Book Review: Land of Perpetual Night

My rating: 4.5 dark stars



'I'm First-Tracker Travay of the Shinador Rangers, and I did not just engage a passel of mercenaries with a three-person crew to be coddled like a rotting fop and addressed as a civilian.'



Meet tracker Troa Travay. She spends her days arresting outlaws in the wilds of Shinador and given her squad’s accomplishments while under her command, she’s someday sure to earn the captainship she dreams of.

At least that's what was supposed to happen. Until Troa uncovered an insidious plot to assassinate Shinador’s governor, the very man she sort of unwittingly kissed. And to top it all off, while she and her squad are sent to investigate, Troa gains a deadly magical Gift, guaranteed to soon kill her. Imperium law requires she surrender herself to the authorities before she loses her mind and hurts people—as the Gifted always do. But magic completely upends the world Troa knew and she finds herself caught in a tangle of deception, betrayal, and slaughter, where right and wrong aren’t mutually exclusive.
With her life and all she holds dear hanging in the balance, Troa must burn through the lies without landing herself in irons and uncover the truth before the magic will consume her.

Land of Perpetual Night is a fantastic debut by a new author to watch for. Written in a wonderful prose, lyrical and full of vibrant descriptions, it will plunge the readers into an intricate fantasy world skillfully outlined and developed. A far reaching and complex plot full of magic, intrigue, conspiracies and corruption is beautifully complemented by fully fleshed characters that grow and develop right before the readers' eyes.

Peppered with witty banter that's bound to make anyone chuckle, this debut makes for a delightful and engrossing tale. One that delivers not only fun and entertaining but also a subtle approach to prejudice and discrimination, of both class and race. And that was the highlight of this novel for me. Along with the skillfully crafted characters and the absolutely fabulous prose.

Ok! Ok! I admit! I fell a little bit in love with the lush descriptions and the beauty of Miri's prose. And perhaps those magnificent speed-lizards. :D I'd love to get one of those for myself too!!

Land of Perpetual Night is a book that will appeal to those who favor rich, vibrant descriptions and lyrical prose. Because this author makes the written word sing.

From feelings...

'Her heart didn't surge, it bolted, galloping in her chest, trying to break free.'

to sensations...

'The world teetered like a seesaw, and Troa's knees turned to day old porridge, a ziggurat's bell clanging in her skull.'

and expositions...

'I am Shinador. The land is in me. Her rivers and streams flow in my blood, her cedars and mountains make up my bones, my soul is the dust of yellow ochre, and the land's music sings in my heart.'

Everything is beauty on a page.

All in all, Land of Perpetual Night is a great action-packed, character-driven High Fantasy series, full of resilient heroines, fathomless friendships, magic and heartache. Just as the blurb states.
The plot is not based on unpredictable twists and turns and the descriptions may get in the way of the action at times. And yet, despite it all, you'll find yourself flying through the pages.

I am now looking forward to the series, especially after that end!!

'Lest she go to pieces, Troa faced the night sky and closed her eyes, listening to the land's music. To the cicadas and crickets, to the velvety calls of owls. To the rustle of wind through the summer foliage and the whisper of swaying boughs. She fed her tattered heart on the song of Shinador, hoping, praying, it would sustain her in the hard months to come.'

Now grab yourself a nice big cup of tea and dive into the Land of Perpetual Night to see why and how.
And who knows, you might end up loving it just as much as I did.

Happy reading!

Check out this book and more of Miri Golden over at http://Miricgolden.com