Review Detail

Let me start off with this story was really cool. I honestly enjoyed the story and the way it progressed very much. I have never been to Puerto Rico but I felt like it was a great description in the book -- which I could be way off basis for. But it was easy to imagine how the streets and the environment would look, if it was correct. This is a shorter book and takes place over about 6 days so the pacing is very fast. Which I'm glad because it's easy to just fly through this book. It's always a great horror aspect when a local legend meant to scare kids actually comes true. I thought the descriptive horror scenes were perfect enough for the teens but still leaves plenty to the imagination to fill in. I also loved the addition of the Spanish words. I felt like those additions never let me forget where this is taking place and even if I didn't know what the words meant, there is enough context to understand the meaning.

The book is told over multiple points of views, which I did appreciate because it gives you a little more in depth of certain side characters. The main point of views are told from Lupe and Javier, with Marisol being a close third. I really enjoyed Javier's point of view. His struggle with his sobriety, even without all the deaths around him, it just seems realistic. I do wish a point of view from Carlos was given at least once since all of the other boys had a least a little bit.

So far, everything I said has been fantastic. And this book could have easily been a 5 star for me, except for Lupe. Oh my goodness could I not stand her character. I honestly wish I could have skipped her chapters but unfortunately she is one of the two main characters so I could not. I thought she was rude and just a brat, in all honestly. She is the example of the "strong female characters" that are only "strong" because they are just plain rude. I could point out multiple examples but that's just a waste of time. I don't think she got better throughout the book at all, her personality never changed. And then the relationship with Marisol was just weird and did not feel natural at all.

Overall, Five Midnight by Ann Davila Cardinal was a great horror read. If I just concentrate on the story, this is so successful and I really enjoyed the local lore that was brought into this story. The pace was fast moving and made it easily to get involved in what is happening. The only reason this book wasn't a full 5 stars for me was because I could not stand the main character Lupe. I'd love to say that I would read the next book, but I'd be afraid it would tarnish my thoughts on this one if I have to read another book with Lupe... and then the weird relationship with Marisol. So I think I'll just stop with this one and keep on enjoying what I read! If you're looking for a diverse horror book, I would really recommend this one. Just go in knowing that Lupe is not the best.