The Night Country by Melissa Albert Series: The Hazel Wood #2
Published by Flatiron Books (1.7.2020)
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: ARC, 352 pages
Source: From Publisher
In The Night Country, Alice Proserpine dives back into a menacing, mesmerizing world of dark fairy tales and hidden doors. Follow her and Ellery Finch as they learn The Hazel Wood was just the beginning, and that worlds die not with a whimper, but a bang.
With Finch’s help, Alice escaped the Hinterland and her reclusive grandmother’s dark legacy. Now she and the rest of the dregs of the fairy tale world have washed up in New York City, where Alice is trying to make a new, unmagical life. But something is stalking the Hinterland’s survivors―and she suspects their deaths may have a darker purpose. Meanwhile, in the winking out world of the Hinterland, Finch seeks his own adventure, and―if he can find it―a way back home...
My thoughts
I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as I enjoyed The Hazel Wood, but I still loved stepping back into the dark and twisted world! I felt like this one was lacking in action, but thankfully it didn’t really lose my interest. Melissa’s prose is lyrical and draws you in, so that you want to continue even when there’s nothing happening.
I’m not sure how I felt about the introduction of new characters. I liked Sophia well enough, but didn’t connect to her like I should have. View Spoiler » I also hated Daphne and didn’t trust Iolanthe. View Spoiler » So I did find it a bit predictable, but there were still things I didn’t guess!
My favorite thing by far about this series is how twisted and disturbing it is. This one was even more so! View Spoiler » I adore dark fairytales, and this one was perfectly creepy. I can’t wait until Tales of the Hinterland comes out, I crave more of that!
Overall Assessment
Plot: 3/5
Premise: 5/5
Writing style: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
World-building: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Feels: 2/5
Cover: 4/5
Overall rating: 3.5/5
I liked The Hazel Wood more than I thought I would, so I do want to read this one. I’m glad it’s still creepy and dark. :)
-Lauren