At the Mercy of Midnight

Midnight Realm Duology #1

by Chloe Cullen

Amelia Winslow and Silas Finley are rival scholars who have spent years trying to outsmart one another, until a fateful discovery binds them together in a way neither is able to escape. When they are cut by a pair of ancient daggers, they become bonded against their will and transported to each other every night at midnight by a magic that seems to be unraveling before their eyes.

Desperate to break their bond, they discover darker truths and deeper bonds and wonder at whether the Midnight Blades are far more dangerous than either suspected. Hunted by a secret order and racing against the bounds of time, Amelia and Silas must work together or risk losing more than their freedom.

Because if they fail, midnight may never come again.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fan Fiction, Dark Academia, Fantasy Romance, Enemies To Lovers

500 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 5, 2026

About the author

Mum and Occupational Therapist by day, writer by night.

Author of:

At the Mercy of Midnight (2025), out now on Amazon in paperback and ebook editions.

Rise of the Legion (2021), out now on Amazon in paperback and ebook editions.

Reviews

[Chloe Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I love it, it's mine =D x

[Violette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a heads up for everyone diving into this: it’s not a standalone, so be ready for the cliffhanger at the end. 🙃
I didn’t know when I read it so it caught me off guard.

[Kenny Reeve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: the author is my best friend, so yes... I am biased, but I can say with the complete honesty and transparency, that this book stands on its own merits. Even if I didn’t know the person behind the pages, I’d still be raving about it.

I was lucky enough to be the first person to read the first draft, and from the opening chapter, I was completely hooked. I scribbled wild theories in the margins, underlined lines that made me laugh (or blush), and asked questions I desperately needed answered right now. There were a few changes as the book developed, but it was exciting predicting how it would end... and I did not see that coming... if you know, you know.

The characters are fully fleshed out in a way that made them feel real to me. I loved how Amelia operates from a place of logic and structure, while Silas leads more with emotional intelligence. It was such a refreshing flip of what we usually see. Their chemistry was believable, not forced, and watching them navigate tension, misunderstanding, and eventual vulnerability was such a satisfying arc.

The world-building was another strong point. It was vivid and immersive without dumping too much information on the reader. The different locations each felt distinct, and I especially loved the eerie beauty of the Rift, those scenes in the ruins stayed with me long after I closed the book.

The writing style is genuinely beautiful. There’s an emotional richness to the language that made even quiet moments feel full. At the same time, the dialogue was natural and often sharp. There were moments I laughed out loud or paused just to reread a particularly striking sentence. It’s the kind of writing that makes you feel with the characters, not just observe them.

Also, this was my first real dive into the "rivals to lovers" trope and I get the hype now. The slow burn, the tension, the subtle shifts in their dynamic... it was all handled so well. It felt earned.

So yes, I’m biased. But I’m also a picky reader, and I wouldn’t be writing all this if I didn’t genuinely believe in the story. This book has heart, depth, and something to say. I’m so proud of my friend for writing it. But more than that, I’m just excited for other people to get swept up in this world like I did... and did you know the story is only half complete... this book is a duo! So she better get writing because I want more answers.

[kitty · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I read MMIDL and enjoyed it, but this wasn’t it for me. Fun concept, but something was missing in the character building and the pacing. I also don’t think it should’ve been broken into 2 books. Unfortunately, would not recommend.

[ReneeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Love Amelia & Silas. I’m hoping there will be a second book! 🥰

[Dilyn-Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best thing ever BUT WHY ISNT THE NEXT ONE OUT YET

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

She scowled. “You’re insufferable.”
Silas smirked. “You’re distracted.”
✨✨✨

I absolutely adored the banter in this book! Seriously, I think 98% of my tabs/highlights are their banter with one another! I will always be a sucker for academic rivals that secretly yearn for one another. The ending had me on the edge of my seat & I need book two asap.

The only qualm I had with this book was the world building and magic system. I was confused and lost at some points throughout the story & think that the readers needed more in depth explanations about how the world, monoliths and magic work and come together. However, the dialogue, character development and plot were really well done! I loved the aspect of runes in this & the part they played!

I’ve read Chloe’s other works on ao3 & for this being my first read of her traditionally published works, I would say it’s a success & I’m looking forward to seeing how her writing grows & to continue Amelia & Silas’s story in book two! 💗

🗡️ Rival Scholars
✨ Forced Proximity
🗡️ Witty Banter
✨ Magic x Monoliths x Mages x Midnight
🗡️ “Who did this to you?”
✨ Ancient, Binding Daggers
🗡️ Posh Aristocrat x Swot Scholar 🥵

[Dessa Finley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this one probably should have stayed on A03. This rewrite is really cheesy and clunky. I’m stopped at 80% because I’ve rolled my eyes way too many times to keep going. Every plot point is riddled with ridiculous complications that, *gasp shock*, don’t actually matter! I think this was supposed to be a sweet story full of yearning, but sadly, I just don’t buy it.

[Sandrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I’m a big fan of academic rivals especially when they are forced to collaborate together and this was the main trope of this book. The banter and yearning was so good ! Amelia and Silas are well thought-out characters and I enjoyed learning their background. The pacing was nice as it kept me engaged all throughout. I also liked the dual POVs. I read this in one evening, it was that good! I’m now impatiently waiting for the next book. The cliffhanger is crazy, so be prepared for that.
I definitely recommend reading this book if you enjoy forced proximity, rivals, a protective MMC, magical mysteries and a lot of plot twists!

Thank you to the publisher for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Decided to read this after reading the author's original work in AO3 and I'm so glad I did. This is really well done and took her original inspiration and made it even better but also its own, unique story.

🌶️ - Not quite fade to black but we don't get sh*t this is almost an ultra slow but

[Brit Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words. One of the best books I’ve read all year. The world building, the dialogue, the SLOW BURN. 10/10, no notes, chef’s kiss. I need book #2 already like I need air.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and the plot!

There were definitely plot points that I felt needed more time to settle and be fleshed out and also the pacing/development of character relationships could use a little more detail but overall it was so enjoyable and the plot twist at the end omg what a cliffhanger

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5stars. Please tell me there will be a book 2

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to DK, NetGalley, and the author for this advanced copy. This book sounded so interesting and it was so different from anything I’ve read before. Right off the bat, we get witty banter between Silas and Amelia. I loved their dynamic as academic rivals and the banter that follows.

This book was third person dual POV and getting to see how long Silas has yearned for Amelia for years had me in a chokehold. Throughout the story, Silas and Amelia try to figure out how to break the bond, then how to alter the ritual, and their relationship grows. The ending was heartbreaking and the cliffhanger was brutal.

This book is a hidden gem and I’ll definitely be looking forward to picking up the next installment.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE CLIFFHANGER?!?! I thought this was a standalone, so I was pretty disappointed by the end. This book was very well written, but the magic system was very confusing to me. I had a hard time picturing what the Monoliths were and didn’t really understand the effect they had on that world. I loved the banter between the two main characters.

[madison · Rating 2 out of 5]

so sad my fave ff and most anticipated read of the year did this to me

[Shelby Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

No words just emotions and feral noises. I need the next one yesterday.

[Tokeshia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not realize this was a duology so the ending was a little surprising to me. I did not read the original fanfic (FF) but I could tell this was Dramione coded from the beginning. That being said, the magical elements don’t make a lot of sense. Obviously the author has to rework this so it isn’t in the HP universe but there were gaps that I couldn’t fill with HP background and if you’re not a HP fan you would probably be very confused. The lack of explanation might have been ok if this was a standalone and action packed or shorter but in 2 books with a cliffhanger…more time should have been spent world building. I don’t even think explaining the magic needs to be complicated but I kept feeling lost. At some point, I started to skim sections because it felt repetitive without moving the story along. The ending felt rushed which is odd when it ends on a cliffhanger.

I enjoyed the first half of the book and banter between the MCs but that could be because I know it’s Draco and Hermione. I think this has potential to be a great story but some rework is needed to get it there and an easier read for a wider audience. I hope the author gets beta readers that aren’t into Dramione fanfic to help find and fill the gaps for the second book. Kudos on the actual editing though. No glaring grammatical errors or typos that are prevalent in self-published works.

[ReadingWithLindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really trying to like this book. I didn't read the fanfic but I love the characters it was based on so I gave it a go. The concept was intriguing but the delivery was lacking. The plot had a lot of holes and the characters had no chemistry. It really felt forced and off. Also, I thought this was going to be a standalone but I was wrong. It left you on a unhappy cliffhanger! They end up both in a unpleasant place and I wasn't intrigued or invested enough to want to find out how they get out of their predicaments. I don't think I will read the second book if it comes out. I almost DNF it at 75% but I figured I was so close to just seeing the end but I was let down anyway. I see a lot of potential but there needs to have better pacing. This was just not for me.

[PlantSuperpowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 stars.

I come with another four-part review.

Having read ‘Meet me at midnight’ in my fanfic era, I wanted to checkout the novel it inspired.

Since I’ve read the fanfic first and it may influence me, I will do my best to review this story as a stand-alone (and putting a pin in the fact that this book is part of a duology). I will try my best to be spoiler-free and tag as required.

Part 1 – As a stand-alone Romantasy novel.

This subsection is about how this book fares as an individual independent romantasy book. Honestly, knocked it out of the park.

First thoughts? This book packs its contents in thoroughly and thoughtfully. I almost want to give kudos to the editor too, because nary a sentence or scene seemed out of place, or irrelevant to the story. From the very first page, I did not feel a single second of wasted screen-time until I put the book down. And this extends to the supporting characters as well. Although I did feel like I was dropped right in the middle of action (momentarily), that speaks more to the other books that I have read which grab your attention with the first sentence, then slow down for a chapter or two to introduce any sort of conflict, and allow the reader to steep in the world. So, I personally am fine with this introduction, but would suggest you to be on the lookout and do not trip. Another thing that hit me in the begninning itself was that the FMC expresses her dislike towards the MMC in the very first paragraph was both refreshing and risky move. I, personally, like it.

There on, this book was not a roller coaster ride. And that’s a good thing here. Because the external plot device is a strong player that ensures the twists remain accessible and do not blindside the reader every 3 chapters or whatever. You see a character in action, and you wonder if this is relevant for later, and it is. I would not say this is predictability. These are not “clues hidden in plain sight” or “the author did not put an effort”. This is human behavior. This is the authors ability to connect the character’s actions to their backstory, and to the external plot with care. This is exactly why nothing feels redundant in this story. But this does not mean that the author did not put twists in that you never see coming. They do, only, they are more subtle. And for that reason, I think this is a book I will think about for a long time.

Pacing – Nothing is redundant. I’ve said it already. But another thing that is worth highlighting is that nothing drags on either. Every new day that the characters experience brought on something to add to the plot in terms of character growth, a resolution, or another problem. Even in the scenes where ‘time passes by’, story wasn’t repetitive, and the ticking of the clock was kept brief.

Characters – Amelia and Silas are not underwritten by any means. However, there is something that strikes me as different from other books of the genre - that is these characters are well rounded and human (sounds so wrong but don't mean it to be). Let me explain - in routine romance novels, there is one glaring trait of each main character (which is why having ‘a brooding hero’, or ‘a stubborn heroine’ is a matter of cliché). But our characters do not come with one. They come with multiple traits, although it’s not as pronounced in the beginning of the novel (it does feel like all they do is one up each other, or have futile arguments). Moreover, each trait has a range upon which the character walks on. Sometimes the trait is displayed at one end of the spectrum, while in other scenes, the depiction is milder. Which is very human, and I have not seen that in a lot of books in this genre. We are all defined by multiple traits, and even if we are sometimes ‘stubborn’, we are not equally stubborn about everything all the time. So, as of now, I am unsure if this leans towards positive or negative for me, and I'll make an opinion on my re-reads.

The author does justice with both POV’s of Amelia and Silas. I did not realize this was a dual POV book when I started reading, until I suddenly hit Silas’s POV a few chapters in. But even from Amelia’s POV the reader can clock in on cues about what Silas is feeling that Amelia doesn’t understand (and I say “doesn’t understand” because she leaves it at that, and doesn’t ‘misunderstand’ him either, which is another popular trope). Not to say there are no ‘misunderstandings’ – only that they arise in times of fear, or in case she does not know another part of him, so she is left to make judgements based on what she has seen him do. So the more she knows about him, the less she misjudges him over the course of the novel (again, very human. It’s almost disconcerting how realistic the characters felt, and they don’t follow the ‘usual plotline’ of two fantasy MC’s who push and pull all the time, rather, our character steadily grow towards each other). So once we get to Silas’s POV, everything we have figured out about him checks out.

