Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This book is the second in a series, and I feel like it jumps right back in where the first left off. It was a great sequel that I don't feel like fell victim to the "second book syndrome" where nothing really happens and it just sets it up for the third book. This had plenty of action and plot, dealing with the fallout of events in book one. I look forward to the continuation in the next book.

The Midnight Kingdom by Tara Sim was an excellent fantasy read with wonderful world building,expert pacing , and stunning dialogue throughout. My only confusion came with not initially realizing that this title is a sequel. Loved this book and can't wait for more to come out by this Author.

This is the sequel to The City of Dusk which is a series that I'd compared to game of thrones if it was in the darker shade of magic universe. It involves these 4 realms and each realm has a god and an heir. There’s shadow magic, people with familiars, just a very deeply complex adult fantasy. I think this is going to be a trilogy which I’m excited to see what the 3rd book has in store for us. This was a great sequel though sometimes a miss on some character development.

I was so excited to be back with my chaos group in The Midnight Kingdom. And this is a hefty sequel spanning distances and again with the multiple perspectives. The stakes are high in this second book. Coming straight from the finale of The City of Dusk Sim is increasing the danger and world possibilities. The Midnight Kingdom is full of twists and turns which expand the world into refracted light. One of my favorite things in this sequel were the exchanges between our babies and the Gods.

The Midnight Kingdom continues right where The City of Dusk left off. I enjoyed all of the POVs in this book even though all the characters are not together with Taesia, Julian and Nic in Noctus, Angelica in Vitae and Risha in Motri. I enjoyed all the new characters and different magical creatures. The worldbuilding seems to take presence in the first half of he book. I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait for the next.

Amazing sequel! I am not a fan of books with multiple POV’s, but this book just does it so well. The pacing was good, the plot packed, and there was just enough romance to tide me over. The writing just sort of flows and I fully devoured this book in one sitting. I highly suggest that readers who stagger between YA and NA genres to read this book as a pathway between the two. Would 100% recommend and reread this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books!
I am so excited that I received the second book in the series! I absolutely loved the first book and was so excited to get a chance to read this book early. I really enjoy multipoint of you all enjoying the different viewpoints but there are quite a few. The pure views follow the different errors and the plots are all happening around the same time which allows for an easy read. I was reading some of the reviews and saw someone
mention that the gods played the plot like a chessboard and I think this was a perfect analogy for the story. The cold and calculated movements from a lot of the characters/gods definitely read like that.
Cannot wait for the next instalment!

This book had a lot going on, with at least seven points of view and a lot of side characters. Because everyone is spread out and doing their own thing, I sometimes struggled with keeping track of the various people and lands.

The pacing is pretty good for a longer story, though a couple times it got a little boring for me. I did like how everything came together and some of the romances are cute. I'll definitely read the third book since I've invested so much time already and need to see how the heirs and the gods either work everything out or kill each other in the process.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the copy.

I'd say this was definitely a satisfying follow to it's predecessor. An epic plot full of excitment that keeps you on your toes. The world building was still incredible, as was the writing style. I also really appreciated the character development throughout this book, despite my disappointment on the separation between the characters.

All I can say about the ending is that I am really excited how this book was set up for the final installment (assuming it's a trilogy).

I really enjoyed The City of Dusk, and had an equally good time with The Midknight Kingdom. I really enjoy when God's come from wherever they are and play the plot like a chessboard, and this was no exception to that trope. I still feel this reads a little more YA than adult, but that doesn't take away anything from the plot. The pacing is a little slow in the beginning but it is book 2 in a series, so there was bound to be some pacing issues. Overall though, the vibes and the characters are what sets this book apart from other series. It's very rich in character development and I enjoy seeing the characters flourish in these very hard circumstances.

Thank you to Negalley and Orbit for an early review copy,

Rating: 4.3⭐

So this is the follow-up to City of Dusk, which I really enjoyed overall. This one continues the saga of the heirs dealing with the fallout of the final events of book 1, and does so in a pretty epic fashion.

Continuing the theme of following each of the heirs POVs, we see the storylines all happening concurrently, frequently switching between chapters, with huge distances now between the characters. Lots of worldbuilding as we are taken to several very different locales and realms, as well as more information on the gods. The realms of Mortri and Noctus are particularly enthralling and very vividly portrayed.

We get plenty of character development as well as we see them process their trauma(s), both old and new. The things these characters experience are quite heinous, but seeing them deal with their internal struggles as well as the many external influences really adds huge depth to each and every character. Certain characters that I didn't care for as much in City of Dusk really won me over in this one.

Faster paced, with lots of action amongst the huge amount of plot, with the last 20-25% being a really wild ride. Never really a dull moment for any of the characters as the book shovels story at you, which really helps you stay engaged throughout. Still very heavy on the fantasy elements, with some sci-fi/space-y stuff getting introduced.

