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The Midnight Society #1
Semblance
Whoever said money couldn't buy happiness has never starved a day in their lives.
My name is Aria Valencia, a third year classical music student at the university, and I was down to my last dollar. Some nights, I seriously considered working at the rippers just to make ends meet, but the thought of my dad's spirit--God rest his soul--scowling at me while I danced up on some drooling degenerate was enough to turn me off the idea completely.
And then one night, chance came knocking on my door under the guise of the Midnight Society, a secret cabal comprised of the most wealthy and influential souls this side of the Universe. Their leader was a man named Shadow, who was equally enigmatic as he was gorgeous and, for some mystifying reason, had his dark brooding eyes focused on me.
Seduced by the promises of fame and fortune in exchange for a seemingly innocent request, I soon found myself drawn into a provocative world filled with both vast riches and unending lies and it didn't take long for me to realize what being a part of the Midnight Society actually entailed: shiny things, sensual romance, and dead bodies.
Being with Shadow came with a terrible price, one that I wasn't willing to pay. There's a dark side to every love story, and this one was mine.
My name is Aria Valencia, a third year classical music student at the university, and I was down to my last dollar. Some nights, I seriously considered working at the rippers just to make ends meet, but the thought of my dad's spirit--God rest his soul--scowling at me while I danced up on some drooling degenerate was enough to turn me off the idea completely.
And then one night, chance came knocking on my door under the guise of the Midnight Society, a secret cabal comprised of the most wealthy and influential souls this side of the Universe. Their leader was a man named Shadow, who was equally enigmatic as he was gorgeous and, for some mystifying reason, had his dark brooding eyes focused on me.
Seduced by the promises of fame and fortune in exchange for a seemingly innocent request, I soon found myself drawn into a provocative world filled with both vast riches and unending lies and it didn't take long for me to realize what being a part of the Midnight Society actually entailed: shiny things, sensual romance, and dead bodies.
Being with Shadow came with a terrible price, one that I wasn't willing to pay. There's a dark side to every love story, and this one was mine.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2013
34 people are currently reading
1082 people want to read
About the author
Logan Patricks
4 books276 followersLogan discovered both love and heartbreak at the tender age of seven, when the pretty little blue-eyed girl next door stole his Kit-Kat bar and shared it with the bad boy from across the street. Devastated, Logan found solace by escaping into imaginary worlds he forged with words, creating kingdoms where the chivalrous knight always got the princess.
Twenty three years later Logan spends his days in a suit and tie, working for the government on matters of network security. However his thoughts never strayed too far from the incendiary nature of love — the passionate fire that’s both scintillating and dangerous. Obsessed with exploring the steamy and mysterious side of human nature, Logan continues to create worlds filled with thrills, mystery, and of course, sex.
Twenty three years later Logan spends his days in a suit and tie, working for the government on matters of network security. However his thoughts never strayed too far from the incendiary nature of love — the passionate fire that’s both scintillating and dangerous. Obsessed with exploring the steamy and mysterious side of human nature, Logan continues to create worlds filled with thrills, mystery, and of course, sex.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
December 23, 2013
Best romantic thriller I've read in a long time!!!
What if there was a secret society whose members were the world’s top business men? What if that society had been around for centuries? You married from the society, children raised with the Fight Club mentality; First rule of The Midnight Society, don’t talk about The Midnight Society. Except your punishment isn’t an ass kicking, it’s death.
And what if you met a man who was the king of this society, and basically ruled the world? If you’re Aria– you tell him to go scratch because you want nothing to do with this crazy crap.
And she does, at first.
I loved Semblance. This novel is a fast-paced, suspense driven, page-turner. There was one clever twist after another. And just when I could breath a little sigh of relief… BOOM! I’m stunned and making — no-way-that-just-happened noises. Honest to God, I suspected everyone and figured out nothing! Every single plot twist is relevant, and dammit! my 007 inner fangirl was all about the society’s security.
I’m totally hot for both Shadow and Lincoln, but Aria? Now THIS is a strong, independent female character I like! As she tries to navigate this new world, she never loses sight of who she is, and her goals in life never change.
At one point a few of the members are outraged that she would even be considered by The Midnight Society. One member asks her about her family– what did her father (who is dead) do that was outstanding with his life? What was his greatest accomplishment? She answered, simple, “Me”. I love that.
