Deeper Than Midnight

Deeper than Midnight
4 Stars

Synopsis:
At the age of 18, Corinne Bishop’s life was shattered when she was kidnapped and subjected to horrifying experiments at the hands of the monstrous Breed known as Dragos. Now that she has been rescued, Corinne only want to return home and get on with her life. Accompanied by the most enigmatic of the warriors of the Order, Hunter, Corrine arrives home only to discover that things are not as they appear and that her life and heart may be in even more danger than before.

Review:
Wow! What an intense ride

Hunter and Corinne are a great couple. They are both terribly scarred and have so much to overcome in order to love and trust again. The development of their relationship is slow but consistent with show more their characterization, and even though it is not as steamy as in previous books, it is just as romantic and perhaps even more so.

Hunter has always been one of my favorite characters with his hard and harsh exterior but his softness and need to protect others on the inside. This is never more apparent than in his interaction with Corrine. For her part, Corrine is an amazing woman with an inner strength that defies all logic. I love the fact that Hunter finds a mate who is worthy and accepting of him and vice versa.

More details are provided with regard to Chase’s mental and physical deterioration. He has always been an ambiguous character, and while one cannot help but feel for what he has suffered, he is also a jerk and wallows too much in self-pity. It will be interesting to see what happens in his book, and I have no doubt that he will redeem himself and get his own HEA.

In terms of the writing, the first half of the book progresses more slowly - possibly because the parts with Chase descending into Bloodlust distract from the development of Hunter and Corrine's story - but the second half is intense with excellent action scenes and exciting revelations.

The book ends on a small cliffhanger and I am very happy that I don’t have to wait too long for the next installment. show less

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Dark and sexy, powerful and beautiful.

Opening Sentence: The club was private, very much off the beaten path, and for damned good reason.

The Review:

Deeper than Midnight is the ninth installment of Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed series. The Breed is currently one of my favorite groups of vampires, and one of the more traditionally vampiric groups as well. One difference between the Breed and your everyday blood suckers is their ruling bodies, and type of enforcement. This series features a group of warriors and enforcers known as the Order. These gentlemen are known for being hard as nails, ruthless, demanding…..and as sexy as your most vivid daydream. And this story’s hero, Hunter, show more is no exception. Darkly mysterious Hunter was bred to be just that, a hunter. As a former assassin for the most hated among the Breed, the dastardly Dragos, Hunter knows nothing of love, compassion, or friendship…and everything about evil, corruption and death. As a member of the Order, Hunter must complete his primary objective, certain annihilation of the one who created him and the other hunters like him. Even when this objective will almost certainly mean the end of his tentative relationship with the fragile Corinne, Hunter must follow through for the greater good. It’s so sad that this beautifully stoic man should face losing his first love, in the line of duty as it were. But, relax my friends, as this is a paranormal romance, and thus he does live out his own HEA.

One other thing that makes the Breed different from your average vampires is the way their mates are chosen. Breedmates are traditionally humans born with the genetics to become the perfect mates for their Breed counterparts, and marked with a special birthmark. Unfortunately, in recent times, these genetics also made Corinne and many others a target for the machinations of a deranged lunatic, his sick scientific experiments and horrifying breeding program. After having been trapped for decades, she was freed in the last book, and brought to the Order’s HQ to acclimate before going back home to her adoptive parents. When her original escorts are detained, Hunter offers to accompany her home. Once there, a horrible truth is revealed and she sets off on a mission with the mysterious Hunter while secretly hoping to find the son she was forced to give up as a result of that breeding program.

Now this poor woman has really been through one of the worst horrors any of us could think of. Being kidnapped, violated, forced to mate with a beast, and forced to give up a child… it’s all unimaginable. The way she was able to use the hope of finding her child to pull through a nightmare is inspiring. The subsequent betrayal and losses are also seriously distressing. Really, that part of this story seriously ticked me off. Anyway, Corinne is a real reader’s heroine. She’s not whiny or overly pathetic. She’s not nauseatingly upbeat or perky. She’s just driven by hope for the future and by the love and understanding of a good man, or vampire in this case.

This story also continues the storylines involving the rest of the Order’s members. In this one we witness life, love, loneliness and sorrow. And the final scene will absolutely break your soul.

I have to say Deeper than Midnight really touched my heart. Lara Adrian is an artist. She just makes you truly feel things. I can’t wait to read the next installment, Darker after Midnight.

