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cassiehelfer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was super cute. YA magic but with a darker undertone and a really cute gay loge story. The writing was def poetic and created a beautiful little island world. Idk how to describe other than it felt like a really cozy magical window seat read.
The love story! I have a low threshold for cringe with YA romance but it was honestly so cute. I thought the girl discovering her sexuality was actually written in a way that resonated - confused at the spark of interest and then trying to be open to watching it develop. Sid is badass energy and I love them together.
Overall lovely little YA magical romance:)
The love story! I have a low threshold for cringe with YA romance but it was honestly so cute. I thought the girl discovering her sexuality was actually written in a way that resonated - confused at the spark of interest and then trying to be open to watching it develop. Sid is badass energy and I love them together.
Overall lovely little YA magical romance:)
jane_kelsey's review against another edition
1.0
I was so excited to read this novel! I twas my first novel from this author and this story sounded so amazing, and the cover is absolutely lush, but it soon became a disappointment...
1. Felt nothing reading this novel beyond outrage at the treatment of the MC from her "mother" and by the time I stopped it hasn't been challenged appropriately at all.
2. world building felt lack-luster and not enough to give the reader a sense of why was it all happening.
3. it was damn slow - it takes forever for something to happen, and when things do happen they do nothing to advance the plot. There is a lot of talking, but not a lot of doing.
4. I did not like the MC, not that I got to know her enough to care... she did not question anything and accepted everything like the truth...
I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it did not work for me :(
1. Felt nothing reading this novel beyond outrage at the treatment of the MC from her "mother" and by the time I stopped it hasn't been challenged appropriately at all.
2. world building felt lack-luster and not enough to give the reader a sense of why was it all happening.
3. it was damn slow - it takes forever for something to happen, and when things do happen they do nothing to advance the plot. There is a lot of talking, but not a lot of doing.
4. I did not like the MC, not that I got to know her enough to care... she did not question anything and accepted everything like the truth...
I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it did not work for me :(
lipah's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
readsbylaura's review against another edition
4.0
Review also posted on my blog, Laura With Her Books!
The Midnight Lie easily captured my attention from the very first chapter. I was so curious and intrigued with the prose and the style it was written that I instantly wanted to keep reading. I like Rutkoski's use of second person in some of her chapters. The way she writes it is so well done that it flows throughout the entire book. I sort of wish I had more of those point of views. One of the main reasons why I enjoyed this book is because of Rutkoski's prose. It's so elegant and clean, and that's a style of writing that I'm drawn to a lot whether it's in YA or Adult.
The main reason why I like this book is because Nirrim. She is such an interesting and well-developed character you can't help but become attached to her. Her thought process, her struggles, her emotions, etc. It was intriguing to see Nirrim being able to speak up to certain people yet she doesn't realize how she's being manipulated by the people she thinks loves her. I like the way Rutkoski wrote about this issue through Nirrim because you want Nirrim to see the abuse and manipulation, and over come all of it. I like that we see the progress and the growth in that situation. Overall, I think Nirrim is a strong girl who is going to show us some great things in the next book.
Now, the romance. Although, I do think the 'I love yous' were fast, I loved the romance! I loved seeing Nirrim want Sid, but resisting. I loved seeing the raging emotions that Nirrim felt when she realized that she was attracted to Sid and wanted things to happen. The angst, the flirtation throughout the book was so damn good. When Nirrim said "then be bad," I was proud of her! Like, YAS GIRL! Get your woman!
Nirrim and Sid are both well-written, well-developed characters who have a great romance, and I can't wait to see where Rutkoski takes them in the next book. I also can't wait to see how Nirrim is with that epilogue! I'm excited for how she's going to be and what type of character she's going to become. Anti-hero? We shall see.
The Midnight Lie easily captured my attention from the very first chapter. I was so curious and intrigued with the prose and the style it was written that I instantly wanted to keep reading. I like Rutkoski's use of second person in some of her chapters. The way she writes it is so well done that it flows throughout the entire book. I sort of wish I had more of those point of views. One of the main reasons why I enjoyed this book is because of Rutkoski's prose. It's so elegant and clean, and that's a style of writing that I'm drawn to a lot whether it's in YA or Adult.
