Promise the Night
Michaela MacColl
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Release Date: January 4, 2012
Pages: 256

Rating: 4.5 stars

Immediately compelling and action-packed, this carefully researched work of historical fiction introduces young readers to the childhood of the famous yet elusive Beryl Markham, the first person to fly solo from England to North America. As in her debut novel, Prisoners in the Palace, MacColl propels readers into a multilayered story with an unforgettable heroine and evocative language that brings the backdrop of colonial British East Africa to life. A fascinating read for anyone with a thirst for adventure.

Michaela MacColl has done it again. Promise the Night was an absolutely fabulous read that I just adored. I loved every page of this book, and am already beginning my wait for another great read from Michaela MacColl.

Promise the Night by Michaela MacColl was such an interesting story. The story is told from Beryl’s childhood, but in between each chapter is a short diary entry, interview, something like that from her adult life when she is a pilot. Both of these played off the other and it was just a lot of fun to read. I loved the story line – it honestly was just a ton of fun to read. Something else I really liked about Promise the Night is that it was a very fast read – I didn’t want to put it down for one moment.

Beryl is by no means your typical girl. I loved her spunk she brought with everything she did. Every character brought something a little different to this book, and I loved that. You really see all the characters grow throughout the course of the book. Emma was a character who really grew on me as the book went on. I wasn’t too crazy about her, but by the end, she was definitely one of my favorite characters.

Michaela MacColl is just a master with historical fiction. I loved this one even more than her debut, and cannot wait for another book from her. Promise the Night is a book I would recommend to every one, especially those who have always dreamed about something. Beryl is not afraid to go out and do what she needs to to achieve her dreams, and that makes her story so much fun to read.

You can also read the first chapter below! Also, make sure to check out my interview with Michaela, as well as a giveaway which went up earlier today!

Promise the Night