chlozjayne's review
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
slc333's review
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.
chloejaynne's review
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
michalice's review
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.
booktimedragon24_'s review
4.0
I can honestly say that I have never read a vampire book like this before I find it to be better than twilight it has nor mystery and better characters
mingrid's review
4.0
so it´s actually more like a 3.5 or something but I rated matched a 3 and I definitely liked this more.
Okay so it wasn´t too full of love drama and more about April soing random shit. I seriously liked that. Some thing could have been shorter like the guide through the cemetery but it´s okay once in a while. A book isn´t all about interesting parts I think.
What i really liked about this book were the well developed characters. I loved the short-tempered April, who wasn´t perfect at all. Even though the "special" part about her could have been left out. I dislike all that " the main character is sooooooooooooooooooo special" stuff. I mean come on. Normal Kids can be good too. Or am i all that boring? ;D
What wasn´t all too well was the love. I mean yeah it´s fine it isn´t all that romantic like I mentioned earlier. What botheres me is "WHY?" Why does she love gabriel. Okay so he´s good-looking and is really nice and does cute things like a date out at midnight. But...thats´s it, isn´t it. Don´t get me wrong, i´d like that too. But to call it LOVE, when all they did in the end was argue? Hmm. But Since I guess there´ll be a sequel I hope for more of them.
And just one more thing I LOVED. Aprils reactions. It wasn´t like. "You´re a vampire? NO WAY. i got to tweet this to all my friends. I knew it! " It was more like.? WHAT? Don´t get near me freaking monster.
Now thats a reaction i think is good after discovering the truth. Stab him, yeah go girl! I loved how she run way from him and it was hilarious how she yelled he was a thief. Oh come on you know you like that too ;D
It wasn´t like
"oh-hes-good-looking-but-i-think-he´s-a-murderer! Anyway-lets-kiss-because-i´m-magicaly-drawn-to-hiM"
BULLSHIT. I waited for a heroine to react like that. go april, I like you so much ;D Because your the most human, unhuman character I had to pleasure to accompane!
and last but not least.
HER NAME
Because have you noticed that in the recent Ya-novels all the heroines seem to be named with C=
Cassy, Clary and whatnot. WHY? ;D
Okay so it wasn´t too full of love drama and more about April soing random shit. I seriously liked that. Some thing could have been shorter like the guide through the cemetery but it´s okay once in a while. A book isn´t all about interesting parts I think.
What i really liked about this book were the well developed characters. I loved the short-tempered April, who wasn´t perfect at all. Even though the "special" part about her could have been left out. I dislike all that " the main character is sooooooooooooooooooo special" stuff. I mean come on. Normal Kids can be good too. Or am i all that boring? ;D
What wasn´t all too well was the love. I mean yeah it´s fine it isn´t all that romantic like I mentioned earlier. What botheres me is "WHY?" Why does she love gabriel. Okay so he´s good-looking and is really nice and does cute things like a date out at midnight. But...thats´s it, isn´t it. Don´t get me wrong, i´d like that too. But to call it LOVE, when all they did in the end was argue? Hmm. But Since I guess there´ll be a sequel I hope for more of them.
And just one more thing I LOVED. Aprils reactions. It wasn´t like. "You´re a vampire? NO WAY. i got to tweet this to all my friends. I knew it! " It was more like.? WHAT? Don´t get near me freaking monster.
Now thats a reaction i think is good after discovering the truth. Stab him, yeah go girl! I loved how she run way from him and it was hilarious how she yelled he was a thief. Oh come on you know you like that too ;D
It wasn´t like
"oh-hes-good-looking-but-i-think-he´s-a-murderer! Anyway-lets-kiss-because-i´m-magicaly-drawn-to-hiM"
BULLSHIT. I waited for a heroine to react like that. go april, I like you so much ;D Because your the most human, unhuman character I had to pleasure to accompane!
and last but not least.
HER NAME
Because have you noticed that in the recent Ya-novels all the heroines seem to be named with C=
Cassy, Clary and whatnot. WHY? ;D
serendipity_viv's review
4.0
As soon as I discovered that this book was set in Highgate Cemetery I had to read it. Highgate Cemetery is just one of those places that is a character in itself and one I am desperate to visit. This book did not disappoint in giving it its own omnipresent character status, looming supernaturally over the whole story, shrouding it within darkness and weaving ghostly threads throughout the whole book.
This book has the creep factor, leaving you shivering at the thought of it. I loved the fact that it was a vampire book set in the UK for a change and I am really pleased to see that it can be pulled off and feels authentic. Mia James has managed to give this book a Gothic Victorian atmosphere in modern day London.
Mia is a bit like Buffy but with a twist. This book is definitely more Buffy than Twilight. She begins the book as a typical teenager with all the anger against her parents for spoiling her social life. Yet as the book progresses, Mia has to do a lot of growing up very quickly, as events take a serious and sinister turn.
