The Midnight Lieby Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 6 This review is of an advanced reader's edition.Nirrim's life in the Ward has been a matter of living day-to-day, fearing the guards that police them -- and also her adoptive mother and her would-be-fiancé, who claim they care for her ... when she does as she's told. One day, a series of events lands her in prison at the same time as Sid, a traveler (which is unheard of on this isolated island). This chance meeting changes Nirrim's life forever, from realizing she likes women, to escaping the fetters of her life. And that's only the beginning, as she, thanks to Sid, stumbles on a path to answers about the truth. All sorts of truths. The first half or so of this book does an excellent job of showing us how terribly the third (out of four levels) of a caste system lives, and how one girl is so completely and utterly blind to the abusive relationships she's trapped in by her adoptive mother and her would-be fiancé. As such, this story may be VERY triggering for some readers. Nirrim fears the anger and physical retaliation of both her adoptive mother and would-be fiancé. She also submits to sex with her would-be fiancé without liking or enjoying it (even finding it painful) because it's what HE wanted and she feared saying no. I kept wondering where the story was going. At some point during the first half I just gave up and accepted that it was a dark and heavy slice-of-life and coming-of-age story. And things got rougher before they got better for Nirrim. But, it is interesting. And in the second half of the story, once Nirrim entered the section where the highest tier of the caste system lives, it all changed. Well, not all. It stayed a coming-of-age story, though the last couple chapters are hard to call that. Rather, things got less painful (even when harsh truths are revealed), less dark, less abusive, less manipulative. Nirrim's eyes are opened to things she sees in the highest tier, as well as with relation to those she knows best; these things make sense, but that doesn't make them nice. The back cover says this is an "epic LGBTQ romantic fantasy", and there are certainly elements of that ... after all the rest. And, in the end, it's not about love. In fact, it's choosing to live with truth rather than love (with all its pain). It's a story about one girl having her eyes opened to the truth, including truths no one else in this world could even imagine. Now, the "epic LGBTQ romantic fantasy" section (roughly the first part of the second half of the book) is amazing. Nirrim is emboldened by being in the highest area as an equal and out from under the control of her adoptive mother. She and Sid have a glorious romance for a couple weeks. I ate it up; it's really well written, from before they both accept it through to the end. Sid is predictable to the reader; I knew exactly what she was pretty much right away. I love her; she's wonderfully written as a character that does what she wants, is enamored with someone she doesn't understand, and yet is also careful to not hurt Nirrim by trying not to outright lie to her. It is her conversations and interactions with Nirrim that make her interesting, as she tries to understand Nirrim's perspective, which is partially unique and partially jaded from being policed. It's also because Sid is easily bored, but Nirrim's unique abilities and perspective are constantly able to surprise her. The world of the High Kith (the highest tier) is full of "magic" and opulence and magical opulence (yes, that's a separate thing). It's some phenomenal imagery, especially after the oppressive starkness of the first half of the book. There are some serious human rights violations going on, that are gotten away with under the guise of "tithing" as part of punishment. It's a lack of concern or respect, and a way to keep the masses (and those with some actual power) in check. If you've seen Altered Carbon, there are some similarities with the Meths. However, the explanation for this "magic" is one I didn't see coming, at least not in its entirety. When the romance ends, as we knew it would from the start (despite hope here and there that whispered otherwise) there's still a wonderfully unexpected-yet-fitting explanation of the truth and history of this place. It makes for quite a satisfying ending. Given Nirrim's gift of memory, this is actually the best outcome for her. It's a fascinating bit of world building, and in this, the plot that I was looking for from the beginning. The second half of the book won me over. It gets exciting and is full of some potent reveals. However, reading first person through Nirrim's abuse and seeing it for what it really is along with how well-trained she was to explain it away as "love" ... this is uncomfortable and unpleasant to say the least. In the end, I enjoyed the read, but I'd be wary of picking up anything else by this author without digging a little deeper first. Written: May 7, 2020
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