Review Detail

I couldn't pass on the cover, but then you mentioned the magic of Bardugo's Shadow and Bone, and I was instantly sold.

The Kiss of the Nightingale by Adi Denner is a YA fantasy novel about a stolen gem that transforms an orphan's destiny. 1890, Lutèce: In this city, Talents are everything: precious gems that gift unrivalled skills to their owners. The most coveted, Elite Talents, are claimed by the aristocracy, passed through generations by blood magic. Cleodora dreamed of inheriting her father’s Tailoring Talent, but when he died, the magic died with him. Now she’s left with empty promises, a dress shop she can’t keep afloat, and her bed-ridden younger sister. But everything changes when she meets the dark-eyed Lady Dahlia Sibille. Dahlia offers Cleodora a Singing Talent – a chance to save her beloved sister and rewrite her own fate. From the first instant, Cleodora is bewitched… There’s just one catch: she needs to steal an Elite Talent from the prestigious Lenoir family. As Lutèce’s nightingale, Cleodora is the star of the opera’s galas and balls, worlds away from the darkness and dust of home. But the handsome yet infuriating Vicomte Lenoir is nothing like she expected. Soon, the Vicomte’s teasing smiles win her over, even as Dahlia’s seductive whispers linger in her ears. Torn between Dahlia, who gave her everything, and the Vicomte, who holds the price of her freedom, is Cleodora in danger of losing it all? Or can she prove that magic isn’t the only gift that counts?

First things first, I LOVED the general vibes of this book. I knew going into this novel, I was going to swoon and be swept off my feet with magical descriptions and a unique magic system based on gems. All whilst Denner paid close to attention to their details, and general plucks of their prose. I just *Chef's kiss* I can't wait to read more from Denner.

One thing I did keep getting hung up, was the general world building. Or the real lack thereof. Now don't get me wrong, the magic system was cool and intriguing. But I felt a little lost at times, due to the general grounding details that fantasy books often need, history based or not. While the pacing was a bit teeter-totter at times. But I feel like those were compensated with the general atmosphere Denner put forth.

In closing, this is a wonderful book that is perfect for all the booktok girlies looking for a magical fantasy that isn't too dependent on spice or hardcore fantasy worldbuilding. It's a magnificent first step into what fantasy can be.