Midnight Waltz (Infernal Symphony Book 1)

By: Maria Giakoumatos
Publisher: Evolved Publishing
Publication Date: May 21, 2024
ISBN: 979-8890250339
Reviewed by: Tripti Kandari
Review Date: October 28, 2024

Weaving across the tapestry of gothic background with the threads of supernatural, friendship and hope, Midnight Waltz by Maria Giakoumatos is a tale of tussle against evil, with the exorcist organization of Eden navigating the treacherous dimensions of dark forces, suspense, and betrayal.

The whispers among the common folks around the eerie Mavro Mansion on the outskirts of town continue to reverberate through generations. Legend has it that the "undead" youthful Emily Mavro wakes up in her mansion on the full moon day, thirsting for a soul. Anthony, a teenager caught between his friends’ hunt for escapades and their supposed attempt to help him cope with an emotional fallout, steps into the mansion. It's not like anything could go wrong, is it?

Yet, in the heart of every tale lies the possibility of truth. Anthony stumbles upon the radiant body of Emily, aged over 100 years. What ensues is the stirring of dead eyes, snapping open to meet his gaze, and opening the pages to a tale that will bind Anthony’s fate with forces beyond the worldly and normal.

The involvement of the organization Eden, a group of exorcists dedicated to safeguarding Emily’s body, and their uproar in response to her 'kidnapping' rectifies the critical nature of the situation. In the face of Lucifer's disciples, a cult of dark mages try to harness Emily for their evil schemes, while her resurrection and venture into the real world turns up the heat for Eden—and all those that squeeze into the fateful vacuum of this mystery and supernatural.

The gothic tone in the story echoes across the narrative, reflecting early on in its reliance on whispers and rumors of Emily’s mysterious death and resurrection on the full moon. The gothic mood intensifies through the setting of the Victorian Mavro Mansion, symbolizing foreboding, secrecy, and antiquity with its gloomy décor in black lace, spiraling staircase, and wooden doors.

Through Emily, the work portrays the perpetual search for identity and love, even when outside the mortal realms. The loss of Emily’s soul becomes a metaphor for her fragmented sense of identity. Her struggle to feel connected to something of significance extends so much as to make her susceptible to the emotional and psychological manipulation of others. Tracing her inner turmoil between the need for belonging and struggle for autonomy, the work highlights the need for self-compassion on the road to healing.

With supernatural elements, complex multifaceted characters, and psychological depth, Midnight Waltz caters to the enthusiasts of fantasy, paranormal, and psychological thrillers. The focus on developing characters and addressing their emotional conflicts and struggles also makes it a fit for those valuing character-driven plots.

Quill says: A promising debut by Maria Giakoumatos, the multi-genre novel Midnight Waltz immerses the reader on an unrelenting ride of the fantastical allure of demons and devils, along with the thrill of dodging a dark force, steering them to the mystery around the characters' complex emotions, relationships, and moral dilemmas.

For more information on Midnight Waltz, please visit the author's website at: authorbloodymaria.wordpress.com

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