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Midnight Tales #1
Cinder y el príncipe de Medianoche
Una joven huérfana.
Un reino oscuro y retorcido.
Una guerra en la sombra con el fin de esclavizar hadas y despojarlas de su poder…
Éste es el mundo de Cinder. Un mundo donde una chica puede tratarse como mercancía para ser presa humana de una cacería entre caballeros. Pero esta noche, incluso los depredadores podrían tener algo que temer. Esta noche, incluso un príncipe podría encontrarse atrapado entre las expectativas del Rey Oscuro… y una joven como ninguna otra. No te pierdas este sobrecogedor cuento de hadas de la célebre autora de la trilogía El fin de los tiempos.
Un reino oscuro y retorcido.
Una guerra en la sombra con el fin de esclavizar hadas y despojarlas de su poder…
Éste es el mundo de Cinder. Un mundo donde una chica puede tratarse como mercancía para ser presa humana de una cacería entre caballeros. Pero esta noche, incluso los depredadores podrían tener algo que temer. Esta noche, incluso un príncipe podría encontrarse atrapado entre las expectativas del Rey Oscuro… y una joven como ninguna otra. No te pierdas este sobrecogedor cuento de hadas de la célebre autora de la trilogía El fin de los tiempos.
248 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2019
109 people are currently reading
3379 people want to read
About the author
Susan Ee
14 books12.5k followersSusan Ee is a USA Today bestselling author of the Penryn & the End of Days trilogy, ANGELFALL, WORLD AFTER, and END OF DAYS. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages, and her short films have played at major festivals. She used to be a lawyer but loves being a writer because it allows her imagination to bust out and go feral.
Sign up to hear about her next book at www.susanee.com or follow her on Twitter @Susan_Ee.
Sign up to hear about her next book at www.susanee.com or follow her on Twitter @Susan_Ee.
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Want to read
April 23, 2019sixty percent of my brain is : AAAAA NEW SUSAN EE WE ARE NOT WORTHY
forty percent of my brain is : AAAAA WHAT THE FORK IS THAT COVER
forty percent of my brain is : AAAAA WHAT THE FORK IS THAT COVER
Read
April 28, 20204/28/2020
Goodreads erased my links. Not cool. I'll fix them as soon as I'm done with Where the Lost wander, our most recent QT's buddy read.
Goodreads staff why did you erase my post? Do you wanna be like a book written by a good writer, let's say Amy Harmon that it's good and has perfect editing? Or do you want to be like that famous author from a famous publishing house that publishes typos in all her books and has really mediocre covers? I think you wanna be professional so please show it.
UPDATE 3 06/26
The QT's Buddy read still in progress. You didn't join the QT's? No problem, could you Please support our QT's by liking their reviews and updates? Post a comment and join the conversation if you like, we're so cool and friendly. Scroll down for updated links to reviews and updates.
UPDATE 2 RELEASE DAY
GUYS!!! This. Is. NOT. A. Drilling!!!
I repeat
This. Is. NOT. A. Drilling!!!
This. Is. NOT. A. Drilling!!!
It's LIVE, IT'S LIVE!!!
Live and already on top of the charts!!! So happy for Ee-sensei
BUDDY READ WITH THE QT's!! WE ARE SO COORDINATED
♥Alice Smith- Dylan O'Brien QT♥
Goodreads erased my links. Not cool. I'll fix them as soon as I'm done with Where the Lost wander, our most recent QT's buddy read.
Goodreads staff why did you erase my post? Do you wanna be like a book written by a good writer, let's say Amy Harmon that it's good and has perfect editing? Or do you want to be like that famous author from a famous publishing house that publishes typos in all her books and has really mediocre covers? I think you wanna be professional so please show it.
UPDATE 3 06/26
The QT's Buddy read still in progress. You didn't join the QT's? No problem, could you Please support our QT's by liking their reviews and updates? Post a comment and join the conversation if you like, we're so cool and friendly. Scroll down for updated links to reviews and updates.
UPDATE 2 RELEASE DAY
GUYS!!! This. Is. NOT. A. Drilling!!!
I repeat
This. Is. NOT. A. Drilling!!!
This. Is. NOT. A. Drilling!!!
It's LIVE, IT'S LIVE!!!
Live and already on top of the charts!!! So happy for Ee-sensei
BUDDY READ WITH THE QT's!! WE ARE SO COORDINATED
♥Alice Smith- Dylan O'Brien QT♥
Want to read
January 28, 2020I kinda forgot this existed
June 21, 2019
1.5 stars because this isn't a very good book, friends. The one compliment I'll give is I actually finished reading it instead of DNFing, which means it was a quick and easy read. If you're expecting the same tough female characterization and compelling action writing as
Angelfall
...you should probably cancel your book order and save yourself the money.
THE GOOD
I read the entire book easily in one two-hour sitting, meaning it was both an easy read and one where I wanted to know how it all ends.
The beginning starts off in the middle of an action sequence, too, which is sure to suck readers in.
THE BAD
Literally everything about this book screamed as sloppy, tacky, disturbing, and rushed. Susan Ee is a self-published author and ever since her first wonderful debut of Angelfall her writing style has declined. If you think it can't tank any lower, though, it does. It tanks in all the ways that don't make sense compared to the wonderful quality of her original debut work.
1) The blurb says, "This is the world of Cinder. A world where a girl like her can be sold to be human prey for a ritualistic hunt."
Hmmmph. Let me tell you what that ritualistic hunt is: every full moon, girls as young as ten and as old as adult women are released into a murky forest to be hunted for sport by nobles or soldiers. Once the girls are hunted and captured, they're raped or beaten or sometimes killed. The reason for this hunt is so men can "let off steam" that is leftover from some previous war. Whoever participates and sends in a sacrifice gets a lot of money for their troubles, which is why there's a regular offering up as tribute. Except even Katniss Everdeen wouldn't put up with this ish.
Let's talk about how wildly disturbing and insulting that is, and how wildly inappropriate that concept is especially considering the younger YA audience that this writing level seems to be geared toward. We're just to assume here that "boys will be boys" is the one-dimensional, demeaning character motivation for the men in this story? There's even mention of a young girl who is caught in a net by half a dozen men during the hunt and as Cinder runs away to save herself, we can hear this captured little girl screaming. And then that girl is never found again. So...we're to assume a brutal gang rape...? What the actual what are we doing with this sick, sick plotline?
2) Zero world building. Zero depth into the creatures like wolfkin, waif horses, trolls, fairies, and the magic. Zero effs about the twisted kingdom of Midnight and the mysterious utopia of Everness in comparison. Close to little convincing explanation of what sort of sick Hunger Games-esque environment we're in that the Midnight King encourages some twisted tradition of human sacrifice. Zero understanding of what sort of trick the king was playing in the end.
3) The book itself is so short that the plot rushes by in a matter of an hour or two. This means we don't spend much time explaining much of the plot or character developments, and it also gives it all a comically bad tone like a junior fan fiction writer was churning through a first draft piece that basically details the same three scenes over and over again: sicko hunt, Cinder talking to the princes, Cinder training for badassery.
4) Terrible character treatment. We literally meet characters like Silver, Ruby, Damon, Laylyn, and the three stepgirls only for them to fulfill a brief purpose...and then never see them again. They're written off the page so offhandedly that it makes you wonder if you're missing pages in your book.
Gallant vs. Dante in particular were given zero character depth. They're brothers, but they don't like each other. One is hinted at having a questionable character, the other is bullied in one scene. Both are inexplicably drawn to the same girl, despite Gallant getting a total of perhaps five sentences with Cinder the entire book. That's all we really know about them. Oh, and neither seem to care about Damon.
5) Irrelevant plotlines. Our main characters don't receive much love in the way of a purpose. Gallant and Dante are handsome boys who...literally don't have much more to their supposed rivalry for their father's approval.
Then Cinder is written to spend months and then years training in badass weaponry and self defense in order to survive the hunts...but we never see her use those abilities in any noticeably different way. Those two years also don't seem to have added and hardness or confidence or cunning to her character.
The ball was a pointless gimmick as well, meant to add familiarity to the fairy tale but again, it's done so laughably bad.
We also get the whole depiction of slavery and abuse of magic with the enslaved and starved fairies...which I found to be disturbingly similar to human sex trafficking. This doesn't serve any point other than to give us Lalyn in the role of the fairy godmother.
6) Editing mistakes. Good gracious, the first editing mistake I found was on page two. I also found a whole dialogue sequence where the names of Gallant and Dante were probably incorrectly switched because that entire scene did not make sense. Couldn't bother to read though your own work?
7) Despite the author having written a strong female character like Penryn in Angelfall, this book seems to take a giant step backward in terms of empowering young girls. Instead, I almost caught hints of titillating rape culture, or at the very least excessive male aggression and violence toward girls, all done in such a blasé manner that'll be sure to make you uncomfortable. Like, why even write this scene?! To convince the reader that the setting is dark and gruesome? To evoke a certain reaction?
We're also supposed to root for characters like Cinder and Dante who turn a blind eye toward rape and animalistic savagery, all in the name of self preservation...?
8) That ending. Blink or you'll miss it -- that's how quick and unrealistic it is.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It's real bad, all. A quick read and not a boring read, but a read so bad it'll make you wonder if Susan Ee is a pseudonym and some eight year old boy hijacked the writing instead.
THE GOOD
I read the entire book easily in one two-hour sitting, meaning it was both an easy read and one where I wanted to know how it all ends.
The beginning starts off in the middle of an action sequence, too, which is sure to suck readers in.
THE BAD
Literally everything about this book screamed as sloppy, tacky, disturbing, and rushed. Susan Ee is a self-published author and ever since her first wonderful debut of Angelfall her writing style has declined. If you think it can't tank any lower, though, it does. It tanks in all the ways that don't make sense compared to the wonderful quality of her original debut work.
1) The blurb says, "This is the world of Cinder. A world where a girl like her can be sold to be human prey for a ritualistic hunt."
Hmmmph. Let me tell you what that ritualistic hunt is: every full moon, girls as young as ten and as old as adult women are released into a murky forest to be hunted for sport by nobles or soldiers. Once the girls are hunted and captured, they're raped or beaten or sometimes killed. The reason for this hunt is so men can "let off steam" that is leftover from some previous war. Whoever participates and sends in a sacrifice gets a lot of money for their troubles, which is why there's a regular offering up as tribute. Except even Katniss Everdeen wouldn't put up with this ish.
“The hunt was just one of the baser ways to let off steam. Everyone turned a blind eye to it because it kept the worst of the Dark King’s men under control. They could play civilized if they got to let loose their darker side.”
Let's talk about how wildly disturbing and insulting that is, and how wildly inappropriate that concept is especially considering the younger YA audience that this writing level seems to be geared toward. We're just to assume here that "boys will be boys" is the one-dimensional, demeaning character motivation for the men in this story? There's even mention of a young girl who is caught in a net by half a dozen men during the hunt and as Cinder runs away to save herself, we can hear this captured little girl screaming. And then that girl is never found again. So...we're to assume a brutal gang rape...? What the actual what are we doing with this sick, sick plotline?
“Run, Cinder.” Ruby looked at her through the net. “It’s your only chance.”
Cinder hesitated. She wanted to be brave and loyal and save Ruby. She wanted to see the proud and happy look on Silver’s face when Cinder brought her granddaughter back. She wanted to know that her friends were safe.
But Cinder’s body made the choice for her.
She turned and ran. She was sure the dogs would come after her, and maybe they did. But the hunters did not. Her mind kept screaming about what might be happening to Ruby, but her body refused to slow down.
Cinder climbed the hill on the other side of the stream and looked back. The hunters congregated around their catch. Ruby struggled against her net, still trying to escape. The men laughed, and the dogs were called back to their masters.
2) Zero world building. Zero depth into the creatures like wolfkin, waif horses, trolls, fairies, and the magic. Zero effs about the twisted kingdom of Midnight and the mysterious utopia of Everness in comparison. Close to little convincing explanation of what sort of sick Hunger Games-esque environment we're in that the Midnight King encourages some twisted tradition of human sacrifice. Zero understanding of what sort of trick the king was playing in the end.
3) The book itself is so short that the plot rushes by in a matter of an hour or two. This means we don't spend much time explaining much of the plot or character developments, and it also gives it all a comically bad tone like a junior fan fiction writer was churning through a first draft piece that basically details the same three scenes over and over again: sicko hunt, Cinder talking to the princes, Cinder training for badassery.
4) Terrible character treatment. We literally meet characters like Silver, Ruby, Damon, Laylyn, and the three stepgirls only for them to fulfill a brief purpose...and then never see them again. They're written off the page so offhandedly that it makes you wonder if you're missing pages in your book.
Gallant vs. Dante in particular were given zero character depth. They're brothers, but they don't like each other. One is hinted at having a questionable character, the other is bullied in one scene. Both are inexplicably drawn to the same girl, despite Gallant getting a total of perhaps five sentences with Cinder the entire book. That's all we really know about them. Oh, and neither seem to care about Damon.
5) Irrelevant plotlines. Our main characters don't receive much love in the way of a purpose. Gallant and Dante are handsome boys who...literally don't have much more to their supposed rivalry for their father's approval.
Then Cinder is written to spend months and then years training in badass weaponry and self defense in order to survive the hunts...but we never see her use those abilities in any noticeably different way. Those two years also don't seem to have added and hardness or confidence or cunning to her character.
The ball was a pointless gimmick as well, meant to add familiarity to the fairy tale but again, it's done so laughably bad.
We also get the whole depiction of slavery and abuse of magic with the enslaved and starved fairies...which I found to be disturbingly similar to human sex trafficking. This doesn't serve any point other than to give us Lalyn in the role of the fairy godmother.
6) Editing mistakes. Good gracious, the first editing mistake I found was on page two. I also found a whole dialogue sequence where the names of Gallant and Dante were probably incorrectly switched because that entire scene did not make sense. Couldn't bother to read though your own work?
7) Despite the author having written a strong female character like Penryn in Angelfall, this book seems to take a giant step backward in terms of empowering young girls. Instead, I almost caught hints of titillating rape culture, or at the very least excessive male aggression and violence toward girls, all done in such a blasé manner that'll be sure to make you uncomfortable. Like, why even write this scene?! To convince the reader that the setting is dark and gruesome? To evoke a certain reaction?
He put his thick, slimy lips to her face. She turned her head enough so that he ended up licking her cheek. She turned her face and bit into his jowl.
Somewhere in the nearby trees, a girl’s scream echoed through the night. Men laughed in the shadows somewhere in the distance.
Her attacker turned angry. He slapped her. Then he made a fist and pounded it down toward her face.
She jerked her head out of the way. His fist landed hard against the rock that was beneath her head. He howled in his pain and fury.
She twisted, kicked and squirmed with as much force as she could. Just as she was about to slip out from under him, he grabbed the neckline of her dress and ripped it down.
We're also supposed to root for characters like Cinder and Dante who turn a blind eye toward rape and animalistic savagery, all in the name of self preservation...?
8) That ending. Blink or you'll miss it -- that's how quick and unrealistic it is.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It's real bad, all. A quick read and not a boring read, but a read so bad it'll make you wonder if Susan Ee is a pseudonym and some eight year old boy hijacked the writing instead.
June 14, 2019
Enjoyable but it isn't up to the level of the Penryn series.
Cinder & the Prince of Midnight is to Susan Ee what Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is to J.K. Rowling, and what A Court of Frost and Starlight is to Sarah J. Maas.
Cinder & the Prince of Midnight is to Susan Ee what Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is to J.K. Rowling, and what A Court of Frost and Starlight is to Sarah J. Maas.
January 10, 2021
Me puse como propósito leer muchos Retellings de Cenicienta 🥰😎
¿Qué deciles de este libro?
Cinder y el príncipe de medianoche es el primer libro de esta trilogía. Cómo habrán de suponer el Retelling de Cenicienta y de hecho es el Retelling más fiel que he leído.
En el reino de medianoche se realiza la cacería, una noche en dónde las mujeres son perseguidas por el bosque y los hombres nobles tienen derecho a violarlas, lastimarlas y asesinarlas. Cinder es llevada a la cacería y su madrastra recibe plata por esto. Ella va a tener que aprender a sobrevivir en el bosque y a defenderse.
Para eso va a acudir a Silver, abuela de Ruby que cumplen los roles de Caperucita roja y su abuela. Ella la va a entrenar y le va a enseñar a luchar.
Me gustó mucho el rol de las hadas en este libro, son poderosas pero están encerradas en jaulas y son alquiladas.
No me gustó que la protagonista NO SE DABA CUENTA que el chico al que ella conoce es el príncipe. Y es lo MAS OBVIO del mundo y hasta el final no se entera. TERRIBLE. 🤦🏽♀️
En general lo recomiendo su quieren leer Retellings, si quieren leer algo ligero de fantasía. Me gustó aunque me hubiera gustado que tenga más profundidad.
Yo leyendo Cinder y el príncipe de medianoche:😬😂😱😠😤
¿Qué deciles de este libro?
Cinder y el príncipe de medianoche es el primer libro de esta trilogía. Cómo habrán de suponer el Retelling de Cenicienta y de hecho es el Retelling más fiel que he leído.
En el reino de medianoche se realiza la cacería, una noche en dónde las mujeres son perseguidas por el bosque y los hombres nobles tienen derecho a violarlas, lastimarlas y asesinarlas. Cinder es llevada a la cacería y su madrastra recibe plata por esto. Ella va a tener que aprender a sobrevivir en el bosque y a defenderse.
Para eso va a acudir a Silver, abuela de Ruby que cumplen los roles de Caperucita roja y su abuela. Ella la va a entrenar y le va a enseñar a luchar.
Me gustó mucho el rol de las hadas en este libro, son poderosas pero están encerradas en jaulas y son alquiladas.
No me gustó que la protagonista NO SE DABA CUENTA que el chico al que ella conoce es el príncipe. Y es lo MAS OBVIO del mundo y hasta el final no se entera. TERRIBLE. 🤦🏽♀️
En general lo recomiendo su quieren leer Retellings, si quieren leer algo ligero de fantasía. Me gustó aunque me hubiera gustado que tenga más profundidad.
Yo leyendo Cinder y el príncipe de medianoche:😬😂😱😠😤
June 3, 2019
I don't know what to say. This really, really hurts me. I was over the freaking moon when I got Susan's email about a new book coming out. I pre-ordered it! And now I'm reading it, I'm 50% in, and I'm in shock.
If this book did not have "Susan Ee" on it, there is no way I would ever believe it was written by her. I can't describe how disappointed I am as I'm helplessly looking around the internet for others to explain how this book can possibly be by the same author. I saw a lot of the previous comments talking about the cover and I too thought it was terrible, but the book reads just like the cover would suggest it reads. Amateurish in writing, predictable story lines and scenes, none of the toughness, uniqueness and wit we came to love about Penryn, and perhaps most crushing, none of the "butterflies in your stomach" romance either. I kept reading and reading, hoping it would finally become the book I expected from Susan, but I'm 50% in and nothing has happened and it's really bad. There are even multiple spelling mistakes, like this book was never touched by a professional editor or writer.
By the way, it's also much shorter than your average novel. End of Days had around 340 kindle pages, this one has only about 200.
I can't be alone in this. Please someone explain to me what happened here... :(
If this book did not have "Susan Ee" on it, there is no way I would ever believe it was written by her. I can't describe how disappointed I am as I'm helplessly looking around the internet for others to explain how this book can possibly be by the same author. I saw a lot of the previous comments talking about the cover and I too thought it was terrible, but the book reads just like the cover would suggest it reads. Amateurish in writing, predictable story lines and scenes, none of the toughness, uniqueness and wit we came to love about Penryn, and perhaps most crushing, none of the "butterflies in your stomach" romance either. I kept reading and reading, hoping it would finally become the book I expected from Susan, but I'm 50% in and nothing has happened and it's really bad. There are even multiple spelling mistakes, like this book was never touched by a professional editor or writer.
By the way, it's also much shorter than your average novel. End of Days had around 340 kindle pages, this one has only about 200.
I can't be alone in this. Please someone explain to me what happened here... :(
December 27, 2023
“She has no choice. Just like I have no choice.”
“We all have choices, even if we do not realize it.“
I don’t even know what to say.
I wanted to love this, I wanted to give this amazing rating, but I couldn’t.
It was bad. Just bad.
Where is my awesome Susan Ee?
I want her back! 😭
2,25⭐️
————-
O.M.G. I thought this was never going to happen 😯😍
Finally a new book by Susan Ee.
I love her books.
But I really don’t like this cover 😕
“We all have choices, even if we do not realize it.“
I don’t even know what to say.
I wanted to love this, I wanted to give this amazing rating, but I couldn’t.
It was bad. Just bad.
Where is my awesome Susan Ee?
I want her back! 😭
2,25⭐️
————-
O.M.G. I thought this was never going to happen 😯😍
Finally a new book by Susan Ee.
I love her books.
But I really don’t like this cover 😕
August 24, 2019
As far as fairy tales go- this is 5 stars for me.
Cinder & the Prince of Midnight is an enchanting Cinderella re-telling that incorporates the dark and frightening themes of fantasy, along with some light horror. Cinder is a commoner in the kingdom of Midnight and is sold by her stepmother and stepsisters at every full moon to The Hunt. They are the nights when women of all ages are chased through a dangerous, magical forest by noblemen as a way of blowing off steam so they can return to their noble ladies as gentlemen.
This story comes with a relative slow-burn romance, cruel and cunning fairies, an insane Dark King whose favorite past time is mixing games with torture, and a badass main character who trains to be a fighter.
Susan Ee is great at writing dark fantasy. Her stories are terrifying, yet still entrancing and alluring. I read her first series, Penryn and the End of Days, in 2015 and thinking back on it the memories that stuck with me are the particularly dark and twisted details. The same is true for Cinder & the Prince of Midnight. The terror and gruesomeness is enough to make you say, "what the..." but not enough to make you wish you hadn't read it.
"The hunters came then. When they saw the wolfkin on the girl, they kept a respectful distance. They were afraid of the feeding frenzy, but they took bets on how long the screams would last."
The way the horror is written in this story contrasts really nicely with its light and fluffy magic and romance that you typically find in fairy tales. Young girls are booking it through the forest as deranged men hunt them for sport with truly horrifying intentions. You can feel their terror and you can vividly imagine the speed they run at with all the stumbling over tree roots and frantic searching for a place to hide. Yet, at the same time, you also feel wonder at the beautiful descriptions of the moonlight pouring through the forest and the ethereal, cruel fairies that are also out for some of their own hunting.
Because of how dark this short story can be, you find yourself feeling a bit of dread whenever the characters are feeling something good or carefree.
"After watching them for a minute, a few people shuttered their windows as though afraid of what might happen if they were caught enjoying laughter, even if it was someone else's."
Because they were concerned, I was concerned. When someone was suspicious, I was suspicious. When the author can make me feel what the characters are feeling--I'm grateful and all in. It's why I read books- I want an emotional and fantastical experience. Cinder & the Prince of Midnight was one of those experiences and I cannot wait for her other Midnight Tales.
**********************************
7/5/19 I LOVE Susan Ee's story-telling. This fairy tale is dark, twisted, and completely enchanting. I need as many of her fairy tales as possible.
Full review coming soon. I cannot wait to talk about this!
Cinder & the Prince of Midnight is an enchanting Cinderella re-telling that incorporates the dark and frightening themes of fantasy, along with some light horror. Cinder is a commoner in the kingdom of Midnight and is sold by her stepmother and stepsisters at every full moon to The Hunt. They are the nights when women of all ages are chased through a dangerous, magical forest by noblemen as a way of blowing off steam so they can return to their noble ladies as gentlemen.
This story comes with a relative slow-burn romance, cruel and cunning fairies, an insane Dark King whose favorite past time is mixing games with torture, and a badass main character who trains to be a fighter.
Susan Ee is great at writing dark fantasy. Her stories are terrifying, yet still entrancing and alluring. I read her first series, Penryn and the End of Days, in 2015 and thinking back on it the memories that stuck with me are the particularly dark and twisted details. The same is true for Cinder & the Prince of Midnight. The terror and gruesomeness is enough to make you say, "what the..." but not enough to make you wish you hadn't read it.
"The hunters came then. When they saw the wolfkin on the girl, they kept a respectful distance. They were afraid of the feeding frenzy, but they took bets on how long the screams would last."
The way the horror is written in this story contrasts really nicely with its light and fluffy magic and romance that you typically find in fairy tales. Young girls are booking it through the forest as deranged men hunt them for sport with truly horrifying intentions. You can feel their terror and you can vividly imagine the speed they run at with all the stumbling over tree roots and frantic searching for a place to hide. Yet, at the same time, you also feel wonder at the beautiful descriptions of the moonlight pouring through the forest and the ethereal, cruel fairies that are also out for some of their own hunting.
Because of how dark this short story can be, you find yourself feeling a bit of dread whenever the characters are feeling something good or carefree.
"After watching them for a minute, a few people shuttered their windows as though afraid of what might happen if they were caught enjoying laughter, even if it was someone else's."
Because they were concerned, I was concerned. When someone was suspicious, I was suspicious. When the author can make me feel what the characters are feeling--I'm grateful and all in. It's why I read books- I want an emotional and fantastical experience. Cinder & the Prince of Midnight was one of those experiences and I cannot wait for her other Midnight Tales.
**********************************
7/5/19 I LOVE Susan Ee's story-telling. This fairy tale is dark, twisted, and completely enchanting. I need as many of her fairy tales as possible.
Full review coming soon. I cannot wait to talk about this!
most-anticipated
May 1, 2019
Quote Reveal Update: May 1st, 2019
Soooooo, I just got another email from Susan and ahhh, the delicious teasers are out in the world! Are you ready to take a sneak peek?!
As far as I'm concerned, Susan will be posting more in the following Mondays and Wednesdays on her blog so please make sure you're following her latest updates! :D
My pre-reading fangirl mode: April 23rd, 2019
OMG GUYSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE QUEEN OF ANGEL APOCALYPSE AND POOKY BEAR IS BACK WITH ANOTHER THRILLING RETELLING OF CINDERELLA AND AHHHHHHHH, I HONESTLY COULDN'T CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT WHEN I SAW HER EMAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look at that COVER. That orphan girl. That devastatingly gorgeous smoke(?)!!!!!! There'd be a Cinderella, a freaking awesome DARK KINGDOM, and a PRINCE!!!!!!!!!! Okay, deep breath, Jasmine, deep breath......The BEST PART OF ALL THIS?!?!?!?!?!
This book will be out exactly one week before my birthday, on June 3rd, and ahhhhhhhhhh
You can now preorder it on Amazon or Apple!
Soooooo, I just got another email from Susan and ahhh, the delicious teasers are out in the world! Are you ready to take a sneak peek?!
As far as I'm concerned, Susan will be posting more in the following Mondays and Wednesdays on her blog so please make sure you're following her latest updates! :D
My pre-reading fangirl mode: April 23rd, 2019
OMG GUYSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE QUEEN OF ANGEL APOCALYPSE AND POOKY BEAR IS BACK WITH ANOTHER THRILLING RETELLING OF CINDERELLA AND AHHHHHHHH, I HONESTLY COULDN'T CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT WHEN I SAW HER EMAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look at that COVER. That orphan girl. That devastatingly gorgeous smoke(?)!!!!!! There'd be a Cinderella, a freaking awesome DARK KINGDOM, and a PRINCE!!!!!!!!!! Okay, deep breath, Jasmine, deep breath......The BEST PART OF ALL THIS?!?!?!?!?!
This book will be out exactly one week before my birthday, on June 3rd, and ahhhhhhhhhh
You can now preorder it on Amazon or Apple!
September 5, 2019
I'm gonna do Susan Ee a solid here and encourage you to
NOT
pay $5.99 for this 200 page e-book like I did. Cuz you'll be pissed that you paid that much money for this underwhelming piece of work and it may help lead to you rounding down to 1 star like me.
This was not good. Throw all your expectations aside, pretend you didn't love Angelfall, and it's STILL not good.
The characters are all insanely flat and dull. No depth at all. They're just there. Doing things. Saying things. Blah. Blah. And then, blah.
The story itself could perhaps have been intriguing. It's got a sort of twisty take on the old Cinderella tale, but. . . ehh. With such empty characters, it was hard to care what happened in the story. And the ending was ridiculous (way too fast and full of wtfs).
And the worst part, the thing that's kinda making me scratch my head in confusion here: the writing sucked. Like, really bad.
Ee's writing skills have regressed, which is super weird. I mean, if you got it, you got it, right? Like, okay -- maybe the particular story you're writing isn't going to work for fans of your previous books, but that shouldn't make us think that your writing has suddenly turned to shit, right? You should still be able to string words together in a way that speaks of your storytelling ability that we KNOW you have.
I don't understand how a writer can just lose that? Ee has though in this book. The writing felt really juvenile and unpolished.
He tried to glare at her but was too busy trying to breathe. Then he tried to get up, trying to look dignified.
That's. . . a whole lot of trying in 2 consecutive sentences.
Aside from the awkward writing everywhere, there's a shitload of typos in this thing. Did anyone even TRY to proof it before sending it out into the marketplace?
Maybe I'm being too picky. Maybe you'll like it. Still, I stand by my earlier recommendation that you not pay the full $5.99 especially if you're like me and the money you pay for something directly correlates to your expectations of the quality of the product you're buying. Wait for a price drop. This thing is WAY overpriced and I feel (probably unfairly on my part) that the author is taking advantage of her existing fan base by selling it for that much. This read like a first draft, or something I'd expect to find for free on an author's blog or something.
This was not good. Throw all your expectations aside, pretend you didn't love Angelfall, and it's STILL not good.
The characters are all insanely flat and dull. No depth at all. They're just there. Doing things. Saying things. Blah. Blah. And then, blah.
The story itself could perhaps have been intriguing. It's got a sort of twisty take on the old Cinderella tale, but. . . ehh. With such empty characters, it was hard to care what happened in the story. And the ending was ridiculous (way too fast and full of wtfs).
And the worst part, the thing that's kinda making me scratch my head in confusion here: the writing sucked. Like, really bad.
Ee's writing skills have regressed, which is super weird. I mean, if you got it, you got it, right? Like, okay -- maybe the particular story you're writing isn't going to work for fans of your previous books, but that shouldn't make us think that your writing has suddenly turned to shit, right? You should still be able to string words together in a way that speaks of your storytelling ability that we KNOW you have.
I don't understand how a writer can just lose that? Ee has though in this book. The writing felt really juvenile and unpolished.
He tried to glare at her but was too busy trying to breathe. Then he tried to get up, trying to look dignified.
That's. . . a whole lot of trying in 2 consecutive sentences.
Aside from the awkward writing everywhere, there's a shitload of typos in this thing. Did anyone even TRY to proof it before sending it out into the marketplace?
Maybe I'm being too picky. Maybe you'll like it. Still, I stand by my earlier recommendation that you not pay the full $5.99 especially if you're like me and the money you pay for something directly correlates to your expectations of the quality of the product you're buying. Wait for a price drop. This thing is WAY overpriced and I feel (probably unfairly on my part) that the author is taking advantage of her existing fan base by selling it for that much. This read like a first draft, or something I'd expect to find for free on an author's blog or something.
Read
June 16, 2019Update June 15
JUST.DON'T.KNOW
*chews over rating*
It seems like I'm recycling this gif way too much lately but it's truer than ever.
Buddy read with the QT's.
ORIGINAL
Guuuuys and QT's and fat-cats and everyone in between!!! I'll post my review here!!!
Note to GR employees
Could you please not merge my review to my BR Post? Thanks
JUST.DON'T.KNOW
*chews over rating*
It seems like I'm recycling this gif way too much lately but it's truer than ever.
Buddy read with the QT's.
ORIGINAL
Guuuuys and QT's and fat-cats and everyone in between!!! I'll post my review here!!!
Note to GR employees
Could you please not merge my review to my BR Post? Thanks
June 24, 2019
Same Review Also Posted On My Blog: Dreamy Addictions
Susan Ee's Penryn and The End Of The Days trilogy is one of my all time favorite series and when I heard that she's releasing a new book after a very long break, I was freaking excited. Despite the unappealing cover, I was so looking forward to read it. After finishing this book, I was left with disappointment. It honestly didn't feel like Susan's novel and the writing also felt different. I really had high expectations for this book, but it turns out to be an okay-ish read. Not as amazing as the Penryn series. It has an interesting concept, promising plot, and a strong heroine but the execution wasn't that great.
Cinder is an orphan who lives with her stepmother and her two evil stepsisters. In her kingdom, there is a ritualistic hunt introduced by the dark king where young girls is hunted like an animal and any hunter who catches the prey can do anything with them. The only way out of the kingdom is through the forest which only few people know and they can't talk about it without the permission of the king himself. When Cinder's stepmother sells her to the hunt, she had no choice but to play the game and survive the night without getting caught. Soon Cinder meets silver the flower grower who teaches her some defensive skills to survive the hunt. On the night of the coronation of a new king, the dark king arranges a wicked hunt that brings fear in everyone.
Cinder is a likable character. She's vulnerable but has a strong will to survive. Her stepmother and step sisters are so heartless. I absolutely hated them. I don't know how she can live with those monsters in her home even after everything she's been through. Prince Dante is sweet, and charming, but sadly not strong enough to fight against his ruthless father. I wish he was more brave. I'm glad he at least wasn't bully like his older brother Gallant. The romance between Cinder and Dante was totally cliched and rushed. I wish there was more interactions between them.
