About the Book
-
Author:
- Jessika Fleck
Cover Story: Night and Day
BFF Charm: Yay
Talky Talk: Starter Fantasy
Bonus Factor: Revolutionaries, Kickass Gramps
Anti-Bonus Factor: Cliffhanger
Relationship Status: Mentorship
Content Warning: Beware the Night starts off with a scene of physical assault and revisits said scene later in the book. It might be triggering for some readers.
Cover Story: Night and Day
The elements on this cover play nicely with the dichotomy between light and dark/night and day, which is something important to the novel’s plot. They also play with the beginning action of the story and the main character’s growth by the end. My only nitpick is the folklore feeling it gives off; the book is has a different feel that this cover doesn’t quite capture.
The Deal:
The island nation of Bellona is divided into two classes: the lower class, the Basso, and the upper class, the Dogio. Although they have their differences, both worship the Sun and fear the night. They know to be safe in their homes before the sun goes down, or else they might be in danger of being kidnapped—or worse—by the Night.
Veda is a Basso, and does her best to follow the rules. Her best friend, Nico, is a Dogio, and is on his way to becoming a powerful member of Bellona society. They’ve never had a problem crossing class boundaries to hang out together, but as they get older, and their roles in their respective classes more defined, it’s not always easy.
And it only gets harder when Veda begins to learn more about her past, and the truth about the Night.
BFF Charm: Yay
Although Veda often breaks the rules, she does so with the best intentions. I was a total rule follower when I was a teen (am still am, to a pretty great extent), but I appreciate and envy people like Veda who are more confident and willing to put themselves on the line for what’s right.
Swoonworthy Scale: 7, But Triangle
There’s something more between Veda and Nico than just friendship, but their circumstances have stopped either of them from ever acting on it. They haven’t stopped Veda from thinking about it, however; specifically, the way she feels when Nico’s around. But then there’s Dorian, a fellow Basso who’s grown a lot since Veda had to berate him from throwing pebbles at birds when they were small children.
Neither guy are really all that much better than the other, so the love triangle is STRONG with this one.
Talky Talk: Starter Fantasy
I have to give credit where it’s due: While scrolling through Goodreads, I saw a community review that said Beware the Night is a good book for anyone just starting out with YA fantasy. I can’t agree more, for a few specific reasons. It’s an engaging book, but doesn’t do much to make waves. It’s set in a world that’s different enough from our own to lend itself to fantasy, but doesn’t feel all that unique. The main character has YA Fantasy Characteristics, and the love triangle hits you in the face right off the bat. Fleck’s writing is tight, though, and her characters well-rounded. And there was a pretty good twist with Veda’s relationship with the Night.
As someone who’s read a lot of YA, I was left wanting more from this novel, but I honestly don’t have much to complain about other than it feeling simplistic and a little too cookie-cutter.
Bonus Factor: Revolutionaries
Gotta love being able to root for the underdog, especially when they’re so obviously on the side of good.
Bonus Factor: Kickass Gramps
My favorite character in Beware the Night is Poppy, Veda’s grandfather. He’s a doting, caring man who raised Veda from a young age after she was orphaned by Poppy’s daughter and a deadbeat father. When [REDACTED] happens—don’t read the Goodreads synopsis if you want to avoid spoilers—I got a little choked up. He’s just such a good man.
Anti-Bonus Factor: Cliffhanger
I can’t find evidence that Beware the Night is the first book in a series, but damn if it doesn’t leave off like there’s more coming.
Relationship Status: Mentorship
I won’t even try to tell you that I know better than you, Book, but I do have some experience in the YA fantasy arena. I’d be willing to offer you some advice—whether you take it is up to you, and I won’t feel bad either way! Our time together was fun, and if that’s all there is to it, I’ll walk away grateful. Just don’t be mad if I don’t text you that often.
Literary Matchmaking
Jodi Meadows’s Fallen Isles trilogy also features an island nation with a unique religious system.
There’s a Roman quality to Beware the Night that reminded me of Leslie Livingston’s The Valiant.
Elly Blake’s Frostblood is another familiar fantasy story with a kickass gramps character (or two).
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Swoon Reads, but got neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. Beware the Night is available now.
