Scan barcode
kairrakat's review
4.0
When I first started this one, it took me about 4 pages to get used to the writing style, as I'd gone straight from The Name of the Wind to this. The language throughout the book is what I'd describe as early 1900s English and it doesn't change at all. It's also useful to know some UK/Irish and French history as it is heavily featured in the storyline, even if it is a little changed for the fictional story.
I loved the premise of the plot but I found the 'star crossed lovers destined to change the world' a little droll. That part read more like a pubescent teen's self written fantasy and I felt like it could have been more maturely approached, rather than the awkward, sometimes cringey way it was handled here. I know they're both young but it was still a bit juvenile. I'm hoping things settle down more in the next book and we see a more adult interaction between the two.
I'm curious to see where the next book starts off as I felt this one ended where it did and didn't have anything else in the background to continue.
I loved the premise of the plot but I found the 'star crossed lovers destined to change the world' a little droll. That part read more like a pubescent teen's self written fantasy and I felt like it could have been more maturely approached, rather than the awkward, sometimes cringey way it was handled here. I know they're both young but it was still a bit juvenile. I'm hoping things settle down more in the next book and we see a more adult interaction between the two.
I'm curious to see where the next book starts off as I felt this one ended where it did and didn't have anything else in the background to continue.
sabree's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hlizmarie's review against another edition
3.0
I honestly don't know why I didn't love this book. There's magic and a bit of mayhem. The characters were all enjoyable and unique. The only major flaw I can point to is the plot was a bit slow with a lot of explanation sometimes and not as much action as I'd like. Although even that's not exactly a fair criticism since there's quite a bit of backstory that needs to be covered along the way and the end is quite a finale. Regardless of all of its good points I really struggled to get through it and am completely undecided about whether to continue to the series. I'm just not exactly sure why!
hans_cosy_corner's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but found it didn't grip me as much as I'd expect. The story was fun and I enjoyed the characters, and loved the initial awkward growing romance, but found they very suddenly became very confident and apparently experienced in those matters for two protagonists who hadn't ever experienced any romantic entanglements before - going to read the second one now
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the world-building, I loved the characters; I loved the writing. I'm very much looking forward to the sequel. This takes place in an alternate Regency era, with women and men learning and working magick. The style combines drama with lightness of touch, even some humor at times. I could read it again and again.
atris_lauraborealis's review against another edition
1.0
I unfortunately suffer from the compulsion to finish a book no matter how terrible.
This book tested that compulsion. I'm almost proud to say I've finished it, a bit like someone is proud to have survived some terrible disease or war (though that may be a bit excessive...).
The book had an interesting premise, but was drowning in formal, Jane Austen-esque language that, instead of heightening the story-telling, fogged it up beyond recognition of a plot or otherwise driving story-telling.
The pinnacle of all the action was so confusing and poorly written I literally had no idea what had happened until the very end and a character explained (at great length) the motives of all the characters and an overview of the general premise of the story.
Needless to say, poorly written, lacking character motivation and an underwhelming story arc make this an easy one to skip.
This book tested that compulsion. I'm almost proud to say I've finished it, a bit like someone is proud to have survived some terrible disease or war (though that may be a bit excessive...).
The book had an interesting premise, but was drowning in formal, Jane Austen-esque language that, instead of heightening the story-telling, fogged it up beyond recognition of a plot or otherwise driving story-telling.
The pinnacle of all the action was so confusing and poorly written I literally had no idea what had happened until the very end and a character explained (at great length) the motives of all the characters and an overview of the general premise of the story.
Needless to say, poorly written, lacking character motivation and an underwhelming story arc make this an easy one to skip.
dmturner's review against another edition
4.0
A well written fantasy, with a good sense of history and place and some very appealing characters. Its pace lags in the latter half and the danger the characters are in is perhaps not strong enough, but it is readable and charming.
darquedreamer's review against another edition
4.0
The Midnight Queen is magical and elegant. It is a story of adventure, danger, betrayal, love, and murder. You do not want to miss this enchanting journey.
The Plot: Gray has a great talent for magick. So great, that it landed him a place at the prestigious Merlin College. But that place is threatened when he is persuaded by a few fellow students to embark on a mysterious, midnight mission that ends in disaster. As punishment, and to recover his magical abilities that mysteriously disappeared during the mission, he is sent to stay the summer with Professor Callendar, to be kept watch over. He expects to be treated poorly and to do hard, manual labor, but he does not expect to meet the lively, curious Sophie.
Sophie, who is forbidden to educate herself on the art by her father, the professor, has a profound interest in magick. She encourages Gray to teach her, unaware of the dangerous situation Gray has gotten himself in to. Together they uncover curious secrets about Sophie and a plot for murder. Can Sophie be taught to control the magick in time to help Gray uncover and save the target of the assassination before its too late?
