Scan barcode
bethyyy's review
challenging
dark
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
scrummyb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
Winstead is the perfect example of not letting Goodreads ratings dictate whether to read. This is the second book of her's that I loved that has less than 4 stars. I believe there's two reasons for the lower rating on this one. 1) the ambiguous ending. Which, to be fair, I too sometimes am not a fan, but I loved it here. and 2) People love to hate on Twilight. I didn't realize when I started this that the author pulls heavily from Twilight inspiration, but it's not something she's hiding. The FMC is obsessed with the book. But I LOVED how she took that inspiration and twisted it into something totally different. Maybe it's fan fic, I don't know how it's defined, but it's something completely her own and it had me hooked. Big fan of her style of writing. It's so atmospheric and I find myself wanting to highlight so many of her passages that pack a punch. 4.5 stars, only because I figured out a few things before the reveal, but the ride was worth it.
anniebartelsollosy's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
heidikundin's review
5.0
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Midnight is the Darkest Hour is a Southern gothic thriller that serves up a satisfying mix of suspense, mystery, feminism, and emotion...and I couldn't get enough of it!
Set in a small Louisiana town, the novel is filled with well-developed characters who were easy to get attached to, especially Ruth and Everett. Their deep bond and complicated love story kept me invested all the way through. The story's atmosphere, brimming with mystery and the supernatural, was so tangible that I could almost feel the chill of the eerie swamp mist and hear the rustling of trees and thunderclaps in Bottom Springs.
Winstead's references to Twilight and the meticulous crafting of Ruth and Everett's relationship, loaded with intense feelings, added an extra layer of intrigue. The setting, steeped in nature and the bayou, came alive under Winstead's skilled descriptions, making the town itself a complicit character in the story. It's a slow-burning narrative, which might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I found it satisfying and perfect for the small-town story's unfolding.
The only things keeping me from giving this a full 5 stars are the story's predictability, and the pacing, which, at times, I wished was faster. The "twists" didn't quite catch me off guard, but that didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying the story.
Despite a few slow patches, however, this book was a captivating read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys dark thrillers and intense relationships wrapped up in a heavy atmospheric setting.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC to review!
Midnight is the Darkest Hour is a Southern gothic thriller that serves up a satisfying mix of suspense, mystery, feminism, and emotion...and I couldn't get enough of it!
Set in a small Louisiana town, the novel is filled with well-developed characters who were easy to get attached to, especially Ruth and Everett. Their deep bond and complicated love story kept me invested all the way through. The story's atmosphere, brimming with mystery and the supernatural, was so tangible that I could almost feel the chill of the eerie swamp mist and hear the rustling of trees and thunderclaps in Bottom Springs.
Winstead's references to Twilight and the meticulous crafting of Ruth and Everett's relationship, loaded with intense feelings, added an extra layer of intrigue. The setting, steeped in nature and the bayou, came alive under Winstead's skilled descriptions, making the town itself a complicit character in the story. It's a slow-burning narrative, which might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I found it satisfying and perfect for the small-town story's unfolding.
The only things keeping me from giving this a full 5 stars are the story's predictability, and the pacing, which, at times, I wished was faster. The "twists" didn't quite catch me off guard, but that didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying the story.
Despite a few slow patches, however, this book was a captivating read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys dark thrillers and intense relationships wrapped up in a heavy atmospheric setting.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC to review!
mischixx's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
amberghinii's review
dark
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? It's complicated
3.0