Kiss of Midnight

The Midnight Breed, Book 1

By: Lara Adrian

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

He watches her from across the crowded dance club, a sensual black-haired stranger who stirs Gabrielle Maxwell's deepest fantasies. But nothing about this night---or this man---is what it seems. For when Gabrielle witnesses a murder outside the club, reality shifts into something dark and deadly. In that shattering instant she is thrust into a realm she never knew existed---a realm where vampires stalk the shadows and a blood war is set to ignite. Lucan Thorne despises the violence carried out by his lawless brethren.

A vampire himself, Lucan is a Breed warrior, sworn to protect his kind---and the unwitting humans existing alongside them---from the mounting threat of the Rogues. Lucan cannot risk binding himself to a mortal woman, but when Gabrielle is targeted by his enemies, he has no choice but to bring her into the dark underworld he commands. Here, in the arms of the Breed's formidable leader, Gabrielle will confront an extraordinary destiny of danger, seduction, and the darkest pleasures of all.

©2007 Lara Adrian (P)2010 Tantor

there's better

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would only recommend this to a friend whom LOVES paranormal romance and suspense but has already completely finished J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brother Hood series and Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series. This is more to hold you off until you find something better. Like eating a hershey's bar when really you want chocolate cake.

Has Kiss of Midnight turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not At All...I feel those who aren't used to this genre the new take on Vampire origins is intriguing and can make one interested to find even more untraditional outlooks on the legend of a creature that is as old as the character's age.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Hillary Huber?

Hmmm...hard to say...I wasn't completely disappointed by her. I liked her variations on different accents, she did that very well, but I wish the main male character hadn't sounded so angry all the time...he sounded pissed off even when he wasn't supposed to be.

Was Kiss of Midnight worth the listening time?

I guess so...I go through stages with my audio books. When picking this novel I hadn't had enough of paranormal romance, but had finished what is available on Audible in the other series I'm tangled up in. Kiss of Midnight did the job, but I am not interested enough to take on this series, just moved on to different genre's now.

Any additional comments?

This novel wasn't bad but it wasn't great. If you are interested in taking on a paranormal romance series I suggest the fore-mentioned or the Sookie Stackhouse novels, werewolf series by Patricia Briggs, or Blood Ties series by Jennifer Armintrout. Now those are series you can "sink" your teeth into!

Hated it

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I just didn't like this book. I saw that this book got good reviews. it just wasn't for me. I think that people that are into the paranormal books might like it.

Has Kiss of Midnight turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not at all. I love most of these books. I just didn't like the guy.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Hillary Huber?

I don't know.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Irritation

Any additional comments?

None.

I read the first BDB book...

Any additional comments?

And I'm so glad I didn't like it so I don't have to compare EVERY vampire book with that series, like they do on the Amazon reviews. That being said, this had a very good storyline but it was just too wordy for me. 434 pages and 11 hours and 26 minutes was a little much (I listen as I read along) so I thought I'd give it a try. This book had a LOT of dialogue, which I love. But it seemed to just go on and on with so much BS that wasn't even necessary. The Vampire King (The King series) was just over 200 pages and I liked that series a great deal, and I don't feel as if I missed anything, because it was such a short book, except dialogue, not much of that.

However, I liked Lucan and Gabrielle, their sexual encounters were great. I liked Nikolai, Tegan, Dante, Rio and Gideon, a really great group of guys. Because I found this one too wordy the others in this series will probably be to so I doubt I'll read them. Sorry..

The narrator did fine.

The "Breed" concept is different from other's

Lara Adrian is a detailed writer which is a must for me. The characters and story is interesting and flows nicely, keeping your interest. Being a "book series" fan anyway, I enjoy getting to know the worth while characters and these are just that.

Hillary Huber does a good job at narrating this book. In my opinion, her voice fits the mood and characters of the book.

Great read

Felt like it was starting slow but quickly got into the juicy story. Book did not disappoint in action and passion.

Like BDB but better

The series is similar to the Black Dagger Brotherhood but not as intense. Adrian has kept a good balance between fantasy and romance in these books which, in my opinion, makes them more engaging then the BDB series. Enough romance to keep me caring about Lucan and Gabrielle's story, but enough action to keep their story interesting.

Great Story

Loved Gabby and Lucan together. Loved how she broke down his walls and stood strong for her man. Can't wait to see how this series bring Lucan and Maverick back together...as complete enemies or a brotherly bond that can be mended.

Very Good Story

Would you listen to Kiss of Midnight again? Why?

I read this book a number of years ago and enjoyed it and the others in the series very much. Since I drive around 3 to 4 hours a day going to and from work I love listening to audio books to make the drive more pleasant. I really enjoyed this story but found the narrator's voice just a bit too monotone. It took me awhile to get used to it and eventually the different characters fell into place as it began to sound more natural as the book she progressed.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kiss of Midnight?

I enjoyed the way the characters interact. The connection between the main charactes and how the dynamics of their relationship changed over the course of the story. The realization of their feelings when they were facing off against the cruel Gen 1 leader was very good.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

It took me awhile to get used to her voice. At the beginning it was very bland, very blah almost as if she was one of those narrators in a documentary who try to keep everything on a even keel. As the story progressed you could sense a change in the tone, more emotion, showing here and there and it got better. I would have really enjoyed hearing much more feeling in the characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not really. I enjoyed it in the hour and a half, two hour sessions but I think with the voice I would have become bored and tuned out if I had tried to listen to it all at once.

Any additional comments?

The series is good and I would recommend it to anyone wanting a great story with interesting characters and plot line. I intend to get the rest in audio books as finances permit.

AWESOME!

I always ♥ Lara Adrian's books! This is the 3rd time I read this one!

🌻It’s been years since I listened to this series!

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻V from Kansas 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

I listened to the first books, in this series, years ago and I’ve got to remark that the books get better, as the series progressed. This book started a bit slow and had a few corney moments but, I stilled enjoyed it. If I were to assign a grade for this book, it would have to be a C+. However, if this is the first time that a listener will be experiencing this series, hang in there. Each book gets better, and it’s not long before they become A+ novels.

The narration was good, Hillary Huber is one of the few female narrators that can perform a male voice convincingly.

I also had forgotten the mating ceremony that the title of this book refers to. I think it is a beautiful ritual and the later books no longer perform it.

Is this credit worthy? Since I know how good this series gets, as it progresses, I say yes! Be a bit patient, you’ll be glad you were!