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livreads16's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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? No
4.5
This book was good. This was a really fun story that kept your attention. The world building was a little confusing at times, but I really appreciate how they did most of the world building threw the plot. Like I hate books that will spent 50 pages at the beginning “setting the scene” like bro just tell the story you can set the scene as we go. Loved the two main characters. As I’ve said before “enemies to lovers” is gonna do it every time. The build up and the competition and the banter was very good. The plot was a little dragged out, like 2/3 through the book I was like okay can we start to wrap it up you’re stressing me out. I think the ending was good. I said I didn’t want a sequel… but if she wrote a sequel I would prob read it. I just really need more stand alone books these series are getting out of control. The fantastical eighteenth century Poland was actually amazing. I think it worked so so well. The dual POV story telling was also exceptional. Just all around well done book. Honestly I think the only flaw is that the near death experiences didn’t really feel like they were near death. Like I’m sorry I’m just not buying that you’re gonna kill off marynka AND kajetan.. like come on. So the drama and the like “OH NO THERE GONNA DIE NO” wasn’t there and I kinda want that in a book, ya know? Also while we’re on the subject the prince and kajetan thing?? Come on you better not be queer baiting they are so obviously supposed to be a couple. Honestly? Now you gotta write another book. but yeah much fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Child abuse
Moderate: Death and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent
imaginingly's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
5.0
honestly… already planning on rereading this lol
3 witches who have servants to obtain prince hearts… said servants compete against one another for this 1 prince’s pure heart and the whole book is the adventure of traveling together and finding out who they each truly are
absolutely amazing book ugh i loved it
3 witches who have servants to obtain prince hearts… said servants compete against one another for this 1 prince’s pure heart and the whole book is the adventure of traveling together and finding out who they each truly are
absolutely amazing book ugh i loved it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Physical abuse
libraryofclaire's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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? No
2.5
In her follow-up novel to "The Dark Tide," Alicia Jasinska once again stars angry girls in an enemies-to-lovers arc, but fails to capture the same magic and thrilling atmosphere as before.
While "The Midnight Girls" gets its points for having a gorgeous setting and magic dripping from every scene, it feels too rushed, too heavy-handed, and too simplistic.
One thing that truly did bother me about this book was the way trauma and abuse were handled. Both of our main characters are abused, and while one recognizes it, the other always makes excuses. Personally, I think this would have made an interesting dynamic if the abuser hadn't been made to seem so sympathetic and "did something good" at the end. It felt gross and sloppy, and we never see our main character realize that the abuse she suffered was wrong. This plot point should have been extremely nuanced, but Jasinska sacrifices the exploration of abuse for the romance instead.
I also feel as though Jasinka falls into the problem of having diverse side characters for the sake of having diverse side characters instead of letting them actually contribute to the plot. Which is heavily disappointing and a huge problem.
As with other Jasinska books, the romance felt very perfunctory and simplistic, which I don't always mind, but there is little-to-no character development here other than "angry girl gets less angry." Their romance almost feels forced and less romance than lust. Don't get me wrong, I love the "monsters loving monsters" trope, but I honestly wasn't in love with either character because they felt very two-dimensional.
My biggest complaint with this book is that there is so much going on — revolution, betrayal, abuse, romance — and it is all so incredibly complicated, and the reader never gets to see that explored. Decisions made by characters feel rushed or don't make sense. Also, there is some HEAVY plot magic going on to ensure these girls don't get caught after their first attempt on the prince.
After the Dark Tide, which felt more fairy tale than story and thus avoided many of the criticisms above, "The Midnight Girls" was a disappointment that could have held so much more potential.
While "The Midnight Girls" gets its points for having a gorgeous setting and magic dripping from every scene, it feels too rushed, too heavy-handed, and too simplistic.
One thing that truly did bother me about this book was the way trauma and abuse were handled. Both of our main characters are abused, and while one recognizes it, the other always makes excuses. Personally, I think this would have made an interesting dynamic if the abuser hadn't been made to seem so sympathetic and "did something good" at the end. It felt gross and sloppy, and we never see our main character realize that the abuse she suffered was wrong. This plot point should have been extremely nuanced, but Jasinska sacrifices the exploration of abuse for the romance instead.
I also feel as though Jasinka falls into the problem of having diverse side characters for the sake of having diverse side characters instead of letting them actually contribute to the plot. Which is heavily disappointing and a huge problem.
As with other Jasinska books, the romance felt very perfunctory and simplistic, which I don't always mind, but there is little-to-no character development here other than "angry girl gets less angry." Their romance almost feels forced and less romance than lust. Don't get me wrong, I love the "monsters loving monsters" trope, but I honestly wasn't in love with either character because they felt very two-dimensional.
My biggest complaint with this book is that there is so much going on — revolution, betrayal, abuse, romance — and it is all so incredibly complicated, and the reader never gets to see that explored. Decisions made by characters feel rushed or don't make sense. Also, there is some HEAVY plot magic going on to ensure these girls don't get caught after their first attempt on the prince.
After the Dark Tide, which felt more fairy tale than story and thus avoided many of the criticisms above, "The Midnight Girls" was a disappointment that could have held so much more potential.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Gaslighting, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: War
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