YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

"The dead are seldom silent. All that is required for them to be heard is that someone be willing to listen. I have been listening to the dead all my life."

Lilith is the daughter of the sixth Duke of Radnor. She is one of the most beautiful young women in London and engaged to the city’s most eligible bachelor. She is also a witch.

When her father dies, her hapless brother Freddie takes the title. But it is Lilith, instructed in the art of necromancy, who inherits their father’s role as Head Witch of the Lazarus Coven. And it is Lilith who must face the threat of the Sentinels, a powerful group of sorcerers intent on reclaiming the Elixir from the coven’s guardianship for their own dark purposes. Lilith knows the Lazarus creed: secrecy and silence. To abandon either would put both the coven and all she holds dear in grave danger. She has spent her life honoring it, right down to her charming fiancé and fellow witch, Viscount Louis Harcourt.

Until the day she meets Bram, a talented artist who is neither a witch nor a member of her class. With him, she must not be secret and silent. Despite her loyalty to the coven and duty to her family, Lilith cannot keep her life as a witch hidden from the man she loves.

To tell him will risk everything.

Spanning the opulence of Edwardian London and the dark days of World War I, The Midnight Witch is the third novel from New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston."

Amanda and I will be reading this! Feel free to join!

I think I'll start this some hours early, hope you don't mind Amanda!

Oh I don't mind, read it whenever you would like. Just use spoiler tags for me please.

Starting now.

Chapter 1 ~ (view spoiler)[ interesting characters. I don't trust Nicholas. And I like Bram. He's crazy lol (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 3 ~ (view spoiler)[ I dont get why Stricklend punished his servant? (hide spoiler)]

My copy doesn't have chapter divisions *sigh*

All I know is that I'm at 15%. It's interesting so far

Sadly, I don't think I'll be finishing this... It just didn't do it for me...

Tatiana wrote: "Sadly, I don't think I'll be finishing this... It just didn't do it for me..."

Oh bummer. I'll try to finish it.

Sorry guys, my dogs been pretty sick, she seems to be doing much better today though.

Finished chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ I really liked the description of the spell. Sounds wicked. At first when I read "suffering spell" I was like... sounds like an unforgivable curse... But it wasn't really comparable to Harry Potter so I am pleased on that front. I'm finding that the writing is a little thick and overly descriptive. And the way it's written is trying to portray the early 1900's, but it's just annoying me. It's a little pretentious. (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ " I am a witch who calls herself skilled in necromancy, a person who summons the dead to help me when I wish. Only this time, the dead are summoning me." BAM awesome.

Okay now besides the fact that I'm super envious she can talk to the dead here are my thoughts

I think the writing is getting lighter, or maybe I'm just getting used to it. But I feel like I'm getting into this book.

Bram is desirable. Someone who notices a woman like that not only sees her appearance, but sees into who she is. Yeah that's desirable in a man. And he follows his freaking dreams. There is a man that knows what he wants.

As far as Louis and Lilith being together... meh. Louis doesn't seem like a bad guy or anything... but I'm not sold on the romance and neither is Lilith.

I'm really hoping for some forbidden love in this book. If you know me you know how much I love that kind of stuff. (hide spoiler)]

I was going to give up on this book, but I'm glad I stuck it out a bit longer. It's gotten interesting. If you are going to give up I suggest you read chapter 5 and then decide from there.
Tatiana that is not TOO much further than where I believe you stopped, I think you should give it another 5% or so.

Page 75 (view spoiler)[ "The sound of her slender neck snapping is unbearably clear." Shit. (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ Wow okay this book just got a lot better. I'm pretty sad though, I really loved Violet. (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 6 (view spoiler)[ Ah I'm so happy it seems that Bram and Lilith will be spending some time together. Coincidence of fate. I love it. I want her to be his muse. It's such a romantic idea. (hide spoiler)]

Finished 4 and You're right Amanda (view spoiler)[ The writing does get lighter... I enjoyed the conversation between Mr Chow Li's & Lilith and the end of the chapter was just w o w . I'm wondering what that spirit wants to tell her. I too am hoping for forbidden love... (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ I really like Freddie. He seems to have a lightness in him that has been snuffed out. I wonder if he can get it back. (hide spoiler)]

Lovetoread wrote: "Finished 4 and You're right Amanda [spoilers removed]"

Oh I am so happy you didn't give up! The more I read the more I like the book. I think that the beginning was just a little heavy and slow, but I think as the story progresses it gets much better.

