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Midnight Tales #3
Briar & the Dreamers of Midnight
From the author of one of the Best Fantasy Books of All Time (Time Magazine), comes the tale of a girl in a cursed kingdom, with a curse of her own...
What would you do if you were trapped in a body doomed to sleep for generations? Would you quietly wait for your prince to wake you with a kiss?
Not me.
I got tired of waiting, especially when I woke and found myself trapped in my frozen body.
Only the cruelest fairy would think to punish someone that way. And the cruelest of them all is in the Kingdom of Midnight.
I found an escape. I entered the Dreaming-where dreamers silently scream, where alliances are forgotten, and where evil fairies hunt rebels like me into the darkest nightmares of the kingdom....
Don't miss this fierce fairy tale!
Briar & the Dreamers of Midnight is a stand-alone novel that can be enjoyed by readers new to the world of Midnight Tales.
What would you do if you were trapped in a body doomed to sleep for generations? Would you quietly wait for your prince to wake you with a kiss?
Not me.
I got tired of waiting, especially when I woke and found myself trapped in my frozen body.
Only the cruelest fairy would think to punish someone that way. And the cruelest of them all is in the Kingdom of Midnight.
I found an escape. I entered the Dreaming-where dreamers silently scream, where alliances are forgotten, and where evil fairies hunt rebels like me into the darkest nightmares of the kingdom....
Don't miss this fierce fairy tale!
Briar & the Dreamers of Midnight is a stand-alone novel that can be enjoyed by readers new to the world of Midnight Tales.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2021
19 people are currently reading
449 people want to read
About the author
Susan Ee
15 books12.5k followersSusan Ee is a USA Today bestselling author of the Penryn & the End of Days trilogy, ANGELFALL, WORLD AFTER, and END OF DAYS. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages, and her short films have played at major festivals. She used to be a lawyer but loves being a writer because it allows her imagination to bust out and go feral.
Sign up to hear about her next book at www.susanee.com or follow her on Twitter @Susan_Ee.
Sign up to hear about her next book at www.susanee.com or follow her on Twitter @Susan_Ee.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 4, 2022
Another DNF.
I dislike the setting of Midnight.
I dislike the characters.
I dislike the crazy plot of a dreaming Sleeping Beauty acting as some kind of spy.
I dislike the side characters and their pathetic intrigues.
I dislike the romances.
Basically this whole series is bad (book 1 came the closest to being okay) and I wish Susan Ee would put her talents to actual work.
Her prose is fine. It doesn't save these trainwrecks, but she can write.
Which makes me want to know: why doesn't she?
Is this like End of Days, the final letdown in the Angelfall series that started out as the most gripping YA dystopian series I ever read and ended with a bullshit talent contest and no answers to any of the questions?
If so, then I know what Ee needs: an overattached editor. The kind that will obnoxiously call her every evening and ask "How was your day, Susan? Let's talk about vibes and moodboards in your current project. Have you looked at the collage I sent you? I hope that convinces you to drop the idea with the singing werewolves in your horror novel ..."
An editor who makes some tough observations and keeps Ee on track, because clearly that is the one thing she simply cannot do. That's also why the Angelfall trilogy was such a bruning desaster overall, even though the first and second book where such a triumph.
Ee always loses focus and direction. At the beginning, she has a setting, an aura, a vibe in mind. And for a time, she sticks with it.
That's why I enjoyed Cinder and the Prince of Midnight. It wasn't *my* kind of book, but it was a respectable work. Cohesive in themes and mood.
Scarlet and Briar, though? They are all over the place. There is fighting and intrigue, but the both books are pretty much captivity romances, at least in some way.
The male leads? Get out! They don't even convince me they aren't made of cardboard after all.
The dialogues are ludicrous and so are many of the spiralling side plots. It's like a big tentacled fanfiction with no focus and no aim. Just running aimlessly in every direction instinct semds her.
I believe that it's perfectly okay to write books with no plan whatsoever. Stephen King does that all the time. But that doesn't change the fact that some authors NEED the comforting constriction of a plot corset to guide them.
Not everyone can just type and expect a cohesive novel once they hit 50 k words.
In a way, Angelfall was the exception. It worked because it was part 1 of a story. If Ee had had to wrap that story in one single novel? Pandemonium.
That being said, I hope she keeps writing and finds the editing guidance (or even her own plotting techniques) to improve her work.
I dislike the setting of Midnight.
I dislike the characters.
I dislike the crazy plot of a dreaming Sleeping Beauty acting as some kind of spy.
I dislike the side characters and their pathetic intrigues.
I dislike the romances.
Basically this whole series is bad (book 1 came the closest to being okay) and I wish Susan Ee would put her talents to actual work.
