Book Review: Nightingale by David Farland

Nightingale
By: David Farland
Source: Publicist
Release Date: October 31st, 2011
Reported by: Julianna Helms

“We all become lost children at one time or another. When no one else can find us, we must find ourselves.”
– Olivia

Bron Jones was abandoned as a newborn. Thrown into foster care, he is rejected by one family after another, until he meets Olivia, a gifted and devoted high-school teacher who recognizes him for what he really is—what her people call a “nightingale.” 

But Bron isn’t ready to learn the truth. There are secrets that have been hidden from mankind for hundreds of thousands of years, secrets that should remain hidden. Some things are too dangerous to know. 

Bron’s secret may be the most dangerous of all.

In his remarkable young adult fantasy debut, David Farland shows why critics have called his work “compelling,” “engrossing,” “powerful,” “profound,” and “ultimately life-changing.”

“The world of fantasy has a new king!”
–John Jerrold 

-Summary from Goodreads
Barnes&Noble||Amazon

Nightingale will change your perspective on the reading world. Buried inside the pages of this enhanced novel is the story of a boy, a legend, a destiny, and plenty of secrets that will keep you addicted. 


I enjoyed Nightingale. It's a story with tons of history that adds up to one big, shattering finale--and it's a story of a boy who has to find himself, a person lost years ago when his mother first abandoned him. 


The characters were very eccentric, and though I can't say I loved everyone who I was supposed to love, their peculiar personalities did make them a very interesting read. I really liked Bron--he was such a strong character once he found his footing--and David Farland does a fantastic job of grounding in reality and fantasy simultaneously without overwhelming the reader.


The only thing I wish this engrossing story had was this: trimming. Many times, there were paragraphs of description that just never held my interest, and I often skipped over them. There were also info-dumps that I didn't necessarily need. Though the author notes enhanced the book and my knowledge, after a while, I wasn't very compelled to read all of those, either--I'm an action type of gal, what can I say?


Overall, though, I think readers of intense fantasy with a sinister history will really enjoy this novel. And, oh, do get the enhanced version. It'll blow your mind away.




 







P.S. I have a guest post with the author, David Farland, coming up. And a giveaway of Nightingale, too, so stay tuned!