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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
"Those places where sadness and misery abound are favoured settings for stories of ghosts and apparitions."
What can I say? This really isn't right up my alley, but my mother-in-law highly recommended it and I love that woman, so I gave it a try. I shouldn't have.
I liked parts of it - mostly the writing. Zafón has a way with words. He lets them flow, makes them run through you , paints pictures in your mind. It's a wonderful albeit scary experience. It did however make me want to read more of this author's work which makes it not a total loss.
"Set in Calcutta in the 1930s, The Midnight Palace begins on a dark night when an English lieutenant fights to save newborn twins Ben and Sheere from an unthinkable threat. Despite monsoon-force rains and terrible danger lurking around every street corner, the young lieutenant manages to get them to safety, but not without losing his own life. . . .
Years later, on the eve of Ben and Sheere’s sixteenth birthday, the mysterious threat reenters their lives. This time, it may be impossible to escape. With the help of their brave friends, the twins will have to take a stand against the terror that watches them in the shadows of the night—and face the most frightening creature in the history of the City of Palaces."
The blurb was very promising. I can't say I'm an expert on Calcutta, but I consider it a good thing to broaden my horizon now and again. I liked the first chapters very much. Thrilling and mysterious, it was all I could ask for in a book. Bite me, I'm a sucker for mystery novels and crime solving plots.
Ben and his Chowbar society were a very loveable bunch. Young teens, not quite children anymore, but also not exactly adults, are unique and wild in a sense, but always stick together. Sheere and her grandmother were different. Especially the grandmother. Her issues were her own, and yet she forced a young girl to a lifer of fear, solitude and escapism.
And the grandmother brings me to the parts I didn't like. As much as I enjoy a mystery plot, this one was all over the place. Mostly because despite the wonderful writing style, Zafrón failed to explain a lot of things. Or at least allude to them right from the start in order to make them plausible. The supernatural aspect of the story was strong, the corresponding plotline remained vague, pale and unsatisfying though. I was always torn between figuring out the origin of the supernatural or the mystery as a whole. Which led to a kind of constant distraction because time and time again, I would try to understand if one part of the story would finally give me a rational explaination for the superpowers or if the superpowers just were what they were and I should take all the other parts of the story as a piece of the mystery puzzle without thinking too hard about it. In the end, I wasn't happy with the execution of both, the supernatural and the crime solving.
Also, the story started to fizzle and fly all over the place after approximately one third of the book. So many plotlines, so many pieces of a greater puzzle I wasn't able to see until almost the very end. Dramatic high points drowned in all the changing POVs that albeit being interesting, confused me or even bored me at one point or the other. The worst was the telling. So much telling of the same tales. Well written, but still all over the place. And when I get the same story told for the umpteenth time - with some parts changed completely and others completely the same? I'm over- and underwhelmed at the same time. The only good thing about that was my growing empathy for Jawahel, the "villain". Still didn't save me the disappointment at the end, but it gave the super-bad guy some facets and layers.
All in all, I was sceptical going in because of the "horror" aspect of the story - since that is not my favorite genre. Being done with it, I can honestly say: The horror was not the problem. It wasn't the writingstyle, either. The plotlines and -holes, the lack of consistency and plausibility, the overall jumbled mess of explainations really didn't do it for me. Sadly disappointed.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Delving into the past had unveiled a cruel lesson - that in the book of life it is perhaps best not to turn back pages; it was a path on which, whatever direction we took, we'd never be able to choose our own destiny."
- Read for the Medievalathon, prompt "read a book with your favourite colour on the spine". Rank gained: squire, object earned: outfit #4. -
The Midnight Palace is the last book from the Niebla trilogy that I read and probably my least favourite. That said, I still think it's a very solid book and has Zafon's beautiful style, it just didn't work for me, especially having read his other books before.
Like in other books by this author, there were some gothis themes, a tragic story, old buildings deteriorating even more as the story goes, doomed lovers. Carlos Ruiz Zafon has this unique writing style where all of his stories seem to be haunted, clouded in mist and telling of long forgotten people and places. Even though they often also have an element of horror, I always find them also filled with nostalgia and longing for what's in the past.
Here, unfortunately, there was too much horror for my taste. But what came to my mind even more often and influenced my whole reading experience was how much this book reminded me of Marina and how I didn't love it nearly as much. What's strange is that Marina was originally published in 1999, five years after The Midnight Palace, but I felt like both books share a lot of similar elements. But I also got an impression that Zafon took the general idea for the story that he first presented in The Midnight Palace, and developed it even more and made it much better in Marina. Of course, I might be wrong, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I've already read a similar story, just that I adored Marina much much more.
Overall though, if you're a fan of Carlos Ruiz Zafon and, like me, would like to read all of his works, I do recommend it! Or if you like horror stories with some gothic inspiration, this is definitely a read for you.