Ravenwood has just as much presence as Highgate Cemetery and probably wouldn't be my first choice of school for my kids. Eeep!
The tension within the story builds with each following chapters and you begin to feel a little fearful for Mia's safety. However Gabriel is on hand to sweep her off to safety and actually gives 'love conquers all' a whole new meaning. Definitely one to make your heart leap. Although I did struggle a bit with the instant love between them.
This book has some surprising twists and turns throughout the book and as I neared the end, I began to panic as I could not see how it would end happily. So much seemed left unsaid and then...... Bam! The true identity of the murderer is revealed. Safe at last.
I did enjoy reading this book and feel quite at home in its dark and stifling atmosphere. I am really looking forward to the second book in the series 'Darkness Falls' which comes out very soon.
This book has the creep factor, leaving you shivering at the thought of it. I loved the fact that it was a vampire book set in the UK for a change and I am really pleased to see that it can be pulled off and feels authentic. Mia James has managed to give this book a Gothic Victorian atmosphere in modern day London.
Mia is a bit like Buffy but with a twist. This book is definitely more Buffy than Twilight. She begins the book as a typical teenager with all the anger against her parents for spoiling her social life. Yet as the book progresses, Mia has to do a lot of growing up very quickly, as events take a serious and sinister turn.
Ravenwood has just as much presence as Highgate Cemetery and probably wouldn't be my first choice of school for my kids. Eeep!
The tension within the story builds with each following chapters and you begin to feel a little fearful for Mia's safety. However Gabriel is on hand to sweep her off to safety and actually gives 'love conquers all' a whole new meaning. Definitely one to make your heart leap. Although I did struggle a bit with the instant love between them.
This book has some surprising twists and turns throughout the book and as I neared the end, I began to panic as I could not see how it would end happily. So much seemed left unsaid and then...... Bam! The true identity of the murderer is revealed. Safe at last.
I did enjoy reading this book and feel quite at home in its dark and stifling atmosphere. I am really looking forward to the second book in the series 'Darkness Falls' which comes out very soon.
weeshubbasworld's review
4.0
I bought this book for two reasons. Firstly, I was drawn to this book because of the cover (I know I shouldnt but I tend to always go for the cover first) It really stands out and captures the darkness in the story. Secondly, it is set in England, I found this a great change from most YA books in this genre being set in America.
By Midnight its a very good read and really keeps you interested from start to finish. By Midnight takes you on an emotional rollercoaster that I found myself crying on a few occasions.
The Characters are a bunch of very interesting people good and bad. My favourite are April, Gabriel and Caro. April is very sweet and normal girl, who is dealing with all the normal teenage stuff as well and finding out some OMG stuff about herself. Gabriel, well what can I say about Gabriel is very mysterious and always seem to pop up in unexpected places. April and Gabriels relationship is a great read because it is all about romance, (actually there isnt alot of romance in the story) its more about the mystery behind the story that keeps the relationship between very intriging. Caro is probably my fave character. She doesn't fit in amoung the "Faces" at Ravenwood. She is funny, a little sarcastic and she believes in conspiracies.
Mia James (wife and husband writing team, Tasmina Perry an John Perry) has manage to creature a story with mystery, romance, anger and fear with twists and turns I truely didn't see coming
However, By Midnight loses half a star because because there is one bit (I wont say what) that it taken straight from Twilight nearly word for word.
Overall though, a fantastic read that I recommend to anyone to loves a good paranormal mystery. And I am really looking forward for the next installement of The Ravenwood Mysteries.
(Not suitable for younger readers due to some of the language)
By Midnight its a very good read and really keeps you interested from start to finish. By Midnight takes you on an emotional rollercoaster that I found myself crying on a few occasions.
The Characters are a bunch of very interesting people good and bad. My favourite are April, Gabriel and Caro. April is very sweet and normal girl, who is dealing with all the normal teenage stuff as well and finding out some OMG stuff about herself. Gabriel, well what can I say about Gabriel is very mysterious and always seem to pop up in unexpected places. April and Gabriels relationship is a great read because it is all about romance, (actually there isnt alot of romance in the story) its more about the mystery behind the story that keeps the relationship between very intriging. Caro is probably my fave character. She doesn't fit in amoung the "Faces" at Ravenwood. She is funny, a little sarcastic and she believes in conspiracies.
Mia James (wife and husband writing team, Tasmina Perry an John Perry) has manage to creature a story with mystery, romance, anger and fear with twists and turns I truely didn't see coming
However, By Midnight loses half a star because because there is one bit (I wont say what) that it taken straight from Twilight nearly word for word.
Overall though, a fantastic read that I recommend to anyone to loves a good paranormal mystery. And I am really looking forward for the next installement of The Ravenwood Mysteries.
