“I’m well aware that I’m … too much. You think you’re annoyed—imagine how I feel. I have to live with me and all my flaws every day.”

GENRE: Cozy YA Romantasy
RATING: 5/5 (would give it more if I could)
FORMAT: eBook Arc

Overall Impression: WHAT A BOOK!!!! Seriously, what a book ahhhh because guys this was a beautiful, whimsical Cozy YA Romantasy that discusses SO many important topics (Bipolar Rep and Mental health, Inequalities...etc.) while having so much whimsy! It is done so well and what I look for in Cozy Fantasy/Romantasy books

Review:
Guys, WHAT A BOOK OH MY GOD, like I repeat: WHAT A BOOK!

Okay, let’s get into it: I love Cozy Fantasy and Cozy Romantasy and this is literally what I look for in both (sub)genre. Until the Clock Strikes Midnight is a book that focuses on whimsical, lovely and magical moments filled with Glitter Magic while diving into topics like Inequalities, Mental Health (there’s a bipolar rep), negative spirals and so much more. The way the topics are handled is done with so much care and I teared up twice, which rarely ever happens with any form of media

This book is a beautiful journey that follows two POV (Darling and Calamity), who compete to change the destiny of our bookseller (Lucy). There are a few types of Endings in here: Happily Ever After, Ordinary Ever After and Unhappily Ever After and Celestials/Misfortunes (plus one Fairy, Darling) help guide Humans to achieve one of them essentially! This leads to a lot of discussion regarding whether humans deserve a chance at happiness and that not all of them start out on the same footing. I loved the way we get to explore this theme in the book, how it leads to so many important discussions between Darling and Calamity and how it connects back to the magical system in the book itself.

And the dynamic between Darling and Calam? AHHH, I loved their interactions! I think they are more of what we call “expected” to be enemies/rivals turned into lovers. I really enjoyed their interactions, how they both grow and learn about each other in different ways as well. Also, the fact that Darling’s name is, well, Darling just gives us so many cute opportunities throughout the book with cute nicknames AHH

And Darling being a rep for Bipolar? My god, this topic/theme/rep broke my heart and healed me in so many ways. Darling has always grown up feeling like she was too much, that she was too glittery, colourful...etc. and we get to see a few negative spirals and her doubting herself and her place in the world. As someone who heavily relates to this, the quote I picked in the beginning of the review just shows how heavily we live with the things people tell us and we watch how Darling has to slowly realise that she isn’t too much and that it’s okay to feel like she is sometimes because of what she has been told.

I cannot wait to read more of the author’s backlog and any future books! I’ll be yelling about this book everywhere possible essentially as it is now a top favourite/top cozy fantasy book in my list. Thank you to the Author, Publisher, Colored Pages Book Tour and Netgalley for the Arc copy!