On this page, reviews from readers and professionals such as publishers, editors and a proofreader.

Bol: https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/zephyre-trilogie-1-de-nacht-dat-de-zon-scheen/9300000069246329/?bltgh=o3VR3sXmySebMYZBBB9PRw.2_6.7.ProductImage

Hebban: https://www.hebban.nl/boek/de-nacht-dat-de-zon-scheen

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60153857-zephyre---de-nacht-dat-de-zon-scheen

Bruna: https://www.bruna.nl/ebooks/de-nacht-dat-de-zon-scheen-9789090360454

Review: proofreader and copywriter Lisa Berlang

• 'I found the story original and exciting. I really enjoyed proofreading it, because I was curious myself about what was going to happen;
• The characters are layered. Although the story is written only from Zephyre's perspective, you still get a good picture of all the characters. Often the characters who are not the narrator are much 'flatter' than the narrator, but I did not find that to be the case here;
• I find the story world believable. In literary studies they call this 'willing suspension of disbelief': as a reader you know that what you are reading is not true or cannot be, but you voluntarily choose to set your disbelief aside. When a story world is not well constructed, there comes a moment when you, as a reader, think 'Right, now I don't believe it anymore'. I never had that feeling while reading/proofreading;
• I think you often use really beautiful descriptions. For example, I could truly picture how James, Auster and Zephyre sat there on that boat, with Acqua at the front, nose in the wind. Sometimes it was really as if I were watching a film. I think that is very skilfully done!'

Feedback from publisher Kluitman & Pepper Books on the manuscript: 'You write well and you have original ideas.'

Young Adults.nl review: https://www.young-adults.nl/2022/01/19/recensie-de-nacht-dat-de-zon-scheen-valerie-docters-verswijeren/

Review NBD Biblion: Zephyre – 'The night the sun shone' YA

'An exciting young adult book in which limiting factors are not limitations. In which the protagonist is insecure, but learns to trust herself and her friends. A book that draws you in more and more the further you get. By setting the story in 'former' Netherlands, things come along that seem familiar, but are just not quite. Exciting, refreshing and with surprising twists.'