"Sun at Midnight" by Rosie Thomas was the first novel that I have read by this author. The plot started off fairly well. The characters were well defined and had a realistic feel to them. The setting, especially once the plot moved to the Antarctic was simply amazing! I actually envision myself there as I was reading this interesting novel. The reason for the 4 star rating versus a 5 star rating, towards the end, the novel dragged on a bit. The ending was also a bit predictable and not very realistic. Overall, I would recommend adding this novel to your tbr list. ( )

Done! It was beautiful and poetic in its descriptions, while conveying a story that truly came from the heart. Our leading lady was nothing to shirk at to begin with but by book's end, she had come not only full circle the globe (well, in a manner of speaking), but also into her own sense of self. It reminds us that life is fleeting but love can last forever and is expressed in so many ways. While not a quick read, it is certainly a book for whiling away many an afternoon due to the length and lengthy meanderings, making it a wonderful addition to your summer reading conquests. ( )

This is first book that I've ever read about Antarctica and the setting was absolutely beautiful. The author gives wonderful descriptions of the landscape and the ice and it almost makes the reader feel chilly even when read on a hot day. Not only was the setting beautiful but it was also stark and lonely. There were only 10 people at a small research station - they were strangers to each other, from different countries and were basically going into their months at the station with no information about anyone's past. The loneliness and isolation caused them to become friends very quickly but not true friends. The main character is Alice Peel, a geologist who went to do research because her mother (a world renowned scientist) asked her to go in her place and because she needed to get away from her home due to a painful breakup with her boyfriend. Even as a scientist who often worked alone, she was shocked at the isolation and the unpredictable weather. As Alice learns how to survive in the cold, she also learns how to survive with the other nine people in the station - who can be trusted and who to avoid. When it looks like the weather may trap them for longer, everyone's true colors show and the reader avidly waits for their rescue.

It is very apparent that the author did significant research into the setting of this book. To research the Antarctic background for Sun at Midnight Rosie spent a month living with the scientists on a Bulgarian research station on Livingstone Island, off the Antarctic Peninsula.

This is a great book to read about love and loss and how living in such a desolate (though beautiful) place can help you learn who you really are and what is really important in your life. There is romance and conflict and secrets and the beautiful setting of Antarctica. Fantastic book!

Thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ( )

I am not a fiction person but I was mesmerised with the imagery Rosie Thomas described in this heart warming book. I have been keenly interested and fascinated with Antarctica Science Missions since childhood. I felt like an active member of the base as I kept reading through the vividly portrayed emotional conflict and interaction between the expedition members at the Kandahar base camp. It was frightful at one point to imagine being a part of a mission wherein one is days and miles away from all sorts of communication with the outside world, managing with little and yet keep high spirits. It was heartening indeed to read about the trapped experience of them all. Beautifully crafted by Thomas. I remember reading this the first time many years ago and rereading it again one wintry morning last week. The warmth between people of polar personalities, background, nature and life experiences touched me above all. This is a wonderful narrative of situational crisis and love that rises from it to transform individuals with a hard past as Rooker. For the love of good story telling and language, I liked this one.

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This book was perfect for the reason it was bought - light reading whilst at the airport and en route. ( )