What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark Age Dawning #2
Midnight
Their desire destroys her defenses. Their love gives him a reason to live. Three years of wandering the postapocalyptic wasteland has stripped Dr. Chris Welsh of humanity and hope. A harrowing loss drove him from his home, and he hasn’t stopped moving since. Grim and sardonic, he’s never found anything worth sticking around for—until now. Rosa Cortez runs Valle de Bravo, a haven of civilization amid the chaos of the Change. The last thing she needs is a feral loner upsetting the town’s tentative balance. However, for the good of her people, she lets the sexy doctor stay. He evokes a delicious new longing, but she won’t submit to any man. Tension rises as bloodthirsty raiders strike again and again, bent on possessing Valle and its resources. Together Chris and Rosa battle hellhounds and dust pirates while also fighting desperate attraction. To save them, love must overcome the pain of the past—and build a future in this brutal Dark Age…
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2011
14 people are currently reading
959 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Connor
23 books148 followersWho are we, you might ask? Well, we’re a collaborative writing team comprised of Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty. Our pen name comes from two bad-ass female SF characters: Ellen Ripley (from Alien) and Sarah Connor (from The Terminator). When you put them together, you get Ellen Connor…and we hope to rock your world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
October 3, 2016
I enjoyed this book but it definitely wasn't as great as the first in the series. The apocalypse setting and zombie like creatures were still awesome and badass, but this story focused a little more on the romance aspect and I didn't enjoy it as much. It just seemed like the love story was forced and really, the book would have been better without it. I was also disappointed by the fact that it only featured one character from the previous novel. Nonetheless, I did still love the concept and will definitely be reading the final book in the series!
January 16, 2012
I said it before in my review of Nightfall and I’ll say it again. The world in this series is awesome. It is gritty and intense, and the setting is so easy to picture. The descriptions don’t overwhelm the narrative, but the author paints an extremely clear picture of the world three years after it all went to hell.
After losing Angela in the last book, Chris just couldn’t stay. He’s been on the move almost constantly for the last three years. A professional wanderer, you might say. He won’t let himself grow roots only to eventually see them ripped away, and he fears that is inevitable in this new world. He’s very different from the guy we first met in Nightfall. He’s become hardened, but not so much that he’s unable to connect with Rosa. Before he seemed very Beta. While he still has some shades of that, he has a much more forceful personality now. He is confident and self assured, but has no urge to take control of the situation and lead. He is content to be the follower and Rosa the leader. For the most part, at least. ;)
Rosa was quite unexpected. Given her position, the author walked a fine line between making Rosa too hard to sympathize with and too weak to be believable. I think she hit the mark dead on. She was compassionate and loved the life she had built, but she knew that she had to rule with an iron fist to maintain power. The first sign of weakness and she would have been eaten alive.
One of the big things I was surprised about was Rosa’s take on the Change. Most people bitterly regretted losing the life they had led and the people they had known, but not her. As she said…
I like how we got to see a community of people struggling to carve out their spot in this crazy new world. They had their customs and beliefs, and although some of them might seem silly to an outsider, they gave them a sense of community and belonging that they desperately needed. Chris managed to walk into this community and sidestep many of the requirements of the community members. His skills as a doctor are needed enough to convince Rosa to ignore her gut feeling that he will be trouble. She’s frustrated by Chris’s ability to stand to the side of rest of her bravos. It’s not that he doesn’t respect her rule, it’s just that she can’t keep him off balance with her ‘Madonna/whore’ act. She’s forced to look at him as a man and is bewildered to find that she is attracted to him despite herself.
I loved most everything about this book, but I had a few irritants that I was not able to easily brush aside. Mostly it centered on Rosa and her refusal to bend in certain cases. I had no problem with her occasional hardness and her desire to keep her relationship with Chris a secret. She was leader after all, and she was walking a tightrope to keep from being challenged for her position. Plus, she was a good judge of her people and their motivations, so if she said it was necessary, I was willing to go with it. That doesn’t mean I didn’t cheer when Chris refused to accept less than he deserved, though. I understood her fears and the reasons she felt that way, but I was frustrated by her inability to see Chris’s side. That, combined with her bigotry and her behavior toward the end, made her a little harder to take. I still liked them together, but you might say that I lost my rose colored glasses in relation to her.
I’m really excited to see where the author will take us in the next book. I can’t wait to see how much time will have passed and how far the survivors will have progressed. I have high expectations and hope I end up enjoying it as much as I did this one.
Favorite Quote:
*Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen*
After losing Angela in the last book, Chris just couldn’t stay. He’s been on the move almost constantly for the last three years. A professional wanderer, you might say. He won’t let himself grow roots only to eventually see them ripped away, and he fears that is inevitable in this new world. He’s very different from the guy we first met in Nightfall. He’s become hardened, but not so much that he’s unable to connect with Rosa. Before he seemed very Beta. While he still has some shades of that, he has a much more forceful personality now. He is confident and self assured, but has no urge to take control of the situation and lead. He is content to be the follower and Rosa the leader. For the most part, at least. ;)
Rosa was quite unexpected. Given her position, the author walked a fine line between making Rosa too hard to sympathize with and too weak to be believable. I think she hit the mark dead on. She was compassionate and loved the life she had built, but she knew that she had to rule with an iron fist to maintain power. The first sign of weakness and she would have been eaten alive.
One of the big things I was surprised about was Rosa’s take on the Change. Most people bitterly regretted losing the life they had led and the people they had known, but not her. As she said…
How fucking sad—the end of the world had improved her life.I was actually really pleased that she was cast this way. One of the things I loved seeing in the last book was how people from different walks of life reacted to the same event. That’s really emphasized here given the fact that Rosa was worse off in her BC (Before Change) life. This catastrophic event actually gave her a chance to pull herself up and take control of her life. Money, opportunity, education…it didn’t matter anymore. Now you survived on strength of will and determination. That’s what makes Rosa so impressive. Not only did she survive, but she created a whole community of survivors. They lived pretty well when you consider the rest of the people out there.
I like how we got to see a community of people struggling to carve out their spot in this crazy new world. They had their customs and beliefs, and although some of them might seem silly to an outsider, they gave them a sense of community and belonging that they desperately needed. Chris managed to walk into this community and sidestep many of the requirements of the community members. His skills as a doctor are needed enough to convince Rosa to ignore her gut feeling that he will be trouble. She’s frustrated by Chris’s ability to stand to the side of rest of her bravos. It’s not that he doesn’t respect her rule, it’s just that she can’t keep him off balance with her ‘Madonna/whore’ act. She’s forced to look at him as a man and is bewildered to find that she is attracted to him despite herself.
