Book Review: GIVE THE DARK MY LOVE by Beth Revis

Genre: Fantasy
Age Range: YA
Star Rating: 4 stars
Series: first book of duology

Synopsis:

When seventeen-year-old Nedra Brysstain leaves her home in the rural, northern territories of Lunar Island to attend the prestigious Yugen Academy, she has only one goal in mind: learn the trade of medicinal alchemy. A scholarship student matriculating with the children of Lunar Island’s wealthiest and most powerful families, Nedra doesn’t quite fit in with the other kids at Yugen, who all look down on her.

All, except for Greggori “Grey” Astor. Grey is immediately taken by the brilliant and stubborn Nedra, who he notices is especially invested in her studies. And that’s for a good reason: a deadly plague has been sweeping through the North, and it’s making its way toward the cities. With her family’s life–and the lives of all of Lunar Island’s citizens–on the line, Nedra is determined to find a cure for the plague.

Grey and Nedra continue to grow closer, but as the sickness spreads and the body count rises, Nedra becomes desperate to find a cure. Soon, she finds herself diving into alchemy’s most dangerous corners–and when she turns to the most forbidden practice of all, necromancy, even Grey might not be able to pull her from the darkness.

Synopsis taken from Goodreads. Add to your shelves here.

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Thoughts:

I really liked reading a book where the main character goes ‘bad’, but only because of the rules of her society. She striving to help everyone, but then circumstance, grief and the inaction (at best) of others push her to ‘the dark side’.

It’s a gripping read, and delayed more jobs than I care to admit! I simply wanted to keep reading and know what would be the last straw, pushing Nedra to necromancy. The short chapters really helped the pace and addicting read, as the end-of-chapter-hooks can thick and fast.

The book has two POVs – Nedra and Grey. Most of the book is Nedra, though it looks at first like it’ll be a 3:2 balance. However, Grey drops out for a massive chunk – where Nedra goes through the biggest change. This means that Nedra’s arc is so clear, but Grey’s is less so. He feels more like a supporting character than a main one given a POV at times.

I liked the bit I saw of Grey’s, as this is where we get to dive into the tensions between emperor and nobles. Nedra’s so wrapped up in researching the plague that she doesn’t notice.

The ending felt a little rushed and the final twists so close together that they didn’t have time to land. Not to mention the baddie isn’t who you think it is/who you are told cliche comes up twice. This double use of a cliche felt so childish compared to the excellent story telling in the rest of the book. I’m rather bored of it in fiction – particularly YA – at the moment. It’s not a twist when every book has it so I expect it.

I’m excited to see where the story goes, and if Nedra becomes ‘good’ again or not (I’m not even sure which one I want!).

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Read my reviews of other books by Beth Revis:

Give the Dark my Love:

• BID MY SOUL FAREWELL (#2)