Nevernight -- In-Depth Book Review

Alright guys, I've finally had the time to finish reading Nevernight by Jay Kristoff! As always in my reviews, I break down what I liked, what I didn't, and everything in between.
If you've read the book, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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[@jenb7780]

Clearly she keeps her spare weapons in the same pocket dimension where video game characters keep their weapon hordes :D

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Oh, of course! My bad aha

[@cainrory3632]

i guess im asking randomly but does anybody know a way to get back into an instagram account? I stupidly lost the account password. I would love any tips you can give me

[@harlemdevon498]

@Cain Rory instablaster =)

[@alterbun]

Really great review! Just wanted to clarify that even though Mia is 16 in Nevernight, the series is actually shelved and sold as adult-due to the sex and murder, lol. So definitely glad you put in that warning for younger readers, as it is definitely not intended for them. I think it’s a common misconception, especially since he co-writes the Illuminae series which is YA. It’s just something Jay Kristoff talks about on Twitter a lot

[@never5618]

rosynovels I was 13 when I read it...

[@turtleanton6539]

@@never5618 wow

[@never5618]

@@turtleanton6539 😂

[@agnetebutk]

omg are your earings ear-shaped or am i going mad?

[@JordanHarveybooks]

They are indeed ear-shaped!

[@rDec123]

HEY! U STOLE MY WORDS!!!!!!!

[@internetghost469]

Jordan Harvey ear shaped earrings?! Well that’s ironic

[@samanthajungers8442]

Jay Kristoff has vehemently clarified (on Twitter) that this is not a YA novel.

[@burtsbooksgrace]

29 MINUTES? i FEEL blessed !

[@JordanHarveybooks]

hahah

[@daphneseguin4933]

Really enjoyed your review. I personally gave the book a 6/5 stars, it is definitely one of my favorite books of all time. Even though I personally loved the writing, I understand what was off for you. You really have a way to express yourself that makes your videos interesting and complete. Even if I do not agree with some points, I feel respected and I am able to comprehend you. So, ya, I appreciate how you are able to point positive and negative elements in a book and give a complete review.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoyed the review :) I definitely came around to the writing style, but I think that's because it became less dense as the story picked up. Overall, I loved the book though, and I see why it's one of your favourites! Have you read the second one?

[@daphneseguin4933]

@@JordanHarveybooks I have not read Godsgrave yet, I am keeping it for October because I think it will be perfect for the mood :D

[@JordanHarveybooks]

True!!

[@futurestoryteller]

15:32 "She seems really intelligent, with knowledge things" 😝

[@JordanHarveybooks]

futurestoryteller yikes

[@songofafreeheart]

While it isn't YA, I think you would love the Witcher series, by Andrej Sapkowski (I think I spelled that right...) It has a lot of thought provoking, dark elements that you like, and great characters.

[@jenb7780]

It's so good!

[@haggisa]

Yessssss! “Witcher” series is absolutely wonderful and yes, it it spelled that way (well, it’s Andrzej, but you nailed the surname. ;) ) So glad to see my fellow Pole representing! 😁

[@turtleanton6539]

Its good.

[@tessavery2151]

This is one of my favorite books so I am so glad that you enjoyed it. I definitely agree with a lot of points you made. I want to see a Godsgrave review so bad!

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Coming soon... just have to read it first!!

[@serajache3613]

Wow, a book that isn’t being torn apart on booktube. Guess I know what I’m reading next! P.S. I love your ear earrings 🤩

[@internetghost469]

RestInPaperbacks Same

[@jojojooojohannaaa]

we really NEED more of your reviews. THEY ARE JUST SO MUCH FUN TO WATCH

[@925263]

Issues: 1.Too much backstory. I get the first one, where Scaeva kills her dad and imprisons her mom. It was good. The ones with her going into the stone were so mind-numbingly slow, and so everything else about her after her father's death in the past. I didn't enjoy Cassius at all, and the teachers in general were written far too much as just plain villains, rather than morally gray characters. Seriously, every single teacher will burn in hell, and there's not even any denying it. Ash and Mia should've had a fight at the end. Oz died like nothing, the religious aspects are annoying and dumb and the biggest problem for me: Hush should've had more 'screen time'. Love: Bastard, Mister Kindly, Mia and Tric and their banter, everything about Ash, Jessamine as a rival, Lotti is one of my favorite minor characters of all time, the classes, Alaea, Pip and his knife-muttering, the librarian, Mister Kindly vs Eclipse. Best scenes: Mia tricking Jessamine and her boyfriend into him poisoning himself. Ash killing Tric. Anything Mister Kindly said. Hush winning the Thief class award.

