Review: Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft

~ Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an early copy in exchange for honest review! RELEASE DATE: March 2 ~

4.5 stars!

Blood repaid in blood until there would be none left to spill.

That's the reality of the world for Wren Southerland. It's cruel, and compassion is viewed as weakness. She's just a girl who cares. So, she's also an abomination.

This book opens with the author's words,

For all the girls who feel too much.

From the moment I read them, I had a feeling I would like this story. Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft is a stunning debut full of atmosphere, excitement, and, most importantly, heart.

So much about this story stood out to me, but I think my absolute favorite aspects were our main characters. Wren is someone anyone can relate to-- someone who desperately seeks validation, but refuses to compromise her values to get it.

Opposite her we have Hal Cavendish. Vesria's ruthless warrior. At least that's who everyone thinks he is. But, as Wren and the reader both gradually discover, this might not be the whole truth. He may not be the monster he's known as.

Mercy is the most difficult thing.

This book explores some themes I've found compelling before. The idea that kindness is not weakness, and that cruelty is not strength. This sentiment reminds me a lot of the Ironteeth culture and Manon Blackbeak from Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass series. So, if you appreciate that aspect in either story, I'd definitely recommend the other.

While this theme remains the heart of the story, another aspect does really shine, and that's the romance. I absolutely loved the discourse between Hal and Wren, and think their love story was a perfect vessel for the development of their individual characters.

'Why are you crying?' he rasped.

She was crying for Hal Cavendish. For herself. For the broken people they were and the children they should have been. All she could manage to say was,

'Goddess knows you won't do it yourself.'

The monster who's soft and the girl who's strong teach each other to feel. I think that's pretty beautiful.

Plot-wise, I don't think this book does anything revolutionary, but I enjoyed it all the same. Anyone who likes YA fantasy will fall right into the world of Wren Southerland, and leave knowing they're not powerless.

P.S. Can someone PLEASE make some Hal and Wren fanart???? Goddess knows I don't have the talent, but I would do anything to see these two. Thanks in advance ;)

Song I was reminded of while reading: Dying is a Beautiful Thing to Do