Midnight Beauties (Grim Lovelies Book 2) Kindle Edition

The Grim Lovelies novels satisfy, provoke, and delight. The author gives readers a world in which magical royalty and witches coexist with “pretties,” non-magical human beings who go through their lives oblivious to the immense power that magic users wield. Technology and magic are incompatible (a brilliant idea), and the magical community must create balance so the world keeps spinning. Manipulation in all things keeps the human population docile and predictable: gold and gems are desirable because magic users made humans think they were desirable, etc.Besides the witches and royals and mundane pretties, there is another type of creature in this author’s world: the beasties. Beasties are similar to selkies; they are animals turned human. The spell that creates beasties has been out of use for untold centuries before Mada Vitoria, a ruling witch whose territory is Paris, uses it to staff her mansion townhouse with domestic help.The heroine of the two novels is such a creature, a beastie, created by the Mada to cook and clean. While Anouk has only been human a short year’s time, she must soon thrust herself into the center of a whirlwind of supernatural danger, conflict, politics, and morality to bring peace to a world in jeopardy. Anouk is a creature, a person, in whom the wild burning chaos of ambition, desperation, passion, and drive coexists with — plays and dances and wars with — the familiar and comfortable, the routine, chore-driven life of the everyday.Anouk is introduced in the first novel with a duster in her hand; she begins her new life at the conclusion of the second book both irrevocably changed and yet steadfastly the same. She had the same characteristics: loyalty, affection, determination, but her status in the world has undergone a huge transformation; she has survived a trial by fire, the loss of friends, and has been instrumental in the saving of the world.This set of two novels is fascinating, gripping, and leaves the reader wishing for more.

I absolutely loved the first book in this duology, Grim Lovelies, and the introduction to the beasties, witches, royals, and goblins. Megan Shepherd created such an amazing world and magic system, and I quickly fell in love with all the characters. Midnight Beauties was overall a good follow up to the first book, and I really cared about what happened to all of the characters and the world Megan created. It was a really fun and quirky read, and I enjoyed the ride. I particularly liked the first half of the book. I loved Anouk’s journey and the characters that she meets along the way. I feel like the conclusion is where things started to leave me feeling frustrated. It almost felt to me as though there should have been a third book, as there was so much going on in the ending and it felt a bit rushed. I did not see the twist in the end coming, and I think that’s what lead me to feeling disappointed. I just feel as though there was the potential there for more.If you like a ya fantasy that’s different and one of a kind, then I think you’d enjoy this one.

Sometimes the best part of books is recognizing the characters as real or recognizing a kinship with them. The thing I love about Shepherd’s books is how the characters, animal and human, remind me of creatures and people I’ve known. I laugh with them and hurt for them. I find myself looking around during scenes for someone else to say, “Are you seeing this? Whoa!”I highly recommend Grim Lovelies and Midnight Beauties. Also, in case anyone might wonder, I would definitely choose to be a goblin if I could. They are the coolest.

I was unpleasantly surprised at this one. I loved the first book. It was unique, well written and unpredictable. The second book felt like the author lost interest or ran out of gas. Either way very disappointed.

An entertaining and lively ending to the Grim Lovelies duology!

This is the second, and final, book in the Midnight Beauties duology. I whipped through this rather large book in two sittings. I am not proud to say I neglected pretty much everything once I started reading this, but it was just that good! I enjoyed Grim Lovelies but I thought Midnight Beauties was loads better. I loved the fairy tale vibe, the adventure, the magic, and all of our wonderful beasties, Royals, and witches.Anouk has decided she must become a witch so that she can save her friends. To meet this end she is forced to strike a deal with her greatest enemy and to journey and face tougher trials than she ever expected.I could not put this one down! The writing is beautifully done with amazing imagery throughout. I loved all of the adventure and challenges that Anouk faces in this book.I do have a couple small quibbles; I think the different ways magic works between beasties, Royals, and witches was a bit confusing throughout...it just wasn't well explained. At times the plot can get a bit ambiguous too. Additionally, the ending was a somewhat open ended...I am hoping we see some follow up books set in this world. These small comments aside, I love love loved this book!Overall I absolutely loved this book. I would recommend to those who enjoy historical fantasy with a lot of adventure and magic. This book is just so engaging and beautifully written.