The Midnight Guardians
Ross Montgomery
3rd September 2020
I had to request this one - there's a badger on the cover! That was probably my main thought when I first saw this book. When it was backed up by a synopsis that sounded interesting, I decided to give it a go.
This was clearly very deeply researched and wanted to convery a sense of the time and place in which it was set for anyone reading it - namely, around and during the time of the Blitz in London. It came across really well and I felt as if the author had done a fantastic job setting the tone to back the entire story - you felt the sense of urgency and dread throughout the novel, and even the smallest details felt relevant.
The story was also filled with whimsy and fun, when it wasn't so intense. These moments of levity really improved my enjoyment of the book, and I loved the banter between the Midnight Guardians sometimes, and the often remarked statement that having a cup of tea was needed for most things. (This tracks with my own experience growing up with two English parents...)
I have to admit, though, that this book didn't always hit the mark for me. Sometimes I found the humour a bit off (this was just a 'me' thing), and I really struggled to get into the book initially. I'm glad I stuck it out, but I do wonder if maybe the first part of the book could have been tightened up a little, or perhaps things could have been explained a little better, because I just wasn't entirely sure I cared initially.
However, this is a lovely book, dealing with real issues, with some beautiful whimsy thrown in. And you really can't go wrong with having a badger as a main character.
8/10 badgers in waistcoats.
I received a review copy of this book from Walker Books in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.
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