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Den of Shadows #4
Midnight Predator
The Barnes & Noble Review
Move over, Buffy, there's a new vampire slayer in town. Ready to take on one of the most legendary and brutal vampires to ever walk the earth, Turquoise Draka is the gutsy hunter in goth author Amelia Atwater-Rhodes's action-packed fourth novel, Midnight Predator.
Move over, Buffy, there's a new vampire slayer in town. Ready to take on one of the most legendary and brutal vampires to ever walk the earth, Turquoise Draka is the gutsy hunter in goth author Amelia Atwater-Rhodes's action-packed fourth novel, Midnight Predator.
An up-and-coming star mercenary in a world of shadowy creatures and naive humans, Turquoise has been offered the task of eliminating a bloodthirsty vampiress named Jeshickah. As a bounty hunter, Turquoise is ready to accept any challenge for the right price, especially when Ravyn -- her competition for the leadership of an important Bruja guild -- is given the same offer. To accomplish the job, Turquoise and Ravyn must do something unheard of: enter Midnight, a treacherous domain where vampires rule over human slaves, and act as servants until one of them can finish the job. When the two are sold into Midnight, Turquoise is given to the realm's protective master, Jaguar. But while Turquoise moves closer to him and looks for the right time to complete her assignment, she unexpectedly comes face-to-face with a horrific part of her past -- Lord Daryl, an evil vampire who killed her family and was once her master. Now, as Turquoise faces the dark creatures before her, she must deal with the ghosts in her own mind and make a decision that could change her life.
With a fast-paced plot and strong characters, Atwater-Rhodes serves up another delicious novel for her fans. Turquoise is a rocking heroine who isn't afraid to stick up for herself, and the book's wicked characters keep us on the edge of our seats with their surprise appearances. Readers will savor the emotional connection between Turquoise and Jaguar, and although we're left begging to know what happens next, there's a feeling that this isn't the last we've read of them. (Matt Warner)
248 pages, Hardcover
First published May 14, 2002
51 people are currently reading
2623 people want to read
About the author
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
35 books3,432 followersI grew up in Concord, Massachusetts, where I matriculated through the public Concord-Carlisle school district from kindergarten until my graduation in 2001. The best part of school, from fifth grade until the year I graduated, was definitely chorus. I love music, and I love to sing, and though I never had the courage or the talent to participate in any of the high school plays as a performer, I enjoyed being involved at other levels; the music and drama community at CCHS was the highlight of my high school career. I was also on the fencing team for two years, an experience that actually inspired a couple storylines, and regret that I did not continue with that sport.
I now live in Massachusetts with several pets... as well as, of course, my family. I am a student at the University of Massachusetts, with an English/psychology double-major. I hope to work either as an English teacher at the secondary level, or in special education. I have strong opinions about literacy, education, and how our educational systems are treated- strong enough that most of my friends know not to get me started on the subject.
My non-writing hobbies are eclectic, and cover everything from rather domestic pastimes like cross-stitch and cooking to aquarium keeping, playing piano, gardening, carpentry, Harley-Davidsons, driving, and arguing- there are few things I enjoy more than a good debate with someone who knows how to argue, which might have something to do with a best friend who works in politics. I love to learn, so if I have down-time and nothing to do, it is not at all unusual to find me pouring over some book, website or video designed to teach me some new skill, from belly dancing (something I desperately want to learn but have not yet been brave enough to sign up for classes on) to JavaScript.
I now live in Massachusetts with several pets... as well as, of course, my family. I am a student at the University of Massachusetts, with an English/psychology double-major. I hope to work either as an English teacher at the secondary level, or in special education. I have strong opinions about literacy, education, and how our educational systems are treated- strong enough that most of my friends know not to get me started on the subject.
My non-writing hobbies are eclectic, and cover everything from rather domestic pastimes like cross-stitch and cooking to aquarium keeping, playing piano, gardening, carpentry, Harley-Davidsons, driving, and arguing- there are few things I enjoy more than a good debate with someone who knows how to argue, which might have something to do with a best friend who works in politics. I love to learn, so if I have down-time and nothing to do, it is not at all unusual to find me pouring over some book, website or video designed to teach me some new skill, from belly dancing (something I desperately want to learn but have not yet been brave enough to sign up for classes on) to JavaScript.
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June 29, 2013
Though it was close, I didn’t enjoy Midnight Predator quite as much as it’s three predecessors. Before I get to properly reviewing the book, there is one complaint I just have to get out of the way, before anything else. Turquoise?! Who names their bloody main character Turquoise? It’s just… just no. I much preferred her original name, Catherine, or even her fake name Audra (though even that sounds like it belongs to a Daedric Lord in Oblivion…). Personally I think that “Turquoise” should have been called Ravyn, like her nemesis, and her nemesis should have got the crappy name. Turquoise? *shakes head sadly*. What a failure. Anyway, moving on – everything else in this book was far, far better than that awful name, so I eventually let the name faux pas pass and focused on the main story of the book.
The rather Hunger Games-like beginning – the duel for leadership in an arena – drew me in from the moment I started reading. Turquoise Draka and Ravyn are fighting for the leadership of the Crimson, one of the three sections of the Bruja organisation. Which, as far as I can tell, are assassins and hunters, targeting both the natural and the super-natural. Turquoise (God I hate that name) and Ravyn’s fight is declared a draw, and Ravyn gets to choose what they fight with a month from now. And she chooses the whip, which is apparently the only weapon Turquoise isn’t all that great at using. In the intervening period before their next duel, Turquoise and Ravyn decide to relax, kick back and prepare… oh, no wait. They’re going to just casually tootle off and try and take down the most hard-core slave driving vampire they could find; Jeshickah. (Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is another good name. Why, why did Amelia’s awesome-name-making skills choose to desert her when naming the main character of this book? No, it’s okay, I’m over it, really, I am…).
Relatively soon into the book we meet Nathaniel, the vampire who is going to help Turquoise and Ravyn get into the slave complex Midnight that is run by Jeshickah. Again I have to mention the brilliance of the title – how Midnight Predator alludes to so many things… the slave complex, Turquoise being a predator within Midnight, or possibly Jaguar was the Midnight Predator. Whatever. It sounds cool. I’m moving on. Nathaniel is the vampire who originally rescued Catherine (Turquoise) from Midnight and Lord Daryl’s clutches in the first place. He’s a strange character – I like his attitude, and he doesn’t seem to care for a lot of things, but it’s also clear that he really cares for Turquoise. But mainly he was just an awesome character because he was like the vampiric equivalent of a bad-ass smuggler – one of those guys who can basically get on the cell phone and very coolly get you anything you need. Like I said. Awesome. Nathaniel decides that the best (or only way) to get the two girls into Midnight is by selling them as slave girls – Catherine/Turquoise now under the name of Audra.
Now, this is probably just my personal opinion, but I really think Jeshickah and Dominique Vida from Shattered Mirror should get together and form a “Cold-As-Ice Bitch Club”. But meh, maybe that’s just me. Jeshickah seems rather more slick as a villain than the coldly furious Dominique, but you have to wonder why she cares so much about Midnight. When you can see that all Midnight really is… well, it’s her own little kingdom, with humans for slaves – humans that she and her trainers enjoy breaking while she gets to lord it over everyone else. So yes, Jeshickah is a seriously scary “woman”, but she’s also rather petty – at least that’s how I saw her anyway.
The greatest – and most pleasant – surprise in Midnight Predator was Jaguar. He was utterly intriguing, and my mind had a fine time trying to puzzle him out. He seemed to be, well, nice, compared to everyone else in Midnight at least, but it only took Jeshickah or someone equally unpleasant for him to become as cold as ice, painfully competent, and very intimidating. But the moment he had me won over was when he played in his private courtyard with his beautiful jaguars. It was such a beautiful moment, especially when he let his guard down long enough to snuggle with Audra (or Turquoise, or Catherine…). It was simply cute, especially for a vampire capable of what Jaguar is capable of. What I also found intriguing about Jaguar was his past. You know he was a brutal trainer, with the uncanny ability to see and manipulate human nature – and yet something in him inspires trust. Soon enough you find out the source of that trust is the fact that he is ashamed of his past, and one-hundred years with Jeshickah has taught him to reach for something different other than blood and pain and suffering and manipulation. And whatever he reached for, he found it without losing his deadly competence – which to me is what makes him such an alluring character.
There were two other main vampires in Midnight: Gabriel and Daryl. Gabriel… frankly he amused me. Not only was he a vampire holding a name traditionally associated with angels, but he just seemed so completely not bothered about anything. Which was quite amusing, to be honest, because he wasn’t fazed by Jeshickah, nor by Ravyn, but still gave knives to the two assassins to try and help end Jeshickah’s life. Typical vampire, most of the time out for himself – but on the other hand he did offer Audra (no, I’m not going to spell the names out any more) her freedom is she won the duel. And that’s what amused me about this character – is that I think he offered Audra’s freedom not because of any sense of kindness, just because whatever the outcome it would amuse the hell out of him. One thing I would like to know is if Gabriel and Ravyn ever got together, because that was kind of hinted at a bit but never explained. I’d like it if they did, because they certainly suit each other.
Lord Daryl was a first class ass-hole, but even so I wish his and Catherine's history was more fully explained than the brief flashbacks we get given. Those are sad enough - the death of Catherine's family, and the abuse she went through at Daryl's hands. Daryl was an interesting character for me because though he was of course strong compared to humans - and enjoyed the fact - compared to the rest of his vampire trainer counterparts he was relatively weak and incompetent. Which of course made him one of the most dangerous, and an intriguing character. Not enough to want him to stay around... I hated his ass almost immediately, and my hatred only increased throughout the books. The only times I smiled when Daryl was on the page was when Jaguar was busy taking him down a peg (or ten...teehee, I loved that).
