The Night Country: A Hazel Wood Novel (The Hazel Wood, 2)

I loved Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood and I loved The Night Country just as much. Alice and Finch are two of my favorite characters, each for different reasons. Alice, awkward and unsure of herself in any situation, always rises to the occasion, sometimes in a really round-about way but her intent is always true. She has deep questions about who she is and her depth of actual goodness: “To be honest, I don’t know if I’ve even got a soul. If a soul is what makes you human, then I probably don’t. Unless a soul is something you can grow, like, after the fact. And I don’t think it is. So. No Soul.” Finch is complex yet so freaking decent and good. Whatever the worlds throw at him, he always does the right thing - no matter the cost to himself; he’s a hero in The Night Country but won’t realize it. He is adventurous, trustworthy, and just so authentically Finch! The addition of new characters is something I really liked in The Night Country, Sophia, who we meet in the end of The Hazel Wood plays a prominent secondary role and I loved reading about her. She is quirky and odd and wonderful. I loved hearing about all of them! The ex-stories are scattered about and are as interesting and dark in our world as they were in the Hinterland. The story-line is complex and compelling, dark and bloody but there are periods of happiness and light. When the ex-stories and Hinterlanders start to settle in to New York City, they think they are the ones to fear until the strange murders begin. Because of their unique deaths, all start to look suspiciously upon Alice. “We were predators set loose in a world not made to withstand us. Until the summer we became prey.” The worlds that Ms. Albert creates are astonishing and fascinating! Finch is a traveler and I didn’t get to explore as much as I would’ve liked. There were bits and pieces of his travels through the Hinterland and his travels with Iolanthe but I would’ve loved more! Ms. Albert is such a skilled world builder and I hope that there is a third book in this series. I feel like there will be because there’s still so much to explore! And, I want more! More of Alice and Finch, more ex-stories and Hinterlanders, more of the many worlds that lay just beyond! As Finch says: “Jesus, Are all these books doors? To which Io responds, “A book is always a door.” This is one of my favorite series, obviously, and I listened to The Hazel Wood on audio before I started The Night Country and it was just as fascinating as it was the first time I read it. This is a series that I would recommend to any reader who enjoys a good dark fairy tale, a bit of fantasy, or just a really compelling series. I feel like I need to say again that I am HOPEFUL (wishful) for a third book in this series! A big thank you to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Melissa Albert for providing me with a copy of The Night Country in exchange for my honest review.

The sequel to The Hazel Wood has danger, deception, and characters struggling to find purpose in this world. When murders occur, the Ex-story characters try to stick together for safety and strength. Alice feels that she’s being blamed and, after she’s attacked, she vows to capture whoever or whatever is harming others. Mysterious and twisty, The Night Country weaves worlds, characters, and creators into a fight for life, 4 stars!

I LOVED "The Hazel Wood", and this book is, I think, a shining example of good writing. Melissa Albert is impeccable. Every word, every sentence, is so intentional and essential to the plot. She doesn't mince words, and she doesn't waste your time. It's fast-paced and fascinating. I can't guess the twists and turns of the story, and I'm delighted when my guesses are wrong. I hung on to every word, every detail, and I was never disappointed. I feel like there's still a lot I don't understand about the magic and the world of the Stories and Ex-Stories and now we've got multiple worlds to explore in this book, but honestly...even though I'm a little confused, I feel like it lends to the topsy-turvey nature of the world that Albert's built. Is it intentional? Can't tell. But I don't mind the way it scrambles my brain. The characters are deep and well-written. They all have motivations, which drives the story and keeps you guessing. I love Alice as a character, especially since she's the most dangerous Story/Ex-Story and either doesn't seem to realize it, or care. I'm glad we got to see Ellery Finch again, too. I didn't think I'd ever see him again after the last book, but his storyline is woven in so beautifully. 10/10. I have the utmost trust for Melissa Albert as an author, and I will gladly throw myself into whatever story world she publishes next.

One of my favorite books. Beautiful cover and pages.

I didn't like the first book much but I liked the idea of dark fairy tales, so I went for the second. I also thought it was going to be mostly Finch, who was my favorite character in the first book and who I thought got kind of shafted. I am disappointed that it's still about Alice, who I find whiny, entitled, and generally not very bright. It's also just not particularly good, and definitely less focused on the creepy storytelling than the other book.

(Originally posted on kaleyconnell.wordpress.com) The Night Country is just as dark and menacing as its predecessor and did everything I loved in the first book as well as things I wished the first book had. I had absolutely no complaints about this book, which is a rare thing. I can usually find something to nitpick about, but The Night Country is just that good. The characters are varied and intricate, the story is deep and compelling, and the writing (which is my favorite part by far) is on a whole other level of suck-you-in-until-you-finish good. I hate to say it, but there's not much for me to put here without going into spoiler territory. If you already read The Hazel Wood then you already know what you can expect and can buy The Night Country with no fears of it being bad. This book is 100% worth your time.

The Night Country is Melissa Alpert’s Deathly Hallows, and I mean that as a compliment. Although this second (and concluding) portion of The Hazel Wood series wasn’t as exciting to read as the first, it definitely held my attention as it took the story in a darker and more thoughtful direction. The last few chapters reminded me of Harry Potter’s time spent in the realm of the dead. It was surreal and highly imaginative, while also asking readers to consider what they do - or give up - to save others. This theme existed in the first book too, but this time around, it’s followed to a much bigger and more earth-shattering conclusion. An enjoyable read that reunites readers with characters from the first book, along with a few new ones. Fans of the series will almost certainly be satisfied by the bittersweet ending.

I love this series! It's unique and different. This is #2 and a really interesting story that's told. I'm 23 and read the book this year. I know it's made for younger audiences, but sometimes it's nice to go down in reading levels and really get to think about the stories. Great read! Would advise it! Also family friendly. Nothing in it that I wouldn't let my little sister or brother read.

I am a big fan of the dark fantasy book genre, and this is just what the doctor ordered. This book was very easy to read, you shouldn't have any trouble if your 11 and up I think. I loved the hazel wood and the whole world it created, I swear, I couldn't stop thinking about every little detail of that book. And when I say that this book did the EXACT same thing I MEAN IT. I would however, recommend reading the first book first because you might be a little lost, although you can get the general idea of the first book and the plot line. You would really be missing out though.

GOOD

I have been eagerly anticipating the release of this book, the follow up to my all time favouite The Hazel Wood. I took my time reading trying to make the story last as long as possible but with every sentence I read I was sucked into the amazing world the author has created. The sublime storytelling, the breathtaking descriptions that brought everything to life and the eerie, sinister atmosphere that followed me throughout. I loved that this book was told in two POVs - Alice and Ellery, each bringing something different, something unique, and something that drew me further into the different worlds. Ellery's chapters creating a longing in me and as danger crept ever closer to Alice his chapters provided a little reprieve and space to breathe and revel in the magical worlds he was experiencing. I loved the darkness that crept its way onto the pages and into my mind as I wondering how Alice would escape or if she was bound to be tied to the Hinterland forever. This was a wonderful conclusion to the story the author created and I was sad to turn the final page, although the promise of a collection of stories from the Hinterland coming next year eased the pain a little. I feel this is a series I will return to time and time again.

Espere demasiado tiempo por este libro y ME LLEGÓ EN PÉSIMO ESTADO!!!!!! Que decepción. Todo maltratado y golpeado

I seriously loved this book! I did not want the fairytale to end! I do hope that Melissa Albert keeps writing fantastic stories like this book, I loved the series of books and cannot wait until she releases more of these astonishing modern fairytales!