Taken by Midnight, by Lara Adrian
Taken by Midnight, by Lara Adrian
Book 8 – Midnight Breed Series
reviewed by Saluki
AT THE CROSSROADS OF DEATH AND DESIRE, A WOMAN TASTES A PLEASURE NO MORTAL IS MEANT TO SURVIVE.
In the frozen Alaskan wilderness, former state trooper Jenna Darrow survives an unspeakable breach of body and soul. But with her narrow escape comes an even greater challenge. For strange changes are taking place within her, as she struggles to understand—and control—a new hunger. To do so, she will seek shelter in the Boston compound of the Order, an ancient race of vampire warriors whose very existence is shrouded in mystery. Perhaps the most mysterious of them all is Brock, a brooding, dark-eyed alpha male whose hands hold the power to comfort, heal . . . and arouse.
As she recovers under Brock’s care, Jenna finds herself drawn to the Order’s mission: to stop a ruthless enemy and its army of assassins from subjecting Earth to a reign of terror. Yet in spite of their resolve, a purely physical relationship without strings soon binds Brock and Jenna together with a desire fiercer than life and stronger than death itself—until a secret from Brock’s past and Jenna’s own mortality challenges their forbidden love to the ultimate trial by fire.
It’s been awhile since I have reviewed a Midnight Breed book. I’ve had Taken by Midnight on my TBR list for quite awhile and kept pushing it down farther until I decided it was time I catch up with the Warriors in the Order. The first several books focused on the original members of the order, while these newer books have focused on the more recent recruits. This is a series that has a similar feel to the Black Dagger Brotherhood. If you like that series, you might want to check this series out. Each book builds on the last, so although you don’t have to read them in order, it certainly helps to keep track of the overarching plot line that runs through all of the books.
There is a ton of plot development that happens in this book. Of course, we get the story of Brock and Jenna as they work to overcome their fears and embrace their growing feelings for each other. But, this book also moves forward the plot line that weaves through all of the books – the Order’s battle against Dragos. His plot to rule both the vampire and human world is escalating rapidly, and the Order learns just how high his ambitions have reached in this novel.
I actually think that I am enjoying the part of the story that focuses on the battle against Dragos more than the love stories between the Warriors and their Breedmates. I do love getting to know the Warriors better, but it seems like each book is similar in format: tough, wounded Warrior falls in love with strong-willed female. One or the other – or both – fight their feelings – angst ensues – hot sex happens – more angst ensues – characters get over their stubbornness – they live happily ever after.
The battle against Dragos is a continually evolving fight, with each book revealing more of the depth of the evil the Order is up against. And, for each gain the Order is able to make, it seems that Dragos has another trick up his sleeve to keep him one step ahead. That part of the story has kept me engaged from the beginning. I think one reason is because we get to see the Warriors and the Breedmates interacting during this part of the story. I like getting little glimpses of the other characters, and where Dragos is involved, all hands are on deck. The author has brought the females together to form their own Order, which I am really digging. They might not be loaded for bear, roaming the streets of Boston, but they are fighting in their own way. In a series focused on tough, male vampires it is awesome to see the women holding their own.
The love story between Brock and Jenna was predictable, but I still enjoyed getting to know the characters. Jenna still hadn’t let go of her grief and guilt after losing her husband and daughter in a car accident, and Brock was still struggling with not protecting Corrine – the civilian vampire he was supposed to protect – decades ago. These old wounds threatened to keep them closed off, and kept them in a state of push and pull for much of the story. Of course, this wouldn’t be a true Midnight Breed book without some hot sexy times – and Brock and Jenna don’t disappoint. Despite the angst, I never worried that these two wouldn’t be together in the end. I guess that is one of the complaints I have – each character is successfully mated by the end of the book, so despite the turmoil that might happen between the characters, I never really feel the angst since I know everything is going to be good in the end.
This book, like the others in the series, have been enjoyable, but they aren’t books that I just HAVE to read when a new one comes out.
I give it 2 1/2 out of 5 moons
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