The Laughing Listener
April 2019
*I was graciously given a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
Format: eBook ARC
Overall Rating: 5 BEAUTIFUL BLOODY STARS

THIS BOOK WAS SOOOOOO GOOOOOOD!!! I’m trying to rein myself in and be constructive, but also I JUST LOVED THIS SO MUCH???? This book was dark and gritty and bloody and UGH. My Black Parade emo heart is so happy right now.



Reading this was such a goddamn pleasure. There’s action right off the bat within the first few pages and I couldn’t put this down. And then when I HAD to put it down to do things like eat and sleep (damn you basic human needs *shakes fist*), I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Everything in this book is beautifully crafted. The whole world seemed so well thought out and intricate without being overwhelming and I loved all the Russian influence. To me, this had a hint of a few other book series I love like The Remnant Chronicles, Grishaverse, and Throne of Glass, but somehow still managed to be in a category completely on its own. Nothing ever felt cliche or trope-y and even when I guessed what was going to happen, it didn’t play out the way I thought it would.

And the characters. THE CHARACTERS.



I could write a whole dissertation on how kick ass the characters are because they were just so rich and compelling! I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book where I loved all the characters equally like this. There’s no clear cut villain. No good or bad, evil or saintly, black or white. Everyone is just so wonderfully grey! All of them are just people with their own complex histories and motivations pushing them to do what’s best for themselves and their country.

Also, can I get an amen for YA books that aren’t all about the romance?? This had just enough to make me swoon without making my eyes roll.



FINAL WORD

READ. THIS. BOOK. It’s such a wild ride from start to finish and everything is so lush. I loved it all. Already can’t WAIT to get my hands on book two!!

#1 ↦ The Wicked Saints ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#2 ↦ [b:Untitled|40126121|Untitled (Something Dark and Holy, #2)|Emily A. Duncan|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|62232493] ↦ ????
#3 ↦ [b:Untitled|42068067|Untitled (Something Dark and Holy, #3)|Emily A. Duncan|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|65595267] ↦ ????

______________________________ .

↬ November 2018

Got and ARC for this today and I AM SO FREAKING STOKED!!!! I can't wait!!