The anticipated sequel to The Sisters Grimm, I wasn’t sure what to expect after that ending! And I was overjoyed! I loved how Night of Demons and Saints reinforces the themes of sisterhood and power. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
After the battle with their demon father ends in a devastating loss, the Grimm sisters are separated. But, now three years later, as their twenty-first birthday approaches, dark fate brings them together once more.
For Goldie, this birthday is overshadowed by sorrow. She cannot forget the outcome of that battle, the devastating tragedy that has wreaked havoc on her already turbulent waking life. While her sisters have thrown themselves into their own endeavors, Goldie has grown distant and inconsolable. Driven by grief, she devises a diabolical plan using a human sacrifice to resurrect what she has lost.
When Liyana unexpectedly discovers what Goldie intends to do, she agrees to help if Goldie will try another way, without sacrificing a life. Returning to Everwhere, they combine their powerful magic to bring back what Goldie has lost. But something goes terribly wrong, and Scarlet is showing signs of being possessed by an evil spirit.
With their lives at stake, the sisters realize they must confront their personal trauma, make amends with the past, and once again prepare for a demonic fight to come.
On the night of their birthday, battle ensues . . . and tragedy strikes once more.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Night of Demons and Saints feels like a fantastic sequel. It continues exploring the threads of love, sisterhood, and power from The Sisters Grimm. At the same time, it becomes a story about sacrifice. Do we really have what it takes to sacrifice for love? Whatever it demands. And, if we do, is that really love? Because – to me- that’s what Night of Demons and Saints comes down to. It begins with a foretold storm. With this idea of something coming and they aren’t sure how they will weather it again. But one of my favorite elements was the way Night of Demons and Saints deals with loss.
How we can be trapped in our memories and faded desires. The ways the past and loss can leave us listless and unable to move forwards. von Praag tackles this issue in a variety of ways as characters contend with their loss – of a loved one, of expectations – and as they are asked what they will do about it. Additionally, Night of Demons and Saints is infused with stories which gives it a fairy tale vibe. They weave in and out of the story and character arc in a truly unique way.
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If you loved the first, you have to read this sequel. But at the same time, if you’re searching for a fantasy which delves into sisterhood – all the messiness and love – you will discover a story about how we protect the ones we love. Because sometimes there are some decisions we can’t save them from. We can have power and still be unable to do something. Night of Demons and Saints is also about the love of letting go. Of knowing that we cannot keep people. Find Night of Demons and Saints on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.