#BookReview: Face the Night by @LaniForbes @BlackstoneAudio

Synopsis: On a harsh frontier where good and evil contend for people's minds, a young woman must fight for her true identity in this scintillating YA fantasy from the author of the award-winning Age of the Seventh Sun trilogy.

Once, Catriona Macgregor led a charmed life. Daughter of a wealthy rancher, pretty and educated, she looked forward to all the world had to offer--until fate took a turn. Now family, home, and even her name have been stripped away. As "Black Cat Whitfield," adopted daughter of an outlaw, she's wanted by the authorities. It certainly wasn't the destiny she imagined--especially as one of the Blessed.

The Blessed, rare people like Cat, are supposed to use their gifts to carry out missions for the Patron Saints, but she can only imagine that Saint Prudentia made a terrible mistake in choosing her. Still, her gift has never deserted her. Whenever danger threatens, Cat receives a vision--just in time to save her life. And when she meets a renegade priest, Father Ignatius, he helps her understand how her ability may be part of a much bigger picture. A picture that involves facing up to the monstrous Baron Caldwell - the one who ordered her parents killed - and his son, Adrian, who betrayed them all.

Cat is torn between guilt over her parents' death, a longing for vengeance against their killers, and a dismaying new interest in Adrian. It would be easiest to flee the whole situation and never look back. But as someone once told her, you can't outrun the darkness on your heels. There's only one way to break through to sunrise - by turning to face the night.



Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 5 Stars
My Review: This was the most amazing book I read this year.  I loved Lani's other stories and was so sad to hear of her passing.  But I am glad that she lives on within her stories.  She was one woman that I will never forget.  This story that is best described at a fantasy western (yes that sounds weird) had an amazing and fantastic magical system that I could not get enough of as well as characters that were fully developed and so good. You could tell how much of Forbes this book had in it and it made me feel like she was still with us.  I wished that this could have been a full series but it wasn't meant to be.  The ending with the twists was breathtaking and I was sad to see it end.  

You can see the #AuthorChat I did with her a few years ago below.  

Review

"The novel explores themes such as greed and vengeance, but at its heart, it’s a story about faith -- in one’s gifts, beliefs, and self-worth and in other people…A fast-paced and imaginative read." --Kirkus Reviews

"This action-adventure fantasy-Western will engage young adult readers with its fast-paced chapters, great dialogue, and well-developed characters...Fans of Hanna Howard's Ignite the Sun and Moira Young's Blood Red Roadwill fall in love with Cat as she figures out how to survive while staying faithful to herself, family, friends, and ideals. This is an excellent addition to any library shelf, but will especially resonate with teens looking for a strong female protagonist, a lot of action, and just the right amount of campy humor. A must-have." --Library Journal  --This text refers to the audioCD edition.

About the Author

Lani Forbes (1987-2022) was the acclaimed author of the Age of the Seventh Sun series, which won multiple Realm Awards. She was a teacher turned psychology student, and her passion was showing readers the transformative and encouraging power of story on the human experience. Lani was an award-winning member of Romance Writers of America and the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, a mother of three, and a stage IV cancer warrior. Her legacy lives on in her young adult novels that continue to be discovered and beloved by readers.  --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Posted in: 5 Stars, Blackstone Publishing, Netgalley, Review, Young Adult