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sony08's review against another edition
2.0
Not impressed at al. Complete rip off Twilight. Surprised as the second book was better. This first book is just a Twilight story with different names and more teenage language. I think the second book was better as the author went in a different direction for the story.
Not great but two stars for actually finishing this.
Not great but two stars for actually finishing this.
michalice's review against another edition
4.0
I have had my eye on this series for a while but have never got around to reading it. When Darkness Falls was offered up for review I jumped at the chance to accept it but then realised it was the second book in the series. I sent an email to the publicist expaining my mistake and a few weeks later was very happy to see both books in a parcel for me.
I knew reading By Midnight it would be about vampires, but I did not expect to have another paranormal being be added to the mix and was pleasantly surprised by the revelation. From the moment I opened the book I was hooked and wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next.
Ravenwood sounds creepy and mysterious and is the perfect setting for this book, it adds to the mystery and intrigue but also acts as a great cover for what is really going on behind the scenes.
I also thought the teachers were all creepy when they were always saying that their doors were always open for April, but as you get further into the book bits are revealed that explain the reasons why they act the way they do. The area surrounding Ravenwood is also explained in detail and it was easy to imagine it in my head how it all looked. The characters are likeable and it was easy to relate to some of the experiences they had.
I did feel sorry for April having to be moved from everyone she knows and made to start a new school, and although I have never experienced this myself Mia James has done a great job of portraying the emotions and feelings April is feeling. I absolutely loved Caro, and even though she had crazy ideas about what was really going on, which eventually turned out to be true, I couldn't help but enjoy the parts she got. She always put a smile on my face with the things she said.
Throughout By Midnight I was constantly trying to guess who was the murderer and I never once picked who it really was. I thoroughly enjoyed reading By Midnight and have already made my way through half Darkness Falls by the time this review is scheduled.
Mia James is an author everyone should watch out for and I can't wait to see what else she has to offer us.
I knew reading By Midnight it would be about vampires, but I did not expect to have another paranormal being be added to the mix and was pleasantly surprised by the revelation. From the moment I opened the book I was hooked and wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next.
Ravenwood sounds creepy and mysterious and is the perfect setting for this book, it adds to the mystery and intrigue but also acts as a great cover for what is really going on behind the scenes.
I also thought the teachers were all creepy when they were always saying that their doors were always open for April, but as you get further into the book bits are revealed that explain the reasons why they act the way they do. The area surrounding Ravenwood is also explained in detail and it was easy to imagine it in my head how it all looked. The characters are likeable and it was easy to relate to some of the experiences they had.
I did feel sorry for April having to be moved from everyone she knows and made to start a new school, and although I have never experienced this myself Mia James has done a great job of portraying the emotions and feelings April is feeling. I absolutely loved Caro, and even though she had crazy ideas about what was really going on, which eventually turned out to be true, I couldn't help but enjoy the parts she got. She always put a smile on my face with the things she said.
Throughout By Midnight I was constantly trying to guess who was the murderer and I never once picked who it really was. I thoroughly enjoyed reading By Midnight and have already made my way through half Darkness Falls by the time this review is scheduled.
Mia James is an author everyone should watch out for and I can't wait to see what else she has to offer us.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
2.0
My thoughts:
This book is a paranormal YA romance with mystery thrown in. April Dunne is the heroine who has move and go to a new school. Filled with rich kids and smart ones. Perhaps it could have been like a normal school if the in crowd had not paid so much attention to her, and murders happened in the neighbourhood.
April was smart kid, she questioned things, but of course she was also a girl and young. Which means crush time. There are some hotties around, but she is more interested in Gabriel who act all mysteriously. And of course I knew what he would turn out to be, even if it takes a real long time for the truth to come out. As for Gabriel, he was very sweet and protective.
This book has its doomed romance between April and Gabriel, but mostly it's about all the other things going on. Strange things are going on, her dad is also investigating the school and cemetery and he is on to something. I am just gonna go out and say it since you get it already in the prologue, vampires. But the truth to what on earth is going on takes its fair time, and then at the end, of course that is when it gets really thrilling. One part of the mystery I can't mention, but it's shocking.
There was one other thing that I sort of guessed, I was right, just not entirely about what it meant, and it was one good secret. And again, you just have to read to see.
Conclusion.
I think this one would be good for the YA crowd. It has got romance, mystery, vampires, secrets and more secrets. It will keep you guessing.
chloejayne98's review against another edition
4.0
i was really surprised about how good this book was. i found that i couldnt put it down. great read if you like vampres
brittys_books's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
megmoggs's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book. It was unusual, and I liked the fact that the concept of 'vampire' changed again in this book. The vampires can go out in daylight, without sparkling, burning etc. but they do not show up on camera or video records.
The story itself was quite good-April Dunne is happy with her life, until she has to move to a dull village called Highgate. She has to attend a posh school for the super rich and the genii of the country, and fitting in will be a real challenge. She finds friendship in conspiracy-theorist Caro, and together they try to piece together the mystery surrounding the school: the disappearance of several students, with no proper explanation or further contact. All the while, April becomes aware of the mysterious Gabriel Swift. She doesn't understand his hostility at their first meeting, but gradually they get closer as friends and possibly more (don't want to reveal too much, even though it's kinda obvious).
The main part of the story ties itself up, but the book did finish with a cliffhanger. Anyone know if there's a sequel? I hope there is, it was an enjoyable read that kept me hooked :).
The story itself was quite good-April Dunne is happy with her life, until she has to move to a dull village called Highgate. She has to attend a posh school for the super rich and the genii of the country, and fitting in will be a real challenge. She finds friendship in conspiracy-theorist Caro, and together they try to piece together the mystery surrounding the school: the disappearance of several students, with no proper explanation or further contact. All the while, April becomes aware of the mysterious Gabriel Swift. She doesn't understand his hostility at their first meeting, but gradually they get closer as friends and possibly more (don't want to reveal too much, even though it's kinda obvious).
The main part of the story ties itself up, but the book did finish with a cliffhanger. Anyone know if there's a sequel? I hope there is, it was an enjoyable read that kept me hooked :).
bieneina's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
slc333's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the story and the mystery but found the romance lacking. There was very little interaction between the hero and heroine and certainly nothing to justify them being in love. Basically their interaction boils down to - they look at each other, he 'saves' her at the party ( are we supposed to believe he already loves her even though he hasn't spoken to her yet?), they walk home together, he shows her a romantic place and boom they are in love. It is a little more understandable from April's perspective as she is a sixteen year old girl and hormones play a big part in believing your in love if a boy is cute at that age. Gabriel's instant 'love' for April is less believable given his age(unless he thinks she is a reincarnation of Lily but that thankfully never comes up). Gabriel's action at the end shows he really does love her, I just don't understand why given they barely know each other and have argued 4 out of the 5 times they speak.