The reviewer found 'Nevernight' to be a stroke of genius, praising its unique narrative style and world-building through footnotes. They appreciated the dual timeline and the grimdark elements, recommending it as a standalone novel despite its graphic content.
The reviewer admits to being late to Jay Kristoff's work but was captivated by 'Nevernight'. They loved the anonymous omniscient narrator and the distinctive use of footnotes for world-building. The dual narrative, switching between past and present, was initially jarring but became more natural as the story progressed. The setting, a mix of medieval Venice and ancient Rome, was intriguing, and the footnotes helped understand the complex power structure and religion. Mia Corvere, the protagonist, is a flawed but compelling character, and the novel's grimdark elements are unflinchingly graphic. The reviewer highly recommends 'Nevernight' as a standalone novel and looks forward to the next installment in the trilogy.
Quick quotes
It is a stroke of genius.
I loved the writing style of having an anonymous omniscient narrator recounting Mia’s tale.
Jay Kristoff is a master wordsmith and the world of Nevernight and the life of the deliciously flawed Mia Covere is one I look forward to returning to.