Category: Midnight Designs

Midnight Designs: The Burning God Phone Wallpapers

~ aentee @ read at midnight ~ 3 Comments

First of all, apologies for being a bit absent on this blog in the past month. The COVID-19 lockdown in my state eased completely at the end of last month, and since then I’ve been so busy at work that I’ve barely had time off, let alone stealing a moment to blog. However, the release week of The Burning God is not something I wanted to miss, and I wanted to complete my wallpaper series for the trilogy with this post as a contribution to the celebration!

  • Quotes and characters belong to the inimitable R. F. Kuang, cover art from The Poppy War series are drawn by Jung Shan.
  • The phone wallpapers are free for your personal use only.
  • Please do not edit, repost, redistribute the images.

DOWNLOAD LINKS: 1 / 2 / 3

The themes in these books have always hit like a punch to the guts, and this is especially evident in ending of this trilogy. We see the culmination and consequences to all the questions the series have been posing: about war, about history, and about Fang Runin herself. She’s become a mythic figure by the beginning of book three, but she’s never felt so fallible and human. I’ll miss my murder baby, and all three of these wallpapers are dedicated to her! I would let you ruin me, Rin!!

The Poppy War series has been a significant part of my life in the past few years, and I’ve made so many blogger friends through in. In truth, it extended the life of this blog by at least another few years. Saying goodbye to it with the conclusion of The Burning God feels so bittersweet. If any of you want to discuss the ending and all things spoilery, please do not hesitate to reach out by DM! Especially if you are a fellow member of the Chen Kitay protection squad!!

Midnight Designs and Audiobook Review: Black Sun

~ aentee @ read at midnight ~ 4 Comments

I have been a fan of Rebecca Roanhorse since I read Trail of Lightning. With Black Sun, she cements herself as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary SFF. I have both a book review and some graphics for everyone today, ahead of the excitement for Black Sun’s release next week!

Book Title: Black Sun

Author: Rebecca Roanhorse

Series? 1 of 3

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Release Date: 13 Oct 2020

Goodreads

Libro.fm

Book Depository

Audiobook Review

Disclaimer: I received this audiobook through the Libro.fm ALC program. I love Libro.fm with my entire heart, but this is an honest review.

To be frank, I am not sure if I can quite verbalise how much I love Black Sun with mere words. I have spent most of this week in a complete daze as I left my few remaining brain cells with The Meridian, its expansive world, and its multifaceted cast of characters. From the very first chapter, where a boy is ritualistically transformed into a god – under the vivid visuals of a sun being devoured by a crow – this book has gripped me by the throat and absolutely refuses to let go.

Continue reading “Midnight Designs and Audiobook Review: Black Sun” →

Blog Tour: Jade War Review and Graphics

~ aentee @ read at midnight ~ 3 Comments

Jade War Preview

Disclaimer: I received an eARC and physical review copy of Jade war from the publisher via Caffeine Blog Tour.

You can order Jade War on Amazon or Book Depository

Bear with me, I have a full review as well as three graphics wallpaper to share with you today. After all, words are not enough for me to describe how much I love the Green Bone Saga and the Kauls.

Spoiler-Free Review

Note: The review will have spoilers for the first book, Jade City. It will not contain spoilers of Jade War.

Jade City is one of my favourite books of all time, it encapsulated and elevated everything I loved about fantasy, Hong Kong gangster films, and family drama. I knew I would love Jade War, but I could not anticipate how this sequel would take everything I loved about Jade City and amplified it tenfold. If I was a No Peak loyalist by the end of the first novel, this second one made me a Lantern Man for life. The clan is my blood and the Pillar, the one and only Fonda Lee, is its master. I am here to love and support whatever she releases next, even if it’s sure to destroy me. Continue reading “Blog Tour: Jade War Review and Graphics” →

Midnight Designs: Descendant of the Crane

~ aentee @ read at midnight ~ 5 Comments

Descendant of the Crane teaser

I knew that I would make a graphics post for this book as soon as I saw the cover. Feifei Ruan’s artwork is actual magic. The book is endlessly quotable and so vivid in imageries. Bring those two things together and I simply can’t help myself.

