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The Dark Nocturne #2
Etude
For November Huntington, the past haunts worse than any ghost.
After spending a summer without Vincent, a tortured pianist who also happens to be immortal, November tries to move on. When kids begin to fall into comas, November is thrust back into the haunted, musical world. Except, this time, more danger lurks.
Vincent is powerful. Dreams are causing these comas, and November believes he’s the one behind the attacks. To stop him, November must find the Blood Magic—the only power capable of helping her save these kids. But in doing so, she awakens a horrific group who live off of blood and kill for sport. What’s worse? A brood of witches con their way in, hungry for the power at hand.
One by one, November finds all her loved ones being wrenched away. Fear grips her, and she’s worried she might lose her mind, her sanity slowly fading, until she must face Vincent alone.
Is he her true love? Or is he out for her blood?
Only her dreams will tell.
After spending a summer without Vincent, a tortured pianist who also happens to be immortal, November tries to move on. When kids begin to fall into comas, November is thrust back into the haunted, musical world. Except, this time, more danger lurks.
Vincent is powerful. Dreams are causing these comas, and November believes he’s the one behind the attacks. To stop him, November must find the Blood Magic—the only power capable of helping her save these kids. But in doing so, she awakens a horrific group who live off of blood and kill for sport. What’s worse? A brood of witches con their way in, hungry for the power at hand.
One by one, November finds all her loved ones being wrenched away. Fear grips her, and she’s worried she might lose her mind, her sanity slowly fading, until she must face Vincent alone.
Is he her true love? Or is he out for her blood?
Only her dreams will tell.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2022
5 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Shamy
6 books374 followersMorgan Shamy is a former ballerina and professional pianist whose transition to writing has made her a standout voice in Young Adult fiction. Rooted in a lifelong devotion to the arts, she began ballet at age four and went on to perform on prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall before mentoring hundreds of students—many of whom received full scholarships to top ballet schools, including the School of American Ballet, Kirov Academy, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Harid Conservatory.
Morgan discovered writing as a creative lifeline after her three-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer. Determined to bring art and magic to young readers, she poured her heart into fiction—and built a career marked by both critical acclaim and devoted readers.
Her breakout gothic thriller, The Stricken, hit #1 on Amazon in hardcover, stayed in Barnes & Noble’s Top 10 Dark Fantasy rankings for over three consecutive months and was featured as a “Most Anticipated Read." Morgan was also named a Top 40 author storewide at Barnes & Noble four separate times. Her success earned her a coveted cover feature in Publishers Weekly and nominations for both the Whitney Award and the prestigious Reading the West Book Award.
Her latest novel, Danse Macabre, sold at auction to Entangled Publishing's Mayhem Books, where it’s already generating early buzz for its eerie blend of dark academia, ballet lore, and supernatural mystery—complete with original music composed exclusively for the story.
She was also featured by Unplugged Book Box, and even caught the attention of actress Katherine Heigl, who purchased a signed copy of The Stricken. Morgan was the first girl in Utah to receive the 75-point Gold Cup in piano solo and concerto competition through the Utah Federation of Music, further highlighting her rare blend of discipline, talent, and creative achievement.
Morgan lives in Salt Lake City with her X-Games gold-medalist husband and their four children, where she continues to write, inspire, and captivate readers around the world.
Representation: Marisa Corvisiero at Corvisiero Literary
Sign up for her newsletter: http://morgan-shamy-ya-fantasy-author...
You can also find her on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgan_shamy
X: https://x.com/MorganShamy
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/morgan_shamy/
Morgan discovered writing as a creative lifeline after her three-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer. Determined to bring art and magic to young readers, she poured her heart into fiction—and built a career marked by both critical acclaim and devoted readers.
Her breakout gothic thriller, The Stricken, hit #1 on Amazon in hardcover, stayed in Barnes & Noble’s Top 10 Dark Fantasy rankings for over three consecutive months and was featured as a “Most Anticipated Read." Morgan was also named a Top 40 author storewide at Barnes & Noble four separate times. Her success earned her a coveted cover feature in Publishers Weekly and nominations for both the Whitney Award and the prestigious Reading the West Book Award.
Her latest novel, Danse Macabre, sold at auction to Entangled Publishing's Mayhem Books, where it’s already generating early buzz for its eerie blend of dark academia, ballet lore, and supernatural mystery—complete with original music composed exclusively for the story.
She was also featured by Unplugged Book Box, and even caught the attention of actress Katherine Heigl, who purchased a signed copy of The Stricken. Morgan was the first girl in Utah to receive the 75-point Gold Cup in piano solo and concerto competition through the Utah Federation of Music, further highlighting her rare blend of discipline, talent, and creative achievement.
Morgan lives in Salt Lake City with her X-Games gold-medalist husband and their four children, where she continues to write, inspire, and captivate readers around the world.
Representation: Marisa Corvisiero at Corvisiero Literary
Sign up for her newsletter: http://morgan-shamy-ya-fantasy-author...
You can also find her on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgan_shamy
X: https://x.com/MorganShamy
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/morgan_shamy/
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 8, 2022
Absolutely loved the second book, continued as strong as the first book. Morgan is a fabulous writer who keeps you engaged from the first page. I could not put this book down and cannot wait for the third instalment! The characters are complex and read like real people. November is fast becoming my favourite book character. Can’t write too much without giving the story away but if you love otherworldly, fantasy stories this series is a must
July 27, 2022
Sequels rarely live up to first book, but this one was absolutely incredible!!!! I loved the direction the story took and how the mystery continues in a new and thrilling way. It was completely unpredictable and Morgan Shamy’s ability to keep you engaged throughout the entire story is amazing. If you enjoyed Serenade then keep reading!!! This book did not disappoint. It exceeded all expectation!
November 24, 2023
“November, I’m not letting you do this. I shouldn’t have… I put my anger on you. I wanted you to suffer. I wanted everyone to suffer. But that doesn’t mean you should…”
I think this line from the book pretty much explains the absurdity of it all. It is possible for someone to cause immense nonsensical problems, but November, please, you do not have to act on them!
First book was entertaining and had potential with the plot, albeit the execution was horrendous, hence me giving it 2 stars. This one... is still entertaining, but there is no more potential, just character assassination. You just keep reading to see how worse the characters handle anything and everything. And if you guessed that they behave with 0 sense, you would be right on the mark! I would love to give this more stars, but my conscience does not allow me to; I might have been enjoying the bad writing, but I cannot reward it.
So to start from where the story left off, November is getting it on with a 4th boy (1st: Shawn. 2nd: Cam. 3rd: Vincent. 4th: Everett.) and it's the greatest relationship ever... for the single month they are together. But suddenly! She has to return, because another tragedy is befalling the world and it affects November's new boytoy. So, she returns to her old friends and starts getting it on with a 5th boy (5th: Marcus), because why not? The story gets convoluted by adding vampires (but we call them blood walkers for some reason), witches, shades, dream manipulation and by mixing all old and new characters together. At some point I thought I missed Vincent, because he seemed a bit logical most of the time, but then he appeared and poof, that hope died.
So, continuing from the first book's vibe, ALL characters just go headlong into danger with 0 thoughts about consequences or even just a backup plan, so every time someone gets hurt or kidnapped (mostly November) and they all act so surprised that this happened. Every time I thought there MUST be something more, because it makes no sense for characters to be this stupid and endanger themselves, but they disappointed me every time. Towards the end, there is a flimsy excuse by 1 character that a lot of the things were orchestrated in a sense, but believe me, they were not.
What is funny though is that the twist in the end is how the book is about 2 main events and they tried to distract November and the gang from their main goal, by giving them a 2nd event, when it would have made so much more sense to keep the gang totally uninformed of their main goal that had NOTHING to do with them in the first place. Throw in some revenge that is hilariously executed and we pretend there was a reason why everything happened.
The true loser is Margaret in this whole story. She was a random bully for no reason at first, then she died in the first book, then she came back to life, only to be attacked soon after and have more life changing events happening to her and she just keeps getting the short end of the stick, but she is always there to save November due to the bad plot. At this point, just kill her and let her rest in peace!
