Down Comes the Night

What readers think

Readers consistently praise the immersive, candlelit gothic atmosphere and Saft's lush, evocative prose — the snow-bound isolated manor setting is widely considered the book's strongest asset. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Wren and the Byronic Hal draws strong positive reactions, and Wren's bisexual identity and the queernormative world-building are appreciated. The main criticisms centre on pacing: the first quarter is considered a slow slog before the story finds its footing. Some reviewers find Wren's repeated indecision exhausting, the purple prose overdone, and the romance's emotional leaps — particularly forgiving a man responsible for war crimes — hard to believe. The ending divides readers, with many frustrated by the lack of full resolution.