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Niebla #2
The Midnight Palace
The book begins with a chase through the streets of Calcutta in May 1916. Lieutenant Peake pauses for breath outside the ruins of the Jheeter's Gate station knowing that he only has a few hours to live. Inside his overcoat he is sheltering two newborn babies - twins, a boy and a girl. Pursued by his would-be assassins, Peake runs at full tilt to the house of Aryami Bose, to whom he entrusts the children. In 1932 we meet the boy, Ben, and his group of friends the night before they are due to leave St Patricks orphanage. They have formed a secret club, The Chowbar Society, that meets each week at midnight in the old ruin they have christened The Midnight Palace. Their final meeting is due that evening but then Aryami Bose turns up at the orphanage with Sheere, Ben's sister, and tells them the story of the parents they never knew. Their father was an engineer and writer who died in tragic circumstances at the inauguration of Jheeter's Gate station. But as the novel unfolds, there is more to this story than meets the eye and they are lured by a shadowy figure from the past into a final showdown in the ruins.
281 pages, Hardcover
First published November 18, 1994
914 people are currently reading
15521 people want to read
About the author
Carlos Ruiz Zafón
62 books26.8k followersCarlos Ruiz Zafón was a Spanish novelist known for his 2001 novel La sombra del viento (The Shadow of the Wind). The novel sold 15 million copies and was winner of numerous awards; it was included in the list of the one hundred best books in Spanish in the last twenty-five years, made in 2007 by eighty-one Latin American and Spanish writers and critics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,451 reviews
June 28, 2011
My disappointment in this book can be described in three words:
Insufficiently explained superpowers.
Insufficiently explained superpowers.
June 17, 2011
SPOILER ALERT!
I was very disappointed in this book. I liked Prince of Mist, but this book was not nearly as good (and I didn't think Prince of Mist was great).
For one thing, Grandma does not want anyone telling Sheere that her father was a bad man. But Grandma was the one who, for her whole life, has been telling Sheere that her father is a good man. But she knew his spirit was hunting his children to kill one of them. So why did she build him up in Sheere's mind in the first place?
How can Ben and Sheere have a mystical connection because they were twins separated at birth?
Why did Dad kidnap Ben's friends and tie them up? Why didn't he just kill them all and then kill Ben?
Whatever happened to their father's home? Why did he build it so weird?
How can they believe one minute that the bad guy knows they are there, because the miniature train starts going around the tracks and has three miniature figures of them inside, and then the next minute feel they are safe enough to go to sleep in separate rooms?
And why is it the girl always has to be the one sacrifice herself?
The story was not that interesting. It was difficult to follow. Explanations were given in character speech, going on for pages. Couldn't the author find a way to show, not tell? I was actually kind of angry by the end because I really wanted to like the book and find it creepy, like Prince of Mist. I don't understand why VOYA had it as a starred review.
The cover art is great, though.
Product Description
In the heart of Calcutta lurks a dark mystery....
Set in Calcutta in the 1930s, The Midnight Palace begins on a dark night when an English lieutenant fights to save newborn twins Ben and Sheere from an unthinkable threat. Despite monsoon-force rains and terrible danger lurking around every street corner, the young lieutenant manages to get them to safety, but not without losing his own life. . . .
Years later, on the eve of Ben and Sheere's sixteenth birthday, the mysterious threat reenters their lives. This time, it may be impossible to escape. With the help of their brave friends, the twins will have to take a stand against the terror that watches them in the shadows of the night--and face the most frightening creature in the history of the City of Palaces.
I was very disappointed in this book. I liked Prince of Mist, but this book was not nearly as good (and I didn't think Prince of Mist was great).
For one thing, Grandma does not want anyone telling Sheere that her father was a bad man. But Grandma was the one who, for her whole life, has been telling Sheere that her father is a good man. But she knew his spirit was hunting his children to kill one of them. So why did she build him up in Sheere's mind in the first place?
How can Ben and Sheere have a mystical connection because they were twins separated at birth?
Why did Dad kidnap Ben's friends and tie them up? Why didn't he just kill them all and then kill Ben?
Whatever happened to their father's home? Why did he build it so weird?
How can they believe one minute that the bad guy knows they are there, because the miniature train starts going around the tracks and has three miniature figures of them inside, and then the next minute feel they are safe enough to go to sleep in separate rooms?
And why is it the girl always has to be the one sacrifice herself?
The story was not that interesting. It was difficult to follow. Explanations were given in character speech, going on for pages. Couldn't the author find a way to show, not tell? I was actually kind of angry by the end because I really wanted to like the book and find it creepy, like Prince of Mist. I don't understand why VOYA had it as a starred review.
The cover art is great, though.
Product Description
In the heart of Calcutta lurks a dark mystery....
Set in Calcutta in the 1930s, The Midnight Palace begins on a dark night when an English lieutenant fights to save newborn twins Ben and Sheere from an unthinkable threat. Despite monsoon-force rains and terrible danger lurking around every street corner, the young lieutenant manages to get them to safety, but not without losing his own life. . . .
Years later, on the eve of Ben and Sheere's sixteenth birthday, the mysterious threat reenters their lives. This time, it may be impossible to escape. With the help of their brave friends, the twins will have to take a stand against the terror that watches them in the shadows of the night--and face the most frightening creature in the history of the City of Palaces.
March 14, 2024
ion remember anything🩶
September 28, 2018
A sido una lectura maravillosa, me encanta la ciudad en la que esta ambientado, la idea de un lugar lleno de misterios y desgracias, los personajes no los he llegado a conocer demasiado, pero eso les a dado un buen toque de misterio y no a evitado que les coja cariño, un libro bastante perturbador y muy entretenido, el autor tiene un talento incalculable y me a encantado el diálogo y las comparaciones que hace.
He tardado mucho en terminarlo porqué el autor utiliza un lenguaje que a mi corta edad es difícil de entender, pero a válido muchísimo la pena.
He tardado mucho en terminarlo porqué el autor utiliza un lenguaje que a mi corta edad es difícil de entender, pero a válido muchísimo la pena.
February 15, 2024
3 stars!
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY EVERYONE!! (I’m lonely)
This was better than the first one at least! It has some type of found family and I’m all for it with that trope, it’s literally my favorite one in the entire world <3 don’t seem to catch what kind of correlation this has with the first book lmao? But I’m glad I still read it tho.
Very fast paced and short, and decent enough :)
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY EVERYONE!! (I’m lonely)
This was better than the first one at least! It has some type of found family and I’m all for it with that trope, it’s literally my favorite one in the entire world <3 don’t seem to catch what kind of correlation this has with the first book lmao? But I’m glad I still read it tho.
Very fast paced and short, and decent enough :)
June 3, 2010
I hate it when people say these younger books by Ruiz Zafon aren't as good as The Shadow of the Wind. Of course they're not! But I can totally see where Shadow came from. It's fascinating to see how this wonderful author matured as he wrote his books. He kept getting better and better until genius struck him with Shadow. My only complain about Midnight Palace is that it's set in India, which is as exotic a setting as you can get. But I like Ruiz Zafon's Spanish and French characters. I don't know, I kept forgetting this book was set in India because the characters sounded too Spaniard. Still, I loved it.
February 9, 2016
Didn't really like this one.
I'm not really sure why.Maybe it's because I didn't like Ben,or maybe it's because I wasn't particularly interested in the story.I liked all the other characters,tho.I have to admit that I've skimmed through the last 40 pages-I just don't understand why Jawahal had to make everything so freaking complicated.Like,stop being so dramatic,dude.The ending,on the other hand,I actually really liked.It was a good conclusion to their journey.
I'm not really sure why.Maybe it's because I didn't like Ben,or maybe it's because I wasn't particularly interested in the story.I liked all the other characters,tho.I have to admit that I've skimmed through the last 40 pages-I just don't understand why Jawahal had to make everything so freaking complicated.Like,stop being so dramatic,dude.The ending,on the other hand,I actually really liked.It was a good conclusion to their journey.
July 24, 2015
I'm so in love with all of Carlos' books. No kidding. All of them are perfect, and beautiful. Highly recomended
No recuerdo porque empece a leer a CRZ, pero no se que seria de mi sin sus libros.
Este libro asi como todos los de el, esta lleno de suspenso y un poco de misterio paranormal, el cual jamas esta completamente descrito pero no es necesario para entender la historia. Adoro como todas sus historias acaban de forma melancólica, sin duda CRZ es uno de los mejores autores del momento.
Mande? Que dijiste? Que nunca has leído nada de el? bueno, A QUE ESTAS ESPERANDO HIJITO(A)!
No recuerdo porque empece a leer a CRZ, pero no se que seria de mi sin sus libros.
Este libro asi como todos los de el, esta lleno de suspenso y un poco de misterio paranormal, el cual jamas esta completamente descrito pero no es necesario para entender la historia. Adoro como todas sus historias acaban de forma melancólica, sin duda CRZ es uno de los mejores autores del momento.
Mande? Que dijiste? Que nunca has leído nada de el? bueno, A QUE ESTAS ESPERANDO HIJITO(A)!
November 9, 2025
(4'7🌟)
Creo que una vez más soy una de las pocas que tiene una opinión distinta a la del resto del mundo, pero la verdad es que a mí me ha parecido que este segundo libro no tiene nada que envidiarle al anterior. Me atrevería a decir que este me ha gustado incluso un poco más. Todos los elementos que se han leído en "El príncipe de la niebla" están también aquí: misterios que descubrir, momentos emotivos casi al llegar al final de la novela... Y un nivel de enganche brutal (al menos para mí) y momentos en los que me quedé mirando a la pared durante varios minutos por no haberme dado cuenta de que tenía la respuesta a todas mis preguntas justo delante de mis propias narices (literalmente hablando y por eso es que le he subido la puntuación a 4'7 estrellas).
