popthebutterfly's review
4.0
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Night and The Land
Author: Matt Spencer
Book Series: Standalone as of now
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: urban fantasy lovers
Publication Date: May 13, 2019
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, gore, violence)
Publisher: Back Roads Carnival Books
Pages: 356
Synopsis: Among the local hippies and squatters of Brattleboro, Vermont, Sally Wildfire is on the run, hiding from her cruel, relentless family. She finds unexpected love with Rob, a bristly young man freshly awoken to alien sensations and ancestral memories of a long-forgotten realm...setting them both on a collision course with a brutal rite of passage, as the Wildfire family leaves a trail of mangled corpses on the road to Brattleboro.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book. I thought that the world building was really well done and the story was well detailed and entertaining. I really liked the plot as well and I was fully interested in the book from start to finish.
The only thing that I wish was a bit better was the character development, although it was good enough throughout the book.
Verdict: Well done book! Recommend!
Book: The Night and The Land
Author: Matt Spencer
Book Series: Standalone as of now
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: urban fantasy lovers
Publication Date: May 13, 2019
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, gore, violence)
Publisher: Back Roads Carnival Books
Pages: 356
Synopsis: Among the local hippies and squatters of Brattleboro, Vermont, Sally Wildfire is on the run, hiding from her cruel, relentless family. She finds unexpected love with Rob, a bristly young man freshly awoken to alien sensations and ancestral memories of a long-forgotten realm...setting them both on a collision course with a brutal rite of passage, as the Wildfire family leaves a trail of mangled corpses on the road to Brattleboro.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book. I thought that the world building was really well done and the story was well detailed and entertaining. I really liked the plot as well and I was fully interested in the book from start to finish.
The only thing that I wish was a bit better was the character development, although it was good enough throughout the book.
Verdict: Well done book! Recommend!
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Night and The Land
Author: Matt Spencer
Book Series: Standalone as of now
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: urban fantasy lovers
Publication Date: May 13, 2019
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, gore, violence)
Publisher: Back Roads Carnival Books
Pages: 356
Synopsis: Among the local hippies and squatters of Brattleboro, Vermont, Sally Wildfire is on the run, hiding from her cruel, relentless family. She finds unexpected love with Rob, a bristly young man freshly awoken to alien sensations and ancestral memories of a long-forgotten realm...setting them both on a collision course with a brutal rite of passage, as the Wildfire family leaves a trail of mangled corpses on the road to Brattleboro.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book. I thought that the world building was really well done and the story was well detailed and entertaining. I really liked the plot as well and I was fully interested in the book from start to finish.
The only thing that I wish was a bit better was the character development, although it was good enough throughout the book.
Verdict: Well done book! Recommend!
Book: The Night and The Land
Author: Matt Spencer
Book Series: Standalone as of now
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: urban fantasy lovers
Publication Date: May 13, 2019
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, gore, violence)
Publisher: Back Roads Carnival Books
Pages: 356
Synopsis: Among the local hippies and squatters of Brattleboro, Vermont, Sally Wildfire is on the run, hiding from her cruel, relentless family. She finds unexpected love with Rob, a bristly young man freshly awoken to alien sensations and ancestral memories of a long-forgotten realm...setting them both on a collision course with a brutal rite of passage, as the Wildfire family leaves a trail of mangled corpses on the road to Brattleboro.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book. I thought that the world building was really well done and the story was well detailed and entertaining. I really liked the plot as well and I was fully interested in the book from start to finish.
The only thing that I wish was a bit better was the character development, although it was good enough throughout the book.
Verdict: Well done book! Recommend!
lifeinthebooklane's review
4.0
The Night and the Land introduces us to an intriguing alternative, or even "Could Be", Earth. The tale unfolds slowly as we follow Sally Wildfire, Rob Coscan and those who want to use them, on what could almost be considered an Urban Fantasy retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Though in this case the protagonists are older and the ending, as yet, is not quite so tragic. However the book contains all the hallmarks of a great dark fantasy, with imperfect characters, epic world building and a riveting plot.
There is no huge information dump, we get a drip feed of small facts, ideas and hints that gradually allowed the bigger picture to emerge. Whilst it did leave the reader a little unanchored at times, that perfectly reflected the situation for Rob and, to some extent, Sally. Having grown up knowing nothing of his true heritage, Rob has always wondered why he didn't quite fit in amongst the Earth-liners. Meeting Sally triggers a series of events that will change both of their worlds, and may just change the future of our world too.
The help of friends, the pursuit of enemies and the typical interference of politics, by those who never have to deal with dirty realities and resulting aftermaths, set Rob and Sally on paths not of their choosing. After all, most would hold to the belief that a Spirelight and a Crimbone were never meant to meet and fall in love. Rather theirs is to be mortal enemies.
It is by parts a violent and cruel tale, with slivers of hope and joy added in. I found myself developing a soft spot for Shelden, and an instant distrust (dislike?) of Puttergong. The pace was good, and despite almost feeling as though not a huge amount was achieved, the plot was packed with action, intrigue and peril.
There is no huge information dump, we get a drip feed of small facts, ideas and hints that gradually allowed the bigger picture to emerge. Whilst it did leave the reader a little unanchored at times, that perfectly reflected the situation for Rob and, to some extent, Sally. Having grown up knowing nothing of his true heritage, Rob has always wondered why he didn't quite fit in amongst the Earth-liners. Meeting Sally triggers a series of events that will change both of their worlds, and may just change the future of our world too.
The help of friends, the pursuit of enemies and the typical interference of politics, by those who never have to deal with dirty realities and resulting aftermaths, set Rob and Sally on paths not of their choosing. After all, most would hold to the belief that a Spirelight and a Crimbone were never meant to meet and fall in love. Rather theirs is to be mortal enemies.
It is by parts a violent and cruel tale, with slivers of hope and joy added in. I found myself developing a soft spot for Shelden, and an instant distrust (dislike?) of Puttergong. The pace was good, and despite almost feeling as though not a huge amount was achieved, the plot was packed with action, intrigue and peril.
lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition
4.0
The Night and the Land introduces us to an intriguing alternative, or even "Could Be", Earth. The tale unfolds slowly as we follow Sally Wildfire, Rob Coscan and those who want to use them, on what could almost be considered an Urban Fantasy retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Though in this case the protagonists are older and the ending, as yet, is not quite so tragic. However the book contains all the hallmarks of a great dark fantasy, with imperfect characters, epic world building and a riveting plot.
There is no huge information dump, we get a drip feed of small facts, ideas and hints that gradually allowed the bigger picture to emerge. Whilst it did leave the reader a little unanchored at times, that perfectly reflected the situation for Rob and, to some extent, Sally. Having grown up knowing nothing of his true heritage, Rob has always wondered why he didn't quite fit in amongst the Earth-liners. Meeting Sally triggers a series of events that will change both of their worlds, and may just change the future of our world too.
The help of friends, the pursuit of enemies and the typical interference of politics, by those who never have to deal with dirty realities and resulting aftermaths, set Rob and Sally on paths not of their choosing. After all, most would hold to the belief that a Spirelight and a Crimbone were never meant to meet and fall in love. Rather theirs is to be mortal enemies.
It is by parts a violent and cruel tale, with slivers of hope and joy added in. I found myself developing a soft spot for Shelden, and an instant distrust (dislike?) of Puttergong. The pace was good, and despite almost feeling as though not a huge amount was achieved, the plot was packed with action, intrigue and peril.
There is no huge information dump, we get a drip feed of small facts, ideas and hints that gradually allowed the bigger picture to emerge. Whilst it did leave the reader a little unanchored at times, that perfectly reflected the situation for Rob and, to some extent, Sally. Having grown up knowing nothing of his true heritage, Rob has always wondered why he didn't quite fit in amongst the Earth-liners. Meeting Sally triggers a series of events that will change both of their worlds, and may just change the future of our world too.
