Born at Midnight was a great start to this series. I liked the writing, and even though Kylie was boring sometimes, it was still enjoyable. I didn't like certain things about it, like the shallow romance, and the mistery about what Kylie was.
I hoped that, in Awake at Dawn, those things would develop, and we'd get to know a lot more about Shadow Falls. I can say, for sure, that this didn't happen.
Well, to start with, Kylie doesn't know what she is. She spends the first half of the book searching for answers, and when she doesn't get them, she starts to look for her grandparents. And big surprise, this research leads us nowhere. I get it that the autor wants a suspense, but it's boring. I can't stand another internal crisis, with Kylie wondering what she is, and being completely broken by it. Seriously, get a grip. Strong female characters are one of the things that attract me in a book,and someone who just complains about the lack of answers and does little about it isn't appealing.
The romance is also disappointing. Kylie likes Derek, but can't give her heart to him because she still thinks about Lucas (the shape-shifter who left the camp for unknown reasons). And, of course, when Lucas comes back, her whole frame shakes and her pulse speeds up at the sight of him, while at the same time, she tries to fall in love with Derek. Love triangles are great, as long as they are well-written. And this one wasn't. It was a mess of feelings and impulses, and I still don't understand Kylie's preferences.
Lucas, apparently, is supposed to be charming, and a badboy. I got the impression he's a jerk covered with sweet words. He leaves the girl, knowing that she may have feelings for another man, comes back later and expects to find her waiting for him. And when she hesitates, he tries to win her by making her remember how their love is amazing.
Oh, and did I mention that while he was gone, Kylie dreamed about them making out? And that the dreams aren't just a fragment of her imagination, but a psychic ability?
Not to mention that every 20 pages or so, Kylie talked to Holiday about every single thing that happened with her. Yes, she wanted to have a friend and yes, it's great to have heart-to-heart conversations, but with the camp leader? I know I wouldn't open up and spill all my problems in front of the principal of my school, no matter how many times she tells me I'm her friend.
Another disappointment was Miranda and Della. Yes, Della being a vampire and Miranda being a witch really makes their friendship that much harder, but the constant fight between the two of them was really childish. There wasn't even an argument, just constant insults. My point is, wanna make a troubled friendship? Fine. But make it believable.
One of the things I liked about Awake at Dawn, though, was Kylie's relationship with her mother. The way they cared about each other was great, and there was a specific part of the book that I really enjoyed. However, while their love was great, the change of personality in her mother was obvious. It could have been more subtle.
I really hate to write negative reviews. I do. But my mind was going to explode in frustration when I finished this book. I know others may have loved it, but it was ... not so good for me. I'm still going to read Taked at Dusk, though. I'm hoping it'll get better.