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Past Midnight #2
One Hundred Candles
I’ve opened a door that cannot be closed…
It has taken a long time for me to feel like a normal teenager. But now that I’m settled in a new school, it feels like everything is falling into place. And what better way to be normal than to go on a date with a popular football star like Harris Abbott? After all, it’s not as if Noah is anything more than a friend…
But my new life takes a disturbing turn when Harris brings me to a party and we play a game called One Hundred Candles. It seems like harmless, ghostly fun. Until spirits unleashed by the game start showing up at school. Now my friends and family are in very real danger, and the door that I’ve opened into another realm may yield deadly consequences.
It has taken a long time for me to feel like a normal teenager. But now that I’m settled in a new school, it feels like everything is falling into place. And what better way to be normal than to go on a date with a popular football star like Harris Abbott? After all, it’s not as if Noah is anything more than a friend…
But my new life takes a disturbing turn when Harris brings me to a party and we play a game called One Hundred Candles. It seems like harmless, ghostly fun. Until spirits unleashed by the game start showing up at school. Now my friends and family are in very real danger, and the door that I’ve opened into another realm may yield deadly consequences.
235 pages, Paperback
First published February 9, 2011
14 people are currently reading
1502 people want to read
About the author
Mara Purnhagen
8 books275 followersMara Purnhagen has lived in Aurora, Illinois; Kalamazoo, Michigan; Dayton, Ohio and Duncan, South Carolina. She presently lives outside Cleveland, Ohio with her family and a very good cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
May 14, 2011
Ever wonder what it might be like to talk to ghosts? How about being part of a family business where the goal is to scientifically disprove the existence of said ghosts? If you’ve ever wondered what it’d be like then this book is for you.
While I liked the first volume in this series, I have to admit that Purnhagen definitely kicked it up a notch in this book. Charlotte has a lot to deal with- her crush on Noah seems to be going nowhere & the supernatural event in the previous book is causing lots of problems between her parents. (Her mom is more sympathetic to the supernatural, her father still isn't.) Many books in this vein have the heroine hiding events like this from her family, so when you do get books like this it's interesting to read how it affects a family- especially one that bases their whole career around debunking stuff like this.
The pacing in this book is much better than in the previous book & now that the groundwork has been laid, we get to see much more character development & supernatural spookies. The only downfall is that some readers might be able to guess at what's going to happen about halfway through the book, but odds are that they'll be having so much fun that they really won't care about that.
Readers won't have to have read the previous book in the series to know what is going on in this book, but it'll help. The previous events are summarized briefly in this book, so they won't feel too left out in the dark. This really is forming into a promising series & while it isn't going to knock Soul Screamers out of its spot as my #1 favorite UF teen series, it's up there in my top 5.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
While I liked the first volume in this series, I have to admit that Purnhagen definitely kicked it up a notch in this book. Charlotte has a lot to deal with- her crush on Noah seems to be going nowhere & the supernatural event in the previous book is causing lots of problems between her parents. (Her mom is more sympathetic to the supernatural, her father still isn't.) Many books in this vein have the heroine hiding events like this from her family, so when you do get books like this it's interesting to read how it affects a family- especially one that bases their whole career around debunking stuff like this.
The pacing in this book is much better than in the previous book & now that the groundwork has been laid, we get to see much more character development & supernatural spookies. The only downfall is that some readers might be able to guess at what's going to happen about halfway through the book, but odds are that they'll be having so much fun that they really won't care about that.
Readers won't have to have read the previous book in the series to know what is going on in this book, but it'll help. The previous events are summarized briefly in this book, so they won't feel too left out in the dark. This really is forming into a promising series & while it isn't going to knock Soul Screamers out of its spot as my #1 favorite UF teen series, it's up there in my top 5.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
June 19, 2011
Energy/Ghosts ? Who cares ? I'm a believer, and I'm liking this series more with each book in the series, two thumbs up for Mara Purnhagen.
February 16, 2011
This second book in the Past Midnight series, brings us back to Charlotte as she tries to live her senior year like all the other kids in school. Normal. And so far things are working out pretty well. Even though things didn't go the way Charlotte wanted in the romance department with Noah, they have remained really good friends. As she tries to distinguish her feelings for him, she suddenly finds herself being interested in another boy, Harris. Harris is popular and gorgeous, and really seems to be interested in Charlotte. So when he wants to bring her to a "supernatural" party, she's more that willing to go, even if her ghost-debunking parents wouldn't approve.
At the party, everyone goes around telling scary stories that were supposed to have actually happened to them. Then they would light a candle. The goal was to tell One Hundred stories and light One Hundred Candles, in the hopes that the "ghost" that is haunting the host's house would go on its way. However, things don't go according to plan. Soon the halls of Charlotte's high school are being "haunted" by things that seem eerily familiar. The One Hundred Stories seem to be coming true.
I really enjoyed this book. I may have even liked it more than Past Midnight. It was definitely a little spookier. I actually got chills when some of the One Hundred Stories were being told. I loved that Charlotte was branching out in this book, and not just hanging around waiting for Noah to "make a move." Of course, I still loved Noah, though. He's a fantastic friend to Charlotte, and just a really sweet guy! I just thought he needed to wake up and smell the Charlotte-scented roses...haha! Once again I loved the fact that Charlotte actually had a family in her life that had dimension. Her parents weren't just background decoration, they actually had an important role in the story. I love that about these books! That doesn't mean all is happy bliss in their family. They had to deal with some pretty difficult issues this time around, and Charlotte had to wonder if her family might be falling apart. Mara did a really good job writing about this, and showing how hard it is for a teen whose parents can't seem to get along.
Overall, I just really enjoyed this book! Even though this book has some creepiness to it, it wasn't really terrifying or anything. I think it's a great book for younger teens and those who scare easily as well as those who are happy to dive into the spooktacular.
Andye
http://ReadingTeen.net/
At the party, everyone goes around telling scary stories that were supposed to have actually happened to them. Then they would light a candle. The goal was to tell One Hundred stories and light One Hundred Candles, in the hopes that the "ghost" that is haunting the host's house would go on its way. However, things don't go according to plan. Soon the halls of Charlotte's high school are being "haunted" by things that seem eerily familiar. The One Hundred Stories seem to be coming true.
I really enjoyed this book. I may have even liked it more than Past Midnight. It was definitely a little spookier. I actually got chills when some of the One Hundred Stories were being told. I loved that Charlotte was branching out in this book, and not just hanging around waiting for Noah to "make a move." Of course, I still loved Noah, though. He's a fantastic friend to Charlotte, and just a really sweet guy! I just thought he needed to wake up and smell the Charlotte-scented roses...haha! Once again I loved the fact that Charlotte actually had a family in her life that had dimension. Her parents weren't just background decoration, they actually had an important role in the story. I love that about these books! That doesn't mean all is happy bliss in their family. They had to deal with some pretty difficult issues this time around, and Charlotte had to wonder if her family might be falling apart. Mara did a really good job writing about this, and showing how hard it is for a teen whose parents can't seem to get along.
Overall, I just really enjoyed this book! Even though this book has some creepiness to it, it wasn't really terrifying or anything. I think it's a great book for younger teens and those who scare easily as well as those who are happy to dive into the spooktacular.
Andye
http://ReadingTeen.net/
June 2, 2011
Reviewed by Lisa
I was beyond lucky enough to receive an ARC for this novel from netgalley.
One Hundred Candles is the second book in Mara Purnhagen's Past Midnight series. I was completely blown away by this book. A very, very strong sequel, in my opinion. Wickedly intriguing, exciting, and riveting. It was scarier, there were new things happening for Charlotte, for her family. Charlotte's parents were going through a rough patch, She found herself a possible love interest with the cute Harris, even though something seems off there.
I will say that the 'happenings' going on at the school were pretty easy for me to figure out. and I was eager to get to the meat of the book, the development of the new threat. Charlotte and Noah investigating the occurrences at the school brought them closer together, it was sweet to see how much he cared for her, even if Charlotte wasn't so sure how he felt about her. I was definitely smitten with him from the moment we got a description of his eyes. He and Charlotte seemed to have so much in common and they got along really well.
Now onto the juicy bits, I cannot begin to explain how vivid the descriptions of the new evil was...it was definitely creepier than Past Midnight and something else I didn't expect. Charlotte wasn't just dealing with a ghost this time around, but something worse, something that had ill will toward her. This evil felt that she saw too much, knew too much. This could not be allowed. Charlotte needed to suffer, the creature felt that she owed that much for what she was shown.
I don't want to give away too much, but that final showdown was something else. I did not see that coming, it made me sit up and take notice. Some authors tend to shy away from such outcomes, but I was actually glad to see the book end the way it did. Never mind how heart wrenching and devastating it seemed, and the fact that I wanted to shout out and cry at that point. Some authors tend to let you down with all their warnings and foreshadowing of impending doom, but never follow through. I felt like Mara did this, she didn't let me down. It was heartbreaking, but really well done. A really bittersweet ending that left me wanting more!
Cannot wait for September 2011!
I was beyond lucky enough to receive an ARC for this novel from netgalley.
One Hundred Candles is the second book in Mara Purnhagen's Past Midnight series. I was completely blown away by this book. A very, very strong sequel, in my opinion. Wickedly intriguing, exciting, and riveting. It was scarier, there were new things happening for Charlotte, for her family. Charlotte's parents were going through a rough patch, She found herself a possible love interest with the cute Harris, even though something seems off there.
I will say that the 'happenings' going on at the school were pretty easy for me to figure out. and I was eager to get to the meat of the book, the development of the new threat. Charlotte and Noah investigating the occurrences at the school brought them closer together, it was sweet to see how much he cared for her, even if Charlotte wasn't so sure how he felt about her. I was definitely smitten with him from the moment we got a description of his eyes. He and Charlotte seemed to have so much in common and they got along really well.
Now onto the juicy bits, I cannot begin to explain how vivid the descriptions of the new evil was...it was definitely creepier than Past Midnight and something else I didn't expect. Charlotte wasn't just dealing with a ghost this time around, but something worse, something that had ill will toward her. This evil felt that she saw too much, knew too much. This could not be allowed. Charlotte needed to suffer, the creature felt that she owed that much for what she was shown.
I don't want to give away too much, but that final showdown was something else. I did not see that coming, it made me sit up and take notice. Some authors tend to shy away from such outcomes, but I was actually glad to see the book end the way it did. Never mind how heart wrenching and devastating it seemed, and the fact that I wanted to shout out and cry at that point. Some authors tend to let you down with all their warnings and foreshadowing of impending doom, but never follow through. I felt like Mara did this, she didn't let me down. It was heartbreaking, but really well done. A really bittersweet ending that left me wanting more!
Cannot wait for September 2011!
June 14, 2011
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, as well as the novella that fits in-between the first book and this one, so I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next...
When Charlotte Silver spends Christmas in an abandoned insane asylum with her ghost-hunting family and a 'renowned demonologist', she can't believe her bad luck. Except, it gets worse, because not only is it freezing but the demonologist's assistant is suddenly overtaken by a dark entity and attacks her.
Back home and wearing a sling, she tries to get back to her 'normal' life and goes to a party with her best friend, Avery, and her crush, Noah. There, she grabs the attention of Harris, who suddenly starts showing an interest in her and takes her across the street to a private party where the kids are telling ghost stories and then light one candle for every story. Until a hundred candles are lit and the spirits are released within the room. Charlotte takes part, and shortly after, strange and creepy things start happening at school--all related to the stories kids told at the party.
Strange things might be going on around her, but for the first time she's actually got a boyfriend--Harris--and is looking forward to going to her first prom. But her parents are suddenly arguing all the time because they no longer seem to agree on anything, and the dark entity they encountered in the asylum is still after her.
I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't stop reading it. Charlotte's a very engaging narrator and I'm instantly hooked into her stories. I also like her friends, they're all interesting in their own way. Her family life intrigues me, and Noah's not only a good friend but he's also a sweetheart.
In some places, this book is downright creepy. It's also sad, but so awesome! I enjoyed everything about it, and can't wait for the next book.
When Charlotte Silver spends Christmas in an abandoned insane asylum with her ghost-hunting family and a 'renowned demonologist', she can't believe her bad luck. Except, it gets worse, because not only is it freezing but the demonologist's assistant is suddenly overtaken by a dark entity and attacks her.
Back home and wearing a sling, she tries to get back to her 'normal' life and goes to a party with her best friend, Avery, and her crush, Noah. There, she grabs the attention of Harris, who suddenly starts showing an interest in her and takes her across the street to a private party where the kids are telling ghost stories and then light one candle for every story. Until a hundred candles are lit and the spirits are released within the room. Charlotte takes part, and shortly after, strange and creepy things start happening at school--all related to the stories kids told at the party.
Strange things might be going on around her, but for the first time she's actually got a boyfriend--Harris--and is looking forward to going to her first prom. But her parents are suddenly arguing all the time because they no longer seem to agree on anything, and the dark entity they encountered in the asylum is still after her.
I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't stop reading it. Charlotte's a very engaging narrator and I'm instantly hooked into her stories. I also like her friends, they're all interesting in their own way. Her family life intrigues me, and Noah's not only a good friend but he's also a sweetheart.
In some places, this book is downright creepy. It's also sad, but so awesome! I enjoyed everything about it, and can't wait for the next book.
December 16, 2010
First, I love this series. I love Charlotte. She is very smart and quite courageous. A one-sentence recap of the story-so far: Mom and Dad hunt ghosts and Charlotte is better at attracting deadly demons than hot guys at school.
I have never heard of the one hundred candle game (ritual?) that begins this book. I did, being a librarian, investigate some more online and there are variations on how to play but it sounds like fun. And here I had thought me and my friends had covered all of the usual sleep over party games: light as a feather, Ouija board, frozen bras....
Poor Charlotte has, this time, attracted something "worse than" a demon, a cute football player, and a bunch of hauntings at school. I thought the pacing of this book was great. I also adore how, even though Charlotte is dealing with many things, the minor characters run independently of her and have their own lives (Jared with the memorial for example). I really recommend these titles to mystery fans as YA mystery is lacking. Like Scooby Doo, the hauntings are usually solved with humans behind them, but unlike Scooby Doo there are "real" supernatural creatures at work here too.
Two things: the ending cut off. Seriously, I went back to the source to see if my egalley file was incomplete, it wasn't. It didn't feel like a cliffhanger, it felt like the author ran out of time. And, two, Noah needs to be a little more....more. Yeah, he is supportive (and hot?) but except for complaining about his mom, he's kind of a non-entity. Man up, Noah!!! Get proactive. I know it's hard when the female character is so strong ...but you can do it.
I have never heard of the one hundred candle game (ritual?) that begins this book. I did, being a librarian, investigate some more online and there are variations on how to play but it sounds like fun. And here I had thought me and my friends had covered all of the usual sleep over party games: light as a feather, Ouija board, frozen bras....
Poor Charlotte has, this time, attracted something "worse than" a demon, a cute football player, and a bunch of hauntings at school. I thought the pacing of this book was great. I also adore how, even though Charlotte is dealing with many things, the minor characters run independently of her and have their own lives (Jared with the memorial for example). I really recommend these titles to mystery fans as YA mystery is lacking. Like Scooby Doo, the hauntings are usually solved with humans behind them, but unlike Scooby Doo there are "real" supernatural creatures at work here too.
Two things: the ending cut off. Seriously, I went back to the source to see if my egalley file was incomplete, it wasn't. It didn't feel like a cliffhanger, it felt like the author ran out of time. And, two, Noah needs to be a little more....more. Yeah, he is supportive (and hot?) but except for complaining about his mom, he's kind of a non-entity. Man up, Noah!!! Get proactive. I know it's hard when the female character is so strong ...but you can do it.
December 22, 2010
My Thoughts: We are back with Charlotte, her crazy parents, and her gang of friends! In this installment, Charlotte finally has a date with the cutie Harris, her friendship with Noah is blooming and her life is finally coming together. She's being "normal."
Charlotte ends up going to a party where Harris is present, and he kisses her, really kisses her! At this party, she also participates in a game where everyone goes around and tells a ghost story that has really happened to them or someone they know. With 100 stories, the circle is complete. Within the next few weeks, the stories start coming true, or so everyone thinks. Of course there is more going on than one realizes.
I really loved One Hundred Candles. I liked it a lot more than Past Midnight. I didn't like Harris from the get go. Something about him just rubbed me the wrong way. I am still team Noah all the way. All the other characters are back from Past Midnight and I enjoyed seeing them develop. There were a few predictable parts, but most of it I didn't see coming.
Overall: Honestly,One Hundred Candles was a good followup to Past Midnight. I can't wait to read more about Charlotte and see what happens to her next.
Cover: Isn't that cover awesome? I love it!
What I'd Give It: 5/5 Cupcakes
Taken from Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
Charlotte ends up going to a party where Harris is present, and he kisses her, really kisses her! At this party, she also participates in a game where everyone goes around and tells a ghost story that has really happened to them or someone they know. With 100 stories, the circle is complete. Within the next few weeks, the stories start coming true, or so everyone thinks. Of course there is more going on than one realizes.
I really loved One Hundred Candles. I liked it a lot more than Past Midnight. I didn't like Harris from the get go. Something about him just rubbed me the wrong way. I am still team Noah all the way. All the other characters are back from Past Midnight and I enjoyed seeing them develop. There were a few predictable parts, but most of it I didn't see coming.
Overall: Honestly,One Hundred Candles was a good followup to Past Midnight. I can't wait to read more about Charlotte and see what happens to her next.
Cover: Isn't that cover awesome? I love it!
What I'd Give It: 5/5 Cupcakes
Taken from Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
June 19, 2011
I won a signed copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads! I'm so excited! Fabulous!
This was a real treat! I extremely enjoyed this novel, and just like the prequel Past Midnight, the story was interesting and kept me captivated, the characters were real and fleshed out, and the writing was beautiful! The novel is written in such a way that the prequel is not mandatory (though extremely helpful). While Purnhagen alluded to some events from the first novel, she didn’t beat the reader over the head with a rehash, which was nice. Some books go into lengthy explanations regarding previous novels, and that can get old very quickly. I was especially happy Purnhagen chose not to do that! I hate novels that spend so much time backtracking! ...
To see my full review:
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
This was a real treat! I extremely enjoyed this novel, and just like the prequel Past Midnight, the story was interesting and kept me captivated, the characters were real and fleshed out, and the writing was beautiful! The novel is written in such a way that the prequel is not mandatory (though extremely helpful). While Purnhagen alluded to some events from the first novel, she didn’t beat the reader over the head with a rehash, which was nice. Some books go into lengthy explanations regarding previous novels, and that can get old very quickly. I was especially happy Purnhagen chose not to do that! I hate novels that spend so much time backtracking! ...
To see my full review:
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
March 21, 2011
Wohho I can tell you right from the start that this book was really scary and the whole story and characters grew so much from the last book! Charlotte finally begins to live her life as a Teenager, all together with going to parties and finally also looking out for a boy. This was one of the things I've missed in the first book - the whole romance part!
This is one of those series that is getting better and better. This second book was awesome and had all I missed in the first book. A bit romance for Charlotte and the plot was really creepy this time, which I loved. More drama, more conflict and deeper character development.
Read our full review here.
This is one of those series that is getting better and better. This second book was awesome and had all I missed in the first book. A bit romance for Charlotte and the plot was really creepy this time, which I loved. More drama, more conflict and deeper character development.
Read our full review here.
January 16, 2011
I liked the first book, but this is one of those series that is getting better and better. This second book was awesome and had all I missed in the first book. A bit romance for Charlotte and the plot was really creepy this time, which I loved. More drama, more conflict...
For those who liked the first one, go ahead and read "One Hundered Candles" you won't be disappointed.
Looking forward to book 3! This series is growing.!!
For those who liked the first one, go ahead and read "One Hundered Candles" you won't be disappointed.
Looking forward to book 3! This series is growing.!!
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: Past Midnight
January 15, 2018
This wasn’t as good as I remember the first one being. I read ‘Past Midnight’ like seven years ago, so maybe my tastes have changed now that I’m older. It wasn’t bad. I just feel like the writing and characters weren’t as well developed as I wanted them to be. Also, Charlotte kept making dumb decisions or not telling people important info. It was weird because, on one hand, she seemed to not believe in the paranormal, but on the other, she had literally been attacked by someone possessed by a demon like entity in the first chapter. I don’t understand why she wouldn’t take certain events that happened more seriously instead of brushing it under the rug until it blew up in her face later on.
The ending was better. I liked how the action finally picked up, but I wish that the final confrontation had been dragged out a bit more. It was a little rushed and once I got into things the story was over. I’ll still read the last book though to see the aftermath of the big thing that happened.
The ending was better. I liked how the action finally picked up, but I wish that the final confrontation had been dragged out a bit more. It was a little rushed and once I got into things the story was over. I’ll still read the last book though to see the aftermath of the big thing that happened.
September 27, 2019
This is a sequel to a charming paranormal ghost novel. A girl whose parents debunk the supernatural--but after the events of the first, her mother starts to believe in otherworldly spirits and her father does not. Then their family is once again targeted by the supernatural, and disagreements abound...
There is plenty of drama in here, a first boyfriend and some ghostly happenings... but overall it just was not as poignant as the first, and left no mark on me. I found this to be predictable and silly in some places, and nothing truly creepy happened until the end where I couldn't take it seriously.
The main girl's obsession with the boy was also way overdone and over the top. In the end, I don't think I'll continue with this series after this disappointment. I should have stopped with book 1.
There is plenty of drama in here, a first boyfriend and some ghostly happenings... but overall it just was not as poignant as the first, and left no mark on me. I found this to be predictable and silly in some places, and nothing truly creepy happened until the end where I couldn't take it seriously.
The main girl's obsession with the boy was also way overdone and over the top. In the end, I don't think I'll continue with this series after this disappointment. I should have stopped with book 1.
October 28, 2017
Written well story was ok. Not a lot of action until the very end. Score may be low due to time in life when I read it.
March 3, 2019
Enjoyed this book 2 storyline much better than 1.5. Curious to see if 2,5 picks up where open-ended 1.5 left off?
July 26, 2019
Liked it, but not in a couldn’t put it down sort of way.
March 26, 2011
Past Midnight
Let me set the record straight. My name is Charlotte Silver and I'm not one of those paranormal-obsessed freaks you see on TV…no, those would be my parents, who have their own ghost-hunting reality show. And while I'm usually roped into the behind-the-scenes work, it turns out that I haven't gone unnoticed. Something happened on my parents' research trip in Charleston—and now I'm being stalked by some truly frightening other beings. Trying to fit into a new school and keeping my parents' creepy occupation a secret from my friends—and potential boyfriends—is hard enough without having angry spirits whispering in my ear. All I ever wanted was to be normal, but with ghosts of my past and present colliding, now I just want to make it out of high school alive….
Raising the Dead
Charlotte Silver's world is like no one else's...
As the daughter of the famous Silver Spirits paranormal investigators, Charlotte Silver is used to all things weird. But when coffins start floating down her street during a flood, life turns extra strange. And wonderful, when her friend and crush Noah signs on to help Charlotte and her folks in the aftermath. Cemetery cleanup might not sound exciting, but as shocking discoveries and a lurking stranger come to light, Charlotte learns that sometimes, raising the dead can bring unexpected rewards.
100 Candles
It's taken a long time for me to feel like a normal teenager. But now that I'm settled in a new school, where people know me as more than Charlotte Silver of the infamous Silver family paranormal investigators, it feels like everything is falling into place. And what better way to be normal than to go on a date with a popular football star like Harris Abbott? After all, it's not as if Noah is anything more than a friend….
But my new life takes a disturbing turn when Harris brings me to a party and we play a game called One Hundred Candles. It seems like harmless, ghostly fun. Until spirits unleashed by the game start showing up at school. Now my friends and family are in very real danger, and the door that I've opened into another realm may yield deadly consequences.
My Thoughts…I would rate all of these books a 3.0-3.5 stars. I love Young Adult Books, but sometimes it is hard to tell which books are actual Young Adults and which books are actually Teen Books, since both genres are for the most part grouped together. I found this to be more of a Teen book---maybe middle school age. It was a very easy read, easy to understand, easy to follow, easy to read without realizing how long you had been reading but I also feel it would appeal to a younger reader then me. Charlotte Silver wants a normal life. After moving around from state to state, country to country, Charlotte’s parents have agreed that they will stay in one city, the same house for an entire year in order for Charlotte to have her senior year of high school at just one school. Charlotte’s parents are paranormal-normal gurus, they write books, they investigate, and they even have their own TV show. They have been around the world and back conducting investigations. Charlotte just wants normal, maybe a chance to have friends and go on a date or two. I can relate with Charlotte’s character for wanting normal for just one year, her senior year. I think it is great that she has finally has someone she can consider a best friend, and also that the best friend is not freaked out about Charlotte and her families occupation. Charlotte as likes Noah, which Noah is good for Charlotte but he doesn’t seem to return the affection except in the friendship sense. Charlotte doesn’t seem to like confrontations, and there was several times where if she would of just opened her mouth and told her parents what was going on some of the events would not of happened….but then I guess there would be no story then and then where would we be? Charlotte’s life was normal for about 2 months and then the paranormal were unleashed.
I probably would read the next book in this series to see how the characters grow. I am not sure how many books the author has wrote but book 2 was better than book 1.5, which was better than book 1, so hopefully book 3 will be just as good.
Let me set the record straight. My name is Charlotte Silver and I'm not one of those paranormal-obsessed freaks you see on TV…no, those would be my parents, who have their own ghost-hunting reality show. And while I'm usually roped into the behind-the-scenes work, it turns out that I haven't gone unnoticed. Something happened on my parents' research trip in Charleston—and now I'm being stalked by some truly frightening other beings. Trying to fit into a new school and keeping my parents' creepy occupation a secret from my friends—and potential boyfriends—is hard enough without having angry spirits whispering in my ear. All I ever wanted was to be normal, but with ghosts of my past and present colliding, now I just want to make it out of high school alive….
Raising the Dead
Charlotte Silver's world is like no one else's...
As the daughter of the famous Silver Spirits paranormal investigators, Charlotte Silver is used to all things weird. But when coffins start floating down her street during a flood, life turns extra strange. And wonderful, when her friend and crush Noah signs on to help Charlotte and her folks in the aftermath. Cemetery cleanup might not sound exciting, but as shocking discoveries and a lurking stranger come to light, Charlotte learns that sometimes, raising the dead can bring unexpected rewards.
100 Candles
It's taken a long time for me to feel like a normal teenager. But now that I'm settled in a new school, where people know me as more than Charlotte Silver of the infamous Silver family paranormal investigators, it feels like everything is falling into place. And what better way to be normal than to go on a date with a popular football star like Harris Abbott? After all, it's not as if Noah is anything more than a friend….
But my new life takes a disturbing turn when Harris brings me to a party and we play a game called One Hundred Candles. It seems like harmless, ghostly fun. Until spirits unleashed by the game start showing up at school. Now my friends and family are in very real danger, and the door that I've opened into another realm may yield deadly consequences.
My Thoughts…I would rate all of these books a 3.0-3.5 stars. I love Young Adult Books, but sometimes it is hard to tell which books are actual Young Adults and which books are actually Teen Books, since both genres are for the most part grouped together. I found this to be more of a Teen book---maybe middle school age. It was a very easy read, easy to understand, easy to follow, easy to read without realizing how long you had been reading but I also feel it would appeal to a younger reader then me. Charlotte Silver wants a normal life. After moving around from state to state, country to country, Charlotte’s parents have agreed that they will stay in one city, the same house for an entire year in order for Charlotte to have her senior year of high school at just one school. Charlotte’s parents are paranormal-normal gurus, they write books, they investigate, and they even have their own TV show. They have been around the world and back conducting investigations. Charlotte just wants normal, maybe a chance to have friends and go on a date or two. I can relate with Charlotte’s character for wanting normal for just one year, her senior year. I think it is great that she has finally has someone she can consider a best friend, and also that the best friend is not freaked out about Charlotte and her families occupation. Charlotte as likes Noah, which Noah is good for Charlotte but he doesn’t seem to return the affection except in the friendship sense. Charlotte doesn’t seem to like confrontations, and there was several times where if she would of just opened her mouth and told her parents what was going on some of the events would not of happened….but then I guess there would be no story then and then where would we be? Charlotte’s life was normal for about 2 months and then the paranormal were unleashed.
I probably would read the next book in this series to see how the characters grow. I am not sure how many books the author has wrote but book 2 was better than book 1.5, which was better than book 1, so hopefully book 3 will be just as good.
March 21, 2017
Okay...
I don't really know what to say... like wow, I do really want the next book now, but it's not a big temptation.
Well, I like the new drama in the book. And Noah is everything. I love his awkwardness.
I like the new writing and mystery..
The thing is, I just don't remember a lot from when I read the book, probably a year ago, and it feels a little weird just diving back in, then jumping back out when I don't have the next book.
I liked revisiting the characters, like Avery and Noah . Obviously.
And it's all mostly just that I liked stuff in the book, not love .
So.. Yeah... not much else to say...
I don't really know what to say... like wow, I do really want the next book now, but it's not a big temptation.
Well, I like the new drama in the book. And Noah is everything. I love his awkwardness.
#NewOTP
I like the new writing and mystery..
The thing is, I just don't remember a lot from when I read the book, probably a year ago, and it feels a little weird just diving back in, then jumping back out when I don't have the next book.
I liked revisiting the characters, like Avery and Noah .
And it's all mostly just that I liked stuff in the book, not love .
So.. Yeah... not much else to say...
January 30, 2011
ONE HUNDRED CANDLES
Book 2 in the Past Midnight Series
Mara Purnhagen
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (February 15, 2011)
From publisher through NetGalley.com
No remuneration was exchanged.
Quick Tells
Not Cliche in plot or character
Passion: Lukewarm-even for YA
Cliffhanger rating - Aagh!
I’ve opened a door that cannot be closed.
It’s taken a long time for me to feel like a normal teenager. But now that I’m settled in a new school, where people know me as more than Charlotte Silver of the infamous Silver family paranormal investigators, it feels like everything is falling into place. And what better way to be normal than to go on a date with a popular football star like Harris Abbott? After all, it’s not as if Noah is anything more than a friend...
But my new life takes a disturbing turn when Harris brings me to a party and we play a game called One Hundred Candles. It seems like harmless, ghostly fun. Until spirits unleashed by the game start showing up at school. Now my friends and family are in very real danger, and the door that I’ve opened into another realm may yield deadly consequences.
A haunting new tale in the Past Midnight series.(NetGalley.com, Marketing Copy.)
My Thoughts
If you saw New Moon, you must remember at the end what a cliffhanger it was. And, if you read Dreamfever, you know we were left with a real cliffhanger, on a cliff even. One Hundred Candles gives us a cliff hanger of similar proportions. So, thank goodness this is a series!
This book is about Charlotte Silver and her family. Except for having spent most of her youth traveling around with her parents, their employee, and her sister Annalise, Charlotte is a normal teenager, with a slightly underdeveloped peer socialization IQ. She has the somewhat usual sidekick BFF and there is a boy with whom she would prefer more than a friendship, but she believes that he is not interested. There is another boy, Harris, and he seems crazy about her. But is he?
The main plot is quite original. Something supernatural is really stalking this girl. But not all that seems paranormal is paranormal. On the other hand, some supernatural things are real, and they can hurt Charlotte and her family. When Charlotte fails to heed an arrogant adult's instructions will the worst happen?
The paranormal universe that Purnhagen presents is a bit loosely described. I don't have an issue with that really. As long as she remains consistent through the series that is not necessarily a problem.
Although this is book two, I didn't have any trouble coming in and getting with the program. It is a fine stand alone right until the end.
Charlotte shares some kisses with the two boys, but nothing goes beyond that point. The scenes are very tame. The scary-factor is a bit higher, as is the emotional quotient. Charlotte's parents are a bit self-involved as people with all absorbing jobs tend to be; but there are issues at home that feed into the choices Charlotte makes and what ensues from there. It is a good reminder of causality.
I found the book was engaging and it was mostly because I found Charlotte to be very engaging. The book was also suspenseful. No preachy lessons for teens; if there are any they come through imagining the situation and what may have been done differently. I also like the boy that Charlotte really likes. He reminds me of the new boy on Glee. I think this is a YA book that YAs will actually enjoy.
Recommend.
Book Three in the Past Midnight Series, Beyond the Grave, is scheduled for Fall 2011.
Book 2 in the Past Midnight Series
Mara Purnhagen
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (February 15, 2011)
From publisher through NetGalley.com
No remuneration was exchanged.
Quick Tells
Not Cliche in plot or character
Passion: Lukewarm-even for YA
Cliffhanger rating - Aagh!
I’ve opened a door that cannot be closed.
It’s taken a long time for me to feel like a normal teenager. But now that I’m settled in a new school, where people know me as more than Charlotte Silver of the infamous Silver family paranormal investigators, it feels like everything is falling into place. And what better way to be normal than to go on a date with a popular football star like Harris Abbott? After all, it’s not as if Noah is anything more than a friend...
But my new life takes a disturbing turn when Harris brings me to a party and we play a game called One Hundred Candles. It seems like harmless, ghostly fun. Until spirits unleashed by the game start showing up at school. Now my friends and family are in very real danger, and the door that I’ve opened into another realm may yield deadly consequences.
A haunting new tale in the Past Midnight series.(NetGalley.com, Marketing Copy.)
My Thoughts
If you saw New Moon, you must remember at the end what a cliffhanger it was. And, if you read Dreamfever, you know we were left with a real cliffhanger, on a cliff even. One Hundred Candles gives us a cliff hanger of similar proportions. So, thank goodness this is a series!
This book is about Charlotte Silver and her family. Except for having spent most of her youth traveling around with her parents, their employee, and her sister Annalise, Charlotte is a normal teenager, with a slightly underdeveloped peer socialization IQ. She has the somewhat usual sidekick BFF and there is a boy with whom she would prefer more than a friendship, but she believes that he is not interested. There is another boy, Harris, and he seems crazy about her. But is he?
The main plot is quite original. Something supernatural is really stalking this girl. But not all that seems paranormal is paranormal. On the other hand, some supernatural things are real, and they can hurt Charlotte and her family. When Charlotte fails to heed an arrogant adult's instructions will the worst happen?
The paranormal universe that Purnhagen presents is a bit loosely described. I don't have an issue with that really. As long as she remains consistent through the series that is not necessarily a problem.
Although this is book two, I didn't have any trouble coming in and getting with the program. It is a fine stand alone right until the end.
Charlotte shares some kisses with the two boys, but nothing goes beyond that point. The scenes are very tame. The scary-factor is a bit higher, as is the emotional quotient. Charlotte's parents are a bit self-involved as people with all absorbing jobs tend to be; but there are issues at home that feed into the choices Charlotte makes and what ensues from there. It is a good reminder of causality.
I found the book was engaging and it was mostly because I found Charlotte to be very engaging. The book was also suspenseful. No preachy lessons for teens; if there are any they come through imagining the situation and what may have been done differently. I also like the boy that Charlotte really likes. He reminds me of the new boy on Glee. I think this is a YA book that YAs will actually enjoy.
Recommend.
Book Three in the Past Midnight Series, Beyond the Grave, is scheduled for Fall 2011.
March 16, 2012
*Rating* 3.5
*Genre* YA Paranormal
*Review*
17 year old Charlotte Silver belongs to a family of paranormal investigators. The Silvers, Patrick and Karen, are known as debunkers who attempt to prove supernatural happenings are natural in occurring, and not by mythical beings like ghosts, vampires, demons, or ghosts.
They have finally settled down in one place, along with Shane, after Charlotte and her older sister Annalise demanded that Charlotte be allowed to finish High School in one place. She is now dating popular football star Harris Abbott which is a surprise since you know that she and Noah are two peas in a pod, and is on pace to graduate from Lincoln High after this year.
Unfortunately, trouble seems to follow Charlotte around wherever she goes. You could say that she's the trigger that causes these problems to happen around her. Case in point; The Silvers are doing an investigation at the Lake Sanitarium, Cleveland, Ohio when an assistant of the renowned demonologist Dr. Leonard Zeldon, becomes possessed by an entity called the Watcher and attacks Charlotte. He then gives her a dire warning after attacking her. “There is a price to be paid.” If you haven’t read the first book Past Midnight, you need to go back and do so in order to understand what the Watcher is referring to.
The real action of this story happens on New Year’s Eve when Charlotte ends up playing a game called One Hundred Candles with Avery, and Harris. The kids tell 100 ghost / paranormal stories which Charlotte believes are just that, stories. Naturally, strange occurrences happen all over school, and everyone, except Charlotte, believe it’s from the game itself.
For those who dislike cliffhangers, I am here to warn you that there is such a terrifying and awful event that happens in this book, that it will leave you reaching for the Kleenex box.
*Thoughts*
One Hundred Candles is the second novel in the Past Midnight series by Mara Purnhagen. I actually like Charlotte’s character and how she goes about investigating on her own, and discovers who and what is to blame for the shenanigans at her school.
Of course, she also gets her heart broken by Harris, which I saw coming from a mile away. Later, she has to deal with the fact that the Watcher is not gone, but seeking her out to end her life. This, my friends, is the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers and you need to go ahead and pick up the next book in the story to find out what happens next.
The family aspect of this series is wonderful and poignant and definitely an unusual aspect for paranormal adventures. There is a truth to the fact that not all families are all roses and buttercups. Arguments do happen in real life, just like in fantasy books. Not all arguments can be settled over the course of 200 pages. Families do go through separation because of differences of opinions or lack of understanding on one partner, or the other. The ones caught in the middle are always the kids like Charlotte who can’t run away from it.
I liked the addition of Beth from Potions who comes to help Charlotte after the whole episode with the 100 candles game. She also has the ear of Karen Silver who started to believe that the paranormal is real and dangerous, whereas husband is still a non-believer.
Obviously, Charlotte’s relationship with Noah reaches a crescendo in the next book.
The series as released:
Mara Purnhagen
Past Midnight
1. Past Midnight (September 2010)
1.5 Raising the Dead (January 1st 2011)
2. One Hundred Candles (February 15th 2011)
2.5 Haunting the Night (August 1st 2011)
3. Beyond the Grave (08/23/2011)
*Genre* YA Paranormal
*Review*
17 year old Charlotte Silver belongs to a family of paranormal investigators. The Silvers, Patrick and Karen, are known as debunkers who attempt to prove supernatural happenings are natural in occurring, and not by mythical beings like ghosts, vampires, demons, or ghosts.
They have finally settled down in one place, along with Shane, after Charlotte and her older sister Annalise demanded that Charlotte be allowed to finish High School in one place. She is now dating popular football star Harris Abbott which is a surprise since you know that she and Noah are two peas in a pod, and is on pace to graduate from Lincoln High after this year.
Unfortunately, trouble seems to follow Charlotte around wherever she goes. You could say that she's the trigger that causes these problems to happen around her. Case in point; The Silvers are doing an investigation at the Lake Sanitarium, Cleveland, Ohio when an assistant of the renowned demonologist Dr. Leonard Zeldon, becomes possessed by an entity called the Watcher and attacks Charlotte. He then gives her a dire warning after attacking her. “There is a price to be paid.” If you haven’t read the first book Past Midnight, you need to go back and do so in order to understand what the Watcher is referring to.
The real action of this story happens on New Year’s Eve when Charlotte ends up playing a game called One Hundred Candles with Avery, and Harris. The kids tell 100 ghost / paranormal stories which Charlotte believes are just that, stories. Naturally, strange occurrences happen all over school, and everyone, except Charlotte, believe it’s from the game itself.
For those who dislike cliffhangers, I am here to warn you that there is such a terrifying and awful event that happens in this book, that it will leave you reaching for the Kleenex box.
*Thoughts*
One Hundred Candles is the second novel in the Past Midnight series by Mara Purnhagen. I actually like Charlotte’s character and how she goes about investigating on her own, and discovers who and what is to blame for the shenanigans at her school.
Of course, she also gets her heart broken by Harris, which I saw coming from a mile away. Later, she has to deal with the fact that the Watcher is not gone, but seeking her out to end her life. This, my friends, is the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers and you need to go ahead and pick up the next book in the story to find out what happens next.
The family aspect of this series is wonderful and poignant and definitely an unusual aspect for paranormal adventures. There is a truth to the fact that not all families are all roses and buttercups. Arguments do happen in real life, just like in fantasy books. Not all arguments can be settled over the course of 200 pages. Families do go through separation because of differences of opinions or lack of understanding on one partner, or the other. The ones caught in the middle are always the kids like Charlotte who can’t run away from it.
I liked the addition of Beth from Potions who comes to help Charlotte after the whole episode with the 100 candles game. She also has the ear of Karen Silver who started to believe that the paranormal is real and dangerous, whereas husband is still a non-believer.
Obviously, Charlotte’s relationship with Noah reaches a crescendo in the next book.
The series as released:
Mara Purnhagen
Past Midnight
1. Past Midnight (September 2010)
1.5 Raising the Dead (January 1st 2011)
2. One Hundred Candles (February 15th 2011)
2.5 Haunting the Night (August 1st 2011)
3. Beyond the Grave (08/23/2011)
February 18, 2011
Spending her Christmas break at an insane asylum was unusual, even for Charlotte Silver, daughter of two famous paranormal investigators. Wandering the cold and empty halls of an abandoned mental facility just didn’t scream “happy holidays.”
Lately it seemed that no matter where she went, paranormal entities seemed to follow. And a sanitarium in Ohio was no exception.
But this time there was no mystery about what what it wanted. Someone had to be punished. Someone crossed the line. And that someone was Charlotte.
***
One Hundred Candles is the second full-length book in the Past Midnight Series. A couple of uneventful months have passed and Charlotte is still trying to figure out exactly what happened in Charleston.
When her family goes to Ohio to investigate paranormal activity at an abandoned insane asylum, she is targeted by an angry entity that wants her to pay for what she’d seen. Fortunately, whatever this thing is doesn’t seem to follow her back home.
Everything was going fine until the night she took part in the one hundred candles game, which, if done right, was to open the door for one hundred spirits. And when what seem to be the very same spirits talked about in the game begin to appear at the school, Charlotte wonders whether it is really those summoned spirits, a hoax or the malevolent entity from Ohio coming for her.
One Hundred Candles is an absolutely riveting story with a mystery that deepens and a pace that continues to escalate. It is much darker, and more tension-filled and action-packed, than the first book in the series, with an exciting and astonishing end.
Once again there are two very harmonious storylines, but this time both include a paranormal element. This story has all the good stuff that the first book has, but on steroids.
From the drama at home, to the mystery at school, to the underlying threat of repercussions from the encounter in Ohio, Author Mara Purnhagen has significantly increased the suspense levels in this book, all leading up to the explosive conclusion.
This story is perfect for readers who love a mystery with a paranormal twist and the torment that is the norm for teenage girls.
On a personal note:
I was all set to like this book just as much as the first, but somewhere in the middle of the story I started thinking it was pretty freaking fantastic. And I was completely unprepared for just how good it got in the last twenty percent of the book.
I cannot wait for the next book to come out to find out what happens next with Charlotte and if she does manage to graduate without any more supernatural beings getting in her way. (I’m thinking probably not.)
I hope that we get to see more Avery and Jared in the next book. Even though Avery was in the picture she just wasn’t as connected to the story as she was in the first book. And I hope we have a lot more Noah.
The only things I would say pulled me out of the story were the flashbacks. I like the use of flashbacks – and they existed in Past Midnight but fairly infrequently – but they were used in this book much more often. And when I’d turn a page expecting to see what happened next, it was actually much later, and it sometimes took a second to figure that out. Then Charlotte would flashback to tell what was missed.
I liked Charlotte and her family a lot in the first book and the novella, but now I love them. I am so glad I had a chance to meet them all.
Lately it seemed that no matter where she went, paranormal entities seemed to follow. And a sanitarium in Ohio was no exception.
But this time there was no mystery about what what it wanted. Someone had to be punished. Someone crossed the line. And that someone was Charlotte.
***
One Hundred Candles is the second full-length book in the Past Midnight Series. A couple of uneventful months have passed and Charlotte is still trying to figure out exactly what happened in Charleston.
When her family goes to Ohio to investigate paranormal activity at an abandoned insane asylum, she is targeted by an angry entity that wants her to pay for what she’d seen. Fortunately, whatever this thing is doesn’t seem to follow her back home.
Everything was going fine until the night she took part in the one hundred candles game, which, if done right, was to open the door for one hundred spirits. And when what seem to be the very same spirits talked about in the game begin to appear at the school, Charlotte wonders whether it is really those summoned spirits, a hoax or the malevolent entity from Ohio coming for her.
One Hundred Candles is an absolutely riveting story with a mystery that deepens and a pace that continues to escalate. It is much darker, and more tension-filled and action-packed, than the first book in the series, with an exciting and astonishing end.
Once again there are two very harmonious storylines, but this time both include a paranormal element. This story has all the good stuff that the first book has, but on steroids.
From the drama at home, to the mystery at school, to the underlying threat of repercussions from the encounter in Ohio, Author Mara Purnhagen has significantly increased the suspense levels in this book, all leading up to the explosive conclusion.
This story is perfect for readers who love a mystery with a paranormal twist and the torment that is the norm for teenage girls.
On a personal note:
I was all set to like this book just as much as the first, but somewhere in the middle of the story I started thinking it was pretty freaking fantastic. And I was completely unprepared for just how good it got in the last twenty percent of the book.
I cannot wait for the next book to come out to find out what happens next with Charlotte and if she does manage to graduate without any more supernatural beings getting in her way. (I’m thinking probably not.)
I hope that we get to see more Avery and Jared in the next book. Even though Avery was in the picture she just wasn’t as connected to the story as she was in the first book. And I hope we have a lot more Noah.
The only things I would say pulled me out of the story were the flashbacks. I like the use of flashbacks – and they existed in Past Midnight but fairly infrequently – but they were used in this book much more often. And when I’d turn a page expecting to see what happened next, it was actually much later, and it sometimes took a second to figure that out. Then Charlotte would flashback to tell what was missed.
I liked Charlotte and her family a lot in the first book and the novella, but now I love them. I am so glad I had a chance to meet them all.
March 6, 2011
Originally posted at http://www.smexybooks.com/2011/02/rev...
Favorite Quote: “The watcher wanted to punish me, and he had. Now it was my turn.”
Charlotte Silver has waited a long time to feel like a “normal” kid. After spending most of her life traveling with her family in their paranormal investigations, they have finally settled down in South Carolina and Charlotte has friends and a normal high schooler’s life. When a popular football player asks Charlotte out, she’s sure life can’t get much better or normal. But when Harris takes Charlotte to a party where an innocent game of One Hundred Candles is played, Charlotte can’t help but feel they are all messing with something better left alone.
When strange things begin to happen at her school, Charlotte realizes that the game opened a door between the mortal and spirit realm. Now Charlotte is battling for her and her family’s lives as someone or something begins hunting her -determined to make her pay for going where no mortal is allowed.
One Hundred Candles is the engaging second book in Mara Purnhagen’s Past Midnight series. Told in the first person, we continue to follow Charlotte Silver as she maneuvers her way through friends, family, and relationships in this supernatural thriller. A smooth even pacing and engaging dialogue allows for fast reading. The writing is clear and concise; you can hear and relate to Charlotte well. Thankfully no overblown emo prose or life shattering angst that seems to be coating the YA genre lately. Even though this can be read as a stand alone, I recommend reading the first in this series, Past Midnight, to garner insight into the over all arc and references you will see in this one.
I found Charlotte to be a wonderful heroine. Ms. Purnhagen has created an enjoyable pragmatic character that is steeped in realism. Charlotte has normal teenage insecurities; prom, boys, her parents. I found her exceedingly level headed and brave as she investigates the supposed supernatural activity around her school and at home. She admits her fears yet faces her adversaries one on one.
The secondary characters are well developed and excel in the way they revolve around and further define Charlotte. As each character is added into the mix, you begin to see the bonds that ties them all together. Each one a necessary strand that elevates and helps continue the story along. I like how Ms. Purnhagan plays her cards close to her vest, choosing to have us feel and experience things right along with Charlotte.
I didn’t find the plot particularly frightening; we see more of Charlotte’s everyday life then supernatural activity. I found the over all premise to be very interesting with it’s urban legend persona and the easy, casual way that it is presented and drawn out. Nothing is reality-challenged. You can relate to the story in a way that has you thinking, “this could have very well happened to someone- somewhere.”
The ending is solid and it effectively resolves the main conflict,. We are left with some open questions and a serious cliffhanger to usher in the third book in this series, Beyond The Grave, which releases September 2011.