The help of friends, the pursuit of enemies and the typical interference of politics, by those who never have to deal with dirty realities and resulting aftermaths, set Rob and Sally on paths not of their choosing. After all, most would hold to the belief that a Spirelight and a Crimbone were never meant to meet and fall in love. Rather theirs is to be mortal enemies.
It is by parts a violent and cruel tale, with slivers of hope and joy added in. I found myself developing a soft spot for Shelden, and an instant distrust (dislike?) of Puttergong. The pace was good, and despite almost feeling as though not a huge amount was achieved, the plot was packed with action, intrigue and peril.
claudiaamteixeira's review against another edition
4.0
I was offered by the author this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book in a trilogy and definitely reads like it, as it leaves you with several unanswered questions. We are introduced into an alternative world, which was very intriguing. I've seen this book being characterized as enormous different genres: horror, fantasy, high fantasy, urban-fantasy,... I personally think it has bits of all these elements, but the dark fantasy aspect is more prevalent.
Lately, I've been having a hard time reading the first 100 pages of any book I come across, however, I easily passed this page mark, as the writing was very engaging and easy to read.
Being a fantasy novel, we're bound to talk about the world-building, I liked the fact that it was not too info-dumpy like many first books are, it was a breath of fresh air.
I'd advise readers that there are violence and gore in this book, if you dislike these things, be advised.
I'm very curious about the following books in this series and especially how this trilogy ends.
Another thanks to the author for providing me with a copy.
Lately, I've been having a hard time reading the first 100 pages of any book I come across, however, I easily passed this page mark, as the writing was very engaging and easy to read.
Being a fantasy novel, we're bound to talk about the world-building, I liked the fact that it was not too info-dumpy like many first books are, it was a breath of fresh air.
I'd advise readers that there are violence and gore in this book, if you dislike these things, be advised.
I'm very curious about the following books in this series and especially how this trilogy ends.
Another thanks to the author for providing me with a copy.
magical_booklush's review against another edition
5.0
This book has my mind blasted. Sally Wildfire, who is on the run from her brutal family. Lurking among the exiles of mainstream society, Sally falls in love with Rob, a man with memories of a long left realm and placing them both on a road to a vicious ritual of passage. Meanwhile, Sally’s family leaves their imprint on the countryside on their way to Brattleboro, where the pair are hiding, marked by blood and corpses. What am I supposed to do with this book??? I can only call myself an idiot and stupid person for delaying reading this book for so long. What was wrong with me???
I don't know what to do or what to think about this book. I have no words. This book was perfect in all ways. The character development and writing were so nicely and smoothly done. Even the side characters were well developed and that made me like this book more. I loved how each character had their own space and they were portrayed nicely. I wasn't confused between them.
The building of a different world...just beautiful. The description, the concept, and the way the whole world was formed and the characters in it were written, you could feel like the world is real, and what more does a writer want than seeing a world so beautifully carved??? The best part of this book was the concept. I don't read fantasy books much but the ones I have read, I can guarantee this book is my most favorite.
The conceptualization, the idea, and the portrayal of the whole story fitted well and at the end of the book, I wanted to read more of it. I don't know why I avoided the book for so long but I now know that I am picking up the second book no matter what happens. There were some nice gory elements that I loved, the book felt all action-packed and the writer's work was properly edited and I couldn't find any grammatical errors.
Overall the book is nicely written with well-developed characters and a clean portrayal of each character. The writing is smooth and this might be the most perfect book for any fantasy-horror lover.
I don't know what to do or what to think about this book. I have no words. This book was perfect in all ways. The character development and writing were so nicely and smoothly done. Even the side characters were well developed and that made me like this book more. I loved how each character had their own space and they were portrayed nicely. I wasn't confused between them.
The building of a different world...just beautiful. The description, the concept, and the way the whole world was formed and the characters in it were written, you could feel like the world is real, and what more does a writer want than seeing a world so beautifully carved??? The best part of this book was the concept. I don't read fantasy books much but the ones I have read, I can guarantee this book is my most favorite.
The conceptualization, the idea, and the portrayal of the whole story fitted well and at the end of the book, I wanted to read more of it. I don't know why I avoided the book for so long but I now know that I am picking up the second book no matter what happens. There were some nice gory elements that I loved, the book felt all action-packed and the writer's work was properly edited and I couldn't find any grammatical errors.
Overall the book is nicely written with well-developed characters and a clean portrayal of each character. The writing is smooth and this might be the most perfect book for any fantasy-horror lover.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Night and The Land
Author: Matt Spencer
Book Series: Standalone as of now
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: urban fantasy lovers
Publication Date: May 13, 2019
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, gore, violence)
Publisher: Back Roads Carnival Books
Pages: 356
Synopsis: Among the local hippies and squatters of Brattleboro, Vermont, Sally Wildfire is on the run, hiding from her cruel, relentless family. She finds unexpected love with Rob, a bristly young man freshly awoken to alien sensations and ancestral memories of a long-forgotten realm...setting them both on a collision course with a brutal rite of passage, as the Wildfire family leaves a trail of mangled corpses on the road to Brattleboro.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book. I thought that the world building was really well done and the story was well detailed and entertaining. I really liked the plot as well and I was fully interested in the book from start to finish.
The only thing that I wish was a bit better was the character development, although it was good enough throughout the book.
Verdict: Well done book! Recommend!
Book: The Night and The Land
Author: Matt Spencer
Book Series: Standalone as of now
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: urban fantasy lovers
Publication Date: May 13, 2019
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, gore, violence)
Publisher: Back Roads Carnival Books
Pages: 356
Synopsis: Among the local hippies and squatters of Brattleboro, Vermont, Sally Wildfire is on the run, hiding from her cruel, relentless family. She finds unexpected love with Rob, a bristly young man freshly awoken to alien sensations and ancestral memories of a long-forgotten realm...setting them both on a collision course with a brutal rite of passage, as the Wildfire family leaves a trail of mangled corpses on the road to Brattleboro.
Review: Overall, I really liked this book. I thought that the world building was really well done and the story was well detailed and entertaining. I really liked the plot as well and I was fully interested in the book from start to finish.
The only thing that I wish was a bit better was the character development, although it was good enough throughout the book.
Verdict: Well done book! Recommend!
tavleen_words's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5
"The Night and the Land" by Matt Spencer is a dark fantasy book where the main characters, Sally and Rob meet each other amongst menacing circumstances. Living among ‘Earth-liners’, Rob has always known there is something different about him. Sally is on the run from her dangerous family and finds herself in Brattleboro, Vermont. The two meet and fall for each other but soon realize they are star-crossed lovers as a Spirelight and a Crimbone cannot be together.
The book starts with a scene where Rob is a child. Some murders take place nearby and he notices his father acting weirdly. They are visited by a man who is a stranger to Rob but seems to know his dad well. Rob doesn’t know what his dad is hiding but is aware that something about his dad scares other people.
It took me a while to get into the story. We don’t get to know about the background until the middle of the book and that left me confused as to what was going on. The plot picks up pace after that.
I admired Sally’s courage. She had been through a lot and she never let her guard down for anyone until Rob came along. At first, I didn’t like Rob. He is described as someone who is lazy and he fell in love with Sally too quickly. However, he turns out to be a more complex character as the book progresses. There are many other characters in the novel, especially sinister ones, like Sally’s family.
The story gets very gruesome in some places. There is a lot of violence.
I didn’t love the writing style. It was very crude and perhaps, that kind of narration is not for me. I think the writing style could have been more polished as it felt sloppy at places.
The Night and the Land is a good book for someone who enjoys fantasy on the darker side. It has lots of action, intriguing characters, and a romantic story filled with hope.
Check out more of my book reviews, recommendations, and other content on my blog Travelling Through Words and bookstagram!
"The Night and the Land" by Matt Spencer is a dark fantasy book where the main characters, Sally and Rob meet each other amongst menacing circumstances. Living among ‘Earth-liners’, Rob has always known there is something different about him. Sally is on the run from her dangerous family and finds herself in Brattleboro, Vermont. The two meet and fall for each other but soon realize they are star-crossed lovers as a Spirelight and a Crimbone cannot be together.
The book starts with a scene where Rob is a child. Some murders take place nearby and he notices his father acting weirdly. They are visited by a man who is a stranger to Rob but seems to know his dad well. Rob doesn’t know what his dad is hiding but is aware that something about his dad scares other people.
It took me a while to get into the story. We don’t get to know about the background until the middle of the book and that left me confused as to what was going on. The plot picks up pace after that.
I admired Sally’s courage. She had been through a lot and she never let her guard down for anyone until Rob came along. At first, I didn’t like Rob. He is described as someone who is lazy and he fell in love with Sally too quickly. However, he turns out to be a more complex character as the book progresses. There are many other characters in the novel, especially sinister ones, like Sally’s family.
The story gets very gruesome in some places. There is a lot of violence.
I didn’t love the writing style. It was very crude and perhaps, that kind of narration is not for me. I think the writing style could have been more polished as it felt sloppy at places.
The Night and the Land is a good book for someone who enjoys fantasy on the darker side. It has lots of action, intriguing characters, and a romantic story filled with hope.
Check out more of my book reviews, recommendations, and other content on my blog Travelling Through Words and bookstagram!
alexanderp's review
4.0
Read the original review here.
Matt Spencer is back with a new edition of his debut novel, THE NIGHT AND THE LAND. It dropped yesterday on May, 13th from Back Roads Carnival Books, but I was happy to read and review the new edition.
Book one of the Deschembine trilogy, we follow Sally Wildfire, who is on the run from her heartless family. Hiding among the exiles of mainstream society, Sally falls in love with Rob, a man with memories of a long gone realm and placing them both on a road to a violent rite of passage. Meanwhile, Sally’s family leaves their mark on the countryside on their way to Brattleboro, where the pair are hiding, marked by blood and corpses.
Coming off his newest novel, Changing of the Guards, this story reads slightly rougher around the edges, but at it’s core is still the fast wit and brutal action that is a trademark of Spencer’s prose. There is little the escapes his notice as he traces Sally and Rob’s journey, while building their relationship amid the carnage.
Readers should take note, as it seems to be feature of Spencer’s books, that they may be too gory for some readers. It does enhance the visceral action throughout the book though, so for some this may be a plus.
The world-building with this is subtle and even though this story takes place mostly in Vermont, there is still plenty of rich backstory and small teases of myth here and there. Spencer’s skill has only been refined overtime and the potential here is a pleasure to read. For a first novel, the story is remarkably strong, filled with memorable characters, and a setting ripe for more stories. It is no surprise that this first book spawned a series.
If you enjoy dark fantasy, do not miss out on THE NIGHT AND THE LAND.
Matt Spencer is back with a new edition of his debut novel, THE NIGHT AND THE LAND. It dropped yesterday on May, 13th from Back Roads Carnival Books, but I was happy to read and review the new edition.
Book one of the Deschembine trilogy, we follow Sally Wildfire, who is on the run from her heartless family. Hiding among the exiles of mainstream society, Sally falls in love with Rob, a man with memories of a long gone realm and placing them both on a road to a violent rite of passage. Meanwhile, Sally’s family leaves their mark on the countryside on their way to Brattleboro, where the pair are hiding, marked by blood and corpses.
Coming off his newest novel, Changing of the Guards, this story reads slightly rougher around the edges, but at it’s core is still the fast wit and brutal action that is a trademark of Spencer’s prose. There is little the escapes his notice as he traces Sally and Rob’s journey, while building their relationship amid the carnage.
Readers should take note, as it seems to be feature of Spencer’s books, that they may be too gory for some readers. It does enhance the visceral action throughout the book though, so for some this may be a plus.
The world-building with this is subtle and even though this story takes place mostly in Vermont, there is still plenty of rich backstory and small teases of myth here and there. Spencer’s skill has only been refined overtime and the potential here is a pleasure to read. For a first novel, the story is remarkably strong, filled with memorable characters, and a setting ripe for more stories. It is no surprise that this first book spawned a series.
If you enjoy dark fantasy, do not miss out on THE NIGHT AND THE LAND.
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