Every time I read a book by Holly Black, I am amazed at her mastery of writing and storytelling. It’s not just that the plot is amazing, the story moves fast, the characters are fascinating, but also… there’s something extra there. Some kind of magic, which is ironic since her genre is, after all, fantasy. That bit of magic is the part that makes you keep turning the pages, as though your life depends on it. This is not a book you’d read in one sitting, and yet, I did because I had to.
I was amazed at the intricate world-building of this story. It’s a world where shadows are real things. They’re part of us, and those who are magic, can control them. They can also be removed or stitched back or altered. They can even become separate beings, called Blights. This world full of shadows is so fascinating because the author injected them into every part of human existence, as few authors can.
My other favorite part of this story was the main character, Charlie, who was a really strong female protagonist and a criminal genius. I rooted for her the entire time. I got so invested in her and the romance that developed, I couldn’t go to bed until I’d finished the book. Usually, the romance develops between two people who just met each other, but this is a romance between two people who have been together, but neither one knew who the other one was, which was fascinating to read!
And that twist at the end! I didn’t see it coming! Oh my lord!
All in all, this story was masterfully written, the world-building was perfection, the character development and romantic subplot were on point, and I really couldn’t stop reading until I got to the very end. If you like magic, fearless main characters, and shadows coming to life, this is the perfect read for you. If you liked The Bone Season and Six of Crows, this has a similar vibe.
-Reviewed by Violeta Nedkova
