Born into the Night by Emily Bisbach Review (Gifted/AD)

Hello Readers,
Thank you, NetGalley for giving access to an eBook copy of Born into the Night by Emily Bisbach
for free in exchange for an honest review. The eBook I received from NetGalley have a cover image, so I am using a cover image I have found through google (Fair use under the copyright act sections 29 and 30 under use for a review). Spoiler free review.
 
Happy Publication Day
 
Title: Born Into the Night
Author: Emily Bisbach
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, Romantic Fantasy
Pages: 388
Cover Image:
 

Synopsis
: A dark academia, parallel universe fantasy. Perfect for fans of A Discovery of Witches and The DaVinci Code.
Evie remembers nothing of the fantastical world she was born in. Not its whimsical beauty that inspired the paintings she studies as an art history student. Not Alicrat, the astonishing ability to manipulate threads of existence. And not her mother, who disappeared after securing her daughter’s safety.
But when a mysterious stranger, Charlie, reunites Evie with her family heirloom — an ancient book written in the indecipherable Alterra Lingua — she remembers him. Burgeoned by the hope of finding her mother and tempted by the mystery of decoding the book with Charlie, Evie returns to the sister world of her birth.
Between the centuries-old clues from a legendary Renaissance artist, the crumbling castle archives holding a millennia of history, and the oracle in exile who knows the unknowable, Evie learns her destiny is inextricably intertwined with the good and evil of both worlds. With the danger that hunted her mother growing perilously powerful, she must decide what, if anything, should be sacrificed for the greater good.
 
Miniature Review
 
How could I resist requesting this book on NetGalley when the synopsis begins with: “A dark academia, parallel universe fantasy. Perfect for fans of A Discovery of Witches and The Da Vinci Code”. One thing to note is that the story provides a lot of lore and information. Personally, I didn’t mind it, but I can understand how it might not resonate with everyone.
 
Emily has crafted a vibrant and captivating world in this book, blending prophecy, history, and dark magic into a thrilling mix that hard to put down. The magic system that Emily has created is magnificent and you tell much research was put into every tiny detail of the magic system. I also appreciated how Emily didn't shy away from exploring the darker aspects of magic, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
 
The plot is richly layered with ancient prophecies to parallel worlds, making it easy to lose yourself in the story. The dual-world element was a fascinating twist I didn’t anticipate, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. While this isn’t a quick read, it rewards readers with vivid imagery and immersive descriptions. Emily has created an intriguing fantastical world that I really hope I get to visit again.
 
The characters, both main and supporting, are well-developed and compelling. Evie, as the protagonist, was a strong and relatable lead. Although this might be my age showing but I thought she was little too naive at times. I admired Evie’s determination and willingness to face challenges head-on.
 
Overall, Born Into the Night was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I would gladly dive back into this world if there’s another book set in this world.

L x

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