- Read for the Medievalathon, prompt "read a book with your favourite colour on the spine". Rank gained: squire, object earned: outfit #4. -
The Midnight Palace is the last book from the Niebla trilogy that I read and probably my least favourite. That said, I still think it's a very solid book and has Zafon's beautiful style, it just didn't work for me, especially having read his other books before.
Like in other books by this author, there were some gothis themes, a tragic story, old buildings deteriorating even more as the story goes, doomed lovers. Carlos Ruiz Zafon has this unique writing style where all of his stories seem to be haunted, clouded in mist and telling of long forgotten people and places. Even though they often also have an element of horror, I always find them also filled with nostalgia and longing for what's in the past.
Here, unfortunately, there was too much horror for my taste. But what came to my mind even more often and influenced my whole reading experience was how much this book reminded me of Marina and how I didn't love it nearly as much. What's strange is that Marina was originally published in 1999, five years after The Midnight Palace, but I felt like both books share a lot of similar elements. But I also got an impression that Zafon took the general idea for the story that he first presented in The Midnight Palace, and developed it even more and made it much better in Marina. Of course, I might be wrong, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I've already read a similar story, just that I adored Marina much much more.
Overall though, if you're a fan of Carlos Ruiz Zafon and, like me, would like to read all of his works, I do recommend it! Or if you like horror stories with some gothic inspiration, this is definitely a read for you.
The Midnight Palace, a refuge for children without pasts, bereft of the families, to weave their own stories and family bonds. Seven children formed the Chowbar Society, now they are nearly adults, ready to leave the orphanage they called home and strike out on different paths. At the last meeting of the society a mysterious girl is invited to join in and tell her story, a fascinating tale that immediately catches hold of the others. The story, however, is only just the beginning. A harrowing and creepy adventure follows as the society members try to find out the truth.
Ben and Sheere, the main characters, are interesting, but each member of the Chowbar Society brings their own story, and would make quite good protagonists all on their own. I really enjoyed their back stories and personalities, which were some of the best parts in the book.
Although I did not enjoy this adventure quite as much as The Prince of Mist, Zafon's creepy details and haunting scenes did not disappoint. I felt, though, that unlike some of his other stories, there were parts where I was a bit confused and in the end I still really couldn't make sense of the whole ghost/flame-thrower thing. I also thought it slightly strange that there was both the Midnight Palace and the strange home.
Ben and Sheere, the main characters, are interesting, but each member of the Chowbar Society brings their own story, and would make quite good protagonists all on their own. I really enjoyed their back stories and personalities, which were some of the best parts in the book.
Although I did not enjoy this adventure quite as much as The Prince of Mist, Zafon's creepy details and haunting scenes did not disappoint. I felt, though, that unlike some of his other stories, there were parts where I was a bit confused and in the end I still really couldn't make sense of the whole ghost/flame-thrower thing. I also thought it slightly strange that there was both the Midnight Palace and the strange home.
If you are a fan of Carlos Ruiz Zafón's adult novels (which I am, go read Shadow of the Wind right now!), this may not be the book for you. It lacks some of the magic of his adult work. However, if you are the kind of reader who likes to see the evolution of a writer's work as he hones his skill (guilty again), this is most definitely the book for you. Written before his adult works but translated into English later, The Midnight Palace shows the beginning of CRZ's talent for layering stories, juggling a large cast of characters (though none are very well rounded in this one), and placing the unbelievable in the middle of a believable place and time. Unfortunately, his ability to turn a place into a character in its own right is not on display here, which is a shame because Calcutta would have been a good one. Here, it is incidental rather than integral to the story. If you're not already a fan or CRZ, really, go read Shadow of the Wind. Also, the rest of this review is for you.
The Midnight Palace is not the kind of book I usually read. It's an action/horror/paranormal-type hybrid that leans toward the scary/creepy end of things, and it is not at all character-driven. No one really grows or changes because of what happens. It has both a prologue (not my fave) and a where-are-they-now epilogue (one of my pet peeves). And yet, I really enjoyed reading it. While I was reading, I was scared and jumpy right along with the rest of Ben's gang. I was concerned for everyone's safety because they were so concerned for each other. I was nodding along with Sheere when she longed to be part of a group like theirs. It looked like fun (until it looked like a house of horrors), and I wish CRZ had let me, the reader, a bit more into the group. I never felt like I got to know any of the characters, Ben and Sheere included. Frankly, almost as soon as I finished reading, they were gone from my mind. What they went through and what they did, though, that stayed with me.
Looking back, there were holes and a few things that could have used an explanation, but I didn't notice at the time. I was too caught up in the bowels of a burnt-out train station with the rest of the gang. There was plenty going on to keep my attention. In addition to the ghost train there is a pool of blood that never dries, a grandma who operates strictly on a need-to-know basis and fails to realize that Ben and Sheere Need to Know it all, court records in vast archives, an architect's dream house, and a guy whose hand burst into flame on a disturbingly regular basis. The action is quick, the consequences are severe, and the reasons behind it all are shrouded in mystery.
In short this is a quick, fun read. It's certainly not light and fluffy summer reading, but it's the dark and stormy night equivalent.