In terms of resolution of external plot – Surprisingly, the one complaint I have with this book is that there is no proper ending. Yes, it is a part of a duology, but that shouldn’t mean there is no resolution. There is the major plot of the trouble at the rift and how it has affected not only Amelia and Silas, but the realm as well. Yet each book must have the main characters resolve a problem (lest they seem like NPC's affected by something bigger in their own book). This book did not have that fleshed out. The ending where they perform the ritual as the book spelled out, and it has the expected negative effect of losing Silas to the midnight realm feels more like an intermission point/the lowest point, rather than a resolution. Even the reveal that Lyana was manipulating them both is underwhelming because our characters lose more. Plus they didn’t so much as discover it, rather, are informed by Lyana herself. Amelia being controlled by her parents once again was another loss. In my opinion, it would have been much better and satisfactory to the reader if there was any win they could count on. Maybe our MC's could have figured out something about the rift, or something like entering it on purpose or anything that was their discovery.

Magical system – It’s not fleshed out at all. They say they have magic but apart from the way stones or way chips, there is nothing magical about anything. There are some runes that do some things if you say the word associated with it, but they work more like clicking a button and some action happening on a computer, it's not something every character can do – draw a rune and say a word - as far as I understood. But I might be wrong about it seeing how there is so little explanation about that. Mages are a thing, but our characters are not mages, so there’s that. And the fact that the synopsis says Amelia is studying arcane physics but it doesn’t get one mention or explanation in the book - wild. I mean, the author could have said Amelia and Silas were archaeologists in a world where magic exists, and the story would not have changed. The magic our main characters get access to later on, that’s a decent soft magic system based on intention. So I guess we can take a small win there.

Part 2 – Comparison with “Meet me at midnight”, The fanfiction that inspired "At the mercy of midnight”.

“At the mercy of midnight” is standing on its own, independent from the fanfiction. The only similarities amongst the two are ‘a plot device that transports one main character to another’. The similarities end there. Atleast as far as the first book reveals. The motivations of our characters are different, even of the villains, and the side characters are not replicated. Any similarities are limited and cannot be traced back to the fanfiction either (so far). So although the premise is similar, it is safe to say that the novel opens a door for the reader to enter a different world and be unpredictable for someone coming from the fanfiction world.

So, I’m excited to see where this story goes in the next book.

Part 3 – The Good –

Characters, character development, and the pacing. The slow-burn chemistry. The well thought-out plot. The yearning, and the stupid but sensible reason why there is yearning.

Part 4 – The Bad -

Dare I say lack of stronger motivations of our MC's? I like that they wanted to save each other, but really wish them wanting to save the world was not a fleeting thought. I think the novel could have used a scene showcasing some destruction caused by expansion of the rift and the people getting hurt by it, but then our characters' magic saves them temporarily somehow, so that could have shown that our characters are doing something for the world (but it was refereshing that the characters wanted to save themselves/their loved one - a refereshing take). The arcane magic system.

Short n' sweet summary

Read it, it’s something like I’ve never read before !!


-PlantSuperpowers.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accidentally stayed up until 3AM last night to finish this book, so safe to say I thoroughly enjoyed. Honestly I don't think the description does this book justice, but if you like "enemies"-to-lovers (but actually secret yearning), forced proximity, and dark academia that really leans more PhD-level archaeology & mythology studies then this book is for you. Definitely contains vibes of The Mummy, Indiana Jones, The Librarians, even Doctor Who.

Amelia Winslow and Silas Finley have spent their entire adulthood in academic competition, adding a layer of verbal sparring to their scholarly pursuits that inevitably develops into a type of bond between them that simply can't be avoided when interacting with someone for nearly a decade. When the opportunity to investigate the Rift arises, they both jump at the chance to explore the land of unstable, mysterious magic that is slowly consuming their realm. Their quest for both knowledge and superiority predictably becomes dangerous and the rivals suddenly find themselves the victims of a literal magical bond that is somehow tied to the two sources of magical energy that may have come from a different world.

In order to break the bond and hopefully find a way to stop the Rift from causing further harm, Amelia and Silas must put aside their differences and work together to solve the mysteries of their universe or else be stuck together for the rest of their lives. Should be easy enough for two of the most ambitious scholars of their time, right? Well maybe it would have been, if there weren't contentious familial interference, mages going missing, or secret societies hunting them down.