Last but not least, November's superpower, depression, still takes the cake! Fortunately, it was mentioned just a bit less in this book, but I kept thinking of making a shot game every time I read about her darkness.
I have to be honest that after the half of the book, I wanted to finish it as soon as possible to read the description of the 3rd book to see what is coming. So now we have had dead spirits and afterlife of some sort (which was wildly ignored in this book, despite the fact that the entire war was a huge part of the first book for years, apparently) and we moved on to blood walkers and witches and 3rd books seems to introduce an entirely new concept once again.
This trilogy is the gift that keeps on giving! Will there be a 6th and 7th boy?!
August 30, 2022
(This review can be found on my blog All the Ups and Downs.)
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After reading and loving Serenade (read my review here), the first book in The Dark Nocturne series by Morgan Shamy, I automatically started the second book in the series, Etude, right away. Morgan Shamy proved, yet again, that she's making the paranormal fantasy genre her own with this book!
In Etude, November has been away from St. Paul's Academy for a month. She wants nothing to do with the school or anyone from the school after what happened in Serenade. When kids start falling into comas, she thinks she may be the cause thanks to Vincent. Reluctantly, she returns to the school to try to save the day. However, bad things start happening (again) to November and her friends.
Just like with the plot of Serenade, Etude's plot is very original. I have never read anything like it, and that's a good thing! It is refreshing to read something original in a given genre especially when all previous books you've read in that genre start sounding the same. Anyway, I will admit that the plot of Etude does start off a bit slow. However, about sixty percent or so into the book, the pacing definitely picks up. I couldn't put the book down after that! I had suspicions about who would be the bad people and who were the good all throughout this book. I had to keep reading to see if I was right and to find out what would happen between Vincent and November. I loved the introduction of the dream world in Etude as well. With witches and blood walkers (vampires) roaming around in the novel, the action was there all throughout the book! Two plot twists were easy for me to figure out, but there were a couple of more plot twists (including a major one), that I just didn't see coming! Turns out that you really never know who you can trust in the Dark Nocturne universe. The book does end on a minor cliff hanger.
The characters in Etude are just as fleshed out and well developed as before. (I would even go as far as to say they're even more developed in this book than in the first in the series, and they were fleshed out well in that story.) While November is written well, I found her annoying in Etude. I don't know if it's because I'm about 20 years older than her, so I have more wisdom, but I found her lack of telling people about suspicious people and not trusting those around her more a bit infuriating. The fact that she would trust a stranger over her friends and not tell them when said stranger shares something major that could end up harming everyone really infuriated me. I wanted to bang my head against a brick wall! I kept screaming at November (in my head) to just tell someone about the suspicious character and what they would do to her (and to others). Yet November just seemed to let it slide until it becomes too late. I wish Vincent was in the story more because I loved Vincent in Serenade, but I know why he's not around as much in Etude. Cam was more more likeable in this book, and I loved how he seemed to be a better friend to everyone in Etude. Margaret was also really sweet in this book, and I think she ended up being my favorite character even if she wasn't featured a lot throughout the novel. Marcus was written well, but I always had my reservations about him. He seemed very selfish throughout the book (even if he said he wanted to help save his sisters). I also really liked Deva, although she was another character that wasn't featured that much in Etude. Be sure not to get attached to any one character though because Morgan Shamy is not afraid of killing anyone off (like in the first book)! That's another think I love about this series.
Trigger warnings for Etude include violence, death, murder, and mind control.
All in all, Etude is a fantastic follow up to the very well written Serenade. If you like figuring out which characters are the baddies, a plot that will consume you, and being whisked off to a magical world, then Etude is for you. I would definitely recommend Etude by Morgan Shamy to those aged 14+ who love an original take on paranormal fantasy where character loyalties aren't always as they seem. As for me, I've already started reading Promenade, the third book in the series because I'm addicted!
--
After reading and loving Serenade (read my review here), the first book in The Dark Nocturne series by Morgan Shamy, I automatically started the second book in the series, Etude, right away. Morgan Shamy proved, yet again, that she's making the paranormal fantasy genre her own with this book!
In Etude, November has been away from St. Paul's Academy for a month. She wants nothing to do with the school or anyone from the school after what happened in Serenade. When kids start falling into comas, she thinks she may be the cause thanks to Vincent. Reluctantly, she returns to the school to try to save the day. However, bad things start happening (again) to November and her friends.
Just like with the plot of Serenade, Etude's plot is very original. I have never read anything like it, and that's a good thing! It is refreshing to read something original in a given genre especially when all previous books you've read in that genre start sounding the same. Anyway, I will admit that the plot of Etude does start off a bit slow. However, about sixty percent or so into the book, the pacing definitely picks up. I couldn't put the book down after that! I had suspicions about who would be the bad people and who were the good all throughout this book. I had to keep reading to see if I was right and to find out what would happen between Vincent and November. I loved the introduction of the dream world in Etude as well. With witches and blood walkers (vampires) roaming around in the novel, the action was there all throughout the book! Two plot twists were easy for me to figure out, but there were a couple of more plot twists (including a major one), that I just didn't see coming! Turns out that you really never know who you can trust in the Dark Nocturne universe. The book does end on a minor cliff hanger.
The characters in Etude are just as fleshed out and well developed as before. (I would even go as far as to say they're even more developed in this book than in the first in the series, and they were fleshed out well in that story.) While November is written well, I found her annoying in Etude. I don't know if it's because I'm about 20 years older than her, so I have more wisdom, but I found her lack of telling people about suspicious people and not trusting those around her more a bit infuriating. The fact that she would trust a stranger over her friends and not tell them when said stranger shares something major that could end up harming everyone really infuriated me. I wanted to bang my head against a brick wall! I kept screaming at November (in my head) to just tell someone about the suspicious character and what they would do to her (and to others). Yet November just seemed to let it slide until it becomes too late. I wish Vincent was in the story more because I loved Vincent in Serenade, but I know why he's not around as much in Etude. Cam was more more likeable in this book, and I loved how he seemed to be a better friend to everyone in Etude. Margaret was also really sweet in this book, and I think she ended up being my favorite character even if she wasn't featured a lot throughout the novel. Marcus was written well, but I always had my reservations about him. He seemed very selfish throughout the book (even if he said he wanted to help save his sisters). I also really liked Deva, although she was another character that wasn't featured that much in Etude. Be sure not to get attached to any one character though because Morgan Shamy is not afraid of killing anyone off (like in the first book)! That's another think I love about this series.
Trigger warnings for Etude include violence, death, murder, and mind control.
All in all, Etude is a fantastic follow up to the very well written Serenade. If you like figuring out which characters are the baddies, a plot that will consume you, and being whisked off to a magical world, then Etude is for you. I would definitely recommend Etude by Morgan Shamy to those aged 14+ who love an original take on paranormal fantasy where character loyalties aren't always as they seem. As for me, I've already started reading Promenade, the third book in the series because I'm addicted!
June 24, 2022
I received an ARC of this book (the author is a good friend of mine, but my review is honest!) This book was unlike anything I've ever read. I didn't think the world could get any more interesting (after the first book), but it totally expands further! It took me a minute to get into (second books usually do that to me) but the story flies and is so action packed. I loved the Blood Walkers and Witches and the new paranormal people introduced into the story. The writing has a way of immersing you--especially with settings. And the ending. Ugh. I will be reading book 3 as soon as I get my hands on it.
June 26, 2022
The continuation of this story was so beautiful. It picks up right where it left off in book I and takes us on a whole new adventure. Often times, a book II in a series can be boring and not original, but the author expands the world she created in such a fresh way. I love the way the world expanded, and how the cast of characters expanded. Marcus was my favorite. I didn't see his story developing the way it did. And the ending! Another cliffhanger to take us into book III. I'm really excited to see how this series ends!
September 27, 2022
I am so thankful that Morgan is sharing her original and very creative world with us. In November’s world, the powers and the dynamics between the different types of magic and the different races is SO well done. I really enjoyed the new characters in the second book and the way that they each moved the plot and character dynamic around November. The magic and the world is so exciting. The stakes are high and their actions really have consequences, which makes for a thrilling read. I cant wait to read more.
