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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I'll admit I had trouble getting into 'Midnight's Daughter', but I'm so glad I stuck with it. Wow, such a fantastic read. Karen Chance has a really unique take on Vampires and Fey. It's nice to see another series out there that combines vampires and faeries. I love seeing a mix of the two, you get to explore the dark and mysterious ways of both creatures, even more so because neither species is assigned a role of good or evil; with Dory and the majority of her vampire family (Mircea, Radu and Louis-Cesare) being good, while Dracula is on the evil side; and similarly for the Fey, we meet both good and evil. It leaves the plot with multiple possibilities when it comes to enemies, especially considering vampires and fey are not the only supernatural beings that walk the earth.
These days I keep running into stories about dhampirs, half-vampires that usually excel at fighting. And while Dory, our dhampir protagonist is also extremely good at fighting, dhampir's in Chance's world are violent oddities that often can't control their urge to fight, making them dangerous and destructive. I love that Dory is rare. Not only is she a dhampir, but she's an old dhampir in the sense that she has lived for 500 years (not particularly old for vampires, but when dhampirs rarely survive because of their blind rages, it's a really impressive achievement to make it that far). It makes her pretty special and skilled.
I was a little confused by the background of the novel. There appears to be a massive war going on with the Vampires and Mages. While the war is mentioned quite a bit, we never really find out why the war is happening or how it affects Dory and those around her. I know 'Midnight's Daughter' is a spin-off series and the war might be mentioned within Karen Chance's other series, but it left me wondering what was going on. Hopefully more answers will come in the next book.
I wonder what trouble Dory will find herself in next?
4/5 Stars
These days I keep running into stories about dhampirs, half-vampires that usually excel at fighting. And while Dory, our dhampir protagonist is also extremely good at fighting, dhampir's in Chance's world are violent oddities that often can't control their urge to fight, making them dangerous and destructive. I love that Dory is rare. Not only is she a dhampir, but she's an old dhampir in the sense that she has lived for 500 years (not particularly old for vampires, but when dhampirs rarely survive because of their blind rages, it's a really impressive achievement to make it that far). It makes her pretty special and skilled.
I was a little confused by the background of the novel. There appears to be a massive war going on with the Vampires and Mages. While the war is mentioned quite a bit, we never really find out why the war is happening or how it affects Dory and those around her. I know 'Midnight's Daughter' is a spin-off series and the war might be mentioned within Karen Chance's other series, but it left me wondering what was going on. Hopefully more answers will come in the next book.
I wonder what trouble Dory will find herself in next?
4/5 Stars
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Unfortunately, I wasn't really feeling this one... it was okay though. Don't think I'll continue it, but really interesting premise and I liked how many different magical creatures/beings are present.
You know what's weird? Considering how many reviews I've written—especially this year after I set it as my New Year's Resolution to review every single book I read—what's weird is that most of my all-time favourite books don't even have a review at all because I read them waaaay before I discovered the joys of reviewing or having a virtual Goodreads bookshelf to keep a record of my books and ratings. So my favourites, like this one, just got slapped with an automatic 5-star rating based on hazy memories of awesomeness, and that was that.
So, it's a bit sad that I am, then, to find that after my recent re-read of this book, 3 years and around 600 books after my first go, I find I can't in all honesty still give it 5 stars, so I've dropped it down to 4. I still really enjoyed it, don't get me wrong. But I'd be blind not to see that, although I love Chance's writing for its fast pacing and action-filled plots, a lot of it can be too chaotic and confusing with too much going on from too many directions and not enough exposition. For much of the book I was just waiting and hoping that any minute now I'd be told why Dory was doing what she was doing, or going where she was going, and who the heck are those people firing stuff at her now and why are they doing it?
I imagine it all makes perfect sense in Karen Chance's head, but it doesn't always translate perfectly to her audience. It's kind of a double-edged sword, though, because the confusion is a side effect of having such intricate, complex, multi-layered, thought-provoking and detailed plots. She literally fits more plotting, world-building and characterisation into one page than some authors manage in three chapters (or whole books in the worst cases). But unless you're paying absolute, 100% focused attention (which admittedly I probably wasn't this time as I did the re-read as an audiobook) then you'll blink and miss something vital and be all "What the hell just happened?"
