ARC Review of 'THIEF OF NIGHT' by Holly Black

Holly Black’s Thief of Night, the follow-up to her adult fantasy debut Book of Night, was without question my most anticipated read of the year.

I don’t always gravitate toward urban fantasy as a genre, but Book of Night had such an impact on me that it lingered long after I finished it. The twists, the dark atmosphere, and especially the complicated character work around Charlie and Vince completely drew me in.

So when I heard that the sequel was coming, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to read an advance copy. It feels surreal to be starstruck by Holly Black and then to hold her newest book in my hands.

The story begins in the shadow of the first book’s events. Charlie Hall, who has always been drawn to trouble and chaos, is now officially the Hierophant. This means she’s tasked with hunting down rogue shadows and keeping their world from tipping further into darkness.

On paper, it sounds like a powerful position. In reality, it leaves Charlie more vulnerable than ever, especially because of what’s happened to Vince. The man she fought so hard to bring back is no longer the same.

After the tethering process, Vince’s memories of the past year are wiped clean, leaving only Red, the hardened, merciless version of him who spent years as an assassin under the command of a cruel billionaire. Red doesn’t know Charlie, doesn’t trust her, and certainly doesn’t love her.

That emotional shift is the heartbeat of this novel. While the first book was about discovery and betrayal, Thief of Night is about loss, reinvention, and resilience. Reading about Charlie’s heartbreak, knowing the man she loves is alive but changed beyond recognition, adds a layer of raw vulnerability to everything she does.

At the same time, Holly Black doesn’t let the plot rest on pure emotion. There’s a chilling mystery at its core: Charlie is ordered to track down the Blight responsible for a horrific massacre at a church. As she digs deeper, her enemies multiply, her allies prove unreliable and the line between human and shadow blurs even further.

What stood out to me most is how well Black balances the personal and the fantastical. Charlie’s character continues to shine—she is messy, reckless, and cunning, yet impossible not to root for. Her flaws make her human, but her determination makes her unforgettable.

Red, on the other hand, is fascinating to watch. He’s not the Vince we came to love in the first book; he’s sharper, more dangerous, and haunted in a completely different way. And yet, little by little, Black gives him room to grow again, to form a new identity, and to make us care for him in unexpected ways.

I thought my heart had already broken for him in Book of Night, but in this sequel, it cracked open all over again.

The side characters play their roles with equal impact. Even in death, Lionel Salt’s presence lingers, proving that the mark of a good villain isn’t erased easily. Adeline, meanwhile, is the kind of character you’re meant to despise—and I did, thoroughly. The supporting cast is well-drawn, each adding tension and weight to Charlie’s journey. They make the world feel alive, dangerous and constantly in motion.

And then there’s the ending. Without spoiling details, I can say that it felt both final and bittersweet. It closes the arc of Charlie and Red in a way that feels true to their characters while still leaving readers with that ache of wanting more. For me, it was exactly the right choice.

Overall, Thief of Night is a masterful sequel. It’s darker, sharper and even more emotionally charged than the first book. Holly Black proves once again that she knows how to weave heartbreak and danger into a story that feels both magical and painfully human.

This was easily a five-star read for me, one that I know I’ll be recommending for a long time. And yes, I’ll probably be buying every special edition, collector’s copy and paperback translation I can find, just to keep this world close.

In short, Thief of Night is a story about memory, love, identity and the fight to keep going even when everything feels lost. If you loved Book of Night, you owe it to yourself to read this sequel. If you’re new to the series, start from the beginning and prepare to be captivated.

Holly Black has closed this chapter beautifully, and while part of me wishes for more Red, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending.

ISBN: 9781250812223

Pub Date: September 23, 2025