What if there was a secret society whose members were the world’s top business men? What if that society had been around for centuries? You married from the society, children raised with the Fight Club mentality; First rule of The Midnight Society, don’t talk about The Midnight Society. Except your punishment isn’t an ass kicking, it’s death.
And what if you met a man who was the king of this society, and basically ruled the world? If you’re Aria– you tell him to go scratch because you want nothing to do with this crazy crap.
And she does, at first.
I loved Semblance. This novel is a fast-paced, suspense driven, page-turner. There was one clever twist after another. And just when I could breath a little sigh of relief… BOOM! I’m stunned and making — no-way-that-just-happened noises. Honest to God, I suspected everyone and figured out nothing! Every single plot twist is relevant, and dammit! my 007 inner fangirl was all about the society’s security.
I’m totally hot for both Shadow and Lincoln, but Aria? Now THIS is a strong, independent female character I like! As she tries to navigate this new world, she never loses sight of who she is, and her goals in life never change.
At one point a few of the members are outraged that she would even be considered by The Midnight Society. One member asks her about her family– what did her father (who is dead) do that was outstanding with his life? What was his greatest accomplishment? She answered, simple, “Me”. I love that.
June 1, 2014
A slick, coiling thriller about power, greed, and a decidedly deviant subject: sociopathy. There's a romantic sub-plot, though, I wouldn't consider this romantic or erotic. The plot focuses on the mysteries and characters that govern the Midnight Society. You might see the twist coming and figure out exactly how it will play out, but what you won't guess is depths at which it will cut and burn. The execution is brilliant and doesn't hold back.
Suspenseful and unique, this unsettling, complicated story is anchored by an undertone of eerie piano passages. The ending is powerful--not a cliffy--but enough to leave you anticipating the next book. I highly recommend for all thriller lovers.
Suspenseful and unique, this unsettling, complicated story is anchored by an undertone of eerie piano passages. The ending is powerful--not a cliffy--but enough to leave you anticipating the next book. I highly recommend for all thriller lovers.
December 20, 2013
I'll be honest, I don't even know where to start with this book. It was so....so....Haunting, beautiful, elegant, twisted, eloquent, mesmerizing, hypnotizing, intoxicating, in other words it was absolutely freaking FANTABULOUS! Sorry didn't mean to yell, but seriously people this book blew me away. I stayed up into the wee hours to finish this addicting story and when I finished the only thing I could say was damn, Damn, DAMN! I just sat there completely in awe of the tale that Logan Patricks had managed to weave.
Logan Patricks and his hauntingly beautiful book Semblance had me--I was wrapped up in every detail of the story. I was like a kid with a new toy, the house could have caught on fire and I wouldn't have noticed. There were so many what the F moments. Moments that made me cringe. Moments that made me cry, like a freaking baby, silent and heartbroken. And moments that completely broke me. Okay so maybe the whole story broke me. I sort of love and hate Logan Patricks right now. I love him for giving me what has to be one of the best stories I have read in a long time and I hate him because now I have to wait for the next installment. And that ladies and gentleman is going to be torture of the worst kind! Seriously the ending to this book is so effed up I don't know how long I can wait to find out what happens next.
Okay, so let me break this down a little more. First, Semblance has amazing characters. Characters that are both twisted, gorgeous, dark, haunted, snarky and full of sexy charm. First we have Aria, the struggling classical music student that lives and breathes classical piano and would give anything to land the one gig that would solidify her place among the musical elite. But Aria isn't one to take hand outs. She is strong willed, independent, stubborn, beautiful, a whole lot snarky, and she doesn't take crap from anybody. Not even drop dead gorgeous millionaires. She is a real breath of fresh air in a world full of money hungry snobs.
Then there's the male lead character played by Shadow Tremaine, the drop dead sexy as hell heir to the Tremaine fortune and the president of a secret society that practically runs the world. But Shadow hides a very haunted and dark past. One that he can't hide from and one he refuses to let go of. Shadow could have anything and anyone he wanted, but the moment Aria walked into his life all he wanted was her.
When Shadow offeres Aria an offer that would put an end to all her struggling days she leaps before she fully realizes that often times when something is too good to be true it usually is. Now she is lost in a world of fabulous things, where money literally can buy anything, gorgeous people, lies and dead bodies. Her new life is a tricky game, one where the possibility of death is very high.
Reading Semblance was like being in the audience at one of Bach's performances. Logan Patrick played me like a master pianist, bringing out every emotion and leaving me with the incredible high that comes from witnessing true talent. If this in fact were a show I would give Semblance and Logan Patricks a standing ovation. Seriously people when this book comes out on December 23, 2013 you need to run to your nearing reading device and download it! Trust me, this book will give you a very Merry Christmas!!! :)
*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
Logan Patricks and his hauntingly beautiful book Semblance had me--I was wrapped up in every detail of the story. I was like a kid with a new toy, the house could have caught on fire and I wouldn't have noticed. There were so many what the F moments. Moments that made me cringe. Moments that made me cry, like a freaking baby, silent and heartbroken. And moments that completely broke me. Okay so maybe the whole story broke me. I sort of love and hate Logan Patricks right now. I love him for giving me what has to be one of the best stories I have read in a long time and I hate him because now I have to wait for the next installment. And that ladies and gentleman is going to be torture of the worst kind! Seriously the ending to this book is so effed up I don't know how long I can wait to find out what happens next.
Okay, so let me break this down a little more. First, Semblance has amazing characters. Characters that are both twisted, gorgeous, dark, haunted, snarky and full of sexy charm. First we have Aria, the struggling classical music student that lives and breathes classical piano and would give anything to land the one gig that would solidify her place among the musical elite. But Aria isn't one to take hand outs. She is strong willed, independent, stubborn, beautiful, a whole lot snarky, and she doesn't take crap from anybody. Not even drop dead gorgeous millionaires. She is a real breath of fresh air in a world full of money hungry snobs.
Then there's the male lead character played by Shadow Tremaine, the drop dead sexy as hell heir to the Tremaine fortune and the president of a secret society that practically runs the world. But Shadow hides a very haunted and dark past. One that he can't hide from and one he refuses to let go of. Shadow could have anything and anyone he wanted, but the moment Aria walked into his life all he wanted was her.
When Shadow offeres Aria an offer that would put an end to all her struggling days she leaps before she fully realizes that often times when something is too good to be true it usually is. Now she is lost in a world of fabulous things, where money literally can buy anything, gorgeous people, lies and dead bodies. Her new life is a tricky game, one where the possibility of death is very high.
Reading Semblance was like being in the audience at one of Bach's performances. Logan Patrick played me like a master pianist, bringing out every emotion and leaving me with the incredible high that comes from witnessing true talent. If this in fact were a show I would give Semblance and Logan Patricks a standing ovation. Seriously people when this book comes out on December 23, 2013 you need to run to your nearing reading device and download it! Trust me, this book will give you a very Merry Christmas!!! :)
*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
December 29, 2013
Don't know what to say! No words can describe this book! Five Stars is not enough!!
The author seriously where have you been you really need to write more books like now and he wrote this from a female point of view wow!
Not your average sweet romance its thrilling, full of Suspension, mystery, page turning, alluring intriguing, mind blowing, dark but beautiful, oh did I mention there is a secret society!!! (oh hell yes! The Midnight Society!!)
"The punishment for violating the sanctity of our little secret is death- to you and the person you divulge to."
What I really liked was all the different characters no matter how little they were featured in the book but what a big part they had in the actually story it gave you a better background and base for the rest of the book, Abraham and Justine oh how my heart bleed for them!
Aria- aka the "Golden Virgin" (huh! read the book! ;)) and Calisto well were can one start both these female characters are gorgeous well portrayed but both so different one has money, wealth, sass and is part of a secret society the other a struggling but fiercely independent music student. ( If you like your classical music the pieces the author has put in are mesmerizing! Beautiful!)
Shadow- aka "Lord of The Midnight Society!" and Lincoln hotness personified swoon!! Dam these guys are full on mysterious hot alpha males. Loved them!!
This book captured me from the first page and held me hostage until the end and what an ending......(dam cliff hangers!) A must read!
"Tonight your life is going to change forever."
Cannot wait for the next book please do not keep us waiting long!
The author seriously where have you been you really need to write more books like now and he wrote this from a female point of view wow!
Not your average sweet romance its thrilling, full of Suspension, mystery, page turning, alluring intriguing, mind blowing, dark but beautiful, oh did I mention there is a secret society!!! (oh hell yes! The Midnight Society!!)
"The punishment for violating the sanctity of our little secret is death- to you and the person you divulge to."
What I really liked was all the different characters no matter how little they were featured in the book but what a big part they had in the actually story it gave you a better background and base for the rest of the book, Abraham and Justine oh how my heart bleed for them!
Aria- aka the "Golden Virgin" (huh! read the book! ;)) and Calisto well were can one start both these female characters are gorgeous well portrayed but both so different one has money, wealth, sass and is part of a secret society the other a struggling but fiercely independent music student. ( If you like your classical music the pieces the author has put in are mesmerizing! Beautiful!)
Shadow- aka "Lord of The Midnight Society!" and Lincoln hotness personified swoon!! Dam these guys are full on mysterious hot alpha males. Loved them!!
This book captured me from the first page and held me hostage until the end and what an ending......(dam cliff hangers!) A must read!
"Tonight your life is going to change forever."
Cannot wait for the next book please do not keep us waiting long!
July 17, 2014
Semblance is a good story and one that is filled with mystery, some steaminess and angst. It does leave you on a bit of a cliff-hanger which can be a good or bad thing, depending on how you look at it. Personally, I love a good cliff hanger because it gives me something to look forward to but the wait usually feels like torture. I really struggled when I was writing the review because there were a lot of moments that were 3 stars, some moments that were 4 stars and an instance where it was 5 stars. Finally I settled on 3 stars and these are my reasons why:
Things that worked really well:
-The suspense was absolutely fabulous and the mystery about the Midnight Society had me on the edge of my seat!
-Plot twists: fantastic and I never saw them coming!
-Aria is a heroine that isn't insecure; she knows who she is and what she wants. Love that.
Things that were so-so:
-Sometimes the dialogue seemed a bit forced giving it a choppy feel to the overall flow of the story.
-Aria and Shadow fell for each other way too fast, I'm not a fan of insta-love.
-I wanted Shadow to hold onto his secrets and not share right away because the mystery is was makes him so swoon worthy.
-There were moments when the pacing was too quick in areas when it should have slowed down and vice-versa.
Semblance is a suspense driven story, one I truly enjoyed despite my concerns because all the plot twists and turns were fabulous! If you are looking for a story that's different and a total page turner...this is the book for you! ;)
Things that worked really well:
-The suspense was absolutely fabulous and the mystery about the Midnight Society had me on the edge of my seat!
-Plot twists: fantastic and I never saw them coming!
-Aria is a heroine that isn't insecure; she knows who she is and what she wants. Love that.
Things that were so-so:
-Sometimes the dialogue seemed a bit forced giving it a choppy feel to the overall flow of the story.
-Aria and Shadow fell for each other way too fast, I'm not a fan of insta-love.
-I wanted Shadow to hold onto his secrets and not share right away because the mystery is was makes him so swoon worthy.
-There were moments when the pacing was too quick in areas when it should have slowed down and vice-versa.
Semblance is a suspense driven story, one I truly enjoyed despite my concerns because all the plot twists and turns were fabulous! If you are looking for a story that's different and a total page turner...this is the book for you! ;)
January 15, 2014
First off:
4 star romance, 5 star thriller
Here's why:
-The romance occurred a bit quick and frankly, I wanted to see more of it and more development around it, (Crossing my fingers for book 2)
-I am TYPICALLY not a fan of thrillers...WOW WAS I WRONG! I just hadn't found one I liked yet!
What an amazing read. I'm not sure I can express well enough how this book unfolded. The plot twist had me screaming and taking Logan's name in vain as I reached the end of the book and found the cliff hanger. Stunned it has been three days and I'm still not sure it has really sunk in that he isn't finished with the next book yet and I have to wait. Semblance is haunting, thrilling, twisted, sadistic, surprising, and filled with beautiful with rich characters.
There are a few main characters in this ensemble cast that bring to the forefront multitudes of emotions from the reader. Aria is the "main character" and she is a strong well spoken woman who knows what she wants from life and is willing to take chances to get it, that is what lead her to the Midnight Society after all. We watch as she grows and transforms from a starving college student too afraid to speak up, into someone who is willing to do whatever necessary to protect those she cares about. Aria's cleverness and sharp tongue are in great contrast to those around her who seek to play follow the leader and adds an element of texture to the writing.
The male romantic interest is Shadow and yes, just like his name describes there is more to him than meets the eye. As the story unfolds we are shown a man who secretly wants acceptance but is unwilling to sacrifice himself or what he believes in to get them. Prior to Aria, Shadow lived his life only to obtain his one goal and nothing would stand in his way... until her. When challenges are thrown his way and his life goal is seemingly slipping from his grasp I can only guess as to how his focus will change and he will overcome these new obstacles, but I do know I'm waiting on the edge of my seat to see how he handles it!
As the roller-coaster that is Semblance came to a close I can still look back and laugh, cry and throw things with how the story progressed. It's a wonderful read with a hell of a twist and I highly recommend it, just make sure you have tissue and a punching bag close at hand.
4 star romance, 5 star thriller
Here's why:
-The romance occurred a bit quick and frankly, I wanted to see more of it and more development around it, (Crossing my fingers for book 2)
-I am TYPICALLY not a fan of thrillers...WOW WAS I WRONG! I just hadn't found one I liked yet!
What an amazing read. I'm not sure I can express well enough how this book unfolded. The plot twist had me screaming and taking Logan's name in vain as I reached the end of the book and found the cliff hanger. Stunned it has been three days and I'm still not sure it has really sunk in that he isn't finished with the next book yet and I have to wait. Semblance is haunting, thrilling, twisted, sadistic, surprising, and filled with beautiful with rich characters.
There are a few main characters in this ensemble cast that bring to the forefront multitudes of emotions from the reader. Aria is the "main character" and she is a strong well spoken woman who knows what she wants from life and is willing to take chances to get it, that is what lead her to the Midnight Society after all. We watch as she grows and transforms from a starving college student too afraid to speak up, into someone who is willing to do whatever necessary to protect those she cares about. Aria's cleverness and sharp tongue are in great contrast to those around her who seek to play follow the leader and adds an element of texture to the writing.
The male romantic interest is Shadow and yes, just like his name describes there is more to him than meets the eye. As the story unfolds we are shown a man who secretly wants acceptance but is unwilling to sacrifice himself or what he believes in to get them. Prior to Aria, Shadow lived his life only to obtain his one goal and nothing would stand in his way... until her. When challenges are thrown his way and his life goal is seemingly slipping from his grasp I can only guess as to how his focus will change and he will overcome these new obstacles, but I do know I'm waiting on the edge of my seat to see how he handles it!
As the roller-coaster that is Semblance came to a close I can still look back and laugh, cry and throw things with how the story progressed. It's a wonderful read with a hell of a twist and I highly recommend it, just make sure you have tissue and a punching bag close at hand.
September 7, 2014
After I read the blurb and some of the reviews for this one I was really excited about starting it because it sounded like something I would love but sadly I didn't like it that much.
For what I liked: The prologue was intriguing . And I think the plot idea was great of a secret society, filled with suspense and intrigue.
For what I didn't like: After a few chapters in, I knew this was not what I was expecting. Yes, there were some intriguing parts and some suspense, but overall the whole thing felt like a bit juvenile. I had just finished some YA and I knew this was NA but I was expecting and in the mood for something more I guess. At the end it felt like something was missing for me. The dialogue between the characters, Aria's character, especially her inner thoughts/humour, the members of the society, it all felt a bit too juvenile. Also, Aria and Shadow's relationship was very insta-love which I'm not really into the majority of the times . I like insta-lust, but these two after a couple of times they went out, they were telling each other stuff like "until the end of the world" which had me rolling my eyes and thought was kind of cheesy. I kept on reading, to see if the story would end up grabbing me, but even one of the big twists at the end that a lot of people seemed to rave about, I kind of saw it coming halfway through the book so it wasn't a big surprise.
Anyways, my rating is mainly because I didn't connect to the story/characters and I was highly anticipating being blown away like the majority of the other reviewers. But most of the other ratings are 4 & 5 stars if you are intrigued by the blurb.
December 27, 2013
OMG!!!!!!!
This book is beyond words! This man is a damn creative genuis!!!!! I mean to come up with this story is craziness. BUT I am so glad he did!!!!!
Aria, Shadow, Calisto and Lincoln.....ooooh my!!!!!
I was on the edge of my sit the whole damn book! I wanted to go slow and absorb all of it but I couldn't it was so damn good.
This story is addicting. I am obsessed with shadow and now being finished with this book, god help me I am even more obsessed!
if I could give more stars damn it I would hell probably 100 stars. Man hold me please!!!!!!!
This book is freaking amazing. and no offense but a man wrote it in in a females characters perspective! !!!!!
Enough said!
