Nocturne by Alyssa Wees

 GREETINGS STACK WORMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today we look at Nocturne by Alyssa Wees. This title will be released on February 21st. So, a month out from my birthday. 

I want to say first and foremost that I loved this book. And I'm actually a bit nervous reviewing it. I don't know if I'll do the book justice or if the review will be classy enough. But I will do my best! 

Firstly...SPOILERS...DUH!

Trigger Warnings: 

- Death

- Some light violence

- Prose (which apparently some people have problems with)

- Blood (not much though) 

- Death

- Some mental health should be dealt with

- One could say MC is suicidal near the end

- Being sold 

- Did I mention death? 

I'll tell you now that this summary will probably be the most confusing I've ever done because I really just want you to go read it yourself. So, I've left out a few key details. 

Let's begin: 

Once Upon a Time there were 2 Godly brothers that decided to have a contest. Death, the older brother, had to find love and get that person to love them in return or forfeit the younger brother's (Sleep), loved one and Death must then give up his human visage. 

And it is this bargain that Grace Dragotta finds herself smack dab in the middle of. So, how does a simple ballerina from Chicago in the 1930s during an Economic Depression, defeat these two eldritch beings? One by love and the other by music. 

Grace is our MC and she has had some horrible things happen in her life. Her older brother was shot to death and her mother passed away from an illness, leaving the poor girl alone at the age of 13. Yet, this doesn't stop her from dancing. And when we meet Grace she's just been promoted to Prima ballerina, after her friend has retired. 

And she savors the chance to shine out amongst the crowd in the corps. Her first role is the Golden Firebird from the ballet the Firebird. It's after her first show that things get a little real, a bit too quickly for her. But it's only after her final show of the Firebird that the real "fun" starts. She finds out that the Mistress of her ballet hall has sold her to Master La Rosa, Grace's new Patron. She is to live with him in lavish splendor, then dance with him every Sunday night at midnight. 

At first, and rightfully so, Grace is furious. But comes around to her Master La Rosa, despite the few things his assistant, Russo, has said about him. She comes to realize that she might actually love Master La Rosa, but when he asks her to marry him every time she's with him, she refuses. 

You see, she says no, knowing that it will mean her death. Because Master La Rosa is Death himself and to be with Death one must be dead. It's not until she finally decides that she will marry Master La Rosa that Russo show's his true colors. He manipulates Grace into telling Death 'No' one last time. 

And when she does, Death's body dies. Which has catastrophic consequences. Grace is determined to fix this ghastly mistake by ending Russo, whom she has finally pieced together is Sleep. Death's younger brother. And Sleep is not so kind as Death. He steals Death's crown and forces Grace to do one last dance. 

However, Grace is able to escape, and steal a precious magical gift, given to her by a dead friend. To win against Sleep she must put him to sleep. So, she plays Sleep's lullaby on her magical violin. Winning the crown back and earning her place as Queen of Death, more so Queen of Eternal Life. 

LIKES:

- Ballet, I have always had an appreciation for the art so this was right up my alley

- The lyricism of the prose, honestly made me think of Charles Dickens at times 

- Death was such a magnetic character 

- Grace was a pretty amazing protagonist 

- The music, I'd have loved to see a playlist to go with this, I really wanted to hear Sleep's lullaby and Grace's theme

- I loved the whole dancing aspect and that it didn't seem glossed over for those that didn't know ballet terms. Alyssa treated us like we were smart and could get things from context. Yes, I realized I pretty much said this already, but I really like dance. 

DISLIKES: 

- Russo/Sleep. As soon as this tactless SOB stepped onto the page I knew that he was bad road. I say tactless, but it was probably a way to set a bad first impression of Master La Rosa to Grace. It was a little too easy to guess who he was. 

- Mistress was a lot like Mother Gothel. Only using Grace to get what she wants. But I'm sure that was the machinations of the author. 

- The covers of the book. The US cover is horrendous. Looks like lazy photoshop or A.I. art did it. And while I like the color scheme of the UK cover better, it's not much better. Though, I'm sure this is no fault of the author. 

- The only real complaint I have is the words ice, dusk, and bird were used a little too much for my taste. 

- The ending was bittersweet but it's sort of growing on me 

- It took me till like page three to really get into the story. Sure that doesn't seem like a lot but the first few pages are crucial to snagging a reader all the way through. 

My thoughts on this are that it was an emotional rollercoaster that deserves more praise than what it's getting. I want to say chef's kiss but that's a cliche by now. How about...Nocturne deserves a SPECIAL EDITION! Hear that Fairyloot, Illumicrate, Bookish Box, and Owlcrate? Get on that sh*t! 

If you like the darker elements of Phantom of the Opera, the fairytale magic of Beauty and the Beast, with the romance of Hades and Persephone. This is for you. 

Ugh, seriously, please read this book. It was magical in almost every aspect. I know the book isn't perfect but it was entertaining and lovely. I'm not sure how else I can convey my adoration here. Just know that, even though I don't like the covers, I'm buying both versions. 

I think I should end it there. I've done enough fangirling I think. So, go read the book, and tell me your thoughts. If you have read it, what did you think? If there is anything I can do to better my reviews please comment. I'm always open to constructive criticism. 

Thank you for reading! Toodles! 

- Bug 

P.S.  I received an e-copy from NetGalley. 

Oh, yeah, the new thing I added! Here is the song: