A review by f18
Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles

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

5.0

Feverish and claustrophobic, this book really captures the sticky, heavy feeling of struggling to awaken from a dream. There were times when I wanted Orabella to act more, to plan more, etc but it feels realistic and true to character that she wouldn't. The ending pushed this from 4 to 5 stars for me. It incisively skewered my struggle with dark romance:

A horrible situation can push someone to do horrible things. They can struggle to overcome their own vices and make mistakes. They can lie or hide things because they think it will protect you. Maybe you can come to understand and forgive someone in that case. But in a small moment where there would be no real consequence, breaking trust with the only possible benefit being to make you doubt yourself, to break you down... unforgiveable. And the author doesn't need to spell out what happens. Elias' fear at the question shows he lied, that nothing he ever said can be trusted.



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