The plot was interesting and very unique but the execution could've been better. It has a great start, but after the hunt things slowly took a downhill. The story failed to build suspense. I was really enjoying the hunting part but suddenly the plot took a slow turn and when it came to the ending everything was rushed. The writing was okay-okay and found some editing mistakes. The entire book was told in third perspective. The world the author build sounded fascinating but it lacked details which left me overall confused. The whole story was set in a little village and a forest. The enslaved fairies aspect was refreshing but don't expect for a lot of fae in this book.
Overall, it was a unique retelling! Although I enjoyed some part of it, I'm still highly disappointed. I shouldn't have put high expectations on it. I can't believe it was written by Susan Ee. I hope the next book is much better than this one.
Susan Ee's Penryn and The End Of The Days trilogy is one of my all time favorite series and when I heard that she's releasing a new book after a very long break, I was freaking excited. Despite the unappealing cover, I was so looking forward to read it. After finishing this book, I was left with disappointment. It honestly didn't feel like Susan's novel and the writing also felt different. I really had high expectations for this book, but it turns out to be an okay-ish read. Not as amazing as the Penryn series. It has an interesting concept, promising plot, and a strong heroine but the execution wasn't that great.
Cinder is an orphan who lives with her stepmother and her two evil stepsisters. In her kingdom, there is a ritualistic hunt introduced by the dark king where young girls is hunted like an animal and any hunter who catches the prey can do anything with them. The only way out of the kingdom is through the forest which only few people know and they can't talk about it without the permission of the king himself. When Cinder's stepmother sells her to the hunt, she had no choice but to play the game and survive the night without getting caught. Soon Cinder meets silver the flower grower who teaches her some defensive skills to survive the hunt. On the night of the coronation of a new king, the dark king arranges a wicked hunt that brings fear in everyone.
Cinder is a likable character. She's vulnerable but has a strong will to survive. Her stepmother and step sisters are so heartless. I absolutely hated them. I don't know how she can live with those monsters in her home even after everything she's been through. Prince Dante is sweet, and charming, but sadly not strong enough to fight against his ruthless father. I wish he was more brave. I'm glad he at least wasn't bully like his older brother Gallant. The romance between Cinder and Dante was totally cliched and rushed. I wish there was more interactions between them.
The plot was interesting and very unique but the execution could've been better. It has a great start, but after the hunt things slowly took a downhill. The story failed to build suspense. I was really enjoying the hunting part but suddenly the plot took a slow turn and when it came to the ending everything was rushed. The writing was okay-okay and found some editing mistakes. The entire book was told in third perspective. The world the author build sounded fascinating but it lacked details which left me overall confused. The whole story was set in a little village and a forest. The enslaved fairies aspect was refreshing but don't expect for a lot of fae in this book.
Overall, it was a unique retelling! Although I enjoyed some part of it, I'm still highly disappointed. I shouldn't have put high expectations on it. I can't believe it was written by Susan Ee. I hope the next book is much better than this one.
December 16, 2019
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 stars
Cinder & the Prince of Midnight is the first book in a new series, Midnight Tales by Susan Ee. I enjoyed the Penryn & the End of Days series by this author and was excited to see what her take on a classic fairytale would be. Susan Ee didn’t disappoint with a new dark twist to a classic tale.
We start as Cinder is running for her life though a forest at Midnight. She is just one of many of the poor unfortunates who have been sold into the Hunt. The Hunt is exactly what it sounds like. The rich men of the land pay a fee to the twisted Dark King and get to run about in the woods chasing women, men and children. When they catch them, anything is game and they can do whatever they want with the prey.
But Cinder isn’t going to go down without a fight, once she makes it through the first hunt and realizes she will be sold into more of them by her stepmother, she decides she has to find a way to fight back and finds some help along the way.
This is a land with enslaved fairies and a few other magical creatures. A land where darkness comes earlier and earlier each day, as evil encroaches more and more. A land with many who lost loved ones to the war against the Fairies but know the war is not over just yet.
I liked how Susan Ee reimagined this tale. The bones of the original are still there and used in new and exciting ways. I especially liked how the Fairy godmother portion was changed up. The ending of this wrapped up Cinder’s story nicely overall but led me to believe that the other books in the story will explore this same Dark King and overlaying arc of the darkness that is overtaking the light.
Fantastic for lovers of fairytale re-imaginings.
Narration:
Caitlin Davies narrated all of the Penryn & the End of Days books. I’ve enjoyed her performances and this was no exception. She brought the characters to life and made it easy to get drawn into the story.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 stars
Cinder & the Prince of Midnight is the first book in a new series, Midnight Tales by Susan Ee. I enjoyed the Penryn & the End of Days series by this author and was excited to see what her take on a classic fairytale would be. Susan Ee didn’t disappoint with a new dark twist to a classic tale.
We start as Cinder is running for her life though a forest at Midnight. She is just one of many of the poor unfortunates who have been sold into the Hunt. The Hunt is exactly what it sounds like. The rich men of the land pay a fee to the twisted Dark King and get to run about in the woods chasing women, men and children. When they catch them, anything is game and they can do whatever they want with the prey.
But Cinder isn’t going to go down without a fight, once she makes it through the first hunt and realizes she will be sold into more of them by her stepmother, she decides she has to find a way to fight back and finds some help along the way.
This is a land with enslaved fairies and a few other magical creatures. A land where darkness comes earlier and earlier each day, as evil encroaches more and more. A land with many who lost loved ones to the war against the Fairies but know the war is not over just yet.
I liked how Susan Ee reimagined this tale. The bones of the original are still there and used in new and exciting ways. I especially liked how the Fairy godmother portion was changed up. The ending of this wrapped up Cinder’s story nicely overall but led me to believe that the other books in the story will explore this same Dark King and overlaying arc of the darkness that is overtaking the light.
Fantastic for lovers of fairytale re-imaginings.
Narration:
Caitlin Davies narrated all of the Penryn & the End of Days books. I’ve enjoyed her performances and this was no exception. She brought the characters to life and made it easy to get drawn into the story.
Listen to a clip: HERE
June 6, 2019
2 stars
I'm disappointed in this book... The plot was very interesting and it was a dark fairytale with a very interesting take on the classic Cinderella story. But it was also told in a fairytale format, it was short and I felt like the author narrated events in a flat way with no character development. Even the main character, Cinder, was not well developed. This resulted in me feeling completely disconnected from this story.
After the Angelfall series, which is by far one of my favorite dark fantasy/dystopian series of all time, I found this story underwhelming.
*Pre-release reaction
Wow, this came out of nowhere! I was looking at my copy of Angelfall yesterday thinking what a shame it is we never got another book by Susan EE after all (I had stopped hoping that we ever would at this point) and then I get the newsletter. I will read anything she writes, I'm very excited!
I'm disappointed in this book... The plot was very interesting and it was a dark fairytale with a very interesting take on the classic Cinderella story. But it was also told in a fairytale format, it was short and I felt like the author narrated events in a flat way with no character development. Even the main character, Cinder, was not well developed. This resulted in me feeling completely disconnected from this story.
After the Angelfall series, which is by far one of my favorite dark fantasy/dystopian series of all time, I found this story underwhelming.
*Pre-release reaction
Wow, this came out of nowhere! I was looking at my copy of Angelfall yesterday thinking what a shame it is we never got another book by Susan EE after all (I had stopped hoping that we ever would at this point) and then I get the newsletter. I will read anything she writes, I'm very excited!
May 7, 2020
Pues vaya.
Estaba deseando leer algo nuevo de Susan Ee por lo muchísimo que me gustó la trilogía de El fin de los tiempos, y al enterarme de que encima de que iba a publicar, iba a ser un retelling, todo fue demasiado bueno para ser cierto. Y lo era. Cinder y el príncipe de Medianoche no parece escrito por la misma persona que Ángeles Caídos: al worldbuilding le falta trabajo, los personajes son bastante planos, y nos falta información y coherencia en toda la trama. ¿Engancha? Sí. ¿Se lee rápido? Sí. ¿Podría haber sido un retelling de Cenicienta oscuro y turbio? Sí. Pero no lo ha sido.
Estaba deseando leer algo nuevo de Susan Ee por lo muchísimo que me gustó la trilogía de El fin de los tiempos, y al enterarme de que encima de que iba a publicar, iba a ser un retelling, todo fue demasiado bueno para ser cierto. Y lo era. Cinder y el príncipe de Medianoche no parece escrito por la misma persona que Ángeles Caídos: al worldbuilding le falta trabajo, los personajes son bastante planos, y nos falta información y coherencia en toda la trama. ¿Engancha? Sí. ¿Se lee rápido? Sí. ¿Podría haber sido un retelling de Cenicienta oscuro y turbio? Sí. Pero no lo ha sido.