[@leathehatless]

It's time to pick up Nevernight! Your review sold it for me. It sounds very intriguing! (Your earings are so cool!! Your outfit always matches the books you review. xD)

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thanks so much! And yes, you should definitely check it out if you're into dark fantasy :)

[@iknowfacebutidontknowname5880]

Haven't watched the full review yet, but I a) hope you get well soon! and b) I thought Nevernight was a solid 6/10. I liked it but I wasn't really that invested in the story, though I was definitely interested in the world and what was gonna happen next. I thought the characters were a little bit unbalanced, some of them were really three dimensional while others were just kind of...there. I actually didn't mind the writing, but I didn't like the flashbacks and the long footnotes (don't get me started on those). I read the second book and GOD DAMN, it was so, so much better than the first one. I enjoyed every single second of it and would even dare to say I'd give it a 9 or 9.5 out of 10. Would definitely recommend it!

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I'm really looking forward to reading the second one!!

[@lhk7006]

Totally off topic, but your style is lit! 🔥

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thank you!

[@d.g.deadwyler]

I love how you do your reviews! The way you go in depth as to why you liked or disliked something really helps with my own writing

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I'm so glad! That's really nice to hear :)

[@santanasg8445]

I'm so pumped to read Nevernight! I've heard nothing but amazing things about it!

[@SeagullsGather]

"kinda like pokemon for adults" and every magic the gathering player in the world had a collective shudder. ;) its a good review I was looking forward to this book but a bit worried that it would kind of retread the same ground as throne of glass.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Seagulls Gather It’s nothing like Throne of Glass, no need to worry there :) And also, you try describing mtg to someone who has no idea what it is in one sentence. Harder than it looks.

[@ThePsychoNyx]

I literally said the same thing about AC2 in my wrap up-defo can feel the influence. I loved the magic system and style of the book esp cause of the footnotes.Your review was so different to mine and I adore your format as it's so personal to you and your style

[@myweakness1883]

I have read this book literally half an hour ago and can't wait to get my hands on the second part! I agree with you in terms of the pacing- to better illustrate this, it took me 5 days to read the first 200 pages and then I read the last 380 in just one day XD Also, I did NAT expect these sex scenes. Like, the author really didn't jump around the topic lol XD They weren't especially cringey, but I would have enjoyed them so much more if I felt like Mia and Tric were a better match tbh.. Don't get me wrong, I liked both individually and I think they would be great friends, but this aspect of their relationship felt like it was just thrown there out of nowhere. Also, it made me pretty uncomfortable each time I remembered she's 16 lol Other than that, I loved how none of the characters was blank. Each one of them felt distinct and unique, so I really had no trouble remembering the names (which tends to happen in other books). I also appreciated the violence- it was supposed to be an assassin school so I was glad they didn't make them just do hundreds of push-ups as their punishment or sth. I personally liked the fact that after they killed Tric he didn't magically come back.. I hate it when it happens in books tbh, no matter how much I may like the character, it doesn't feel right. Death should have its meaning and consequences, especially since it's a book which contains lots of killing. You either kill the character and he's dead, or you don't, you can't have both. Anyways, I think I'm gonna go and purchase the e-book of the second book now, I don't think I can wait long enough to drive to a book store haha xD

[@SargentGrey]

I just finished listening to this book on Audible today, and I LOVED it ❤️ I agree that the beginning was not super engaging, but the plot really picked up and threw in some twists that I never saw coming. I can’t wait to start the second book of the trilogy!

[@rachaelmarie3194]

I’m so glad you re did this review Jordan - thank you so much for doing this again for us. I really appreciate it! Also - are you going to set up a patreon at some point? X

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Rachael Marie no problem at all, I definitely wanted to get a review up! And I might at some point, but I don’t think the quality of my content is where I want it to be yet, so I don’t really want to ask people to support me in that way.

[@agoodreader]

I had read this first book along time ago and I am willing to read it again. your GREAT video was so refreshing and made me to go read it again asap. 💛📚♥️♥️❤️❤️👑👑😍😍😍🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@sashsoph6587]

This sounds bonkers but I kind of want a video of your favourite makeup / a post on it because I always love your get ups sooo much

[@kayeherl9195]

I tried to read this book but the footnotes drove me insane! I don't think it was the right time for me to read it, I was busy and looking for a quick light read so I might try it again after hearing your review on it, thank you so much for sharing! I always love your reviews!

