**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net** 

The Midnight Queen has many different feels to it. It is like a historical and a fantasy all rolled into one. The world felt very realistic with a current of magic running throughout. It is a setting that I really take to. I love imagining our world (or historical London) as a magical place with wizards and spells and intrigue around every corner.

The story follows Grey, who is studying to hone his magic and the young Sophie. Sophie is age appropriate for young adult books, but the language and writing style of this book is much more on an adult level. I don't mean profanity, I mean the actual language. It is more dense and flowery. It takes a while to get used to the way the book is written and the meandering slow pace at which the story unfolds but both the language and the pacing felt very fitting for the time period and the overall atmosphere of the book. Grey and Sophie are both very likable, and the adventure that they eventually embark on kept getting more and more interesting.

At times this book dragged a bit for me, but it was the kind of story that you won't be able to guess what is going to happen next. Author Sylvia Izzo Hunter unfolds the story right before your eyes slowly- bit by bit. The story took a while to draw me in, but the mysterious air that surrounded all of the characters kept me interested enough to keep going. I really enjoyed the story, and how it was continually surprising me. I didn't read the Midnight Queen all in one sitting. More than once I found myself putting the book down and picking up something different, but I was always drawn back to the story. I wanted to see what happened.

Sophie is incredible. I loved watching her discover herself and figure out the puzzles along with Grey. I am not sure which of them I ended up liking more. They are both unique in their own way. Sophie is such a strong girl, and watching her come into her powers was so satisfying. The Midnight Queen is an interesting story and will be great for readers of historical and fantasy lovers a like. Just give the start of the book some patience and don't give up on it too early. I think you will enjoy the rich and detailed story and world that Slyvia Izzo Hunter has created.

 This review was originally posted on Book Briefs