Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for an ARC copy of this novel. I give this honest review voluntarily.


First off I want to praise the cover art. The cover is gorgeous and is what drew me to read the description of the book which lead me to reading it. I would really like to be able to say I loved this novel. I had really high hopes for it. The “ground hog day” trope is a favorite of mine. The writing is well done and the story is a good one. Without question the most interesting scenes take place between our main characters Anais and Leo. I was rooting for Anais throughout the entire book. The biggest problem I have with the story is that it takes too long to get to the “meat” of the novel. I actually prefer longer novels but this one seems to drag in the beginning too much. Take away 100 pages of unessential details and it would be a far better book. I still liked the book but the beginning reminded me of a Victorian court where the people gossip and pretend to like each other but talk badly about that person behind their backs. I think I would still say give the book a read if you have the time. Once I hit about 60% in it became more interesting and the pacing and action gained momentum. I give it three stars.

"Midnight Strikes" by Zeba Shahnaz is a captivating and imaginative fantasy novel that takes readers on an exhilarating journey through a world of magic and mystery. Shahnaz's storytelling prowess shines as she crafts a tale of adventure, intrigue, and the power of destiny. The book's richly woven plot and well-developed characters create an immersive reading experience that keeps young adult readers engaged. Shahnaz skillfully builds a fantastical world filled with enchantment and unexpected twists. "Midnight Strikes" is an enthralling read that offers a thrilling escape into a realm where magic and secrets collide, leaving readers eagerly anticipating each new twist and turn. As midnight approaches, the story unfolds, leaving readers with a sense of wonder and anticipation for the magical encounters that lie ahead.

Princess Anais has no desire to go to the big anniversayr ball  where she's encouraged to talk to the bachelors. But, the night ends in a way she didn't expect. An explosion rips through the palace and kills everyone there, including her. But, when she wakes up it's like it never happened. Expect, it happens again and again. To get out of it, she's going to have to figure out how to stop it.

Time loops are something I always enjoy. There is just so many options for how they play out and I'm eager to see how people will change things. This was no different here. Anais has such a strong determination to save the day and stop the loop. She really uses what she learns and is able to quickly spin that in her next loop to learn something else.

Now, each time she only had a few hours to gather information and try to make a difference, so she went through the loop a lot. This caused it to get reptitive after a bit and had me struggling to get through it some. This def could have benefitted from a few less time loops.

As the romance started to develop, I definitely struggled with it. Considering the time loop, it didn't seem to be believable and gave it an insta-love feel that I didn't personally vibe with. I think this story could have been just as good without the romance or it would have been better if her romantic interest was stuck in the timeloop with her or at least eventually retained memories.

The ending did get a little wild, which I expected, but I didn't expect it to get that wild. Not entirely sure that I enjoyed how wild I got, but honestly loved the spirit and it was a nice way to change things up after they were starting to feel repetitive.

Overall, I had a fun time with this. It was exciting and Anais was such a strong character. I really look forward to what else this author will come out with.

Despite hailing from an outlying province, Anaïs entered her debut season with hope of finding love and the type of fortuitous match that will please her parents; after enduring endless balls where she’s demeaned for her home and heritage, she’s just ready to be done. All she has to do is survive one last ball- but when the night ends with explosions and blood, that simple task becomes impossible.

But then Anaïs wakes up. It’s the afternoon before her last ball of the season. Only she has the knowledge and ability to stop the violence, but each time she fails, she wakes up again the afternoon of the ball. With the help of a childhood friend and a roguish prince, will Anaïs be able to save the kingdom? Or is she doomed to repeat her own end forever?

This was pitched as Cinderella meets Happy Death Day and I should know better than to listen to those quick little concept summaries! Anaïs is no Cinderella and the story lacks the dark humor of Happy Death Day. That’s not a fault necessarily, but it did mean I was let down. I don’t want to judge this story based on what it’s not; unfortunately I was also let down but what it is.

This book makes the criminal mistake of underutilizing its time loop! Part of the fun of a time loop story is seeing sign post moments that remain the same but change in significance as the character learns more. Think Tree’s roommate giving her cake or Phil’s encounter with Ned. There’s nothing like that here. The loops feel haphazard; Anaïs doesn’t ever create a clever plan that surprised me as a reader- she brute forces her way through. Given that every loop must end in her (often painful) death, there wasn’t any attempt to use each chance to the fullest. It was just frustrating.

The magic system was also poorly expressed. The blood/earth connection didn’t fully make sense to me with how the earth magic users were able to amplify their power. The twist regarding Anaïs’s ancestors was kind of fun, as were her family’s magic knives, but- again- under utilized.

The politics of this book were also… strange. Usually I don’t care about these things in a fantasy book- most of them have royalty and while in real life I think most people are anti-monarchical rule, it’s fantasy, it’s fun, that’s not the point. However, by introducing an anti-royalist protest movement, Shahnaz makes that more of the point and how she portrayed this movement versus the royal family was…strange. It was very “not allll royalty is bad” and the portrayal of the prince versus the leader of the insurgents was, again, strange. A bit ick. Again- usually I this doesn’t cross my mind with fantasy unless it’s the point of the story. But Shahnaz made it a part of the plot- which could be great- but it’s handled clumsily.

