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

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.

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.

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.