I have a new phone now, so these are larger than the ones I’ve always made ❤

  • Characters and quotes belong to the brilliant Joan He.
  • The phone wallpapers are free for your personal use only.
  • Please do not edit, repost, redistribute the images.
  • They are made for iPhone XS, but should fit most smartphones.

DOTC 1

DOWNLOAD HERE.

“Tyrants cut out hearts. Rulers sacrifice their own.”

A++ leadership advice, would follow to the ends of the earth. I grew up watching c-drama featuring court intrigues and warring concubines, so seeing Descendant of the Crane play with and subvert these tropes was an absolute delight.

 

DOTC 2

DOWNLOAD HERE.

Carve your path path, little bird.

While the coming-of-age meets weight-of-destiny is a common narrative structure in fantasy, I loved how it was written in this book – especially because so much of it was focused on family and its complicated ties. Although Hesina’s father was never physically present in the novel, his decisions and his mentorship guided the novel through twists and turns.DOTC 3

DOWNLOAD HERE.

But in trying time, truth is the first thing we betray.

Speaking of betrayals, this book has taught me to never trust again. Godspeed, friends, as you make your way through all of the intrigue and reveals of this novel.

  • Find more of my free book-related designs here.
  • If you enjoyed these free graphics and want to support me, you can find me on Society 6.
  • Alternatively, you can commission me for your custom graphics by contacting me.
  • Finally, you can grab me a cuppa via Ko-fi here.

Descendant of the Crane is set to release on April 9, you still have time to submit your preorder receipts for character art cards! Fly, friends!

Midnight Designs: The Gilded Wolves

~ aentee @ read at midnight ~ 10 Comments

The Gilded Wolves is Roshani Chokshi’s best work yet. It’s populated by an endearing and diverse cast of characters, each trying to carve out a space of their own in a historical era that’s wont to erase them.

The prose are lyrical and brings this fantastical re-imagining of the Belle Époque to life, and there were so many great quotes to choose from that I could not refrain from turning a few into phone wallpapers.

Important:

  • Characters and quotes belong to the talented Roshani Chokshi.
  • The phone wallpapers are free for your personal use only.
  • Please do not edit, repost, redistribute the images.
  • They are made for iPhone 6, but should fit most smartphones.
“If you are furious, let it be fuel.”

DOWNLOAD HERE. This one is currently my own wallpaper, because I love the sentiment of channelling your anger into productivity and be an agent of change. God knows the world needs it. Severin is pretty much the living embodiment of this quote, it’s how he broods and schemes so well.

“Don’t capture their hearts, steal their imagination.”

DOWNLOAD HERE. Leaders everywhere could use this counsel. It comes from the mother of one of my very favourite characters in this series – although it’s very hard to pick just one. Laila gets my vote because baked goods and grand gowns hold the key to my heart. Hypnos shares the spot though, can someone just show my boy the love and attention he craves and deserve?

“Wolves were everywhere. In politics, on thrones, in beds.”

DOWNLOAD HERE. Don’t you just love the moment where the title of a book or movie is referenced directly in the text itself? This quote has got to be one of my favourite examples of that in recent memories. It fits the context of the setting and the constant changing character dynamics within the L’Eden crew so well. I can’t wait to see what Roshani has in store for them in the future.

  • Find more of my free book-related designs here.
  • If you enjoyed these free graphics and want to support me, you can find me on Society 6.
  • Alternatively, you can commission me for your custom graphics by contacting me.
  • Finally, you can grab me a cuppa via Ko-fi here.

Have you read this book? If so, please tell me who your faves are and how much the ending wrecked you on a level of 1 to catatonic. No spoilers, though, please!

Midnight Designs: Uprooted and Spinning Silver

~ aentee @ read at midnight ~ 7 Comments

Naomi Novik Wallpaper Preview.png

Uprooted and Spinning Silver are the perfect modern fairy tales: bewitching, evocative, with a strong streak of feminism. I am sharing my love for Naomi Novik today by bringing you two phone wallpapers featuring Agnieszka and Miryem

Important:

  • Characters and quotes belong to the brilliant Naomi Novik.
  • The phone wallpapers are free for your personal use only.
  • Please do not edit, repost, redistribute the images.
  • They are made for iPhone 6, but should fit most smartphones.

 

Uprooted Wallpaper

I was a glaring blot on perfection. But I didn’t care. I didn’t feel I owed him beauty.

Spinning Silver Wallpaper

Because that’s what the story is really about, getting out of paying your debts.

  • Find more of my free book-related designs here.
  • If you enjoyed these free graphics and want to support me, you can find me on Society 6.
  • Alternatively, you can commission me for your custom graphics by contacting me.
  • Finally, you can grab me a cuppa via Ko-fi here.

Midnight Designs: The Poppy War

~ aentee @ read at midnight ~ 25 Comments

The Poppy War Wallpaper Teaser

The Poppy War is one of my most anticipated releases of 2018 and it did not disappoint. Quite the opposite, it left me breathless and dazed, groveling for a sequel like a poppy-addled addict. I will do a full review once I have digested everything, but for now, I have some wallpapers inspired by the book for you all. Let’s be honest, we all deserve all little TLC after the novel.

  • Quotes and characters belong to the brilliant R. F. Kuang, cover art from The Poppy War hardback are drawn by Jung Shan.
  • The phone wallpapers are free for your personal use only.
  • Please do not edit, repost, redistribute the images.
  • They are made for iPhone 6, but should fit most smartphones.

TPW Teaser 01

DROPBOX LINK

I don’t believe in gods. I believe in power.

Sorry I don’t make the rules, but all the best protagonists are Slytherins. Rin is ambitious and resilient, she burns for power and she will grab life and deities by the throat to earn it. Also the best exam crammer I have ever seen in a fantasy novel, I am ready to declare undying allegiance to her.

TPW Teaser 02

DROPBOX LINK

War doesn’t determine who’s right. War determines who remains.

As implied by the title of the book, war plays a huge role in The Poppy War, and the novel does not hold back from the violence and horrors which accompanies it. Many events in the book parallels the Second Sino-Japanese War, and it expertly weaves between historical reality and fantasy to create a devastating portrait of war.

TPW Teaser 03

DROPBOX LINK

She came from nothing. She wasn’t going back to nothing.

One of the things I love most about Rin is her drive and personal agency, her sheer determination to write her own story — even if it’s one where she may not end up the hero.

  • Find more of my free book-related designs here.
  • If you enjoyed these free graphics and want to support me, you can find me on Society 6.
  • Alternatively, you can commission me for your custom graphics by contacting me.
  • Finally, you can grab me a cuppa via Ko-fi here.

Midnight Designs: The Cruel Prince

~ aentee @ read at midnight ~ 33 Comments

The Cruel Prince Twitter Preview

If it was not immediately obvious before, The Cruel Prince has now cemented Holly Black’s position as the Queen of Faeries. The Fair Folks in her books are glittering and magnetic, yet dangerous and deceitful. Even more compelling are her human characters, especially the ambitious and utterly flawed Jude. The Cruel Prince has glamoured me completely, so I did the predictable thing and selected some of my favourite quotes to present as phone wallpapers for you all!

  • Quotes belong to the brilliant Holly Black.
  • The phone wallpapers are free for your personal use only.
  • Please do not edit, repost, redistribute the images, or claim them as your own.
  • They are made for iPhone 6, but should fit most smartphones.
  • If you enjoyed my work, please consider buying me a cuppa or two via Ko-fi! All donations will go towards image licensing for my next shareable graphics project, so we will all benefit ❤

The Cruel Prince 01

“If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.”

This quote gave me legit chills. Jude is a true Slytherin queen, filled with ambitions and cunning — and she’s not afraid to seize life by the throat and take what she wants. We need more main characters like her in our bookshelves, please and thank you.

DROPBOX LINK

The Cruel Prince 02

“Nice things don’t happen in storybooks.”

I love books that remind us fairy tales are filled with treachery and bloodshed, and The Cruel Prince exemplifies this in every sense of the world. It reminds us that princesses get their crowns by being survivors, whether it’s living through poisoned apples or enchanted sleep.

DROPBOX LINK

The Cruel Prince 03

“If I can’t find a good enough story, I make one.”

Out of all the wicked and delightful lines spoken by Prince Cardan, this one is my favourite. I thought it was also served as a wonderful encouragement to all my writer friends out there – own the story you wish to see in the world, I can’t wait to read your works one day!

DROPBOX LINK

The Cruel Prince 04

“Instead of being afraid, I could become something to fear.”

Jude, I can’t tell half the time whether she’s the heroine or the villain, and I love every moment of it. Where is the next book, I’m willing to make a bargain with the next fae prince I come across for it.

DROPBOX LINK

  • Find more of my free book-related designs here.
  • If you enjoyed these free graphics and want to support me, you can find me on Society 6.
  • Alternatively, you can commission me for your custom graphics by contacting me.
  • Finally, you can grab me a cuppa via Ko-fi here.

FIND ME ON: Twitter // Instagram

Midnight Designs: Cindy Pon Appreciation Post

~ aentee @ read at midnight ~ 8 Comments

Cindy Pon Appreciation Post Teaser

This week marks the release of Cindy Pon’s latest novel, Want. To celebrate, I’ve compiled a wallpaper post based on the cover of Want, along with a couple from her previous series, Serpentine.

Although the publishing world is getting better every year in terms of representation, it’s still rare to see an Asian face grace the cover of any YA books. I’ve been loving the covers of Cindy’s more recent novels, gorgeously illustrated by Zachary Schoenbaum (for Serpentine) and Jason Chan (for Want).

Cindy’s debut, Silver Phoenix, was also the first YA fantasy novel I read with a Chinese protagonist – I remember cherishing it for telling me a story that was at once fresh and nostalgic. Being able to see yourself is a powerful thing, and it was Cindy’s book that propelled me to begin my first (but very short-lived) book blog. I just celebrated my 2nd year of blogging on Read at Midnight yesterday, and I am glad to share my blog birthday with Cindy’s latest novel!

As always, a couple of house rules:

  • The wallpapers are set for iPhone 6S, but should work across a range of smart phones. They’re free for personal use.
  • All characters belong to Cindy Pon. Illustrations of the characters are by Zachary Schoenbaum (for Serpentine) and Jason Chan (for Want).
  • Please do not edit, repost, redistribute the images, or claim them as your own.
  • Find more information on Serpentine, Sacrifice, and Want on Goodreads!
  • If you enjoyed my work, please consider buying me a cuppa or two via Ko-fi! All donations will go towards image licensing for my next shareable graphics project, so we will all benefit ❤

Serpentine TEaser 2DROPBOX LINK

 

Serpentine TeaserDROPBOX LINK

 

Want TeaserDROPBOX LINK

  • Find more of my free book-related designs here.
  • If you enjoyed these free graphics and want to support me, you can find me on Society 6.
  • Alternatively, you can commission me for your custom graphics by contacting me.
  • Finally, you can grab me a cuppa via Ko-fi here.

FIND ME ON: Twitter // Instagram

Midnight Designs: Strange the Dreamer

~ aentee @ read at midnight ~ 20 Comments

StrangetheDreamerPreview

As Lazlo Strange became consumed by thoughts of the fabled Weep, I became utterly entranced by the world in Strange the Dreamer. I could not get the tale out of my head, so I tried to capture just a little of its brilliance with these wallpapers. Happy book birthday to Strange the Dreamer, I already know you’re my favourite read of this year ❤ These are made for iPhone 6, but should work across most smartphones.

  • Quotes and characters belong to dreamsmith extraordinaire and weaver of magic: Laini Taylor.
  • Free for personal usage only.
  • Do not redistribute: this means no reuploading to social media, Pinterest, etc… please just link back to this post.
  • Do not claim as your own.
  • If you enjoyed my work, please consider buying me a cuppa or two via Ko-fi! All donations will go towards image licensing for my next shareable graphics project, so we will all benefit ❤

Continue reading “Midnight Designs: Strange the Dreamer” →