I’m glad that after Turquoise escaped Midnight she didn’t go back and lead the Crimson – though that would perhaps have been a less predictable ending. I loved that Nathaniel taught her how to use the whip so that she could win the duel, and I really liked that she connected with Gregory, a friend from her old life, because it allowed the reader – and Turquoise – to see more of the original Catherine inside Turquoise. That isn’t to say I wouldn’t have been mad as hell if Gregory and Catherine/Turquoise had got back together – Catherine had become something extraordinary, and she needed someone extraordinary by her side. In any case, I almost felt like giving Turquoise a high-five when she proved she could win the duel for the leadership of Crimson, gaining her freedom in the process, and then stalking out to leave a humiliated Ravyn to lead the Crimson while she went to take her revenge on Lord Daryl instead.
Though the ending was satisfying , it felt… unfinished. There were too many questions unanswered; what does Turquoise want to do now? Will she become a vampire? Did Jeshickah finally get killed? What happened to Midnight in the end? And most importantly – did Jaguar and Catherine (I’m sorry, at least for this I have to call her Catherine) finally get the chance to be together? I truly hope so, because Jaguar (aside from Nathaniel) was my favourite thing about this book, and it gives me warm fuzzy feelings to think of Jaguar and Catherine together, forever. In any case, as you can see the end was a bit too abrupt, with too many questions un-answered – and if not for the character of Jaguar my frustration at the ending would have dropped Midnight Predator down to four stars.
But, in the end, it was a five star book. Amelia Atwater Rhodes’ writing, as usual, was beautiful and immediately drew me in – though as I previously said her awful name choice almost threw me right back out again. Ugh. But her characters are as always well developed and intriguing, the story fast paced, the plot clever, and the lack of extra details slightly disappointing. But that doesn’t mean that Midnight Predator wasn’t an amazing story – there were just some things that could have made it even better. That being said, I still loved it, for so many reasons, and the fact that I want to know more only attests to that.
For anyone interested in discussing the Den of Shadows series with other people, or in role-playing the Den of Shadows world, here's the link to my group: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1...
Feel free to join! All welcome. :)
The rather Hunger Games-like beginning – the duel for leadership in an arena – drew me in from the moment I started reading. Turquoise Draka and Ravyn are fighting for the leadership of the Crimson, one of the three sections of the Bruja organisation. Which, as far as I can tell, are assassins and hunters, targeting both the natural and the super-natural. Turquoise (God I hate that name) and Ravyn’s fight is declared a draw, and Ravyn gets to choose what they fight with a month from now. And she chooses the whip, which is apparently the only weapon Turquoise isn’t all that great at using. In the intervening period before their next duel, Turquoise and Ravyn decide to relax, kick back and prepare… oh, no wait. They’re going to just casually tootle off and try and take down the most hard-core slave driving vampire they could find; Jeshickah. (Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is another good name. Why, why did Amelia’s awesome-name-making skills choose to desert her when naming the main character of this book? No, it’s okay, I’m over it, really, I am…).
Relatively soon into the book we meet Nathaniel, the vampire who is going to help Turquoise and Ravyn get into the slave complex Midnight that is run by Jeshickah. Again I have to mention the brilliance of the title – how Midnight Predator alludes to so many things… the slave complex, Turquoise being a predator within Midnight, or possibly Jaguar was the Midnight Predator. Whatever. It sounds cool. I’m moving on. Nathaniel is the vampire who originally rescued Catherine (Turquoise) from Midnight and Lord Daryl’s clutches in the first place. He’s a strange character – I like his attitude, and he doesn’t seem to care for a lot of things, but it’s also clear that he really cares for Turquoise. But mainly he was just an awesome character because he was like the vampiric equivalent of a bad-ass smuggler – one of those guys who can basically get on the cell phone and very coolly get you anything you need. Like I said. Awesome. Nathaniel decides that the best (or only way) to get the two girls into Midnight is by selling them as slave girls – Catherine/Turquoise now under the name of Audra.
Now, this is probably just my personal opinion, but I really think Jeshickah and Dominique Vida from Shattered Mirror should get together and form a “Cold-As-Ice Bitch Club”. But meh, maybe that’s just me. Jeshickah seems rather more slick as a villain than the coldly furious Dominique, but you have to wonder why she cares so much about Midnight. When you can see that all Midnight really is… well, it’s her own little kingdom, with humans for slaves – humans that she and her trainers enjoy breaking while she gets to lord it over everyone else. So yes, Jeshickah is a seriously scary “woman”, but she’s also rather petty – at least that’s how I saw her anyway.
The greatest – and most pleasant – surprise in Midnight Predator was Jaguar. He was utterly intriguing, and my mind had a fine time trying to puzzle him out. He seemed to be, well, nice, compared to everyone else in Midnight at least, but it only took Jeshickah or someone equally unpleasant for him to become as cold as ice, painfully competent, and very intimidating. But the moment he had me won over was when he played in his private courtyard with his beautiful jaguars. It was such a beautiful moment, especially when he let his guard down long enough to snuggle with Audra (or Turquoise, or Catherine…). It was simply cute, especially for a vampire capable of what Jaguar is capable of. What I also found intriguing about Jaguar was his past. You know he was a brutal trainer, with the uncanny ability to see and manipulate human nature – and yet something in him inspires trust. Soon enough you find out the source of that trust is the fact that he is ashamed of his past, and one-hundred years with Jeshickah has taught him to reach for something different other than blood and pain and suffering and manipulation. And whatever he reached for, he found it without losing his deadly competence – which to me is what makes him such an alluring character.
There were two other main vampires in Midnight: Gabriel and Daryl. Gabriel… frankly he amused me. Not only was he a vampire holding a name traditionally associated with angels, but he just seemed so completely not bothered about anything. Which was quite amusing, to be honest, because he wasn’t fazed by Jeshickah, nor by Ravyn, but still gave knives to the two assassins to try and help end Jeshickah’s life. Typical vampire, most of the time out for himself – but on the other hand he did offer Audra (no, I’m not going to spell the names out any more) her freedom is she won the duel. And that’s what amused me about this character – is that I think he offered Audra’s freedom not because of any sense of kindness, just because whatever the outcome it would amuse the hell out of him. One thing I would like to know is if Gabriel and Ravyn ever got together, because that was kind of hinted at a bit but never explained. I’d like it if they did, because they certainly suit each other.
Lord Daryl was a first class ass-hole, but even so I wish his and Catherine's history was more fully explained than the brief flashbacks we get given. Those are sad enough - the death of Catherine's family, and the abuse she went through at Daryl's hands. Daryl was an interesting character for me because though he was of course strong compared to humans - and enjoyed the fact - compared to the rest of his vampire trainer counterparts he was relatively weak and incompetent. Which of course made him one of the most dangerous, and an intriguing character. Not enough to want him to stay around... I hated his ass almost immediately, and my hatred only increased throughout the books. The only times I smiled when Daryl was on the page was when Jaguar was busy taking him down a peg (or ten...teehee, I loved that).
I’m glad that after Turquoise escaped Midnight she didn’t go back and lead the Crimson – though that would perhaps have been a less predictable ending. I loved that Nathaniel taught her how to use the whip so that she could win the duel, and I really liked that she connected with Gregory, a friend from her old life, because it allowed the reader – and Turquoise – to see more of the original Catherine inside Turquoise. That isn’t to say I wouldn’t have been mad as hell if Gregory and Catherine/Turquoise had got back together – Catherine had become something extraordinary, and she needed someone extraordinary by her side. In any case, I almost felt like giving Turquoise a high-five when she proved she could win the duel for the leadership of Crimson, gaining her freedom in the process, and then stalking out to leave a humiliated Ravyn to lead the Crimson while she went to take her revenge on Lord Daryl instead.
Though the ending was satisfying , it felt… unfinished. There were too many questions unanswered; what does Turquoise want to do now? Will she become a vampire? Did Jeshickah finally get killed? What happened to Midnight in the end? And most importantly – did Jaguar and Catherine (I’m sorry, at least for this I have to call her Catherine) finally get the chance to be together? I truly hope so, because Jaguar (aside from Nathaniel) was my favourite thing about this book, and it gives me warm fuzzy feelings to think of Jaguar and Catherine together, forever. In any case, as you can see the end was a bit too abrupt, with too many questions un-answered – and if not for the character of Jaguar my frustration at the ending would have dropped Midnight Predator down to four stars.
But, in the end, it was a five star book. Amelia Atwater Rhodes’ writing, as usual, was beautiful and immediately drew me in – though as I previously said her awful name choice almost threw me right back out again. Ugh. But her characters are as always well developed and intriguing, the story fast paced, the plot clever, and the lack of extra details slightly disappointing. But that doesn’t mean that Midnight Predator wasn’t an amazing story – there were just some things that could have made it even better. That being said, I still loved it, for so many reasons, and the fact that I want to know more only attests to that.
For anyone interested in discussing the Den of Shadows series with other people, or in role-playing the Den of Shadows world, here's the link to my group: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1...
Feel free to join! All welcome. :)
October 23, 2008
I think this was my favorite Atwater-Rhodes book since the first, "In the Forests of the Night." Plenty of vampires, and lots on the complex hierarchy of the vampire world. I liked it (and the others) for its realistic, well-thought-out world. In a way, this one felt like there were several plots or plot threads, many of which didn't feel resolved at the end, but I still enjoyed it.
March 12, 2016
I really enjoyed this, but I wish it was longer! The ending was too short, and could have been drawn out.
December 14, 2012
Midnight Predator
“In this world, there are predators and there are prey; only the former survive.” – Bruja’s Motto, Midnight Predator.
I forgot how much I loved this story. I know I always say that when it comes to Amelia Atwater Rhodes’ stories, but it’s true. Midnight Predator follows Turquoise Draka, a vampire hunter and mercenary that gets hired to kill Jeshikah, a high ranking vampire with no regard for humans. Turquoise pays Nathaniel, a friend and vampire to sell her into slavery at Midnight a club for vampires and their slaves.
I love Turquoise. She’s strong and badass, but she’s also got this soft side that even she doesn’t always understand. She’s got this impenetrable wall around herself and her heart, but somehow Jaguar managed to crack through it and make her trust him, at least to some extent.
One of the many things I love about Turquoise though is that she has a past and we get to see snippets of that past through her flashbacks. I also love how she overcomes her past and faces her fears, something that even she doesn’t think she can do at first.
One of the many things I love about Turquoise though is that she has a past and we get to see snippets of that past through her flashbacks. I also love how she overcomes her past and faces her fears, something that even she doesn’t think she can do at first.
There’s one scene in the courtyard with Turquoise, and Jaguar and his pet that just touches me. I’m not sure what it is about the scene, but just reading how some big bad vampire is tumbling around with this big cat, it’s affectionate and very human of him. I think the reader learns a lot about Jaguar in this scene.
I mentioned my love for Jaguar right? He’s a great character, most of Rhodes’ character’s are. She is incredibly talented and one of the things that makes her stories so great is the fictional world that she creates. Everything is so meticulously planned out and there’s this realism that really makes her stories that much more fun to read.
Rhodes characters always speak to me and this story, like the rest delve into a mystical world that literally pulls you in and takes you for a journey you won’t soon forget.
“In this world, there are predators and there are prey; only the former survive.” – Bruja’s Motto, Midnight Predator.
I forgot how much I loved this story. I know I always say that when it comes to Amelia Atwater Rhodes’ stories, but it’s true. Midnight Predator follows Turquoise Draka, a vampire hunter and mercenary that gets hired to kill Jeshikah, a high ranking vampire with no regard for humans. Turquoise pays Nathaniel, a friend and vampire to sell her into slavery at Midnight a club for vampires and their slaves.
I love Turquoise. She’s strong and badass, but she’s also got this soft side that even she doesn’t always understand. She’s got this impenetrable wall around herself and her heart, but somehow Jaguar managed to crack through it and make her trust him, at least to some extent.
One of the many things I love about Turquoise though is that she has a past and we get to see snippets of that past through her flashbacks. I also love how she overcomes her past and faces her fears, something that even she doesn’t think she can do at first.
One of the many things I love about Turquoise though is that she has a past and we get to see snippets of that past through her flashbacks. I also love how she overcomes her past and faces her fears, something that even she doesn’t think she can do at first.
There’s one scene in the courtyard with Turquoise, and Jaguar and his pet that just touches me. I’m not sure what it is about the scene, but just reading how some big bad vampire is tumbling around with this big cat, it’s affectionate and very human of him. I think the reader learns a lot about Jaguar in this scene.
I mentioned my love for Jaguar right? He’s a great character, most of Rhodes’ character’s are. She is incredibly talented and one of the things that makes her stories so great is the fictional world that she creates. Everything is so meticulously planned out and there’s this realism that really makes her stories that much more fun to read.
Rhodes characters always speak to me and this story, like the rest delve into a mystical world that literally pulls you in and takes you for a journey you won’t soon forget.
October 21, 2009
This series of books was just "eh" to me. I'm actually not sure why it's considered a series as none of them really seem related. The one thing I probably like least about them is that none of them really have "endings".... not bad but entertaining easy reads.
May 9, 2018
My tastes have definitely changed with this one. While I absolutely appreciate the beating down your abusers message, the slave plot line is not my thing at all. Still an enjoyable read, but my least favorite of the quartet (which isn't saying much considering how much I love the series).
August 13, 2024
My favorite part is when she wins a mercenary duel and then takes the bus home.
January 9, 2025
It was written by a 13-year-old. Plot fell through but I enjoyed the world building. It had potential and it's one I'd re-read just for the world they are in - as inspiration.
June 14, 2016
So far, my second least favorite volume of the Den of Shadows series, other than In the Forests of the Night.
The plot wasn't great. It seemed to have an interesting potential theme, but it never really went anywhere with it. It's ending felt inconclusive. Sure, the main plot was resolved, but Turquoise's inner choice wasn't; the book just sort of cut off right after the climax. There were some tense scenes in the book's first half, but they didn't really amount to much.
The characterization, on the other hand, was the best part of the book. They're frustratingly underdeveloped for the first quarter of the book, but after that, it suddenly picks up. In particular, I found Jaguar to be a fascinating character; if only they did anything interesting with him.
