A solid standalone YA fantasy! Down Comes the Night is its own unique self, but it has a similar flavor to Sorcery of Thorns, which I loved. Wren and Hal remind us that enemies to lovers is a classic for a reason—especially when it involves good banter. Their hesitance to trust each other is counterbalanced by their desperate desire to trust *someone,* making for a tense but believable romantic arc. Speaking of romance, I really appreciated the great bi content here and the treatment of Wren's romantic relationships.

What the Lowry storyline lacked in mystery (it was clear fairly early on who was responsible) is made up for twofold in tension arising from that lack of mystery and the confines of the manor. That said, the primary settings and the world as a whole felt a bit thin, which in turn drove down the tension/suspense. Perhaps my greatest disappointment was the depth of the characters, because while their concepts were intriguing and their banter charming, their motivations and thoughts were often less complex than I'd like for characters involved in some exceedingly morally gray war efforts.

I received a digital advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was exactly what I was in the mood for! I need more standalone YA fantasies honestly. The romance was delightful (though I would have like a bit slower of a burn) and the Frankenstein/science aspects were interesting.

When I saw the author tweet that this book is her “love letter to YA fantasy, Gothic romance, and, of course, fanfiction”, I knew there was great potential for me to enjoy this book and that turned out to be the case. Saft has managed to take common fanfiction tropes like sickfic and forced proximity and wrap them up in an atmospheric gothic YA fantasy setting that felt reminiscent of Margaret Rogerson’s Sorcery of Thorns.

The story follows protagonist Wren Southerland as she departs to a mysterious manner whose inhabitants might prove to be the key to peace between Wren’s home country, Danu, and Vesria, the country Danu is at war with. As a healer, Wren’s services are requested by Alistair Lowry, who owns the manor, but when she meets the patient she has been asked to heal, it turns out to be a familiar enemy face in the form of Hal Cavendish. Secrets are slowly revealed, and of course it turns out there is more to Lowry and his mysterious manner than meets the eye…

From the start of the novel it becomes apparent that Wren struggles with feeling “too much” and more than once she has already let that get in the way of important missions with the Queen’s Guard. It was refreshing to see this being addressed in a YA fantasy novel for once, since YA heroines have a tendency to equate strength to not feeling or showing emotions. The novel questions this idea throughout the story and challenges common traits found in YA heroines, which I really enjoyed. Questions about kindness, emotion, and forgiveness also tie into the larger themes of the novel and I enjoyed seeing how lessons from personal conflicts were applied on a bigger scale to the conflict between countries as well, even though sometimes these ideas were a little too much on the nose.

Speaking of conflicts, the enemies-to-lovers romance between Wren and Hal was simply delightful. Their banter was amusing to read and perfectly spiced up with some fanfiction-esque situations that lovers of fanfiction will surely appreciate. These lighter moments are nicely balanced with serious conversations about the war they have both fought in that lead them to understand one another better, which made for a fun and believable romance.

Of course, there is also the more major plot of discovering who is behind soldiers’ disappearances along Vesria and Danu’s borders, which turned out to be quite predictable but was still enjoyable to read. Really, though, the characters are the stars of this book, and I would recommend it mostly for them. Apart from Hal and Wren, there is Una, Wren’s best friend, who goes through some development of her own even though she is not there for most of the novel. I found myself relating deeply to her trouble with showing emotion, so it was touching to see her reunion and reconnection with Wren after the two have hurt one another deeply earlier in the book.

Overall, a lovely YA fantasy that might not have too much to offer plot-wise but makes up for it by having lovely characters, a fun romance, and an atmospheric gothic setting that is inspired by the Victorian Age. Definitely recommended for fans of fanfiction-esque romance and YA fantasy with a twist.

Before we get into the review, I have to say a big thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday books for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review. Down Comes the Night is what I would consider a Gothic Fantasy story about two people from opposing sides of a multi-centuries long war that have to come together to deal with a horrific enemy. This book is slated for a March 2, 2021 release and is available for preorder now.

There was so much to like about this book. I think the author does a good job with the magic system and explaining it to the reader without having to go rambling on for pages at the beginning of the book. Also, the main character is a healer and the author seemed to really do their research into all the tiny details a healer would need to know. I felt like our main character also went on a journey to become a much stronger person. Our main character is bi so it was great to see that diversity there. I also appreciated that her being bi wasn’t this huge deal. It was just who this character is, without comment or question. That was really nice to see.

