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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
westtiff's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
vejohnson's review against another edition
Main character likes Twilight. Can already tell she’ll be annoying.
lexaraereads's review against another edition
I just can’t with Ashley Winstead anymore
peteyreads123's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
chloethewriter's review against another edition
I can't stand Everett, and at first I thought I would be able to push through & read the book, but I just can't stand it! Both for him and the way Ruth acts when she's around him.