Reviews tagging 'Abortion'

Midnight Is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead

24 reviews

astoriareader's review against another edition

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

SYNOPSIS:

• The book jumps around, but it is about Ruth, the preacher’s daughter, in a town in the deep south.
• Some murders happen.

MY THOUGHTS

• This felt very YA to me.
• The book references Twilight SO many times that it’s out of control.
• Slow paced + not great character development 
• Had to force myself to finish this book

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️why does this mention Twilight 1,000 times?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Death, Murder, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, and Animal death

Minor: Abortion and Pedophilia

meeklovestoread's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

 The Queen strikes again! Honestly, I was pretty nervous about this book. I had read this author's other two thrillers and enjoyed both of them. One of them was even a five-star, however, as I was reading this the writing felt different (I was reading as an audio read along with the physical copy in hand and the voice actor was Southern; after I got adjusted the southern accent just added to the atmosphere, I recommend the audio of this book if you're interested). From what I noticed it seems that Ashely changes her writing to match how her character would view their circumstances so it really puts you in their head (but this is just an assumption; I could just be reading into things). But anyway I'm not gonna lie it took me a while to get into this book (not too long though, probably around the 25% mark), but once I was in it. I was IN IT! It was soooo good! I was eating it up and was loving every minute of it. I always hear people talk about getting "immersed into a world" when they read and I had trouble relating because I don't think I've ever felt that, but with THIS book as soon as I started reading it with each sitting it felt like I was in their world every time. There weren't that many descriptions in this book, however, I feel like the dialogue and the course of events that took place in this book really set up the atmosphere and the tone of this book. I applaud Ms. Winstead because that's not an easy task to convey the overall setting of your book through dialogue. I really enjoyed my reading experience with this book and most importantly I enjoyed Everett. He's highkey a psychopath, but I loved him.  He's become one of my favorite thriller book boyfriends (I don't condone his actions at all; he is a fictional character and I enjoyed reading about him and the way he was towards Ruth, that's all).  I loved Ruth and Everett. They're literally soulmates. I also enjoyed Ruth's journey through self-discovery and finding her voice (however radical that it was😅). Now I understand that this is one of those books where you either like it or you hate it and I could completely get someone giving this book 2 stars, but I don't know I really enjoyed it! It actually reminds me of another book "The History of Wild Places" by Shea Ernshaw, they both contain the same vibes, but I love this one more! Can't wait to read more Ashley Winstead books. She's becoming an auto-read auhtour for me! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Torture, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Murder, Child abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Rape, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Bullying, Blood, Cursing, and Drug use

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Classism, Grief, Alcoholism, Animal death, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Abortion, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Mental illness, and Animal cruelty

cde10's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Violence, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Abortion, Blood, and Rape

ncoletti's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Rape, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Death

Moderate: Abortion and Religious bigotry

cuddlygryphon's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Classism, Cursing, Rape, Sexual content, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Religious bigotry, Addiction, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Abortion, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Violence, Vomit, and Death of parent

aileron's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Child abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Rape, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Physical abuse

Minor: Death of parent, Abortion, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Pedophilia

awdrummer's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was my first audiobook as an adult, and what a gripping experience it was. While the beginning’s slow pacing tested my patience, this southern gothic tale is a masterclass in blending religious fanaticism, myths, paganism, and two unlikely outcasts finding solace in each other. The constant Twilight references, though, were an unnecessary distraction from the main plot. However, the plethora of unexpected twists, including a jaw-dropping ending, more than made up for it.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book if you’re a fan of:

• Non-linear timelines

• Vampires

• Mysteries

• Southern lore

• Dark, gothic novels

Here’s my haiku:

Vampires in the South,

Southern gothic, dark and deep,

Twists that left me awed

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Child abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Abortion

morganbjohnston's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse

Moderate: Physical abuse and Violence

Minor: Abortion and Rape

bellebookcorner's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

I’ve seen a lot of 5 stars review regarding this book so I went in with quite a high expectation. The premise also sounds promising with a small town setting, creepy woods and dark secrets. 

 

At first, it wasn’t so bad and it started off with a strong opening as well. I’m genuinely interested with the plot, the world building and getting to know the main characters. 

The story is told from dual timeline – the past and the present, it would switch every few chapters between those timeline. 

 

As for the main character, Ruth (the FMC) supposed to be in her 20s, she's also smart and I enjoy following her digging out those dark and ugly secrets around her town.  But at times, Ruth can be too naive and doesn't sound like her age. 

 

It started out as a mystery thriller but somewhere in the middle, it started to appear like a mystery drama instead.  The pacing felt slightly odd - it can be quick and interesting then turn into slow and dragging at some points. 

I started to lose interest and would get confuse with the timeline sometimes and listening to the audiobook wasn't really a huge help.   

 

Although I have to admit, the last few chapters are quite intense. 

The ending was totally unexpected, I had to listen twice to convince myself that it actually ends with the BIGGEST CLIFF-HANGER EVER….. 

I felt slightly disappointed with how it ends, I actually want to see what happen to the main characters after all the hardships they went through in that town. 

 

I was a huge fan of In My Dreams I Hold a Knife written by the same author but unfortunately, I didn’t fully enjoy this book as much as that one. 

I would still check out other books by this author, heard The Last Housewife was also really good so I’ll definitely give it another try in the future. 

 

I received an advanced audiobook copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Rape

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Abortion, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia

tbrplaylist's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse