final rating: 3.25/5☆

thank you to netgalley and the author Danielle Thompson for the e-arc!

i'm not very sure how i felt about this. maybe because it's just the first book in a series and more will be discovered later on, but i felt it was a little out of place to see two kitsune of japanese mythology in such a western environment. and it could have been a little less odd if there was a community of them, but having just two (so far) made me a little out of sorts. however, i applaud Danielle Thompson for her wonderful use of povs to show very different sides of the story — we have our slightly sheltered protagonist Kuro, his 'bestie' Jaden and that of our human side from Kenneth, Jacqueline and Eric.

(spoilers ahead)

i have absolutely no problem with most of our characters. however, it felt like our main cast of Kuro, Jaden and Caroline should have been a little older than just in their early twenties (that's basically a baby kitsune!). the way they're written is very mature, they make big decisions and have a lot of big feelings that i can't relate to at this age. yet, with Kenneth and co in the same age bracket, i can see where they're coming from most of the time, a little dumb but they act just a little self important enough and actually know what they're doing sometimes. but the others? adulting kitsune problems, big issues.

and Jaden just didn't really work as a character for me. i understand trying to paint him as a morally grey character who, while has violent tendencies, truly cares for his pseudo brother Kuro (ie the hot chocolate incident). but throughout the book, all i see is a very hotblooded murderer with lots of bloodlust who thrives with that, and doesn't care how low he stoops to satisfy himself, ESPECIALLY with how he's stalking Jacqueline for her soul. brave girl for dealing with that gracefully. and the ending of book 1??? a villain works. i can like a villain. but Jaden is such a (excuse me) colour by numbers villain that i didn't like him.

still, very intrigued to see how the story unfolds in the sequel.

3.5⭐ rounded up! Overall pretty enjoyable and definitely well-written from a paragraph-by-paragraph standpoint, but I had some issues with the higher level character development and pacing/plot.

I'll start by saying, I know that this author's writing style will not be for everyone. While I always appreciate when the style feels unique and I personally am a fan of it in this book, I'm sure some would find it a bit dense or overly detailed. I do feel the prose, while beautiful in places, got a little TOO repetitive and lingered on things too long in some areas – but overall I think it's mostly a stylistic choice and will come down to reader preference.

What I enjoyed: I absolutely loved that this was a paranormal romance that focused in on kitsune ("demon" foxes from Japanese folklore). I can't say I've read a book yet that incorporated kitsune so this felt new and intriguing. I also generally enjoyed Kuro and Caroline's characters and relationship because they each went through some growth and had much deeper development and connection, unlike the other characters. They were really the best part of this book to me. Like I mentioned above, I also appreciated the unique writing style and felt the book was well-written from page-to-page.

What didn't work for me: I feel like the Kuro-Jaden relationship could've been executed better, like a Stefan-Damon Salvatore type thing (Vampire Diaries) but less cheesy. Unfortunately, Jaden was flat and didn't have any vulnerable moments. My main issue overall, though, was that not enough happened and the reader/characters leave the book knowing almost as little as they started it with. Now, I'm all for books having smaller scopes if it means the author really gives depth to everything in a way that moves you, but that didn't happen here for me other than with Kuro and Caroline. Instead, it felt like the pace and plot were drawn out with not enough reward. One thing that I think made this worse was the hopping around of POVs – In a book that's relatively short, trying to address so many POVs is bound to leave characters underdeveloped and make the plot a little convoluted and spotty.

Overall, I'm excited to see what this author does next, although I'm torn on whether I'll continue this particular series. While it did end on a cliffhanger, I feel like not enough happened to be invested in what comes next. I do think this book is worth reading and deciding for yourself, though, if you enjoy slow burn romance, Japanese folklore, and a more detailed writing style.

This is a new to me author, and blurb and cover both interested me. Although a bit different from what I usually read, I really enjoyed it. It’s beautifully written, the story is intriguing, and, I think, it’s very rare to find fiction with kitsunes. A very positive surprise. 🤗

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ARC REVIEW

In a nutshell: kitsunes, character driven, slightly spooky, intriguing.

If you like your reads to be cosy BUT also slightly unsettling and spooky, I recommend this with my whole heart.

I was sucked into this book completely from the first page. The story is rich, captivating and intricately wound.

Each of the four POVs are tied together so well that I never felt the usual exhaustion of getting really into a storyline to be immediately thrown out at the next chapter. I was equally excited for each perspective, and loved how immediately I connected with the characters.

Kuro, arguably our main character, is written exactly how a wild animal-turned-human would be: slightly childlike, curious and a wee bit feral. Jaden, our antagonist, is a truly terrifying force to read about (TW for brutal murders thanks to him!) Their brotherhood was really intriguing and written incredible well, you both sympathise with and want to shake Kuro a lot of the time.

Our secondary characters, Caroline, Kenneth & Jaqueline were equally as interesting to read about and I can’t wait to have more of them in the next book!

My thoughts would stray back to the book throughout the day, making me feel like I was living between the pages even when I wasn’t reading.

I will definitely be picking up the next one.

