Midnight at the Electric by Jodi Lynn Anderson
“I think all my life my heart has been broken… and I didn’t even notice. And I don’t even know by what.”
Midnight at the Electric was added to my TBR (to-be-read list) simply for its haunting title, gorgeous cover and the possibility of magic these allude to. But the magic escaped me and I am now left with a burning question…
We are a house full of secrets. The main secret is we are afraid.
Actually, I had a lot of questions at first as story threads are not very clear (at least to me) and I spent a few hours scrolling back and forth to try and work out what I had missed and how the characters across time intertwine. I worked much it out in the end – who belongs to who and who ended up where. These answers lead to further questions… what happened to everyone? One of the family lines is rather flimsy having neither a history nor a present and I wonder why are they in the story?
…I am strange to myself and getting stranger all the time.
But, back to the question I’m still trying to answer.
Spoiler Alert!
The title has little to do with the story… Why give the book the title ‘Midnight at the Electric’ when the Electric hardly features in the story? Actually, it is in barely more than a chapter and that is mostly the build up to the midnight event. A couple of paragraphs about it in the beginning of the book and bam! it is never mentioned again. Not the Electric nor its consequences… What am I missing?
“Apparently, people need closure,” she said. “It’s some kind of thing.“
The characters are unique and interesting but it’s a strange story – so many loose ends… I think I also need closure.
I don’t think you can leave a person you love without leaving your skeleton behind.
Title: Midnight at the Electric
Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson
Publication Date: 13 June 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Review copy
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Kansas, 2065 Adri has been handpicked to live on Mars. But weeks before Launch, she discovers the journal of a girl who lived in her house over a hundred years ago, and is immediately drawn into the mystery surrounding her fate. While Adri knows she must focus on the mission ahead, she becomes captivated by a life that’s been lost in time…and how it might be inextricably tied to her own.
Oklahoma, 1934 Amidst the fear and uncertainty of the Dust Bowl, Catherine longs for the immortality promised by a professor at a traveling show called The Electric. But as her family’s situation becomes more dire — and the suffocating dust threatens her sister’s life — Catherine must find the courage to sacrifice everything she loves in order to save the one person she loves most.
England, 1919 In the recovery following World War One, Lenore tries to come to terms with her grief for her brother, a fallen British soldier and plans to sail to America in pursuit of a childhood friend. But even if she makes it that far, will her friend be the person she remembers, and the one who can bring her back to herself?
— Abstract from Goodreads.com
The fact that I received a free advanced copy of this book does not influence my policy to write an honest review.
Disclaimer: The quotes appear in my advanced review copy and may not appear in the final version.
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
I actually usually enjoy books that others would consider to be strange. I don’t like confusing though so I am on the fence with this one. Great review!
Sue @ Crushingcinders
Let me know what you think of it ?
Zoe @ Stories on Stage
YES. I completely agree. This was a unique and beautifully written book, but there was just something…missing from it? Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3
Sue @ Crushingcinders
I am glad it’s not just me! Thank you Zoe.
Cait @ Paper Fury
I kind of wanted to read this one because I do like this author, buuut the blurb was kind of confusing and the fact it has no closure worries me a bit. I think it might be too vague for me.?? I loved the review!!
Sue @ Crushingcinders
Thank you Cait ?