Reviews

Middletide by Sarah Crouch

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mandalorian83's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.5

probowler2000's review against another edition

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3.0

Kept putting off finishing because I was so nervous that my hopes would be shattered. It's a simple book but a story told well.

3.75⭐️ rounded up for GR. I think this was an amazing freshman effort from this author and would definitely read more from her in the future. It definitely kept me turning the page but I had the plot figured out by the midway point I think.

kwiffle2's review against another edition

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hopeful 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? No

2.0

jelloflop's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

kjdubic's review against another edition

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3.0

Middletide had the potential to be a compelling mystery, but ultimately, it fell flat. While the coastal setting was atmospheric, the execution of the story left much to be desired. The plot was predictable, with twists that felt telegraphed rather than surprising, making the ending unsatisfying.

One of the biggest issues was the disjointed structure. The shifting timelines were more confusing than intriguing, often disrupting the flow of the narrative rather than building suspense. The characters, while initially intriguing, lacked the depth needed to make their motivations believable. The decision to have a pastor suddenly start practicing law was jarring and unrealistic, and it felt like a forced plot device rather than an organic character development.

I was also baffled by the inclusion of a fictional Native American tribe. At no point were Native American customs, politics, or even descriptions of the reservation included, making the decision to invent a tribe feel completely unnecessary. It added no depth to the story and seemed like an arbitrary choice rather than something meaningful to the plot or characters.

That being said, Sarah Crouch’s writing itself was engaging, and the setting was vividly described, which kept me reading despite my frustrations. While the novel had its moments, it ultimately didn’t live up to its potential.