Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book!

Gorgeously descriptive and lush as the first, lovers of The City of Dusk will devour The Midnight Kingdom whole, savoring every word and paragraph. The arcs and journeys begun in book one flourish in book two, with thick and heavy blooms to entrap readers.

Though far more spread out than they were in the first book, the protagonists are able to ensnare a reader’s attention and remind readers of what happened in previous chapters. Though I still think there’s perhaps one too many POVs and not everyone has equal amounts of page time, the journeys started, continued, and left on cliffhangers are fantastic— can’t wait to read the third book!

The Midnight Kingdom by Tara Sim continues the story right from where the first book in The Dark Gods series, The City of Dusk, left off. After the devastating events on Godsnight, the heirs of the Houses find themselves scattered across different realms. Taesia, Julian and Nic are now in Noctus, Risha is in Motri, while Angelica is in Vitae. Betrayed by their gods, stripped of their privileges, and forced to abandon their once lofty ambitions of power and thrones, each heir must embark on their own separate journey to confront the seemingly impossible task of defeating their gods.

While there were moments where the world building may have faltered, overall Tara demonstrated her ability to skillfully describe diverse realms and countries that we encountered in this book. The introduction of new characters like Lilia, Marcellus, Kalen, Val, and Kazue added a fresh and enjoyable element to the story. Additionally, it was gratifying to see previously established supporting characters such as Cosima, Braillie, Eiko, Fin, and Saya being given substantial roles in this installment.

Although the plot may not have reached the same mind-blowing heights as The City of Dusk, with its multitude of intertwined storylines, it remained solid and managed to effectively combine various elements together. The cohesion and integration of these different plotlines were done well, providing a satisfying reading experience overall.

The romantic chemistry between the characters was exceptionally well-written. The gradual development of relationships such as Angelica and Cosima, Nikolas and Fin, and Taesia and Julian as love interests was portrayed beautifully on the pages. It was a delight to read about their evolving connections, as the author skillfully captured the nuances of their interactions and the blossoming emotions between them. The way these romantic storylines unfolded added an extra layer of depth and enjoyment to the overall narrative.

One aspect of Tara’s writing that I’ve always admired is her ability to depict intimate scenes between characters. While even renowned romance authors may resort to basic and crass descriptions in such moments, Tara truly shines with her choice of words. She skillfully maintains a sense of class, infusing these scenes with a poetic and emotional quality without sacrificing the essence of these intimate interactions. It’s a testament to her talent as a writer that she can capture the depth and beauty of these moments while still treating them with grace and sensitivity.

To be completely honest, at the beginning of the book, I found myself somewhat disconnected from the pace of the story. I believe this might be because I had certain expectations based on the first book, which was filled with fast-paced action from beginning to end. In The Midnight Kingdom, however, the entire first half of the book was dedicated to world-building and the introduction of new characters. This approach was understandable since the characters were now in different settings compared to the first book. However, I didn’t notice any significant progress or plot growth during this initial half, which left me feeling somewhat disappointed in comparison to my experience with the first book. On the bright side, the second half of the book was fantastic. That’s when everything started to pick up and the story became more engaging. We were treated to thrilling action sequences, unexpected twists, and turns, and all the different plot lines began to converge. It was a captivating experience to see how everything came together and unfolded in such an exciting manner.

Another aspect that I sorely missed from the first book was the dynamic among all the heirs when they were together as a group. Their banter, humor, and friendships, including the constant bickering between Taesia and Angelica, were truly refreshing. While the supporting cast of new characters in The Midnight Kingdom was remarkable, I don’t believe it quite matched the camaraderie and chemistry that the group had as a whole when they were united. It was that sense of togetherness that added an extra layer of enjoyment to the story, and I found myself longing for more of those interactions in this sequel.

I had another minor issue with this book, and that was in a few chapters during the latter half where I found myself unsure of whose perspective the story was being narrated from. It wasn’t a consistent problem throughout the book, but in those specific chapters, it did create some disorientation for me as a reader.