Some of my favourite quotes.
💬 He resigned himself to wait patiently to pass out from blood loss and then, with any luck, the indifferent embrace of death would follow.
💬 Oh, he had thought, sickened by the confirmation of his own worthlessness and the sense of a privilege he didn’t deserve and hadn’t earned. That makes more sense.
💬 She was feeling the simplistic happiness of a day ending, the quiet comfort that comes with routine, of having a home to care for, a place to love.

| eARC received via Netgalley |

What an interesting read :)
Not my usual reading preference but... wow.
The prose dude. It's captivating. The plot was great. A bit complex, but it's easy to follow. Goes to show that Danielle Thompson is a good writer. I admit I got attached to the characters, especially Kuro. I liked his overall characterization, especially his ways of dealing with his internal struggles throughout the story. I'm hoping that in the next book though, we get to know more of his background story as it'll surely help the story's development further.

Thank you Danielle Thompson, Netgalley, and IBPA for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC for A Black and Solemn Silence :D

First thank you netgalley for the chance to read this advanced readers copy.

The book is said to be a paranormal slow-burn, enemies to lovers romance. While I do agree it is a slow-burn, romance really took a back seat. I'm hoping the next book will offer more romance for its readers. The book was well written, dark and gory. I really liked the concept of the story; it gave a soul-ties vibe.

My only critique is the pacing was all over the place. It felt rushed and sometimes repetitive. I did enjoy the growth of the characters, specifically Kuro, but there still remains a lot a mystery surrounding him and Jaden. Overall, I feel this book has an audience, but I may not be it.

Thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book! First of all I really liked Kuro as a character and his internal conflict through the whole book, I think it was difficult to see which side he would morally end up on and I really enjoyed that. I thought that the story moving through the perspective of not only Kuro but Kenneth and Jaqueline made things more interesting and gave us fresh knowledge on certain things, feel like some parts became slightly receptive, especially with the whole “this is what your soul feels like etc etc..” I don’t think we needed this explaining for every character but apart from that I enjoyed the plot, I like the string of crime that was sweeping throughout and how this tied in with each person

The writing was gorgeous and the characters were intriguing. Unfortunately, it just didn't click with me, but I'm sure the book will absolutely find it's audience.

I loved this book! It was beautifully written so it was easy to read.
The characters were lovable and I was rapidly attached to Kuro, the main character. He was written in a way that made me feel truly for him and what was happening to him.
The only thing that bugged me was the pace which was maybe a bit fast and at times I was lost at where the characters were and how much time had passed during the time skip or change of chapters.
other than that I loved the story and how unique it was. I had never read a book centred on kitsune before so it was cool!

I want to thank NetGalley for this opportunity!

In "A Black and Solemn Silence" by Danielle Thompson, two enigmatic shape-shifting kitsune, Kuro and Jaden, find themselves embroiled in a perilous journey of secrets, sacrifice, and the tenuous balance between their true selves and the world's expectations. Kuro, a solitary and enigmatic figure, is content with the tranquility of the mountains until his past resurfaces, threatening to unravel his peaceful existence. Jaden, a demon with sinister intentions, becomes his unwitting ally, drawing him into a dangerous dance of violence and deception. As they venture into the unfamiliar realm of Asheville, their presence triggers a chain of events that entangles them in a web of secrets. Caroline Lahey, a police secretary, becomes an unwitting observer of Kuro's true nature, setting in motion a series of confrontations and moral dilemmas. Kuro's struggle to maintain his self-control intensifies as Jaden's influence threatens to consume him, testing the boundaries of his own humanity. Thompson deftly weaves a narrative that explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the consequences of one's choices. Kuro's journey of self-discovery and moral growth is paralleled by Caroline's own struggles with duty and compassion. The novel's evocative prose and immersive world-building transport the reader into a realm where the lines between good and evil blur, and the search for redemption becomes a perilous quest.

A black and Solemn Silence is an extremely well-written story that is both complex but easy to follow along and enjoy. I loved the depth of the story and its characters. It has the perfect amount of fantasy and is not too heavy on romance. The only thing I didn’t like was the cliffhanger! I can’t wait for book 2!

I loved the mythological background of this book a lot and the kitsune kept me dragging in the story!
It was a very enjoyable read and the characters Kuro and Jaden stole my heart. The writing style was great and the story was fast paced which is a lot to my liking! The plot was very well thought through as well.
The only thing bothering me were the long chapters.

I was completely captivated by the story of the shape-shifting kitsune, Kuro, and his unlikely ally, Jaden. This book is a thrilling combination of fantasy, romance, and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
The story takes place in the mountains, where Kuro and Jaden live in solitude until a figure from Kuro's past threatens to expose his true identity. In a desperate attempt to stop this from happening, the kitsune are forced to leave their home and venture into the human world of Asheville. However, trouble seems to follow Kuro wherever he goes and he finds himself in a dangerous situation when he is captured by a police secretary, Caroline. Kuro must navigate the delicate balance of keeping his true nature a secret from Caroline while also hiding Jaden's violent tendencies.
Thompson's writing style is both beautiful and haunting, perfectly capturing the dark and mysterious world of the kitsune. The characters are well-developed and complex, particularly Kuro who struggles with his inner demons and his conflicting feelings towards Jaden. I found myself rooting for Kuro and Caroline's relationship, despite the obstacles that stand in their way.
One of the things I also enjoyed most about this book was the intricate mythology and folklore woven into the story. Thompson's attention to detail and her ability to seamlessly blend fantasy elements into the real world is impressive and adds depth to the story.