Los personajes me han gustado todos, sin excepción alguna, aunque en este caso he conectado muchísimo con Ben, Sheere e Ian. Pero por lo general todos tienen algo especial que los hacen únicos. Y también me gusta que Zafón añada elementos paranormales en sus novelas, y eso que a mí me cuesta muchísimo creerme estas cosas en los libros, pero con este autor siempre me pasa lo contrario.
Estoy deseando leer el último libro de esta trilogía para ver cuál es el último misterio que hay que descubrir (y a ver si esta vez consigo acercarme más con mis teorías porque aquí solo acerté en una de las muchas locuras que se me pasaron por la cabeza).
Creo que una vez más soy una de las pocas que tiene una opinión distinta a la del resto del mundo, pero la verdad es que a mí me ha parecido que este segundo libro no tiene nada que envidiarle al anterior. Me atrevería a decir que este me ha gustado incluso un poco más. Todos los elementos que se han leído en "El príncipe de la niebla" están también aquí: misterios que descubrir, momentos emotivos casi al llegar al final de la novela... Y un nivel de enganche brutal (al menos para mí) y momentos en los que me quedé mirando a la pared durante varios minutos por no haberme dado cuenta de que tenía la respuesta a todas mis preguntas justo delante de mis propias narices (literalmente hablando y por eso es que le he subido la puntuación a 4'7 estrellas).
Los personajes me han gustado todos, sin excepción alguna, aunque en este caso he conectado muchísimo con Ben, Sheere e Ian. Pero por lo general todos tienen algo especial que los hacen únicos. Y también me gusta que Zafón añada elementos paranormales en sus novelas, y eso que a mí me cuesta muchísimo creerme estas cosas en los libros, pero con este autor siempre me pasa lo contrario.
Estoy deseando leer el último libro de esta trilogía para ver cuál es el último misterio que hay que descubrir (y a ver si esta vez consigo acercarme más con mis teorías porque aquí solo acerté en una de las muchas locuras que se me pasaron por la cabeza).
April 15, 2022
Podziwiam pomysł na historię, chociaż tom I z tej trylogii podobał mi się bardziej.
August 25, 2023
*PopSugar2023 Reto #2: Libro que compré en una librería independiente*
*Línea 2a. Libro con una parte del día en el título*
El principio es bastante interesante y que engancha para seguir leyendo, pero a la mitad, empiezan a entrelazar historias y alargar la trama, logrando que poco a poco se pierda el interés. Es en ese momento, que se sabe quién es el malo, porque hay un capítulo que lo dice, lo cual no entiendo si se supone que en la "lucha final" deberíamos sorprendernos por saber quién es el espectro que los persigue.
El autor tiene una introducción en la que se disculpa por las fallas que el libro pudiera tener, y creo que eso te predispone a empezar con cierto recelo.
Sin embargo no hay duda que Ruiz Zafón tiene un don para la escritura que se ve representado en todas sus obras, porque a pesar de los problemas que encontré al leer, no pude soltarlo.
*Línea 2a. Libro con una parte del día en el título*
El principio es bastante interesante y que engancha para seguir leyendo, pero a la mitad, empiezan a entrelazar historias y alargar la trama, logrando que poco a poco se pierda el interés. Es en ese momento, que se sabe quién es el malo, porque hay un capítulo que lo dice, lo cual no entiendo si se supone que en la "lucha final" deberíamos sorprendernos por saber quién es el espectro que los persigue.
El autor tiene una introducción en la que se disculpa por las fallas que el libro pudiera tener, y creo que eso te predispone a empezar con cierto recelo.
Sin embargo no hay duda que Ruiz Zafón tiene un don para la escritura que se ve representado en todas sus obras, porque a pesar de los problemas que encontré al leer, no pude soltarlo.
July 6, 2021
Я завжди забуваю, який Сафон жорстокий.
В моїй пам’яті він тепер назавжди автор надзвичайно красиво змальованого циклу «Цвинтар забутих книжок» і до його більш підліткових робіт я звертаюся, бо нема більше до чого))) На жаль, автор помер у 2020-му році і його творчий доробок не такий уже і широкий. До чого я все це? А щоб пояснити, що при згадці його імені першим мені спаде на думку саме краса письма цього автора. Та кожна нова прочитана історія тільки нагадує, яким безщадним бузувіром автор бував на сторінках своїх книг.
p.s. "вірьовка"?
В моїй пам’яті він тепер назавжди автор надзвичайно красиво змальованого циклу «Цвинтар забутих книжок» і до його більш підліткових робіт я звертаюся, бо нема більше до чого))) На жаль, автор помер у 2020-му році і його творчий доробок не такий уже і широкий. До чого я все це? А щоб пояснити, що при згадці його імені першим мені спаде на думку саме краса письма цього автора. Та кожна нова прочитана історія тільки нагадує, яким безщадним бузувіром автор бував на сторінках своїх книг.
p.s. "вірьовка"?
August 23, 2023
أسلوب كارلوس! مبهج العودة له.
و ما أعتبرها رواية لليافعين، لأني انرعبت 😂 بكل بساطة.
و ما أعتبرها رواية لليافعين، لأني انرعبت 😂 بكل بساطة.