The characters and their relationship was definitely my favorite part of this book. They're really well-developed and make choices that consistently align with their personalities. The banter and snark levels were perfect in my opinion, and the romantic tension was so good that I couldn't put the book down. I appreciate that the book is dual POV so we get to see the perspective of both leads, which gave visibility into the absolute yearning from Silas. His POV demonstrates that he truly knows, understands, and appreciates who Amelia is as a person despite not having much exposure to her outside of academic settings. Frequently, especially in stories that feature a magical bond, I find that the romantic relationship is fairly surface-level and underdeveloped or rushed, so it is really refreshing to read something that actually demonstrates true care and appreciation rather than just lust and relying on the bond to do the romantic heavy-lifting. On the other hand, the pair bonding aspect of this book was doing the heavy-lifting on the magical side of the plot and felt a little forced. I am not yet sure exactly how to feel about it since we don't know enough about how the magic of the world operates and what the ultimate purpose of the bonds will be, so I'm hoping that book 2 will have more world-building and explain things in a way that's satisfying. In the sequel, I'd love to learn more about the side characters and particularly Silas's family and how they tie into the mystery.

Can't wait for the sequel!


Overall Rating: 4/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Plot: 4/5
Vibes: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Worldbuilding: 3/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo Romance for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

[real book dragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐3.5/5

Amelia i Silas to dwójka naukowców, którzy rywalizują ze sobą od prawie dekady. Kiedy przychodzi moment na zebranie grupy naukowców do pionierskiej wyprawy wgłąb Szczeliny(tłum. własne), gdzie wiele osób straciło życie, a magia rządzi się własnymi prawami, oczywiście zarówno Silas jak i Amelia są gotowi stawić czoła niebezpieczeństwu. Rzekomo w imię nauki, a nie niezdrowej rywalizacji. 😁 W trakcie eksploracji starych ruin, bohaterowie natykają się na dwa niezwykłe ostrza, które są przepełnione nieznaną magią. Kiedy tylko Silas i Amelia ich dotykają, na ich dłoniach pojawiają się dziwne nacięcia, a para zostaje na zawsze połączona nierozerwalną więzią, która nie tylko uprzykrzy im życie ale narazi ich na poważne niebezpieczństwo.

At mercy of midnight to kolejna historia, która w pewnym stopniu wywodzi się z fanfiction o Draco i Hermionie. Chociaż nie czytałam Meet me at midnight na ao3, to nie trudno było mi dostrzec elementy wspólne, które pojawiają się w historiach Dramione, a które wplecione zostały w tę książkę.

Zdecydowanie najlepszym elementem jest tu wątek romantyczny. On zakochuje się pierwszy i kocha ją skrycie od lat. Żeby nie odsłonić się ze swoimi uczuciami, zakłada maskę cynicznego kolegi po fachu i próbuje żyć dalej. Oboje są uparci, posiadają wielkie ego i są świetni w szermierce słownej, której świadkiem jest każdy, kto tylko znajdzie się w kręgu rażenia tej dwójki. Napięcie między tą dwójką jest niesamowicie intensywne.
Bardzo przyjemnie czytało mi się o tym, jak nastawienie Amelii do Silasa zmienia się po wspólnie spędzonych dniach, na które skazało ich przeznaczenie. Autorka dobrze poprowadziła tę relację i w dobrym tempie dała nabrać jej rumieńców, a przy tym pozwoliła bohaterom na zrzucenie masek i wzajemne odkrywanie sekretów.

Moim zarzutem jest słabo wytłumaczony świat, w którym dzieje się ta historia. Dodatkowo zachowanie bohaterów było czasami mocno nieprzemyślane. Jakim cudem naukowczyni, która przez 10 lat zajmuje się badaniem źródła magii nigdy nie wyruszyła na drugi koniec krainy i dziwi się widokiem śniegu, szczególnie, że transport na dłuższe dystansem tym świecie jest super szybki i prosty? Aronoł. Momentami akcja była też prowadzona w sposób schematyczny: uciekamy oprawcom, żeby po chwili znowu magicznie nas znaleźli. I tak w kółko.

Książka kończy się mocnym, bolesnym dla serca cliffhangerem i mimo wszystkich moich uwag, zdecydowanie sięgnę po drugi tom! Bardzo spodobała mi się relacja między Amelią i Silasem i jestem ciekawa, jak dalej potoczy się ta historia. Widzę tu duży potencjał i mam nadzieję, że drugi tom będzie lepszy.

[Sj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this between 3.5 and 4 stars.

Amelia Winslow and Silas Finley are rival scholars who have spent years trying to outsmart one another. But when an archaeological discovery goes very wrong, the pair find themselves bound by an ancient magic that transports them to each other every night at midnight.