June 13, 2019
This was shorter than I'd hoped for, but an interesting take on Cinderella. I'm looking forward to what else Susan Ee has in store for us!
***
Holy fuck!!!!!! A new Susan Ee book after100 4 years!!!!! I could cry I’m so happy.
***
Holy fuck!!!!!! A new Susan Ee book after
September 13, 2019
I love love love Susan EE, but this book doesn't feel like it's written by her. :(
August 24, 2021
Huh. Well, this was disappointing. What started as an interesting and dark concept kind of just pittered out and left us with a bad ending. Don't get me wrong, this book was highly enjoyable--I read it in one sitting--but it lacked substance and felt like shoddy work in places. On top of that, the ending was unfulfilling--none of the problems mentioned in the story were solved. I was literally left thinking, "Huh? What just happened?" What a shame too because I feel like this could have been a really good book if it had been longer, had more substance, and took the ending in a totally different direction. I feel like this would have worked better as a series. So many problems were raised, and nothing was solved. If Ee took the ending in a different place, this could have been a great first novel.
I'm super bummed out. I really loved Susan Ee's first series, but this book was a major letdown. I honestly don't think it was ready for publication either. There were so many typos and errors throughout. I could have just ignored them if that was the only problem, but alas, it was not. I would have liked more character development, world explanation (lots of things left me confused), and relationship development (um, hello! Where was the romance?? What we got was good, but nowhere near enough. They didn't even kiss!).
I admit, the book was addicting, but overall, I was highly disappointed. And the real bummer is that this book could have been so much better.
I'm super bummed out. I really loved Susan Ee's first series, but this book was a major letdown. I honestly don't think it was ready for publication either. There were so many typos and errors throughout. I could have just ignored them if that was the only problem, but alas, it was not. I would have liked more character development, world explanation (lots of things left me confused), and relationship development (um, hello! Where was the romance?? What we got was good, but nowhere near enough. They didn't even kiss!).
I admit, the book was addicting, but overall, I was highly disappointed. And the real bummer is that this book could have been so much better.
September 15, 2023
As fairytale retellings go, this one is dark and really twisted.
It has an interesting take on the classic tale of "Cindirella" and I loved how in this book Cinder is a strong heroine capable of taking care of herself. But the story is really short in legth and leaves a lot of world building blurry.
I guess more will be explained in future books of the series which I gather will be in the same world but standalone stories...
Anyhow, the story is really enjoyable, it has a lot of action and magic, and the writting is excellent as is expected by Susan Ee.
It has an interesting take on the classic tale of "Cindirella" and I loved how in this book Cinder is a strong heroine capable of taking care of herself. But the story is really short in legth and leaves a lot of world building blurry.
I guess more will be explained in future books of the series which I gather will be in the same world but standalone stories...
Anyhow, the story is really enjoyable, it has a lot of action and magic, and the writting is excellent as is expected by Susan Ee.
February 18, 2020
¡Me encantó! Lo recomiendo completamente. Este libro tiene un aire al cuento clásico de la Cenicienta aunque un poco más oscuro. Debo analizar bien para hacer una reseña más detallada y contarles. ¡Léanlo!
September 22, 2020
Un 4,5
RESEÑA COMPLETA: http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com/...
Cinder y el príncipe de medianoche es la primera entrega de la saga "Cuentos de Medianoche", una serie de libros de fantasía que reinventa los cuentos clásicos (un retelling vamos), no sé cuántos la compondrán pero son libros independientes que cuentan con un final cerrado y según he averiguado el lazo de unión es el reino de Medianoche, donde se ambientarán estos libros.
Es el primer libro que leo de Susan EE, porque la trilogía El Fin de los Tiempos la tengo pendiente desde hace tiempo y ahora más que nunca quiero darle una oportunidad porque esta novela me ha cautivado de una manera que no esperaba al comenzarlo. Para empezar comentaros que se trata de un retelling de La Cenicienta, un cuento que siempre me ha gustado bastante y tenía curiosidad por ver que había hecho la autora con él. Me ha encantado el ir viendo detalles y elementos importantes en la trama inspirados en el cuento -como las hadas, la madrastra, el príncipe, etc.,- pero con un giro más oscuro que le da un toque distinto y muy guay. Y es que este libro tiene escenas bastantes crueles, no se corta mucho a la hora de mostrar el lado macabro del reino y de sus habitantes, dando un giro de tuerca al mundo de fantasía de color rosa. No solo hay magia, criaturas fantásticas de todo tipo como Lobisomes, hadas, troles... sino que también hay algo de acción, giros sorprendentes, amor y lucha todo bajo esa atmósfera de cuento de hadas.
RESEÑA COMPLETA: http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com/...
Cinder y el príncipe de medianoche es la primera entrega de la saga "Cuentos de Medianoche", una serie de libros de fantasía que reinventa los cuentos clásicos (un retelling vamos), no sé cuántos la compondrán pero son libros independientes que cuentan con un final cerrado y según he averiguado el lazo de unión es el reino de Medianoche, donde se ambientarán estos libros.
Es el primer libro que leo de Susan EE, porque la trilogía El Fin de los Tiempos la tengo pendiente desde hace tiempo y ahora más que nunca quiero darle una oportunidad porque esta novela me ha cautivado de una manera que no esperaba al comenzarlo. Para empezar comentaros que se trata de un retelling de La Cenicienta, un cuento que siempre me ha gustado bastante y tenía curiosidad por ver que había hecho la autora con él. Me ha encantado el ir viendo detalles y elementos importantes en la trama inspirados en el cuento -como las hadas, la madrastra, el príncipe, etc.,- pero con un giro más oscuro que le da un toque distinto y muy guay. Y es que este libro tiene escenas bastantes crueles, no se corta mucho a la hora de mostrar el lado macabro del reino y de sus habitantes, dando un giro de tuerca al mundo de fantasía de color rosa. No solo hay magia, criaturas fantásticas de todo tipo como Lobisomes, hadas, troles... sino que también hay algo de acción, giros sorprendentes, amor y lucha todo bajo esa atmósfera de cuento de hadas.
April 10, 2021
I'm glad the average rating for this book didn't scare me away because I loved every second of it.
I listened to the audio and it was so fun. Well, as fun as a dark fairy tale retelling can be. I didn't cry, but I got close to tears during a few scenes.
For a shorter book, I think it did a good job with setting the atmosphere and introducing us to the world.
I liked the characters, Cinder, Silver and the fairy (Laylyn? Not sure if that's how to spell her name) most of all. Gallant and Dante were alright too.
The training "montage" (I don't know how else to describe it) hit exactly right. It wasn't too long, too boring. It gave me Mr. Miyagi vibes. I do wish that all later hunts Cinder participated in weren't skipped over though, I would've liked to see more of her skills in action.
The King was an interesting character, and cruel of course. I feel bad for the boys who had to grow up with him. While we're at it, I feel bad for Ruby too.
And it was nice to see typical Cinderella story details make their way into this retelling too. Like the glass slipper with a small twist. And the fairy godmother being an actual fairy.
POOR FAIRIES TOO!!! Sure some might be evil, but they deserve to be free.
A thing I'd love to see is an epilogue, an extended one to see how everyone is doing after the ending even though it wrapped everything up. I just want more Gallant ok? Ok.
I listened to the audio and it was so fun. Well, as fun as a dark fairy tale retelling can be. I didn't cry, but I got close to tears during a few scenes.
For a shorter book, I think it did a good job with setting the atmosphere and introducing us to the world.
I liked the characters, Cinder, Silver and the fairy (Laylyn? Not sure if that's how to spell her name) most of all. Gallant and Dante were alright too.
The training "montage" (I don't know how else to describe it) hit exactly right. It wasn't too long, too boring. It gave me Mr. Miyagi vibes. I do wish that all later hunts Cinder participated in weren't skipped over though, I would've liked to see more of her skills in action.
The King was an interesting character, and cruel of course. I feel bad for the boys who had to grow up with him. While we're at it, I feel bad for Ruby too.
And it was nice to see typical Cinderella story details make their way into this retelling too. Like the glass slipper with a small twist. And the fairy godmother being an actual fairy.
POOR FAIRIES TOO!!! Sure some might be evil, but they deserve to be free.
A thing I'd love to see is an epilogue, an extended one to see how everyone is doing after the ending even though it wrapped everything up. I just want more Gallant ok? Ok.
June 18, 2019
3.75 stars
Susan Ee's retelling of Cinderella wasn't a disappointing read but rather not her best.
As for many reviews that said the book is not as good as Penryn and the End of Days....I disagree.
Cinder & The Prince of Midnight was well written. Susan's literary style seems to be more melodic and elaborated than Penryn which I think she intended because it is a fairy tales retelling. In my opinion, Cinder has mature meanings hidden in children's classic bedtime. I like that the fantasy subplots were put together with magical details to fit into the original story. The result was a very imaginative story with brilliant ideas but not so very impressive mostly because it lacked "life" and "feeling". Mostly I think I miss the amazing world building and chemistry of characters. In my opinion, Susan Ee is better with her own story where she can create a much original and memorable piece.
Susan Ee's retelling of Cinderella wasn't a disappointing read but rather not her best.
As for many reviews that said the book is not as good as Penryn and the End of Days....I disagree.
Cinder & The Prince of Midnight was well written. Susan's literary style seems to be more melodic and elaborated than Penryn which I think she intended because it is a fairy tales retelling. In my opinion, Cinder has mature meanings hidden in children's classic bedtime. I like that the fantasy subplots were put together with magical details to fit into the original story. The result was a very imaginative story with brilliant ideas but not so very impressive mostly because it lacked "life" and "feeling". Mostly I think I miss the amazing world building and chemistry of characters. In my opinion, Susan Ee is better with her own story where she can create a much original and memorable piece.
Want to read
April 24, 2019OMG a new book from Susan Ee!! FINALLY 🎉🎉🎉
And it’s a Cinderella retelling! I can’t bloody wait until June!!
And it’s a Cinderella retelling! I can’t bloody wait until June!!
June 21, 2019
Wtf
Sooo....yeah I gave 3 stars because I feel bad giving less but I mean really? Really? I have trouble believing the same author wrote this as angelfall. This was written like a high school essay, extremely amateur, just like it was written in a couple days and thrown to us with Susan’s name on it so we’d buy it. Or maybe it should have been marketed to 9 years olds? As for the actual story- it’s Cinderella with a couple random things thrown in. I just don’t understand where this came from?? Does anyone out there know why this book is the way it is?? Because I’d really like to know wtf happened when it came to this book.
Sooo....yeah I gave 3 stars because I feel bad giving less but I mean really? Really? I have trouble believing the same author wrote this as angelfall. This was written like a high school essay, extremely amateur, just like it was written in a couple days and thrown to us with Susan’s name on it so we’d buy it. Or maybe it should have been marketed to 9 years olds? As for the actual story- it’s Cinderella with a couple random things thrown in. I just don’t understand where this came from?? Does anyone out there know why this book is the way it is?? Because I’d really like to know wtf happened when it came to this book.
August 9, 2019
can't get over how budget this cover looks but i'm so excited that susan ee is finally releasing another book bc i love Angelfall with my entire 5'0" being
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update: ...kind of sad at how disappointing this turned out to be. full review to come
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update: ...kind of sad at how disappointing this turned out to be. full review to come
January 15, 2022
Originalmente había calificado el libro con cuatro estrellas. Pero han pasado los días, incluso semanas, y me decidí a bajarle a tres estrellas. La verdad es que me sorprendí al darme cuenta de que muchos detalles no me gustaron. También empecé a considerar que algunos aspectos no fueron tan impresionantes.
El mundo está lleno de horrores, no necesito aportar más.
En el reino de Medianoche, durante la luna llena de cada mes, ocurre la cacería. Esta consiste en la participación de los nobles, como los cazadores; y de mujeres, como las presas que deben correr por el bosque. En la cacería todo está permitido, desde violar a las mujeres hasta torturarlas. Pero el ganador siempre será el que más presas ha matado.
Cinder es una huérfana que vive cumpliendo las ordenes de su madrastra y hermanastra. Ella se ha encargado de los quehaceres domésticos después de la muerte de su padre, momento en donde su nueva familia le mostró los colmillos y las garras. Sin embargo, en los últimos años, la madrastra de Cinder no encuentra la forma de que su familia vuelva a estar estable económicamente. Así, decide vender a Cinder para que participe en las cacerías a cambio de varias monedas.
Cinder y el príncipe de Medianoche es una lectura directa que no espera que el lector se acostumbre al mundo que se está presentando. Es una lectura fácil y rápida de leer, porque la autora no se preocupa en dar descripciones detalladas sino en centrarse en los elementos que harán que la trama avance. Desde el primer capítulo me encontré con bosques oscuros, persecuciones y el sentimiento de peligro en cada página. Es una zambullida por completo a la historia que narra el libro. Esto, por supuesto, me confundió. Hubo momentos que me sentía perdida por no conocer los personajes que iban apareciendo o las normas que estos debían seguir. Pero de a poco, con algunas descripciones y diálogos, empecé a comprender mejor lo que estaba leyendo.
El mundo de Medianoche me ha gustado en muchos aspectos, y no debería sorprenderme cuando la autora del libro es Susan Ee. Ella y su habilidad para la creación y ambientación de mundos es impresionante. Un rey con autoridad absoluta, que disfruta del sufrimiento de los demás; una guerra entre féericos y humanos, que transformó por completo el sentimiento de felicidad; una oscuridad que enloquece cada día a los habitantes del reino; la aparición de las cacerías; la injusticia entre los de la realeza, los de la nobleza y los plebeyos; y el trato con las mujeres. Esto crea un ambiente lúgubre, sombrío y pesimista.
También me impresionó la mezcla entre el cuento original de La Cenicienta. En la primera mitad la única similitud que encontré fue la infancia de Cinder y el maltrato de su madrastra y hermanastras. Hubo otros detalles menores como los ratones. Pero no fue hasta la segunda mitad donde el libro narra, de una manera retorcida y oscura, la aparición del hada madrina y el baile que organiza el rey para que el príncipe encuentre a una esposa.
Porque vivimos en un mundo en donde hay odio y violencia, donde demasiadas de las historias que escuchamos son propagadas por el rey oscuro, porque la mitad de la población puede matar a las mujeres impunemente. Porque nadie estará allí para salvarnos.
Ahora bien, hubo varios detalles que no me gustaron.
El libro le falta, por lo menos, cien páginas más. Entiendo que la autora quiso narrar la historia como si fuera un cuento, lo cual no tengo ninguna queja, pero se omitieron demasiados detalles en el proceso. Por un lado, todo el mundo de Medianoche, tan oscuro y retorcido que resulta inevitable que sea interesante, no fue aprovechado. Había muchas tramas principales y secundarias que la autora pudo haber utilizado, y no lo hizo. Y, por otro lado, se quedaron muchos cabos sueltos. ¿Cómo era la vida antes de la guerra entre los feéricos y humanos? ¿Qué causó la energía oscura que habita en Medianoche? ¿Nadie conoce otros reinos cercanos? ¿Cómo funciona la magia de las hadas? ¿Por qué los ciudadanos se someten de tal forma a su rey y no se rebelan? Tengo otras dudas más en específico, pero serían spoilers.
A esto se sumó la personalidad superficial de los personajes. La protagonista no me gustó ni disgustó. En las primeras páginas sentí que podía encariñarme con ella, pero después pasó a darme igual por las decisiones que tomaba o los pensamientos que se le pasaba por la cabeza. Tampoco presentó un gran desarrollo. Y con los otros personajes ocurrió lo mismo. La participación del príncipe es mínima, y no toma relevancia hasta el final del libro. La florista me confundía. Nunca empaticé con ella, porque prácticamente no sabía nada de su historia. Era como un personaje para ayudar a la protagonista a avanzar la trama. Y el rey, como villano, nunca llegué a comprender el porqué de sus acciones o qué es lo que quería lograr. Sólo supe que disfrutaba del sufrimiento de los demás y ya. Eso sí, por lo menos la madrasta y las hermanastras me cayeron mal.
Y por último está el final. Me impresionó muchísimo todo lo que sucedió en la fiesta que organizó el rey. Esas escenas fueron increíbles. Pero esa última página me decepcionó a niveles catastróficos. Sentí que todo lo que leí fue para llegar a un final abierto. Y sí, odio los finales abiertos.
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El mundo está lleno de horrores, no necesito aportar más.
En el reino de Medianoche, durante la luna llena de cada mes, ocurre la cacería. Esta consiste en la participación de los nobles, como los cazadores; y de mujeres, como las presas que deben correr por el bosque. En la cacería todo está permitido, desde violar a las mujeres hasta torturarlas. Pero el ganador siempre será el que más presas ha matado.
Cinder es una huérfana que vive cumpliendo las ordenes de su madrastra y hermanastra. Ella se ha encargado de los quehaceres domésticos después de la muerte de su padre, momento en donde su nueva familia le mostró los colmillos y las garras. Sin embargo, en los últimos años, la madrastra de Cinder no encuentra la forma de que su familia vuelva a estar estable económicamente. Así, decide vender a Cinder para que participe en las cacerías a cambio de varias monedas.