December 4, 2021
This is Zafon's second YA book. He wrote it years ago and tried to capture the essence of the types of books he wanted to read at that age. I think he accomplished that. YA has come a long way since, but I feel like The Midnight Palace Holds its own. I loved that the story took place in Calcutta, a new setting for me. The "mystery" house was one of my favorite turns in the story. The Midnight Palace, like the The Prince of Mist, was reminiscent of Stephen King's IT. If you are a fan of IT, I think you would like this tale of seven friends bound together by circumstance battling a supernatural enemy against astronomical odds. Looking forward to reading Zafon's last YA book and completing the trilogy.
November 12, 2018
3,5 estrellas.! ⭐️
Empezó muy interesante y me atrapó rapidísimo, pero con el correr de las páginas se hizo un poco aburrido y demasiado fantasioso para mi gusto.
El final no fue la gran cosa, pero estuvo bien.
Lo que no me gustó es que la historia no tuviera ni pizca que ver con el libro anterior.Al ser una trilogía esperaba alguna relación más allá de la “niebla”.
Es una historia juvenil muy original, pero no me pude encariñar con los personajes, al ser tantos me perdía con los nombres y por momentos no sabía sobre quién estaba leyendo. 😓 (mala mía)
Probaré suerte con el tercero de la saga a ver qué tal.!
Empezó muy interesante y me atrapó rapidísimo, pero con el correr de las páginas se hizo un poco aburrido y demasiado fantasioso para mi gusto.
El final no fue la gran cosa, pero estuvo bien.
Lo que no me gustó es que la historia no tuviera ni pizca que ver con el libro anterior.Al ser una trilogía esperaba alguna relación más allá de la “niebla”.
Es una historia juvenil muy original, pero no me pude encariñar con los personajes, al ser tantos me perdía con los nombres y por momentos no sabía sobre quién estaba leyendo. 😓 (mala mía)
Probaré suerte con el tercero de la saga a ver qué tal.!
January 8, 2021
Esta segunda lectura del libro me ha gustado muchísimo más que la primera vez que lo leí, tal vez fue una mejor receptividad a historias juveniles e infantiles. A pesar de haberme leído el libro hace algún tiempo no recordaba absolutamente nada, así que prácticamente fue como leerme el libro por primera vez.
Lo primero que tiene que saber el lector antes de iniciar la lectura es que esta novela no tiene nada que ver con el "Príncipe de la niebla", a pesar de ser pertenecer ambas a la misma trilogía, al menos estos dos primeros libros lo único que guardan en común es que son novelas protagonizadas por jóvenes y hay un ser sobrenatural y maligno que quiere apoderarse de uno de ellos.
Iré directo hacia la tercera novela de esta trilogía.
Lo primero que tiene que saber el lector antes de iniciar la lectura es que esta novela no tiene nada que ver con el "Príncipe de la niebla", a pesar de ser pertenecer ambas a la misma trilogía, al menos estos dos primeros libros lo único que guardan en común es que son novelas protagonizadas por jóvenes y hay un ser sobrenatural y maligno que quiere apoderarse de uno de ellos.
Iré directo hacia la tercera novela de esta trilogía.
February 13, 2024
No logro encontrar la relación entre la primera novela de la trilogía y esta. Tal vez en la próxima, que cierra la serie, se me desvele.
Esta novela, mucho más intensa y apasionante que la anterior, para mí como lectora al menos, tiene un narrador más implicado, que mira su juventud con añoranza por aquel que fue y aquellos que fueron, pese a los terribles hechos que narra, y se da la vuelta a contemplar esa historia tremenda con sus actuales ojos de viejo que rememora.
Esa especie de nostalgia por su juventud y aquellos amigos que se perdieron impregna toda la narración, pese a, como digo, estar narrando unos hechos bastante horribles.
Al contrario que en la novela anterior de la trilogía, aquí ya se narra con un estilo definido, que hace vislumbrar el que definiría su tetralogía posterior.
El quién lo cuenta y el cómo sonn tan importantes como la historia en sí (al contrario que en el libro anterior) y te hacen ver esa nostalgia de lo perdido inexorablemente, que no dice, pero está ahí impregnándolo todo.
Me encantó. GL Libre (Zafón)
Esta novela, mucho más intensa y apasionante que la anterior, para mí como lectora al menos, tiene un narrador más implicado, que mira su juventud con añoranza por aquel que fue y aquellos que fueron, pese a los terribles hechos que narra, y se da la vuelta a contemplar esa historia tremenda con sus actuales ojos de viejo que rememora.
Esa especie de nostalgia por su juventud y aquellos amigos que se perdieron impregna toda la narración, pese a, como digo, estar narrando unos hechos bastante horribles.
Al contrario que en la novela anterior de la trilogía, aquí ya se narra con un estilo definido, que hace vislumbrar el que definiría su tetralogía posterior.
El quién lo cuenta y el cómo sonn tan importantes como la historia en sí (al contrario que en el libro anterior) y te hacen ver esa nostalgia de lo perdido inexorablemente, que no dice, pero está ahí impregnándolo todo.
