Plot: In 'The Midnight Lie tells the story of Nirrim, an orphan that lives in the mysterious island of Herrath, where the rules are clear, there are three types of people: The wealthy High Kith, the Middlings and the lowest of them all. The Half-Kith. Nirrim is the latter and, as her colleagues she lives in the Ward, a walled, camped part of the city. In Herranth the things as there have always been. However, Nirrim knows she is different and she hides a secret. But then she encounters Sid, a rakish traveler from far away who whispers rumors that the High Caste possesses magic. Sid tempts Nirrim to seek that magic for herself. That is when the adventure starts.

Analysis:

I have been a fan of Marie Rutkoski´s prose since I read 'The curse trilogy' and knowing that she will set her net novel in the same world send my expectations to the stars. However, the first thing I should state here is that "The midnight lie" is said approximately 20 years later than the original trilogy in an isolated island we have not seen before, therefore, this book reads more as a spin-off than a continuation (events and characters from the previous books are mentioned but they are not central to the story and they do not appear in the story).

Having said that I have found myself in a whole different story. A story of oppression and questioning. A story about identity. A darker story than the previously book I have read by the author...and that was surprising.
The plot is driven by the main character, Nirrim, a trait very distinctive of Rutkoski´s storytelling style. We explore the island, its traditions and dangers with her. Because of this we have a very clear idea of how Nirrim is: obedient, clear and practical. However, within that image, Nirrim is a very conflicted character full of insecurities and fear, that is constantly debating with herself about how she should do things. In contrast, we have Sid, a very confident, adventurous girl that always questions society.
One of the best aspects of the book is, specifically, how these two characters interact. They learn and test each-other constantly, which is an interesting way of showing their personalities.
In addition, I would like to highlight a secondary character called Raven and how she deals with social interaction and getting what she wants. It is a very powerful character that was very interesting to see develop.

Other aspect I loved, and right now I believe its the strogest aspect, about this book is the world-bulding. In my opinion, is one of the best aspects of the novel because Marie Rutkoski is able to create a world from the scratch and it does not feel strange at all. However, keep in mind that this new world It is darker than the previous ones created by the author, similar to 'The hunger games' in some eccentric, aspects but full of the mystery of having a whole island that seems to be stuck in time. It has created a world full of raw contrasts that strike harder the moment Nirrim, and the reader, became more critical and aware of their surroundings. In addition, for those who read her previous work there are several easter-eggs (apart from mentioning the official main characters of the original trilogy) that makes you feel like home.

However, my main issue with this book is the pace.
For the first half of the book I was not quite sure what was the main objetive of Nirrim other than interact with Sid (interaction that, although it felt good and real, some times I had the feeling that it was too dragged... that it was too slow in the development). The problem with having a originally defuse main objetive in the plot was that, sometimes, I was not sure towards what goal was Nirrim navigating through...and that meant that it was very easy to loose interest, to stop reading. In those times, what kept me reading was Marie Rutkoski´s writing style which is, still, epic.
Luckily, that confusion ended and the pace and action became faster and faster to the point where I could not put it down. The ending was quite good and it left me wanting for it sequel.

In terms of the references to the previous books, as I said before, they are very brief and unexpected but they were needed to understand the world and its characters: events, deities and characters. The latter type of references were the most important to me However, I had the feeling, sometimes, that when they were mentioned they were completely different people...as if I did not know them at all, as if the new versions of those characters were too different, and both versions (the one I knew and the new) clashed, creating a complicated feeling: the need to go back to the previous version, or, if that is not posible, for these characters to explain to me why they changed so much, going against the ideas and values they held before, that I knew so well from 'The Winner's Curse. This unsettling feeling was a bit of a let down in my reading experience, even if the mention of these characters were brief' (although I guess that happens sometimes as we grow up, perspective changes). After reading the book, although I knew they were not the main characters, nor even secondary, I was let hoping for an explanation of these personality changes in the the following books.

Despite all of this, it was great to see Marie Rutkoski lyrical prose. She still is able to conjure very sensorial scenes and she is able to develop emotional situations very well. In fact, there is an LGBTQ+ representation here and I believe the relationship it is quite well developed, in my opinion, with sweet moments, tension and angst that makes you interfere in the story and help the characters out.