But that's enough negativity!
This is my favourite urban fantasy 'world' after all, (although I do prefer the main Cassandra Palmer series over this, the spin-off). So let's get on to what I still loved—The world, the setting, the magic, Dory, the real historical characters, Louis Cesare, the complex and strained relationships, Stinky, the sexual tension, the funny dialogue, Radu, the hot vamps, the hot smexy times, Dory's house that won't let her redecorate or move anything, the intelligent writing, Louis Cesare in a towel.
That's quite a lot still to love, eh?
Dory is a great main character. She has a bit of a bad attitude due to being a misfit and held in contempt by almost all supernatural factions AND humans, and she suffers rage episodes and has a dry, sarcastic sense of humour.
Louis Cesare on the other hand is cool, suave, laconic, honourable and protective. They make a great fighting team, as long as Louis Cesare can keep up, and I look forward to re-visiting them in the next book, which I believe, if memory serves, is slightly less hectic than this one.
Recommended to read after books 1&2 of the Cassandra Palmer series.
Click here for the series timeline.
4 Stars ★★★★
So, it's a bit sad that I am, then, to find that after my recent re-read of this book, 3 years and around 600 books after my first go, I find I can't in all honesty still give it 5 stars, so I've dropped it down to 4. I still really enjoyed it, don't get me wrong. But I'd be blind not to see that, although I love Chance's writing for its fast pacing and action-filled plots, a lot of it can be too chaotic and confusing with too much going on from too many directions and not enough exposition. For much of the book I was just waiting and hoping that any minute now I'd be told why Dory was doing what she was doing, or going where she was going, and who the heck are those people firing stuff at her now and why are they doing it?
I imagine it all makes perfect sense in Karen Chance's head, but it doesn't always translate perfectly to her audience. It's kind of a double-edged sword, though, because the confusion is a side effect of having such intricate, complex, multi-layered, thought-provoking and detailed plots. She literally fits more plotting, world-building and characterisation into one page than some authors manage in three chapters (or whole books in the worst cases). But unless you're paying absolute, 100% focused attention (which admittedly I probably wasn't this time as I did the re-read as an audiobook) then you'll blink and miss something vital and be all "What the hell just happened?"
But that's enough negativity!
This is my favourite urban fantasy 'world' after all, (although I do prefer the main Cassandra Palmer series over this, the spin-off). So let's get on to what I still loved—The world, the setting, the magic, Dory, the real historical characters, Louis Cesare, the complex and strained relationships, Stinky, the sexual tension, the funny dialogue, Radu, the hot vamps, the hot smexy times, Dory's house that won't let her redecorate or move anything, the intelligent writing, Louis Cesare in a towel.
That's quite a lot still to love, eh?
Dory is a great main character. She has a bit of a bad attitude due to being a misfit and held in contempt by almost all supernatural factions AND humans, and she suffers rage episodes and has a dry, sarcastic sense of humour.
Louis Cesare on the other hand is cool, suave, laconic, honourable and protective. They make a great fighting team, as long as Louis Cesare can keep up, and I look forward to re-visiting them in the next book, which I believe, if memory serves, is slightly less hectic than this one.
Recommended to read after books 1&2 of the Cassandra Palmer series.
Click here for the series timeline.
4 Stars ★★★★
The reason for the two stars and DNF status is just plain, personal preference. I've never been a fan of the loud, obnoxious, trash talking heroines, and Dorina Basarab embodies that trope to a T. So if you like that type of heroine, this book could be for you, if not, I'd recommend avoiding it. On a side note, the scene between her and Louis-Cesare on the plane was pretty hot. Definitely the highlight of the 100 pages I've read. ;)
Midnight’s Daughter is the first book in the Dorina Basarab series. Dory is a dhampir, the half human, half vampire offspring of a female human and male vampire. At the beginning we learn that dhampirs are prone to fits of serious rage. Blackout inducing rage, in which they destroy pretty much everything around them. Because of their volatile attitude, and sometimes precarious grip on sanity, they don’t tend to last very long. Dory is almost frantically searching for her friend Claire, a half human null that she believes has been kidnapped to be harvested for her magic dampening effect. An effect Dory particularly appreciates, since Claire helps her keep her attitude in check, essentially. Also, she is a gardener and grows really good weed, which Dory is running out of.
http://kickassurbanfantasy.ga/
http://kickassurbanfantasy.ga/
First in the Dorina Basarab urban fantasy series revolving around a dhampir, Dory, Mircea's rebellious daughter.
