Reviews

The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski

jessicapc's review

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5.0

A great book !
Doesn't totally hold up as a prequel, I recommend reading this one before its follow up as intended.
It is better paced than the second installment, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

geeniebean29's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

shaelinsans's review against another edition

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4.0

marie's writing in this one was chef's kiss and i absolutely loved reading the lyrical passages. also the romance? the yearning? 10/10 i would definitely recommend if you're looking to read some sapphic romance that are heavy on the banter and tension but also really soft and devastating in a way.

viki_p26's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

4.5

starryeved's review against another edition

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3.0

"I love everything more when I leave it. Maybe, then, it's the most I'll ever love it."

What a beautiful concept, and such beautiful writing. Rutkoski weaves poetry into prose as she winds a gorgeously-told tale of yearning, memory, and class in a richly evocative world.

While admittedly this book feels a lot more like a character or relationship study than a structurally-sound plotted work, the writing and the underlying lore and subplots eclipses any shadows it leaves. The yearning between Sid and Nirrim, the depiction of the parental gaslighting and emotional abuse, the depiction of toxic and unhealthy relationships via Aden and Nirrim... these intricate elements almost made up for whatever I found slow or threadbare in the plot. Almost.

Had I been in any other state, I would have rated this higher, probably. Ultimately, The Midnight Lie is a story about secrets, and the biggest secret of its resounding success is its lyrical prose and its exploration of character and depth.

lari_'s review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

cmll's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

becxreadz's review against another edition

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Reads to ya for my liking and really have no clue what is going on.  

k4ylee's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

3.75

emiann2023's review against another edition

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2.0

Well that was disappointing.

I just...didn't care? I couldn't care about Nirrim or any of the characters. I didn't know what the plot was supposed to be and it never really felt like there was a clear progression or point to a lot of moments.

I liked the overall idea, exposing us to a new way of life, but the execution...it was missing something.