Last Song Before Night

Myers' depiction of Tamryllin and the land it inhabits is shadowy and lush, a tapestry of gossamer wonders as well as theocratic oppression and brutality. But the core of Last Song's strength is its characters. Bound by enmities, rivalries, lust, sacrifices, and ancient tragedies, the novel's sizeable cast forms a dizzying chemistry. Even when the book dwells on its elaborate, Regency-romance web of seductions and star-crossed suitors -- which Myers weds to her setting with a deft, sure hand -- that game of musical beds has haunting, profound consequences. The villains, with Lin's treacherous, predatory brother Rayen being a particularly juicy example, are painted in broad strokes, but there's plenty of nuance, dimension, and empathy to Myers' timeless myth-spinning. - Jason Heller, NPR.org Just as you think you've figured out what she's up to, Myer picks up her story and shakes it like a snow-globe...[LAST SONG BEFORE NIGHT] never loses its bits of humor, nor its vivid storytelling. You won't need a harp to see its magic. - Nicole Hill, B&N SF/F Blog Beautifully lyrical, Myer's high-fantasy debut weaves a multilayered tale of good versus evil and intimate self-discoveries. The gradual reveal of the main plot and the characters' personal truths builds to a poetic crescendo worthy of their epic quest. With detailed worldbuilding and vivid characters -- most notably Lin, the strong female protagonist -- this lush and luminous story combines exquisite splendor and fathomless cruelty as it champions the power of art and the resilience of the human spirit. While the plot comes full circle, it appears that the adventure is only beginning. - RT Book Reviews