Book source: ARC provided by the publisher.
Series note: Goodreads has this book listed as the second in a series with Prince of the Mist as the first. However, nothing in the book indicated that this is not a stand-alone novel.
The Midnight Palace is not the kind of book I usually read. It's an action/horror/paranormal-type hybrid that leans toward the scary/creepy end of things, and it is not at all character-driven. No one really grows or changes because of what happens. It has both a prologue (not my fave) and a where-are-they-now epilogue (one of my pet peeves). And yet, I really enjoyed reading it. While I was reading, I was scared and jumpy right along with the rest of Ben's gang. I was concerned for everyone's safety because they were so concerned for each other. I was nodding along with Sheere when she longed to be part of a group like theirs. It looked like fun (until it looked like a house of horrors), and I wish CRZ had let me, the reader, a bit more into the group. I never felt like I got to know any of the characters, Ben and Sheere included. Frankly, almost as soon as I finished reading, they were gone from my mind. What they went through and what they did, though, that stayed with me.
Looking back, there were holes and a few things that could have used an explanation, but I didn't notice at the time. I was too caught up in the bowels of a burnt-out train station with the rest of the gang. There was plenty going on to keep my attention. In addition to the ghost train there is a pool of blood that never dries, a grandma who operates strictly on a need-to-know basis and fails to realize that Ben and Sheere Need to Know it all, court records in vast archives, an architect's dream house, and a guy whose hand burst into flame on a disturbingly regular basis. The action is quick, the consequences are severe, and the reasons behind it all are shrouded in mystery.
In short this is a quick, fun read. It's certainly not light and fluffy summer reading, but it's the dark and stormy night equivalent.
Book source: ARC provided by the publisher.
Series note: Goodreads has this book listed as the second in a series with Prince of the Mist as the first. However, nothing in the book indicated that this is not a stand-alone novel.
This was a toss up between 3 and 4 stars.
On the one hand, I'm a big fan of [a:Carlos Ruiz Zafón|815|Carlos Ruiz Zafón|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1444199853p2/815.jpg]. I love the way he writes, particularly the love he gives to the cities where he sets his books. [b:The Shadow of the Wind|1232|The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #1)|Carlos Ruiz Zafón|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344545047s/1232.jpg|3209783] is one of my favourite books and had me falling in love with Barcelona a decade before I visited it for the first time. Zafon gives the same treatment to Calcutta, painting a picture of exotic beauty with both light and shade.
Zafon is also one of the only authors I'll stick with even when he's throwing out ghosts and gouls and all manner of malevolent beings that would normally send me running for the hills (I'm a wuss okay, don't judge). He's shows a lot of skill in creating villains that blur the boundaries between fantasy and reality; good and evil; terrifying and not - admittedly this might not be of interest to other readers who like horror/ghost stories, where Zafon might not be creating beings that are scary enough.
It was interesting to see themes that Zafon later incorporated into the Shadow of the Wind. I mentioned his love of beautiful cities, but there's also his use of fire, his love of books and his creation of villains who may once have been good, but whose souls have been distorted by the evil encountered in their lives.
I couldn't quite give it four stars because it wasn't his usual brilliance - but then perhaps that's to be expected as this was a few years before Shadow of the Wind. The story was a little more childish, but again this was YA whereas his later works are not. Overall, I enjoyed the story, it was an absorbing read but one I'd be unlikely to read again.
On the one hand, I'm a big fan of [a:Carlos Ruiz Zafón|815|Carlos Ruiz Zafón|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1444199853p2/815.jpg]. I love the way he writes, particularly the love he gives to the cities where he sets his books. [b:The Shadow of the Wind|1232|The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #1)|Carlos Ruiz Zafón|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344545047s/1232.jpg|3209783] is one of my favourite books and had me falling in love with Barcelona a decade before I visited it for the first time. Zafon gives the same treatment to Calcutta, painting a picture of exotic beauty with both light and shade.
Zafon is also one of the only authors I'll stick with even when he's throwing out ghosts and gouls and all manner of malevolent beings that would normally send me running for the hills (I'm a wuss okay, don't judge). He's shows a lot of skill in creating villains that blur the boundaries between fantasy and reality; good and evil; terrifying and not - admittedly this might not be of interest to other readers who like horror/ghost stories, where Zafon might not be creating beings that are scary enough.
It was interesting to see themes that Zafon later incorporated into the Shadow of the Wind. I mentioned his love of beautiful cities, but there's also his use of fire, his love of books and his creation of villains who may once have been good, but whose souls have been distorted by the evil encountered in their lives.
I couldn't quite give it four stars because it wasn't his usual brilliance - but then perhaps that's to be expected as this was a few years before Shadow of the Wind. The story was a little more childish, but again this was YA whereas his later works are not. Overall, I enjoyed the story, it was an absorbing read but one I'd be unlikely to read again.
I just couldn't finish this. It was really disappointing, even though the Prince of Mist was only ok.