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jennifermreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
While I will, and have, re-read The Selection<, I do not see myself grabbing Midnight Strikes again. Admittedly, mild spoiler:
Sadly, for me, this is a big case of an annoying phrase nagging me so much that it interfered with my focus on and enjoyment of the plot. The words “all at once” appeared FOURTEEN TIMES in the 435 pages of this book! FOURTEEN! And, on page 292, when I got it twice in back-to-back sentences, it was all I could do to not toss the book across the room and then get out of bed to email the author’s editor and say “Where were you? How could you let this phrase appear so much in a single book?” I understand the phrase is one that irritates me and that does not annoy others. But FOURTEEN TIMES?? SERIOUSLY??
Overall, this was an intriguing story with decent characters that was interesting enough for me to finish--despite the recurrence of “all at once” over…and over…and over…and over…and over…and over…and over…and over…and over…and over…and over…and over…and over…and over…see it is annoying to have something repeated fourteen times, isn’t it?
Graphic: Suicide and Murder
ravensandlace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
purplehulk713's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
She curses under her breath at the break in her alliteration.
“I did not think I had to tell you to keep your whores out of my chambers. Perhaps I overestimated your ability to read between the lines.”
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
lacrimaeignis's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I was absolutely hooked from the very first chapter. And immediately fell in love with the cast of characters and the intricacies of this world. The first day I picked up this novel, I only read the first two or three chapters and the very next day, I was already passionately discussing the story with one of my best friends and desperately needing to know what was going to happen next. I must admit, I did not expect the first chapter to be so graphic and emotional but I am so glad the author did not skim over the horrors and the trauma of what happens.
The author wasted no time in throwing us into the political strife of this world inspired by Spanish and French courts with magic and faeries. The folklore, the politics, and the motives were all very believable and the characters all felt very real to me. And the foreshadows were all very well placed. This entire story was so well thought out!
I was nervous in the beginning that the story would come across as being repetitive due to the whole time loop concept but while parts of it were, for obvious reasons, each night Anais repeats is vastly different and adds another layer of intrigue to the story. It was so interesting to see how the characters developed and acted in each time loop and how their behavior would surprise Anais, especially Leo and Jacinthe. It was also interesting to see how one choice, or a multitude of choices could vary the outcome of events.
I know this is a stand-alone and while I don't think a direct sequel would work well, I would love to read another stand-alone set in this same world. It would be so interesting to read more about the magic systems and folklore and to see how the events and outcome of this novel affect the future of this world. With this novel, Zeba Shanaz has become an insta-buy author for me and I can't wait to see what she comes out with next!
Graphic: Death, Gore, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Colonisation
lisashelves's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
clownfish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The writing is a little flowery and cheesy at times but in a way that works well with the POV character and the setting.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Murder
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Moderate: Death, Gore, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder