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A review by danaisreading
Midnight Strikes by Zeba Shahnaz
4.0
Debut novel where Groundhog Day meets French Revolution. Not a pairing I had read before (or thought of to be honest), but it works here.
While it borrows heavily from Spanish (Ivarea) and French (Proensa) influences to make up the society here, it is also its own unique blend. The character development of Anaïs as she dies over and over again as the palace is attacked during the Anniversary Ball is fascinating to track. While she blames herself for a lot of what's happened (as a result of the time-loop), she becomes a strong young woman, trying to do what's not only right for her to get out of the loop, but also for her country's future. But as a result of the loop, the other characters are flatter compared to her. And sometimes very contradictory in behavior from one loop to the next.
I'm not entirely sure what goes on in the Shahnaz's brain to come up with this story, but it was engaging enough to want to read anything else she publishes.
While it borrows heavily from Spanish (Ivarea) and French (Proensa) influences to make up the society here, it is also its own unique blend. The character development of Anaïs as she dies over and over again as the palace is attacked during the Anniversary Ball is fascinating to track. While she blames herself for a lot of what's happened (as a result of the time-loop), she becomes a strong young woman, trying to do what's not only right for her to get out of the loop, but also for her country's future. But as a result of the loop, the other characters are flatter compared to her. And sometimes very contradictory in behavior from one loop to the next.
Spoiler
How does Jacinthe start out as a frenemy and then end up wanting to help Anaïs save Ivarea, for example? Leo also has some character fluctuations - to the point where I was disappointed that the final day's Leo isn't the Leo I wanted to see become King or navigate a future with Anaïs. The ending makes sense for this Leo, and maybe that makes for a more satisfying conclusion than a HEA-type ending would be.I'm not entirely sure what goes on in the Shahnaz's brain to come up with this story, but it was engaging enough to want to read anything else she publishes.