Book Review :: Nightbane by Alex Aster

Nightbane by Alex Aster
ISBN: 1419760904
Series: The Lightlark Saga #2
on 7 November 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Goodreads

Isla Crown has secured the love of two powerful rulers and broken the curses that plagued the six realms for centuries, but few know the true origins of her powers. Now, in the wake of a crushing betrayal, Isla finds herself hungry for distraction, preferring to frequent Lightlark’s seductive haunts instead of embracing her duties as the newly crowned leader of two separate realms.

Worse, her fellow rulers haven’t ceded victory quietly, and there are others in Isla’s midst who don’t believe her ascent to power was earned. As certain death races toward Lightlark and secrets from the past begin to unravel, Isla must weigh her responsibility to her people against the whims of the most dangerous traitor of all: her heart.

Last updated on 18 December 2024

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What is Nightbane by Alex Aster about?

Nightbane by Alex Aster continues the story of Isla and the now-broken curses of the six realms of Lightlark. She may have broken the curses and also won the hearts of not one by two rulers, but the fight continues.

She’s now in charge of two realms, not many know where her true powers really come from. And after a serious betrayal, Isla would rather lose herself in Lightlark’s tempting distractions than face the responsibilities of her new role.

“My entire world was night, and you lit a match. No matter what happens to me in this life, I’ll find you in the next one. I’ll always find you. What I feel for you can never be extinguished. Like the nighttime sky, it is infinite. You and me . . . we’re infinite.”

To make things worse, the other rulers aren’t exactly thrilled about her victory, and some are even questioning whether she really deserves her newfound power. With danger creeping closer to Lightlark and old secrets coming to light, Isla has some tough choices ahead.

My thoughts on Nightbane

I have to say straight from the get-go that I struggled SO MUCH with this book.

I enjoyed the first book in this series, Lightlark, and was looking forward to seeing how the story continued in Nightbane, but oh my word I just couldn’t with this book. I had to force myself to keep reading because I was nearly halfway through when I decided I wasn’t enjoying it … so I didn’t want to not finish, you know?

The things I enjoyed in the first book – being introduced to the world and the various powers and curses, as well as the characters and their trials/games they played throughout – were not in this one, obviously, but I felt like it didn’t build on the last book that well.

I wasn’t connected to any of the characters, any of them could have died and I wouldn’t have been cut up about it, and I still don’t like Oro. Their relationship is just odd to me … but Grim was icky and blergh in this book and I was very much like “Isla, just move away. You don’t need a man”. *finger snaps in a Z formation*

There were pages/chapters where I was just bored. I feel like not a lot happened, and by the time I was halfway through I was so uninvested that it was hard to pay attention.

But I do need to stop being negative. You’ll see I gave it 2 stars – on Goodreads that’s an ‘it was okay’ rating – as there were bits that were okay. But not enough for me not to struggle through the story.

Which is sad! I think it had a lot of potential, but alas, it just wasn’t for me. A real bummer, to be honest. I don’t think I’ll be reading the final book, Skyshade. But please don’t let that stop you from reading this book. If you enjoyed Lightlark, do pick up Nightbane and give it a go.

Have you read Nightbane? What did you think of this continuation of Lightlark?