Night Magic by Jenna Black
Series: NIghtstruck #2
Published on: May 30, 2017
Genres: Horror, Young Adult
Pages: 288
Format: eBook
Source: Library
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Jenna Black returns to the quarantined city of Philadelphia, where an unsuspecting seventeen-year-old has unknowingly unleashed a dark power that transforms the city into a monstrous hellscape in Night Magic.
Philadelphia is locked in the grip of an evil magic that transforms its streets into a nightmare landscape the minute the sun sets each night. While most of the city hunkers down and hopes to survive the long winter nights, Becket Walker is roaming the darkened streets having the time of her life.
Once, the guilt of having inadvertently let the night magic into the city―and of having killed her onetime best friend―had threatened to destroy her. But now she’s been Nightstruck, and all her grief and guilt and terror have been swept away―along with her conscience. So what if she’s lost her friends, her family, and her home? And so what if her hot new boyfriend is super-controlling and downright malevolent?
Mesmerized by the power and freedom of not having to care about anyone but herself, Becket is sinking ever deeper into the night magic’s grasp. But those who love her refuse to give up on her―even if she’s given up on them. If they can’t find a way to help Becket break the night magic’s hold, the entire city might soon find itself shrouded in perpetual night. But the last thing Becket wants is to be “rescued” from her brand new life, and she will fight tooth and claw to stay exactly where she is.
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I was excited to start this book. I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I really enjoyed this mixed up version of Philly that Jenna Black created. I’m not an avid read of YA fiction. I am a reader of horror (not as much I would probably like, but I’m reading more and more each year). I do love Jenna Black and I like her YA too. They tend to be a bit on the darker side and with this horror story that is there in spades.
So this story picks up where Nightstruck leaves off. The city of Philadelphia is under quarantine. Weird things are happening every night. People aren’t who they used to be when they are out at night. If people are out during the transition to dawn, they are turned into one of the Nightstruck. They lose pretty much all of their inhibitions. They see nothing wrong with beating people who can’t defend themselves, stealing or looting or having sex on any street corner. Other things happen during the nighttime hours too. Statues come alive and not exactly has they were when statues. Leo, a lion statue, has a main of snakes and a tail of scorpion. Fences change to other things, like tentacles. Once the sun comes up, everything goes back to normal.
It is hard to talk about this story without giving spoilers to the first story, but I will stick with cover things that are mentioned in the blurb. Beckett is Nightstruck. She is enjoying her time without the worries that the other people in the world deal with. She doesn’t mind that she walks out of a store with a full length fur coat (something she wouldn’t wear before she changed). She does some other things she would never have done before she was out at dawn. She isn’t like the other Nightstruck though.
I enjoyed this story, but not quite as much as the first installment of this series. I felt like the first part of the story was a little slow. I know exactly what Ms. Black was trying to do in showing us how Becket is while being a Nightstruck. It was good to see that side of the horror going on in Philly. That part of the story was a little on the slower side. The second half of the story was much more to my liking.
This story ended with several unanswered questions, like the first book. I know that I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
Leo continued to accompany us. He helped us get into the shops I wanted, then served as pack mule when I came out. If you’ve never seen the snakes in a metal lion’s mane carrying shopping bags, you’re missing out.
I’d expected to become a wholly different person when I was Nightstruck, but that wasn’t at all what seemed to have happened. As far as I could tell, I was the same old Becket, minus the guilt, the grief, and the insecurity. I might be angry with Aleric and concerned about where those missing hours of my life were going to, but I was still incredibly glad I’d finally given in. If I’d known then that I wouldn’t become some cackling sadist, I never
would have fought it so hard.
| The Nightstruck Series | |
  My Review |
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I’m Melanie and I live in Ohio. I have two horses and a dog. I’m an animal lover, avid book reader and audiobook listener. I like to live vicariously through fictional characters. I enjoy reading and listening to mostly fictional books in the paranormal genre, including Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. My favorite paranormal creatures are shifters, doesn’t matter the flavor.
Okay, I’m SOOOOO STINKIN’ GLAD (yes, I’m yelling) that you read this!!! I read the first one and I was totally heartbroken by the ending! And then there was the teaser to the second book and I was like, WTF??? I didn’t go through all that with her for her to be like that?
So, my big question to you is… should I go through the slow first part to get to the good last part? I do like the character that was soooooo helpful at the end of the first book (know what I mean?) Is that character back? I don’t mind that spoiler! HELP!!
AWESOME non-spoilery review!!!
I did enjoy this book. I think it is worth it to go through the first part to get to the last half of the book. The first half needs to happen, I just wish we got through that a little faster. I will DM you about that character.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch (@mlsimmons, @scottlynch78, @TantorAudio)
I always meant to read the first one and never got around to it. Sorry this one wasn’t quite as good as book one, that happens a lot.
Stormi recently posted…The Week In Review #153
It is still a good story. I’m glad I read it. I can’t wait for the next one.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch (@mlsimmons, @scottlynch78, @TantorAudio)
I loved the first one and you are who introduced me to this series. I want to read this, but won’t until the price comes down. Do you know if this is a trilogy or more? Anyway, I am glad you pretty much enjoyed it even if it was slow in the first part
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: Into the Storm by Amber Lynn Natusch (@Mollykatie112, @AmberLNatusch)
I don’t know if it is a trilogy or not. I’m assuming yes, because that seems to be the thing with YA series (this author has two other YA trilogies). Even if this one wasn’t as good as book one, it was still worth the read.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch (@mlsimmons, @scottlynch78, @TantorAudio)
I like this author but the ya / teen aspect means I may not get to this series. I tend to like mystery/suspense aspects more than horror also. Anne
I get the YA thing. I don’t read many. I’ve had good luck with this author’s YA stuff. This is the third series that I’ve read from her. I mostly read YA authors that also write adult that I like.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch (@mlsimmons, @scottlynch78, @TantorAudio)
Glad you liked this story but I’m sorry it wasn’t quite as good as the first. Yay for branching out and liking what you have read though, it is always fun when that happens. I might have to try this one in the fall. 😉
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford
It would make a good October read, leading in to Halloween (she also has a fun Halloween stand alone novella that would be fun too).
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch (@mlsimmons, @scottlynch78, @TantorAudio)
Glad the second half was better. Does she write adult books too? The name is familiar to me.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Sunday Post #278 The week of Six
Yes. I’ve reviewed books from her before. The adult series that I reviewed was with descendants of the gods. She also has a fun series with demons (people allow demons to possess them to become stronger and heal better).
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch (@mlsimmons, @scottlynch78, @TantorAudio)
Heh, I just got the first book for my sister in law’s birthday and the cover had me curious. She eats this stuff up. Glad the second half of book two picked up the pace for you.
I do like the covers for this series. There is a lot going on with them. You like the covers even more (and notice more stuff about them) after you read the books.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch (@mlsimmons, @scottlynch78, @TantorAudio)
I did like some books I read by her recently 🙂
blodeuedd recently posted…Joint Discussion: Reported Missing
She has some really fun and unique stories.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch (@mlsimmons, @scottlynch78, @TantorAudio)
Horror really isn’t my thing, but I am glad you enjoyed it – sorry it started slow, but I guess it picked up? Hopefully future books maintain a better pace for you!
Berls recently posted…Sunday Post with Berls | On the Mend
Yeah, horror is not everyone’s thing. I’ve been a fan of it since I was a kid. I think my first real “adult” book was Stephen King’s Misery.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch (@mlsimmons, @scottlynch78, @TantorAudio)
I am not familiar with the author. It has been awhile since I have read a horror story. This series sounds like a good place to pick up back. Thanks for sharing.
I’m a fan of this author. I think I’ve read all of her series. She writes adult and YA, mostly Urban Fantasy stories. I do like these horror ones. They aren’t extremely scary. Would be a great place to start reading horror again. Enjoy.
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: August 13 to 19 — 23 Speculative Fiction Releases
I do read YA, but rarely horror. So not sure if this would be a series for me, but the premise of everything changing in the night and then returning to normal during the day does sound like an original set-up for a story. I am glad to hear you enjoyed this one and I hope the next book is good too!
Lola recently posted…Lola’s Ramblings: Do you clean out your pile of review books?
Yeah, not a lot of people like horror. This one is pretty tame as far as horror goes.
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