Book Review: The Mirk and Midnight Hour by Jane Nickerson

Summary:

A Southern girl. A wounded soldier. A chilling force deep in the forest.

All collide at night’s darkest hour.

Seventeen-year-old Violet Dancey has been left at home in Mississippi with a laudanum-addicted stepmother and love-crazed stepsister while her father fights in the war—a war that has already claimed her twin brother.

When she comes across a severely injured Union soldier lying in an abandoned lodge deep in the woods, things begin to change. Thomas is the enemy—one of the men who might have killed her own brother—and yet she's drawn to him. But Violet isn't Thomas's only visitor; someone has been tending to his wounds—keeping him alive—and it becomes chillingly clear that this care hasn't been out of compassion.

Against the dangers of war and ominous powers of voodoo, Violet must fight to protect her home and the people she loves.

Release Date: March 11, 2014

Age Group: YA
Source: Review copy from publisher
Reviewed by: Madi B

Review:

If this book was a movie on Netflix, it would be a drama. I’ve never seen a soap opera, (At least I don’t think so) but I feel like this is pretty dang close. And I loved it.  I generally hate war books but this Civil war love story??? AWWW HECK YES! (Southern girl + wounded Union soldier= a happy Madi B) And some beautiful cover art as well…(Go ahead, scroll up to get a better look) But I do have some small things that bugged me…

1.      I felt like it took too long to find Thomas. (Page 150 to be exact. I had it bookmarked.) I would have liked it a tad sped up

2.      I thought there were too many under-developed characters at the end. I was all “Wait who is this???”

3.      Some parts (ok only like two parts at the end) were a tad rushed. I was thinking “Whoa what just happened?” and had to backtrack. (This may be due to my tendency to speed through books)

But some elements I LOVED were…

1.     The love story. It makes me want to wander in the woods just in case there’s another Thomas hiding…

2.  The voodoo. I liked the mysterious element it added to the story.

3.     Seeley. He was so adorable! I just wanted to pinch his little cheeks off!!!

4.    I liked how Violet wasn’t a pushover. She’s witty, quick on her feet, and still down-to-earth.

5.    I liked watching her relationship with her stepsister and her stepmother. I’m not elaborating because I MUST NOT SPOIL!

This was such a good book! It sucked me in and it make me want to go back to the olden days. (That’s saying a lot because leaving behind present day would require leaving behind wifi…) The atmosphere of the setting was so much better than the atmosphere of most books set in the south. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read! I have about a zillion (Yes. Zillion. That’s the technical term) pages bookmarked. (pssst that’s a REALLY good sign) I Can’t wait to read more from this author!!!