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A review by the_ya_assassin
Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft
4.0
"It takes incredible strength to be kind in this world. To endure suffering instead of further it."
This book was a strange surprise! I wasn't expecting the darker parts (despite the title) and felt like a mixture of [b:Stalking Jack the Ripper|40727470|Stalking Jack the Ripper (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #1)|Kerri Maniscalco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530823449l/40727470._SY75_.jpg|47434536] and [b:A Court of Wings and Ruin|23766634|A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555221560l/23766634._SY75_.jpg|25126752]. It had elements of war, magic, poison, and everything a person who enjoys gothic Victorian stories could ever want.
I wouldn't necessarily say the world was complex, but I also wouldn't say it was 2-Dimensional. I think there could've been clearer lines in the rules, overall though it was a great experience! The magic system and the differences in the three countries were well-done. I just wish we could've seen more of Hal's respective country.
The other part of the story I disliked was actually Wren, the main character. I just want to say MOST females in Young Adult are VERY impulsive, so it wasn't anything different from the normal protagonist I read. I also don't think her impulsiveness called for all of the bad and stupid decisions she made, or her changes in plans/ thoughts. For example, near the end when she was SOOOO worried about Hal, she rethinks it and WANTS the recognition her aunt FINALLY gives her. It was very annoying with her erratic emotions and changes. I don't think she ever grew as a character, besides her finally standing up for herself.
HOWEVER, the romance and story made up for those two issues. I DID like that Wren had the power of healing and the characteristic of kindness. Despite the rapid mood swings from her (which we also got from Lowry), I did enjoy her feeling emotions so strongly - it added an extra layer of depth in her character, especially when it came to plot - it is Wren's driving-force to prove herself to her aunt and hide her hurt and regret from Una. I WAS sad that we didn't get to see Byers alive though. I like that she and Hal ended up with their happily-ever-after, but I'd also like to see more of this world in the future (where the MAJOR 300-year mess has been cleaned up).
Now the plot was pretty good as well. I knew it was Lowry from the moment we met him - the whole inviting Wren to Colwick Hall and having her stay at his inn with the goddessblood plant kinda gave it away early-on. However, [a:Allison Saft|19239041|Allison Saft|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1567632845p2/19239041.jpg] made me second-guess myself on several occasions. Personally, I do not think Wren attempting to kidnap Hal was a necessary part of the story as it failed and didn't do much to the story besides lengthen it.
Overall though, it was an enjoyable story. I'd recommend it to people who enjoy a good murder mystery with some political intrigue and magic!
This book was a strange surprise! I wasn't expecting the darker parts (despite the title) and felt like a mixture of [b:Stalking Jack the Ripper|40727470|Stalking Jack the Ripper (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #1)|Kerri Maniscalco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530823449l/40727470._SY75_.jpg|47434536] and [b:A Court of Wings and Ruin|23766634|A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555221560l/23766634._SY75_.jpg|25126752]. It had elements of war, magic, poison, and everything a person who enjoys gothic Victorian stories could ever want.
I wouldn't necessarily say the world was complex, but I also wouldn't say it was 2-Dimensional. I think there could've been clearer lines in the rules, overall though it was a great experience! The magic system and the differences in the three countries were well-done. I just wish we could've seen more of Hal's respective country.
The other part of the story I disliked was actually Wren, the main character. I just want to say MOST females in Young Adult are VERY impulsive, so it wasn't anything different from the normal protagonist I read. I also don't think her impulsiveness called for all of the bad and stupid decisions she made, or her changes in plans/ thoughts. For example, near the end when she was SOOOO worried about Hal, she rethinks it and WANTS the recognition her aunt FINALLY gives her. It was very annoying with her erratic emotions and changes. I don't think she ever grew as a character, besides her finally standing up for herself.
HOWEVER, the romance and story made up for those two issues. I DID like that Wren had the power of healing and the characteristic of kindness. Despite the rapid mood swings from her (which we also got from Lowry), I did enjoy her feeling emotions so strongly - it added an extra layer of depth in her character, especially when it came to plot - it is Wren's driving-force to prove herself to her aunt and hide her hurt and regret from Una. I WAS sad that we didn't get to see Byers alive though. I like that she and Hal ended up with their happily-ever-after, but I'd also like to see more of this world in the future (where the MAJOR 300-year mess has been cleaned up).
Now the plot was pretty good as well. I knew it was Lowry from the moment we met him - the whole inviting Wren to Colwick Hall and having her stay at his inn with the goddessblood plant kinda gave it away early-on. However, [a:Allison Saft|19239041|Allison Saft|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1567632845p2/19239041.jpg] made me second-guess myself on several occasions. Personally, I do not think Wren attempting to kidnap Hal was a necessary part of the story as it failed and didn't do much to the story besides lengthen it.
Overall though, it was an enjoyable story. I'd recommend it to people who enjoy a good murder mystery with some political intrigue and magic!