Review

A Drop of Night


In A DROP OF NIGHT, Stefan Bachmann's latest work, readers are introduced to a young girl named Anouak. Anouk, along with four other gifted teens, has received the opportunity to fly to France and help investigate a newly found underground palace that will be huge news for the history community. Anouk doesn't bond well with other people, but she's more than happy to get out of the house and away from her family. Will, Jules, Lilly and Hayden, the other teens from that have been chosen, are not only from wildly different countries, but all have extremely contrasting personalities from one another, forcing the group to work past their differences or simply ignore one another. The head of the expedition, Professor Dorf, seems to have everything under control, but Anouk senses something off about him.
While Anouk's story is being told, the book alternates between this and another story dating back to over two centuries prior. It follows Aurélie, the daughter of a noble frenchman, as the underground palace is being built beneath her home. The two plotlines eventually develop and collide in a chilling way the reader would never expect --- each is a mystery not only for the reader, but for the characters as well.
"A DROP OF NIGHT is a captivating horror, adventure and mystery novel with an intricately spun story and interesting, unique characters."
When the expedition takes a dangerous turn, Anouk and the other four are left on their own, not knowing who they can trust and who they should run from. The palace holds many secrets, so the group is not sure exactly who they're hiding from, but it is clear that something is out to get them, and it won't stop until they're dead. But if that's the case, then why were they selected specifically to be brought here if only to be killed? They eventually let their guards down in order to work together as the situation becomes life threatening, creating a nice bit of character development.
A DROP OF NIGHT is a captivating horror, adventure and mystery novel with an intricately spun story and interesting, unique characters. The mystery develops with every page and the haunting aura only adds to the suspense. As the story unfolds, so do the characters. This novel is filled with vivid descriptions and completely unexpected events, making it one of the most exciting books I've read in a long time. The concept is entirely unique and new, and the plot is extremely well developed, making the novel an exhilarating thriller. The way it transfers between the two timelines makes it even more intriguing, as it leaves you in wait for the development of the other storyline each time it switches. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a well written, exciting read.
Reviewed by Maggie L., Teen Board Member on March 22, 2016