[@internetghost469]

I love it when you say “nitty-gritty” It makes me laugh so much

[@abbyann9362]

I think you're so right! I loved this book and it took a little bit to get used to the writing but once you did it was awesome (but I do really love high fantasy!!)

[@janmedeus3070]

I refuse to believe that I'm the only person who had this thought while reading Nevernight - especially from 2/3 of the book till last few chapters "Wow, this is like an adult version of Harry Potter". I mean come on, the mysterious school, almost like a maze, magic, mystery, students, interesting and very different from each other teachers (one hates main character - Snape much?). The book is pretty chill for the most part and from time to time someone dies, just like in Harry Potter they go along with their routine magic study until someone releases the troll and such. Anyone thought the same?

[@0.o650]

Jay kristoff himself compares it to harry potter. so, yes. that was intentional from him

[@rebeccavaughn8897]

So sorry you're not feeling well! Get better soon!

[@account8221]

I haven't read this book but you look so pretty

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thanks :)

[@LillyMelodies]

I'm glad you decided to review this book! I've been on the fence whether I wanted to read it or not. There are so many other books I also want to read and I wasn't sure if Nevernight was my cup of tea - and then the author made some tweets that admittedly put me off a bit. - But I think I'll give it a try after all, I do love me a dark fantasy world 👌

[@honoree-louisenguyen8634]

Now I really need to move this up on my TBR. Not only because you liked it but also because I want to watch your spoilery thoughts on it :)

[@SpaceandGoats]

The writing is purple prose, but the prose does nothing for the story. I think I need to give it another chance. I did put it down after the first couple chapters. Maybe I can get the audiobook and that will help.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I do think it improves in the second and third acts. Also, I've heard that the audiobook is a bit odd because of the footnotes, just fyi.

[@ria75002]

Off topic but your earrings are so cool! Where’d you get em?

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thank you! They're new :) I got them from Kina & Tam. It's an online store. I really love them!

[@agoodreader]

You're the booktuber I was looking for, for ages n ages n ages...🥺🥺❤️😍♥️♥️♥️ love you so sooo much.

[@jamesm9560]

I'm happy to see that the Theranos gal found a way to rejoin society in a positive way, reviewing YA.

[@Thatdumbgremlin]

I got major Dune vibes from the desert section, and the footnotes reminded me heavily of Beowulf. Also, I immediately thought 'Assassin's Creed' in regards to the Catholic Rome setting.

[@hannahb5879]

great review! really want to read it now. Also, have you read Children of Blood and Bone? I'd love your opinion on it!

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I haven’t yet, but I hope to soon!

[@a.j.torres3131]

Thank you for the review Jordan. Had to stop because of spoilers lol but what you said still has me intrigued. Now every time I enter the Adult Fantasy/Science Fiction section of the book store I'm going to want it even more lol. Probably going to go on Amazon for the hardcover though.

[@DrEllert]

Thank you for another great review! The first chapter should leave on you the best impression. The entire tone of the book is set there. The book sounds pretty neat. It's funny, you like things that I don't (school-themed plot and first person) and hate things that I do (third person narative and soft magic) but in spite of all that the book still sounds good!

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Hey Amir :) You should definitely give this book a try if you like dark fantasy. Also, I don't hate third person at all, I just prefer first person!

[@DrEllert]

Sorry I misinterpreted you! Stay awesome.

[@jenniferanderson7010]

Isaac Asimov had a world like that in the book Nightfall. Excellent book.

[@hydras5947]

This book sounds right up my alley

[@intergalacticdreamer]

Ooo I haven't read this book. It's been on my To-Read list for so long. Now I have to read it so I can finish watching this video lol!

[@NicoleCamp88]

You need to review Court of Nightfall since the last book is FINALLY coming out (I mean in 2 separate chunks but still the last one is almost out). Its by Karpov Kinrade. I want to see your thoughts on it.

[@thegrimmreeper]

There are ears on your ears! FANTASTIC!

[@JordanHarveybooks]

thegrimmreeper hahaha thanks they’re new :)

[@agoodreader]

I m intrigged to read this series. 🙏🏻🥰🌼

[@tompugh5566]

Anyone else want a book purely wirrten from Mr Kindly and Eclipse's perspective.

[@raijinwolf2248]

As soon as you mentioned that members of the Red Church blood walk to other churches, I had a completely different image in my head!

