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A Stroke of Midnight  By  cover art

A Stroke of Midnight

By: Laurell K. Hamilton
Narrated by: Laural Merlington
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Publisher's summary

"I am Meredith Gentry, P.I., solving cases in Los Angeles, far from the peril and deception of my real home - because I am also Princess Meredith, heir to the darkest throne faerie has to offer.

"The Unseelie Court infuses me with its power. But at what price does such magic come? How much of my human side will I have to give up, and how much of the sinister side of faerie will I have to embrace? To sit on a throne that has ruled through bloodshed and violence for centuries, I might have to become that which I dread the most.

"Enemies watch my every move. My cousin Cel strives to have me killed even now from his prison cell. But not all the assassination attempts are his. Some Unseelie nobles have waited centuries for my aunt Andais, Queen of Air and Darkness, to become weak enough that she might be toppled from her throne. Enemies unforeseen move against us - enemies who would murder the least among us.

"The threat will drive us to allow human police into faerie for the first time in our history. I need my allies now more than ever, especially since fate will lead me into the arm of Mistral, Master of Storms, the queen's new captain of her guard. Our passion will reawaken powers long forgotten among the warriors of the sidhe. Pain and pleasure await me - and danger, as well, for some at that court seek only death.

"I will find new joys with the butterfly-winged demi-fey. My guards and I will show all of faerie that violence and sex are as popular among the sidhe as they are among the lesser fey of our court. The Darkness will weep, and Frost will comfort him. The gentlest of my guards will find new strength and break my heart. Passions undreamed of await us - and my enemies gather, for the future of both courts of faerie begins to unravel."

Explicit Language Warning: You must be 18 years or older to purchase.

Fairie tales: listen to another Meredith Gentry fantasy.
©2005 Laurell K. Hamilton (P)2005 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"Laural Merlington...brings the characters to sensuous life." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about A Stroke of Midnight

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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Performance
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Politics, Sexuality & Beauty

With sexuality that would make even Anne Rice blush by comparison, political intrigue comparable to Frank Herbert and prose of true beauty, Laurell has achieved something unique.
In addition to these achievements, Laural Merlington narrates this work so exceptionally that I literally forgot that this was not a full cast narration. She achieves unique voices for each of the characters in such a way the listener never looses track who is speaking. It's a rare skill.
Making this book an exceptional masterpiece for both its prose and its narration.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Narrator messy up the series

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I have read the previous 3 books and it feels like this one was just a filler...

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator has not been consistent with the names of the characters in these last 2 books and it's frustrating to hear. I just don't understand why the different pronunciations are being allowed. It throws the reader off.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Book is good. Person reading audiobook Horrible

All the male voices sound the same and they sound like robots. The pronunciation of names don't match the pronunciation from the 1st audiobook in the series.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Story didn't get very far

A lot of time spent on Merry having sex to give other's back their powers. Not much time spent on solving crime or getting Merry back onto the throne

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

erotic and awsome

this book is awsome not just for the sex scens but the depth that you her from the sene. although their seems like she craves the power offered she doesnt take it. the godess give her power allows her to do wonderful things but mary does not take the criedit.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Proper pronunciations!

Everyone needs to realize that the names were mispronounced in the FIRST two books and the narrator corrected that going forward. There's a whole pronunciation section in the book itself and the narrator does a fantastic job of following with what the author deemed is correct.

I don't really know why I'm so fond of this series but I am!! The sex can get repetitive but I really like all the fae politics and that's the part that keeps me hooked.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Erotic, detailed sex, interesting re-read.

What did you like best about A Stroke of Midnight? What did you like least?

I like the inventive and lovely descriptions of Faerie. What I like least about the book is the repetitive passages the author uses to describe the same characters especially the males over and over in the same book.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It's fine. Of course, it is a cliffhanger but not so bad as when you were waiting for the next book to be released.

Would you be willing to try another one of Laural Merlington’s performances?

Maybe. However, Ms. Merlington changes the pronunciation of the names from book one through this fourth book. It is frustrating. Also, not sure how the production of an audiobook works, but the ending of each chapter and the beginning of the next one is almost instantaneous. It is very off putting.

Was A Stroke of Midnight worth the listening time?

I am not sure. I was really looking forward to the audio version, but I think I will read the print version for the next 4 books.

Any additional comments?

The series is worth trying if you like detailed sex scenes and fun characters. I am glad that these are titles I have read before.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

not too impressed ...I quit after 2 hours.

I've listened to the first three books and found them fun and fascinating. For some reason this book could not hold my interest. In this book, Merry is trying to solve the murder or a reporter and Beatrice, a lesser fae. The entire book takes place in one day and seemed to drag. Not worth a credit.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

cant wait to download another one......

it is so easy to do this too....

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another Amazing Novel!

I have enjoyed reading and listening to Laurell K Hamilton books for 18 yrs now. I enjoy both the Merry Gentry series and the Anita Blake and her newest series A Terrible Fall of Angels. I can’t wait for the next release in each one of these series!!!

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