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waitingforthesecondstar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a fun, intense story with a great mix of thriller and horror! I wasn't expecting it to be YA, but that didn't affect my reading experience one way or the other. I loved the blend of languages and the exploration of culture alongside the overall mystery. Hoping to pick up more from this author in the near future!
hmcdade's review
5.0
Exciting run around Puerto Rico! It’s great to find a YA book that takes place in Puerto Rico. My students will absolutely love this book!
reflectiverambling_nalana's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Filled with characters as feisty and headstrong that are common in modern urban fantasy teen novels, "Fine Midnights" fills that gritty undertone that's become popular by rooting each character in very real world circumstances from those seeing shifts in communities in similar but completely different lights. It is a blend of modern conflict with ancient acknowledgements. While the theme of ways of life, lessons, and disadvantaged places isn't revolutionary, Cardinal infuses this mashup of ages with passion and a commitment to realities of some teens we don't like to face in with a mix of the fantastical in a way that is certain to resonate.
It's not that Lupe 'isn't like other girls' it's that she isn't sure what type of girl she is. Oh, she knows herself. It's that herself doesn't seem to fit into the given molds. It's hard not to see echoes of the author when part of her penname is inserted into the character, but the sentiment of not feeling part of both cultures you might not belong to when you're separated from both is something I'm sure a lot of people can relate to and is a very real adjustment, trauma, and just rocky experience it's important to see be navigated.
One element I absolutely loved with the discussion of addiction. It's rare to see younger characters being depicted in involvement with drugs in a truly serious way. It's not just a character trait or a narrative tool. The environmental aspects, the catalysts, and the repercussions and various approaches to where life can take you are all explored.
THere is also a refreshing embrace of the mythical, the magical, and what is reality. It is not strange for some characters to have a deep religious faith, or just even a cultural performance of, and for those to accept the unknown forces. You could say that this is a measure that requires a suspension of belief, but I think it is crediting that people are capable of having open minds. From what I've read of the area it also seems to be a very distinctive Latin American influence found particularly in the Caribbean where the religion of those who came to conquer was married to common traditions to exist in a parallels.
Just as importantly, this also seems to be a love letter to Puerto Rico not just as a fond postcard memory, but a tribute to all sides of it. It is endeared to the rough edges, the places that have been failed, with a mournful admiration as just all out pride and love.
It's not that Lupe 'isn't like other girls' it's that she isn't sure what type of girl she is. Oh, she knows herself. It's that herself doesn't seem to fit into the given molds. It's hard not to see echoes of the author when part of her penname is inserted into the character, but the sentiment of not feeling part of both cultures you might not belong to when you're separated from both is something I'm sure a lot of people can relate to and is a very real adjustment, trauma, and just rocky experience it's important to see be navigated.
One element I absolutely loved with the discussion of addiction. It's rare to see younger characters being depicted in involvement with drugs in a truly serious way. It's not just a character trait or a narrative tool. The environmental aspects, the catalysts, and the repercussions and various approaches to where life can take you are all explored.
THere is also a refreshing embrace of the mythical, the magical, and what is reality. It is not strange for some characters to have a deep religious faith, or just even a cultural performance of, and for those to accept the unknown forces. You could say that this is a measure that requires a suspension of belief, but I think it is crediting that people are capable of having open minds. From what I've read of the area it also seems to be a very distinctive Latin American influence found particularly in the Caribbean where the religion of those who came to conquer was married to common traditions to exist in a parallels.
Just as importantly, this also seems to be a love letter to Puerto Rico not just as a fond postcard memory, but a tribute to all sides of it. It is endeared to the rough edges, the places that have been failed, with a mournful admiration as just all out pride and love.
tarshka's review
Just not very interesting to me, I find it hard to get invested in books with young (under 20) main characters these days. I guess I'm old now.
chanicecruz93's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
rereader33's review
1.0
Dropped at 35 pages.
Wow, I just keep striking out on YA books lately, all thanks to the FUCKING OBNOXIOUS CHARACTERS. Lupe, HOLY FUCK, Lupe is INSUFFERABLE. She's sixteen years old but thinks she can act like a twenty-something because "she's traveling to Puerto Rico alone". Yes, she traveled there alone, but she's not STAYING by herself. And traveling somewhere by yourself doesn't make you an adult, it just makes the grown-ups in her life irresponsible. That last bit is hilarious because Lupe LOVES to take shots at her alcoholic father, but LIES to a police officer so that she can visit a crime scene, then while at the crime scene, LEAVES HER UNCLE AND THE OTHER OFFICERS because "she has a lead" and follows some strange woman IN A CROWDED SLUM FILLED WITH GANGS AND DRUG DEALERS. Yeah, I guess the apple didn't fall very far from the irresponsible tree.