Notable Scene:

“I need to find my child, Hunter. I need to see him and touch him, make sure he knows that I love him. Now that I’m free, I have to find him. I have to try to give him a better life.” She moved around in front of him, forcing him to meet her gaze. “Hunter, I need to remember everything about the day my son was born. Something might have been said or done by Dragos or his Minions that could lead me to my child. Something that may be tucked away in my memories. I need you to help me remember everything about that day.”

Hunter’s face went even tighter as he absorbed what she was proposing. He grabbed her hand and pulled it away from him on a growled curse. “You want my help? Do you know what that would mean?”

“Yes,” she admitted. “And I know it’s asking too much of you. But I’m asking because you’re the best hope I have right now. You are very likely the only hope I have of finding my child.”

He stared, disbelieving or disgusted, she couldn’t tell. Heat flared in his eyes, but she wouldn’t back down. She couldn’t. Not when she felt closer than ever to the answers she so desperately needed.

“Hunter, please,” she whispered. “I want you to drink from me.”

The Midnight Breed Series:

1. Kiss of Midnight

2. Kiss of Crimson

3. Midnight Awakening

4. Midnight Rising

5. Veil of Midnight

6. Ashes of Midnight

7. Shades of Midnight

8. Taken by Midnight

9. Deeper than Midnight

FTC Advisory: Random House provided me with a copy of Deeper than Midnight. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don’t receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site. show less

Honestly I’m here for the overarching plot more than the Hunter-Corinne story of this particular book, but theirs was interesting and different to all the ones that came prior because of her circumstances.

Sterling Chase suddenly became interesting in the final act of this one, after spending however many books being really fucking annoying

'Deeper Than Midnight' is thrilling and electrifying. Heart pounding action that consumes you and refuses to let go. I was completely immersed in the Midnight Breeds world.
The Order's headquarters is in extreme danger. Something frightening is going on with Chase. Dragos is more insanely dangerous than ever.
Corinne, one of the Breedmates the Order rescued recently from Dragos' enslavement, wants to go home to her adopted parents Darkhaven. It will only take a few hours to get her there. Hunter, one of the assassins that was bred by Dragos, is put in charge of seeing her there safely. It should take a few hours to get her there and get back to the Orders headquarters. But there is danger everywhere and that includes Corinne's home. show more
Compelling, intriguing, and full of suspense and action. I HIGHLY recommend this series. show less

Gejagte der Dämmerung (Midnight Breed, #9) ♦ Lara Adrian | Rezension

Gejagte der Dämmerung hat mich auf eine abenteuerliche Reise mit dem Stammeskrieger und ehemaligen Auftragskiller Hunter und der Stammesgefährtin Corinne mitgenommen. Denn Corinne gehört zu jenen Gefährtinnen, die im vorhergehenden Band von den Stammesgefährtinnen der Ordenskrieger gefunden und befreit werden. Und nun verfolgt sie nur ein Ziel, sie will ihren Sohn finden.



Gejagte der Dämmerung ♦ Lara Adrian

Synopsis
Nach Jahrzehnten der Gefangenschaft unter Dragos‘ und unbeschreiblichen seelischen und körperlichen Qualen, hat es Corinne geschafft. Sie ist in Freiheit. So sehr sie sich auch geschmeichelt fühlt, dass der Orden sie nach ihrer Befreiung show more aufgenommen hat, will sie nur zurück nach Hause und am allerwichtigsten, sie will um jeden Preis ihren Sohn finden. Dieser wurde während ihrer Gefangenschaft geboren, als Teil von Dragos‘ Gen-Eins – Zuchtprogramms. Kurz nach der Geburt wurde ihr der Junge entrissen, doch Corinne hat ihn nie vergessen, nie aufgegeben.

Obwohl Hunter, ehemaliger Auftragskiller von Dragos und erster erfolgreicher Gen Eins, des Zuchtprogramms, eher weniger als der richtige Reisegefährte erscheint, was wohl auch an seiner antrainierten Gefühlskälte liegt, ist er doch genau der, den Corinne benötigt. Denn nur er kann ihren Schmerz, ihre Angst und ihre tiefen Seelenqualen nachvollziehen. Obwohl auf unterschiedlichen Seiten des Programms gefangen gehalten, vereint sie die erfahrenen Grausamkeiten.

Als die beiden bei Corinnes Elternhaus ankommen, muss Corinne allerdings den nächsten Schlag ins Gesicht einstecken. Denn niemand anderem, als ihrem Stiefvater selbst, ist für ihre Entführung und Gefangenschaft die Schuld zu geben. Für Geld und Macht hat er sie verraten und willentlich an Dragos übergeben.