Her prose is fine. It doesn't save these trainwrecks, but she can write.
Which makes me want to know: why doesn't she?
Is this like End of Days, the final letdown in the Angelfall series that started out as the most gripping YA dystopian series I ever read and ended with a bullshit talent contest and no answers to any of the questions?
If so, then I know what Ee needs: an overattached editor. The kind that will obnoxiously call her every evening and ask "How was your day, Susan? Let's talk about vibes and moodboards in your current project. Have you looked at the collage I sent you? I hope that convinces you to drop the idea with the singing werewolves in your horror novel ..."
An editor who makes some tough observations and keeps Ee on track, because clearly that is the one thing she simply cannot do. That's also why the Angelfall trilogy was such a bruning desaster overall, even though the first and second book where such a triumph.
Ee always loses focus and direction. At the beginning, she has a setting, an aura, a vibe in mind. And for a time, she sticks with it.
That's why I enjoyed Cinder and the Prince of Midnight. It wasn't *my* kind of book, but it was a respectable work. Cohesive in themes and mood.
Scarlet and Briar, though? They are all over the place. There is fighting and intrigue, but the both books are pretty much captivity romances, at least in some way.
The male leads? Get out! They don't even convince me they aren't made of cardboard after all.
The dialogues are ludicrous and so are many of the spiralling side plots. It's like a big tentacled fanfiction with no focus and no aim. Just running aimlessly in every direction instinct semds her.
I believe that it's perfectly okay to write books with no plan whatsoever. Stephen King does that all the time. But that doesn't change the fact that some authors NEED the comforting constriction of a plot corset to guide them.
Not everyone can just type and expect a cohesive novel once they hit 50 k words.
In a way, Angelfall was the exception. It worked because it was part 1 of a story. If Ee had had to wrap that story in one single novel? Pandemonium.
That being said, I hope she keeps writing and finds the editing guidance (or even her own plotting techniques) to improve her work.
March 17, 2021
bit of a slow start, but it found itself eventually. i'm really enjoying these retellings, they're so grimy. hopefully there's more to come, i need closure for sentry!!
May 30, 2023
This was a very interesting take on Sleeping Beauty. I couldn’t put it down, had to always know what happens next and sometimes I was so immersed into the story, it felt like I was part of it, like a spectator in the land of Dreaming.
The book ended up with a non-ending. I really don’t have another word for it. It was an end but also, it felt like it was just a beginning. When I finished the story, I was not sure I liked it but after mulling it over and over, I decided it was just what the story needed.
The book ended up with a non-ending. I really don’t have another word for it. It was an end but also, it felt like it was just a beginning. When I finished the story, I was not sure I liked it but after mulling it over and over, I decided it was just what the story needed.
March 20, 2021
was kind of confused (like?? weirdly meta. kind of??) but i like that the stories in this series are really just focused on the main characters. super excited susan ee seems to be extending the books into full novels, will definitely keep reading. also i want to know what happens with sentry 🥺
July 8, 2021
The author claims the volumes in this series can be read as standalones. They cannot, trust me. It’s already complicated enough to follow all the timelines and places and characters reading them in order, I don’t think you should find out how it is in disorder.
The main and only reason I’m continuing this series is for the love I still have for ‘Angelfall’. I will read the sequel(s) because with that ending I doubt this will only be a trilogy, but I keep hoping this gets better.
Don’t get me wrong. Every book follows a character’s arc, then we never see that character again, but we learn how her actions impacted the rest of the world. In theory, it’s a great idea, we see the world from different perspectives, every book moving the overall plot further a bit more; however, the downside is that we never know what happens to our main couple after they reach their supposedly happily ever after.
This volume is no different. Some important things happen for the big plot, but the narrator is mostly away from them and the author’s ploys to make sure she can assist to tell the reader are too forced.
Furthermore, it did not help that I was expecting a Sleeping Beauty’s retelling with the focus on romance (like it happened in the previous novels), but I got a Sleeping Beauty+Snow Queen+Rapunzel+Beauty and the Beast’s horror-retelling and just that tiny wake-up-kiss (I headcanon that this is because the protagonist is aroace).
I would have liked to see a slow burn where the prince understands he is not entitled to the princess just because he sees himself as the hero… but I guess we’ll settle with the very dubious consent she gives and address it never again. For this reason, even without considering the romance and thinking of them as friends, I was not a fan of the dynamics between the protagonist and her prince. She had more chemistry with Minor Character Number 2… and with another character which I hoped until the end would be her prince. However, it is stated numerous times how handsome and perfect this other man is, so I’m betting he will be the love interest for a future protagonist (Gerda, maybe? Because he is the Snow Queen’s retelling).
The main and only reason I’m continuing this series is for the love I still have for ‘Angelfall’. I will read the sequel(s) because with that ending I doubt this will only be a trilogy, but I keep hoping this gets better.
Don’t get me wrong. Every book follows a character’s arc, then we never see that character again, but we learn how her actions impacted the rest of the world. In theory, it’s a great idea, we see the world from different perspectives, every book moving the overall plot further a bit more; however, the downside is that we never know what happens to our main couple after they reach their supposedly happily ever after.
This volume is no different. Some important things happen for the big plot, but the narrator is mostly away from them and the author’s ploys to make sure she can assist to tell the reader are too forced.
Furthermore, it did not help that I was expecting a Sleeping Beauty’s retelling with the focus on romance (like it happened in the previous novels), but I got a Sleeping Beauty+Snow Queen+Rapunzel+Beauty and the Beast’s horror-retelling and just that tiny wake-up-kiss (I headcanon that this is because the protagonist is aroace).
I would have liked to see a slow burn where the prince understands he is not entitled to the princess just because he sees himself as the hero… but I guess we’ll settle with the very dubious consent she gives and address it never again. For this reason, even without considering the romance and thinking of them as friends, I was not a fan of the dynamics between the protagonist and her prince. She had more chemistry with Minor Character Number 2… and with another character which I hoped until the end would be her prince. However, it is stated numerous times how handsome and perfect this other man is, so I’m betting he will be the love interest for a future protagonist (Gerda, maybe? Because he is the Snow Queen’s retelling).
August 14, 2021
I emjoyed this more than #1 because the book length allowed for the characters to stand on their own. Though I liked the scenes between the troll and princess especially at the end, I'm not convinced about true love's kiss waking up the sleeping beauty. The prince wanted adventure and a princess of his own because of his lack of purpose as a third son? I'm not convinced. I wanted more time between the couple, to feel the chemistry and maybe more... sexytimes? As a darker retelling, with plenty of horror I thought thr author was already being daring, why not plunge right in and straddle the line to more? Other than the wake-up kiss there was nothing. The lack of it is what keeps me from giving this a 5* rating.
Cant wait for the next installation though.
Fingers crossed.
Cant wait for the next installation though.
Fingers crossed.
Read
May 18, 2021*Trigger Alert!*Sleep paralysis, Animal cruelty, not recommended for anxiety, also Boring (Mc is *sleeping whole time/even there is actually simple hack to it never mentioned?!;) & Lots of repetition(same as previous book!) it may work better with -100 pages as I was expecting *resolve of this universe but,, nothing I find it disappointing Wtf *flips the table as it left more questions,, , & possibly new books?:// was thinking rating it 3 stars but skipping it for these reasons,,
June 9, 2021
A very slow start borderline boring too. I had hard reading it but I’m so glad I stuck with it. After say 75% the phase picks up. Also I enjoy the back and forth between Briar and Bronson. I wish there’s more scenes / chapters with those two. Anyway, this is Susan Ee so I’m still giving this 4 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2021
I loved it!! So far, it’s the best of the saga
May 30, 2021
Another fun and unique take on a fairytale retelling from Susan Ee. The whole ogre thing kept making me think of Shrek though, lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2021
The best book out of the series. I liked Briar's character a lot. Though everything turned out well, I'm still wondering what happens to Sentry.
October 11, 2021
Loved it
I totally binge read this, very good book can't wait for more of the story, I almost forgot of this world, and it truly dragged me back
I totally binge read this, very good book can't wait for more of the story, I almost forgot of this world, and it truly dragged me back
March 15, 2023
New take on Sleeping Beauty.
December 31, 2023
Review coming soon
May 6, 2024
52 book club challenge 2024 - more than 40 chapters
Pop sugar reading challenge 2024 - a horror book written by a BIPOC author; a book in which a character sleeps for more than 24 hours
Not as good as the first one. Pretty dark
Pop sugar reading challenge 2024 - a horror book written by a BIPOC author; a book in which a character sleeps for more than 24 hours
Not as good as the first one. Pretty dark
January 11, 2025
I liked the 1st 2 books much more, this one was very slow and repetitive. Briar was also pretty annoying it was like she just stumbled around with no thought.
March 20, 2021
I feel like it deserves more than a 3.5 but not quite a 4 so I'll give it a 3.7. Haha.
I’ve been in a reading slump for quite a while so this was definitely a good choice to start reading again. What can I say? I loved The End of Days trilogy and expected the same from this book and while not on the same caliber, it was still a good read overall. There are so many retellings of fairy tales out there but Susan Ee has definitely made this her own.
Briar and the Dreamers of Midnight is a new take on Sleeping Beauty but definitely adding depth to the sleeping princess. Briar, aka Sleeping Beauty, is cursed to sleep as we know but the spin is that we actually get to see her “alive” as she lives in the dreaming world where she dream-hops from one to another. Susan Ee has created a world (the Dreaming) where people always feel defenseless and has turned it into a weapon of sorts, which I think is pretty darn cool. And Briar is just stuck in the in-between. She’s not dead, but not awake. She’s just there and she’s able to see the dreams and nightmares of the people in the kingdom. She even has alliances in the dreaming! And this dimension somewhat becomes a secret meeting place, which I think it’s always awesome when people can lucidly dream. Kind of reminds me of the movie Inception too. Being stuck in the dreaming, Briar comes to learn a few things as well, even as much as learning combat (more or less).
And oh, yes. We still get a prince...of some sort. This prince is great. Haha. I love his character and this image that’s been given to you by Susan Ee is just great. I loved the interactions between Bronson and Briar. The story is familiar but yet, you know it’s something entirely new and I think that is what keeps you drawn in. Especially Nightmare Malyn. I will admit, Nightmare Malyn was pretty darn creepy but I loved that. Haha. Malyn is the fairy that had cursed Briar into a deep sleep and intends to keep her that way by attempting to rule the Midnight Kingdom. Throughout the novel, Briar fights to bring her body back to life and aims to defeat Malyn even though she is nothing but in the form of a spirit.
Overall, I think it was interesting enough to want to read but certainly not as fast-paced, action-packed, and thrilling like The End of Days trilogy but it does hold certain similarities that definitely reflects Susan Ee’s writing style. I would though, have liked to see just a little bit more of the other characters beyond the dreaming such as the Wolfkins, Silver (her teacher and confidant), and oh, Sentry. Sentry, Sentry. (can’t say much here without giving it away). I felt like the progression of the story just kind of stopped when nearing the end and it made me really nervous because I still had so many unanswered questions. Still a good read, but I wished there was just a little bit more to it.
And I have to be really honest here. I hate the cover. Haha. I'm sorry Susan Ee but yeahhh.
Nonetheless, it was entertaining enough to read. I haven’t actually read the other two Midnight novels but this was a good start.
I’ve been in a reading slump for quite a while so this was definitely a good choice to start reading again. What can I say? I loved The End of Days trilogy and expected the same from this book and while not on the same caliber, it was still a good read overall. There are so many retellings of fairy tales out there but Susan Ee has definitely made this her own.
Briar and the Dreamers of Midnight is a new take on Sleeping Beauty but definitely adding depth to the sleeping princess. Briar, aka Sleeping Beauty, is cursed to sleep as we know but the spin is that we actually get to see her “alive” as she lives in the dreaming world where she dream-hops from one to another. Susan Ee has created a world (the Dreaming) where people always feel defenseless and has turned it into a weapon of sorts, which I think is pretty darn cool. And Briar is just stuck in the in-between. She’s not dead, but not awake. She’s just there and she’s able to see the dreams and nightmares of the people in the kingdom. She even has alliances in the dreaming! And this dimension somewhat becomes a secret meeting place, which I think it’s always awesome when people can lucidly dream. Kind of reminds me of the movie Inception too. Being stuck in the dreaming, Briar comes to learn a few things as well, even as much as learning combat (more or less).
And oh, yes. We still get a prince...of some sort. This prince is great. Haha. I love his character and this image that’s been given to you by Susan Ee is just great. I loved the interactions between Bronson and Briar. The story is familiar but yet, you know it’s something entirely new and I think that is what keeps you drawn in. Especially Nightmare Malyn. I will admit, Nightmare Malyn was pretty darn creepy but I loved that. Haha. Malyn is the fairy that had cursed Briar into a deep sleep and intends to keep her that way by attempting to rule the Midnight Kingdom. Throughout the novel, Briar fights to bring her body back to life and aims to defeat Malyn even though she is nothing but in the form of a spirit.
Overall, I think it was interesting enough to want to read but certainly not as fast-paced, action-packed, and thrilling like The End of Days trilogy but it does hold certain similarities that definitely reflects Susan Ee’s writing style. I would though, have liked to see just a little bit more of the other characters beyond the dreaming such as the Wolfkins, Silver (her teacher and confidant), and oh, Sentry. Sentry, Sentry. (can’t say much here without giving it away). I felt like the progression of the story just kind of stopped when nearing the end and it made me really nervous because I still had so many unanswered questions. Still a good read, but I wished there was just a little bit more to it.
And I have to be really honest here. I hate the cover. Haha. I'm sorry Susan Ee but yeahhh.
Nonetheless, it was entertaining enough to read. I haven’t actually read the other two Midnight novels but this was a good start.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews