Review: Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle #1) by Jay Kristoff

Nevernight

(The Nevernight Chronicle #1)
by Jay Kristoff
August 9, 2016

448 pages

Goodreads  Indigo

Goodreads Summary:

The first in a new fantasy series from the New York Times bestselling author.

In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family.

Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father’s failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she hides in a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and her father’s former comrades. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the door of a retired killer, and a future she never imagined.

Now, Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic—the Red Church. If she bests her fellow students in contests of steel, poison and the subtle arts, she’ll be inducted among the Blades of the Lady of Blessed Murder, and one step closer to the vengeance she desires. But a killer is loose within the Church’s halls, the bloody secrets of Mia’s past return to haunt her, and a plot to bring down the entire congregation is unfolding in the shadows she so loves.

Will she even survive to initiation, let alone have her revenge?

 

Review

Nevernight- the book early reviewers either loved or hated. This made me extra cautious going into the story but it did not dim my excitement at getting my hands on a copy. I was ready to find out which side I'd be on. Guess what? I loved it!

Nevernight had the most bizarre beginning and for the first couple pages I didn't know what to make of it. There was a strong sense of déjà vu but it was definitely done on purpose. The wordings were meticulous. Moving into the story, I loved how complexity was slowly layered on. As promised (and warned by others) Nevernight brings everything, not shying away from graphic violence and sex scenes.

Mia is such a pleasant surprise! She completely exceeded any of my expectations. I was expecting a heartless, scheming b***h instead, I got a fierce, determined girl. She can be brutal and calculating but she most definitely had a conscience. A very strong one. The darkness didn't own her. It was a part of her and I was thrilled to see her embrace it. I hope we get to explore more of Mia's unique ability in the coming books. "The brighter the light, the deeper the shadow." (p. 318). Mia is honourable- a true hero to me.

There's such unexpected humour from the characters of Nevernight. The not-cat is an excellent companion. Not-cat (what a great literal name) is always truthful and above all loyal. Where can I find myself one? ;) Tric was just wonderful. My heart broke for his story. Ash and her nothing-held-back attitude made me really laugh. I'm really curious to see how these characters will fare after that ending.

I must say I did not love those footnotes. I mostly found them to be cumbersome to read though they were funny at times and provided insight into the world. Mr. Kristoff does such a fabulous job of hiding the plot twists in plain sight. Clever distractions. I gasped when the major twist was revealed. I was so torn but it made perfect sense.

Even with the slow start, Nevernight was a thrill of a ride. This book did not hold back. Jay Kristoff did not hold back. Best experience all of this for yourself! Pick up a copy of Nevernight if you're a fantasy lover who loves a story that holds nothing back.

*I received a finished copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinion are my own and not affected in any way. All quotes were taken from the Advance Review Copy I received.