The main reason why I like this book is because Nirrim. She is such an interesting and well-developed character you can't help but become attached to her. Her thought process, her struggles, her emotions, etc. It was intriguing to see Nirrim being able to speak up to certain people yet she doesn't realize how she's being manipulated by the people she thinks loves her. I like the way Rutkoski wrote about this issue through Nirrim because you want Nirrim to see the abuse and manipulation, and over come all of it. I like that we see the progress and the growth in that situation. Overall, I think Nirrim is a strong girl who is going to show us some great things in the next book.
Now, the romance. Although, I do think the 'I love yous' were fast, I loved the romance! I loved seeing Nirrim want Sid, but resisting. I loved seeing the raging emotions that Nirrim felt when she realized that she was attracted to Sid and wanted things to happen. The angst, the flirtation throughout the book was so damn good. When Nirrim said "then be bad," I was proud of her! Like, YAS GIRL! Get your woman!
Nirrim and Sid are both well-written, well-developed characters who have a great romance, and I can't wait to see where Rutkoski takes them in the next book. I also can't wait to see how Nirrim is with that epilogue! I'm excited for how she's going to be and what type of character she's going to become. Anti-hero? We shall see.
thechronicknitter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
thelibraryofklee's review against another edition
4.0
"Gold-sandaled dawn
Fell like a thief
Upon me"
The Midnight Lie is ultimately a YA love story set on a magical island. The writing is beautifully lyrical and descriptive; it felt like a very immersive experience. Our protagonist is Nirrim; a half Kith who lives in a bleak walled in community. Beyond the wall live the High Kith who enjoy an extravagant lifestyle she could only dream of. Our love interest is Sid; a rakish, intriguing, gorgeously complex character who sets in motion Nirrim challenging the status quo.
I have to admit - the plot and action are a little slow for my personal tastes. It feels like not a lot "happens" (until the last few chapters) and there is a lot of personal journey vibes and world building. Nirrim's naivety was painful at times (but I guess this is reflective of the half Kith existence) - especially in relation to the existing toxic relationships in her life. Every conversation and action from these side characters carried a heavy weight of foreboding about their true nature. The love story is VERY PG so don't go in expecting sexy ACOTARness - this book could be comfortably read by a high schooler with prudish parents.
This is being set up to have a sequel, which doesn't exist yet, and also is part of a universe that Rutkoski has already written about. I gasped at the explosive ending; I am definitely intrigued to know what happens next.
Has a real "Bardugo" feel to it, so I think if you like her work, you will enjoy this one.
Fell like a thief
Upon me"
The Midnight Lie is ultimately a YA love story set on a magical island. The writing is beautifully lyrical and descriptive; it felt like a very immersive experience. Our protagonist is Nirrim; a half Kith who lives in a bleak walled in community. Beyond the wall live the High Kith who enjoy an extravagant lifestyle she could only dream of. Our love interest is Sid; a rakish, intriguing, gorgeously complex character who sets in motion Nirrim challenging the status quo.
I have to admit - the plot and action are a little slow for my personal tastes. It feels like not a lot "happens" (until the last few chapters) and there is a lot of personal journey vibes and world building. Nirrim's naivety was painful at times (but I guess this is reflective of the half Kith existence) - especially in relation to the existing toxic relationships in her life. Every conversation and action from these side characters carried a heavy weight of foreboding about their true nature. The love story is VERY PG so don't go in expecting sexy ACOTARness - this book could be comfortably read by a high schooler with prudish parents.
This is being set up to have a sequel, which doesn't exist yet, and also is part of a universe that Rutkoski has already written about. I gasped at the explosive ending; I am definitely intrigued to know what happens next.
Has a real "Bardugo" feel to it, so I think if you like her work, you will enjoy this one.
hitch's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
armuresorbet's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
friendofhayley's review against another edition
Meh, it was so obvious Raven sucks I just couldn't continue