Cinder y el príncipe de Medianoche es una lectura directa que no espera que el lector se acostumbre al mundo que se está presentando. Es una lectura fácil y rápida de leer, porque la autora no se preocupa en dar descripciones detalladas sino en centrarse en los elementos que harán que la trama avance. Desde el primer capítulo me encontré con bosques oscuros, persecuciones y el sentimiento de peligro en cada página. Es una zambullida por completo a la historia que narra el libro. Esto, por supuesto, me confundió. Hubo momentos que me sentía perdida por no conocer los personajes que iban apareciendo o las normas que estos debían seguir. Pero de a poco, con algunas descripciones y diálogos, empecé a comprender mejor lo que estaba leyendo.
El mundo de Medianoche me ha gustado en muchos aspectos, y no debería sorprenderme cuando la autora del libro es Susan Ee. Ella y su habilidad para la creación y ambientación de mundos es impresionante. Un rey con autoridad absoluta, que disfruta del sufrimiento de los demás; una guerra entre féericos y humanos, que transformó por completo el sentimiento de felicidad; una oscuridad que enloquece cada día a los habitantes del reino; la aparición de las cacerías; la injusticia entre los de la realeza, los de la nobleza y los plebeyos; y el trato con las mujeres. Esto crea un ambiente lúgubre, sombrío y pesimista.
También me impresionó la mezcla entre el cuento original de La Cenicienta. En la primera mitad la única similitud que encontré fue la infancia de Cinder y el maltrato de su madrastra y hermanastras. Hubo otros detalles menores como los ratones. Pero no fue hasta la segunda mitad donde el libro narra, de una manera retorcida y oscura, la aparición del hada madrina y el baile que organiza el rey para que el príncipe encuentre a una esposa.
Porque vivimos en un mundo en donde hay odio y violencia, donde demasiadas de las historias que escuchamos son propagadas por el rey oscuro, porque la mitad de la población puede matar a las mujeres impunemente. Porque nadie estará allí para salvarnos.
Ahora bien, hubo varios detalles que no me gustaron.
El libro le falta, por lo menos, cien páginas más. Entiendo que la autora quiso narrar la historia como si fuera un cuento, lo cual no tengo ninguna queja, pero se omitieron demasiados detalles en el proceso. Por un lado, todo el mundo de Medianoche, tan oscuro y retorcido que resulta inevitable que sea interesante, no fue aprovechado. Había muchas tramas principales y secundarias que la autora pudo haber utilizado, y no lo hizo. Y, por otro lado, se quedaron muchos cabos sueltos. ¿Cómo era la vida antes de la guerra entre los feéricos y humanos? ¿Qué causó la energía oscura que habita en Medianoche? ¿Nadie conoce otros reinos cercanos? ¿Cómo funciona la magia de las hadas? ¿Por qué los ciudadanos se someten de tal forma a su rey y no se rebelan? Tengo otras dudas más en específico, pero serían spoilers.
A esto se sumó la personalidad superficial de los personajes. La protagonista no me gustó ni disgustó. En las primeras páginas sentí que podía encariñarme con ella, pero después pasó a darme igual por las decisiones que tomaba o los pensamientos que se le pasaba por la cabeza. Tampoco presentó un gran desarrollo. Y con los otros personajes ocurrió lo mismo. La participación del príncipe es mínima, y no toma relevancia hasta el final del libro. La florista me confundía. Nunca empaticé con ella, porque prácticamente no sabía nada de su historia. Era como un personaje para ayudar a la protagonista a avanzar la trama. Y el rey, como villano, nunca llegué a comprender el porqué de sus acciones o qué es lo que quería lograr. Sólo supe que disfrutaba del sufrimiento de los demás y ya. Eso sí, por lo menos la madrasta y las hermanastras me cayeron mal.
Y por último está el final. Me impresionó muchísimo todo lo que sucedió en la fiesta que organizó el rey. Esas escenas fueron increíbles. Pero esa última página me decepcionó a niveles catastróficos. Sentí que todo lo que leí fue para llegar a un final abierto. Y sí, odio los finales abiertos.
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June 10, 2019
I have been waiting forever for Susan Ee to publish a new book since the release of her best selling trilogy, Penryn & the End of Days! I noticed an email from her in my Gmail promotion folder just a few days before this release. I was just so pleasantly surprised! It's been a while since I've checked her site, just waiting on any word for a certain movie that she sold rights to. Anyway...
Cinder & the Prince of Midnight is obviously a Cinderella retelling. It has dark elements not unlike the original Brother's Grimm fairy tales. The story starts out with Cinder in a version of the Wild Hunt. Every full moon the Midnight King arranges for nobles to hunt peasant women through the Dark Forrest. These women are sold for the purpose of the hunt. If they can survive until daybreak, they can return to the sorry SOB's that bartered them away for gold. This is Cinder's fate: to return home to her horrible stepmother and stepsisters who make a living every full moon by selling Cinder to the hunt. But because Cinder managed to kill her attacker in the first hunt she was in, the Midnight King raises the stakes in more horrifying and cruelly authoritarian ways.
Having met the prince during her travel home, Cinder has a distinct advantage when a royal ball is announced in honor of choosing the royal heir to the throne. It also helps that she has a trickster for a "fairy godmother" playing the game. A game that Cinder doesn't want to win. She just wants to survive.
While this is no Angelfall, Cinder was right up there with Penryn trying to survive in a world set against her. I felt like Cinder could have done more to escape her so-called family and made a life of her own though. It was almost as if she was in a prison of her own making, living in a delusion that her stepfamily cared because that was the promise made to her father. Had she truly not considered long before that her stepmother had murdered her father for control of the estate? Even after it's pointed out to her, she still denies it. Much like the hunt on the full moon, just because you don't see what happens doesn't mean the worst thing imaginable isn't happening. Every month she's sent out to possibly be raped and murdered by the people that are supposed to love her and she's like, "Oh, well. I'll just learn to fight and survive instead of killing the people responsible for putting me through this hell." And she scrubs their floors and does their laundry, too. Can't say I can relate to this girl much. I do hope she gets a happily ever after. Because of the ending we just don't know.
So all around, this was a pretty dark fairy tale. Some gore, implied rape, murder, and mayhem. The romance was practically nonexistent. Just the mere beginnings of a courtship. It was a quick read, with some grammatical errors and poor sentence structure, but enjoyable nonetheless. I would give any subsequent Midnight Tales a crack.
3.75 🌟
Cinder & the Prince of Midnight is obviously a Cinderella retelling. It has dark elements not unlike the original Brother's Grimm fairy tales. The story starts out with Cinder in a version of the Wild Hunt. Every full moon the Midnight King arranges for nobles to hunt peasant women through the Dark Forrest. These women are sold for the purpose of the hunt. If they can survive until daybreak, they can return to the sorry SOB's that bartered them away for gold. This is Cinder's fate: to return home to her horrible stepmother and stepsisters who make a living every full moon by selling Cinder to the hunt. But because Cinder managed to kill her attacker in the first hunt she was in, the Midnight King raises the stakes in more horrifying and cruelly authoritarian ways.
Having met the prince during her travel home, Cinder has a distinct advantage when a royal ball is announced in honor of choosing the royal heir to the throne. It also helps that she has a trickster for a "fairy godmother" playing the game. A game that Cinder doesn't want to win. She just wants to survive.
While this is no Angelfall, Cinder was right up there with Penryn trying to survive in a world set against her. I felt like Cinder could have done more to escape her so-called family and made a life of her own though. It was almost as if she was in a prison of her own making, living in a delusion that her stepfamily cared because that was the promise made to her father. Had she truly not considered long before that her stepmother had murdered her father for control of the estate? Even after it's pointed out to her, she still denies it. Much like the hunt on the full moon, just because you don't see what happens doesn't mean the worst thing imaginable isn't happening. Every month she's sent out to possibly be raped and murdered by the people that are supposed to love her and she's like, "Oh, well. I'll just learn to fight and survive instead of killing the people responsible for putting me through this hell." And she scrubs their floors and does their laundry, too. Can't say I can relate to this girl much. I do hope she gets a happily ever after. Because of the ending we just don't know.
So all around, this was a pretty dark fairy tale. Some gore, implied rape, murder, and mayhem. The romance was practically nonexistent. Just the mere beginnings of a courtship. It was a quick read, with some grammatical errors and poor sentence structure, but enjoyable nonetheless. I would give any subsequent Midnight Tales a crack.
3.75 🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
April 24, 2019YES PLEASE!
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