As for how it fits into the Cassandra Palmer series, Louis-César has been brought over to battle Rasputin and the Black Circle have already raided MAGIC, putting the American Vampire Senate on a war footing with the Black Circle. AND Tony's machinations have been revealed.
Considering how similar Cassie and Dory feel about Vlad, I'd think the girls would get on well.
My Take
This story sets the background for future romance and adventures for Dorina with Caedmon, the light fey king, and Louis-Cesare, the European fencing champion. Some background history on Vlad the Impaler is also given. And, oh brother...talk about dysfunctional.
I do love Dory's attitude toward Daddy dearest! Crack me up! It's such a typical teen sort of reaction, except this is with vamps! She's cheeky, she's snarky, and she takes no prisoners when slagging off Dad.
Except Louis-Cesare isn't impressed, and he has his own ideas for capturing Vlad and none of them include a dhampir! But she's Mircea's get, so what choice does he have?? Dory isn't excited either---I do love when she learns who L-C is! Still, she is practical, and she'll perform illegal acts if it'll help out. She fights mean too as L-C discovers.
I love Uncle Pip's house!! Well, okay, there are some aspects I'd like to avoid, but the way in which it deals with trespassers and makes repairs?? Oh, yeah.
I do like how Chance pops in Dory's and Louis-Cesare's memories with those walls of emotion. A great way to provide backhistory without it being an info dump.
Oh, man, I'm not sure if I'm curious or appalled at the idea of that dinner at Radu's house. Little cows wandering around the table. People picking them up and popping them in their mouths or simply biting off the legs. It's so ewww and yet my taste buds are wanting that hint of beef!
We learn why Mircea is so anxious to keep Vlad alive. It'll make you cry. As will lots of backhistory on Dory, Mircea, Louis-Cesare, Radu, and Vlad.
It's fun and adventurous with a chunk of drama and a slab of tension with mage traps, trolls bashing down walls, great escapes, illegal auctions with...um...different...um...things.
Yuck, the...test? gauntlet? that Ǽsubrand makes her run!
It's also a courtship. Not one most people would choose, but it works for these two. Just, well, just not so well for Radu...he simply doesn't want to know why his niece is naked and tied up.
The Story
Claire's been missing a month and Dory is becoming more frantic. Worried enough to wipe out most of Michael's crew at the bar where Mircea shows up. Seems Daddy Dearest has a job for his recalcitrant daughter---recapturing Drac, Mircea's youngest brother---and isn't taking no for an answer.
Mircea does have a powerful incentive for Dory to pay attention to what he wants. And Dory is desperate enough to accept this rock and a hard place, she's so desperate to have Claire back.
The Characters
Dorina Basarab is a dhampir: half human and half vampire. Scum as far as vampires are concerned. The only thing that saves her is who her father is: Mircea. Doesn't cut him any slack where Dory is concerned. Stinky is the baby Duergar Dory rescues.
Claire, of House Lachesis, is a null who specializes in healing---she keeps Dory calm, is a strict vegetarian, and is Dory's fabulous roommate---she's also pregnant! It's Uncle Pip's house where Claire and Dory live. Warded up the wazoo. Claire ended up working for her cousin Sebastian at Gerald & Co. Although, later in the story, Chance says Sebastian finally tracked her down...huh?? Heidar is the Fey with whom she hooked up. A.K.A., Alarr. Miss Priss is one of Claire's cats, a cute white kitty kat that morphs. BIG. Seems that Jackanapes has the same "talent".
Louis-Cesare is on loan from the European Senate for his dueling skills with a rapier. Kit Marlowe is a vampire, playwright, and onetime Elizabethan bad boy as well as the head of intelligence for the Senate.
Mircea, Count Basarab, is Vlad Dracul's brother. He's also the chief diplomat for the American Vampire Senate. Radu is the littlest Basarab brother with an inquiring if vague intellect, horrible taste, and preferring to live in his past. Mehmed II was Radu's lover and political patron---sucking up to him kept Radu alive. Geoffrey is Radu's major domo at his wine country estate in California.
