!

Finally, it has been one hell of a wild ride Mia Corvere, and I have enjoyed every single moment. From the beginning of the Chronicles Mia has been a complex antiheroine, the best kind of strong woman if you ask me. As a male author Kristoff did not once diminish the experience of a young woman. Instead, he gave readers a strong independent women with a will of her own and a sword to wield against her oppressors. For this very reason I adored her foul mouthed journey from the beginning, she never once stated that she was the hero of the story, only that she a had a will and desire to avenge her family and that only made me respect her more. So I leave you with the following quote and remind you all to never flinch…

“I know it,” she finally said. “I hurt people all the time. […] How do you kill a monster without becoming one yourself?” “I don’t know,” he replied. Mia shook her head, staring out at the wastes around them. “You can’t,” she sighed.’

Synopsis (From Goodreads)

Mia Corvere, gladiatii, escaped slave and infamous assassin, is on the run.

After the greatest games in Godsgrave’s history ended with the most audacious murders in the history of the Itreyan Republic, Mia finds herself pursued by Blades of the Red Church and soldiers of the Luminatii legion. She may never escape the City of Bridges and Bones alive.

Her mentor Mercurio is now in the clutches of her enemies. Her own family wishes her dead. And her nemesis, Consul Julius Scaeva, stands but a breath from total dominance over the Republic.

But beneath the city, a dark secret awaits. Together with her lover Ashlinn, brother Jonnen and a mysterious benefactor returned from beyond the veil of death, she must undertake a perilous journey across the Republic, seeking the final answer to the riddle of her life. Truedark approaches.

Night is falling on the Republic for perhaps the final time.

Key Quotes 

‘Out in the dark, a bookworm roared again. Closer this time. Aelius drew long and deep on his cigarillo, embers sparking in his eyes, his fingers stained with ink. “Don’t fuck with librarians, young lady. We know the power of words.”

“… shhhh…,” came a murmur at her feet. “… do you hear that…?” “… Hear what?” “… it appears to be the sound of … breasts tilting skyward…?” Mia scowled at the jest, dragging her sopping hair over her shoulder.’

‘Lightning flashed, tearing the skies in fury. The waves crashed and rolled. The Ladies of Storms and Oceans, the terrible twins, reaching out toward her with all their hatred. Mia hauled herself to her feet, Eclipse beside her, the shadows swaying like serpents. She dragged her sodden tricorn off, clawed her hair from her face, and she laughed. Her eyes alight. Her heart warmed by dark flame, burning in her chest. All they had, they’d thrown. All their hate, they’d given. All their fury, spent. Mia raised the knuckles to the sky. “Still standing, bitches.”

Similar reads

Aurora Rising, A ​Court of Silver Flames, Ninth House, The Poppy War, The Priory of the Orange Tree, House of Earth and Blood, Illuminae

Afterthoughts

What did you think of Darkdawn?

Did you enjoy the Nevernight Chronicles?

How far would you go to avenge your family?

What would you recommend to readers who enjoyed Darkdawn and the Nevernight Chronicles?

Blog Tour - You'll Be the Death of Me

Title: You'll Be the Death of Me (Goodreads)

Publisher: Penguin

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary, Crime

Author: Karen M. McManus

Age Group: YA

Source: Netgalley

I would truly like to thank TheWriteReads for asking me to be a part of this book tour. I am also very grateful to Penguin for providing me with a Netgalley link to this book. Lastly and most importantly the biggest thank you goes to Karen M. McManus for writing such an exciting book!

Review

If you are looking for a fun, quick and snappy read than look no further than You'll Be the Death of Me! This is my first time reading a book by McManus and I can see why she has become a popular fast-selling author. Her books are full of surprises and energy, they are very quick reads and accessible to all readers. I truly enjoyed the fast pace of You'll Be the Death of Me and the suspense of the murder mystery.

However, what this book lacked for me was complex characters and a fully engaging plot. Perhaps it is possible to argue that the murder mystery genre itself does not stereotypically allow for complex characters to develop and I am being unfair to the author and her book, in that case I will happily put my hands up and admit I am not reading the right genre. In relation to the plot, yes it moves quickly, but to me it did not feel like a lot developed in the middle of the book which would have allowed an exciting build up to the conclusion.

There was a lot a teen angst and perhaps this took centre stage instead of trying to resolve the murder mystery. Most of Ivy’s and Mateo’s narrative near the end of the novel shifted away from the murder focus and onto their unresolved teenage romantic feelings and it just didn’t fit in with the overall plot for me. Cal unfortunately becomes the desperate third wheel and struggles to get the narrative back on track towards finding out who the killer was. Their overall friendship then became unbalanced and off kilter which made me struggle with the final chapters of the book.

In the end, I did enjoy this book mainly because it was so easy and quick to read but overall I struggled with the lack of character development and midway detour through teenage love town. That being said, if you enjoy the murder mystery genre and don’t mind easy going characters than You'll Be the Death of Me is worth a read for you.

Synopsis

When three old friends re-live an epic ditch day, it goes horribly-and deadly-wrong.

Ivy, Mateo, and Cal used to be close. Back in middle school they were best friends. So, when Cal pulls into campus late for class, and runs into Ivy and Mateo, it seems like the perfect opportunity to turn a bad day around. They'll ditch school and go into the city. Just the three of them, like old times. Why did they stop hanging out, anyway?

As soon as they pull out of the parking lot Cal knows why. Ivy's already freaking out about missing class, and heartthrob Mateo is asleep in the backseat, too cool to even pretend like he wants to be there. The truth is they have nothing in common anymore.

At least they don't until they run into the fourth student ditching school that day. Brian "Boney" Mahoney is supposed to be accepting his newly won office of class president. Which is why Ivy follows him into an empty building, only to walk into the middle of a murder scene. Cal, Ivy, and Mateo all know the person lying on the ground of that building, and now they need to come clean. They're all hiding something. And maybe their chance reconnection wasn't by chance after all.

Key Quotes

'I haven't been in a fight in years, but its like riding a bike, I guess - you don't forget how.'

"You know, you don't have to do everything on your own." "What?" My eyes are following hers, and my ears need a second to catch up. "You can ask people for help. It's not a sign of weakness."

"It's pretty crap security to have one key for everything," I say. "Well this is Carlton." Ivy steps through the doorway, and i follow. "Nothing bad is ever supposed to happen here, right?"

Similar Reads

Lies Like Wildfire, Killer Content, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, One of Us Is Lying, The Inheritance Games, S.T.A.G.S