Me encantó. GL Libre (Zafón)
November 19, 2024
И в тази книга, Сафон запазва нишката на магическия реализъм, която е ясно откроима още в първата част. Въпреки усложнения сюжет историята тук сякаш ми се стори малко по-слаба, тъй като не ме грабна веднага, както се случи с предходната.
December 5, 2011
“Those places where sadness and misery abound are favoured settings for stories of ghosts and apparitions.”
I think I can sum up my disappointment in this book in a sentence:
Fantastic ideas that are described in breathtakingly beautiful prose but never explained properly.
This isn’t going to be a long review because I had the same problems with this book as I did with The Prince of Mist.
There was just not enough explanation and, it might just be me, but I couldn’t get over that. I’m trying so hard not to delve into spoilers but so many crazy things happened throughout which would have been brilliant (and were certainly unique!) had I just been given a reason as to why they were happening. Without this, I just couldn’t believe it and I wasn’t sure that I understood the majority of it.
I don’t mind suspending my disbelief and I love magical realism (it’s my favourite kind of realism!) but only when what’s happening makes sense.
And, to me anyway, parts of this story didn’t.
But anyway, enough of the negative stuff, let’s move on to the positives.
Because there were tons of things I liked about this book.
First up I’ve said it before and I’ve said it again I love love looooove how Mr RZ constructs a sentence. Seriously, his prose is just absolutely stunning.
I’ve never been to Calcutta and I don’t know what the streets look like or how the mist rolls off the Hooghly River but with passages like this:
I am instantly transported there. Just gorgeous.
I also think that, aforementioned problems aside, Mr RZ definitely knows how to tell a thrilling story. Even though I didn’t understand a few bits, the ending was so gripping! I’ve said before that I love authors who aren’t afraid to put their characters (and readers for that matter!) through the ringer and Mr RZ is definitely not afraid to do this.
I was afraid, however, because I’m sure he has a list of all my worst nightmares and just throws them all in to spite me!
And then there are his characters. Even though I did get a bit annoyed by the fact that the adults are conveniently absent throughout this whole story, I loved that the children are the focus of the book. With such a colourful cast, it was easy to imagine yourself in that dilapidated house and I liked how his children actually act like children, too. Too often in MG/YA books, the children are impossibly ‘mature’ but in both of the books I’ve read by Mr RZ his characters are still children in the best sense: full of wonder, full of imagination, and members of secret clubs that require a password and only permit special girls to join!
My favourite character was Ben with his love for “complex puns” and his love for writing plays that are described as “a phantasmal piece of gibberish in which everyone died, including the stagehands.”
Ha!
I know I seem to have written a lot without actually saying anything, so I apologise. I enjoyed this book a lot more than I did The Prince of Mist because there seemed to be a lot more depth to the story and the setting was absolutely gorgeous.
I’d definitely recommend this book to people who don’t need to know every single thing and who can just sit back and enjoy the book for what it is.
Just because I’m not one of those people, doesn’t mean that you won’t be. Give it a try just for his prose, if anything!
You can read this review and lots of other exciting things on my blog here.
I think I can sum up my disappointment in this book in a sentence:
Fantastic ideas that are described in breathtakingly beautiful prose but never explained properly.
This isn’t going to be a long review because I had the same problems with this book as I did with The Prince of Mist.
There was just not enough explanation and, it might just be me, but I couldn’t get over that. I’m trying so hard not to delve into spoilers but so many crazy things happened throughout which would have been brilliant (and were certainly unique!) had I just been given a reason as to why they were happening. Without this, I just couldn’t believe it and I wasn’t sure that I understood the majority of it.
I don’t mind suspending my disbelief and I love magical realism (it’s my favourite kind of realism!) but only when what’s happening makes sense.
And, to me anyway, parts of this story didn’t.
But anyway, enough of the negative stuff, let’s move on to the positives.
Because there were tons of things I liked about this book.
First up I’ve said it before and I’ve said it again I love love looooove how Mr RZ constructs a sentence. Seriously, his prose is just absolutely stunning.
I’ve never been to Calcutta and I don’t know what the streets look like or how the mist rolls off the Hooghly River but with passages like this:
“The further he went, the more the station made of glass and steel seemed to melt into the city- a jungle of marble mausoleums blackened by decades of neglect; naked walls once coated in ochre, blue and gold, their colours peeled away by the fury of the monsoon, leaving them blurred and faded, like watercolours dissolving in a pond.”
I am instantly transported there. Just gorgeous.
I also think that, aforementioned problems aside, Mr RZ definitely knows how to tell a thrilling story. Even though I didn’t understand a few bits, the ending was so gripping! I’ve said before that I love authors who aren’t afraid to put their characters (and readers for that matter!) through the ringer and Mr RZ is definitely not afraid to do this.
I was afraid, however, because I’m sure he has a list of all my worst nightmares and just throws them all in to spite me!