José and Kristie are a couple of miscreant friends of Dory's whom she's finagled out of jail. Benny is a Skogstrol, a forest troll. Olga, a Bergtroll, or mountain troll, was not only Benny's secretary, but his wife as well. She'll lead the pack. A friend, so to speak of Dory's, Benny specialized in weapons. Jay is a Nsquital demon packing up to get out of Vegas. Dory reckons when the demons start leaving, it's bad.
Uncle Drac was mean and nasty when he was alive. Now that he's dead, nothing has changed. He's following Rasputin. For now. Admittedly, after the way his father treated him and his brothers, he does have reason, but come on, it's been centuries. Get over it.
Alejandro, the leader of the Latin American Senate, kidnapped Christine a century ago, a friend of Louis-Cesare's to force him to fight Tomas in his challenge.
Kyle is a lowlife vamp. Yup, even lower than most. Michael is a low-level vamp. Jack the Ripper has been turned by Augusta back in the past which would make this story start after Claimed by Shadow, 2, and Mircea and Cassie are hunting Dracula.
Jonathan is a Black Circle mage desperate to recapture Louis-Cesare. For the fun of it.
Caedmon is a cheeky Fey out having a good time. He encounters Louis-Cesare and Dory at the auction house while all three are looking for Claire. Three Houses of the Light Fey: Blarestri are Blue Elves and the current ruling house (the king has a son, Prince Alarr, but no heir; they followed the Vanir, older fertility gods); the Svarestri, the Black Elves, (the king's sister married a noble and they have a full-blood Fey son, Ǽsubrand); and the Alorestri, the Green Elves aren't much interested in politics. The Ǽsir, the Lords of Battle, ruled ages ago. Eluen Londe is Faerie.
The Cover
The cover is of Dory's backside in her tight-fitting black leather jeans and her black cropped tank top. There's a complex arrangement of straps at and around her waist. She's holding a gun---smart girl— and looking out over the water to a city.
I dunno about the title. Obviously Dory is Mircea's daughter and I reckon the midnight could well refer to Mircea's state, functioning in the night, leaving us with Midnight's Daughter.
As for how it fits into the Cassandra Palmer series, Louis-César has been brought over to battle Rasputin and the Black Circle have already raided MAGIC, putting the American Vampire Senate on a war footing with the Black Circle. AND Tony's machinations have been revealed.
Considering how similar Cassie and Dory feel about Vlad, I'd think the girls would get on well.
My Take
This story sets the background for future romance and adventures for Dorina with Caedmon, the light fey king, and Louis-Cesare, the European fencing champion. Some background history on Vlad the Impaler is also given. And, oh brother...talk about dysfunctional.
I do love Dory's attitude toward Daddy dearest! Crack me up! It's such a typical teen sort of reaction, except this is with vamps! She's cheeky, she's snarky, and she takes no prisoners when slagging off Dad.
Except Louis-Cesare isn't impressed, and he has his own ideas for capturing Vlad and none of them include a dhampir! But she's Mircea's get, so what choice does he have?? Dory isn't excited either---I do love when she learns who L-C is! Still, she is practical, and she'll perform illegal acts if it'll help out. She fights mean too as L-C discovers.
I love Uncle Pip's house!! Well, okay, there are some aspects I'd like to avoid, but the way in which it deals with trespassers and makes repairs?? Oh, yeah.
I do like how Chance pops in Dory's and Louis-Cesare's memories with those walls of emotion. A great way to provide backhistory without it being an info dump.
Oh, man, I'm not sure if I'm curious or appalled at the idea of that dinner at Radu's house. Little cows wandering around the table. People picking them up and popping them in their mouths or simply biting off the legs. It's so ewww and yet my taste buds are wanting that hint of beef!
We learn why Mircea is so anxious to keep Vlad alive. It'll make you cry. As will lots of backhistory on Dory, Mircea, Louis-Cesare, Radu, and Vlad.
It's fun and adventurous with a chunk of drama and a slab of tension with mage traps, trolls bashing down walls, great escapes, illegal auctions with...um...different...um...things.