Rating: B
Favorite Quote: “The watcher wanted to punish me, and he had. Now it was my turn.”
Charlotte Silver has waited a long time to feel like a “normal” kid. After spending most of her life traveling with her family in their paranormal investigations, they have finally settled down in South Carolina and Charlotte has friends and a normal high schooler’s life. When a popular football player asks Charlotte out, she’s sure life can’t get much better or normal. But when Harris takes Charlotte to a party where an innocent game of One Hundred Candles is played, Charlotte can’t help but feel they are all messing with something better left alone.
When strange things begin to happen at her school, Charlotte realizes that the game opened a door between the mortal and spirit realm. Now Charlotte is battling for her and her family’s lives as someone or something begins hunting her -determined to make her pay for going where no mortal is allowed.
One Hundred Candles is the engaging second book in Mara Purnhagen’s Past Midnight series. Told in the first person, we continue to follow Charlotte Silver as she maneuvers her way through friends, family, and relationships in this supernatural thriller. A smooth even pacing and engaging dialogue allows for fast reading. The writing is clear and concise; you can hear and relate to Charlotte well. Thankfully no overblown emo prose or life shattering angst that seems to be coating the YA genre lately. Even though this can be read as a stand alone, I recommend reading the first in this series, Past Midnight, to garner insight into the over all arc and references you will see in this one.
I found Charlotte to be a wonderful heroine. Ms. Purnhagen has created an enjoyable pragmatic character that is steeped in realism. Charlotte has normal teenage insecurities; prom, boys, her parents. I found her exceedingly level headed and brave as she investigates the supposed supernatural activity around her school and at home. She admits her fears yet faces her adversaries one on one.
The secondary characters are well developed and excel in the way they revolve around and further define Charlotte. As each character is added into the mix, you begin to see the bonds that ties them all together. Each one a necessary strand that elevates and helps continue the story along. I like how Ms. Purnhagan plays her cards close to her vest, choosing to have us feel and experience things right along with Charlotte.
I didn’t find the plot particularly frightening; we see more of Charlotte’s everyday life then supernatural activity. I found the over all premise to be very interesting with it’s urban legend persona and the easy, casual way that it is presented and drawn out. Nothing is reality-challenged. You can relate to the story in a way that has you thinking, “this could have very well happened to someone- somewhere.”
The ending is solid and it effectively resolves the main conflict,. We are left with some open questions and a serious cliffhanger to usher in the third book in this series, Beyond The Grave, which releases September 2011.
Rating: B
January 16, 2011
With every one of Mara Purnhagen's books I read I come to like her more and more as an author, and with One Hundred Candles this trend has continued thankfully. Because not only is One Hundred Candles Mara's best book yet, but this one is filled with even more suspense, romance, and intrigue than its prequel Past Midnight.
One Hundred Candles begins on Charlotte Silver's Christmas day, and while most families spend the day relaxing and having fun at home, Charlotte's doesn't, though, they've never been one to be normal. Instead they are spending their day at a empty and supposedly haunted sanitarium filming a segment for one of Charlotte's parents' documentaries. Though, a quick trip to the sanitarium soon turns deadly, landing Charlotte in the ER with a bruised arm and her parents in one of their biggest clashes ever. Returning home Charlotte hopes everything will quickly return to normal, though everything soon goes amiss when she plays a game called One Hundred Candles at a party. With the game comes mysteries and paranormal happenings, as well as the most deadly energies Charlotte's dealt with yet. So, will Charlotte be able to rise to the task and finish it off once and for all, or will she fail at the task? Better yet, what about Harris, the new guy who is paying attention to her? Does he truly like her, or this something more sinister to his intentions? Only time will tell in this deadly and spooky follow up to Past Midnight!
In this fantastic, action packed sequel there's more of everything- plot development, character development, you name it...
Though, my absolutely favorite out all of it was the character development. In Past Midnight, I was only to quickly come to like Charlotte and in One Hundred Candles this trend continued. One of the things I love most about Charlotte is her spunk that always leads her to be fearless when it comes to helping her friends and family out and in this addition this trait continued to be prevalent. Better yet, I loved how Charlotte got some romance in this one, because not only did it lead to an interesting sub-plot, but it also lead to some much needed tension between Charlotte and her friend Noah, a guy who may just be perfect for Charlotte if they gave each other a chance.
Adding to this, I loved the plot of this book. It was filled with enough action and suspense to keep my hands stuck to the pages like glue. I was ceaselessly wondering what would occur next, especially when it came to the events following the One Hundred Candles game. And while I'm one to get annoyed with cliff-hanger endings, the one at the end of One Hundred Candles was fabulous and well worth the frustration I'm now feeling over having to wait until Fall '11 to find out what will happen next.
In all, if you're a fan of paranormal books, be sure to pick up Past Midnight as well as One Hundred Candles. These are two books that are sure to rock your world and they may even add a certain new author to your list of favorite authors ever!
Grade: A+
One Hundred Candles begins on Charlotte Silver's Christmas day, and while most families spend the day relaxing and having fun at home, Charlotte's doesn't, though, they've never been one to be normal. Instead they are spending their day at a empty and supposedly haunted sanitarium filming a segment for one of Charlotte's parents' documentaries. Though, a quick trip to the sanitarium soon turns deadly, landing Charlotte in the ER with a bruised arm and her parents in one of their biggest clashes ever. Returning home Charlotte hopes everything will quickly return to normal, though everything soon goes amiss when she plays a game called One Hundred Candles at a party. With the game comes mysteries and paranormal happenings, as well as the most deadly energies Charlotte's dealt with yet. So, will Charlotte be able to rise to the task and finish it off once and for all, or will she fail at the task? Better yet, what about Harris, the new guy who is paying attention to her? Does he truly like her, or this something more sinister to his intentions? Only time will tell in this deadly and spooky follow up to Past Midnight!
In this fantastic, action packed sequel there's more of everything- plot development, character development, you name it...
Though, my absolutely favorite out all of it was the character development. In Past Midnight, I was only to quickly come to like Charlotte and in One Hundred Candles this trend continued. One of the things I love most about Charlotte is her spunk that always leads her to be fearless when it comes to helping her friends and family out and in this addition this trait continued to be prevalent. Better yet, I loved how Charlotte got some romance in this one, because not only did it lead to an interesting sub-plot, but it also lead to some much needed tension between Charlotte and her friend Noah, a guy who may just be perfect for Charlotte if they gave each other a chance.
Adding to this, I loved the plot of this book. It was filled with enough action and suspense to keep my hands stuck to the pages like glue. I was ceaselessly wondering what would occur next, especially when it came to the events following the One Hundred Candles game. And while I'm one to get annoyed with cliff-hanger endings, the one at the end of One Hundred Candles was fabulous and well worth the frustration I'm now feeling over having to wait until Fall '11 to find out what will happen next.
In all, if you're a fan of paranormal books, be sure to pick up Past Midnight as well as One Hundred Candles. These are two books that are sure to rock your world and they may even add a certain new author to your list of favorite authors ever!
Grade: A+
April 25, 2011
Charlotte Silver is not afraid of ghosts. She’s been studying them with her scientific team parents, debunking them as myths, since she could walk. But things seem to be changing after an incident at a “haunted” asylum over the holidays. When a seemingly possessed cameraman grabs her arm and inflicts pain with a haunting warning, things start going haywire at Charlotte’s high school, where all she wants to do is fit in. Everyone is seeing ghosts everywhere, which may or may not be the result of a spooky New Year’s Eve party where Charlotte finally made a boyfriend connection.
I don't usually read paranormal, but the blurb for One Hundred Candles caught my attention. I whizzed breathlessly through the novel in one sitting. I love first person done well and this definitely gets the job done. One Hundred Candles has a riveting point of view, smooth plotting and includes all of the usual but empathetic angst of being a teenager.
Charlotte is an easy character to relate to, and her devoted best friend, Noah, is quite the catch, even if she’s distracted by her new jock boyfriend. I liked the high school setting and really felt the bond between Charlotte and her family. Her feelings for her quirky parents are strong and respectful, and her pain is felt as she endures the challenges of watching adults try to make things work.
The strong supernatural elements in this story are chilling and unraveled at a good pace until demons are at the doorstep. Ms. Purnhagan does an excellent job making both worlds believable and logical. She is careful not to go overboard into darkness, and focuses on the goodness and light beyond the villains from other realms.
Purnhagan also has a unique writing style that stands out. Each chapter begins a new experience, that begins at an end and backtracks seamlessly. It’s quite a feat, and I stand in awe of how this worked for the storyline.
In my opinion, the book is for older teens, not tweens, as alcohol makes mention along with the sweet romantic storyline, but I think these were handled tactfully, and I appreciated that. I also liked the science woven into the fear factor. It helped alleviate some of the supernatural angles which some parents might be uncomfortable having their children read. That being said, I will recommend this to my teens, and I'm pretty protective.
With clever writing, this is a unique series that I suspect has superstar potential. I'm glad I picked it up--I feel like I'm ahead of the crowd and suspect I will be hearing a lot more about the series.
If you enjoyed Twilight or the Harry Potter series, you will love this book. I’m picking up the first volume in the series very soon!
Originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
I don't usually read paranormal, but the blurb for One Hundred Candles caught my attention. I whizzed breathlessly through the novel in one sitting. I love first person done well and this definitely gets the job done. One Hundred Candles has a riveting point of view, smooth plotting and includes all of the usual but empathetic angst of being a teenager.
Charlotte is an easy character to relate to, and her devoted best friend, Noah, is quite the catch, even if she’s distracted by her new jock boyfriend. I liked the high school setting and really felt the bond between Charlotte and her family. Her feelings for her quirky parents are strong and respectful, and her pain is felt as she endures the challenges of watching adults try to make things work.
