Midnight at the Electric

By: Jodi Lynn Anderson

Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie, Bailey Carr, Fiona Hardingham

Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Six Starred Reviews and a New York Public Library Best Book of 2017!

New York Times best-selling author Jodi Lynn Anderson's epic tale - told through three unforgettable points of view - is a masterful exploration of how love, determination, and hope can change a person's fate.

2065: Adri has been handpicked to live on Mars. But weeks before launch, she discovers the journal of a girl who lived in her house more than a hundred years ago and is immediately drawn into the mystery surrounding her fate.

1934: Amid the fear and uncertainty of the Dust Bowl, Catherine’s family’s situation is growing dire. She must find the courage to sacrifice everything she loves in order to save the one person she loves most.

1919: In the recovery following World War I, Lenore tries to come to terms with her grief for her brother, a fallen British soldier, and plans to sail from England to America. But can she make it that far?

While their stories span thousands of miles and multiple generations, Lenore, Catherine, and Adri’s fates are entwined in ways both heartbreaking and hopeful. In Jodi Lynn Anderson’s signature haunting, lyrical prose, human connections spark spellbindingly to life, and a bright light shines on the small but crucial moments that determine one’s fate.

“Deft, succinct, and ringing with emotion without ever dipping into sentimentality, Anderson's novel is both intriguing and deeply satisfying.” (Kirkus, starred review)

“Each character’s resilience and independence shines brightly, creating a thread that ties them together even before the intersections of their lives are fully revealed. Anderson’s piercing prose ensures that these remarkable women will leave a lasting mark on readers.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“With quietly evocative writing, compellingly drawn characters, and captivating secrets to unearth, this thought-provoking, lyrical novel explores the importance of pinning down the past before launching into the mystery of the future.” (Booklist, starred review)

“Anderson...allows her characters to shine through, with each distinct, nuanced, and memorable.” (BCCB, starred review)

“Anderson deftly tackles love, friendship, and grief in this touching exploration of resilience and hope. A must-have for all YA collections.” (School Library Journal, starred review)

"In Midnight at the Electric, Jodi Lynn Anderson weaves a shining tale of hope in the face of adversity. " (Shelf Awareness, starred review)

©2017 Jodi Lynn Anderson (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Beautiful, Heart-wrenching, and Unbelievably Engaging

I LOVED this book!! If you want something heartwarming, but yet heart wrenching, this is your book.

Summary:

In 2065, little orphan Adri is about to commit to being one of the first migrations to Mars, after climate control, pollution, and global warming has ruined Earth and it’s inhabitants. She has no reason to stay on Earth and she’s ready to move on. Until, she has to go live on a farm (awaiting to be approved for her Mars journey) with a long distant family member she’s never met, Lily.

There, she discovers the journal of Catherine Godspeed, who lived in the same farm during the Dust Bowl Era in 1934. As Adri reads on, she becomes invested by the story of a girl who changed everything after finding an old letter written by a woman who grew up with and was best friends with her mom and wrote to her several times (Adri found these letters too).

In England, 1919, Lenore Allstock is still recovering from the death of her brother during the First World War, with nothing but optimism and a friend (Catherine’s mom) in America to keep her going.

Adri has never questioned her choice to leave Earth, but suddenly she grows an attachment to these girls and a piece of history she never knew she belonged to.

My review:

Omg. What a beautiful story. It was a slow burn, for sure. I didn’t really like Adri at first—she was sort of pointless and Lilly was the one character from Part 1 (Adri) that I enjoyed. However, after hearing Catherine and Lenore’s stories, Adri began to have a purpose—which in retrospect was what she needed anyway—to gain a purpose for her own life and what she thought she was leaving behind.

I thought the interweaving storylines provided the story with great enrichment. The writer was able to establish three amazing independent female characters that made the right choices—not necessarily the popular choices—but the right choices for them and their loved ones.

I wanted this book to keep going and I didn’t want to end my time with these three ladies. The ending was bittersweet, but gave so much hope.

The narrators were fantastic. All three were invested in the story and the voices they used were clear, perfectly chosen, and so enjoyable.

A++

Such a great story!

Very well done historical take across multiple generations, past, present, and future. After the first hour or so, it was hard to stop listening to this one! When I finished it, I bought copies of the actual book for my Mom and sister. This writer has a future!

Story line was great

The story line was great but left you wondering what happened to some of the characters, the narrators are great loved them

Interesting format

I like the stories that intertwine in different eras. I originally thought it was going to be more futuristic or scifi, but it is not. This is a simple story that helped a young girl about to embark on the journey of a lifetime realize her place in life and humanity.

Midnight at Tiger Mountain

Amazing story, a must listen to! I listened to this on the way home from cycling across North Carolina with my lover. Oh the suspense of the book kept us going.

Beautiful

This is a beautifully written story that will touch your heart and bring you to tears. It is about the unbreakable timelessness of love, friendship and family. Masterful.

Highly recommended.