Reviews

Middlegame by Seanan McGuire

triplebriiii's review against another edition

4.75

This was excellent. The pacing was great, the reveals were expertly timed. I am so in love with the relationship between Roger and Dodger (their names are so funny). Their dynamics were really a highlight of the book and seeing it develop from when they were kids through adulthood was really impactful. The writing has VE Schwab vibes, a mix between The Wizard of Oz and The Magicians (like a LOT of the latter). 

I think the only thing that kept this a 5 ⭐ was the narrator. This is definitely just a me thing, I think. I love Amber Benson and her narration style wasn't... it's not that it didn't fit, it just wasn't my preferred. Testament to how good the book is, generally, a narrator I'm not fond of can drop the rating by as much as one star whoops 🤷🤷🤷

elizabethscott's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

marthauhlig's review against another edition

challenging dark informative mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

youngthespian42's review against another edition

5.0

I haven’t been this taken by a book I knew nothing about since Dark Matter. This fantasy novel with horror elements absolutely slaps. Alchemy is at the center of this story and it embracing itself as the fusions of magic and science. I am thrilled there is more to this series and I cannot wait to read the next installment. Super stoked to have discovered a new prolific author too!

arogers159's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 I absolutely love Roger and Dodger, these characters have my heart. The story was dark and twisted and complex and interesting all the way through to the end.

willow_reads1's review

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

sunshinemagik's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

yodamom's review

4.0

3.5 stars Mind Blowing. Complicated, time warping, intense, twisted, genetically bent, confusing, scientific, mathematical, controlling, maniacal, murderous and so much more. This was a lot of book. I will be re-reading it, there was so much I need a second pass. Sadly it wasn't all perfect, it felt too long. The goal a place that was never explained. I waited to find out about the mysterious Imposible City that was mentioned over and over, it had to be great right ? I read the whole book and still don't get what it is. The truth was poked at so many times without resolution, till the end. The time jumping took me back so many times, restarting, going over the same event again. It was an amazing concept, but lost me in the process.
People built from parts of other, genetically designed for the ultimate twisted scientific tests. Twins born, are torn apart, kept together, tortured, or... ? They are the key to power. The story follows one pair Roger and Doger. One is a mathematical genius, the other a language genius. They have that weird bond twins have but elevated. Oh their backstory on this is so twisted. Mostly the story follow this pair, as they discover each other, who and what they are. I shuttered as each new truth finally unfolded, some were just horrific.
I don't want to ruin this for you, I'm stopping here.
I picked this book to read by cover and author's name alone. I had no clue what it was about I didn't even read the book blurb.
Trigger Warning: suicide, depression and violence
I was provided a copy for my honest review

catlion27's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

My first novel of Seanan McGuire's did not disappoint. It has all of her effortless, stark, beautiful prose that I've grown to love from Wayward Children, but it doesn't feel like a Wayward Children book (though there's a bit of thematic overlap). 

The beginning throws you in the deep end, but push through. Ride the waves of confusion to the shore. Then fall in love with Roger and Dodger like I did. Their relationship is the emotional core that really fueled this for me. 

The book also tackles a tricky plot

the time loop aspect

really well, in a way that doesn't feel confusing. Gold star there too.

vengefuldime's review

3.0

Alchemy, a hidden world, immortality, time, powers linked to mathematics and language, family, violence… I believe that these are all pretty good starting ingredients. The main characters helped me understand and like them as they became closer to each other, while the sinister plans for them waited in the background. They age from young children to adults mostly unknowing of their influences. I enjoyed it, and then I liked it, and then I started to no longer appreciate my time reading. To me, it felt like (thematically enough) the same push and pull over and over again lost its effectiveness, as the characters reunited and left continually. I became tired of the characters and lost interest in their conflicts, as for a long time the personal was the focus (without forward movement). Admittedly the writing is not my style, but I believe that many other people would enjoy it. I don’t think that this is great, but it might interest a YA audience more.