As part of Lit Society’s Authors Review Program, members are reading and reviewing books by independent writers we think deserve more attention. This review reflects one reader’s honest experience and aims to spotlight exciting new voices.
An exciting and captivating sequel to Nightshade, book one of the Sorrowsong University series. Nightshade introduced us to Alex and Ophelia’s complicated love story. Daybreak takes us deeper into their journey, where their happiness is threatened by the people closest to them.
The Verdict? 9/10. Couldn't put it down.
● Would You Recommend It? Yes
● Book Club Worthy? If both books in the series are read, yes!
● Would You Read This Author Again? Yes
● Did It Change How You See Something? No
● Is It More Plot or Ideas? Plot
● Pace: Fast paced
● Emotional Impact: Lingering
● Best For: A Rainy Friday night
● Skimmable or Demands Attention? Close reading
● Would You Reread It? Yes
In this highly anticipated sequel to Nightshade, we are thrown back into the worlds of Ophelia and Alex.
When we last left these characters, their fate was one big question mark to readers. Daybreak continues the same fast-paced storyline that keeps you hungry for more. This book might even be a quicker read than Nightshade, as you are desperate to learn what will happen to Ophelia and Alex after their whirlwind romance in Nightshade.
Autumn Woods has a great way of building out Ophelia and Alex even more so in this book. We thought we knew the ins and outs of these lovers previously, but now we delve even deeper into their minds.
Daybreak almost feels like a new romance genre entirely—psychological romance. While Ophelia and Alex are certainly attracted to each other's bodies, their mental connection is almost even stronger. Alex is dealing with a new level of generational trauma with his family, and Ophelia has yet to let her guard fully down.
If you thought Nightshade was a bit of a thriller, you won’t be disappointed with Daybreak. Several questions remain throughout the book—Where has Alex’s father disappeared to? Who is sending Ophelia threatening anonymous messages, again?
As a new romantasy reader, I went into Nightshade not knowing what to expect. After finishing that book in record time, I was excited to dive into Daybreak. Woods has created a new romantasy fan out of me. I would love to keep reading about Alex and Ophelia’s love story forever, so I wonder if she has considered a third Sorrowsong University book as part of this series. Alex and Ophelia have a habit of attracting a little bit of danger and chaos into their lives. I would not be surprised if Autumn Woods is not done telling their story just yet.
Favorite Lines? “Peace is all Alex and I have ever longed for, and I’m beginning to feel it. It’s here in this room. It’s in the way the line between his brows is relaxed as he sleeps.”
“Falling in love isn’t the right description. I’ve been plummeting since I met her, haven’t stopped since. Each day when I think I might find the bottom, that my feelings for her couldn’t intensify any more, she does something else that sends the ground flying away from me again.”
Recommended media? If these books were turned into movies, why do I feel like Evanescence would be all over the soundtrack? This type of moody, suspenseful pop music is fitting for the intense relationship between Alex and Ophelia.
Related TV? “Succession.” Similar to Nightshade and Daybreak, “Succession” also explores family loyalty between a powerful patriarch and heir apparent.
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