Review: At Midnight, Dahlia Adler

Confession time: I don’t read a lot of anthologies. I’m not sure if it’s whether I’m not used to these “multiple stories all at once” kind of books, or if it’s something else, but… usually, these kind of books are not my first choice. Yet. At Midnight is the second anthology I picked up this year and, well: I really enjoyed it! Maybe it’s time I read more of these?

At Midnight by Dahlia Adler, Melissa Albert, Tracy Deonn, Hafsah Faizal, Stacey Lee, Darcie Little Badger, Malinda Lo, Alex London, Anna-Marie McLemore, Rebecca Podos, Rory Power, Meredith Russo, Roselle Lim, Gita Trelease, H.E. Edgmon
Published by Flatiron Books on November 22, 2022
Genres: fantasy, young adult
Format: ARC
Source: Author
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Fairy tales have been spun for thousands of years and remain among our most treasured stories. Weaving fresh tales with unexpected reimaginings, At Midnight brings together a diverse group of acclaimed YA writers to breathe new life into a storied tradition.
Fifteen celebrated authors reclaim classic fairy tales for a new generation:
Dahlia Adler, “Rumplestiltskin”Tracy Deonn, “The Nightingale”H.E. Edgmon, “Snow White”Hafsah Faizal, “Little Red Riding Hood”Stacey Lee, “The Little Matchstick Girl”Roselle Lim, “Hansel and Gretel”Darcie Little Badger, “Puss in Boots”Malinda Lo, “Frau Trude”Alex London, “Cinderella”Anna-Marie McLemore, “The Nutcracker”Rebecca Podos, “The Robber Bridegroom”Rory Power, “Sleeping Beauty”Meredith Russo, “The Little Mermaid”Gita Trelease, “Fitcher’s Bird”and an all-new fairy tale by Melissa Albert
Once upon a time . . .

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS:

parental neglect, cruelty, fire, revenge, alcohol use, abuse, murder, homophobia, transphobia, cannibalism.

There are no spoilers in this review.

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Overall review of At Midnight, Dahlia Adler

I had a really good time reading At Midnight, overall and definitely recommend it to any anthology and fairytale fan. While I wasn’t familiar with all the tales in here, I loved discovering these retellings and really got hooked to some stories, as well. As a whole, I’m recommending it and I’m rating it 3,5 stars!

Since this is composed of multiple stories, I’m going to try and review this one a bit differently, rating each story below, so keep on reading if you’re interested!

Sugarplum, Anna-Marie McLemore (inspired by The Nutcracker)

I’m not too familiar with The Nutcracker tale, I’ll admit it. I was also a bit wary going into this, as I didn’t have the best experience with Anna-Marie McLemore’s book, Dark and Deepest Red. And yet, I was pleasantly surprised! While I was unsettled by the story being told in a second person narrative, I did like the characters and found myself invested in this, overall. Rating: 3 stars.

In the Forests of the Night, Gita Trelease (inspired by Fitcher’s Bird)

I was absolutely NOT familiar with Fitcher’s Bird and, what a tale Gita Trelease told. I was transported from page one into this tale, hooked by the mystery of these girls disappearing, the India setting, and the main character’s determination. Really enjoyed this one! Rating: 4 stars.

Say my name, Dahlia Adler (inspired by Rumpelstiltskin)

One of my favorite tales of the anthology! You know my love for contemporary books and this one really felt like it, probably why I loved it so much. I adored the main character’s determination and how far she’ll go for the one she loves. Such a fun read, that surprised me at the end, as well! Rating: 4 stars.

Fire & Rhinestone, Stacey Lee (inspired by The Little Matchmaker Stick)

Oh, this tale. I really liked Stacey Lee’s books so far and was excited to see her in this anthology! I think this is one of these stories where I felt the most compassion and rooted the most for the characters, as well. I loved the connection between the main character and her mother and it was overall, so lovely. Rating: 4 stars.

Mother’s Mirror, H.E. Egmon (inspired by Little Snow-White)

This one broke my heart. Pretty huge trigger warning for transphobia and abuse here, so be careful. This certainly wasn’t an easy read, at times, but I really grew fond of the main character, loved the soft hint of romance, too. Rating: 3,5 stars.

Sharp as any Thorn, Rory Power (inspired by Sleeping Beauty)

This story was a little bit messed-up and kind of not what I was expecting, at all, when I thought about Sleeping Beauty. While I still was curious to go on and see what would happen next, I can’t say I really loved it. Rating: 3 stars.

Coyote in High Top Sneakers, Darcie Little Badger (inspired by Puss in Boots)

I’m not familiar with the original tale, but this retelling was one strange little story. I found myself very curious to go on and the way the story was told, switching between present and storytelling, made it all the more addictive, but… yes, still a bit strange. Rating: 3 stars.

The Sister Switch, Melissa Albert (new fairytale)

I’m used to Melissa Albert writing some very strange tales. I read The Hazel Wood and, well, what an unexpected story it was. Here, I had the same experience. You’re expecting something pretty… contemporary and then it turns out to be completely different, taking you in very unexpected places. I was a bit unsettled by this one. Rating: 3 stars.

Once Bitter, Twice Shy, Hafsaf Faizal (inspired by Little Red Riding Hood)

Okay, this is another one of my favorite tales of the lot! I loved Little Red Riding Hood and could actually see the references there, while it also took me in completely different places. Loved the spin with the red hijab, the big bad wolf and the main character was fantastic. I’d read more of this one! Rating: 4 stars.

A Flame so Bright, Malinda Lo (inspired by Frau Trude)

Once again, I am not too familiar with the original tale, but I found this one very intriguing and kept on turning the pages, hoping to know more about this new, mysterious woman in town, just like the main character. I have to admit, I was a tiny bit disappointed by the end of it. Rating: 3 stars.

The Emperor and the Everson, Tracy Deonn (inspired by The Nightingale)

Another favorite in this anthology! This one felt like a fairytale and I was intrigued by this ruthless main character from the start. Loved the ending as well. Rating: 4 stars.

HEA, Alex London (inspired by Cinderella)

While I could see the fun references to the original tale, this one took me someplace else completely, in a contemporary world with an uncertain influencer as a main character. My favorite kind of story! Unexpected and really good. Rating: 4 stars.

The Littlest Mermaid, Meredith Russo (inspired by The Little Mermaid)

I’m sorry to said I had the hardest time getting into this story. I don’t know if it’s the way it was told, but I just, didn’t manage to grow fond of this one. Rating: 2,5 stars.

Just A Little Bite, Roselle Lim (inspired by Hansel & Gretel)

Wow that one took a turn, real fast. No spoilers, but I was on a rollercoaster while reading this… and I really enjoyed it! Rating: 4 stars.

A Story About A Girl, Rebecca Podos (inspired by The Robber Bridegroom)

Another, very unexpected story – once again, told between present and one person, actually telling a story. I had a hard time getting into the story-part, at first, but once I did, I found it very intriguing and obviously the ending kind of, oh, okay this is happening?!! Rating: 3 stars.

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Did you read At Midnight, or do you want to? Are you a fan of anthologies? Any recommendations for me? Let me know in comments!

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