On the whole- a huge letdown. The basic plot idea and the premise were under utilized. Anaïs was too smooth a protagonist (self-less, talented, caring, magical) and the romance felt extremely rushed. I feel like this book may have been rushed to completion because the idea is so good? That’s just speculation, based on the strength of the concept versus the messiness of the plot. I think there’s a good story in here, it’s just not there yet.

In what can only be described as Before I Fall with a dash of Death Day meets Marie Antoinette (in my mind at least) we find a story filled with magic, political intrigue, rime loops, romance, and more than one complicated family situation that sets up a world I would love to have been a part of.


I can't even imagine it, well I can (thanks to the unwavering talent of Zeba Shahnaz and her brilliant storytelling) but I think about being in that ballroom that first night, realizing the "next" morning what it could mean and the countless revelations that kept me glued to the pages, holding my breath some moments and crying the next.

In the beginning, I didn't know if Anais would be able to do it, but in the end, I don't know how I ever doubted her, you see this story is a beautiful example of what people are capable of when they have the right people around them at the right time.

To say I loved this book would be an understatement, after I finished it I just sat and thought about it, I can't help but wonder what happens next.

There's so much magic and wonder contained within these pages I just can't say enough good things about it, and if you're reading this you should read this book, it's breathtaking.

Thank you to Random House Children's and NetGalley for providing a copy of this E-Book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

*SPOILER FREE REVIEW*
We've all probably asked ourselves what we would've done differently, given the chance. But how would you react if you were given that second chance? That's what our lovely protagonist of Midnight Strikes has to figure out. At first, I was unsure about how I would feel, The book doesn't immediately pull me in with the first few pages, and even after chapter one I asked myself if I would be able to continue. Do not let this dissuade you from the book however! There is suspense, beautiful adaptations of cultures, and a plot twist that you don't see coming! The idea of repeating the same day for most of the book was a little daunting, and I found myself not always reading the first half of the day until the "new" action started. If you were a fan of "Together we Burn," Midnight Strikes may be another book that entices you. I might've started out not sure if I wanted to continue, but I am grateful I did. Midnight Strikes will read as a YA novel (I understand this can be a turn-off for some, even though it is the intended audience), but if you are looking for a suspenseful fantasy that has a romantic subplot set in an Iberian peninsula-inspired world, look no further.

this story fell flat for me, but i was able to finish it

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the review copy.

*NOTE: Before I get into my review, please note that I’m unsure on how to do the accents for some of the names in the book (I’m typing on a tablet) so I’ve ultimately omitted them from the review.

Charles Perrault’s Cinderella (or ‘Histoires ou contes du tempes passe’) is one of the most heavily retold and reimagined fairy tales of all time. As such, it takes a very unique spin on the tale to distinguish one version from all the others. Zeba Shahnaz’ young adult fantasy debut, Midnight Strikes, offers an incredibly unique take on the much beloved fairytale - instead of a countdown to happily ever after when the clock strikes midnight, Anais keeps dying at the ball over and over again. When the day continually resets, she’s the only one who remembers the previous night and she must quickly figure out what’s going on to prevent it from continuing and save the kingdom.

The plot was a struggle for me. I really liked the time loop idea, but the story got repetitive very quickly. It takes multiple loops before Anais is able to get any real traction in solving the mystery of what’s been happening. I didn’t get invested in the story until the last ten chapters or so - it was entertaining but not particularly memorable. The romance was also weird - Anais and Leo’s relationship didn’t really make sense to me, given that he’s been forgetting her over and over and over again. Granted, it didn’t really make sense to Anais either, given that she made a point of not progressing their relationship past certain points when she knew Leo wouldn’t remember but it was still off putting.

While the plot and romance was not memorable, I did enjoy the worldbuilding. The magic system was excellent. The systems employed by each cultural group (the upper class with their ‘nicer’ magic vs the blood magic used by the lower class) made for some juicy political intrigue. I was not expecting some of the reveals at the end of the book that went into more detail about the origins of the different magic, and that was super exciting. The culture seems to be inspired by places like Spain, with the king being referred to as “Rey” and other Spanish honorifics being used for the nobles at the ball. Those little hints really helped me imagine the setting the author described, and I would love to visit the places from the book (when they're not being blown up over and over again, of course).

Overall, Midnight Strikes was an entertaining read with some minor issues. Narrator Nikki Massoud delivered a solid performance in the audiobook version of the tale. If you’re a fan of fairytale retellings intertwined with mystery and political intrigue, I think this book would be worth giving a chance.

Thank you to the author, the publisher Delacorte Press, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the blog tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Midnight Strikes immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.