[@nightbreed9305]

Jordan, tell me what you think of these opening paragraphs for the book I'm writing. The poor boy made the mistake of removing his helmet and laying it to his right side on the sand below. He hadn’t had a drink in at least two days and was overjoyed at the sight of the well and didn’t even question where it was it had came from. He threw his helmet to the side and pulled the bucket to the surface of that dark abyss with haste. The knife slid across his throat, opening it up like one would when giving a slight cut into a banana peel, and the fountain of blood followed, flowing and bubbling from the clean slice in his neck, and drenched the inside of his armour. His gargles ceased and I pushed him into the well headfirst. There was nothing of worth down there, anyway. Hasn’t been for at least three years. Now it was that boy’s final resting place. Poor bastard. He couldn’t have been older than twenty. Haven’t seen a man that young in several decades.

[@nadiar.b.i856]

I know I'm not Jordan, but I do have one input which is that despite how cool these two paragraphs are, you should probably have a snappier opening line; a hook, to be exact.

[@futurestoryteller]

Hooks are possibly overrated, the beginning is the beginning, no one is going to put down a book because of the first sentence unless it's _really _*_bad_* Personally I'd recommend removing the banana reference above all else. Tonally it's a sore thumb - in part because the word "banana" is inherently funny, and your scene is humorless. The sentence itself is structured awkwardly too. Drawing further attention to its indiscretion. There are other things that occur to me. I'm reluctant to give too much advice where taste may be concerned, so I hope these don't seem nitpicky; you can take them or leave them, and with a grain of salt. It's arguably too wordy - a common problem, which I share. You write in passive voice sometimes, something I'm _also_ not great at identifying, at least in my own work. There's this mistake: "didn’t even question where it was it had *came from" * come. You don't use a lot of commas, which is better to some people, but then here: "There was nothing of worth down there, anyway." That seemed inconsistent to me when this earlier (longer) sentence didn't have one: "He hadn’t had a drink in at least two days and was overjoyed at the sight of the well and didn’t even question where it was it had came from." I found the fake-out/transition from third into first person to be an interesting one, personally. Perhaps it's too literal though. Why wouldn't narrator say *"My* knife slid across his throat"? Or something similar to that? Secondly, why is this person privy to the boy's thirst timeline? Assuming the explanation is that the boy was followed to the well from at least that length of time, then how does Narrator knows he's "overjoyed" at the sight of the well? - I get it, right, it would be _obvious_ to anyone who's not an idiot that he's excited to find water after all that time... but it really presents like Narrator's reading the guy's mind. Which becomes more obvious when you realize the story has this singular point of view.

[@SeagullsGather]

"came from" should be "come from". When you say "dark abyss" it has suggestions of the grave which I think seems out of place even though it ends up being his. "hadn't had a drink in two days and was overjoyed" overjoyed here is not a good choice either, you should probably think of an alternative that tells of his thirst, desperation. he puts his helmet down and then later throws it aside? seems redundant. his sudden death works well, the unanticipated use of a homodiegetic narrative increases that unexpected nature. as mentioned below I would cut the banana similie. "...across his throat and the fountain of blood..." works perfectly well. inside of his armour, outside of his armour? both? could just take out the word "inside". drenched should be drenching as it follows flowing and bubbling, nor do you need the "and" in "and drenching". if you wanted you could put your dark abyss line, which is good, after he pushes the man into the well where the grave associations work better, "there was nothing of worth in that dark abyss anyway". the last three sentences are short and punchy and suggest some kind of interesting mystery to be developed. I like it and would be interested to read on in its current form so good job.

[@nightbreed9305]

@@SeagullsGather Thank you for your advice. It is the first draft.

[@nightbreed9305]

@@futurestoryteller A lot of it has to do with the nature of the main character itself. The main character is a very observent man. There is also other elements to it. But thank you for your advice. It is just the first draft and will be tweaked in the near future.

[@nastja6009]

noooo... i made a huge mistake... i've listened to the spoiler section. WHY HAVE I DONE THIS TO ME? Trick....will die?🥺😔😓

[@Natalie66796]

I'm gonna have to go and get this book

[@lumi3373]

I bought this book and am reading it.Like many people say it was not a YA book but I bought it and had no idea so I started reading. Should I feel bad? I don’t really know🤷‍♀️ I am so confused!

[@amelianannette972]

Holy shit Jordan have you read Circe by Madeline Miller? Because the second I picked it up, it became easily my favorite book. The characters are so complex and flawed, but likable, the writing is stunning, and the world is so interesting because it's giving a story to a character who mainly existed as an antagonist in Greek mythology. I can't even express to you how much I LOVE this book. I swear, every other page there's a quote so amazing I can create an amazing painting inspired by it.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I'll have to look into it!

[@kindle9920]

Love your "ear"rings!

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Haha thank you!!

