Review | Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff | dark adult fantasy

“There is beauty in knowing all things end.

The brightest flames burn out the fastest. But in them, there is warmth that can last a lifetime. Even from a love that only lasts the nevernight.”

FORMAT READ: Audiobook (Recommended) & eBook

SIMILAR VIBES: Ace of Shades, Scythe, Mistborn, The Grisha Trilogy

RECOMMENDED FOR: if you are looking for an adult fantasy book that is high-paced and dark,, with morally grey characters and an unpredictable plot

*All my reviews are as spoiler-free as possible unless stated otherwise*

┈ overall thoughts ┈ 5/5

HOLY... I AM STILL SCREAMINGGG !!!!

I am still on the train of pushing the agenda for everyone to read the Nevernight Chronicles. Literal masterpieces *chefs kiss*

I CAN NEVER GUESS WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THIS STORY and it’s fast-paced enough to not even give me enough time to think about it. I was just sucked right back into Mia’s world and even though I know this is a dark series it just felt like home.

“If Vengeance has a mother, her name is Patience.”

┈ plot ┈

In the first book we were mostly in an academy type setting and it was one of the main reasons I loved the book so much so I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t like this one since the plot doesn’t revolve around that anymore. Spoiler Alert: I was wrong.

I was SO sold on the fighting arena scene and I just enjoy me a good military training-ish style setting. Jay Kristoff was still able to incorporate my favourite parts of an academy setting (intimate character relationships) while diving into a new side of the Nevernight world that we haven’t seen before.

AND AS USUAL, the plot twists that I love so much are all here and present and I’m just living a good life.

┈ dark writing style ┈

OKAY… first of all… I’m not sure if anyone else noticed the fencing references during the battle scenes but since I took up Fencing recently I noticed and it made the battle scenes easier for me to imagine. Just sharing because it’s a small detail that I enjoyed a lot, I’m not sure if the author also did that in the first book but I haven’t taken up fencing at that time yet so I wouldn’t have noticed.

What is so unique about this book is the writing style that just gives you that overall dark and eerie mood throughout the series. I swear that I get chills whenever I’m reading. And I'm so glad to see it being so consistent.

And that narration… PHENOMENAL. I do highly recommend the audiobook so go check it out if that’s a medium you enjoy and it made it easier for me to get through the footnotes since I didn’t have to keep looking for it every chapter.

”In every breath, hope abides”

┈ the footnotes ┈

Speaking of footnotes: I’m still not sure who’s speaking in these footnotes but in my head it’s Mr. Kindly. I just LOVE the addition of these footnotes it honestly gives a whole new dimension to the story without boring the readers. It was just such a creative way to deepen the world building.

I just love the writing style of this series it’s super my type.

┈ characters ┈

Oh Mia… she’s cheeky, intelligent, she’s relatable.

We do mostly have a new cast of characters for the most part and I do really miss the old cast but I’m not disappointed since I still got all the intimate character relationships I was looking for.

I just have to say that it was so nice to be in Mia’s mindset like to have a passenger’s seat view on how she perceives everything she was going through. BUT AT THE SAME TIME I could never guess what she would do next.

It was just so fascinating to see how both new and old characters affected her point of view and I had such a huge investment in all of them.

AND MISTER KINDLY AND ECLIPSE <3 I just get so extra happy and entertained when they're around ughh what would nevernight be without them

“For people like us, there are no promises of forever.”

┈ themes ┈

Again, this is a dark read just so you know, but this series actually made me realize how much I like grimdark writing… so thanks Nevernight.

But other than that it tackles themes of loyalty a lot and what you are willing to do in order to reach your goals I really liked the commentary on these particular themes and I think it was delivered really well… and i just FELT IT!

“Thus, the greatest monsters get their way, by just looking like the rest of us.”

I had to re-read this halfway cuz i stopped reading for a whole year due to a book slump caused my college and forgot what happened so oops… BUT IM NOT COMPLAINING THAT I GOT TO EXPERIENCE HALF THIS BOOK ALL OVER AGAIN <3

It’s no secret that I’m woefully in love with the Nevernight and Godsgrave now as well. I can’t exactly say which one I love more because Godsgrave just gave us a whole different look on the Nevernight world. I am so excited for Darkdawn because I’ve heard that it’s the best one and I’m already head over heels for the first 2 books.

GAHHH I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH WAHHHH

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Thank you so much for reading! Did you like or hate this book? Comment below, I would love to hear your thoughts!