The strong supernatural elements in this story are chilling and unraveled at a good pace until demons are at the doorstep. Ms. Purnhagan does an excellent job making both worlds believable and logical. She is careful not to go overboard into darkness, and focuses on the goodness and light beyond the villains from other realms.
Purnhagan also has a unique writing style that stands out. Each chapter begins a new experience, that begins at an end and backtracks seamlessly. It’s quite a feat, and I stand in awe of how this worked for the storyline.
In my opinion, the book is for older teens, not tweens, as alcohol makes mention along with the sweet romantic storyline, but I think these were handled tactfully, and I appreciated that. I also liked the science woven into the fear factor. It helped alleviate some of the supernatural angles which some parents might be uncomfortable having their children read. That being said, I will recommend this to my teens, and I'm pretty protective.
With clever writing, this is a unique series that I suspect has superstar potential. I'm glad I picked it up--I feel like I'm ahead of the crowd and suspect I will be hearing a lot more about the series.
If you enjoyed Twilight or the Harry Potter series, you will love this book. I’m picking up the first volume in the series very soon!
Originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
April 8, 2011
Creepy, fantastic read! The descriptions of the paranormal happenings had me pull the covers up to my nose at night and jumping at every little noise I heard. I loved the way Mara described everything in this book, the strength and personalities of the characters, and the downright creepiness of the paranormal beings. I don't think there was any part of this book that bored me. It had me flipping the pages all the way to the end.
Charlotte gets invited to a huge party where she gets overwhelmed and ends up gazing at the stars with the big jock on campus, Harris. When Harris offers to head over to a party that is more up Charlotte's alley the ghosts stories begin. A game called One Hundred Candles in being played when Harris, Charlotte, Avery and Noah arrive. Gwyn explains the rules that you can only tell a paranormal story that is true and has either happened to you or someone that you are close with. Once the story is told a candle is lit. After all of the one hundred candles are lit, there will be one hundred spirits in the room with them.
Little did they know, the stories would haunt them long after the stories were told. This is something that Charlotte isn't easily spooked by and is always thinking of a way to debunk the story. What happens where there are no scientific explanations, and personal experiences that haunt your every thought? A vision so burned into your mind you are forced to believe.
The premise of this story, of one hundred candles being lit and each frightening story being played out had me hooked! To me it seemed like an urban legend story. But, urban legends don't end up with a creepy possessed demon (or something worse) hunting you down. Along with the story you learn a lot about Charlotte. The family troubles she is trying to deal with, the new boyfriend in her life, the mystery of the hauntings happening at her school and the 1-year anniversary of Adam's death.
With the scary aspect of the story, you also got the real life feeling too, and that's what I loved. I am also a huge fan of ghost stories and scary movies. I don't know why, because I am the biggest scardy cat ever. This book did for me, what the exorcist did. Made me turn on every light on in the house. Why I didn't rate this the full five stars is because it wasn't (for me, at least) a book that I couldn't live with out. While I loved the story and I am looking forward to the next, I didn't LOVE it. But I did enjoy it and I am glad that this was my first paranormal read.
Recommendation
I would recommend this book to those who love ghost stories, anything paranormal, ghost hunting, possession and a bit of mystery. I do love all those things and I don't know why I haven't read something like this sooner.
Charlotte gets invited to a huge party where she gets overwhelmed and ends up gazing at the stars with the big jock on campus, Harris. When Harris offers to head over to a party that is more up Charlotte's alley the ghosts stories begin. A game called One Hundred Candles in being played when Harris, Charlotte, Avery and Noah arrive. Gwyn explains the rules that you can only tell a paranormal story that is true and has either happened to you or someone that you are close with. Once the story is told a candle is lit. After all of the one hundred candles are lit, there will be one hundred spirits in the room with them.
Little did they know, the stories would haunt them long after the stories were told. This is something that Charlotte isn't easily spooked by and is always thinking of a way to debunk the story. What happens where there are no scientific explanations, and personal experiences that haunt your every thought? A vision so burned into your mind you are forced to believe.
The premise of this story, of one hundred candles being lit and each frightening story being played out had me hooked! To me it seemed like an urban legend story. But, urban legends don't end up with a creepy possessed demon (or something worse) hunting you down. Along with the story you learn a lot about Charlotte. The family troubles she is trying to deal with, the new boyfriend in her life, the mystery of the hauntings happening at her school and the 1-year anniversary of Adam's death.
With the scary aspect of the story, you also got the real life feeling too, and that's what I loved. I am also a huge fan of ghost stories and scary movies. I don't know why, because I am the biggest scardy cat ever. This book did for me, what the exorcist did. Made me turn on every light on in the house. Why I didn't rate this the full five stars is because it wasn't (for me, at least) a book that I couldn't live with out. While I loved the story and I am looking forward to the next, I didn't LOVE it. But I did enjoy it and I am glad that this was my first paranormal read.
Recommendation
I would recommend this book to those who love ghost stories, anything paranormal, ghost hunting, possession and a bit of mystery. I do love all those things and I don't know why I haven't read something like this sooner.
January 20, 2011
The author of One Hundred Candles was so kind and allowed me to upload this book onto my reader from Netgally and I am so grateful she did. I was not able to read the first book of the series because unfortunately my library doesn't carry it but it is one I am going to have to get my hands on so I can read it because I really enjoyed this book. Even though I didn't read the first book (yet) I didn't really feel lost reading the second book, there were things that were talked about from the first book that I wish I could know more about but it didn't stop me from enjoying this book. Charlotte is finally settled into a home and a school and is the daughter of famous parents who travel around debunking hauntings. Trouble starts when Charlotte's mom begins believing in the supernatural while her father firmly holds onto the belief that strange happenings are the result of residual energy left behind. Charlotte tries to balance a new romance a few new friendships, school, her parents fighting and the supernatural happenings all around her.
There were so many original ideas in what could have turned into a typical girl sees ghost story. I love the idea of residual energy and the power of good thoughts. I love that most things in this book dealing with the supernatural turned out to be hoaxes because when there were real demons or ghost it made it all the more intense. I loved the mixture of mystery, romance, family, friends, school, death, faith, friendship, belief and disbelief in this story. There were so many different aspects that it kept the story from getting boring even when nothing was happening. I know I like a book when I am excited to pick it up and reluctant to put it down and that is how I felt with this book.
There were only two things I could think of that I didn't love about this book. 1- Something would be happening and then all of the sudden the chapter would be over and a new one would start and a few days had past. It only took a page or two to pick up again but I found myself being pushed out of the story a little at the end of each chapter. 2- I don't know if I just missed it or what but one minute Charlotte's parents were on the brink of divorce and then the next minute he dad believed everything and they were in love again. Like I said maybe there were signs I missed because I was so into the whole demon chasing Chloe thing that I might have just missed it. Other than that though this book was awesome, I can't wait to read book #3 and book #1 in this series. Thanks again to the author Mara Purnhagen for allowing me to read your book!
www.feliciahowell.blogspot.com
There were so many original ideas in what could have turned into a typical girl sees ghost story. I love the idea of residual energy and the power of good thoughts. I love that most things in this book dealing with the supernatural turned out to be hoaxes because when there were real demons or ghost it made it all the more intense. I loved the mixture of mystery, romance, family, friends, school, death, faith, friendship, belief and disbelief in this story. There were so many different aspects that it kept the story from getting boring even when nothing was happening. I know I like a book when I am excited to pick it up and reluctant to put it down and that is how I felt with this book.
There were only two things I could think of that I didn't love about this book. 1- Something would be happening and then all of the sudden the chapter would be over and a new one would start and a few days had past. It only took a page or two to pick up again but I found myself being pushed out of the story a little at the end of each chapter. 2- I don't know if I just missed it or what but one minute Charlotte's parents were on the brink of divorce and then the next minute he dad believed everything and they were in love again. Like I said maybe there were signs I missed because I was so into the whole demon chasing Chloe thing that I might have just missed it. Other than that though this book was awesome, I can't wait to read book #3 and book #1 in this series. Thanks again to the author Mara Purnhagen for allowing me to read your book!
www.feliciahowell.blogspot.com
February 1, 2011
I have finished this book yesterday (Jan. 31) but I didn't take the time on making the review. So, here I am now and let see what are the things I should say about this book.
To be honest, I haven't read the first book, Past Midnight, and I noticed this book is the 2nd installment of the series. Yes. It's a bummer. Still, I wanted to make a review about it. I'll get myself the first book sometime so I could be able to connect both of these reviews.
The narrator is the main character of the book, Charlotte Silver, who has a family of ghost busters -- not actually on the movie but they are debunkers. They are the ones investigating paranormal and supernatural activities using instead of a ghost-capturing-box, they use scientific methods which they are proving ghost are just energies floating around and not a real ghost at all.
If you're wondering why it is called -- One Hundred Candles, the details is included in this book, of course.
It is bad for me not knowing what had happen on the first book but it gave me a glimpse on it which is so good for me, though I don't know the exact details of the story.
This book gave me the chills, especially when the main reason of the one hundred candles are for. I am a fan of violence and gore but in ghostly stuff? No. When I am reading this alone in my room and the lights are dim lit, I felt goosebumps on my skin and felt of a sudden chill, creepy feelings are crawling through my skin. I am not freaking out but I don't like the feeling of it. But this book helped me to like this even more. There are few books that sending me that electricity of fright of sensation. That's something good about this book.
Love? Friendship? Family? It's all here. Tear-jerking scenes, a couple of humorous give and simple teenage love. Good combination of the three.
There are points of few flaws on this book. I don't want to sound bad but it is the truth. There is the part of predictability, not entirely all though. There were parts I was surprised to know. But the important stuff is the very most crucial part of the book. I already know the enemy from the beginning, so I just needed to read further to know what will happen. Not too much for revelations but it shows surprises which I liked too.