[@jasonvassos]

Great review! I know I'm a bit late to the party but I just finished Nevernight! I agree that the writing in the beginning made it a bit difficult for me to pay attention to the story, and was further complicated by switching back and forth between times. With that being said though, I really liked the book and found many parts to be interesting, especially the darkness of the world. Do you have recommendations for people who like this book?

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Jason Vassos Glad you enjoyed it! I’d recommend Red Rising for something similar in sci fi, Six of Crows has a similar dark aesthetic and amazing characters, and while I didn’t love the mistborn series by Sanderson, I think a lot of people who enjoy this would enjoy that!

[@nefariousbutgregario]

The 5:28 mark was exactly why I dnfed the book HAHA however I heard good things about the series. So I'm willing to give it a try and power through. Most likely will wait for the third one to come out then I binge read the trilogy.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

That's totally fair!

[@SophieJackson1993]

I love all your earrings.

[@lifeonabudget8513]

Great, thorough review. Also, where did you get your earrings?

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Glad you enjoyed the review :) I got the earrings online at Kina and Tam!

[@JCResDoc94]

10:00 haha "pokemon for adults" - review of magick the gathering

[@manicpixiefangirl4189]

So assassins are the “in” thing nowadays? Feels like all the protagonists are Arya “riffs” lately.

[@johannageisel5390]

What's up with all the assassins in books lately? Is that a new trend? It kinda annoys me. People who kill others for money are not characters I'm interested in. It always sounds like a teenage power fantasy to me.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I think it's a bit of a trend, but I do think it can be really interesting. People killing people is not new to any type of storytelling, and just off the top of my head, I think this story is comparable to elements of Assassin's Creed, John Wick, and HP Lovecraft. I think it just depends on how the story is told and the characters themselves.

[@johannageisel5390]

I do agree with that. For example I liked the Dexter books (although they suffered from repetition later). I guess I just have issues with teenagers being assassins. That always seems so contrivedly edgy to me.

[@JCResDoc94]

☼ Awesome. sounds rad ^^

[@never5618]

So hi! I read this when was.. 13😂 but I read YA since I was 12 hihi

[@aeshiryzenaeschirett5415]

I kinda wanted to read this but I keep hearing bad things about Mia and Jay's writing that I keep straying from it.

[@edwardsimson6559]

Great review! Are your earings in the shape of ears ?

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Thank you! And yes, they are :)

[@edwardsimson6559]

@@JordanHarveybooks Hi Jordan great book to review is Demain by Herman Hesse

[@the7thseven873]

Oh-oh.

[@pooja2979]

Damn. I'm gobna have to check this out

[@JordanHarveybooks]

pooja you should!

[@daniellethomas7502]

I really want to like this book, but I just can't get past the writing style. It's too flowery for me.

[@JordanHarveybooks]

That's totally fair. I can see why people have a hard time with it... I had a hard time with it at first!

[@nootnewt9323]

I read Kristoff’s other series the Lotus Wars and I think that’s just how he writes. I don’t mind flowery prose when it’s done right. But Kristoff’s just annoys me because it just pads out boring passages and adds nothing to the story. I think he uses it as a crutch more than anything, because from my experience with his writing, his characters are never that interesting. Which I’m someone who looks for interesting characters more than anything else.

[@rosemunuhe5493]

The teachers give off this assassination classroom vibes

[@ShadowDogProduction]

Wow, sucks you had to do this twice! This one was great, though!

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@nupurjain551]

Does she like any book?

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Nupur Jain I like this book

[@xChikyx]

looking stunning girl :) omg, and she even knows about MtG :o

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Haha yes, love MTG. I used to play every friday to a local games store with some friends.

[@xChikyx]

@@JordanHarveybooks omg 😦😦😦😦 i need all those "the perfect girl don't exist-" memes right now xD hahahaha around here there are no girls that play :/

[@inightflight712]

This book is fucking hilarious lol in a good way

[@kit888]

Great talking hands. Sure you're not Italian?

[@JordanHarveybooks]

I am Italian

[@romeoandthechickenfeather]

Your ears have ears... once I noticed I couldn't un-notice...

[@connerpeterson1119]

Luckily you made sure I didn't read this.

[@loislane2374]

I’ve heard this book has racist undertones, what are your thoughts?

[@JordanHarveybooks]

Lois Lane I mean, I think it could use more representation, but I don’t remember that. Did someone talk about this on BookTube?

[@KD-CD]

Yeah I've seen briefly about the books references to dark-skinned characters with tattoos that perputate negative stereotypes of Maori people