The Midnight Queen had a bit of a slow beginning for me. It took me a few chapters to really get in to it. Once I did though, I found it to be a cute, magical tale. It felt unique and enchanting. I liked that the main focus was the magick and uncovering the mission details, and that the romance was just the bonus but did not take center stage. I found the story to be a touch on the boring side, but different from what I have been reading lately, so still refreshing. The world building was nice but could have used a little more imagery and details. The story itself did have a few predictable moments, and besides having a bit too many character flashbacks, it read well. The characters seemed well though out, and complimented each other well, but I still felt like I was missing a little something in the way of development.
Gray felt a little dull for me. He is supposed to be our main hero of the story, and he is quite brave and very kind, but he just lacked finesse in the way of a main, male character. He has an intricate part in the story, so he is much needed. I just feel like he could have had a better back story and more personality details. I did love the unique magickal ability he owned, and I loved how his opinion about a certain character's appearance changes for the better once he gets to her know.
Sophie was a curious, interesting character. She seemed to have the most depth out of all the characters, and yet still felt a little predictable for the story. She was held back from learning magick and getting an education because of her sex, and yet, instead of outwardly disobeying her father like most book characters in her situation, she secretly studied while he slept. During the day she blended in to the room and was the perfect lady. She did this so well, that it was actually hard for her father to fully picture her in his mind when performing a finding spell later in the story. She is definitely brave, inquisitive, loving, and intriguing.
Joanna was a fun, supportive character. Though acted much younger than she was supposed to be, she felt like the bravest one of the group. She was kind, intelligent, outspoken, and loud. I enjoyed reading her character throughout the tale and feel that the book would have lacked without her.
After the slow start, and putting aside the slow pace and somewhat predictable moments, this book was enjoyable, and I did enjoy the chapter titles. It could have been better, but I am unsure of what age it is recommended for. I would rate it 3.5-4 stars and I will definitely be finishing the series at some point.
Thank you to Blogging For Books for providing this free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Plot: Gray has a great talent for magick. So great, that it landed him a place at the prestigious Merlin College. But that place is threatened when he is persuaded by a few fellow students to embark on a mysterious, midnight mission that ends in disaster. As punishment, and to recover his magical abilities that mysteriously disappeared during the mission, he is sent to stay the summer with Professor Callendar, to be kept watch over. He expects to be treated poorly and to do hard, manual labor, but he does not expect to meet the lively, curious Sophie.
Sophie, who is forbidden to educate herself on the art by her father, the professor, has a profound interest in magick. She encourages Gray to teach her, unaware of the dangerous situation Gray has gotten himself in to. Together they uncover curious secrets about Sophie and a plot for murder. Can Sophie be taught to control the magick in time to help Gray uncover and save the target of the assassination before its too late?
The Midnight Queen had a bit of a slow beginning for me. It took me a few chapters to really get in to it. Once I did though, I found it to be a cute, magical tale. It felt unique and enchanting. I liked that the main focus was the magick and uncovering the mission details, and that the romance was just the bonus but did not take center stage. I found the story to be a touch on the boring side, but different from what I have been reading lately, so still refreshing. The world building was nice but could have used a little more imagery and details. The story itself did have a few predictable moments, and besides having a bit too many character flashbacks, it read well. The characters seemed well though out, and complimented each other well, but I still felt like I was missing a little something in the way of development.
Gray felt a little dull for me. He is supposed to be our main hero of the story, and he is quite brave and very kind, but he just lacked finesse in the way of a main, male character. He has an intricate part in the story, so he is much needed. I just feel like he could have had a better back story and more personality details. I did love the unique magickal ability he owned, and I loved how his opinion about a certain character's appearance changes for the better once he gets to her know.
Sophie was a curious, interesting character. She seemed to have the most depth out of all the characters, and yet still felt a little predictable for the story. She was held back from learning magick and getting an education because of her sex, and yet, instead of outwardly disobeying her father like most book characters in her situation, she secretly studied while he slept. During the day she blended in to the room and was the perfect lady. She did this so well, that it was actually hard for her father to fully picture her in his mind when performing a finding spell later in the story. She is definitely brave, inquisitive, loving, and intriguing.
Joanna was a fun, supportive character. Though acted much younger than she was supposed to be, she felt like the bravest one of the group. She was kind, intelligent, outspoken, and loud. I enjoyed reading her character throughout the tale and feel that the book would have lacked without her.
After the slow start, and putting aside the slow pace and somewhat predictable moments, this book was enjoyable, and I did enjoy the chapter titles. It could have been better, but I am unsure of what age it is recommended for. I would rate it 3.5-4 stars and I will definitely be finishing the series at some point.
Thank you to Blogging For Books for providing this free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.