October 2, 2022
Great sequel to the story
The sequel was good, I just missed a stronger romance subplot and more focus on the life of main character rather than the story circling around all the troubles happening to the side characters.
The sequel was good, I just missed a stronger romance subplot and more focus on the life of main character rather than the story circling around all the troubles happening to the side characters.
October 19, 2022
I loved Etude! Really digging both November and Vincent’s character development, as well as the addition of the Blood Walkers. Each chapter is engaging and keeps you reading.
Excited to read the third and final book next!
Excited to read the third and final book next!
June 24, 2022
An excellent middle book for a series. I really enjoyed it. Really cool how the author incorporated dreams and expanded on the world she set up in the first book. I also loved the theme of addiction. The first book does a great job with representing depression, and I loved how the author expanded on that, having November fall into addiction and how she had to overcome that. The new characters were great--adding new layers to the story. (Particularly the triplets) I can't wait for Promenade!
June 23, 2023
wow
This one I didn’t see who was the bad guy I had guesses but was wrong I loved how they had witches and vampires now on to book 3
This one I didn’t see who was the bad guy I had guesses but was wrong I loved how they had witches and vampires now on to book 3
June 24, 2022
I was so excited to read this series, because I've read the author's past work. I ate up book 1 and this one so fast, I can't wait for book 3 to see how this ends. From the beginning, I was caught in this world (I didn't expect it to start the way it started) but I loved the main conflict of the story--it was so original! The new characters introduced was refreshing and fun. (Especially Marcus and the twist with him!) The only thing I didn't like, was that I wish Vincent were in it more. We could've used a little bit more of him up front, but he does push the story forward in a great way and I love the tension between him and November. I'm dying for the conclusion. I honestly have no idea what the author has in store because these books are so complex and interesting. It's fun to read stories that make me think and are super original.
December 11, 2022
Really enjoyed this book! I think it was my least favorite out of the three, but I'm still giving it 5 stars. There was never a moment I wanted to put it down. The addiction stuff was the hardest to read for me. But it wasn't overly dramatic. It added to the story and the whole coma concept was really cool.
June 22, 2022
Morgan Shamy's second book in The Dark Nocturne series, Etude, delivers on what the first book set up and sets up what is promising to be a great finale. Reuniting with November felt like welcoming back a friend. The twists this took grabbed me and didn't let go. I can't wait to see how it all ends.
July 9, 2022
Ètude is a fantastic continuation of this series. November finally seems to break free of the dangerous world of Serenade only to be pulled back in to save the lives of kids worldwide. Morgan Shamy does an amazing job of building a detailed and intricate world in her books and all the twists and turns leave you guessing about what is next. Can't wait for book 3!
September 25, 2022
Disappointing after Book 1.
I had high hopes for this book after enjoying Book 1, but I didn’t like it all that much. The beginning conflict seems completely detached from the previous storyline, with major changes to characters’ personalities and motivations. The plot often seems random, and the characters change direction so often it’s hard to follow. The end of the book gives an explanation for all of this, but I didn’t find that explanation believable or sufficient.
I also struggled to connect with November in this book. For most of the story she sits idly by and lets events happen to her, rarely taking the story into her own hands. Many plot points happen outside of her experience and she has to hear about them after the fact.
Despite these issues, I will still be reading Book 3. I still enjoy the world the author has created, and I am curious to know how it will all end.
I had high hopes for this book after enjoying Book 1, but I didn’t like it all that much. The beginning conflict seems completely detached from the previous storyline, with major changes to characters’ personalities and motivations. The plot often seems random, and the characters change direction so often it’s hard to follow. The end of the book gives an explanation for all of this, but I didn’t find that explanation believable or sufficient.
I also struggled to connect with November in this book. For most of the story she sits idly by and lets events happen to her, rarely taking the story into her own hands. Many plot points happen outside of her experience and she has to hear about them after the fact.
Despite these issues, I will still be reading Book 3. I still enjoy the world the author has created, and I am curious to know how it will all end.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews