The Longest Night by T. A. Marra
Lorna owns the Haunted Princess, a holiday home on the shores of Lake Lisst, close to the small town of the same name in the far north. After a long time, she has the opportunity to realize one of her dreams – to host the “Longest Night” festival, which takes place during the winter solstice, and to make the Haunted Princess an unavoidable place on the world music map. In this endeavor, she has selfless help and support from her friends Agata and Björn.
For Kaj, a world-renowned pianist and composer, life revolves around only one thing – music. Few have access to his somewhat mysterious life, apart from his family, three brothers and sister Vera. His sister and he share the same love for music, but not the desire for many people around them. When Vera persuades him to participate in the festival, he did not expect to meet Lorna, who shares the same passion for music as he does. On the other hand, when she got a job at Haunted Princess, Vera didn’t think she would meet Lorna’s friend Haru, a young Korean musician. Meeting him is anything but what she imagined.
Will the music evoke a long-ago memory, and will the meeting of two passionate musicians change everything? Will a festival that celebrates light ignite dreams and is music indeed a universal language that doesn’t knows borders?
The novel “The Longest Night” will remind you that ups and downs in life are inevitable, but that you also should never give up on your dreams, and the eclectic ensemble of characters will make you laugh and reveal a dynamic network of emotions, love and friendship.
Although it has a touch of romance through two love stories, The Longest Night is at its core a story about one’s own strength and the support of loved ones after experiencing trauma. The style is fluid and light, numerous side characters bring a dose of humor and fun, while the parts devoted to music create a feeling of comfort and peace. But it does not shy away from looking at trauma and the feeling of discomfort that it creates. After reading, the feeling of hope, warmth and satisfaction remains.The writing style and feeling of the novel reminds of authors like Beth O’Leary, Cecelia Ahern, Josie Silver.”
Kristina
Diving into “The Longest Night” by T. A. Marra, a departure from my usual science fiction and fantasy genres, was an unexpected and enjoyable journey.
The book charm lies in its engaging dialogues, relatable characters, thorough research, and the seamless integration of music into the narrative. Marra’s skill in weaving music into the story, making it a living character that shapes the narrative, left a lasting impression.
What struck me the most was the novel’s portrayal of family relationships and the genuine warmth and closeness between its characters. It reminds us that love, whether romantic or familial, is a real force that connects people.
Surprisingly, the story also explores intensely dark moments, delving into traumatic experiences that provide a stark contrast within its vibrant narrative. These bold narrative choices show Marra’s willingness to tackle profound themes and emotions, resulting in a thought-provoking story.
In conclusion, “The Longest Night” doesn’t strive for perfection, and it doesn’t need to. Its a heartfelt exploration of love, friendship, family, and the joys that literature offers. This narrative reminds us that stories hold immense power, transcending our genre preferences and expectations.”
Vedrana
“Although I don’t see myself as someone who is attracted to romance novels, in this case, it seems to me that “The Longest Night” is much more than a romance novel. An intriguing and entertaining mix of beautiful landscapes, unpredictable relationships, and unimaginable possibilities that turn with ethereal ease into completely feasible plans, really makes for an excellent and drinkable read. From the moment I got to know the characters, it was immediately clear to me that I was in for a particularly delicious piece of life, and that sweetness was embodied more and more clearly with each page I read. The balance between the cerebral and the emotional allows you to fully enjoy this novel until the last page, and even there it creates a desire for more!”
Irena
You can order the novel “The Longest Night” here, and follow my writing adventures on Instagram.