To put it in a nutshell: this book was unexpected and took the plot to a different direction I was hoping (and change my perspective about some characters) but it was entertaining and it was darker. I will probably continue with the series.

The Midnight Lie itself is: “… a midnight lie… A kind of lie to for someone else’s sake, a lie that sits between goodness and wrong, just as midnight is the moment between night and morning…”

I was not familiar with this author but love YA fantasy which was why I requested this for review.

The plot centres around Nirrim. An orphan who is Half Kith and lives in a grim area called the Ward with her adoptive “aunt” Raven, and other orphans adopted by Raven. Nirrim is an excellent forger and forges documents to help other people escape. She justifies her life by the term: “it is what it is”. The Half Kith make luxury items for the High Kith, but also run risk of imprisonment for petty crimes, and a “tithe” being paid. Either blood, hair, organs or skin.

Nirrim meets and falls in love with Sid and the two of them go off on an adventure away from the abusive Raven who really made my skin crawl. (In fact, one of the weaknesses of the novel is that Raven did not get her comeuppance). She is naïve and easy to manipulate which is another weakness of the novel. Another being that there is no real plot about from Sid and Nirrim in High Kith and dealing with the excesses there, compared to the starkness of the Ward.

This is a very slow paced, detailed novel, and I think I may have missed some of it as I have not read any of the other books in the series. However, it is a lovely novel and one for fans of YA fantasy.

When I saw The Midnight Lie was coming out I was super excited. I was blown away by The Winner's Curse Trilogy and to have a new book set in that world... well, left my heart racing. 

While set in the same world, The Midnight Lie focuses on a different part of that world, a secret hidden part. One that the rest of the world has all but forgotten, except in rumours... 

While I had every intention of rereading The Winner's Curse before this I didn't. But it didn't matter, because while there was some allusions to the previous series it didn't effect the storytelling. Although it probably have been helpful as I couldn't remember the past events. 

We follow Nirrim, a half-Kith, living in the Ward, the poorest part of the city, impoverished, and with low expectancy of what life holds, until she meets Sid. A traveller, Sid opens Nirrim's eyes and together they begin to explore the city and discover the secrets long forgotten.

Wonderfully woven, this is an incredible story that will suck you in. I had no idea of what to expect when I started. But even with my high hopes for this book I was not disappointed. This was a book that I struggled to put down from the very moment that I picked it up. 

Luckily this is a trilogy and I cannot wait for the next book. Sadly we have to wait for it to come out. But if you have a hole in your life and need a new fantasy YA book then look no further!

I loved loved loved this book!
I don't know where to start with this.

I love Nirrin as the main character. I love her guilt. I love that she does not give up. I loved the way the author depicted her relationships with Raven and Aden. With Raven, you understand that Nirrin loves her, but from the very start, you see that there is something incredibly wrong with their relationship. I mean the chair incident. For the longest time, while reading the book, I assumed that Raven did this to train her in some way; to genuinely be prepared to stay quiet under pain. Of course, by the end of it, you see what an abusive relationship that was.

Aden is so ughhhhhhhhh
He tries to blackmail her into marrying him and keeps trying to pretend that he loves her. I also understand Nirrins reaction; she has to work with him regularly, people say he's great, she doesn't see the point in saying no to him. I'm not articulating this properly, but what I mean to say is that I could relate, and I think a lot of us could.

Sid.
Sid. Sid. Sid. Sid. Sid.
I loved their relationship from start to end. Yes, I was as surpirsed as Mirrin to find out Sid wasn't a dude. It didn't matter in the slightest. LOVED THEM SO MUCH. I was so sad at the end even though I understood Mirrins point of view.

This was amazing. I was left speechless and this review is going to be just me fangirling. The writing is fantastic, the plot so intriguing and I loved all the characters, even those ones with twisted personalities. I never read the Winner’s Trilogy so I was concerned it would not make a lot of sense but I understood the world building and the magic system with no problem. Of course, The Winner’s Trilogy is now on my top priority book series to read.
I mean, I don't have much to say, sorry, except that I loved it so much and I can’t wait for book two. I loved everything about this book, I loved the romance, the banter and half-lies between Nirrim and Sid. I love how every single detail comes together in the end…. And that ending line!! That was a killer.