As they desperately search for a way to break their unwanted connection, they begin uncovering dangerous secrets surrounding the magic holding their world together, all while being hunted by a mysterious secret order. And somewhere amongst all that rivalry, danger and forced proximity, their feelings for one another begin to change… 👀🌙

I really enjoyed this one!

For me, one of the strongest aspects of At the Mercy of Midnight was the character and world building. Chloe Cullen does a fantastic job of gradually revealing the intricacies of the world and showing how all the different pieces fit together. There’s plenty going on, but I really enjoyed discovering the magic, history and relationships as the story unfolded.

I particularly loved Amelia and Silas. Their relationship was fascinating and so much fun to follow. Watching the rivalry, banter and tension gradually evolve into something much more gave us a delicious enemies-to-lovers journey, and their changing dynamic was definitely one of my favourite parts of the book.

The story itself was captivating and there was plenty to keep me invested, although I did find the middle third a little slower than I personally prefer. There were a few moments where I felt things could have moved along a little more swiftly, and tightening up that section would probably have pushed this closer to a solid four stars for me.

BUT THAT ENDING. 😳🌙

The final part really picked up the pace and turned into an absolute nail-biter. By the end I was completely invested again, and we’re left with so much hanging in the air that I now desperately need to know what happens next!

A really enjoyable romantasy with fascinating world building, ancient magic, academic rivals, forced proximity and an enemies-to-lovers romance at its heart.

⭐️ 3.5–4 stars from me

Perfect for readers who love:
🌙 Enemies/rivals to lovers
📚 Dark academia
✨ Intricate magical worlds
🗡️ Ancient artefacts & mysterious magic
🔥 Forced proximity
⏳ High stakes and cliffhanger endings

Thank you so much to Chloe Cullen and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

#AtTheMercyOfMidnight #ChloeCullen #RomantasyBooks #FantasyRomance #Bookstagram

[Kristin Gleeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for a review copy of this novel. A romantasy with a trope of enemies to lovers is played out in this novel in a kind of unusual manner with the magic as the acting force, a premise that was intriguing. The actual execution was at times a little uneven and occasionally melodramatic, though making for a read that was at times engaging and other times a little wince inducing. I would give it 3.5 stars if it were possible, but have rounded it up.

Amelia and Silas are both archaelogists and professional rivals. When they both decide to try and find the source of the increasingly unstable and disappearing magic that the world depends on in the midst of a dark and deep Rift they arrive at the site of two monoliths nearly at the same time and are forced to work together as they proceed forward surrounded by the dangerous crawlers and other unknowns threaten them. When it seems prudent to only have two explore the cave area Silas and Amelia make their way into the deep regions and after a floor collapses under Amelia the two discover a hidden temple and two daggers. They decide to divide the daggers between them, but through a mishap Amelia’s dagger and her hand cross a beam of magic that appears. It seems no harm was caused at first, except for how much Amelia and her blade are drawn to Silas’s. But later, at midnight, the most dangerous time for those that inhabit the Rift to threaten, Amelia finds that both of them are physically drawn to each other, meeting at some half way point. It repeats the next night. But worse than that the Rift seems to be spreading now at a fast pace. Silas poses the theory of mated bonds, something Amelia is determined to break. Their attempts to research and break the bond prevent the Rift from its rapidly increasing spread forms the novel’s narrative thread.

The novel creates some good chemistry between the two on occasion but sometimes the dialogue seems too cliché or maybe a bit weak and other times engaging. The world building around the magic was at times a little unclear, or left me with questions, but that might be due to being unfamiliar with the novel’s origins as some kind of fanfiction, I’m not sure. I think it maybe reflects a good first novel and I look with interest to her succeeding novels.

[Lissa G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley & Chloe Cullen for this ARC copy!

*At the Mercy of Midnight* is a strong start to what I think is going to be an addictive series. It blends dark academia, magical archaeology, and a slow-burn romance into a story that kept me invested from beginning to end.

The highlight of the book was easily the worldbuilding. The mystery and magic were given a focal point to the story alongside the romance, making the plot feel well balanced. The combination of ancient relics, forgotten magic, and scholarly research created an atmosphere that felt both mysterious and immersive. I loved uncovering the secrets of the world alongside the characters, and the magical archaeology gave the story a unique identity within the romantasy genre. Which leads to the secondary stand out to me -Amelia and Silas. Their rivalry never felt forced, and the banter. They challenged each other intellectually just as much as emotionally, which made their chemistry feel earned. I also appreciated that the romance complemented the story rather than overtaking it.

