If you love prophecies, characters who feel broken, and unlikely rebels, you have to read Nightstrider. This one took me by storm and I finished in a matter of days. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Wren is a a deadly manifestation of the frightening dreams of humans. She is forever bound to the insidious Para Warwick, the only night creature who can cross the boundary between the dream and waking realms. When she fails to retrieve information on a weapon that could finally end Warwick’s reign and is severely punished, she makes a snap decision to aid the growing rebellion in finding it. Here, she meets Alaric, another nightmare hell-bent on atoning for his sins. Though wildly suspicious of one another, they form a tentative pact to take down Warwick once and for all.
The waking world is no better off. Prince Caine Fallon, Warwick’s ignorant human son, prepares to wed Ila Enevoldson, the young queen from a neighboring kingdom. But Ila is more than she She is a weaver, a protector of the ancient Boundary that separates the realms, and she has lost a precious weapon entrusted to her. She will do anything to retrieve it, including agreeing to an engagement with the son of her sworn enemy.
When Caine catches Ila opening a portal to the dream realm and follows her through, he finds himself in a universe stranger than he could have imagined, where his father is more monstrous than he could have fathomed. Their destinies collide with those of the two lethal nightmares, and they are forced to band together to stop the vicious dictator—and prevent the very fabric of reality from unravelling.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: attempted SA, torture, misogyny, xenophobiam suicidal ideation
Nightstrider is like catnip for me. It has a former nightmare turned rebel determined to make up for his sins. And it has a current nightmare haunted by the guilt of her past and her broken heart. Plus we have a prince unaware of the truth who engages in an arranged marriage with a princess who is deadly, dangerous, and secretive. This group of unlikely characters creates an ensemble exploring the necessity of action, dangers of passivity, and when it’s time to take a stand.
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This rich world of nightmares and waking navigates cruelty on both sides. It examines loyalty without choices and loyalty mixed with love. Nightstrider is determined to shine a light on leaders, power, and rebellion. About those who create monsters in their own image. About those who want to make change, but would exploit whenever they need to – those necessary casualties. And those who thought that all they could do was sit on the sidelines, to make small power moves, and not recognize our own abilities. Unsurprisingly Nightstrider also examines the monsters we are made to become and born as. When do we take back the control, control our own story about what role we play?
This twisty turny story of rebellion and power feels expansive and detailed. We become absorbed in their struggles chasing power and running away from prophecies. Find Nightstrider on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.