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
chlozjayne'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
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.
chloejaynne'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
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.
booktimedragon24_'s review against another edition
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 against another edition
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