And then there are his characters. Even though I did get a bit annoyed by the fact that the adults are conveniently absent throughout this whole story, I loved that the children are the focus of the book. With such a colourful cast, it was easy to imagine yourself in that dilapidated house and I liked how his children actually act like children, too. Too often in MG/YA books, the children are impossibly ‘mature’ but in both of the books I’ve read by Mr RZ his characters are still children in the best sense: full of wonder, full of imagination, and members of secret clubs that require a password and only permit special girls to join!
My favourite character was Ben with his love for “complex puns” and his love for writing plays that are described as “a phantasmal piece of gibberish in which everyone died, including the stagehands.”
Ha!
I know I seem to have written a lot without actually saying anything, so I apologise. I enjoyed this book a lot more than I did The Prince of Mist because there seemed to be a lot more depth to the story and the setting was absolutely gorgeous.
I’d definitely recommend this book to people who don’t need to know every single thing and who can just sit back and enjoy the book for what it is.
Just because I’m not one of those people, doesn’t mean that you won’t be. Give it a try just for his prose, if anything!
You can read this review and lots of other exciting things on my blog here.
February 29, 2012
The only reason that I am giving this book a star is because I happen to be a Zafon's fan. But seriously now, Calcutta 1930? no disrespect at all. I hated the Chowbar society members, all of them and I was more sympethtic to Jawahel -villain- but Zafon my man this thing sounded like a movie from Bollywood! I mean a necklace that is split in two, twins, names written backwards. I was waiting for the time when they all sang and the book went musical!
I understand that it is meant for teenagers and that you wrote it back in the 1990s. But some things are better left in the past, there is no reason to bring it back again when you have written the angels game, and shadow of the wind!
nevertheless any book that is written by Zafon has to have quotes that are epic like, and the ones that have appealed to me are:
there was a time was when i too was young and did all the things young people are expected to do: marry, have children, get into dept,become disappointed and give up the dreams and principles you have always sworn to uphold. In a word, I became old.
tactics are the collection of small steps you take to reach a position; strategy, the steps you take when there's nowhere left to go.
in the book of life it is perhaps best not to turn back pages.
there are two things in life you cannot choose,The first your enemies; the second your family sometimes the difference between them is hard to see. but in the end, time will show you that the cards you have been dealt could always have been worst. life, dear son, is like that first game of chess. by the time you begin to understand how the pieces move, you've already lost.
February 10, 2017
Una historia que engancha con unos personajes a los que se le coge cariño fácilmente y, por supuesto, con fantasía de por medio. ¿Qué más se puede pedir? Ruiz Zafón me ha conquistado. Y después de leer este libro me ha entrado curiosidad por la ciudad de Calcuta...
September 23, 2015
Un truño como una casa.
May 12, 2016
Obsessive followers of my reviews (come on, I know there's loads of you out there) may have noted that back when I reviewed Carlos Ruiz Zafón's previous YA novel, The Prince of Mist, I said I wasn't going to bother reading this. And it's true, I wasn't. But then I came across a copy in the library, and couldn't resist giving this a try, knowing it wouldn't take me long to read. I'm quite glad I did, as The Midnight Palace is much better than its predecessor.
Like The Prince of Mist, this book was originally intended for the teen market, but the English translation is clearly being aimed more towards the author's adult fans - again, it comes with a foreword extolling its appeal to readers of all ages. The story starts with Ian, now entering old age, recalling his youth in a children's home in Calcutta - specifically the adventures he enjoyed with a tight-knit group of fellow orphans who called themselves the Chowbar Society. Flashback to 1932, when the seven friends are on the cusp of turning sixteen and leaving the orphanage to make their own ways in the world. An elderly woman arrives at the orphanage with a girl of their age, the intriguing Sheere, and so begins a fantastical rollercoaster ride of an adventure.
It's odd that this is supposed to be the second of a trilogy, as other than some elements of fantasy and a seemingly indestructible 'bad guy', it has very little in common with The Prince of Mist. One of the things that annoyed me the most about that book was that it was so vague, completely failing to establish any sense of time or place, and providing very little explanation of the villain's origins. Here, the setting and era of the story are clear from the beginning, and the evil Jawahal is given a backstory that's perhaps too detailed, raising rather a lot of questions. Naturally, since this is YA fiction, it does all get a bit silly - much of the climactic action is really daft, but I didn't exactly expect shining literary brilliance, so that was fine. But I did genuinely like the ending, which seemed oddly melancholy and downbeat for a teen book.
A decent little read for fans of the author - atmospheric, exciting and easy to get through in one sitting. Maybe I'll read his next YA translation (due May 2013!) after all.
Like The Prince of Mist, this book was originally intended for the teen market, but the English translation is clearly being aimed more towards the author's adult fans - again, it comes with a foreword extolling its appeal to readers of all ages. The story starts with Ian, now entering old age, recalling his youth in a children's home in Calcutta - specifically the adventures he enjoyed with a tight-knit group of fellow orphans who called themselves the Chowbar Society. Flashback to 1932, when the seven friends are on the cusp of turning sixteen and leaving the orphanage to make their own ways in the world. An elderly woman arrives at the orphanage with a girl of their age, the intriguing Sheere, and so begins a fantastical rollercoaster ride of an adventure.