The cliffhanger wasn't quite as brutal as the one at the end of City of Dusk, but leaves you heavily wanting to see how everything plays out in the next one. I am definitely invested in this world, and can't wait to get my hands on the 3rd book!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I actually struggled with this book quite a bit! I absolutely loved the first but I found this one dragging. I know I’m probably in the minority but this just wasn’t for me.

I really enjoyed this second installment of this trilogy. Like the first book, I was easily sucked into the world and the plot. Sim continues to do great world building.

I was worried that this would fall victim to second book of a trilogy syndrome, where not a lot happens until the last quarter of the book. Luckily, a lot happened in this one without it being too much. The characters were again great to read about and it was nice to see some growth happening.

While the plot definitely felt like it was moving forward, I would say that it maybe would have been even better if it was edited down a little more page-wise.

I'm very curious to see where the the next book will go and how this will end.

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review*

Since this is such a LONG book, I am putting it on hold for now until I have the brain power to read a long book. I got about 20% into the arc before deciding I'm not ready for a 500+ page book. I did get the audiobook on audible with a credit because I am loving this (I love Tara Sim so it was no doubt I was going to LOVE this) but I need to be in the headspace for a long book. But from what I read, this is easily going to be at least a 4 star read!!

A spellbinding and satisfying follow up to City of Dusk, I loved this book so much!

Packed full of action and unique, easy to adore characters, this is a fun and easy epic fantasy book for those just cutting their teeth on the genre or those that truly prefer a more accessible fantasy read.

I did struggle a bit with the POV chapters from one character, but in multi POV fantasy that’s to be expected honestly.

Tara Sim once again proves why she's a fantastical genius.
The Midnight Kingdom shows where her work shines through.
With her magical realms, mystical animals and powerful word-building, it does not disappoint.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book to the fullest.

Praise for Sim once again!!! ❤️️

#❤️TARASIM

#ORBITBOOKS

Wanted to love this one but there seems to be a total disconnect from the first book! what happened to the writing from the first one to this? The stakes felt so high and real in City of Dusk and this just entirely fell flat afterwards.

Even the characters I liked originally I hated in this book and the ones I didn't like? they stayed that way. Maybe too much time just passed between books but this wasn't for me.

2 stars just because I appreciate what the author was trying to do here even if it didn't work.

So remember how Taesia had never done anything wrong ever?

"Midnight Kingdom" book 2 of The Darks Gods by Tara Sim picks up immediately after the first book. The Heirs scattered to the different realms, a vengeful god of light inacting their plan, survival in the land of the dead, and foreign relatives. What could go wrong?

A lot, a lot can and does go wrong.

Thank you Orbit and Netgalley for the ARC, got buried because of covid brain.

Reasons to read:
-We get to see more of the world and different realms
-Sweet magical animals
-Some folks who need to be clipped get clipped
-Footracing to bad decisions on many fronts
-It made me question loyalty to a favorite character

Cons:
-A lot of set up of the different locals so the beginning isn't the quickest and getting the hooks in
-I forgot things so I had to go and check the first book because you are right in there from the jump

I can’t recall many 600+ page books that kept me engaged from start to finish – but this one sure did. What a wild journey it was.

I experienced the whole gamut of emotions with this sequel – shock, disappointment, fear, sadness, anger, pride. Sooo many things happen, but no spoilers will be revealed here. All of the characters are wonderfully flawed and some morally gray, but the rebellious Taesia was my favorite from the first book. Julian bumped her from that position in this one. He struggles with what he is, what he thinks he deserves, and what he wants. My heart ached for him. I wasn’t crazy about ambitious and powerful Angelica in the previous novel, but her story arc changed my mind about her. The new characters are wonderful additions (especially Kalen and Marcellus). Amid all the darkness there are humorous moments, and I got some laughs from a snarky, decapitated head who joins one character on a journey and a naked demon who puts on a fashion show.

With this many characters there are several POVs, but I was so anxious to see what happened to other characters the chapters flew by. I wouldn’t say it ends on a cliffhanger, but stakes are high – a battle with the gods is coming. The next book can’t get here soon enough.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

While I didn't love this quite as much as the City of Dusk, this series has become a favorite of mine, and I cannot wait to add the FairyLoot edition of "The Midnight Kingdom" to my shelf. I will say, this one took me longer to finish, but I think that was more of a me and my mood reading habits rather than the book itself. The characters are just as magnificent as they were in the first book - with our cast expanding even more! - and Dante, Nik, and Taesia remain my favorite of the group. The writing is fantastic, the stakes are higher than ever, and the ending has me desperate for the third (and unfortunately final) book. I'm not going to lie - I'm TERRIFIED for these characters. I don't want to lose a single one! I can't thank Tara Sim enough for creating the dark queer fantasy story of my DREAMS!