That said, I did find myself a little overwhelmed by the magic system early on. There are a lot of concepts introduced without much explanation, so it took me a while to fully understand how everything fit together. Once the pieces started falling into place, I was completely hooked, but the learning curve was steeper than I expected. The pacing was also inconsistent, and drug a bit in through the middle of the book. While I enjoyed spending time with the characters and exploring the world, there were moments where I wanted the central mystery to move forward a little faster.

Thankfully, the final third more than made up for it, and I couldn't put the book down once the bigger reveals started happening. And then there's that ending... I knew this was the beginning of a series, but I still wasn't prepared for how much it left me wanting the next book immediately. Chloe -- you're a criminal.

Overall, this is a great pick for readers who enjoy dark academia, academic rivals, magical mysteries, and romances built on mutual respect and sharp wit. It isn't a perfect read, but its unique premise, compelling characters, and immersive atmosphere easily outweighed the few pacing and world-building hiccups for me.

3.75⭐️

[Alison Bradbury · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh I was so disappointed with this!

Amelia and Silas are leading an archaeological dig to try and discover why the Rift is growing and consuming the world slowly. Instead, what they discover is two knives – one shaped from each monolith (believed to be the controllers of the magic). Accidentally getting nicked by the knives, Amelia and Silas find that they have become bonded and must now race against time to try and figure out how to break the bond before the rift claims them.

I think this is miss billed as Dark Academia because the Academia nature of it is almost incidental. When I think Dark Academia I am imagining something like A Deadly Education – where the action is set within a school. What we have here instead is two people who are only obliquely related to academics as both characters are researchers. It took me the longest time to figure out how old the characters were – spoiler, they are 27, yes that shocked me as they don’t speak or act like adults.

We are dropped into what felt like the middle of a story as within just a few lines we have new characters, a new world, The Rift, Crawlers, Monoliths etc etc etc. I honestly went back and checked that I wasn’t reading the second or third book in a series as I had no idea about what was happening as the author writes as if we know what those places and things are – even though I finished the book I still can’t say with any certainty what they are.

It is probably the closest I have come to giving up on reading a book in a good long while, but I persevered in the hopes it would get better. The last 15 – 20% of the book is stronger than the rest but I did not really care enough about the characters or the story by that point and I won’t be lining up to read the second book when it comes out. And I could have lived without the super graphic sex scene part way through that seemed so out of place with the rest of the book.

Honestly, I tried so hard to like this, I really did but it had far too many flaws for me to enjoy it in any way really and I am confused about what age group this would be aimed at – I would have said teens but the sex scene was so graphic I could not recommend it to them at all.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the Mercy of Midnight is a deliciously tense dark‑academia romantasy that thrives on rivalry, unstable magic, and the kind of fate‑bound connection that feels both inconvenient and irresistible. Amelia and Silas have spent years circling one another in the scholarly trenches — competing, outsmarting, and pushing each other toward discoveries neither could reach alone. Their dynamic is sharp, intellectual, and threaded with the kind of friction that makes every interaction spark.

When an archaeological dig goes wrong and they awaken an ancient magical force, the story shifts beautifully. Suddenly, Amelia and Silas are transported to each other at midnight — every night — bound by a magic neither understands and neither wants. The midnight meetings are one of the novel’s great strengths: intimate, atmospheric, and charged with the kind of reluctant vulnerability that rivals hate to show. Watching them navigate this forced proximity while still clinging to their competitive instincts is genuinely compelling.

As they dig deeper into the truth behind their bond, the world around them darkens. Their research uncovers dangerous secrets about the unstable magic that sustains their society, and the threat of a secret order hunting them adds urgency and tension. The stakes feel personal and sweeping at once — freedom, identity, and the terrifying possibility that midnight may never come again if they fail.

The writing is immersive and emotionally rich, balancing academic intrigue with magical danger and slow‑burn romantic tension. Amelia and Silas are wonderfully drawn: brilliant, stubborn, and slowly realising that the person they’ve spent years trying to outdo might be the only one who truly understands them. Their shift from rivals to reluctant allies to something deeper is handled with care, giving the romance weight without overshadowing the plot.

Atmospheric, twisty, and full of soul‑bonding magic, At the Mercy of Midnight delivers exactly what dark‑academia romantasy promises — high stakes, sharp minds, and a connection that refuses to be ignored. A captivating read that keeps you turning pages long past midnight.