It's odd that this is supposed to be the second of a trilogy, as other than some elements of fantasy and a seemingly indestructible 'bad guy', it has very little in common with The Prince of Mist. One of the things that annoyed me the most about that book was that it was so vague, completely failing to establish any sense of time or place, and providing very little explanation of the villain's origins. Here, the setting and era of the story are clear from the beginning, and the evil Jawahal is given a backstory that's perhaps too detailed, raising rather a lot of questions. Naturally, since this is YA fiction, it does all get a bit silly - much of the climactic action is really daft, but I didn't exactly expect shining literary brilliance, so that was fine. But I did genuinely like the ending, which seemed oddly melancholy and downbeat for a teen book.
A decent little read for fans of the author - atmospheric, exciting and easy to get through in one sitting. Maybe I'll read his next YA translation (due May 2013!) after all.
February 6, 2017
Carlos Ruiz Safón no deja de asombrarme. Con una narración igual de maravillosa, descripciones y pensamientos que te hacen vivir en carne propia todo lo que su mente nos quiere trasmitir, con unos personajes enredados en tramas inescrutablemente complejas y escalofriantes. El es un autor con suficiente criterio para tomar decisiones arriesgadas en sus obras, y arrastrar a sus lectores junto con él mismo, a un mundo desconocido donde no hay emoción que se quede sin sentir.
Esta segunda novela de su saga 'Niebla', a pesar de ser mucho más extensa que la anterior 'El principe de la Niebla', tienen una estructura muy similar. Una historia que se desarrolla en una linea de tiempo muy breve, donde sólo expertos como el pueden ser capaces de distribuir los sucesos.
Esta vez somos llevados a la ciudad negra, Calcuta del siglo XX, donde un hombre huye, protegiendo la vida de dos bebes a los que el destino les dicto una suerte no deseada por nadie. Es narrada en primera y tercera persona, varía en distintos puntos en que se desarrolla la trama.
El autor deja su huella en cada ápice del libro. El plasma sus pensamientos a través de la fantasía que se lleva a cabo en sus letras: es un escenario mágico, una metáfora de la realidad que el mundo vive, y un paralelo de personajes ficticios con personas que viven las mismas circunstancias en la sociedad de hoy.
Nota: Ian, el personaje que en ocasiones narra la historia desde su punto de vista, fue uno de mis favoritos. Tenía un modo especial de ver las cosas, era tan observador y maduro. Me encanto su sensibilidad y modestia ante la posición de observador que el mismo se dio. Creo que fue un acierto escogerlo a él como el relator.
Esta segunda novela de su saga 'Niebla', a pesar de ser mucho más extensa que la anterior 'El principe de la Niebla', tienen una estructura muy similar. Una historia que se desarrolla en una linea de tiempo muy breve, donde sólo expertos como el pueden ser capaces de distribuir los sucesos.
Esta vez somos llevados a la ciudad negra, Calcuta del siglo XX, donde un hombre huye, protegiendo la vida de dos bebes a los que el destino les dicto una suerte no deseada por nadie. Es narrada en primera y tercera persona, varía en distintos puntos en que se desarrolla la trama.
El autor deja su huella en cada ápice del libro. El plasma sus pensamientos a través de la fantasía que se lleva a cabo en sus letras: es un escenario mágico, una metáfora de la realidad que el mundo vive, y un paralelo de personajes ficticios con personas que viven las mismas circunstancias en la sociedad de hoy.
Nota: Ian, el personaje que en ocasiones narra la historia desde su punto de vista, fue uno de mis favoritos. Tenía un modo especial de ver las cosas, era tan observador y maduro. Me encanto su sensibilidad y modestia ante la posición de observador que el mismo se dio. Creo que fue un acierto escogerlo a él como el relator.
La vida es como la primera partida de ajedrez: cuando se empiezas a entender como se mueven las piezas, ya haz perdido
January 24, 2014
Огнен демон дири отмъщение в “Среднощният дворец” на Сафон: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/s...
Двайсет години след написването й, най-сетне “Среднощният дворец” се появи и на български език. Тя е първата книга на Карлос Руис Сафон, която забягва далеч от мъгливата Барселона, прелита до далечна Индия и се приземява сред екзотичната Калкута. Там нещата си тръгват по изпитаната рецепта, която Сафон начева с “Принцът на мъглата”, видимо шлифова тук и в “Марина”, а после вече използва в целия й блясък при “Сянката на вятъра” и следващите от тетралогията за Гробището на забравените книги. Приятелството, свръхестественото зло, жертвата, която трябва да бъде пренесена, за да може раната от миналото да бъде излекувана – всичко това във втората приключенска книга от юношеската трилогия на испанския майстор, подплатено този път и с доста повече мрачивина, кръв и ужас.
Издателство "Изток-Запад"
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/s...
