Upon the Midnight Clear
by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Dream-Hunter (2), Dark-Hunter (14), Dark-Hunter Universe (15)
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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 show more 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.. show less
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I was not impressed with “Dream Hunter” – it was not up to the level of the series before it. Unfortunately, this follow-up didn't improve that – it was just an okay story. This was actually more of a long novella than a novel, and the shorter length didn’t help matters. Dolor, a god of pain, has been summoned from sleep to kill someone. Leta, an Oneroi with no emotions who is suddenly starting to feel some, must protect his target. Aiden is consumed by bitterness and pain from the betrayal of those closest to him. That is all we know, or ever really know, about these two. As in the previous book, they are not fully-developed characters and I had trouble caring about them or believing the relationship that suddenly develops show more between them. And the plotline was actually reminiscent of Zarek’s story – wherein he is trapped by a storm with a woman who is far more than she seems.
Overall, this felt like a throwaway story that should have ended up in an anthology. It doesn’t add anything to the canon/mythology, or to any overarching plot. It was a very quick read, but readers could easily skip this and miss nothing. show less
Overall, this felt like a throwaway story that should have ended up in an anthology. It doesn’t add anything to the canon/mythology, or to any overarching plot. It was a very quick read, but readers could easily skip this and miss nothing. show less
The story about Leta, the Dream-Hunter, who fights Dolor, god of pain. For this she has to protect Aidan, a world-famous actor who has been hurt so bad by those he loved that he lives in a house in the woods all by himself. Leta uses Aidan's pain to defeat Dolor. And grows to love him. But Dream-Hunters are neither supposed nor allowed to have any feelings whatsoever.
Entertaining, but not as good as the Dark Hunter series.
Entertaining, but not as good as the Dark Hunter series.
Upon The Midnight Clear
2 Stars
Pages and pages of repetitive whining that I could have done without - at least it was short.
Aidan is a successful actor whose family turned on him and he has since become a recluse believing that everyone he knows will betray him at some point. Granted, his brother does try to kill him by summoning the God of Pain but there is only so much whinging that I can take - get over yourself!
Leta has potential as a kick-ass heroine, however, the speed at which she falls for Aidan the whiner is unbelievable even for a paranormal romance - less than a day!
The villain isn't nearly as smarmy as he could have been and is dispatched quite easily.
On the whole, The Dream Hunter series is pretty lackluster compared to show more the Dark Hunters and add little to the overall story arc. show less
2 Stars
Pages and pages of repetitive whining that I could have done without - at least it was short.
Aidan is a successful actor whose family turned on him and he has since become a recluse believing that everyone he knows will betray him at some point. Granted, his brother does try to kill him by summoning the God of Pain but there is only so much whinging that I can take - get over yourself!
Leta has potential as a kick-ass heroine, however, the speed at which she falls for Aidan the whiner is unbelievable even for a paranormal romance - less than a day!
The villain isn't nearly as smarmy as he could have been and is dispatched quite easily.
On the whole, The Dream Hunter series is pretty lackluster compared to show more the Dark Hunters and add little to the overall story arc. show less
This is the second Dream-Hunter novel that I've read and although I am a huge fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s - I was sorely disappointed by this one. It’s lacking in a lot of things. Her characters weren’t developed enough for you to actually grow fond of them. Aidan was just to whiny and needy for me to like him, and Leta just never really amounted to much when it counted either.
Too much happened in too short of a time period. It didn't feel very believable and it almost felt more like a chore to read rather than a delight for the mind. If nothing else, this book was used just to fill us in on some of the background information on Zeus’ curse on the Oneroi.
When you see this book, it seems short for a paperback. When you open it, show more 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!
On the bright side though, at the end of the book there was a short story called Holiday Gatherings - It brought back some of her other characters and was really a treat to read.
If you haven't read any of Sherrilyn Kenyon's books, I would suggest to stay away from this book. Start off by reading the "Dark-Hunter" series and then make your way to this new Dream-Hunter spin-off. show less
Too much happened in too short of a time period. It didn't feel very believable and it almost felt more like a chore to read rather than a delight for the mind. If nothing else, this book was used just to fill us in on some of the background information on Zeus’ curse on the Oneroi.
When you see this book, it seems short for a paperback. When you open it, show more 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!
On the bright side though, at the end of the book there was a short story called Holiday Gatherings - It brought back some of her other characters and was really a treat to read.
If you haven't read any of Sherrilyn Kenyon's books, I would suggest to stay away from this book. Start off by reading the "Dark-Hunter" series and then make your way to this new Dream-Hunter spin-off. show less
Aiden is the world's most popular movie star (even beating out Brad Pitt as world's sexiest guy!) whose fame has brought him to be wronged by everybody and his brother, forcing him into early retirement. Leta is a dream goddess wronged by Zeus and the god of pain, Dolor, leading her to curse Dolor and retire them both to a millennium in stasis. When Aiden's insane and imprisoned brother makes a blood sacrifice to bring Dolor back Leta is determined that she will not allow Aiden to become a victim. Now she must use her womanly wiles to gain the trust of a man who has sworn never to trust again.
This certainly wasn't one of the more impressive books by this author. It seemed to me that it would have worked out much better if Aiden's show more redundant whining about how he got screwed over by everyone he ever loved, which went on for pages, was pared down and this had been simply left as a short story. I will say that once the characters and plot actually got moving towards the end it did get a bit better, but it was really a case of too little too late.
I found the little Christmas excerpts interesting, I'm especially looking forward to Aimee and Fang's story (I'm certainly interested in seeing Nicholette eat a little crow) and, of course, Nick's predicament always gets me as well.
Overall, the main story felt either like it was something the publisher rushed the author to complete or a short vignette that the powers that be ordered into something more than it should have been. Either way, padding a story out with pages of insipid feeling sorry for yourself woe certainly doesn't work for me. Typically I adore Kenyon's stories and am very glad this is not one of the first I read by her or I might have missed out on some really good stuff! show less
This certainly wasn't one of the more impressive books by this author. It seemed to me that it would have worked out much better if Aiden's show more redundant whining about how he got screwed over by everyone he ever loved, which went on for pages, was pared down and this had been simply left as a short story. I will say that once the characters and plot actually got moving towards the end it did get a bit better, but it was really a case of too little too late.
I found the little Christmas excerpts interesting, I'm especially looking forward to Aimee and Fang's story (I'm certainly interested in seeing Nicholette eat a little crow) and, of course, Nick's predicament always gets me as well.
Overall, the main story felt either like it was something the publisher rushed the author to complete or a short vignette that the powers that be ordered into something more than it should have been. Either way, padding a story out with pages of insipid feeling sorry for yourself woe certainly doesn't work for me. Typically I adore Kenyon's stories and am very glad this is not one of the first I read by her or I might have missed out on some really good stuff! show less
Aidan is a first rate actor, academy award winner and Hollywood A-list. He has been betrayed by everyone he loved and cared about – leaving him with a very low view of humanity and a complete inability to trust people.
But his brother has decided to seek further revenge and summoned Dolor – the embodiment and deity of Pain who will be freed by human sacrifice – and by torturing and killing Aidan. Leta, the Oneroi a sleep goddess, has given herself the task to control Dolor, to prevent any more people falling to his cruelty. She never dreamed anyone would be inhuman enough to summon him, but he is free again.
Together, Leta and Aidan have to fight and defeat Dolor – and restore Aidan’s faith in humanity and his ability to love.
Ok show more so Aidan has been betrayed by most of his loved ones. His girlfriend left him and told lies about him to the tabloids, as did his best friend, brother and nephew. That’s got to hurt and be awful. He’s retreated to an isolated spot where he doesn’t have to see anyone, comforted by the $100,000,000 in his bank account but pestered by his agent who keeps ringing offering him multi-million dollar blockbuster movie deals. He hates all people, is going to die alone and trusts no-one and will drive them away with his rage!
Let us now call the waaahbulance for this man – but keep the siren off because he won’t be able to hear us playing sad songs on our teeny tiny violins for him.
Ok, perhaps unfair a little – and being betrayed by so many people you care about is harsh. But he’s still a very wealthy, talented actor with a great career – sulking in the mountains because all humans suck seems to be rather an extreme reaction. And it only looks worse because of the world it’s in. This is the Dark Hunters world. A world where we have followed:
Zarek, a man who was tortured and mutilated from childhood until death
Valerius, a man whose family brutalised and shunned him then spent the last 2,000 years being further shunned
Kyrian, a man betrayed by his wife that lead him to being brutally tortured to death
Read More show less
But his brother has decided to seek further revenge and summoned Dolor – the embodiment and deity of Pain who will be freed by human sacrifice – and by torturing and killing Aidan. Leta, the Oneroi a sleep goddess, has given herself the task to control Dolor, to prevent any more people falling to his cruelty. She never dreamed anyone would be inhuman enough to summon him, but he is free again.
Together, Leta and Aidan have to fight and defeat Dolor – and restore Aidan’s faith in humanity and his ability to love.
Ok show more so Aidan has been betrayed by most of his loved ones. His girlfriend left him and told lies about him to the tabloids, as did his best friend, brother and nephew. That’s got to hurt and be awful. He’s retreated to an isolated spot where he doesn’t have to see anyone, comforted by the $100,000,000 in his bank account but pestered by his agent who keeps ringing offering him multi-million dollar blockbuster movie deals. He hates all people, is going to die alone and trusts no-one and will drive them away with his rage!
Let us now call the waaahbulance for this man – but keep the siren off because he won’t be able to hear us playing sad songs on our teeny tiny violins for him.
Ok, perhaps unfair a little – and being betrayed by so many people you care about is harsh. But he’s still a very wealthy, talented actor with a great career – sulking in the mountains because all humans suck seems to be rather an extreme reaction. And it only looks worse because of the world it’s in. This is the Dark Hunters world. A world where we have followed:
Zarek, a man who was tortured and mutilated from childhood until death
Valerius, a man whose family brutalised and shunned him then spent the last 2,000 years being further shunned
Kyrian, a man betrayed by his wife that lead him to being brutally tortured to death
Read More show less
In traditional Kenyon style, Upon The Midnight Clear is very formulaic. Boy meets girl, boy (or girl) has a troubled past, girl (or boy) helps them get past it and everyone lives happily ever after. It's a great formula which has made her books not only successful sellers but very popular in the paranormal romance genre. Her Dark-Hunters continue to be popular and this second book in the Dream-Hunters off-shoot was much anticipated.
So why the two star rating? I can't speak for the many others who have reviewed or commented though I can say I see many valid points presented. From the opening of the book the large print and strangely laid out chapters were a red flag. Something was certainly different this time around. One could argue show more this was a bad thing but if this was the worst issue I think most readers will get past that.
This is the story of Leta and Aidan. Both characters have reasons to be doing what they are doing as the story starts that could have made for a good story. The trouble is the action started so quickly and moved so fast I wasn't sure what motivated the characters beyond the basic emotions. Aidan is angry and doesn't trust anyone... but why? I kept finding myself asking "Okay, but why?" over and over as I read. When the story was done I was still left wondering why on many things. I hate to use the analogy but this book reminded me of Swiss cheese. It's cheese and it's likable... but there are holes in it.
I feel that this story would have been a very suitable addition to an anthology like Holidays are Hell with its timeframe set at Christmas. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't backed by one of Kenyon's usually well built plots. I'd have liked to see more Dream-Hunter mythology presented in this book and hope that when book 3 comes out it will give us that.
If you go in expecting a diet sized story you shouldn't be too disappointed and the Christmas catch-up with all of the couples we know and love from the Dark-Hunters series is certainly a fun little tidbit. Buy it if you're a collector or hate an incomplete series, borrow it if you'd rather save your money for a stronger story. Sit down on a free night with a glass of wine and enjoy it in one sitting. Enjoy! show less
So why the two star rating? I can't speak for the many others who have reviewed or commented though I can say I see many valid points presented. From the opening of the book the large print and strangely laid out chapters were a red flag. Something was certainly different this time around. One could argue show more this was a bad thing but if this was the worst issue I think most readers will get past that.
This is the story of Leta and Aidan. Both characters have reasons to be doing what they are doing as the story starts that could have made for a good story. The trouble is the action started so quickly and moved so fast I wasn't sure what motivated the characters beyond the basic emotions. Aidan is angry and doesn't trust anyone... but why? I kept finding myself asking "Okay, but why?" over and over as I read. When the story was done I was still left wondering why on many things. I hate to use the analogy but this book reminded me of Swiss cheese. It's cheese and it's likable... but there are holes in it.
I feel that this story would have been a very suitable addition to an anthology like Holidays are Hell with its timeframe set at Christmas. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't backed by one of Kenyon's usually well built plots. I'd have liked to see more Dream-Hunter mythology presented in this book and hope that when book 3 comes out it will give us that.
If you go in expecting a diet sized story you shouldn't be too disappointed and the Christmas catch-up with all of the couples we know and love from the Dark-Hunters series is certainly a fun little tidbit. Buy it if you're a collector or hate an incomplete series, borrow it if you'd rather save your money for a stronger story. Sit down on a free night with a glass of wine and enjoy it in one sitting. Enjoy! show less
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Author Information
261+ Works 96,690 Members
Sherrilyn Kenyon was born in Columbus, Georgia in 1965. She attended the University of Georgia. She has written novels and nonfiction works using both her real name and the pseudonym Kinley MacGregor. The name was created when she started writing historical romances. She writes several series including The Dark-Hunters, The League, Lords of show more Avalon, BAD Agency and the Chronicles of Nick. In 2018 her title, Death Doesn't Bargain, made the bestseller list. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Upon the Midnight Clear
- Original title
- Upon The Midnight
- Original publication date
- 2007-10-30
- People/Characters
- Aidan O'Connor; Leta; Dolor; Timor; Donnie; Deimos (show all 12); Mori; Freud; Heather; Richard; Ronald; M'Adoc
- Important places
- Olympus
- Epigraph
- The way to overcome the angry man is with gentle-
ness, the evil man with goodness, the miser with gen-
erosity and the liar with truth.
- An... (show all) Indian Proverb
It sounds good, doesn't it? If only people and life were
that effing easy. Trust me, it takes more than a friendly
biscuit to tame a hungry lion. And it's all fun and
games until someone gets hurt. Then it's War.
... (show all) -Savitar, Chthonian god - Dedication
- To Monique for going above and beyond
the call of duty. You are the absolute best!
And to all my friends for being there when
I needed you most. To the RBL's for their
never-ending dedication and support. - First words
- Dolor smiled as he finally felt the call of his summoning ring.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Merry Christmas, Leta... and baby."
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