I do recommend this book for those who wanted to feel chills in your skin. Surely you will like this book. It is a worth to read and sure you're gonna enjoy it. I'll be getting my own copy of Past Midnight soon!:]
*I received this free eGalley via from publisher Harlequin Teens via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thanks guys!^^
To be honest, I haven't read the first book, Past Midnight, and I noticed this book is the 2nd installment of the series. Yes. It's a bummer. Still, I wanted to make a review about it. I'll get myself the first book sometime so I could be able to connect both of these reviews.
The narrator is the main character of the book, Charlotte Silver, who has a family of ghost busters -- not actually on the movie but they are debunkers. They are the ones investigating paranormal and supernatural activities using instead of a ghost-capturing-box, they use scientific methods which they are proving ghost are just energies floating around and not a real ghost at all.
If you're wondering why it is called -- One Hundred Candles, the details is included in this book, of course.
It is bad for me not knowing what had happen on the first book but it gave me a glimpse on it which is so good for me, though I don't know the exact details of the story.
This book gave me the chills, especially when the main reason of the one hundred candles are for. I am a fan of violence and gore but in ghostly stuff? No. When I am reading this alone in my room and the lights are dim lit, I felt goosebumps on my skin and felt of a sudden chill, creepy feelings are crawling through my skin. I am not freaking out but I don't like the feeling of it. But this book helped me to like this even more. There are few books that sending me that electricity of fright of sensation. That's something good about this book.
Love? Friendship? Family? It's all here. Tear-jerking scenes, a couple of humorous give and simple teenage love. Good combination of the three.
There are points of few flaws on this book. I don't want to sound bad but it is the truth. There is the part of predictability, not entirely all though. There were parts I was surprised to know. But the important stuff is the very most crucial part of the book. I already know the enemy from the beginning, so I just needed to read further to know what will happen. Not too much for revelations but it shows surprises which I liked too.
I do recommend this book for those who wanted to feel chills in your skin. Surely you will like this book. It is a worth to read and sure you're gonna enjoy it. I'll be getting my own copy of Past Midnight soon!:]
*I received this free eGalley via from publisher Harlequin Teens via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thanks guys!^^
February 20, 2011
I have read and enjoyed all of Mara's published books so far and I've been eager for One Hundred Candles to be released. Luckily, it was a fabulous follow up to Past Midnight! Filled with more spooky twists and turns and new characters, One Hundred Candles sent shivers up my spine and kept me reading into the night!
The plot of One Hundred Candles was intriguing and fast paced. The action starts almost immediately and comes to a high point when our protagonist, Charlotte, and some friends go to a party and get involved in a mysterious game called "One Hundred Candles". The room is dark and mysterious and Charlotte, her best friends Avery and Noah, and her maybe-boyfriend Harris, are all present as well as a bunch of other kids from their school. Each of them has to share a paranormal experience and then light a candle. Unfortunately, afterwards, some freaky things start happening to Charlotte and at their school. Are Charlotte and her friends really being haunted or is there a more logical, human approach to the occurrences?
Charlotte was a strong and determined main character and always wanted the best for her family and friends. Unlike in the first novel, the Silver clan is not as happy and "together" as they once were. Charlotte's parents are constantly arguing and having differences in opinion. On top of all that Charlotte is dealing with some of her own problems. Like her new boyfriend Harris. And tensions with her friend(?) Noah. And of course all the freaky things happening at school. Charlotte held her head up high through it all and always sought out the most realistic answer. Luckily she had her best friend Avery, who was always there for her, and her older sister. I liked all the secondary characters in One Hundred Candles as I got to revisit with some of my favorites from the prequel and get to know them better as well as to meet some likable, new characters.
I love how Mara Purnhagen's novels always keep me on the edge of my seat and One Hundred Candles was no exception. New plot twists were always thrown in when I least expected them and certain characters had more going on than met the eye. The ending especially was so creepy and horrifying I couldn't put it down for one second.
One Hundred Candles in no way suffered from sequel blues and I enjoyed it even more than the first book in the series. Charlotte is a main character I was constantly rooting for and I was truly scared during a few scenes. Now I am counting the days until Beyond the Grave is released!
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
The plot of One Hundred Candles was intriguing and fast paced. The action starts almost immediately and comes to a high point when our protagonist, Charlotte, and some friends go to a party and get involved in a mysterious game called "One Hundred Candles". The room is dark and mysterious and Charlotte, her best friends Avery and Noah, and her maybe-boyfriend Harris, are all present as well as a bunch of other kids from their school. Each of them has to share a paranormal experience and then light a candle. Unfortunately, afterwards, some freaky things start happening to Charlotte and at their school. Are Charlotte and her friends really being haunted or is there a more logical, human approach to the occurrences?
Charlotte was a strong and determined main character and always wanted the best for her family and friends. Unlike in the first novel, the Silver clan is not as happy and "together" as they once were. Charlotte's parents are constantly arguing and having differences in opinion. On top of all that Charlotte is dealing with some of her own problems. Like her new boyfriend Harris. And tensions with her friend(?) Noah. And of course all the freaky things happening at school. Charlotte held her head up high through it all and always sought out the most realistic answer. Luckily she had her best friend Avery, who was always there for her, and her older sister. I liked all the secondary characters in One Hundred Candles as I got to revisit with some of my favorites from the prequel and get to know them better as well as to meet some likable, new characters.
I love how Mara Purnhagen's novels always keep me on the edge of my seat and One Hundred Candles was no exception. New plot twists were always thrown in when I least expected them and certain characters had more going on than met the eye. The ending especially was so creepy and horrifying I couldn't put it down for one second.
One Hundred Candles in no way suffered from sequel blues and I enjoyed it even more than the first book in the series. Charlotte is a main character I was constantly rooting for and I was truly scared during a few scenes. Now I am counting the days until Beyond the Grave is released!
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
July 1, 2011
Book Review – “One Hundred Candles” by Mara Purnhagen
Often when you put teenager and ghosts together in one story you end up with “the Scooby Gang” as Buffy called he friends, which in turn was a reference to the Hanna Barbara animated series “Scooby Doo Where Are You?” that began back in the sixties.
There is no “Scooby Gang” to be found in the PAST MIDNIGHT series of Young Adult novels by Mara Purnhagen.
Instead we have Charlotte Silver, her family, and friends having to deal with the ordinary struggles of high school life. From struggles with schoolwork, getting a first boyfriend, and the concerns of a family in trouble. These day-to-day struggles only become all the more important when a real supernatural threat enters their lives. A potential divorce is more dangerous than a demon.
Though Charlotte’s parents are paranormal investigators, the story has never been about hunting down ghosts. Her father doesn’t believe in ghosts, it’s just residual energy. It’s about a young woman seeking an ordinary life, and not loosing it when its finally in her grasp.
In a previous review I described “Raising the Dead”, Purnhagen’s novella that takes place between PAST MIDNIGHT and ONE HUNDRED CANDLES as a weekend jaunt. A wonderful little story but has no major impact upon our characters or the world they lived in. I can certainly say that we are deep into the workweek with ONE HUNDRED CANDLES.
The threats have grown for Charlotte; socially, personally, and supernaturally. When it’s over, things can never go back the way they were.
As to Purnhagen’s writing style, I found something quite interesting in ONE HUNDRED CANDLES that I hadn’t notice in the earlier books. She would start a chapter at one point and then jump back and fourth telling the reader of the events that lead up to that moment before finally moving on. Truthfully, I was confuse at first and it took a few chapters to get use to, but then I began to look forward to seeing how she would start off the next chapter. It was a really fun and interesting way to keep us inside Charlotte’s mind and point of view of events around her.
It’s going to be hard to write further reviews of the PAST MIDNIGHT series, as I’ve really been enjoying them and looking forward to the next. Won’t be able to give a non-biased opinion to the next book in the series.
ONE HUNDRED CANDLES burns brightly Mara Purnhagen.
Kevin Paul Shaw Broden
Four Names of Professional Creativity
http://kevinpsbroden.blogspot.com/
Often when you put teenager and ghosts together in one story you end up with “the Scooby Gang” as Buffy called he friends, which in turn was a reference to the Hanna Barbara animated series “Scooby Doo Where Are You?” that began back in the sixties.
There is no “Scooby Gang” to be found in the PAST MIDNIGHT series of Young Adult novels by Mara Purnhagen.
Instead we have Charlotte Silver, her family, and friends having to deal with the ordinary struggles of high school life. From struggles with schoolwork, getting a first boyfriend, and the concerns of a family in trouble. These day-to-day struggles only become all the more important when a real supernatural threat enters their lives. A potential divorce is more dangerous than a demon.
Though Charlotte’s parents are paranormal investigators, the story has never been about hunting down ghosts. Her father doesn’t believe in ghosts, it’s just residual energy. It’s about a young woman seeking an ordinary life, and not loosing it when its finally in her grasp.
In a previous review I described “Raising the Dead”, Purnhagen’s novella that takes place between PAST MIDNIGHT and ONE HUNDRED CANDLES as a weekend jaunt. A wonderful little story but has no major impact upon our characters or the world they lived in. I can certainly say that we are deep into the workweek with ONE HUNDRED CANDLES.
The threats have grown for Charlotte; socially, personally, and supernaturally. When it’s over, things can never go back the way they were.
As to Purnhagen’s writing style, I found something quite interesting in ONE HUNDRED CANDLES that I hadn’t notice in the earlier books. She would start a chapter at one point and then jump back and fourth telling the reader of the events that lead up to that moment before finally moving on. Truthfully, I was confuse at first and it took a few chapters to get use to, but then I began to look forward to seeing how she would start off the next chapter. It was a really fun and interesting way to keep us inside Charlotte’s mind and point of view of events around her.
It’s going to be hard to write further reviews of the PAST MIDNIGHT series, as I’ve really been enjoying them and looking forward to the next. Won’t be able to give a non-biased opinion to the next book in the series.
ONE HUNDRED CANDLES burns brightly Mara Purnhagen.
Kevin Paul Shaw Broden
Four Names of Professional Creativity
http://kevinpsbroden.blogspot.com/
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