Midnight Captive is the second book to the Bonded by Blood Vampire Chronicles. If you did not read the first book, Midnight Conquest, then you are about to read some spoilers. You have been warned!
The story takes place about seventeen years after the first book. Cailin is now woman and ready to become engaged to her childhood sweetheart, James Knightly. MacDougal and Knightly own a business together. When James father disappears, Broderick takes over his fatherly role to James. James is sent off to Germany to learn fencing before taking up the family business. Cailin, in the meantime, learns how to fight rather than learn domestic duties. She learns how to fight because Angus Campbell is still at large and trying to hurt Broderick through the people he loves. Will he succeed this time?
The story is written in third person mostly following Cailin, James, and Broderick. Broderick is determined to protect his family. Despite his better judgment, he goes off to find a way to help protect his family, leaving his future son-in-law in his place. Broderick learns a key figure in a prophecy is him, but his actions could undo the prophecy and those he loves. Cailin grew up with the knowledge of her adopted father as a vampire and the dangers of Angus around every corner. In fact, Angus was almost successful at abducting and killing her family as a girl. She, therefore, goes against her gender role and learns to fight. And not just fight, but how to fight a vampire. James does not know what Broderick is at the beginning of the story. Despite what the MacDoughals are, he is in love with Cailin and is willing to do anything to protect – which is tested in this book. In this story, we learn more about the prophecy that was mentioned at the end of the first book. Other characters from the prior book make their appearance or are mentioned. There are, however, a few new characters – good and bad.
I liked the story to this book better than the first. It seemed like there were more action/danger going on. Although shorter, the second book moves along well and leaves off for the next book in the series while finishing the current story. I was a little turned off by James when we first see him, but eventually that wore off. The prophecy and other teachings that Malloren spoke of kept my interest. I would hope to see more of that in the following books.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. If you like historical fiction/vampire novels, then you might want to try this book – after reading the first, Midnight Conquest.