Scan barcode
klagge's review against another edition
4.0
See my review of Trese #1 ("Murder on Balete Drive") for a broader assessment of the series.
I liked "High Tide at Midnight" a lot, second only to #3 ("Mass Murders")--bearing in mind that I still haven't read #2. Like #3, this volume follows a single plot-line through the entire book--flooding in Manila and the dangerous sea-creatures it brings into contact with people. It's probably the furthest foray into social commentary I've seen in Trese, portraying the "preventable tragedy" aspects of flooding and showing policymakers making callous and corrupt decisions. As part of this aspect of the plot, it also does a great job of further tying "The Madame" (Trese's archnemesis, Imelda Marcos) into the overall plot arc of the series.
This volume also might be the most "traditional comic-book-like" one in the series so far, with Trese gathering her squad of pseudo-Avengers together to combat the threat, which takes the form of monsters that almost literally "level up" into ever-more-threatening forms. It's good for what it is, though I personally prefer the more detective-type stories from some earlier volumes. I did like the way Tan used the "getting the crew together" plotline to bring back the character of Bantay, who has an interesting and complex relationship with Alexandra due to events earlier in the series (in "Mass Murders" #3).
I liked "High Tide at Midnight" a lot, second only to #3 ("Mass Murders")--bearing in mind that I still haven't read #2. Like #3, this volume follows a single plot-line through the entire book--flooding in Manila and the dangerous sea-creatures it brings into contact with people. It's probably the furthest foray into social commentary I've seen in Trese, portraying the "preventable tragedy" aspects of flooding and showing policymakers making callous and corrupt decisions. As part of this aspect of the plot, it also does a great job of further tying "The Madame" (Trese's archnemesis, Imelda Marcos) into the overall plot arc of the series.
This volume also might be the most "traditional comic-book-like" one in the series so far, with Trese gathering her squad of pseudo-Avengers together to combat the threat, which takes the form of monsters that almost literally "level up" into ever-more-threatening forms. It's good for what it is, though I personally prefer the more detective-type stories from some earlier volumes. I did like the way Tan used the "getting the crew together" plotline to bring back the character of Bantay, who has an interesting and complex relationship with Alexandra due to events earlier in the series (in "Mass Murders" #3).
leslie115's review against another edition
3.0
Very good, but got to be like a Marvel movie. Although Trese Vol. 3 planted the seeds for a superhero squad, I don't see the point of one in this series.
bookbosomedklauds's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
charichapters's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
jmariecapdem's review against another edition
5.0
Super intense! I love the squad! I'd love to meet the rest of the Trese brothers, the creatures in the Balete tree during Alex's training, and know more of Madame's revelations! They should release installments soon! :D
fantakureader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
**FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC**
-Stories with standard connecting narrative
-I want to know more on how the police covers up large scale paranormal incidents. As of now, no further info on this matter. I guess there's a system based on Alexandra's relationship with Capt. Guerrero and their predecessors but it's not enough for me.
-A character with an I.M. initials is very good. The fiction character, not the real one who is very much the opposite of what I said.
-Action sequences are so much better. The choreography is understandable and clean.
-Magic system is very soft, just like a Japanese fluffy pancake. Might have future plot holes if the line between life and death became much blurred in the future. There are already some magic here that raised my eyebrows but I glossed over like the actual ending for Talagbusao because it's still creative, in my opinion.
-Typhoon tribe. I have soooo many questions. Hopefully they will be explored more in future narratives. If not, such a shame since based on the lore the author created, their tribe should be bigger especially with how they got their powers.
+Nitpick: No table of contents inside. Maybe due to narrative structure, just like the last one, but the stories here are still divided so a TOC is still appreciated.
+Neatpick: Adorable new hairstyle of Alexandra.
-Overall, I still like this one and made me want future stories.
-Stories with standard connecting narrative
-I want to know more on how the police covers up large scale paranormal incidents. As of now, no further info on this matter. I guess there's a system based on Alexandra's relationship with Capt. Guerrero and their predecessors but it's not enough for me.
-A character with an I.M. initials is very good. The fiction character, not the real one who is very much the opposite of what I said.
-Action sequences are so much better. The choreography is understandable and clean.
-Magic system is very soft, just like a Japanese fluffy pancake. Might have future plot holes if the line between life and death became much blurred in the future. There are already some magic here that raised my eyebrows but I glossed over like the actual ending for Talagbusao because it's still creative, in my opinion.
-Typhoon tribe. I have soooo many questions. Hopefully they will be explored more in future narratives. If not, such a shame since based on the lore the author created, their tribe should be bigger especially with how they got their powers.
+Nitpick: No table of contents inside. Maybe due to narrative structure, just like the last one, but the stories here are still divided so a TOC is still appreciated.
+Neatpick: Adorable new hairstyle of Alexandra.
-Overall, I still like this one and made me want future stories.
cimbrogno's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
chaptersandmusings's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0