That's What I'm Talking About

My Rating: 3.5 stars: Liked it - recommend (B+)
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of the book from the author.

I’m going to put this out there - I adore the Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian. Ms. Adrian has created a world with a unique vampire mythology filled with exciting action, intricate storylines, and passionate romance. If you haven’t started this series, I highly recommend you pick up the first book, Kiss of Midnight, and get to know the males of the Breed Order.

With that said, The Midnight Breed Series Companion is NOT for newcomers to Ms. Adrian’s series. It contains a wonderful introspection of the first ten novels, and therefore, contains numerous spoilers for anyone that has not yet read the first ten books.

For series fans... This is a MUST buy. The Companion is an excellent go to guide for fans! Ms. Adrian does a marvelous job breaking down her initial series thoughts, and added a number of details now that she is eleven books in (she did cover a little of what happens in the eleventh book, Edge of Dawn.) I loved reading her preliminary write up of the mythology. The book by book synopsis section was a great look back. I didn’t realize how much I’d forgotten. After the synopsis of each book, Ms. Adrian treats us with a new novella featuring Order techie, Gideon, and his Breedmate, Savannah.

A Touch of Midnight
A Midnight Breed Prequel novella
Boston, MA, October 1974. Savannah is an art history major at Boston University where she is working on an extra credit project helping to log and analyze a recent donation. Savannah hides her ability to see an object's history when she touches it. In a back room she discovers a sword, and when she accidentally touches it, she witnesses a valiant warrior. Then she sees the deaths of two small boys at the hands of a monster. 

Gideon works with the Breed Order, attempting to eliminate all Rogues from existence after his two young brothers were murdered by rogues long ago. 

Like most of the other Breeds in the Order, Gideon does not meet his Breedmate-to-be in a calm, safe setting. Because of what she has seen via her ESP talent, Savannah is targeted by a powerful Breed bent on destroying Gideon. The peril forces a quick lesson in the paranormal for Savannah and opens the doors for a speedy courtship.

At times I felt the romance was rushed, and even a little creepy in one scene when Gideon is overcome with lust as Savannah is freaking out. But this is a novella and things need to move quickly. If I didn’t know the pair from reading the full series, I may have let this be a factor, but I adore this couple, so I let it slide.

Overall, even though the "I love you's" came fast, and I was a little bummed that Gideon needed to lie to Savannah for a while, I understand the need for speed in the shorter-length setting. It's a novella, and it was entertaining to get their backstory. The novella itself is a well-written story. In the end, it made me happy and I enjoyed it.

Rating for the novella: 3.5 stars: Liked it - recommend (B+)

After the novella was a VERY DETAILED character list. Again, it is a great reference tool for fans of series... And I will use it when reading books and trying to recall who someone is! I felt like I was  looking at an old yearbook - fun to reminisce.

Next came the reader/fan submitted questions, which are entertaining. I had the surprise pleasure of seeing a question that I submitted in the Companion! I enjoyed all of the questions submitted, both those for Lara and those for her characters. 

Following the questions was a trivia section. I read through some of the trivia, but the questions were hard (I have horrible memory), so I didn't actually test myself. 

Overall, I enjoyed The Midnight Breed Series Companion, and it is a terrific read for fans of the Midnight Breed series. It's not really for newcomers, and as Ms. Adrian points out in the beginning of the book--it's full of spoilers.

I would rate 3.5, B+ and a fun read for fans of the series. And even if you don't read right away, it's a great resource to have as the series grows.