I loved most everything about this book, but I had a few irritants that I was not able to easily brush aside. Mostly it centered on Rosa and her refusal to bend in certain cases. I had no problem with her occasional hardness and her desire to keep her relationship with Chris a secret. She was leader after all, and she was walking a tightrope to keep from being challenged for her position. Plus, she was a good judge of her people and their motivations, so if she said it was necessary, I was willing to go with it. That doesn’t mean I didn’t cheer when Chris refused to accept less than he deserved, though. I understood her fears and the reasons she felt that way, but I was frustrated by her inability to see Chris’s side. That, combined with her bigotry and her behavior toward the end, made her a little harder to take. I still liked them together, but you might say that I lost my rose colored glasses in relation to her.
I’m really excited to see where the author will take us in the next book. I can’t wait to see how much time will have passed and how far the survivors will have progressed. I have high expectations and hope I end up enjoying it as much as I did this one.
Favorite Quote:
Chris wondered if she could feel the intimacy of what was happening. Ex was just a human tool, the means to do Rosa's bidding. Every stab of the needle into Chris's skin was her command, her claim over him.
*Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen*
December 1, 2011
★★★½✩ Geez. Another 3½ star read out of the fascinating author-duo. I thought for a while it was going to make a full 4 stars, because I absolutely could not stick with the “buddy read” schedule (in fact, I failed abysmally **hangs head in shame** and finished early). There is something here in the making of this post-Apocalyptic world series that keeps me turning the pages
compulsively
and rapidly, making me want to repeat myself from my review of book #1, Nightfall: it is the best 3 star read of the year and for that I’ll kick it up another ½ star.
The few problems I had were with Chris, Our Hero; his character from the first book has been completely over-hauled. I was looking forward to all that ‘geekadeliciousness’ and, instead, he is a new person. Granted, he’s been through a lot in the last five years, but still. It wasn’t that I minded his becoming a kick-ass warrior, but some of his personality changes made me say, “Shut the front door!” out loud. Still, the old-Chris popped up every now and then.
Also, I waxed and waned on liking Our Heroine, Rosa. She put me off and pulled me close, much like she did to Chris. Is she hard, is she soft? Is she Madonna or whore? She did make me ask myself if a female dictatorship was better than a democracy in a world that has gone all to hell ー when some people are too freaked out to think humanely. But then, she revealed a lack of that characteristic herself… so, nah.
All this is not going to stop me from reading the next in the Dark Age Dawning series: Daybreak. It comes out in December, 2012!
The few problems I had were with Chris, Our Hero; his character from the first book has been completely over-hauled. I was looking forward to all that ‘geekadeliciousness’ and, instead, he is a new person. Granted, he’s been through a lot in the last five years, but still. It wasn’t that I minded his becoming a kick-ass warrior, but some of his personality changes made me say, “Shut the front door!” out loud. Still, the old-Chris popped up every now and then.
Also, I waxed and waned on liking Our Heroine, Rosa. She put me off and pulled me close, much like she did to Chris. Is she hard, is she soft? Is she Madonna or whore? She did make me ask myself if a female dictatorship was better than a democracy in a world that has gone all to hell ー when some people are too freaked out to think humanely. But then, she revealed a lack of that characteristic herself… so, nah.
All this is not going to stop me from reading the next in the Dark Age Dawning series: Daybreak. It comes out in December, 2012!
April 26, 2013
This is one of those times I really with Goodreads would allow half-star ratings. For me, this is not quite a 3 but definitely a little more than a 2. I'm rounding down mainly because for me, there was just more about this story I didn't like than I did.
Midnight picks up several years after Nightfall and the collapse of the world as we know it. Chris has left his friends and makeshift family and set out on his own, not really able to deal with having lost Angela (his significant other) in the last book. I admit Chris wasn't one of my favorite characters in Nightfall, but I was willing to give him a shot. People change. Chris definitely did - going from a somewhat soft zoologist who doesn't want to believe what has happened to the world to a hardened Wanderer (what people are called who travel from settlement to settlement) who has seen things and experienced things he never thought he would. I ended up liking him quite a bit. He's not afraid of the unknown anymore because that's all there is. He's lean, rock hard and doesn't take any sh*t off those he encounters. It's during his latest trek that he stumbles upon Rosa's community and band of Bravos.
I disliked Rosa for the same reason so many other reviewers loved her. She has carved out a territory for herself, taken in other stragglers and rules with an iron fist. Her and her Bravos (group of men who fight for her and the community) have created a self-contained small village which she oversees as La Jefa. She makes the rules, she decides who stays or goes, she doles out punishment for rule infractions. She's a hard woman who knows her rule is tenuous and dependent upon keeping everyone in line. Reasons are given WHY she is so hard, and she does have an underscore of vulnerability, but for me it was too much. I love a kick-ass heroine but there's a fine line between strength and capability, and hard-nosed pride and prejudice. When Chris clues her in to some facts about skinwalkers that could literally save her community and lives, she gets angry at him instead of listening and taking into account that maybe she doesn't know everything about everything.
This is well written and the world-building is fascinating, but it's not quite romantic enough for me to classify this as a romance. Urban Fantasy or Paranormal, definitely Apocalyptic. For me Rosa took away my enjoyment of the story. I didn't "get" Chris's attraction to her. Honestly I was more interested in two side couples in Rosa's community, Tilly and Jameson and Ex and Allison, than I was Chris and Rosa. I also didn't cater to one plot point with Chris that I found to be convenient but disappointing. I wish the author had handled this differently.
I'm not saying don't read this, but it's not MY favorite entry in this series. It can be read as a standalone, as it doesn't require reading the first book to understand what's going on. I am looking forward to the next book and getting back to the original cast of this series. I wanted to like this but it just didn't work for me. 2.25 stars
Midnight picks up several years after Nightfall and the collapse of the world as we know it. Chris has left his friends and makeshift family and set out on his own, not really able to deal with having lost Angela (his significant other) in the last book. I admit Chris wasn't one of my favorite characters in Nightfall, but I was willing to give him a shot. People change. Chris definitely did - going from a somewhat soft zoologist who doesn't want to believe what has happened to the world to a hardened Wanderer (what people are called who travel from settlement to settlement) who has seen things and experienced things he never thought he would. I ended up liking him quite a bit. He's not afraid of the unknown anymore because that's all there is. He's lean, rock hard and doesn't take any sh*t off those he encounters. It's during his latest trek that he stumbles upon Rosa's community and band of Bravos.
I disliked Rosa for the same reason so many other reviewers loved her. She has carved out a territory for herself, taken in other stragglers and rules with an iron fist. Her and her Bravos (group of men who fight for her and the community) have created a self-contained small village which she oversees as La Jefa. She makes the rules, she decides who stays or goes, she doles out punishment for rule infractions. She's a hard woman who knows her rule is tenuous and dependent upon keeping everyone in line. Reasons are given WHY she is so hard, and she does have an underscore of vulnerability, but for me it was too much. I love a kick-ass heroine but there's a fine line between strength and capability, and hard-nosed pride and prejudice. When Chris clues her in to some facts about skinwalkers that could literally save her community and lives, she gets angry at him instead of listening and taking into account that maybe she doesn't know everything about everything.
This is well written and the world-building is fascinating, but it's not quite romantic enough for me to classify this as a romance. Urban Fantasy or Paranormal, definitely Apocalyptic. For me Rosa took away my enjoyment of the story. I didn't "get" Chris's attraction to her. Honestly I was more interested in two side couples in Rosa's community, Tilly and Jameson and Ex and Allison, than I was Chris and Rosa. I also didn't cater to one plot point with Chris that I found to be convenient but disappointing. I wish the author had handled this differently.
I'm not saying don't read this, but it's not MY favorite entry in this series. It can be read as a standalone, as it doesn't require reading the first book to understand what's going on. I am looking forward to the next book and getting back to the original cast of this series. I wanted to like this but it just didn't work for me. 2.25 stars
March 24, 2018
3.5 stars
November 4, 2011
I really enjoyed the first book in this trilogy and although I was sad that the second book wouldn’t feature the same main characters, I was hopeful that I would enjoy it just the same. I was worried about Doctor Chris being the hero. I didn’t find him to be that interesting in the first book and I was concerned that he wouldn’t be able to hold up the storyline like Mason was in Nightfall. I was so very, very wrong about Chris. While during book one, he wasn’t that memorable, in Midnight he was awesome. The years that he spend wondering on his own in between stories made him grittier and harder and much more of the strong hero type that you expect to see in a post-apocalyptic book…or any romance really.
While Chris exceeded my expectations, it was Rosa the heroine that I was a tad underwhelmed by. She wasn’t unbelievable, but I just never really warmed up to her. Even when she sorta melted a little and became less of a crazy, military survivalist and more of a woman, I still didn’t really get the decisions she made and the thoughts that went through her head. She really wasn’t always that bright and it made me angry. But in the end, I enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the third and final book in the trilogy, although I’m even less sure about Tru carrying a book then I was about Chris, but then Tru was only 16 the last time we saw him.
While Chris exceeded my expectations, it was Rosa the heroine that I was a tad underwhelmed by. She wasn’t unbelievable, but I just never really warmed up to her. Even when she sorta melted a little and became less of a crazy, military survivalist and more of a woman, I still didn’t really get the decisions she made and the thoughts that went through her head. She really wasn’t always that bright and it made me angry. But in the end, I enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the third and final book in the trilogy, although I’m even less sure about Tru carrying a book then I was about Chris, but then Tru was only 16 the last time we saw him.
could-not-finish
February 23, 2016I just could not finish this book. I read to page 201 and then just sat on my bed wondering why I couldn't get into the plot. I know real life is even slower than what takes place in books, but this book seemed to drag for me. I even started skimming and then jumping whole sections. Not fair for the author or for a review. So perhaps I'll come back to this again and love it. It's happened before!
September 27, 2011
I was pretty disappointed in Midnight, especially in comparison to how much I loved the first book in the series, Nightfall.
Rosa (la jefa) is a former prostitute turned alpha bitch who has formed a community in the midst of the chaos that has now become the United States. Along comes Chris, the former scientist geek turned super studded ass kicker. When Chris stumbles upon Rosa and her village of bravos he is completely enamored with this organized civilization which was created solely with Rosa's blood, sweat and tears.
I love the premise of this series. I am a huge fan of dystopian-post apocalyptic type books. And when you toss in the romance, two people who fall in love when the world is falling apart around them, I'm in. Normally. Because of the set up for Chris's character with the first book I was expecting and hoping for something completely different than was delivered. All though Chris has been through a lot, and I understand the hard plains to his personality, I just couldn't buy into the total character change. I barely recognized him. This seriously to me mine as well have been about a completely new hero who never appeared in the first book.
La jefa, Rosa, was just not a likable heroine. She was too hard for my preferred reading tastes. The femininity just wasn't there. And though I completely respect the strong willed, strong bodied female, being strong does not mean one has to be a bitch. Because of Rosa's too hard edges I felt the relationship between Chris and la jefa was just luke warm and I couldn't buy into the chemistry that these two were supposed to have created. All though I didn't really recognize him from the previous book, I thought the new, hard, alpha Chris deserved a better heroine.
Despite my feelings toward Midnight I will definitely still be reading the next book. I only hope that I can still recognize Tru and Penny as the characters I grew to really care about in Nightfall.
Rosa (la jefa) is a former prostitute turned alpha bitch who has formed a community in the midst of the chaos that has now become the United States. Along comes Chris, the former scientist geek turned super studded ass kicker. When Chris stumbles upon Rosa and her village of bravos he is completely enamored with this organized civilization which was created solely with Rosa's blood, sweat and tears.
I love the premise of this series. I am a huge fan of dystopian-post apocalyptic type books. And when you toss in the romance, two people who fall in love when the world is falling apart around them, I'm in. Normally. Because of the set up for Chris's character with the first book I was expecting and hoping for something completely different than was delivered. All though Chris has been through a lot, and I understand the hard plains to his personality, I just couldn't buy into the total character change. I barely recognized him. This seriously to me mine as well have been about a completely new hero who never appeared in the first book.
La jefa, Rosa, was just not a likable heroine. She was too hard for my preferred reading tastes. The femininity just wasn't there. And though I completely respect the strong willed, strong bodied female, being strong does not mean one has to be a bitch. Because of Rosa's too hard edges I felt the relationship between Chris and la jefa was just luke warm and I couldn't buy into the chemistry that these two were supposed to have created. All though I didn't really recognize him from the previous book, I thought the new, hard, alpha Chris deserved a better heroine.
Despite my feelings toward Midnight I will definitely still be reading the next book. I only hope that I can still recognize Tru and Penny as the characters I grew to really care about in Nightfall.
September 30, 2011
This is mainly the story of Rosa, a woman who had worse life and prospects in the Before Change world than in the After Change. She has built a miracle, a community where people respect each other, and share food, commodities, medicines, work...
