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A review by willrefuge
The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey
4.0
This is a bit of a jaunt from my usual tastes, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was grouped in several different genres but mainly Teen and Fantasy. And also Romance. I've read a few books classified as 'Romance' in the past and this was nothing like them. Where they were in-your-face all the time, Girl at Midnight was more subtle, and interwoven but entirely secondary to the plot.
I thoroughly enjoyed the lead character, Echo, who was equal parts snarky, stubborn and smart-ass. Her cast of supporting characters-at least, those who demanded their own POV-fit perfectly with her own personality during exchanges. Whether it be outwardly supportive and caring, quiet and thoughtful, or even sarcastic and judging, they all really felt like companions she would choose if it were real life.
The plot was equally enjoyable and without much disappointment as it toes its path. Though the romantic element to the plot is evident, as I mentioned before does not lead the it. And there is no love triangle. The Firebird, a mythical entity suggested to exist through the entire book, does not disappoint when the story comes to a head. I was thoroughly engrossed the entire time, minus a few details.
Near the beginning, the story suffers from a bit of inconsistency. Inconsistency in the nature of things, in Echo's beliefs. An example of this is given when Echo states that she cannot live among the Avicen (a race of feathered, bird-people) because they all look at her as if she doesn't belong, that her presence like it disrupts the natural order of things. She spends part the next few chapters (and one or two further on) noting exceptions to this.
Another issue is redundancy. Some things are repeated many, many times within the book, and some so much that they are entirely too painful. There is also an element of romance, that throughout is referred to by everyone as "interesting". This continues, beginning to end, and just ends up becoming wearisome.
These in no way detract from the story and in no way render the story unreadable. I waffled a bit at first between 3 and 4 stars but eventually settled on the high side.
Maybe 3.8-3.9 stars, with consideration for 4. And I will most likely read the next book.
Thank you Melissa Grey for the pleasant read. Keep writing!
I thoroughly enjoyed the lead character, Echo, who was equal parts snarky, stubborn and smart-ass. Her cast of supporting characters-at least, those who demanded their own POV-fit perfectly with her own personality during exchanges. Whether it be outwardly supportive and caring, quiet and thoughtful, or even sarcastic and judging, they all really felt like companions she would choose if it were real life.
The plot was equally enjoyable and without much disappointment as it toes its path. Though the romantic element to the plot is evident, as I mentioned before does not lead the it. And there is no love triangle. The Firebird, a mythical entity suggested to exist through the entire book, does not disappoint when the story comes to a head. I was thoroughly engrossed the entire time, minus a few details.
Near the beginning, the story suffers from a bit of inconsistency. Inconsistency in the nature of things, in Echo's beliefs. An example of this is given when Echo states that she cannot live among the Avicen (a race of feathered, bird-people) because they all look at her as if she doesn't belong, that her presence like it disrupts the natural order of things. She spends part the next few chapters (and one or two further on) noting exceptions to this.
Another issue is redundancy. Some things are repeated many, many times within the book, and some so much that they are entirely too painful. There is also an element of romance, that throughout is referred to by everyone as "interesting". This continues, beginning to end, and just ends up becoming wearisome.
These in no way detract from the story and in no way render the story unreadable. I waffled a bit at first between 3 and 4 stars but eventually settled on the high side.
Maybe 3.8-3.9 stars, with consideration for 4. And I will most likely read the next book.
Thank you Melissa Grey for the pleasant read. Keep writing!