Midnight Strikes is a groundhogs day fantasy. Anais is a country girl in the capital to find a husband to save her family from ruin. The biggest night of the year sets Anais is a time loop where the palace is bombed, she dies, but wakes up the afternoon before the ball, over and over, and over again. I lost track of how many times this girl dies in this story and has been sent back. The mystery is trying to find out how to save everyone, who's behind the bombing, and how to get out of the time loop. The story is interesting and you find out pieces of the mystery each time she tries a new way of living. I did want more out of the ending though and that is my personal opinion.

After reading this blurb I couldn’t help but add it to my TBR! This book was a perfect combination of YA adventure, mystery & excitement that kept me guessing & also was the perfect pace. I can’t wait to read more by this author!

Review:

Midnight Strikes is a story within a story within a story. Anaïs is such a complex character – lost in a world she never really wanted to be in, a toy in the cat and mouse game of aristocracy and magic. But, then the world crashes down and she’s the only one who remembers. And remembers. And remembers.

I’ve read quite a few stories like this in the past, but this one does a good job of not getting bogged down in the details of repeating the same day over and over. We repeat it, but there is always something new, some new chance Anaïs is willing to take to change the course of her destiny – and the destiny of her people. In the meantime, though, she dies a lot. And in some graphic ways.

As she finds allies and friends and lovers and enemies sometimes all wound together, Anaïs has to make a choice – to save them all – or to save herself. While this book is longer than I thought, it flies by as the story gets more complex and races toward the final act. Filled with lanuage and romance and fear and failure and heartbreak, Anaïs is braver than I think I would be in any of the 1,000 deaths she dies.

4 stars!

One of my top books of the year so far. Groundhog Day meets Cinderella= perfection! Protagonist Anais is the daughter of a wealthy Proensan family, expected to marry well and hopefully cement her family's place in the upper class of Ivarea, where they are considered to be outsiders. A marriage of status isn't exactly what she's looking for, but she's willing to do anything for her family. Therefore she attends the kingdom's anniversary ball, mingling and dancing... Until the strike of midnight, when everything changes. Bombs go off, killing many in the palace, and it's clear that someone is attempting a coup. Then Anais wakes up in her bed, and quickly discovers that it is the day of the ball, again. Queue montage of Anais attempting to stop this catastrophe. With the help of a handsome prince, friends both new and old, and a bit of magic, she just might succeed.

What a fantastical thrill ride. Time loops make for an interesting plot device, as you already know some of what will happen, but you get to follow along as the protagonist learns more and more as they attempt to break the loop. You get to see a lot of Anais' character development, and it's easy to connect with her. Like all fairytales, there's a bit of insta-love here, but it fits the theme, and I found the love interest, Leo, to be a worthy leading man. Great worldbuilding as well. Overall, this was an enjoyable read, full of magic, twists, and death. I ate it right up.

I am very picky when it comes to time loop/time travel type stories. In my opinion, this was just okay. The time loop plot didn't seem to get enough time in the story. I did enjoy the Cinderella inspiration though.

2.5 stars rounded to 3.

I was super excited to start this because I love a good time-loop story. And then to place it in a fantasy world? Even better.

In the beginning I found the story very cute and intriguing. The concept and the world building weren’t overly deep (and honestly for this type of story I don’t think it needed to be). The parts I started to find lacking though was that the plot really didn’t start to develop past the initial concept until about the last 15% or so. And then everything that came after just felt rushed and disjointed.

I also felt like the end didn’t give me a sense of satisfaction. Some detailed we’re wrapped up, but as a whole I was just sort of left wondering… “well now what?” I feel like in this particular instance even a short epilogue to really give all the final details would have helped the story immensely since the ending seemed so short.

Overall it was an enjoyable quick read, but in the end I feel like it’s not a super memorable one.

I really enjoyed this book, it had so many of my favorite tropes in a fairytale setting with so much more. The main character was witty and the banter was perfect. I also loved the romance plots and the way she worked to solve the mystery of who was behind the attack at midnight. ⁣
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This book is perfect for fans of fierce main characters and Cinderella with a twist. ⁣

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For whatever reason I could not get this book to download. I tried and tried and tried again. As such, I do not want to give less than five stars since I haven't read it yet and that would not be fair. But I also do not want my NetGalley rating to drop so.... rock and hard place. It sounds amazing and I was super excited for it.

Lovely and imaginative. This book was beautifully written and highly immersive. The world building that this author commits to I can not stop gushing over. The cast of characters written are diverse and imaginative and I drank up every word poured from the authors pen.

I was hooked by the blurb when I read it and it did not disappoint! I was a little worried that reliving the same day would get tedious to read through, but that was not the case at all. Each new attempt was different enough to make you want to read the next without frustrating you with repetitiveness. I liked the characters and the world the author created. Thank you for the ARC, my review is completely voluntary and honest.

Loved this action-packed story. It was definitely one that kept me turning the pages!! The building relationship between MC and the prince was exciting to read

Time loop books and fairytale retellings are 2 of my all time favorite kind of books and this book was the perfect mashup of the 2! I’ve seen the term sci-fantasy used and that is a great way to describe this. It had all the elements of a fun time loop novel miixed with great fantasy/magic world building! Loved this debut!