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chrysanthxmum's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Murder
jamiehandy's review against another edition
4.0
If ever I needed escapist literature it is now, in the process of moving with 5 kids, and so much to do. This fit the bill nicely. I enjoyed it more than the first one as the addition of a mystery was fun. Yes, there were things that drove me crazy, but I did like the main character Charlotte. The experience at Austenland empowers her at a time in her life (following a divorce) when she is nearly frozen emotionally and every other way. I think Shannon Hale really captured some of the challenges the newly divorced have.
sallyavena's review against another edition
2.0
Let me first say that 'Northanger Abbey' is my favorite Austen book. I know, I'm one of the weird ones, but I love how Catherine develops as a character. I love how the love between her and Tilney slowly evolves. Going into Midnight in Austen, maybe I had higher expectations because of that. I was sadly let down. While Catherine's youth made her naivety endearing and led to her being able to grow as a character. Charlotte's naivety just was frustrating as a 30 something divorcee. I didn't really find her relationship with Eddie believable (come on, making out outside just after having been almost murdered?!) and I didn't find that someone who was so observant with others (she was 'nice' and made everyone feel good in their turn) became so obsessed with the so called mystery and was clueless to the clues in her own life (hiring a PI to spy on 14 year old daughter's boyfriend?!). Really just didn't all connect for me.
Also, call me a prude, I felt Hale was toeing the line with the whole propriety of the time period. Really, swimming in her chemise (with Eddie present), having him help her do her buttons, etc. Just didn't seem as true to the idea of Pembrook Park as the first book.
Also, call me a prude, I felt Hale was toeing the line with the whole propriety of the time period. Really, swimming in her chemise (with Eddie present), having him help her do her buttons, etc. Just didn't seem as true to the idea of Pembrook Park as the first book.
dadandmom12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
thebrainlair's review against another edition
2.0
While I enjoyed Austenland from start to finish, it took some time to get into Midnight in Austenland. There were so many different things going on: Charlotte st Pembroke Park with 2 other ladies whose stories wee needed to know, Charlotte flashing back to various points in her life in no particular order, the mystery surrounding the owner's husband, as well as the mystery they were "pretend" solving. This doesn't include the gentlemen present. Things didn't start gelling until over 1/2 way through and even then there were too many balls in the air. I'm still a Hale fan but this one could have been skipped.
aimeebrand's review against another edition
4.0
I had fun reading this book. I enjoyed the first one too, although I need to re-read it as it has been awhile. Love Shannon Hales books and love that I can dive into them without finding anything in there that I don't want to read. :)
mary00's review against another edition
4.0
Another fun romp in Austenland (this time with a murder mystery attached).
hnbb's review against another edition
5.0
Thoroughly enjoyable read. I laughed a lot and saw myself in the heroine more than was comfortable for me. I love that Shannon Hale has different voices and styles of writing. That way I can love one of her books, enjoy another and not be able to get through yet another and it makes sense. Thanks for the diversion, Hale.
steph01924's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the first one better. Charlotte is a so-so main character. Sometimes it backfires on you when you try to describe your main character as nice but bland in the beginning. I get that it's to illustrate how far she's come by the end, but I wasn't impressed with Charlotte. She didn't improve enough for me to be excited about her journey.
Once again, it was really hard for me to keep everyone straight sometimes, especially Charming and Charlotte Cordial and Colonel Andrews. Pick a different letter of the alphabet! It just hurt my eyes and impeded the flow of reading.
Once again, it was really hard for me to keep everyone straight sometimes, especially Charming and Charlotte Cordial and Colonel Andrews. Pick a different letter of the alphabet! It just hurt my eyes and impeded the flow of reading.
notthemonalisa's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the first one better. The story was interesting, if a little predictable. I feel like she wrote the first one as a treat to herself and other Ausetnites, and then wrote this one as a chore to make us stop bothering her for more. I liked it, but I don't love it nearly as much as I love the first one.