Tales & Tomes

Pages: 320
Published: 2022
Genre: Adult Fantasy, Dark Urban Fantasy, Mystery

Spoiler-Free Synopsis:
Book of Night follows Charlie Hall, a once-skilled con artist trying hard to walk the straight-and-narrow. But in a world where shadows can be altered, stolen, or wielded for power, leaving her past behind isn’t easy. A dangerous job pulls her back into the world of shadow magic. Charlie becomes entangled in a web of secrets, thieves, and powerful magicians. Each magician has their own motives. As layers of lies peel back, Charlie must confront the darkness in others and in herself to survive.

My Thoughts / Review:
Holly Black’s first adult fantasy is atmospheric. It is gritty and intoxicating like slipping into a world full of alleyway magic and dangerous secrets. The tone is darker than her YA work. However, her signature storytelling remains. There is lush world-building and morally gray characters you can’t help but root for. The magic feels both beautiful and unsettling.

Charlie Hall is a refreshing protagonist: sharp, deeply flawed, funny in that dry, slightly chaotic way, and constantly at odds with her own survival instincts. Black does an incredible job capturing the tension between wanting a better life and being pulled back into old habits. The magic system is clever and eerie, with shadows functioning almost like sentient extensions of the soul; it’s original, unsettling, and irresistibly intriguing.

The plot moves with a noir-like rhythm: mysterious, moody, filled with twists that reward slow-burn attention. If you enjoy urban fantasy that isn’t afraid to get messy and morally complex, this is exactly the kind of book that grabs you early and refuses to let go. And the ending? Sharp, bold, and guaranteed to spark conversation.

Would I Recommend It?
Yes, especially for readers who love adult fantasy with darker edges, con-artist protagonists, clever magic systems, and a story steeped in mystery. Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House or V.E. Schwab’s Vicious will feel right at home here.

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