The Kiss of The Nightingale by Adi Denner Review

Title: The Kiss of The Nightingale

Author: Adi Denner

Genre: Historical Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Renegade Books

Pages: 384

Release Date: 3 October 2024

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Hello fellow booklovers! Today I’m sharing my review for The Kiss of the Nightingale by Adi Denner.  A sumptuously enchanting, historical romantasy that takes us into an opulent, Phantom of The Opera- esque world where magic, betrayal and sacrifice take centre stage.

Synopsis

 1890, Lutèce: In this city, Talents are everything: precious gems that gift unrivalled skills to their owners. The most coveted, Elite Talents, are claimed by the aristocracy, passed through generations by blood magic.

Cleodora dreamed of inheriting her father’s Tailoring Talent, but when he died, the magic died with him. Now she’s left with empty promises, a dress shop she can’t keep afloat, and her bed-ridden younger sister.

But everything changes when she meets the dark-eyed Lady Dahlia Sibille. Dahlia offers Cleodora a Singing Talent – a chance to save her beloved sister and rewrite her own fate. From the first instant, Cleodora is bewitched… There’s just one catch: she needs to steal an Elite Talent from the prestigious Lenoir family.

As Lutèce’s nightingale, Cleodora is the star of the opera’s galas and balls, worlds away from the darkness and dust of home. But the handsome yet infuriating Vicomte Lenoir is nothing like she expected.

Soon, the Vicomte’s teasing smiles win her over, even as Dahlia’s seductive whispers linger in her ears. Torn between Dahlia, who gave her everything, and the Vicomte, who holds the price of her freedom, is Cleodora in danger of losing it all? Or can she prove that magic isn’t the only gift that counts?

Review

I loved every second of this! Adi Denner’s atmospheric prose and lush attention to detail (especially when it came to the fashion) was utterly addictive. And, combined with the intriguing, gem based magic system; created an almost cinematic experience that had me glued to my seat.

The world-building wasn’t nearly as in depth as I would’ve liked, but I feel the characters more than made up for it in their a nuanced and depth filled portrayals. Cleodora, our morally grey protagonist and sole POV was probably my favourite as I really enjoyed her nuanced and emotional journey.

Struggling to keep her family’s dressmaking business going (and take care of her ill sister) leads her into the employ of the mysterious Lady Sibille (Dahlia)— who gifts her the (stolen) talent of singing in order to infiltrate the Opera, and steal the Talent of one of it’s most important Patrons. The Vicomte Lenoir.

The tragic complexity of Cleo’s circumstances and her conflicting feelings surrounding this new life really endeared me to her, especially her drive to protect her sister. But I did enjoy her more morally dubious choices, as it really highlighted how rigid class structures, inequality and widespread poverty can force literally anyone into unsavoury (or illegal) situations (in the desperate need to survive.)

The same for several of the other characters we meet (Lirone, Dahlia, Veronique) who’s actions, though not necessarily right, did raise some interesting thoughts around morality and ethics that I hadn’t really considered before.

I really enjoyed the emotionally intense, love triangle-esque romance we explore between Cleo, Dahlia and Nuriel (the Vicomte.) Which, like Phantom of the Opera has an underlying sense of danger, urgency (and lust) that I found incredibly intoxicating —there’s some incredible, chemistry laden scenes that romantasy fans will definitely appreciate too. But they don’t overpower the plot, so if you’re new to the genre (or aren’t as big a fan of romance) I think you’ll still enjoy it.

Overall, an immersive, magical and pacy debut that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page.

Also, a huge thank you to Emily over at Dialogue Books for the stunning proof.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

About The Author 

Adi Denner was only 13-years old when the enchanted notes of the opera La Traviata by Verdi stole her heart. She is now a professionally trained opera singer with a specialization in contemporary operas. But having too much creative energy, she also discovered the joys of painting, sculpting, knitting, baking, theatre, 3D art, and her burning love for writing.

Adi writes lush fantasies and romantic stories for the YA and crossover crowd. Her books are heavily inspired by her constant aspiration to intertwine her passions and her firm belief that art is magic.

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