But that's not the worst of it. What made me officially drop this book is that Lupe tries to BARGE INTO A CHURCH AFTER A FUNERAL, back-talks the DEAD KID'S SISTER when the sister refuses her entry, and when her uncle asks what's going on and tries to intervene, SHE PUTS UP A HAND TO STOP HIM AND SAYS, "I'LL HANDLE THIS". Oh, and on top of that, when Javier intervenes to protect her from Marisol, she tells him TWICE "I don't need you to fight my battles for me". BITCH, YOU ARE SIXTEEN YEARS OLD, SIT THE FUCK DOWN. I am SO FUCKING DONE with "strong female characters" that are effectively assholes. Guess what, guys? Writing a female character that lies to get what she wants, doesn't respect authority, and gets pissed when someone tries to help/save her DOES NOT MAKE THEM STRONG. Yes, "strength" can be fairly subjective, but Lupe is not a "strong female character," she's a spoiled little brat who's bored of her life in Vermont and is looking for excitement in Puerto Rico. Yeah, looking for excitement by disrespecting authority and pushing herself into any situation because she feels like it. A literal quote in the scene at the church:
"Look, this is a public place and I have a right to go into any church I damn well please."
WOW, REALLY?! They just finished a funeral for this poor kid and you feel its your RIGHT to go there?! And don't tell me she doesn't know that's the church where they held the funeral, why else would she have chosen this specific church? I don't care if you're religious or not, this was so fucking disrespectful.
I hate dropping this book because I love horror and this sounded really interesting, but Lupe is a fucking obnoxious piece of shit and I am not willing tolerate her shitty personality for the rest of this book. And no, I don't care if she gets better throughout the book, she's insufferable now and that's all that matters. If anybody else wants to read this, be my guest, but I'm not torturing myself trying to finish this.
Wow, I just keep striking out on YA books lately, all thanks to the FUCKING OBNOXIOUS CHARACTERS. Lupe, HOLY FUCK, Lupe is INSUFFERABLE. She's sixteen years old but thinks she can act like a twenty-something because "she's traveling to Puerto Rico alone". Yes, she traveled there alone, but she's not STAYING by herself. And traveling somewhere by yourself doesn't make you an adult, it just makes the grown-ups in her life irresponsible. That last bit is hilarious because Lupe LOVES to take shots at her alcoholic father, but LIES to a police officer so that she can visit a crime scene, then while at the crime scene, LEAVES HER UNCLE AND THE OTHER OFFICERS because "she has a lead" and follows some strange woman IN A CROWDED SLUM FILLED WITH GANGS AND DRUG DEALERS. Yeah, I guess the apple didn't fall very far from the irresponsible tree.
But that's not the worst of it. What made me officially drop this book is that Lupe tries to BARGE INTO A CHURCH AFTER A FUNERAL, back-talks the DEAD KID'S SISTER when the sister refuses her entry, and when her uncle asks what's going on and tries to intervene, SHE PUTS UP A HAND TO STOP HIM AND SAYS, "I'LL HANDLE THIS". Oh, and on top of that, when Javier intervenes to protect her from Marisol, she tells him TWICE "I don't need you to fight my battles for me". BITCH, YOU ARE SIXTEEN YEARS OLD, SIT THE FUCK DOWN. I am SO FUCKING DONE with "strong female characters" that are effectively assholes. Guess what, guys? Writing a female character that lies to get what she wants, doesn't respect authority, and gets pissed when someone tries to help/save her DOES NOT MAKE THEM STRONG. Yes, "strength" can be fairly subjective, but Lupe is not a "strong female character," she's a spoiled little brat who's bored of her life in Vermont and is looking for excitement in Puerto Rico. Yeah, looking for excitement by disrespecting authority and pushing herself into any situation because she feels like it. A literal quote in the scene at the church:
"Look, this is a public place and I have a right to go into any church I damn well please."
WOW, REALLY?! They just finished a funeral for this poor kid and you feel its your RIGHT to go there?! And don't tell me she doesn't know that's the church where they held the funeral, why else would she have chosen this specific church? I don't care if you're religious or not, this was so fucking disrespectful.
I hate dropping this book because I love horror and this sounded really interesting, but Lupe is a fucking obnoxious piece of shit and I am not willing tolerate her shitty personality for the rest of this book. And no, I don't care if she gets better throughout the book, she's insufferable now and that's all that matters. If anybody else wants to read this, be my guest, but I'm not torturing myself trying to finish this.
letamcwilliams's review
3.0
Very fun and fast read. There were some glaring issues with audience (can’t swear because it’s YA but a major plot is heroin? Sure) and really towing the line of reinforcing stereotypes, but overall pretty good.
buymeathriller1215's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
vikhughes's review
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
vtlism's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I didn't much enjoy the weird message about drugs, nor was the plot or characters super compelling. I liked the sensory writing (she uses lots of scents relative to other writers) and the sassiness of the (pretty flat) main character