Really enjoyed this story! It’s also my first ARC. The novel itself was fast paced and a very easy read. I was hooked immediately and was looking forward to the romance that was blossoming. It has also inspired me to read more books with kitsune or other Japanese folklore themed books. Only gripe is that the chapters were long (about 30 min each) not sure why this bothered me though, but maybe it’s because I’m used to 10-15 min chapters. This is the only reason I didn’t rate it 5 stars; realistically a 4.5! Either way, can’t wait for the next book. This cliffhanger really got me, and I’m generally not a fan but this time I’m excited and not frustrated with a cliffhanger!

In the shadows of the forest, two shape-shifting kitsune, Kuro and his ally Jaden, find themselves ensnared in a soul-tie situation. A photograph from Kuro's past forces them to leave their mountain solitude and journey to Asheville to prevent its publication. While initially mistaken for a romance, the book unfolds as an intricate blend of mystery, murder, and a tumultuous friendship, rather than a traditional romance or enemies-to-lovers story. It's a beautifully written, complex tale with a captivating main character that makes for an engrossing and easy read.

Thank you Netgalley

"A Black and Solemn Silence" by Danielle Thompson invites readers into a captivating world where shadows hold secrets, and shape-shifting kitsune navigate a delicate dance between past and present. Kuro, content in the solitude of the mountains, and Jaden, a demon with dark ambitions, become entangled in a web of intrigue when a photograph threatens to expose their existence.

Thompson weaves a tale of suspense, paranormal romance, and internal struggle as Kuro and Jaden face the challenges of concealing their true nature. The introduction of Caroline Lahey adds a dynamic layer to the narrative, with her unexpected encounter triggering a chain of events that force the kitsune to confront their deepest fears.

The slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers aspect adds depth to the story, and readers will find themselves drawn into the intricate dynamics between the characters. Kuro's internal conflict, torn between his desire for freedom and aversion to violence, sets the stage for a compelling exploration of identity and morality.

A very interesting read and not entirely what I expected! Deeply enjoyed the constantly evolving lore (kitsunes!! so under-utilized!!!), the various connections between so many characters, and the realistic depiction of mental illness without playing into overdone tropes or harmful stereotypes.

The plot didn't feel like it was trying too hard to be overly complex and unfolded in a very natural way; it stays high-energy throughout the entire story, without making you feel like you don't get a moment to breathe. Occasionally I'll find that intense stories that are trying to edge-of-your-seat you give you no space to process everything that has happened, and A Black and Solemn Silence was definitely not that type of plot. It kept me engaged without being overwhelming or exhausting to read!

All of the characters felt built and multi-faceted; I'm always on the look out for novels that allow female characters to be nuanced and ABSS delivered. This is very much a case of women embracing their courage and boldness without being relegated to the local damsel in distress – even in the more wild moments where I maybe would have personally crumpled like a wet paper bag.

I am already very much looking forward to a sequel and seeing more from Danielle Thompson!

Thank you to Danielle Thompson, NetGalley, and IBPA for the ARC and allowing me to read such a fresh concept!

This was such an interesting read! A little out of my comfort zone but I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Kuro is a very complex character, I hope book 2 reveals more about his past. He was a slow grower in terms of character progression but he finally got to where I was hoping he would toward the end.
The plot is interesting and complex but still a fairly easy read (not overly complicated). I did originally pick the book up thinking it was a romance but after reading I would say it is extremely slow burn and more of a soul-tie situation than straight romance/ enemies to lovers. It also has some murder mystery elements that were really interesting and kept me wanting more. The cliffhanger was written very well, I immediately wanted the second book so I could keep reading.

If you are looking for a heavy romance book I don't think this one is it. However, if you are OK with romance taking a backseat to mystery, murder, and kind of a tumultuous friendship this book will definitely peak your interest.


Thank You NetGalley for the ARC

This dark, foreboding, and mystical story perfectly illustrates the struggles of mental illness, friendship, finding your inner self, and intense desires and emotions. The mysticism and lore instantly absorb you into the world and it does not let up throughout. I am not fond of multiple POVs but the way it was written perfectly intertwines them and flows beautifully. The gripping dark and forbidden love keeps you captivated and thirsting for more page after page. If you love dark, moody, emotional, and mysterious storylines with forward and strong female representation, this is for you!
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley, Danielle Thompson, and IBPA for the opportunity to read the ARC.

This book was captivating and beautifully written! It has complexity and depth, but at the same time is simple enough to be an easy read. (not too hard on the brain.) I felt the synopsis was a little unclear, but the cover and genres made me want to give it a try. I am glad I did because I really enjoyed it, finishing it in just one day. I was enthralled with the story and the peculiar main character. I have many theories swirling in my head about him, and about where the tale is headed. I am so ready for book 2!
(review is also up on Goodreads!)