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A review by thegrimhobbyist
Midgard by Jeanne Hull Godfroy
3.0
Thank you to the author for gifting me this book - this review reflects my honest thoughts.
I was immediately drawn to the setting and premise of Midgard. Earth is in a downward spiral, crashing and burning, while humanity struggles to survive in an increasingly harsh environment. The U.S. government - where this story takes place - has devolved into a totalitarian regime, rationing food and water, forcing citizens through relentless tests, and assigning jobs and ranks that determine their access to resources. I love dystopian stories like this - gritty, thought-provoking, and full of details to pick apart. The overarching mystery was also compelling, though I figured it out fairly early on.
Unfortunately, what ultimately ruined the book for me was the characters. None of them truly stood out; they felt flat and too neatly slotted into their respective stereotypes. Tam, in particular, frustrated me to no end. When the perspective abruptly shifted to her after following Sam’s POV for most of the book, I nearly threw the book across the room. I also noticed inconsistencies in character traits and personalities as the story progressed, which made them feel even less grounded.
The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but I don’t see myself picking up the sequel. While the world and premise were captivating, the characters didn’t leave me wanting more.
I was immediately drawn to the setting and premise of Midgard. Earth is in a downward spiral, crashing and burning, while humanity struggles to survive in an increasingly harsh environment. The U.S. government - where this story takes place - has devolved into a totalitarian regime, rationing food and water, forcing citizens through relentless tests, and assigning jobs and ranks that determine their access to resources. I love dystopian stories like this - gritty, thought-provoking, and full of details to pick apart. The overarching mystery was also compelling, though I figured it out fairly early on.
Unfortunately, what ultimately ruined the book for me was the characters. None of them truly stood out; they felt flat and too neatly slotted into their respective stereotypes. Tam, in particular, frustrated me to no end. When the perspective abruptly shifted to her after following Sam’s POV for most of the book, I nearly threw the book across the room. I also noticed inconsistencies in character traits and personalities as the story progressed, which made them feel even less grounded.
The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but I don’t see myself picking up the sequel. While the world and premise were captivating, the characters didn’t leave me wanting more.