The problems I had were what drove down the rating for me because these problems are fundamental for me as a reader. I felt like the author didn’t do enough world building. I’m hoping that will be different in the final print copies and that an addition of a map will help there as well. I was invested in the story for the gothic setting and the characters, but the world building and family history wasn’t there. I could have done with an extra 50 or more pages explaining this all to me. Without it, I felt like I was at arms length for a lot of the story.

This seems to be a debut novel so I’m excited to see where this author goes from here. It looks like this was a standalone Fantasy novel which we don’t get a lot of so it was nice to see everything end well. This is a good time for anyone looking to get a little creeped out and a little horrified by the things humans do to each other.

Thanks to NetGalley I was able to read an early review of this book. This book started out well and I was immediately intrigued. Wren was a very likable character and early on we can see her compassion. I thought that the world building was done well and more of the world and setting are revealed throughout the book. I also really liked Hal and how the relationship between he and Wren developed as they got to know each other. I liked the gothic atmosphere at the house and was very interested to find out the culprit of the mystery. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would be interested in reading more in this world or by this author.

Down Comes the Night by Alison Saft is a dark gothic novel that fans of the recent gothic boom are sure to love. The novel focuses on Wren, a healer, who is in a conflicted position in the Queen’s Guard between duty and doing what is right.

When Wren heals a potential enemy insurgent which leads to the boy’s escape she is finally punished by the Queen by being stripped of her title and being sent back to the Abbey, where she was rescued from and never wanted to return. While at the Abbey, she receives a mysterious letter from a Lord asking for her help to heal his staff who have fallen to a mysterious illness. The staff member happens to be no other than Hal Cavendish, a sworn enemy to Wren’s country of Danubia.

This book is riddled with tension and gorgeous setting description. Our main character is bisexual and I am so so glad to see more bi-rep in books; we even get two potential love stories with Wren. One between her unrequited love with her best friend Una and then later on with the mysterious Hal Cavendish.

The mystery that unfolds at the Lord’s manor, Colewick Hall, is intriguing, creepy, and at once tender.

This book is a perfect dark gothic romance to curl up to and devour in a sitting.

Thank you, Net Galley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity at an early read.

4 out of 5 Stars

***ARC received from Wednesday Books and NetGalley in exchange for honest review, opinions are all my own. Thank you!***

A gothic romance set in a snowed in crumbling mansion?

Yes please, sign me all the way up.

Wren is an amazing healer and she is always out trying to do what is right, even when it goes against the orders of her superiors in the guard. It seems to get her into trouble time and time again but at her core she is a compassionate person. She sees her chance at the crumbling mansion as an opportunity to prove her worth to a Queen and a superior that do not fully support her. I liked Wren as a character, I liked her struggles to do what she found was right with what others told her was right. A lot of this comes from her relationship with Hal, someone she has nothing really to prove to which allows her to finally grow into who she really is. Its an interesting comparison with her relationship with Una, someone that she believes she truly loves but is constantly trying to make herself into something she is not to appease Una. Both realize that they aren’t really compatible it just takes Wren longer to realize this.

I liked Hal, he is this world weary individual that has only been used of value for his gifts, much like Wren. He hates his abilities and feels like it is the only thing that defines him. He finds along with Wren that he does have value and that he can be of use outside of his abilities. Their romance felt a little too rush, almost forced at times, they had a good connection without needing a romantic relationship but in the end I was fine with it.

The beginning and the ending of this book felt a little disjointed from the middle of the book. Because the book was telling a bigger story about two countries at war instead of just a tight story about two people forging a bond together it felt at times like it was telling two separate stories with the same characters. Almost like it remembered at the end of the book it had a bigger plot waiting to be resolved. I didn’t exactly hate it but the story in the mansion felt tighter and more concise while the end felt a little like it didn’t belong with the rest of the story.

I don’t know if this is going to be a stand along book but it sets itself up to continue on Hal and Wren’s story that I do hope that the author revisits this world. I would like to see how Hal and Wren’s relationship grows as they begin to explore more of the world.

