The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight #1)

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The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight #1)

Author(s)

Melissa Grey

Publisher

Delacorte Press

Genre(s)

Age Range

14+

Release Date

April 28, 2015

ISBN

038574465X

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For fans of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones and Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke & Bone, The Girl at Midnight is the story of a modern girl caught in an ancient war. Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known. Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act. Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, though if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it. But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.

Editor reviews

6 reviews

Overall rating

4.1

Plot

3.7(3)

Characters

4.0(3)

Writing Style

4.7(3)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A(0)

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A Lyrical and Interesting Story

June 26, 2015

Overall rating

4.0

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The world-building in this book was evident from the very beginning of the story and very interesting. I was impressed with both the writing and the creation of the world from the first pages. The mystery of the world and the story engrossing the reader and brings intrigue to the experience of reading it. These aspects are really where this book shone. The mystery of the story was really well-done, letting loose just the right pieces of information at the right times. It led the reader to the answers without being obvious or too obscure. There were times when the action of the story lagged, but interest in the world and in the overall story kept me engaged in the book. If I had one complaint with the book it would be that I did not feel connected to any of the characters. I liked them and disliked them as I was supposed to based on their place in the story, but they were not as memorable as I would have liked them to be for such a unique and beautiful story. That being said, the world and the writing were amazing in and of themselves and this story soared even without characters that I connected with.
If you're looking for a book with beautiful writing and totally unique and creative world-building, I suggest picking up this book. It definitely won't disappoint.

Abby Johnson, Staff Reviewer Top 500 Reviewer 6 reviews

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Daughter of Smoke & Bone meets Neverwhere in this fantasy adventure

May 09, 2015

Overall rating

4.7

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N/A

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DAUGHTER OF SMOKE & BONE meets Neil Gaiman's NEVERWHERE in this magical debut from Melissa Grey. THE GIRL AT MIDNIGHT brings readers a fantasy world right under our noses, a centuries-old war between bird-people and dragon-people, and a clever little human girl caught in the middle. I absolutely loved the book and can't wait for the sequel!

I loved the characters. They're vibrant and complex, and I cared deeply about them all, even the villains. If you love character-driven stories, you will not be disappointed. The dynamics between Avicen and Drakharin characters are so heartfelt you'll find yourself tearing up at unexpected moments, so tense that you'll be cringing with the awkward dialogue, and so damn powerful that you'll feel their hope through the pages.

However, the plot is very strong, too! If you're a fan of adventurous fantasy plots, that is definitely going on. The world-building is also strong, despite its being similar to many other fantasy worlds YA readers have encountered. There are unique elements that make it stand out, such as the New York-based Avicen culture, and the natural doorways need to magically travel between locations.

Melissa Grey's debut novel is a heart-pounding fantasy adventure that you won't be able to put down. With tear-jerker moments, fantastic action, and steamy romance, THE GIRL AT MIDNIGHT is a force to be reckoned with.

Eden Grey Top 50 Reviewer 171 reviews

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Rise from the ashes

April 26, 2015

Overall rating

3.7

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What I Loved:
This is one of the rare books where the “x meets x” line in the description actually fits. Though I would say it’s more Daughter of Smoke and Bone than Shadow and Bone.

I couldn’t put this one down I was racing through it so quickly. Echo is an immediately likable character. She’s bold, brave, funny, loyal, and vulnerable but she still makes mistakes. She doesn’t hesitate when her adopted people, the bird-like Avicen, are in danger. She does whatever she can to end their war with dragon Drakharin so that no more lives are lost. The scope of her world expands so quickly, but Echo rises to the challenge.

I also loved all of the other characters as well. We get to see into multiple viewpoints and each one brought a unique take to the overall story. Though they all have different backgrounds and motives (plus years of hatred between them), they started to feel like a family by the end of the novel. They grow to care for each other despite their differences.

The banter is the best part of the novel, though. There are so many good quips. It reminded me a lot of Sarah Rees Brennan’s Lynburn series. Echo and Kami would get along so well.

The Final Verdict:
The Girl at Midnight is a promising start to a new series that’s sure to up the romance, action, and witty banter with the next installment.

Ellie, Assistant Promotions Manager Top 100 Reviewer 59 reviews

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User reviews

1 review

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

4.0(1)

Characters

5.0(1)

Writing Style

4.0(1)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A(0)

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Full of Amazing Characters! A Great Start to a New Series!

April 23, 2015

Overall rating

4.3

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MY THOUGHTS
This was a really amazing fantasy book and a great start to a new series! I did notice some similarities to other book series, but I did really enjoy reading this!

Echo has been, for the past ten years, living with the Avicen (a race of people that have feathers instead of hair), running errands, and getting into all kinds of trouble. Caius is the prince of the Drakharin (Dragon race), who have been at war with the Avicen for centuries. Caius is desperate to find the Firebird, which is said to be able to end the war. Though, Echo ends up being sent on errands finding various clues for the Firebird and runs into Caius. They become very unlikely allies, along with others that join the odd group, and must search for the Firebird as well as try and escape death from those on both sides of the war.

I heard this book being compared to Daughter of Smoke & Bone and The Mortal Instruments (The synopsis says Shadow and Bone, but I do not see that at all). Both are completely true for this book. I would say that the plot is very similar to Daughter of Smoke and Bone, while the characters are like The Mortal Instruments.

The characters in this book would probably have to be my favorite! All the characters have their own distinct voices and personalities! Echo is absolutely fantastic! She is full of snark and sarcasm, my favorite things in characters, but she's also very smart and knows how to get out of sticky situations. I also liked Jasper. Those fans of Mortal Instruments will find him similar to Magnus.

I did have issues with the plot because there were so many things similar to Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Echo was adopted into a magical world, she runs errands, and there's a war between two races of magical creatures. Also, there's other points too that come up as the book went on. And I expected these books just because they happened in Smoke & Bone. I'm not saying that this book ripped Smoke & Bone off, it's purely a coincidence, but this is probably the other reason why I couldn't give it a 5.

Other than that, there were points that were entirely unique. The races of the two species are entirely unique and it was very interesting. Also, the main plot of this book revolves around all the (amazing) characters trying to find the Firebird, which I have never seen this idea before and was dealt with in such a fantastic manner!

As for romance, there wasn't much, but I see hints of some to come. I do have some ships though!

IN CONCLUSION
Yeah, this book was similar to other books, but don't let that stop you! This was still a great read and it was highly entertaining! And the amazing characters make everything even better! Overall, a great start to a new series!