On the other side of the quality spectrum, this is the first time that I've left an Atwater-Rhodes book feeling like it was badly written. I mean, she wrote better prose when she was 13, for God's sake! In this book, she often seems to have a fascination with unusual and original metaphors and similes. A small number of them worked for me ("Fate had a twisted sense of humor.") but most of them did not.
Overall, this would be the worst volume of the series if not for In the Forests of the Night. If you're a fan of the series, you might as well try this - fans are pretty divided over which books are the best. However, if you haven't read the series, please start with Shattered Mirror or Demon in my View. Both are much more satisfying reads than this.
The plot wasn't great. It seemed to have an interesting potential theme, but it never really went anywhere with it. It's ending felt inconclusive. Sure, the main plot was resolved, but Turquoise's inner choice wasn't; the book just sort of cut off right after the climax. There were some tense scenes in the book's first half, but they didn't really amount to much.
The characterization, on the other hand, was the best part of the book. They're frustratingly underdeveloped for the first quarter of the book, but after that, it suddenly picks up. In particular, I found Jaguar to be a fascinating character; if only they did anything interesting with him.
On the other side of the quality spectrum, this is the first time that I've left an Atwater-Rhodes book feeling like it was badly written. I mean, she wrote better prose when she was 13, for God's sake! In this book, she often seems to have a fascination with unusual and original metaphors and similes. A small number of them worked for me ("Fate had a twisted sense of humor.") but most of them did not.
Overall, this would be the worst volume of the series if not for In the Forests of the Night. If you're a fan of the series, you might as well try this - fans are pretty divided over which books are the best. However, if you haven't read the series, please start with Shattered Mirror or Demon in my View. Both are much more satisfying reads than this.
September 28, 2024
I am fairly certain Midnight Predator was the first of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes' books I ever read. If not, it's definitely the one that pulled me hook, line, and sinker into Atwater-Rhodes' Nyeusigrube universe. However, rereading it now... all the cringe.
So first, the slavery aspect. I know for a fact that I originally read this as more BDSM-coded than not. I think it is BDSM-coded, but it is definitely more than that. Make no mistake, humans are being bought and sold by vampires in this world. I'm not sure if, timeline-wise, it's gone back to a chattel-style thing, but Jaguar confirms it used to be that way. And the BDSM-coding? It's definitely a twisted version of what BDSM actually is. I think the last time I read a character using BDSM to twist his victims like Jaguar admits to doing in the past (and Jeshikah straight-up threatens to do to Turquoise), the character was a villain. That Jaguar ends up being something of a love-interest... cringe. Definite cringe.
I'm pretty sure Midnight Predator was where I fell in love with the idea of vampire hunters with organizations behind them. This doesn't exactly glamorize the idea, but it definitely planted it in my teenage head.
Turquoise definitely isn't the best representation of healthy coping. It makes sense, in this world, that the trauma she endured and escaped from would result in her chosen profession. But man, girl needs some therapy. She's not the deepest of main characters, either. Went from apparently perfect, upper-middle-class? life to slave to vampire hunter... but she has yet to have any motivations other than that. Even by the end.
So, yeah... Midnight Predator... so far in my Nyeusigrube reread, the cringey-est reread.
So first, the slavery aspect. I know for a fact that I originally read this as more BDSM-coded than not. I think it is BDSM-coded, but it is definitely more than that. Make no mistake, humans are being bought and sold by vampires in this world. I'm not sure if, timeline-wise, it's gone back to a chattel-style thing, but Jaguar confirms it used to be that way. And the BDSM-coding? It's definitely a twisted version of what BDSM actually is. I think the last time I read a character using BDSM to twist his victims like Jaguar admits to doing in the past (and Jeshikah straight-up threatens to do to Turquoise), the character was a villain. That Jaguar ends up being something of a love-interest... cringe. Definite cringe.
I'm pretty sure Midnight Predator was where I fell in love with the idea of vampire hunters with organizations behind them. This doesn't exactly glamorize the idea, but it definitely planted it in my teenage head.
Turquoise definitely isn't the best representation of healthy coping. It makes sense, in this world, that the trauma she endured and escaped from would result in her chosen profession. But man, girl needs some therapy. She's not the deepest of main characters, either. Went from apparently perfect, upper-middle-class? life to slave to vampire hunter... but she has yet to have any motivations other than that. Even by the end.
So, yeah... Midnight Predator... so far in my Nyeusigrube reread, the cringey-est reread.
October 11, 2012
This was definitely better than the previous one in the series, but still not great. It was enjoyable for what it was though. The characters were a little more interesting and complex, though I really would have liked to see the plot fleshed out more, perhaps even made into a series of its own.
I will forever hate the author's penchant for stupid names. In this one, it seemed she was going for a color theme. Our protagonist was named Turquoise, who was fighting to be the leader of Crimson, and her foe was constantly referred to as "the burgundy hunter". I really couldn't take any of it seriously.
And finally, the ending was a little disappointing. This is part of why I think it could use more fleshing out. Sure, part of the problem gets resolved, but then there's the whole entire plot of the book that gets forgotten. It's like "Here's the problem of this story, but oh, we're not even going to address it and instead resolve a problem that was brought up only partway into the book." Honestly, the book is enjoyable as something to read, but it continues to leave much to be desired.
I will forever hate the author's penchant for stupid names. In this one, it seemed she was going for a color theme. Our protagonist was named Turquoise, who was fighting to be the leader of Crimson, and her foe was constantly referred to as "the burgundy hunter". I really couldn't take any of it seriously.
And finally, the ending was a little disappointing. This is part of why I think it could use more fleshing out. Sure, part of the problem gets resolved, but then there's the whole entire plot of the book that gets forgotten. It's like "Here's the problem of this story, but oh, we're not even going to address it and instead resolve a problem that was brought up only partway into the book." Honestly, the book is enjoyable as something to read, but it continues to leave much to be desired.
July 16, 2012
I'd classify Midnight Predator in the "so-so" category. It's basically about a young vampire huntress named Turqoise who was hired by a witch to assassinate a strong and high-ranking vampire. In order to do that, she needs to be absorbed in a secret vampire fortress called Midnight. Honestly, I find the story lacking in creativity and originality. I can't help but think of Buffy the Vampire Slayer whenever I remember this story. It's a little too predictable, and the names of the character aren't helping either. Turqoise, Ravyn and Jeshyckah, for example... the names are a bit too old-fashioned in a modern setting. I admit that I'm not really a fan of vampire stories. The book is okay, but it didn't really impress me that much.
September 22, 2011
Yup I did just give it a 5/5. I found the book to be what I like to call an "entertaining read". I've read this book like twice and found it be good enough because it gives you a sense of satisfaction. Too many books out there are leaving readers empty. Anyways, this is a small novel with no sequel and so the story isn't too elaborate but it's fun to read. If you like the overview, I recommend you read it at least once. I believe I read this back in middle school so I can't remember much about it except that it was very fun to read.
November 12, 2010
THis was also good!!!!!!!! amelia atwater- Rhode is awesome!!!!!
August 4, 2019
4 Stars
Midnight Predator is the fourth book in The Den of Shadows series by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.
This is a great YA, paranormal fantasy series with vampires, witches, shapeshifters, mercenaries, supernatural elements, mystery, suspense, danger, action, drama, and a little angst.
This is the story of Turquoise Draka- a hunter! She's a hunter for hire and her current assignment will test her abilities like nothing else. She will need to pass herself off as a human slave and enter Midnight, the fabled vampire realm to get the job done. Does she succeed. What happens next makes for a really great adventure.
An original story- with fully developed and interesting characters. It’s well crafted and is a credit to Ms. Atwater-Rhodes!
A fun read!
Thank you, Ms. Atwater-Rhodes!
Midnight Predator is the fourth book in The Den of Shadows series by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.
This is a great YA, paranormal fantasy series with vampires, witches, shapeshifters, mercenaries, supernatural elements, mystery, suspense, danger, action, drama, and a little angst.
This is the story of Turquoise Draka- a hunter! She's a hunter for hire and her current assignment will test her abilities like nothing else. She will need to pass herself off as a human slave and enter Midnight, the fabled vampire realm to get the job done. Does she succeed. What happens next makes for a really great adventure.
An original story- with fully developed and interesting characters. It’s well crafted and is a credit to Ms. Atwater-Rhodes!
A fun read!
Thank you, Ms. Atwater-Rhodes!
July 10, 2020
Reading this book was like perpetually treading water. Most moments where I thought, "Perhaps this is where some genuine character development happens," simply left me feeling disappointed. I wanted to know more about Jaguar, his courtyard cats, and witness a deeper relationship between the characters who were little more than strangers.
In these respects, the story only dipped below the surface—like a second draft meant to later be fleshed out, but instead, was published prematurely. There was real potential upon which to expound. It just never happened. When I came upon the last page, I was puzzled by the abrupt ending and unanswered questions.
In these respects, the story only dipped below the surface—like a second draft meant to later be fleshed out, but instead, was published prematurely. There was real potential upon which to expound. It just never happened. When I came upon the last page, I was puzzled by the abrupt ending and unanswered questions.
December 31, 2018
This one by far was my favorite of the three I have read. The strength from the human protagonist is amazing. Also it is the first you see that while there are vampires and witches, the story in itself could be completely human. A slave to master story where where the slave breaks the physical bond and works to finally end the mental and emotional torture as well. Bravo for the well shaped and interesting characters, human and vampire alike.
January 15, 2021
Turquoius, human mercenary and vampire hunter. She and her comrade, Raven are hired by an unknown person to infiltrate Midnight, the heart of the vampire slave trade, and assassinate it's former leader.
Catherine, a human stolen from her murdered family and taken into slavery is the past Turquoius would like nothing more to deny.
Jaguar, the new head of Midnight, befriends turquoius in attempt to help her.
Catherine, a human stolen from her murdered family and taken into slavery is the past Turquoius would like nothing more to deny.
Jaguar, the new head of Midnight, befriends turquoius in attempt to help her.
November 16, 2022
Second read through! Although my first read was well over a decade ago...
Regardless this book still holds up to the nostalgia glasses. A few years before Twilight even hit the scene, YA vampire novels were already on the scene, and this was one of my absolute favorites. While the character names are a bit... lacking in originality, that's the only issue I really take with this book- and let's be honest, that's pretty nitpicky!
Great trip down memory lane.
Regardless this book still holds up to the nostalgia glasses. A few years before Twilight even hit the scene, YA vampire novels were already on the scene, and this was one of my absolute favorites. While the character names are a bit... lacking in originality, that's the only issue I really take with this book- and let's be honest, that's pretty nitpicky!
Great trip down memory lane.
July 4, 2017
I picked this book up on a whim years ago and loved it. Never knew that it was part of a series or connected on to other books. Works really well as a stand alone. Even now years down the line at points in the book I get the chills in my belly and a shiver of delight at how it is written.
The characters grow as you read the book, you learn what happened to her as time goes on getting flash backs into the life before she was a Vampire Hunter, before Catherine was turned into the person she is. The healer and builder being sent into the world of vampires as a slave to kill a vampire who is pure evil.
The story is simple but pure and clean in some ways, no massive lost plots of time, no this doesn't work. It also goes in depth into the lore of the vampire clans which is nice to see, as it gives background to a lot of peoples actions. I love this book and would happily read it again.
The characters grow as you read the book, you learn what happened to her as time goes on getting flash backs into the life before she was a Vampire Hunter, before Catherine was turned into the person she is. The healer and builder being sent into the world of vampires as a slave to kill a vampire who is pure evil.
The story is simple but pure and clean in some ways, no massive lost plots of time, no this doesn't work. It also goes in depth into the lore of the vampire clans which is nice to see, as it gives background to a lot of peoples actions. I love this book and would happily read it again.
December 28, 2017
2.5/5
I feel like I don't have a good grasp on the vampires of this world. Why is it they can be killed by humans? I can believe that witches can kill them since they are stronger than humans, but human hunters should be at a massive disadvantage. Once again, the world building in this story was not too great. The Bruja guilds were not explained very well at all.
I feel like I don't have a good grasp on the vampires of this world. Why is it they can be killed by humans? I can believe that witches can kill them since they are stronger than humans, but human hunters should be at a massive disadvantage. Once again, the world building in this story was not too great. The Bruja guilds were not explained very well at all.
November 3, 2024
This book was a part of my early teen reading. It fills the role of being a short, easy, and entertaining read. However, in my current age, I can't help but feel I've enterly outgrown it. I had to sit with my discomfort while rereading this. It just felt like fetish content. It's not worth being shepherd on my shelf and preserved for the next generation.
July 10, 2017
This was hands down my favorite in the Den of Shadows quartet. I just wish it was longer or there was a direct sequel to it, because the ending was left so open-ended. Besides that I think this was by far the strongest story in this series.
August 3, 2017
"Save tomorrow for tomorrow. Deal with now first."
As a 'series' this leaves something to be desires, since none of these books are related at all. They're barely even connected. They're also super predictable. Very short though, so easy to kill an afternoon by reading one of these.
As a 'series' this leaves something to be desires, since none of these books are related at all. They're barely even connected. They're also super predictable. Very short though, so easy to kill an afternoon by reading one of these.
January 25, 2018
This is my favorite so far of the vampire sequence. I found the world building fascinating, liked or liked to hate everyone and enjoyed the plot. I wish it had been longer and spent another hundred pages fleshing out the setting and characters, but overall I enjoyed the story and liked the twists.
February 15, 2018
I love how quick it is to read through these books. that being said I think I like this obe a little less then the others. But I loved the sass and the characters interactions with each other. I can't wait to get to the others.
September 28, 2018
It started slow for me and by the time it picked up pace it was nearly over. I would have given it a higher rating but the ending was disappointing and abrupt. That's not to say there weren't enjoyable parts though.
November 12, 2020
I read this book as a preteen and loved it then, so I'll give it five stars now. I enjoyed rereading it and stand by my feeling that AAR should've been triumphed before and certainly alongside Stephanie Meyer.
November 6, 2023
Honestly, my least favorite part of the book is that it never, not once, states how she looks. I have no idea what her hair colour or eye colour or anything is. I know it's a small thing, but it bugged me the entire book, I can't get over it.
June 24, 2024
An entertaining YA novel! I was fully pulled into the world and truly wanted to learn more about every character I met. It's a shame the book was so short! I would have been happy to read a book three times as long.
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