(Not suitable for younger readers due to some of the language)
teapartyprincess's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sophie_ginny's review
1.0
I picked this book up because my local library is closing for building work and I sort of panicked and took out about 12 books that I'm hoping will last me the next month.
I'm not going to sit here and say that everything about this book was a disappointment, I mean I'll be honest, my first feelings were pretty positive. I liked the way that there was a lot about historical London, Jack the Ripper in particular. And story idea was interesting for the most part, however I will admit that there are a LOT more negative things than positive things that I can say about this book...
First off, I didn't like April, the heroine. This was probably the main reason why I had such a negative view of the book. In my opinion, she was far too moody, I mean, I get it, being a teenager myself I understand that things annoy you sometimes and you do snap. And I don't know, maybe April had some anger problem that the author failed to mention, but it was like every single time her friend or her mum or her dad said something that she didn't like, she'd get angry and take it the wrong way. She was basically like one of those annoying friends who never stop complaining about things. Also, I don't know what was wrong with her but I sort of saw her as pretty dim and naive. This was the thing that annoyed me the most. At one point, she almost gets raped in the bathroom by the psychotic Marcus. She leaves the bathroom and the next thing she does is start complaining that Gabriel hasn't called... I mean what the hell! I'm no genius but I'm thinking that if you'd basically just been sexually assaulted in the bathroom, you'd be at least a LITTLE shaken!
There was another time when she was running away from Gabriel in London and she bumps into some guys who hold her hands behind her back and say something like "She's with us now, we'll take good care of her, won't we boys?". Gabriel beats them up but later and says "they had bad things in mind, believe me." April goes "How do you know that? Can you read minds?" ... I'm sorry sweetie, but you don't need to read minds to be able to know when you're facing a creepy rapist. She didn't even thank Gabriel.
Speaking of which, I thought it was ridiculous how fast she was to accuse him of killing her dad, I mean, it wasn't even like she was accusing him of something like steeling her phone or lying about something, she was accusing him of actually MURDERING her dad... Personally I think that's a little rash.
I honestly could sit here for ages finding fault, like how she reacted when Gabriel told her about the vampires and the disgusting recruiting system they have going on. It was like she didn't even care.
I almost made it to the end, it was becoming painful to read but I thought, "can't stop now"... However when I reached chapter thirty-two, page 356 I had to stop, I mean I seriously couldn't go on reading anymore. "You're a Fury. You're the last of the Furies"... I was like, you are actually having a laugh.
I don't think I will be putting myself through the next book, or any others in the series, and I don't recommend it either.
I'm not going to sit here and say that everything about this book was a disappointment, I mean I'll be honest, my first feelings were pretty positive. I liked the way that there was a lot about historical London, Jack the Ripper in particular. And story idea was interesting for the most part, however I will admit that there are a LOT more negative things than positive things that I can say about this book...
First off, I didn't like April, the heroine. This was probably the main reason why I had such a negative view of the book. In my opinion, she was far too moody, I mean, I get it, being a teenager myself I understand that things annoy you sometimes and you do snap. And I don't know, maybe April had some anger problem that the author failed to mention, but it was like every single time her friend or her mum or her dad said something that she didn't like, she'd get angry and take it the wrong way. She was basically like one of those annoying friends who never stop complaining about things. Also, I don't know what was wrong with her but I sort of saw her as pretty dim and naive. This was the thing that annoyed me the most. At one point, she almost gets raped in the bathroom by the psychotic Marcus. She leaves the bathroom and the next thing she does is start complaining that Gabriel hasn't called... I mean what the hell! I'm no genius but I'm thinking that if you'd basically just been sexually assaulted in the bathroom, you'd be at least a LITTLE shaken!
There was another time when she was running away from Gabriel in London and she bumps into some guys who hold her hands behind her back and say something like "She's with us now, we'll take good care of her, won't we boys?". Gabriel beats them up but later and says "they had bad things in mind, believe me." April goes "How do you know that? Can you read minds?" ... I'm sorry sweetie, but you don't need to read minds to be able to know when you're facing a creepy rapist. She didn't even thank Gabriel.
Speaking of which, I thought it was ridiculous how fast she was to accuse him of killing her dad, I mean, it wasn't even like she was accusing him of something like steeling her phone or lying about something, she was accusing him of actually MURDERING her dad... Personally I think that's a little rash.
I honestly could sit here for ages finding fault, like how she reacted when Gabriel told her about the vampires and the disgusting recruiting system they have going on. It was like she didn't even care.
I almost made it to the end, it was becoming painful to read but I thought, "can't stop now"... However when I reached chapter thirty-two, page 356 I had to stop, I mean I seriously couldn't go on reading anymore. "You're a Fury. You're the last of the Furies"... I was like, you are actually having a laugh.
I don't think I will be putting myself through the next book, or any others in the series, and I don't recommend it either.