Meinung
[a:Lara Adrian|375626|Lara Adrian|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1490013860p2/375626.jpg][b:Gejagte der Dämmerung|9991230|Gejagte der Dämmerung (Midnight Breed, #9)|Lara Adrian|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328542911l/9991230._SX50_.jpg|11649990] eine wirklich eindrucksvolle Geschichte geschrieben. Es war mir ein Vergnügen, mit Hunter und Corinne auf eine abenteuerliche Reise zu gehen. Einer Reise, die beide Charaktere zu sich selbst finden ließ. Ihre Reise führt beide, durch unterschiedliche Motivationen heraus, dazu, ihrem Feind Dragos den Krieg zu erklären und ihre Schlachten für sich zu gewinnen.

Für mich war sehr schnell zu erkennen, dass es bei Hunter und Corinne nicht einfach nur bei einer kurzen Begegnung bleibt und dass sich hier etwas anbahnen wird. Doch muss ich gestehen, dass ich von der Geschwindigkeit ein wenig enttäuscht bin. Dafür, dass Hunter bisher als der herzlose und gefühlskalte Stammesvampir bekannt wurde, hat sich seine kilometerhohe Eisdecke doch sehr schnell auftauen lassen.
Auch bin ich immer wieder irritiert, wie schnell vor allem Protagonistinnen, die sexuellem Missbrauch ausgesetzt waren, in Büchern eine sexuelle Beziehung eingehen. Ich möchte nicht sagen, dass es wohl nicht möglich ist. Doch ich kann mir einfach nicht vorstellen, dass ich dies könnte. Dies ist keine Verurteilung, nur eine Verwunderung meinerseits.

Neben den beiden Hauptprotas kamen zu meinem Vergnügen auch alle anderen Mitglieder des Ordens in diesem Buch auf. Gejagte der Dämmerung schafft es tiefe Emotionen, aussichtslose Situationen mit geballter Action zu verweben.


Schreibstil: ★★★★☆
Charaktere: ★★★★☆
Plot: ★★★☆☆
Gesamt: ★★★★☆ 3,6/5


Fazit
Trotz tiefer Gefühle, einer Protagonistin, die über sich hinauswächst und viel geballter Action, ging es mir in Sachen der Liebesbeziehung ein ganzes Stück zu schnell. Es hätte beiden Protas nichts an Charakter genommen, würden sie noch ein oder zwei Bücher brauchen. Aber es ist wie es ist, und am Ende hatte ich Vergnügen mit dem Buch.


This review was first published on The Art of Reading. show less

Deeper than Midnight
4 Stars

Synopsis:
At the age of 18, Corinne Bishop’s life was shattered when she was kidnapped and subjected to horrifying experiments at the hands of the monstrous Breed known as Dragos. Now that she has been rescued, Corinne only want to return home and get on with her life. Accompanied by the most enigmatic of the warriors of the Order, Hunter, Corrine arrives home only to discover that things are not as they appear and that her life and heart may be in even more danger than before.

Review:
Wow! What an intense ride

Hunter and Corinne are a great couple. They are both terribly scarred and have so much to overcome in order to love and trust again. The development of their relationship is slow but consistent with show more their characterization, and even though it is not as steamy as in previous books, it is just as romantic and perhaps even more so.

Hunter has always been one of my favorite characters with his hard and harsh exterior but his softness and need to protect others on the inside. This is never more apparent than in his interaction with Corrine. For her part, Corrine is an amazing woman with an inner strength that defies all logic. I love the fact that Hunter finds a mate who is worthy and accepting of him and vice versa.

More details are provided with regard to Chase’s mental and physical deterioration. He has always been an ambiguous character, and while one cannot help but feel for what he has suffered, he is also a jerk and wallows too much in self-pity. It will be interesting to see what happens in his book, and I have no doubt that he will redeem himself and get his own HEA.

In terms of the writing, the first half of the book progresses more slowly - possibly because the parts with Chase descending into Bloodlust distract from the development of Hunter and Corrine's story - but the second half is intense with excellent action scenes and exciting revelations.

The book ends on a small cliffhanger and I am very happy that I don’t have to wait too long for the next installment. show less

Deeper than Midnight was exactly what I’ve come to expect from a Lara Adrian novel, emotionally engaging, well written, and multi-dimensional. I was swept in from the beginning of the story and could not put it down. Hunter’s ability to open his heart and feel real emotions for the first time was captivating, while Corrine’s gentle strength, determination, and tenacious ability to overcome her emotional captivity was simply breathtaking. I emphatically hope that we will see more of them in future books. For me, the cliffhanger at the end of this book was her finest yet and I am desperately looking forward to the next installment in the story of the Midnight Breed.