Talk about a book I had high hopes for and totally surpassed my expectations. I’ve followed Chupeco’s books since The Bone Witch and Silver Under Nightfall has to be my favorite now. It perfectly blends fantasy, love, and detective stories. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Remy Pendergast is many things: the only son of the Duke of Valenbonne (though his father might wish otherwise), an elite bounty hunter of rogue vampires, and an outcast among his fellow Reapers. His mother was the subject of gossip even before she eloped with a vampire, giving rise to the rumors that Remy is half-vampire himself. Though the kingdom of Aluria barely tolerates him, Remy’s father has been shaping him into a weapon to fight for the kingdom at any cost.
When a terrifying new breed of vampire is sighted outside of the city, Remy prepares to investigate alone. But then he encounters the shockingly warmhearted vampire heiress Xiaodan Song and her infuriatingly arrogant fiancé, vampire lord Zidan Malekh, who may hold the key to defeating the creatures—though he knows associating with them won’t do his reputation any favors. When he’s offered a spot alongside them to find the truth about the mutating virus Rot that’s plaguing the kingdom, Remy faces a choice.
It’s one he’s certain he’ll regret.
But as the three face dangerous hardships during their journey, Remy develops fond and complicated feelings for the couple. He begins to question what he holds true about vampires, as well as the story behind his own family legacy. As the Rot continues to spread across the kingdom, Remy must decide where his loyalties lie: with his father and the kingdom he’s been trained all his life to defend or the vampires who might just be the death of him.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Silver Under Nightfall almost immediately gave me serious Witcher vibes. We love a misunderstood somewhat grumpy kind hearted fighter. And talk about talent! Remy immediately had a spot in my heart. The ways he fights for the underdog, pursues the truth no matter the cost and consequences – often to himself. You know that person who has your back in the most perilous riskiest schemes? That is Remy. Deeply alone and isolated, Remy is a cinnamon roll hiding behind sarcasm, cutting banter, and danger.
Or maybe that’s just my personal love for him clouding my thoughts. Silver Under Nightfall is a curious and fascinating combination of science and fantasy. Conversations about experiments and vampire courts all in one scene. I became immediately swept away in this detailed, descriptive, and immersive world. To be fair, I’d also never survive, but I love reading it! It also is a fabulous combination of fantasy and mystery. Detective stories move over! Silver Under Nightfall is like a supernatural mystery.
Unlikely alliances, simmering chemistry, and plenty of fight scenes Silver Under Nightfall is a unique delight. Sometimes you just need some fresh blood, someone to challenge everything we’ve ever known, to show us our true circumstances. Chupeco’s balance of stakes from the personal all the way to the larger world kept me reading past when I said I’d stop. There were moments I laughed aloud – something that happens more rarely these days – all the way to steaminess, tension, and fear.
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Yet why Silver Under Nightfall truly succeeds is in its characters. To how they are trying, fighting, searching for a sense of belonging. And how everyone has to figure out exactly when they will start living for themselves, to shirk everyone’s expectations. Find Silver Under Nightfall on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.