I didn’t care much for the first part of the book, although it kept me turning the pages. I couldn’t understand how Rosa got all that men following her orders. Yes she found the place and she is a really good fighter, but so are other men. I would have loved to be explained in a believable way how this community was build and how she earned the place. I felt that her role in the community was a little sick (the virgin/whore routine). I also found quite far-fetched picturing her as a priestess in ceremonies. Rosa’s past could explain her fighter soul, her hard attitude towards life, her prejudice towards skinwalkers, but not her abilities as a priestess or a leader. Chris, on the other hand, was the paradigm of a bland character during the first book. Now, he has hardened after years of wandering alone in the new post-apocalyptic world, but keeps a part of softness in him (kind of schyzo for my taste, but better drawn than Rosa’s character). They fall in love... just because. I must tell you that almost all of the couples in Valle el bravo seemed more interesting than the leading one (Jameson and Tillie, Ex and Allyson, Rio and Brick’s sister).
Said this, it was kind a wonder to me when I felt truly glued to the book the second part of the book. This instalment is better than the first one, mainly because there is a lot of action that has to do with humans, skin walkers, prejudice, and not stupid rotten-evil-dogs. So, in spite of all, it has been an entertaining reading, and I will read the last installment.
I didn’t care much for the first part of the book, although it kept me turning the pages. I couldn’t understand how Rosa got all that men following her orders. Yes she found the place and she is a really good fighter, but so are other men. I would have loved to be explained in a believable way how this community was build and how she earned the place. I felt that her role in the community was a little sick (the virgin/whore routine). I also found quite far-fetched picturing her as a priestess in ceremonies. Rosa’s past could explain her fighter soul, her hard attitude towards life, her prejudice towards skinwalkers, but not her abilities as a priestess or a leader. Chris, on the other hand, was the paradigm of a bland character during the first book. Now, he has hardened after years of wandering alone in the new post-apocalyptic world, but keeps a part of softness in him (kind of schyzo for my taste, but better drawn than Rosa’s character). They fall in love... just because. I must tell you that almost all of the couples in Valle el bravo seemed more interesting than the leading one (Jameson and Tillie, Ex and Allyson, Rio and Brick’s sister).
Said this, it was kind a wonder to me when I felt truly glued to the book the second part of the book. This instalment is better than the first one, mainly because there is a lot of action that has to do with humans, skin walkers, prejudice, and not stupid rotten-evil-dogs. So, in spite of all, it has been an entertaining reading, and I will read the last installment.
July 20, 2019
3.25 stars
September 13, 2011
If you’re looking for a cute, sweet or fun romance, this ain’t it kids. Midnight is a no holds barred, tension-filled, action packed, gritty post-apocalyptic romance where the world has changed beyond all recognition. Immediately you are brought into a world where survival is paramount, the characters are compelling, the action is riveting and the stakes are even higher.
Rosa Cortez is an amazing Alpha heroine with the unenviable position of balancing power while keeping it. Her strength and courage are only matched by her tenacity, and her tenacity is borne from the love she has for the people she protects and their chance to not only survive but to thrive in a world gone mad. It’s a chance at a new beginning for everyone, including herself.
Chris Welsh was once a beta man who out of necessity has become an alpha man, allowing him to be a hero who can stand beside the woman he loves while giving her the support she needs to lead her people.
The beauty and delicacy with which the words and phrases are combined to describe the harsh and ugly world and actions of the characters are what amazed me most about this book. The prose immediately gives us a clear understanding of the beauty, cruelty, severity, simplicity and complexity of this world and its characters. In one of Chris’ first encounters with Rosa his feelings are simply described but allow us to know so much about him: “He’d been alone and wandering for more than three years. So much space, almost all of it deserted. The number of times he’d touched and held another living being was so small. Rock was rock. The air was air. He felt more in common with the elements than with these people. The draw of coming back into their fold was undeniable. And terrifying.” Each word is like a pebble dropped into a still lake rippling out and forever changing the landscape.
Midnight is the second book in the Dark Age Dawning series and can definitely be read alone. I loved the first book Nightfall, but I think Midnight is a stronger book. The immediacy of the action and the uniqueness of the hero and heroine are not only exciting but compelling. The language pops and the action electrifies. And through it all the romance is interwoven and vital.
This is a series that has taken hold of my imagination and won’t let go and is definitely a recommended read.
(If your interested the original review was posted on B&N's Heart to Heart blog http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t...)
Rosa Cortez is an amazing Alpha heroine with the unenviable position of balancing power while keeping it. Her strength and courage are only matched by her tenacity, and her tenacity is borne from the love she has for the people she protects and their chance to not only survive but to thrive in a world gone mad. It’s a chance at a new beginning for everyone, including herself.
Chris Welsh was once a beta man who out of necessity has become an alpha man, allowing him to be a hero who can stand beside the woman he loves while giving her the support she needs to lead her people.
The beauty and delicacy with which the words and phrases are combined to describe the harsh and ugly world and actions of the characters are what amazed me most about this book. The prose immediately gives us a clear understanding of the beauty, cruelty, severity, simplicity and complexity of this world and its characters. In one of Chris’ first encounters with Rosa his feelings are simply described but allow us to know so much about him: “He’d been alone and wandering for more than three years. So much space, almost all of it deserted. The number of times he’d touched and held another living being was so small. Rock was rock. The air was air. He felt more in common with the elements than with these people. The draw of coming back into their fold was undeniable. And terrifying.” Each word is like a pebble dropped into a still lake rippling out and forever changing the landscape.
Midnight is the second book in the Dark Age Dawning series and can definitely be read alone. I loved the first book Nightfall, but I think Midnight is a stronger book. The immediacy of the action and the uniqueness of the hero and heroine are not only exciting but compelling. The language pops and the action electrifies. And through it all the romance is interwoven and vital.
This is a series that has taken hold of my imagination and won’t let go and is definitely a recommended read.
(If your interested the original review was posted on B&N's Heart to Heart blog http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t...)
October 13, 2011
Dark Age Dawning is such an interesting series. It is set in a post-apocalyptical world than has been changed due to an unknown magical force. The people have changed. Not all can still claim to be human. I love the gritty darkness of the world. Midnight picks up several years after Nightfall. Life has drastically changed, no one has come to save the day and humans, changed or otherwise are just trying to survive.
Dr. Chris Welsh is not the same scientist that readers were introduced to in Nightfall. The Change has hardened him. He has grown accustomed to being a lone drifter. He has seen some horrific tragedies since the Change and they have changed him. One of his changes is what leads him to Valle de Bravo.
Rosa Cortex is a self-described warlord. She’s dragged herself up from the bottom of life. She expects to worst out of everyone around her and trusts no one. She expects her team of bravos to follow her orders, give her their allegiance, and keep their settlement safe and prosperous.
Rosa’s settlement is starting to experience some turmoil. They are experiencing raids more and more often. The men far outnumber the women. The woman leader gives all the orders and does not allow any of her bravos to stand/rule beside her. She knew the moment she saw Chris that he would cause trouble. This is the first functioning and organized settlement Chris has seen since the Change. His scientists mind has him curious. He wants to stay on and understand its workings. He also wants to get know Rosa.
Chris and Rosa worked well as a couple for me. They have both experienced great loss due to the Change. The Change has drastically changed who they were from just five short years ago. Rosa is an extremely difficult woman. At times it was hard for me to like her as a character. I think Chris provides a balance that she was previously missing. He doesn’t set out to change her, but he shows her that there is still some good in this horrifically changed world.
The Spanish word usage and slang terms got on my nerves. Some of the Spanish I was able to figure out just by the context of the sentence. I did have to Google some of the words. Spanish is the heroine’s first language and the setting is also a southwestern desert town, so the language usage goes with the story. I don’t speak any Spanish and having to look up some words slowed down my reading. This is a great book and I wanted to find out more about the story and its characters.
Dr. Chris Welsh is not the same scientist that readers were introduced to in Nightfall. The Change has hardened him. He has grown accustomed to being a lone drifter. He has seen some horrific tragedies since the Change and they have changed him. One of his changes is what leads him to Valle de Bravo.
Rosa Cortex is a self-described warlord. She’s dragged herself up from the bottom of life. She expects to worst out of everyone around her and trusts no one. She expects her team of bravos to follow her orders, give her their allegiance, and keep their settlement safe and prosperous.
Rosa’s settlement is starting to experience some turmoil. They are experiencing raids more and more often. The men far outnumber the women. The woman leader gives all the orders and does not allow any of her bravos to stand/rule beside her. She knew the moment she saw Chris that he would cause trouble. This is the first functioning and organized settlement Chris has seen since the Change. His scientists mind has him curious. He wants to stay on and understand its workings. He also wants to get know Rosa.
Chris and Rosa worked well as a couple for me. They have both experienced great loss due to the Change. The Change has drastically changed who they were from just five short years ago. Rosa is an extremely difficult woman. At times it was hard for me to like her as a character. I think Chris provides a balance that she was previously missing. He doesn’t set out to change her, but he shows her that there is still some good in this horrifically changed world.
The Spanish word usage and slang terms got on my nerves. Some of the Spanish I was able to figure out just by the context of the sentence. I did have to Google some of the words. Spanish is the heroine’s first language and the setting is also a southwestern desert town, so the language usage goes with the story. I don’t speak any Spanish and having to look up some words slowed down my reading. This is a great book and I wanted to find out more about the story and its characters.
February 28, 2012
4.5 stars
'Midnight' is the second 'Dark Age Dawning' novel from writing duo Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty. Under the pen name Ellen Connor, they have crafted a disturbing dystopia in which the world as we know it has succumbed to a nightmarish apocalypse where reason, common sense and technology no longer reign. In its wake, the too few survivors have been left trying to eke their way in the resulting Dark Age where reliance on instinct is a necessity and unknown magical forces rule the day.
While the underlying theme in 'Nightfall' (IMO) was the struggle of the characters to hold onto their humanity while the world around them disintegrated, I would say that the main theme of 'Midnight' was overcoming bigotry and acceptance of those who are different. About 5 years has passed since the events in 'Nightfall' and an emotionally scarred and distant Chris Welsh has been wandering the desolate wilderness since leaving Mason and Jenna. By chance he comes across a small town on the edge of the desert where the resident leader is a tough woman, Rosa, who rules with an iron fist to protect the meager citizens. While Rosa, and the town, eagerly welcome newcomers, they are understandably wary of skinwalkers - or those who for unknown reasons can now shift into individual animal forms. Trust is slow to come for both sides, but eventually the town becomes his home to help protect and he and Rosa build a relationship. When the town is threatened by dust pirates, the relationship is put to the test and Rosa in particular has to put aside her prejudice in order to save not only the town but what she's built with Chris.
My one nitpick with this book (and I think it was the same with 'Nightfall') was the disjointed way time transitioned. At certain points weeks passed from one paragraph to the next with no real explanation for what happened in between and because of this I had a difficult time in some spots trying to figure out when in the story I was. Nevertheless, I'm really enjoying this trilogy and am anxious to read about how things fare with Penny and Ty in 'Daybreak'!
'Midnight' is the second 'Dark Age Dawning' novel from writing duo Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty. Under the pen name Ellen Connor, they have crafted a disturbing dystopia in which the world as we know it has succumbed to a nightmarish apocalypse where reason, common sense and technology no longer reign. In its wake, the too few survivors have been left trying to eke their way in the resulting Dark Age where reliance on instinct is a necessity and unknown magical forces rule the day.
While the underlying theme in 'Nightfall' (IMO) was the struggle of the characters to hold onto their humanity while the world around them disintegrated, I would say that the main theme of 'Midnight' was overcoming bigotry and acceptance of those who are different. About 5 years has passed since the events in 'Nightfall' and an emotionally scarred and distant Chris Welsh has been wandering the desolate wilderness since leaving Mason and Jenna. By chance he comes across a small town on the edge of the desert where the resident leader is a tough woman, Rosa, who rules with an iron fist to protect the meager citizens. While Rosa, and the town, eagerly welcome newcomers, they are understandably wary of skinwalkers - or those who for unknown reasons can now shift into individual animal forms. Trust is slow to come for both sides, but eventually the town becomes his home to help protect and he and Rosa build a relationship. When the town is threatened by dust pirates, the relationship is put to the test and Rosa in particular has to put aside her prejudice in order to save not only the town but what she's built with Chris.
My one nitpick with this book (and I think it was the same with 'Nightfall') was the disjointed way time transitioned. At certain points weeks passed from one paragraph to the next with no real explanation for what happened in between and because of this I had a difficult time in some spots trying to figure out when in the story I was. Nevertheless, I'm really enjoying this trilogy and am anxious to read about how things fare with Penny and Ty in 'Daybreak'!
September 15, 2011
This book is pure awesomeness!
I already loved book 1, Nightfall, but Midnight is even better. I absolutely love the setting and world building. The Connor duo (Carrie Lofty & Ann Aguirre) sure know how to create an exciting, gritty and thrilling post apocalyptic world. I could talk for hours about the setting alone which is so immensely inspiring it made me really want to start writing my own post apocalyptic story. (Can you tell I have a weak spot for post apocalyptic settings ;-) )
The romance was intense and I loved Rosa and Chris.
Rosa is a really strong, kick-ass heroine, but with a vulnerability that she keeps hidden deep inside and which made her very loveable. I will confess I liked Chris much more in this book than in Nightfall. He sure did some growing up, so to speak. There are several really cool other characters as well and it's a shame none of them will (probably) show up in the last book in this trilogy (Daybreak) as I really would have loved to read more about some of them.
The action storyline was really cool as well and I liked how the Connor duo didn't fall back on the same dangers that were present in Nightfall, but instead created new dangers, which kept the story exciting and unique while it still is a perfect sequel to Nightfall.
I can honestly say this book will go on my favourites shelf and will be reread often. I'm already looking forward to the last book in this trilogy: Daybreak, which will be released in December.
I already loved book 1, Nightfall, but Midnight is even better. I absolutely love the setting and world building. The Connor duo (Carrie Lofty & Ann Aguirre) sure know how to create an exciting, gritty and thrilling post apocalyptic world. I could talk for hours about the setting alone which is so immensely inspiring it made me really want to start writing my own post apocalyptic story. (Can you tell I have a weak spot for post apocalyptic settings ;-) )
The romance was intense and I loved Rosa and Chris.
Rosa is a really strong, kick-ass heroine, but with a vulnerability that she keeps hidden deep inside and which made her very loveable. I will confess I liked Chris much more in this book than in Nightfall. He sure did some growing up, so to speak. There are several really cool other characters as well and it's a shame none of them will (probably) show up in the last book in this trilogy (Daybreak) as I really would have loved to read more about some of them.
The action storyline was really cool as well and I liked how the Connor duo didn't fall back on the same dangers that were present in Nightfall, but instead created new dangers, which kept the story exciting and unique while it still is a perfect sequel to Nightfall.
I can honestly say this book will go on my favourites shelf and will be reread often. I'm already looking forward to the last book in this trilogy: Daybreak, which will be released in December.
November 24, 2011
3.5 stars Second book in series. Reads more like a Western than a post-apocalyptic story. I enjoyed it but wasn't spellbound like I was with the first book. I missed the paranormal/horror element which is only a factor in the last few pages of this story. And I had trouble believing that Rosa could lead/control all the Bravos. However the romance was really good this time around.
October 12, 2011
Originally posted at WickedLilPixie Reviews
Midnight is the second book in the Dark Age Dawning series by the writing duo that comprises Ellen Connor. Ellen Connor is made of Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty. Their pen name comes from two (of my personal favorite) SF characters: Ellen Ripley from Aliens and Sarah Connor of The Terminator. Midnight is quite a different story from Nightfall as we get a peak in to what life has become post-Change for a new group of survivors. We get a glimpse inside the inner-workings of a group of survivors who have created their own society amidst all the despair and desolation, and they are led by one tough woman. Rosa Cortez has taken all the hardships of her life pre-Change and has built Valle de Bravo, a town of predominantly male soldiers who follow her law.
"She didn’t mind being considered a warlord. Fear was good for business."
Rosa is the heroine I would want to be if I were in this post-apocalyptic world Ellen Connor has created. She is very in your face, she has to be. Because of this, it might be challenging at first to connect with her, but I grew to love her. As her pre-Change experiences are revealed I got a good feel for what all she has been through, all she had to pull together to survive, and I understood her motivations. She made sense to me, and I envied her for being so tough and able to command so much respect from her soldiers. I got mad at her several times with the decisions she made, but that only made her moments of clarity pack that much more of a punch.
"For most people, the Change meant the end of all bright, beautiful things. But it had saved her."
Taking place 3 years since we last saw Dr. Chris Welsh, he has been on his own traveling for all these years, running from what he could not emotionally handle. The experience of rugged survival has toughened him up considerably. Back in the day, he did not have any real life survival skills, but out on his own he has built quite a bit of character. His new-found charisma and strength combined with his education and smarts made him way more appealing, especially since his temperament was exactly the right balance to Rosa’s bravado. They had fantastic chemistry and the relationship that blossomed was just as sweetly tender as it was passionate.
"His heart hammering, Chris framed her face in his hands, looking for the truth. He found it. Eyes the color of teak were wide and suspiciously bright. Whatever Rosa Cortez could give a man, she was offering it to him."
The thing that I enjoyed the most about this book, aside from the romance, was seeing how Rosa was able to pull people together to create a small working community. The immediate monsters this time are not the horrifying and gross hell dogs, they are the dust pirates, the survivors who have no scruples with taking what they want by force. They travel together and completely lack a line they’re not afraid to cross. There is a clear absence of humanity among these men, which is frightening in itself, but once Valle de Bravo rescues a group of females from slavery, we find out just what “monsters” some of the survivors have become.
I find this trilogy so entertaining because it gives you a story of when the Change first begins to affect the United States in Nightfall. Now with Midnight, we get to see how humans have adapted to post-Change short-term. And next in Daybreak, we’ll skip ahead to twelve years post-Change to see what life might be like longer-term. Wrapped sweetly in to each of these are a very sultry and sizzling HEA. This series has my definite seal of approval, and you need to check it out.
The Dark Age Dawning Trilogy:
Nightfall
Midnight
Daybreak – 12/6/2011
Midnight is the second book in the Dark Age Dawning series by the writing duo that comprises Ellen Connor. Ellen Connor is made of Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty. Their pen name comes from two (of my personal favorite) SF characters: Ellen Ripley from Aliens and Sarah Connor of The Terminator. Midnight is quite a different story from Nightfall as we get a peak in to what life has become post-Change for a new group of survivors. We get a glimpse inside the inner-workings of a group of survivors who have created their own society amidst all the despair and desolation, and they are led by one tough woman. Rosa Cortez has taken all the hardships of her life pre-Change and has built Valle de Bravo, a town of predominantly male soldiers who follow her law.
"She didn’t mind being considered a warlord. Fear was good for business."
Rosa is the heroine I would want to be if I were in this post-apocalyptic world Ellen Connor has created. She is very in your face, she has to be. Because of this, it might be challenging at first to connect with her, but I grew to love her. As her pre-Change experiences are revealed I got a good feel for what all she has been through, all she had to pull together to survive, and I understood her motivations. She made sense to me, and I envied her for being so tough and able to command so much respect from her soldiers. I got mad at her several times with the decisions she made, but that only made her moments of clarity pack that much more of a punch.
"For most people, the Change meant the end of all bright, beautiful things. But it had saved her."
Taking place 3 years since we last saw Dr. Chris Welsh, he has been on his own traveling for all these years, running from what he could not emotionally handle. The experience of rugged survival has toughened him up considerably. Back in the day, he did not have any real life survival skills, but out on his own he has built quite a bit of character. His new-found charisma and strength combined with his education and smarts made him way more appealing, especially since his temperament was exactly the right balance to Rosa’s bravado. They had fantastic chemistry and the relationship that blossomed was just as sweetly tender as it was passionate.
"His heart hammering, Chris framed her face in his hands, looking for the truth. He found it. Eyes the color of teak were wide and suspiciously bright. Whatever Rosa Cortez could give a man, she was offering it to him."
The thing that I enjoyed the most about this book, aside from the romance, was seeing how Rosa was able to pull people together to create a small working community. The immediate monsters this time are not the horrifying and gross hell dogs, they are the dust pirates, the survivors who have no scruples with taking what they want by force. They travel together and completely lack a line they’re not afraid to cross. There is a clear absence of humanity among these men, which is frightening in itself, but once Valle de Bravo rescues a group of females from slavery, we find out just what “monsters” some of the survivors have become.
I find this trilogy so entertaining because it gives you a story of when the Change first begins to affect the United States in Nightfall. Now with Midnight, we get to see how humans have adapted to post-Change short-term. And next in Daybreak, we’ll skip ahead to twelve years post-Change to see what life might be like longer-term. Wrapped sweetly in to each of these are a very sultry and sizzling HEA. This series has my definite seal of approval, and you need to check it out.
The Dark Age Dawning Trilogy:
Nightfall
Midnight
Daybreak – 12/6/2011
September 4, 2011
Midnight by Ellen Connor
Paranormal Romance – Sept. 6th, 2011
4 stars
Midnight is the second in the Dark Age Dawning series. It is an exciting apocalyptic romance that reminded me of the movie Mad Max. The world the author has created is untamed and so are the fearless characters. I thought this series would follow the characters from the first book but it actually only includes one of the characters from a prior book and does not need to be read in order.
Rosa is trying to keep her small community thriving. But after the Change, the world has become a barren wasteland. When a handsome and mysterious stranger named Chris arrives, she has a feeling that he is hiding something. But even worse, an outside gang is intent on taking over her town and have been attacking the community. Rosa is proud of her home and her role as leader or ‘jefa’ but even her second in command seems to want more power than she is willing to give. Beset on all sides, will having the stranger Chris in the community cause more harm than aid? She does not trust his willingness to accept shifters who are dangerous and killed her brother.
Chris is running away. He no longer cares about his life and drifts from place to place. When he finds Valle de Bravo, he is curious and attracted to the fiery leader Rosa. But he senses this small oasis will not last long with the violence that surrounds it. However, he still decides to stay for the comfort of lodging and food. Soon he finds himself becoming alarmingly attracted to Rosa and wanting her, but can he trust her with his darkest secrets?
If I hadn’t known that Ann Aguirre was the author of series, I would definitely like it. But knowing she wrote it made it fall a bit short. The writing and characters are solid but it lacks the complexity of her Grimspace series. This series is definitely less dense and a lighter read. I would say this is in between her other books written under Ava Gray, which are more heavily romance. I definitely liked this book better than the first book, Nightfall. It was exciting to read the infighting within the community and the attacks from the outside gang. Everyone seems somewhat suspicious. The romance between the two main characters was convincing, and I really liked how the hero wants to assert himself but respects Rosa and doesn’t try to control her or take over her leadership role. The heroine was particularly strong and clever and I liked that she had the guts to lead but still was feminine.
Ultimately this story is about hope and humanity’s resilience to survive. The paranormal elements were more peripheral as the small community tries to sustain itself. Definitely for those who enjoy movies like Terminator or the futuristic, post-apocalyptic genre.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Paranormal Romance – Sept. 6th, 2011
4 stars
Midnight is the second in the Dark Age Dawning series. It is an exciting apocalyptic romance that reminded me of the movie Mad Max. The world the author has created is untamed and so are the fearless characters. I thought this series would follow the characters from the first book but it actually only includes one of the characters from a prior book and does not need to be read in order.
Rosa is trying to keep her small community thriving. But after the Change, the world has become a barren wasteland. When a handsome and mysterious stranger named Chris arrives, she has a feeling that he is hiding something. But even worse, an outside gang is intent on taking over her town and have been attacking the community. Rosa is proud of her home and her role as leader or ‘jefa’ but even her second in command seems to want more power than she is willing to give. Beset on all sides, will having the stranger Chris in the community cause more harm than aid? She does not trust his willingness to accept shifters who are dangerous and killed her brother.
Chris is running away. He no longer cares about his life and drifts from place to place. When he finds Valle de Bravo, he is curious and attracted to the fiery leader Rosa. But he senses this small oasis will not last long with the violence that surrounds it. However, he still decides to stay for the comfort of lodging and food. Soon he finds himself becoming alarmingly attracted to Rosa and wanting her, but can he trust her with his darkest secrets?
If I hadn’t known that Ann Aguirre was the author of series, I would definitely like it. But knowing she wrote it made it fall a bit short. The writing and characters are solid but it lacks the complexity of her Grimspace series. This series is definitely less dense and a lighter read. I would say this is in between her other books written under Ava Gray, which are more heavily romance. I definitely liked this book better than the first book, Nightfall. It was exciting to read the infighting within the community and the attacks from the outside gang. Everyone seems somewhat suspicious. The romance between the two main characters was convincing, and I really liked how the hero wants to assert himself but respects Rosa and doesn’t try to control her or take over her leadership role. The heroine was particularly strong and clever and I liked that she had the guts to lead but still was feminine.
Ultimately this story is about hope and humanity’s resilience to survive. The paranormal elements were more peripheral as the small community tries to sustain itself. Definitely for those who enjoy movies like Terminator or the futuristic, post-apocalyptic genre.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
September 23, 2011
OMG!!!This book totally rules!!”Midnight” by Ellen Connor is the second book in the Dark Age Dawning series and it’s AMAZING!!!
This dystopian / post-apocalyptic / paranormal romance book is what I call a “full book” because it has it all: action, romance and a lot of OMG moments! I absolutely loved the first of the series but this one is a very different level!
The story takes us some years after the Change and it’s the story of Chris (we met him in the first book) and Rosa.
Rosa is the leader of a community that tries to survive. Too many men and a few women have to become a team and survive against the odds. She is brave and strong and a great leader. Every man obeys her and they respect her. She is a survivor in life. Before the Change she has become a whore so she and brother can survive. Her brother is dead now and this town is her home. Although she’s strong and respected, there are some men that want her place of her in their beds. But she prefers to be alone than to give her position. Not from ambition but from love for the town.
Chris, after the events in the first book, is on his own. He’s also a survivor and he drifts from place to place. When he meets Rosa and learn about the town he’s curious about all that’s happening. But most of all, he’s curious about Rosa. He’s a logical and very caring man.
There is a weird connection between them and their relationship isn’t something easy. Especially Rosa, has to change some of her beliefs in order to be with him.
An absolutely great read that make me think what people would do in a post-apocalyptic world! I loved it!!
This dystopian / post-apocalyptic / paranormal romance book is what I call a “full book” because it has it all: action, romance and a lot of OMG moments! I absolutely loved the first of the series but this one is a very different level!
The story takes us some years after the Change and it’s the story of Chris (we met him in the first book) and Rosa.
Rosa is the leader of a community that tries to survive. Too many men and a few women have to become a team and survive against the odds. She is brave and strong and a great leader. Every man obeys her and they respect her. She is a survivor in life. Before the Change she has become a whore so she and brother can survive. Her brother is dead now and this town is her home. Although she’s strong and respected, there are some men that want her place of her in their beds. But she prefers to be alone than to give her position. Not from ambition but from love for the town.
Chris, after the events in the first book, is on his own. He’s also a survivor and he drifts from place to place. When he meets Rosa and learn about the town he’s curious about all that’s happening. But most of all, he’s curious about Rosa. He’s a logical and very caring man.
There is a weird connection between them and their relationship isn’t something easy. Especially Rosa, has to change some of her beliefs in order to be with him.
An absolutely great read that make me think what people would do in a post-apocalyptic world! I loved it!!
September 21, 2011
awesome. didn't enjoy it as much as the first one, though. mostly because did not enjoy meeting and getting to know our heroine. she's got some intense back-story, for sure. but i was put off by her personality.
hero, who we had met previously, sure had changed. was hard to solidify him in this book as he differed so greatly in both tone and attitude from our first meeting.
all in, the world building carried this book for me. such a great premise - society as we know it is dunzo. but our brave heroine has begun creating a new safe town (village is probably a better word.... club house...?) with the rules required.
anyway - if you've read the earlier books, highly recommend. if you haven't, i'd wait until you have before hitting this one. don't need to per se, it can be a stand alone. but i think the earlier books do a better job explaining what's happening outside the walls of the new village-y place.
hero, who we had met previously, sure had changed. was hard to solidify him in this book as he differed so greatly in both tone and attitude from our first meeting.
all in, the world building carried this book for me. such a great premise - society as we know it is dunzo. but our brave heroine has begun creating a new safe town (village is probably a better word.... club house...?) with the rules required.
anyway - if you've read the earlier books, highly recommend. if you haven't, i'd wait until you have before hitting this one. don't need to per se, it can be a stand alone. but i think the earlier books do a better job explaining what's happening outside the walls of the new village-y place.
March 1, 2012
Possibly my favorite of the series, Midnight is about Dr. Chris Welsh, who we met in the first book, Nightfall, and Rosa Cortez, who runs a settlement, Valle de Bravo, that is a remarkable place of peace amidst the turmoil brought on by the Change.
Rosa has built this haven with her strength of will and holds it together by the force of her character. She knows how precarious that foundation is and can't afford to have that security rocked for herself or the people who have come to rely on her. Chris's stumbling onto their community has the power to change all that.
Chris and Rosa are beautifully written and the world and supporting characters very real and fascinating. While violence and terror are as much a part of life here as breathing, moments of joy and celebration have their place also.
So, so well done, Ms. Connor (Carrie Lofty and Ann Aguirre)!
(5/2011)
Rosa has built this haven with her strength of will and holds it together by the force of her character. She knows how precarious that foundation is and can't afford to have that security rocked for herself or the people who have come to rely on her. Chris's stumbling onto their community has the power to change all that.
Chris and Rosa are beautifully written and the world and supporting characters very real and fascinating. While violence and terror are as much a part of life here as breathing, moments of joy and celebration have their place also.
So, so well done, Ms. Connor (Carrie Lofty and Ann Aguirre)!
(5/2011)
September 15, 2011
I really struggled giving this one a three or four stars. I loved the theme ( can I get a woo woo for post apocalyptic themes) but I just couldn't connect with the main female lead 'la jefe' aka Rosa. I kept envisioning this character from HBO's Capadocia, who ran a gang inside the prison and was super crazy. Moving on, I really liked the first book in this series and although I was hoping for this one to have more of the scary creatures and a female lead I could connect with I still say this is worth your time and I'll be buying the next one (pinky swear).
January 14, 2014
Really love this series. The first book was great, but I adored this one even more. I like the deeply damaged heroine and how tough-but-also-brittle she is, and the journey she takes. Loved that Chris was confident enough in his masculinity that he could sit back and wait for Rosa to take the steps she needed to. Also, Valle de Bravo and its people were fantastic. Every character became real and I liked how the potential antagonist was fleshed out enough that he became a bit of a hero at the end. Can't wait for the next one.
Read
January 5, 2012This didn't grab me so I am moving it off to the finish later maybe pile...
February 9, 2012
I liked this read better than Nightfall. All of the characters in this book made sense to me, and I liked that it centered on a character we already knew.
November 13, 2012
Unfortunately this didn't come even close to the first book in the series. I really liked Chris, but Rosa was just a big pain in the but.
June 13, 2016
3.5 stars.
January 4, 2023
Wow. The next book in this trilogy takes place over three years after the ending of the first one and we meet Dr. Chris in his new, hardened state of existence. He meets his match and they fall in love at the same time as trying to keep "la jefa's" community together and thriving.
Again I loved the story, the world was more fleshed out and we see some signs of issues that arose in the "old" world such as bigotry and hatred.
Again though, sometimes the story was jarred by the insistence of the heavy romance and sex, but still this one I think was my favorite of the trilogy. Rosa was THE Queen, damaged as she was, but her community, Valle de Bravo, was a thing of beauty and hope in such a dark and twisted world. This book somewhat reminded me of a couple of the communities in the TV version of The Walking Dead, before they were destroyed (both actually and metaphorically) of course!
And I loved the ending where Rosa realized and admitted that she didn't need
Again I loved the story, the world was more fleshed out and we see some signs of issues that arose in the "old" world such as bigotry and hatred.
Again though, sometimes the story was jarred by the insistence of the heavy romance and sex, but still this one I think was my favorite of the trilogy. Rosa was THE Queen, damaged as she was, but her community, Valle de Bravo, was a thing of beauty and hope in such a dark and twisted world. This book somewhat reminded me of a couple of the communities in the TV version of The Walking Dead, before they were destroyed (both actually and metaphorically) of course!
And I loved the ending where Rosa realized and admitted that she didn't need
July 19, 2017
This wasn't bad but I liked the first book better. I was interested in the change that has begun to happen to humans and how it expanded from the first book.
September 17, 2017
Loved it!!!!!!.Now on to book #3 in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews