Midnight Never Come

by Marie Brennan

I had a hard time classifying MIDNIGHT NEVER COME. I suppose it falls in the category of a paranormal romance. But it lacks the steam or the erotica that we have come to expect from paranormal romances. I’m not even sure I would classify it as a romance, for it lacks the typical structure of romance novels, even thought the love story between Deven and Lune is an integral part in the story. Then is it a historical novel? Set during Queen Elizabeth I reign, it does indeed stand the test for a historical novel. The historical details are rich and vibrant and the characters literally step out of the pages of history. But it is more than just a historical novel. The author Marie Brennan has added to the convoluted machinations of the Royal Court another player or rather group of players. The fairy Queen Invidiana and the fae of the Onyx Court, which exists beneath the city of London in a parody of Queen Elizabeth’s own court. Deven, one of the Queen Elizabeth’s own Gentlemen Pensioner, (fancy term for guards), is also in the service of Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth’s Principal Secretary. He is a spy. And he is set the task to discover the identity of the secret player who has been influencing the Queen and English politics. Deven doesn’t expect that his search will lead him to the woman that he loves and wants to marry, or that all she appears to be is a lie, and she herself is a fairy, the Lady Lune, and a spy for the Onyx Court. Now perhaps we could call it a historical mystery, for the two of them must uncover a secret that threatens both Courts.

I found myself enjoying the slow pace of the book, that followed more the pattern of historical mystery novels than the usual paranormal fantasy. I enjoyed the richness of the historical detail, but I also enjoyed the glittering made up world of the fae.

So what is MIDNIGHT NEVER COME? I guess you could call it a paranormal fantasy - historical - romantic - mystery. That’s quite a mouthful to describe an unusual and interesting blending of genres, Marie Brennan has managed to make it all come together and work. MIDNIGHT NEVER COME is well worth reading.

Reviewed by Linda Suzane, October 14, 2008

Midnight Never Come
Marie Brennan
Paranormal Romance / Historical
Orbit
June 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0-316-02029-9
ISBN-10: 0-316-02029-X