The Secret Hour (Midnighters #1)

An impressive series-starter. The concept was so unique and original, I had to give it a shot. The idea of existing inside of an alternate compressed dimension within an extra 'hour' of the day is certainly a fantastical basis for a plot, but the author handled the descriptions, rules, and physics of said realm well enough for me to feel immersed in the details. Action-oriented, I saw it as having appeal for both males and females interested in the YA and supernatural genre.

The inter-relational aspects were strong, as was the pacing--and I appreciated the believable female lead. I have to give the author kudos for inserting aspects of vocabulary and mathematical terms that could be considered educational, while somehow making it seem more fascinating and integral to character survival than for the sake of beating us over the head with fun factoids.

This was a good little bit of sci-fi (or is it urban fantasy?), that answered a number of questions while leaving enough hanging to interest me in reading the next one.

Reader reviewed by vampreviews

This book is a pretty good one, its about kids who were born at exactly midight, therfore giving them the power to go into a secret hour, a time created for monsters who are afraid of metal and the number thirteen. Nothing electric works in the secret hour, and all the kids have amazing powers. Then a girl named Jess moves into town, shes also a midnighter, but the old midnighters need to figure out what her power is.  Then she falls in love with the outcast midnighter, Jonathan. But the secret hour is extremely dangerous, because the monsters are getting stronger.

Reader reviewed by Nina

Bixby, Oklahoma might seem like an insignificant, tiny little town in the middle of nowhere to the average person. However, this tiny town holds a huge secret. Jessica Day, who has just moved here with her family, is about to find out. Because like the other midnighters, she is born exactly at midnight, which allows her to roam freely during the secret hour every night at midnight. Meanwhile, everyone and everything besides Rex, Melissa, Dess, Jonathan and now also Jessica, is frozen in time. Each midnighter has a talent and Jessica must find out what hers is with help of the other midnighters. Not as easy as it sounds, because the creatures that the midnighters share the secret hour with are doing everything they can to prevent this.
This was another great book by Scott Westerfeld, who writes some of the best science fiction for young adults. I especially enjoyed the characters in the book because they are all so different and there will probably always be at least one person you can relate to. The book is fast-paced, never boring, and full of exciting action. And who doesnt love the idea of a secret hour to enjoy and explore with your friends and kick butt in every once in a while!?!

Reader reviewed by T.C.

I love The midnighters, i've read the book 5 times. I love it so much I'm coming up with my own version of the second book. I wish he would make a 2nd and 3rd book.