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ccaguilar31's review
dark
mysterious
slow-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
3.0
silvereli's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
galro's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
esti_ham's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
levitatingnumeral's review against another edition
3.0
El Palacio de la Medianoche is obviously an amusing book, and I say obviously for I still haven't read a book by Zafón that didn't please me. It is, however, not as good as El Príncipe de la Niebla, the first in this "trilogy".
It wasn't as catchy as Zafón's previous writing, and it's slightly more predictable, but it's still rather good. Yet, even though it happens in Calcutta, I didn't see a very deep development in the "different culture" matter.
In my opinion, none of the characters was really remarkable in this story, and even the villain, which tends to be my favourite personality in Zafón's book, had a change of mind that didn't feel like it suited him, so he lost points with me. I don't mean the characters are shallow, though, they're normal people, with some very well explored characteristics such as pride, but they are almost dull in comparison to other creations by the same author.
The plot is rather good if we use a "common books" scale, yet it's only mildly pleasant considering who wrote this book. I could say I'm taking on account that this is his second book and he was just starting to develop his genius, but I saw much more potential in his first writing, so I can't say that's the reason El Palacio de la Medianoche isn't as spectacular as other Zafóns.
It wasn't as catchy as Zafón's previous writing, and it's slightly more predictable, but it's still rather good. Yet, even though it happens in Calcutta, I didn't see a very deep development in the "different culture" matter.
In my opinion, none of the characters was really remarkable in this story, and even the villain, which tends to be my favourite personality in Zafón's book, had a change of mind that didn't feel like it suited him, so he lost points with me. I don't mean the characters are shallow, though, they're normal people, with some very well explored characteristics such as pride, but they are almost dull in comparison to other creations by the same author.
The plot is rather good if we use a "common books" scale, yet it's only mildly pleasant considering who wrote this book. I could say I'm taking on account that this is his second book and he was just starting to develop his genius, but I saw much more potential in his first writing, so I can't say that's the reason El Palacio de la Medianoche isn't as spectacular as other Zafóns.
booknotes_athina's review against another edition
5.0
This is another Carlos Ruiz Zafon book that I loved. The Midnight Palace is one of the first books that the author wrote and it is the 2nd book in the Niebla (Fog) trilogy but it reads as a standalone.
It takes place in Calcutta, India in the early 20th century and we follow Ben and his friends.
I loved the writing style and I really liked the characters and the story. My only complaint would be that the magic should have been explained more.
Despite that , I still loved it!
It takes place in Calcutta, India in the early 20th century and we follow Ben and his friends.
I loved the writing style and I really liked the characters and the story. My only complaint would be that the magic should have been explained more.
Despite that , I still loved it!
byvincenzo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0