Response to your thoughts on chapter 4(view spoiler)[ I am such a sucker for forbidden love!! There is something so appealing about an artist. (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ Oh my God. First of all I love the old timey "won't you come in for tea?". It seems to be such innocent flirting.
Also can we recognize something super dangerous? He just saw her perform magic! She must be internally freaking out.
AHHHH I WANT YOU TO BE TOGETHER! (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 9(view spoiler)[ I love that she got to relax for a little bit. She knows she has feelings for him. I hope she will let him in instead of blocking him out. What is going to happen to Louis? (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ I didn't expect Mangan to be a part of the coven. I am loving the way this is all building up. This story has a good rising action if we want to get technical. I like the politics of the coven as well.
As far as the romance goes, I love the innocent flirtations of this age. I am rather touched by the way Bram regards Lilith. He sees her. It's extraordinarily romantic. I want him to paint her. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "Page 75 [spoilers removed]"

IKRRRR.!!!! :(((((

Amanda wrote: "Finished chapter 5 [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ YES HOLY SHIT. WHAT JUST HAPPENED. AND I LOVED VIOLET TOO. AND THAT STUPID SPIRIT NEEDS TO GO AWAY. SO ANNOYING & IT PISSES ME OFF . ASDGJK. (hide spoiler)]

I have such strong emotions for this book. In response to your response to chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ VIOLET WAS A SWEETHEART AND SHE WAS JUST TRYING TO HELP. NOT FAIR NOT FAIR NOT FAIR. SHE DIDN'T DESERVE THAT. (hide spoiler)]

First page of chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ ARE YOU KIDDING ME? WOMEN CAN'T BE SENTIELS BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT POWER AND THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE NONE? FUCK YOU SEXIST PIG. LILITH CAN SUMMON A DEMON. TRY AND TELL ME SHE ISN'T POWERFUL. JUST TRY.
If I didn't hate sentiels before I hate their guts now. (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ I knew that he wouldn't be disgusted that she is a witch. Ah I'm so happy. Now she can be herself with him (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 16 (view spoiler)[I don't think they're going to get their getaway. I wish there was something more Lilith could do to prevent the spirit from attacking Bram. They need to find out who the traitor is. (hide spoiler)]

page 217 (view spoiler)[afdjlksafj;ew;j!@!!! JUST LEAVE HIM. What is wrong with Lilith? Why can't she leave Louis? It's cowardly. (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 17 (view spoiler)[ I knew there was impending doom. If someone threatened my family. Oh I'd lose my shit. (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 18 (view spoiler)[Crap. what a whirlwind of emotions that chapter was. I don't think she should have done that... she should have let him stay dead. Although I know I would do anything to bring some of the dead back.. (hide spoiler)]

Gaaah. I need to catch up.

Finished chapter 19(view spoiler)[Wow. Wtf. I'm pissed. You should have just left it all alone Lilith (hide spoiler)]

Read at whatever pace suits you. This book is a wild ride.

Beginning of chapter 20 (view spoiler)[What? Why are we suddenly in 1917? I'm confused. (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 22 (view spoiler)[Damn. How can Lilith survive that? (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 24 (view spoiler)[ This part of the book is making me very sad. 5 years have passed and she hasn't even tried to contact him. It's depressing (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 26(view spoiler)[no no no no no. NO. She can't die. (hide spoiler)]

I finished the book. (view spoiler)[ Kind of dissatisfied with that ending actually. (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapters 6&7 (view spoiler)[ Chap 6> Wondering what that Strickenland guy's problem is and <3 Bram& Lilith <3 I ship them H A R D.

Chap 7
I like Freddie. And I enjoyed the light, fun moments at the end of this chapter. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "Finished chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ Oh my God. First of all I love the old timey "won't you come in for tea?". It seems to be such innocent flirting.
Also can we recognize something super dangerous? He just saw h..." (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Gaah yes. I want them to be togetherrrrr. My OTP. and lol at Lilith acting like nothing happened. (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 9 !!!!!! (view spoiler)[ OMG I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!! He will wait for her, he will listen when she's ready ....can I have some tissues pls?

And that stupid Dark Spirit!!!!!!!! GO AWAY! He's ruining everything. (hide spoiler)]

Hey,
Just wanted to say hello -hope you don't mind me dropping in. It's really interesting to hear your experience of reading my latest book. You pay such attention to detail and engage so wonderfully with the story.
If you have any questions please ask!
Best wishes
Paula

Hey Paula!
I wrote a review here if you want to check it out :)

Amanda wrote: "Hey Paula!
I wrote a review here if you want to check it out :)"

Great review, thanks Amanda!

Okay finished chapter 18 and (view spoiler)[ OMG WHAT JUST HAPPENED ASHLLBBGGDS. THIS WAS SUCH A A+ Chapter!! Oh my oh my. I really hope Lily can find Freddie on time before his body slowly begins to rot( creepy much) .. Poor Freddie. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "Finished chapter 18 [spoilers removed]"

Totally agree. I knew something would happen !! And I would do everything too!

Amanda wrote: "Finished chapter 19[spoilers removed]"

I second this! And poor Bram :(

Chapter 21~ what the hell (view spoiler)[ I can't believe Harcourt. Ughhh. He's a snitch. I'm so pissed. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "Beginning of chapter 20 [spoilers removed]"

I didn't get that either....