My review:
“These Violent Nights” by Rebecca Crunden falls in the dystopian, post-apocalyptic and fantasy category. This combination of genres made me love this book in the first place. The execution of these three categories in the story was great.
The world was filled with aliens called Suriias who made Humans live a living hell. Thorn, our rebel protagonist determined to kill their parent’s murderer and desires the world to be a better place to live. In the beginning, the plot was Thorn’s revenge for her parent’s death then it changes to saving the Earth. I love how the author changes the plot itself and still made me hooked up in the story till the end.
When I don’t like a protagonist then I don’t like the book, because, if I don’t feel connected to him/her then how could I love the story which was expressed from their pov? But surprisingly it was different from the book. I couldn’t hate Thorn because she is a good person who would do anything for her best friend, Thistle, and the ones she loves.
At the same time, I don’t completely like her either. The reason was that most of the time she did something that I disagree with. Eventhough I understand why she has trust issues I still don’t like her hurting Kol, her lover, again and again. Kol is the sweetest person in the book and I don’t know why Thorn couldn’t see that. I loved the gradual development in their relationship. I would have loved it more if it weren’t for Thorn constantly hurting Kol.
I loved gay representation in this book which was so beautifully executed. Lucien and Nik are my favourites. I liked all the characters (except Thorn). A lot of importance was given to the relationship of characters which is one of the things I love most in Rebecca’s books. Her other books also have such strong relationship between characters.
There are magic and fights in this book. I wish they were more detailed. One thing I am unsatisfied with, is that the immortals were so easily killed. Considering how strong, powerful and old they were, I wanted them to give a tough fight to their opponents but they were killed by a single stroke of a knife which disappointed me. I am not satisfied with the cover too.
I loved the two major twists that I couldn’t see coming. I loved the names given to different alien creatures that show the research the author had gone through for this book. The climax was perfect for a standalone novel. I enjoyed reading this book.
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
*Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of the book. I was compensated for the time and effort required to read and review the book, but my opinions remain honest and unaffected.*
Blurb:
Once upon a time, inhabitants of another world tore a hole through the universe and came to Earth. They called themselves Suriias, and rivalled humans in knowledge and skill with one great exception: they had magic.
War followed. Humanity lost. And three hundred years later, humans are on the brink of extinction.
Orphans Thorn and Thistle live in hiding. They are the last of their families, the last of their friends. They scrape by, stealing to survive and living on the streets or hiding in sheds. But even under the brutal regime of the Suriias, there are places where humans can mingle in secret with magical sympathisers, and one night Thistle gets an unexpected offer of marriage from a Suriia with high standing and friends in all the right places. For Thistle, it’s a chance at safety and comfort; for Thorn, it’s a chance to find the ones who killed her parents.
And so the pair move into the capital city of Courtenz. An urban monstrosity of magic and might, false friends and flying cars, drones and death tolls, the new city promises a fresh start – and new love – for both.
But if there’s one thing Thorn knows for certain, it’s that dreams can swiftly turn into nightmares.
Deepireads 