Although Taesia was my favorite character in The City of Dusk, Angelica managed to steal that title in this installment. The reason behind this shift was that Angelica’s story was more captivating and intriguing compared to the other character arcs in this book. However, I did find myself wishing for more chapters from Dante’s perspective. While I understand that he may not have had as much to contribute to the overall plot, I still felt that his perspective could have added depth and further enriched the story.

Overall, The Midnight Kingdom was a solid book, although it didn’t quite reach the same level as its predecessor, The City of Dusk. I feel it was a challenging task to begin with, given how amazing the first book was. While The Midnight Kingdom may have fallen short in comparison (in my opinion) it still served its purpose as a satisfying second installment in the series. I am eagerly anticipating The Dawn Throne and discovering which of these heirs will ultimately claim the coveted throne. I extend my sincere thanks to NetGalley, Orbit Books, and Tara Sim for providing me with the opportunity to read this advance copy.

Rating:
3.5

I will post the full reviews on the below mentioned links on 22nd July 2023.

My one confession is this: I started this book, as one does, not realizing until I opened it that it was the second in a series. But I started reading it anyway. My reasoning? If an author can pull me into a story and center me in the universe so well that I'm neither confused nor overwhelmed, they've already won my favor.

Great news! This book was so fantastic that I'm going to go back and read the first one, as one does.

I'm fascinated by the worldbuilding in this book. Fantasy is not my go-to genre, but I like to stretch myself as a reader and give books a chance regardless of their genre. And I loved this story and its characters so much, and I can't wait for the next book.

This series is extremely entertaining. I highly enjoyed this and loved the characters and the story line. I really liked this book better than the first.
I just reviewed The Midnight Kingdom by Tara Sim. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I am going to need yall to start marking books as the second in a series because I requested this one assuming it was a stand alone. I did not love the first book in this series and this one was also meh.

Kept me on my toes! So great! Read it and enjoy the journey like I did!

All opinions expressed are my own, I was gifted this book through NetGallery.

I received a copy through NetGalley for review.

Okay folks, this is a goddamned masterpiece.
I love all the heirs so much.
And they're all trying so hard. And after the disaster of Godsnight where they realized they were all pieces and pawns in a great game of gods. That everything they thought they knew were aiming for, a throne eventually, the respect of their houses, the people, the right to rule a city meant absolutely nothing.
That each and everyone of them would be accosted by the power of the god they were descended from. With an attempt to take them over and use them as vessels to wage war and and revenge for ancient grudges against each other.

And this time, they can't really help each other. As they've all been split up. Taesia Lastrider and Julian tossed into Noctus, with Rian now possessed by Phos, along with Fin, and Nikolas - who are all taken hostage by the god. Risha has been pushed alone into the underworld Mortri. Angelica survived her goddesses possession, but is suffering the result of the withdrawals of losing such power, and is still aiming to bring favor to her house, she hasn't quite broken away from her feeling of duty- yet.

This was a great physical and emotional journey for each of the heirs.
And that the gods aren't done yet, and they still have so much they could lose.

The gods better look out, the heirs are about to turn the tables. I'm looking forward to seeing that in the next book.

This sequel was everything I hoped for and so much more. I didn’t know what I was in for when I picked up the first book last year but I am so glad I did. This is one of the most unique magic systems I’ve read and the characters are so well written. I truly feel connected to each character

A very good multi-POV story, with a lot of layers and second guessing of events. I've never read anything by this author previously, but I'll be adding her books to my tbr in the hopes her other works replicate the success found with this one. 4/5 stars for me.

Tara Sim does it again.
I will say that at the beginning I was confused. I wish I would have done a reread of City of Dusk before reading this. I do love that you get the multiple POVs in this series. My ADHD did start acting up something fierce while reading this book. While I finished City of Dusk in one sitting this one I had to take constant breaks from the book to come back. This is not the books fault at all. If I had done this in one sitting my review would probably have been lower becuase there would be a lot of information I was missing as my brain was just not wanting to take in the content of the book.

I do like that we had the main cast back and that there are new secondary characters added to travel alongside the main characters. After the end of the City of Dusk all the characters are basically ripped apart. Each trying to accomplish a different task . But all trying to save Nexus and their people. I really can’t wait for The Dawn Throne. Before it releases next year I will definitely be reading and listening to the audiobooks to refresh myself!

Back in...well more realms than last time. The heirs are split apart and this story is multiple POVs, sometimes converging, but mostly as each deals with the consequences of their decisions from the first book.

Just like the Gods of all stories, these ones are petty, vengeful and generally use mortals for sport (and abandon them if it doesn't suit them). So the story here really focuses more on the aspects of how these humans are forced to reckon with a power they didn't ask for, and responsibility of kingdoms and realms foresaken by the gods. No one (except maybe Saya and Brailee) are totally likeable, each making frustrating and horrifying decisions (and some a little repetitive) but there's growth. And the ending doesn't disappoint and sets up the next book to be a wild ride.

3.5 stars only bc it can be very dense and confusing with consistent references back to the first book (do not read this w/on first reading that bc nothing will make sense) and repetitive narrative that drags it down a bit. But overall, it doesn't suffer from second book syndrome. Recommended.

Tara Sim's "The Midnight Kingdom" takes readers on an epic journey across realms as the four noble heirs find themselves scattered after a cataclysmic battle to save the city of Nexus. This gripping fantasy novel is filled with adventure, danger, and a desperate fight to restore balance in the universe.

In the realm of eternal night, Noctus, Taesia and Nikolas, from House Lastrider and House Cyr respectively, discover that they are not alone. The god of light, unpredictable and menacing, has followed them, driven by a thirst for cosmic control. Sim deftly weaves a tale of suspense as the characters grapple with their own powers and face off against a god hell-bent on destruction.

Meanwhile, Risha, the peacekeeping necromancer from House Vakara, finds herself in Mortri, the realm of death. She must navigate treacherous territory and confront the challenges of a world where spirits roam free and the living are not welcomed. Sim paints a vivid and eerie picture of Mortri, creating an atmosphere that adds depth to Risha's journey.

Angelica, the determined elementalist of House Mardova, is entrusted with the crucial task of preserving Nexus in the realm of Vitae. However, she carries a hidden burden—an illness left by her god. As she embarks on a diplomatic mission, her personal struggles intertwine with the fate of her family and kingdom. Sim adeptly portrays Angelica's inner conflicts, infusing the story with emotional depth.

Throughout the novel, Sim introduces a cast of intriguing characters, both allies and adversaries, who add richness to the narrative. The relationships between the heirs, as they reunite and face new challenges, evolve and deepen, highlighting the complexities of loyalty, trust, and sacrifice.

"The Midnight Kingdom" is a page-turner, with Sim's vibrant prose and imaginative world-building captivating readers from start to finish. The stakes are high, and the suspense is palpable as the gods grow stronger, threatening to tip the balance of power. Sim masterfully balances action-packed scenes with introspective moments, allowing readers to connect with the characters on multiple levels.

While the novel excels in many aspects, there are moments where the pacing feels slightly uneven, with certain sections moving at a faster pace than others. Additionally, some plot points could have been further explored to enhance the overall depth of the story. Despite these minor criticisms, "The Midnight Kingdom" remains a compelling read.

In conclusion, Tara Sim's "The Midnight Kingdom" offers an enthralling and thrilling adventure that will captivate fans of fantasy. With its well-crafted characters, intricate world-building, and a plot brimming with tension, this book is a worthy addition to any fantasy lover's library. Prepare to be immersed in a war for survival and witness the heirs' struggle against the gods' growing power.

This book did not disappoint. Like in City of Dusk you might get overwhelmed with the different POVs and storylines, but Tara Sim weaves them together very well. I love how the characters had their own journey and personality development apart from each other. Each developed who they really are and what they really wanted, not just what they were molded to be, and became stronger for it, and they’re power too because of it. I became invested on the secondary characters too, like the siblings of the main characters. There’s a whole lot of plots lines and realms, but I didn’t really get lost. The writing was really good on guiding you through all of it. You just just have to be patient to see it through and it all weaves together.

Oh I am in LOVE! I received this eARC from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion. This is just…. Wow! The character development, world building…. I cannot wait to read other books from the author! Thank you!