Yuck, the...test? gauntlet? that Ǽsubrand makes her run!
It's also a courtship. Not one most people would choose, but it works for these two. Just, well, just not so well for Radu...he simply doesn't want to know why his niece is naked and tied up.
The Story
Claire's been missing a month and Dory is becoming more frantic. Worried enough to wipe out most of Michael's crew at the bar where Mircea shows up. Seems Daddy Dearest has a job for his recalcitrant daughter---recapturing Drac, Mircea's youngest brother---and isn't taking no for an answer.
Mircea does have a powerful incentive for Dory to pay attention to what he wants. And Dory is desperate enough to accept this rock and a hard place, she's so desperate to have Claire back.
The Characters
Dorina Basarab is a dhampir: half human and half vampire. Scum as far as vampires are concerned. The only thing that saves her is who her father is: Mircea. Doesn't cut him any slack where Dory is concerned. Stinky is the baby Duergar Dory rescues.
Claire, of House Lachesis, is a null who specializes in healing---she keeps Dory calm, is a strict vegetarian, and is Dory's fabulous roommate---she's also pregnant! It's Uncle Pip's house where Claire and Dory live. Warded up the wazoo. Claire ended up working for her cousin Sebastian at Gerald & Co. Although, later in the story, Chance says Sebastian finally tracked her down...huh?? Heidar is the Fey with whom she hooked up. A.K.A., Alarr. Miss Priss is one of Claire's cats, a cute white kitty kat that morphs. BIG. Seems that Jackanapes has the same "talent".
Louis-Cesare is on loan from the European Senate for his dueling skills with a rapier. Kit Marlowe is a vampire, playwright, and onetime Elizabethan bad boy as well as the head of intelligence for the Senate.
Mircea, Count Basarab, is Vlad Dracul's brother. He's also the chief diplomat for the American Vampire Senate. Radu is the littlest Basarab brother with an inquiring if vague intellect, horrible taste, and preferring to live in his past. Mehmed II was Radu's lover and political patron---sucking up to him kept Radu alive. Geoffrey is Radu's major domo at his wine country estate in California.
José and Kristie are a couple of miscreant friends of Dory's whom she's finagled out of jail. Benny is a Skogstrol, a forest troll. Olga, a Bergtroll, or mountain troll, was not only Benny's secretary, but his wife as well. She'll lead the pack. A friend, so to speak of Dory's, Benny specialized in weapons. Jay is a Nsquital demon packing up to get out of Vegas. Dory reckons when the demons start leaving, it's bad.
Uncle Drac was mean and nasty when he was alive. Now that he's dead, nothing has changed. He's following Rasputin. For now. Admittedly, after the way his father treated him and his brothers, he does have reason, but come on, it's been centuries. Get over it.
Alejandro, the leader of the Latin American Senate, kidnapped Christine a century ago, a friend of Louis-Cesare's to force him to fight Tomas in his challenge.
Kyle is a lowlife vamp. Yup, even lower than most. Michael is a low-level vamp. Jack the Ripper has been turned by Augusta back in the past which would make this story start after Claimed by Shadow, 2, and Mircea and Cassie are hunting Dracula.
Jonathan is a Black Circle mage desperate to recapture Louis-Cesare. For the fun of it.
Caedmon is a cheeky Fey out having a good time. He encounters Louis-Cesare and Dory at the auction house while all three are looking for Claire. Three Houses of the Light Fey: Blarestri are Blue Elves and the current ruling house (the king has a son, Prince Alarr, but no heir; they followed the Vanir, older fertility gods); the Svarestri, the Black Elves, (the king's sister married a noble and they have a full-blood Fey son, Ǽsubrand); and the Alorestri, the Green Elves aren't much interested in politics. The Ǽsir, the Lords of Battle, ruled ages ago. Eluen Londe is Faerie.
The Cover
The cover is of Dory's backside in her tight-fitting black leather jeans and her black cropped tank top. There's a complex arrangement of straps at and around her waist. She's holding a gun---smart girl— and looking out over the water to a city.
I dunno about the title. Obviously Dory is Mircea's daughter and I reckon the midnight could well refer to Mircea's state, functioning in the night, leaving us with Midnight's Daughter.