This was every bit as enthralling as Winner's Curse and was definitely worth the wait! Marie's prose is beautiful as always

I'm not entirely sure how to rate this book, i liked it well enough but i didn't love it.
The pacing is pretty slow and it did feel like a bit of a chore to read in some parts but the ending mostly made up for it.
I liked a few of the characters and thought it was really fun to be back in this world.
Another positive is that this book encouraged me to read more F/F romances, something i've not really done before.

eARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

Up until the 80% mark this was going to be a 3 star read/rating. It was good but there nothing was really connecting with me. It was certainly well written with an intriguing slow burn plot, but it completely lacked any action to excite me. I also had issues with the main character throughout. She was just so frustratingly weak minded, naive and easily manipulated. I couldn’t get behind her or root for her. Then there was the romance, again maybe because this too was a somewhat slow burn or maybe I really just didn’t like Nirrim enough to see the appeal, but I couldn’t get behind this either.

Now the last 20% or so felt like a completely different story. It picked up pace immensely and the character development was pleasing but that ending was a complete curve ball. I did not see anything like that coming. So whilst for the most part it was just a nice read, a little repetitive in places, that ending certainly intrigued enough to raise the rating and the anticipation for the next installment.

Having enjoyed THE WINNER'S CURSE but hating THE WINNER'S KISS, I hoped that returning to this world, albeit a different place that claimed to have magic, I'd find some spark of the fun of THE WINNER'S CURSE.

That didn't happen.

My major problem was the plot, or lack thereof. There was no sense of a goal or forward momentum to the book. Nirrim slinks around, reacting to things that don't feel like they have any bearing on her or the world. Maybe they would if I read further, but I don't have the willpower to waste my time reading pages of nothing in the hopes that something happens to tie it together.

What does Nirrim want? Well, she anytime even the idea of fleeing comes to mind she dismisses it. And it's not like she has a antagonist to go against. I think the city and the state is supposed to be the antagonist, but it doesn't seem to pose a threat. She gets chucked into prison but she never felt in danger because she doesn't have a goal for them to oppose.

Nirrim spends a lot of time thinking about the past, which doesn't help the slow pace as all it does is spread out the few moemnths of something. A lot of these memories are from her as a baby of small toddler. I'm not that old, and yet I barely have any clear memories of being less than ten.

The book is about Nirrim. She is Half Kith and an orphan. She now works at an inn and bakery (& as a forger) for bed and board without pay. The phrase "It is as it is" is one used by people like Nirrim quite often. There are no questions like "Why". The city is dark in places and the law such as it is has a disregard for those of lower status such as Nirrim. On the other hand High Kith can do what they like really. However Sid arrives. There have no travellers on this island and yet that is exactly what Sid is. When Nirrim meets Sid things begin to change.

There is so much I'd love to share about this book but that would simply dilute the journey for other readers and that would be sad. The gradual reveals about Sid and Nirrim, and her world, made for gently compulsive reading. I kept think - "just a little more and then I'll put it down". For the last quarter or so I stopped pretending and just kept reading!

The Midnight Lie itself (though bear in mind this is from a proof copy) from early in the book.
"It is a midnight lie, she said. A kind of lie told for someone else's sake, a lie that sits between goodness and wrong, just as midnight is the moment between night and morning. Or a lie that is not technically false, like a misleading truth".
As you read this there is an underlying tension - do we know all the "Midnight lies" that have been told - I doubt it...

Is this perfect - maybe not but so so readable and, for me, enchanting. Initially this feels like rather a soft fantasy book. There are no ghastly monsters, no spells being cast, no quest etc. However as the book progresses you realise that you just haven't noticed the darkness and depth! The book allows you to watch the fading of innocence - quite uncomfortable. The story offers darkness, tension, lies and distrust. However it also offers light, love, revelation and beauty. It is certainly one of the best books I've read this year. I found it fresh which I liked and so engaging - my real sadness was that it ended - this part at least.

I really don't want to wait a year for the next part of this though I guess I will have to! However it has introduced me to a new fantasy writer which leaves me some other book from this author to explore while I'm waiting. Maybe this depends on what you want in your fantasy reading; for me this is somewhere between modern and classic fantasy. This may not suit everyone but I loved it.