A truly lovely fantasy romance that ticks ALL the boxes!! From gothic feels, magic, enemies to lovers, to a creepy frozen castle and a sinister recluse, this story has it all. Wren is a healer in the military in service to her country, Danu and her aunt, the Queen. Danu has had a protracted war with Vesria, but an uneasy armistice has been in place for the last year. After Wren disobeys an order from her commander Una, who also happens to be her best friend and the girl she is in love with, Wren is dismissed from the Queen's service in disgrace. A mysterious letter then shows up requesting her help as a healer and Wren feels she has no choice but to leave Danu for Cernos and try to redeem herself. To Wren's disbelief, the person she is to heal is her most feared enemy, Hal Cavendish, the Reaper of Vesria. Through the time spent together while Wren heals him, they both come to find they have been fed lies about each other and have more in common than not. If they want to solve the mystery of the missing soldiers then they have no choice but to help each other. However, their growing attraction to each other may end up being their downfall.
So much to love about this story, I loved the frozen, sinister castle and the secrets waiting to be discovered. All the sounds, noises and forbidden places give it a wonderful, chilly presence. The ambiance of the story is wonderful and the slow give and take between Wren and Hal is touching, realistic and intimately written. Each of them finds so much in the other that they can't seem to find in themselves and Wren's acceptance of herself and her true gifts is touching and real. The stakes keep getting raised as Hal and Wren discover more about their mysterious host and his layer upon layer of plans to shape the future of Danu, Cernos and Vesria. A wonderful magic system and the descriptions of Wren's medical knowledge are fantastic. Can't get enough of Hal and Wren's complex, intimate relationship full of self sacrifice and desire. Fans of fantasy romance should absolutely grab this book, you will thoroughly enjoy it!!

This is a good YA fantasy/mystery/romance, and as far as I can tell it is not going to be part of a series, but I can see how it could be developed into one. Danubia and Vesria are at war. Wren is part of the Queen's Guard in Danubia. She makes mistakes with her magic due to showing too much compassion (how is that bad?) and the Queen (who is Wren's aunt, but has no affection for Wren) removes her from her position and sends her to the abbey. Wren is a very talented healer and all she ever wanted to do was impress the Queen and gain her favor. Wren receives an invitation from Lord Alistair Lowry, from the small kingdom of Cernos, who wants her to come and heal one of his servants. Wren sees it as an opportunity to make an alliance with Cernos and gain the Queen's favor and respect. But she knows if she goes, she will be disobeying her orders and will be in big trouble. Once at Lord Lowry's crumbling mansion she finds out the servant she is to heal is her country's sworn enemy, Hal Cavendish, who is known as The Reaper.

I enjoyed the story and the characters. There was political intrigue, religious aspects, betrayal, an ongoing war, and some romance in the book. I liked the romance the best. Hall was definitely an interesting character, and I liked both Wren and Una, her best friend. The healing magic was interesting.

Thanks to Wednesday Books, St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.

When Allison promised yearning and the UST of healing / wound-tending scenes, she DELIVERED. I wouldn't have said that healing / wound-tending scenes were my favorites by any means but Allison writes them so well that I'd have to say they definitely are now?? Throw in the fact that Hal and Wren are enemies and it just brings the tension up to an entirely new level. Also the banter? So, so good. I loved how Hal and Wren went from being forced to be somewhat amicable to confiding in each other to developing feelings. It felt really natural and I just adore them. I could go on and on but this book isn't just the romance! I loved the creepy setting that was the castle, the way it felt like the book was holding it's breath so you feel like you have to, too. I simultaneously wanted to explore the castle on my own and never set foot in it haha.

I'll most likely write a longer review closer to release date but some other things I loved:
*the bisexual rep -- I can't say much but I loved the way Wren sorted and figured out her feelings in this book. The yearning was so palpable; I felt right along with her as she navigated the difficulties that comes with being in love or thinking that you're in love.

*the fact that this was a standalone! I had no idea before reading that this was not a series and that made me ridiculously happy. I know most books tend to be series and I don't mind at all but it also makes me a little relieved when a book turns out to be a standalone (because of the wait!). I truly think that this book ended at a good spot but if a sequel is suddenly announced, I wouldn't be opposed.

