Gwen’s review of Upon the Midnight Clear (Dream-Hunters, Book 2) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Contemporary paranormal romance published by St.Martin’s 30 Oct 07
Sherrilyn Kenyon is quite good at writing heroines. I have always loved her women and Leta is no exception. She’s determined and self-sacrificing. An all-around nice person. She’s also a Greek goddess of dreams and isn’t supposed to have any emotions, as per Zeus’s curse on her kind. A curse that isn’t working, by the way.
I have been ambivalent on Kenyon’s heroes – for example, loved Zarek, hated his brother Valerius. This book’s hero, Aidan, is on the down side of Gwen’s Likability Scale. He’s a whinny, self-pitying bitch for most of the book. No noble characteristics about him at all. As such, it was very difficult for me to believe in his relationship with Leta.
The interesting twist in this book was the heroine had the special powers and the hero was the human. I always like that, when an author switches things up. It did very little to help this story, though. Leta managed to stay a bit weak and ineffectual when it counted, leaving the heavy-lifting to Aidan.
When you see this book, it seems short for a paperback – not as many pages. When you open it, it seems REALLY short for a paperback – they have used double spacing, wide margins, and a large font. Now, either Kenyon’s publisher is formatting books for her older, more myopic fans, or this was a short-story that was made into a novel. Add a little padding and a huge font and, presto-change-o, you have a very short paperback that you can still sell for the full paperback price. Grrrrrrr! That did not amuse me.
All in all, it just wasn’t a very good book. It should have been left a short-story and put at the back of one of her other novels. I’m depressed about this. I’m a big Kenyon fan and her last three books just haven’t been as good. On the plus side, the Holiday Gatherings short-story at the end of the book was a fun read – perhaps she needs to go back to the lesser Were-Hunters. This does not bode well for Acheron’s story, coming out next year – but I’ll still buy it (it’s a sickness).
Grade: D+
blurb:
Ever think Scrooge had it right before the ghosts ruined his life? Meet Aidan O’Conner. At one time he was a world-renowned celebrity who gave freely of himself and his money without wanting anything in return…until those around him took without asking. Now Aidan wants nothing of the world-or anyone who’s a part of it. When a stranger appears at his doorstep, Aidan knows he’s seen her before…in his dreams.Born on Olympus as a goddess, Leta knows nothing of the human world. But a ruthless enemy has driven her from the world of dreams and into the home of the only man who can help her: Aidan. Her immortal powers are derived from human emotions-and his anger is just the fuel she needs to defend herself…One cold winter’s night will change their lives forever…Trapped together in a brutal winter storm, Aidan and Leta must turn to the only power capable of saving them-or destroying them both: trust.
Read an excerpt.
Thanks for the review Gwen and I too have the ‘sickness’. I am also glad you brought up the fact that it’s a full price paperback. I don’t know kinda feel like I am getting screwed.
I love Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series and I hope like I am sure everyone else, that Acheron’s book lives up to expectations. I have been really worried since the last few books. *sigh*
A die hard with hope that has the sickness bad…..
I actually had Upon a Midnight Clear in my hands at Borders the other day and put it down when I saw the large font, double spacing, and still only 288 pages long. I love Kenyon’s Dark Hunter Series and will still buy it (another one with the ‘sickness’ lol), but I will wait to get it discounted at a place like Walmart.
I wonder if the publisher marketed the book as a lower priced novella instead of a full price, full length novel if it would have been received better…. (not just by Gwen, Samantha or me… but by other readers and reviewers as well). *sigh grumble*
Thoughts anyone?
Hi Christine =)
I don’t know what’s going on lately. I am a total book whore, I will forgo grocery shopping to pick up my favorite authors. Bread and water will have to do!
Lately, alot of author’s have gone Hardcover, which would be fine and I would usually have no problem shelling out the big bucks but…..
Take for instance a very popular author, I will leave said author’s name out…… 295 pages, book price $25 and for 200 pages the heroine complained about her designer boots getting messed up in the jungle! UGH!
Was that starve worthy? I think not.
I am usually an auto-buy , however do to recent events with certain author’s I can’t do that anymore. I don’t know about anyone else but I need a good read, great plot and interesting characters.
I don’t mind paying the big bucks for a great book. I do mind paying the big bucks for crap!
It was a very disappointing reading experience. I fumed thru most of the book at spending the $6.99 for what is in essence a novella. The book is only 248 pages, not including the short story at the end.
And, the hero blew big donkey balls.
I so agree this book was a total rip off for the price. It should have been part of an anthology. The story was crap. The best part was catching up with previous characters.
One question: Does this wee bit o’ prose contain anything that may relate to Archeron? Cause the first Dream Hunter was so bad, I had no intention of reading anymore of what I thought was a separate spin-off series. But since then, it seems there’s bits and pieces floating around that are important to the DH series in general and Archeron in particular.
Nada, zero, zippo on the Acheron front in this book.
I gave up on the Dark Hunter series many, many books ago and I have to say I don’t regret that decision. I could just tell there were going to be WAY to many sequels for this little reader.
Gah, I’ve been told over and over by friends who are Kenyon fangirls that I need to read this series. But there seem to be so many other little subserieses. It’s a bit intimidating and I’m not even sure if it’s all that worth my time to even start.
I agree, Dream Hunter was terrible, I have no desire to read anymore dream hunter books and I wonder how good Acheron’s book will be. He’s been a real whiner in the last few and I’m sick of him and Artemis.
Its come to the point where I don’t even care about him anymore.
The only book I wish she’d hurry up and write is Fang and Aimee’s. Other than that, She’s out of steam.
And I’m noticing now, books where there’s so much hype end up being duds.