Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

With sinister forces at work, Wren and Hal realize they’ll have to join together if they have any hope of saving their kingdoms. But as Wren circles closer to the nefarious truth behind Hal’s illness, they realize they have no escape from the monsters within the mansion. All they have is each other, and a startling desire that could be their downfall.

Review:

YA fantasy is one of my favorite genres.  Besides all the fantasy elements, there are characters that have very relatable motivations.  They want to be seen, and loved, for who they are.  I was very drawn to the character of Wren in Down Comes The Night, by Allison Saft.  She want's what everyone wants, to be accepted for who she really is.  Finding that acceptance is a challenge, as all those who should love Wren unconditionally do not.   This was a book filled with excellent world-building, empathetic characters, and a compelling story. I loved this book.

What I Liked:

World-building:

The world in this book has countries at war, magic, and political intrigue.  Throughout Wren's life, her country has been at war with it's neighbors.  There have been countless battles with many dead.  That is why all young people are conscripted into the military, especially if they have magic.  But Wren's magic is of a very particular kind.  She is a healer.  So she sees the worst injuries after a battle. She also is the Queen's illegitimate niece.  But, the Queen finds her to be an embarrassment.  So instead of being a court favorite, Wren is constantly in trouble.  That is because of her natural tendency toward empathy, even with the enemy.  The book sets up this problem of talented people being asked to do terrible things in the name of country in a way that one can see parallels in real life.  It's easy to see the Other as the enemy, less so when you get to know the people on the other side of a conflict.

Characters:

I really liked Wren, who just couldn't find acceptance, not from her girlfriend, and not from her aunt, the Queen.  She was treated always as a problem.  So she was constantly chasing affirmation from others.  This compelled her to take lots of unnecessary risks, that usually got her in trouble.  When she meets Hal, an infamous warrior from the enemy nation, she immediately judges him by his reputation (something everyone else has done to her).  But there is more to Hal than meets the eye.

Hal is a tortured soul.  His magical talent is the opposite of Wren's.  He can kill someone just by looking at them. Whether he want's to or not, Hal has been pushed to use his deadly magic to benefit his country, and his family.  But he is sick of war, and his part in it.  When he becomes seriously ill, he needs to convince Wren that he is worth saving.  But first, he needs to believe it himself.  Even if someone shows remorse, are they worth redemption?

Story:

This book was full of schemes and intrigues!  I loved that you weren't certain of any character's motives for a while.  Even with a terrible war that is costing both nations dearly, it seems like neither one wants peace.  No one can be trusted.  When Wren uncovers who is really behind a series of disappearances, she can hardly believe it.  It's up to Hal and Wren to find the proof that will stop the war.  But there are betrayals ahead that Wren can even imagine. I enjoyed all the misdirection, as the plot twists and turns.  It made for a page-turner of a book!

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 2nd, 2021

Author:  Allison Saft

Publisher:  Wednesday Books

Page Length:  400 Pages

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A fun, YA fantasy filled with characters who you will root for. This is a must read for fans of the genre.