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montrez's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This twisted, dark read hits all the gothic horror romance tropes from amazing commentary on the rotten aristocracy (amazing parallels between animal savagery vs humanity) to the looming estate full of secrets and the pensive damsel both tempted and tormented by the affections of her brooding and deeply flawed love interest and the circumstances she finds herself in.
Crimson Peak meets The Invitation with a strong influence from Mexican Gothic and a touch of that Sundance ambivalence (that ending) . Expect more savage and twisted oddities but less heart from the main character. As bizarre and horrifying as her situation was, there wasn’t much fight in the main character, but rather a sort of lucky endurance that allows us a convenient look at the real star of the story. It felt like the house and the surrounding mythos were the real main characters and the nagging curiosity surrounding the plot was what kept me reading.
The writing was beautiful and the audiobook performance really added to the overall experience. If you read this book, I highly recommend reading with the audio to give you a greater feel for this eclectic, dark supernatural/psychological thriller.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cannibalism, Confinement, Gaslighting, Incest, Sexual assault, Gore, Animal death, Misogyny, and Sexual content
sashahc's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I just finished Donyae Coles’ “Midnight Rooms.” It’s a gothic fantasy filled with uncomfortable dreams, howling foxes, and the forest taking all. It has an arranged marriage, a mysterious rotting manor, and a family with glittering eyes. It’s deeply creepy and absorbing. Perfect book to read in the bath surrounded by candles with a glass of red wine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
greyreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
This is a mess. Incredibly derivative of a number of much better gothic and horror works, only distinguishing itself in its anachronisms and Americanisms—of which there are so many I actually started to feel embarrassed for the author—which led the historical setting to appear as little more than shallow window-dressing. If the author doesn't care enough about it to do the bare minimum of research and the editorial team doesn't care enough about it to fix the glaring inaccuracies, I'm not sure why the reader should be expected to either.
jdunnington101's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
courtney_dawn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
goodquietkitty's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
andi_reads_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
megbellinger's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
1kelsey_jw's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
Thank you to NetGalley and Amistad for an early release copy
A historical novel starting a story with an arranged marriage for the unwanted niece and orphaned daughter of a white man and a black woman , a marriage situation that seemed to cause more anger than warranted for something that was more customary at the time. I was surprised to find how many pages the author dedicated to that fact. Unfortunately the first fifty or so pages started to lose me over the contradictions.
A historical novel starting a story with an arranged marriage for the unwanted niece and orphaned daughter of a white man and a black woman , a marriage situation that seemed to cause more anger than warranted for something that was more customary at the time. I was surprised to find how many pages the author dedicated to that fact. Unfortunately the first fifty or so pages started to lose me over the contradictions.
You will fall into the scene, particularly that of the manor from the author’s use of descriptions. A little too heavy in places at times and may have made the story a little stronger to leave a little more to the reader’s imagination. Orabella was an interesting character and I would have loved to seen her with a little more growth. But I think that may just be the story- stagnant. The transitions of the reality and the fantasy weren’t always smooth and could come across as muddled, as if the writer couldn’t decide the nature of the beast, so to speak.
Unfortunately, the back half of the book didn’t seem to know what it wanted to do with itself. It came across as if it wanted to have the readers question but I needed more investment from the writer to care enough to be confused. I even found myself laughing at a part in disbelief in how the author did not have the characters question certain situations.
I really do hope the story goes through the editor a few more times from the arc to the published copy, as I do feel like there is some potential here.
kmartbooks's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
This is what gothic horror is meant to be, offering a story that is as haunting as it is atmospheric. Set in Victorian England, this novel captivates with its rich, foreboding atmosphere and a creeping sense of dread that lingers with its readers.
Orabella, an orphaned woman of mixed race, is married to an eccentric wealthy man who has been enraptured with her for two years (which she did not know) in exchange for paying off her uncle's gambling debts. Orabella is whisked away to the decaying Manor and quickly isolated. The manor, far from the splendor she expected, is filled with locked rooms, mysterious noises, and a pervasive sense of decay.
Orabella’s journey is both terrifying and enthralling. The sinister undertones are beautifully crafted, drawing readers into a world where the lines between reality and nightmare blur because she is drugged almost all of the time. Orabella’s increasing confusion and fear are palpable. Her experiences are unsettling, her dreams macabre, and her reality confusing as everyone gaslights her repeatedly.
One of its strengths is its ability to instill a quiet, creeping dread. The atmosphere is thick with tension, and the sense of something malevolent lurking just out of sight is ever-present. Coles’s writing style perfectly captures the essence of gothic horror, with its deeper, hidden meanings and subtle build-up of anxiety. The themes of isolation, control, and the loss of self - especially for a BIPOC woman - are woven seamlessly into the story. The ambiguous ending is particularly effective, leaving readers with a sense of unease and SO many lingering questions. Those who prefer neat conclusions may find this unsettling, but it is precisely this open-endedness that enhances the novel’s impact and gothic vibes. The ending feels like waking from a nightmare—disorienting and incomplete, yet hauntingly memorable.
Orabella’s character is compelling, and her descent into confusion and terror is portrayed with a certain chilling realism. The malevolent forces at play treat her as a favored pet, and the power dynamics are both disturbing and fascinating. This WILL make you uncomfortable and that's the whole point. The fact that Orabella spends much of the story heavily drugged adds another layer of horror, as readers are never quite sure what is real and what is hallucination.
Midnight Rooms is a triumph of gothic horror. It is super atmospheric, deeply creepy, and filled with rich prose. For readers who enjoy tales of mild discomfort escalating into full-blown dread, this book is a must-read. There are so many unanswered questions. The journey and dream-like manner of storytelling itself is what makes it unforgettable.
Thanks to Storygram and Amistad Books for the copy. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.
Orabella, an orphaned woman of mixed race, is married to an eccentric wealthy man who has been enraptured with her for two years (which she did not know) in exchange for paying off her uncle's gambling debts. Orabella is whisked away to the decaying Manor and quickly isolated. The manor, far from the splendor she expected, is filled with locked rooms, mysterious noises, and a pervasive sense of decay.
Orabella’s journey is both terrifying and enthralling. The sinister undertones are beautifully crafted, drawing readers into a world where the lines between reality and nightmare blur because she is drugged almost all of the time. Orabella’s increasing confusion and fear are palpable. Her experiences are unsettling, her dreams macabre, and her reality confusing as everyone gaslights her repeatedly.
One of its strengths is its ability to instill a quiet, creeping dread. The atmosphere is thick with tension, and the sense of something malevolent lurking just out of sight is ever-present. Coles’s writing style perfectly captures the essence of gothic horror, with its deeper, hidden meanings and subtle build-up of anxiety. The themes of isolation, control, and the loss of self - especially for a BIPOC woman - are woven seamlessly into the story. The ambiguous ending is particularly effective, leaving readers with a sense of unease and SO many lingering questions. Those who prefer neat conclusions may find this unsettling, but it is precisely this open-endedness that enhances the novel’s impact and gothic vibes. The ending feels like waking from a nightmare—disorienting and incomplete, yet hauntingly memorable.
Orabella’s character is compelling, and her descent into confusion and terror is portrayed with a certain chilling realism. The malevolent forces at play treat her as a favored pet, and the power dynamics are both disturbing and fascinating. This WILL make you uncomfortable and that's the whole point. The fact that Orabella spends much of the story heavily drugged adds another layer of horror, as readers are never quite sure what is real and what is hallucination.
Midnight Rooms is a triumph of gothic horror. It is super atmospheric, deeply creepy, and filled with rich prose. For readers who enjoy tales of mild discomfort escalating into full-blown dread, this book is a must-read. There are so many unanswered questions. The journey and dream-like manner of storytelling itself is what makes it unforgettable.
Thanks to Storygram and Amistad Books for the copy. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.