*the mystery. I went through this book suspecting everyone lol even when Hal and Wren thought they knew, I still expected another twist (whether or not there is one... I guess you'll have to read to find out). It kept me turning the pages so even when I told myself I'd only skim a little until I had more time to read, I found myself in the middle of the book in the blink of an eye.

Overall, what a fantastic read! I know Allison has another standalone coming out after this one and I can't wait to read it!

This enemies-to-lovers gothic fantasy standalone is sure to be enjoyed by fans of romantic fantasy.

Wren is a military healer on thin ice. When she uses her magic to heal an injured Vesrian captive suspected of assisting in the disappearance of Danubian soldiers and inadvertently sets him free, Wren is seen as only a problem by her aunt, the Queen of Danu. When a mysterious letter arrives from Lord Alistair Lowry, a Cernosian noble offering to help her get her position back in exchange for her healing services for his servant, Wren goes against her aunt’s wishes in the hopes that she will be able to prove herself. Upon arrival, everything is not as it seems. Servants have mysteriously died, and Lowry’s servant, “Henry” is none other than Danu and Wren’s greatest enemy, the Rezper of Vesria, Hal Cavendish.

The strongest part of this story for me was Saft’s writing. She writes with so much description that you can clearly see and feel everything that is going on, almost as if you are there. This book is extremely atmospheric, from the Queen’s castle filled with clocks to the solitary Colwick Castle in the middle of the snow covered mountains, and this book had some very unique descriptions.

Wren is a great main character to follow. She is easily relatable as someone who is constantly trying to prove herself as worthy of love and praise but always seems to be doing the wrong thing. Wren desperately wants to prove herself and is determined to make the Queen and her friend and crush, Una, see her as someone worth loving and having around. I really enjoyed Wren’s interactions with Hal and how they have to work together to solve the mystery. Certain elements of the ending seemed a little too ideal based on some of the earlier actions and behaviors of certain characters, but overall, this was a fun read that will surely be popular with fantasy lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

We love a dark gothic story!
I had so much fun and nerves while reading this debut, and I still cannot believe it’s a standalone. A good one at that!
Wren is one of my favorite types of characters these days. She’s compassionate. She heals. She values life- most importantly. It’s so uncommon to find these elements now because every protagonist needs to be a fighter, assassin, or ready to throat punch into the next century. There’s nothing against that, but I find so much joy in protagonists who invoke negotiation, empathy, and non-violence. It just makes me love the character even more because the market it just so over saturated with the other.
Also can I get an applause for having a character that doesn’t suppress their emotions?! Wren is soooo in touch with them, and while her comrades tease/ sometimes look down on her for those feelings, Wren doesn’t let it get to her. It doesn’t change her.
The stand out element to this book was for sure the descriptions and setting. Allison Saft immediately has a gift for writing dynamic and enthralling scenery. I had to reread some paragraphs a few times because her figurative language was just phenomenal!
Overall, I just wholeheartedly enjoyed this book a lot! It was a breath of fresh air to have a murder mystery/ thriller like storyline in a fantasy book. That’s a genre I’ve never encountered before, which is crazy to say. You may be able to guess “who did it” early on, but that enhances the fact that characters then have to outwit the others with their new found knowledge.

I chose to read this book after reading a brief blurb about it. I had never heard of the author or the book before, and it seemed like something up the gothic novel alley vibe I was looking to read. Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft is a fantasy novel set in a world torn apart by war, with individuals barely older than children fighting the war. Magic exists in this world, and healers are an integral part of the war effort.

The main character, Wren, is a healer and her healing abilities define her. The reader sees throughout the novel as Wren struggles with her identity as a healer and how that identity co-exists with her identity as a soldier. Wren appears to constantly be doing the opposite of whatever her culture/society demands of her, and it’s interesting to see how her identity shifts throughout the novel.

When I started the novel, I was a little thrown, because it almost seemed with the way the opening was narrated that this was a continuation of another novel or a series. I had to stop and look quickly to make sure that I wasn’t starting a book that was in the middle of a series, something I personally hate to do. This is the author’s debut novel, so no worry there, but it was a little clunky to start with as I constantly felt that the way things were described that I had missed something and should already know more.

There is mystery and war and shifting identities and loyalties in this novel. It’s a great beginning to a new world. I read through it pretty quickly, and overall enjoyed the novel. If the author writes more in this fantasy world, I’ll likely pick up later novels to see what happens next. Romance also makes an appearance in this novel, and the main character’s relationships and her introspection on those relationships are vital to her growth and development throughout the novel. I loved seeing representation in a novel as well (no spoilers, read for yourself and find out!).

Please be advised that I received this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

**Full review to be added to Goodreads, NetGalley, Amazon, and my blog closer to publication!**

Down Comes the Night is a deliciously atmospheric with a dark, dazzling romance that kept me hooked throughout the story. Saft has created a truly wonderful world and setting that sucked me right in, and her characters were equally full of life. I look forward to reading more from Saft in the future!

A gothic romance starring slow-burn sworn enemies to lovers? Sign me up! The atmosphere of this book is eerie and gorgeous, and the mystery plot was quite interesting. With witty and lovable characters, this book is a solid debut.

I LOVED THIS! I want to read so many books like this now. It was the perfect mashup of genres for me.
Wren was supposed to be a princess, but after the death of mother, her aunt became queen and put Wren's talents to use as one of the best healers in the country. An unexpected letter arrives and Wren can't ignore its contents. She sneaks away in an attempt to find a way to save her country. She then runs into the unexpected situations along the way.
The atmosphere and world-building was done so well. The Gothic vibe was so captivating and I was immediately immersed in the story. The magic system was extremely interesting that tied in science and physiology.
Every character is unique, genuine and so true to themselves. The way they developed throughout the story was so amazing to follow. I loved that a bi MC was featured!
The fact that there were so many women holding positions of power was so awesome to see. I loved that aspect so much. It was so empowering and I'm sure others will find it so as well.
This book was so entertaining, with gripping mystery, intrigue and romance.

This was such a great debut from this author! Down Comes The Night was gothic and romantic! The main character is bisexual and yes- there’s tons of bisexual yearning!
It also had one of my favorite tropes- enemies to lovers! Hal and Wren are sworn enemies but they fall slowly in love as Wren nurses Hal back to health.
There were moments of this story that were rather slow, but once you get passed the halfway mark, things really start picking up. There were some seriously suspenseful moments that had me on the edge of my seat! This book will have your nerves in a twist till the very end.
The romance between Wren and Hal was so beautifully tender and the forbidden aspect made it so bittersweet. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read.

From a young age, Wren has consistently been told she has too many emotions and that she feels too much. Wren pours her heart and soul into becoming the best healer that she can, feeling that at least her magic makes her valuable. When an encounter with an enemy spy goes wrong, Wren is forced to flee and seek shelter with a nobleman. Attempting to redeem herself, Wren is faced with the challenge of healing Hal Cavendish, a very sick patient who also happens to be her country’s sworn enemy. As sinister forces conspire, it soon becomes clear that not all is as it seems. Inside the mysterious and spooky house, there are dark and vicious secrets to be uncovered.

I really enjoyed Down Comes the Night! It had a spooky and gothic feel to it, while also balancing political scheming and revealing twisted secrets. Wren is a very likable character, who thinks first with her heart and always means well. I enjoyed her interactions with Una and Hal, especially the slowburn enemies-to-lovers. I hope we get to see more of Una’s story! Saft has a serious gift for descriptive scenes. Sentences are perfectly constructed to create a powerful sensory experience. You can feel the care and attention that goes into her storytelling and creating vivid imagery. If this isn’t your first spooky novel, I think you may be able to guess some of the twists, but I still really enjoyed the execution. This story is the perfect spooky read to devour curled up under a blanket with a hot drink! I can’t wait to see what Allison Saft writes next! Down Comes the Night releases on March 2, 2021. Thank you so much to Allison Saft, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on the publication date and I will publish it on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble etc.

This book is truly unlike any that I have read before. I could not put this book down once I started reading. I think that one of the best things about this book is that it has a little bit of everything. There is magic, adventure, fantasy , romance, and adventure. If you are looking for a great new read or a book to get you out of a reading slump, then this is the one for you.

I could not connect with this book. I think it was the writing. The writing felt disjointed. Also the characters felt very shallow. They was not enough background given for me to connect. I think another POV would have helped with this.