Двайсет години след написването й, най-сетне “Среднощният дворец” се появи и на български език. Тя е първата книга на Карлос Руис Сафон, която забягва далеч от мъгливата Барселона, прелита до далечна Индия и се приземява сред екзотичната Калкута. Там нещата си тръгват по изпитаната рецепта, която Сафон начева с “Принцът на мъглата”, видимо шлифова тук и в “Марина”, а после вече използва в целия й блясък при “Сянката на вятъра” и следващите от тетралогията за Гробището на забравените книги. Приятелството, свръхестественото зло, жертвата, която трябва да бъде пренесена, за да може раната от миналото да бъде излекувана – всичко това във втората приключенска книга от юношеската трилогия на испанския майстор, подплатено този път и с доста повече мрачивина, кръв и ужас.
Издателство "Изток-Запад"
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/s...
June 19, 2020
I don't think that I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first one from the trilogy. However, if I read this when I was younger, I would have absolutely adored this book.
March 6, 2017
A narrativa deste livro tem a vantagem de ser rápida sem que isso retire realismo ao livro.
Neste segundo volume da "trilogia da Neblina"acompanhamos um grupo de crianças que vivem num orfanato e que criam uma sociedade secreta, Chowber Society, dedicada à investigação de acontecimentos fantásticos.
Neste segundo volume da "trilogia da Neblina"acompanhamos um grupo de crianças que vivem num orfanato e que criam uma sociedade secreta, Chowber Society, dedicada à investigação de acontecimentos fantásticos.
March 31, 2017
“Who are the lunatics?’ asked Jawahal. ‘The ones who see horror in the heart of their fellow humans and search for peace at any price? Or the ones who pretend they don’t see what’s going on around them? The world, Ben, belongs either to lunatics or hypocrites. There are no other races on this earth. You must choose which one to belong to.”
June 16, 2021
Segundo libro de La Trilogía de la Niebla: ¡Check!✔
En términos generales, el libro me gustó, pero siento que le faltó ese algo para decir que lo amé completamente.
Sin perder su esencia característica😎, esta vez Zafón nos lleva de viaje a las calles de una mística Calcuta de 1932 llena de secretos oscuros que han de ser develados por un grupo de jovencitos huérfanos quienes se han prometido amistad y lealtad eterna creando un club secreto llamado: “Chowbar Society”💙. Todos con diferentes personalidades y talentos hacen un perfecto complemento para la vida de sus amigos, y gracias a esto y al lazo de amistad tan fuerte que los une, podrán sortear la aventura que se les avecina, tal vez la más increíble que van a tener a lo largo de sus vidas.
Realmente no ha sido mi favorito😅, al principio me sentí atrapada y en suspenso, pero con el pasar de las paginas encontré muchos vacíos en el desarrollo de la historia, en la profundización de sus personajes y en algunas situaciones lo cual hizo que me desanimara un poco. Destaco que Zafón haya elegido un lugar diferente y alejado de sus raíces para desarrollar la historia, aun así, le faltó ese toque descriptivo y detallado que él generalmente le imprime a los sitios de sus historias.
Respecto al final🤔, este me pareció bastante apresurado, tuve la sensación de “acabemos este libro y ya”, después de una trama tan larga, enredada y llena de aventura, esperaba que el desenlace fuese más justo y acorde para algunos de los personajes.
“Debíamos aprender todavía que el diablo creó la juventud para que cometiésemos nuestros errores y que Dios instauró la madurez y la vejez para que pudiéramos pagar por ellos”
En términos generales, el libro me gustó, pero siento que le faltó ese algo para decir que lo amé completamente.
Sin perder su esencia característica😎, esta vez Zafón nos lleva de viaje a las calles de una mística Calcuta de 1932 llena de secretos oscuros que han de ser develados por un grupo de jovencitos huérfanos quienes se han prometido amistad y lealtad eterna creando un club secreto llamado: “Chowbar Society”💙. Todos con diferentes personalidades y talentos hacen un perfecto complemento para la vida de sus amigos, y gracias a esto y al lazo de amistad tan fuerte que los une, podrán sortear la aventura que se les avecina, tal vez la más increíble que van a tener a lo largo de sus vidas.
Realmente no ha sido mi favorito😅, al principio me sentí atrapada y en suspenso, pero con el pasar de las paginas encontré muchos vacíos en el desarrollo de la historia, en la profundización de sus personajes y en algunas situaciones lo cual hizo que me desanimara un poco. Destaco que Zafón haya elegido un lugar diferente y alejado de sus raíces para desarrollar la historia, aun así, le faltó ese toque descriptivo y detallado que él generalmente le imprime a los sitios de sus historias.
Respecto al final🤔, este me pareció bastante apresurado, tuve la sensación de “acabemos este libro y ya”, después de una trama tan larga, enredada y llena de aventura, esperaba que el desenlace fuese más justo y acorde para algunos de los personajes.
“Debíamos aprender todavía que el diablo creó la juventud para que cometiésemos nuestros errores y que Dios instauró la madurez y la vejez para que pudiéramos pagar por ellos”
December 8, 2023
حكاية من أجواء زافون الساحرة و الغامضة و لكن هذه المرة في كالكوتا بالهند .
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