Give The Dark My Love

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Author(s)

Beth Revis

Publisher

Razorbill

Genre(s)

Fantasy

Age Range

12+

Release Date

September 25, 2018

ISBN

978-1595147172

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Seventeen-year-old Nedra Brysstain leaves her home in the rural, northern territories of Lunar Island to attend the prestigious Yugen Academy with only one goal in mind: master the trade of medicinal alchemy. A scholarship student matriculating with the children of Lunar Island's wealthiest and most powerful families, Nedra doesn't quite fit in with the other kids at Yugen. Until she meets Greggori "Grey" Astor. Grey is immediately taken by the brilliant and stubborn Nedra, who he notices is especially invested in her studies. And that's for a good reason: a deadly plague has been sweeping through the north, and it's making its way toward the cities. With her family's life--and the lives of all of Lunar Island's citizens--on the line, Nedra is determined to find a cure for the plague. Grey and Nedra grow close, but as the sickness spreads and the body count rises, Nedra becomes desperate to find a cure. Soon, she finds herself diving into alchemy's most dangerous corners--and when she turns to the most forbidden practice of all, necromancy, even Grey might not be able to pull her from the darkness.

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2 reviews

Give The Dark My Love

December 27, 2018 (Updated: January 05, 2019)

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5.0

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Seventeen-year-old Nedra Brysstain leaves her small village to study medicinal alchemy at the famous Yugen Academy. She wants to be able to help find a cure for the plague that has been killing so many people. While there she meets "Grey" Astor. They grow close, but when the plague strikes close to home, Nedra is more determined to find a cure. What she ends up deciding is both chilling and haunting.

What worked: This book has everything I love from author Revis's writing: memorable characters, intensity, emotion-packed action, and a plot that keeps readers turning the pages. I was totally hooked and was up early in the morning reading until I finished.

There are some very intense, haunting scenes that involve Nedra's involvement with the poor and their exposure to the plague. Nedra doesn't flinch when asked for her help at the hospital that tries to help the poor plague victims. She's determined,strong, and courageous.

Grey falls for Nedra and tries to be there for her. He stands up to the class bully who tries to intimidate Nedra. There's hints of romance, but when the plague closes down the academy and Nedra goes back home, she faces the horror of the illness first hand. These scenes are very strong and heart wrenching. How Nedra harvests her grief is haunting and powerful. Plus, her final decision and the reveal of who really is behind releasing the plague, is one that I didn't see coming. And that ending hook? Omg, how long do we have to wait for the next book in this series?

Compelling, haunting fantasy where a girl struggles to help find a cure for a deadly plague even if the cost might involve evolving the forbidden practice of necromancy. Powerful scenes that are heart wrenching and sure to stay with readers long after they finish reading. My only complaint is the story ended too soon! I can't wait to read more!

Kim Baccellia, Staff Reviewer Top 10 Reviewer 889 reviews

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engaging YA fantasy

December 28, 2018

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5.0

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"Give the Dark My Love" is a dark but engaging YA fantasy. Told in alternating perspectives, we follow two characters- Nedra and Grey. Nedra is leaving home in the pursuit of knowledge, seeking to unite the more progressive medical advances of alchemy with the older 'old wives' tales' medical treatments. The beginning of the book is exciting as Nedra is from a poor family but has received a prestigious scholarship, and she is bright-eyed as she enters the Yugen Academy.

Grey is from a wealthy family and at the top of his class (until Nedra appears). He is immediately attracted to her and they become friends, and a romance soon blossoms. However, before you know it, the plot gets darker and darker spiraling into something more engaging albeit harsher. A plague is killing people around the country and in the city of the Academy. Nedra and Grey are working with a professor who is trying to study it and create a cure. There are some pretty horrific descriptions of the victims and the experiences they have (for instance, during a horrible amputation in an effort to save someone's life, the patient dies- Nedra is in shock the whole time; also, what happens when she is with her family).

No one is safe from this plague, and the descriptions of death and illness are not for the faint of heart. This book is a true page-turner that will keep you moving quickly. I had a hard time putting it down and I really enjoyed it- this is a great read, but be forewarned about this- this is not a light fantasy. With themes of poverty and socioeconomic disparities plus the lengths you'll need to go to for answers/a cure and medical ethics, this is a really well-written book. I highly recommend for readers who enjoy darker YA fantasy (e.g. The Young Elites series, Dark Gifts series, The Lone City series)- you won't want to miss this!