With thanks to Chloe Cullen, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[emily-jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Chloe Cullen for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Having not read any of Chloe Cullen's previous work, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but the premise immediately intrigued me.

On paper, enemies-to-lovers fantasy set against a dark academia backdrop is exactly the kind of story I love, so I was excited to dive in.

The opening chapters gave me strong Indiana Jones meets the mummy vibes, which I actually really enjoyed. The adventure and mystery drew me in, and I found myself invested in Amelia and Silas from the beginning. Watching their relationship develop as the bond between them grew was one of my favourite aspects of the book, although I do wish we'd had a little more of the "enemies" before they transitioned into lovers.

Where the book fell a little short for me was the magic system. I struggled to fully visualise both the world and how the magic actually worked. It didn't feel overly complicated, but I don't think it was explained in enough depth, leaving me with more questions than answers. I found myself wanting richer world-building and a more fully realised magic system to help immerse me in the story.

Unfortunately, the second half of the novel began to lose me. The pacing slowed considerably, and some of the spicier scenes felt unnecessary, as they didn't add much to the overall story for me. By around the 70% mark, I found myself eager to reach the conclusion, so I was surprised to discover this is the first in a duology. Personally, I think I would have preferred a slightly longer standalone novel.

Overall, I think this book had a great deal of potential, but it didn't quite deliver on all of the elements I was hoping for. That said, it's still an impressive debut, and I look forward to seeing how Chloe Cullen grows as an author. I wish her every success with the book's publication in November!

[Susu · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★☆☆(3/5)

At the Mercy of Midnight was such a fun surprise. If you love academic rivals, forced proximity, magical mysteries, and slow-burn romance, this one delivers. Amelia and Silas have fantastic chemistry from the beginning—their banter is sharp, their rivalry feels believable, and watching them gradually lower their defenses was easily my favorite part of the book.

The worldbuilding also stood out to me, especially the Rift and the Rift Crawlers. They reminded me heavily of the Fold and the Volcra from Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse: a dangerous, monster-filled region that is extremely difficult to travel through and plays a major role in the larger conflict. However, I didn’t necessarily love how strong the resemblance was. The Fold is such a central and recognizable part of the Shadow and Bone trilogy, and it eventually begins to unravel before being destroyed. Because of that, the Rift sometimes felt a little too familiar rather than entirely distinct, especially when the story seemed to hint at a similar trajectory.

I still enjoyed the atmosphere surrounding the Rift Crawlers and the constant sense of danger they created. The magic also wasn’t included only for aesthetics—it drove both the mystery and the romance. The Midnight Blades and the curse binding Amelia and Silas together created an interesting form of forced proximity, with each midnight encounter revealing more about their relationship and the mystery surrounding the Rift.

Overall, this was a compelling romantasy with excellent character dynamics, an intriguing magical mystery, and an atmospheric monster-filled setting. Although the Rift reminded me a little too much of the Fold for my personal taste, I still had a great time reading it and would recommend it to readers who enjoy rivals-to-lovers, dark academia vibes, cursed magical artifacts, and slow-burn romance.

[Keeley Ribchester · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the Mercy of the Midnight was my first time reading Chloe Cullen, and I can honestly say it won’t be my last. I always love discovering a new author, and this was such a captivating introduction to Cullen’s writing.
From the very beginning, I was pulled into the world of Aethrial and found myself wanting to keep turning the pages to uncover more. The world building was one of my favourite parts of the story because it felt imaginative, atmospheric, and full of lots of little details that made it easy to become immersed in the magic and mystery of this realm.
I really loved the dynamic between Amelia and Silas. Their rivalry and their banter, and the way their relationship developed throughout the story kept me turning pages . Watching two characters who are so different slowly learn more about each other was one of the highlights for me and their interactions brought a lot of personality and charm to the book.
The magic system was fascinating and added something unique to the story. There were moments where I wanted a little more clarity, but I still loved the creativity behind it and the way it shaped the world Cullen has created.
There were a few parts that felt slightly slower or repetitive to me but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. The characters, the atmosphere, and the intriguing storyline kept me hooked, and I was genuinely sad when I reached the end.
Overall, At the Mercy of the Midnight was a fantastic first experience with Chloe Cullen. It’s an enchanting fantasy filled with magic, tension, secrets, and characters who I wanted to know more about. I’m already looking forward to seeing what comes next and will definitely be picking up more of Cullen’s books.📚✨