This book is beyond words! This man is a damn creative genuis!!!!! I mean to come up with this story is craziness. BUT I am so glad he did!!!!!
Aria, Shadow, Calisto and Lincoln.....ooooh my!!!!!
I was on the edge of my sit the whole damn book! I wanted to go slow and absorb all of it but I couldn't it was so damn good.
This story is addicting. I am obsessed with shadow and now being finished with this book, god help me I am even more obsessed!
if I could give more stars damn it I would hell probably 100 stars. Man hold me please!!!!!!!
This book is freaking amazing. and no offense but a man wrote it in in a females characters perspective! !!!!!
Enough said!
January 4, 2014
I read this book a couple of days ago and I’m still not sure if I can do the book justice with my review, but I will go ahead and try. Please, just hang with me.
I will go ahead and tell you that I LOVED this book. It was everything that I love in a romance novel: Mystery, murder, mayhem, a conspiracy, hot sex, a strong heroine, a semi-likable hero (I sort of want to smack him in the face, but he’s likable enough), and a strong (very strong and complex) plot. I know that’s a large laundry list of things, but all together they equal the perfect and I do mean PERFECT story/book. I know that you must think I’m over selling the book, but I’m not. Truly, it was one of the best reading experiences that I had last year (a couple days ago really). Okay, enough gushing/fangirling from me (at least, I’ll try anyway).
Before I go on though, I just want to say that I think the author is an evil genius. He’s a genius because he’s crafted a beautifully twisted love story that takes many twists and turns that you don’t see coming. He’s crafted a spider’s web of lies, betrayal, and even love that the reader has to unravel in order to find any semblance of truth. It’s not easy, but that’s part of the fun. He’s evil because…well, he completely left me hanging! Yes, I know that books must end, but really? Did he have to stop there? There is so much left to know and understand! He couldn’t have just given us a little more??? I know I sound like a whiney addict here, but I’m dying (yes, dramatic but true!) to know more…even just a little more. I even read the snippet at the end of book one into the next one and let me tell you….BAD IDEA! That so did not help me at all. He certainly knows how to keep us guessing and wanting, no, needing more! See why I say he’s an evil genius? Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Okay, I’m done whining, I swear. You should also know that whining is new for me. Usually, I can wait patiently for the next book to be released, but not this time! I guess I will have to just sit back and wait patiently though…at least, I’ll try.
At this point you would expect to see a summary of the story, but I’m not going to give you one because I can’t. I just honestly cannot do it. I have way too many feelings and emotions that would seep through into my summary and then I would end up accidentally spoiling the story for you. I’m just going to play it safe and tell you to READ THIS BOOK!!!!
Now, back to the reading experience…it was…marvelous, twisted, and painful (at times my heart stopped, fractured, and then shattered…no joke). I just don’t have the words to do this book or reading experience justice. I mean, the romance is…unexpected and it will take your breath away. When Shadow finally shows us that he is capable of being something other than an asshole…it’s beautiful. Then the story takes a whole bunch of turns that you don’t see coming and…WHAM! Nothing is as it seems. I will say that the suspense of the entire situation is frustrating! You’ll see for yourself.
Anyway, the characters are wonderful! They are extremely well written and developed perfectly. Aria is strong…she’s so much stronger than she gives herself credit for. She endures so much pain and heartbreak before meeting Shadow, which makes the ending that much more unbearable for the reader because you’re literally hurting for her. Shadow is another character that has suffered unimaginable tragedy, yet unlike Aria, he let’s them consume his entire being. He’s just as strong as Aria, but instead of proving it by moving on with his life…he’s stuck on repeat. It’s very, very sad. However, Aria does bring him out of it…somewhat. It’s nice to see him come alive and not be a douche all of the time. That being said, the ending just made me want to smack him one good, hard time. No, I’m not normally a violent person. I’m also not trying to be insensitive when I say this…please believe that. I do feel terribly bad for him, of course I do, but he doesn’t cope with his demons…he drowns in them. Does that make sense? I hope it does once you read the book because I don’t know how else to put it.
I know this is a long review, so I’m going to wrap it up by saying that this book will force you to FEEL everything! You’ll feel suspicious, fearful, depressed, happy, and unbelievably sad. I laughed, cried, and even screamed at my e-reader. This book is seriously the equivalent of book crack…Logan Patricks (the evil genius) gives you a first hit and then leaves you hanging (be warned!).
Anyway, this is a ten star read on a five star scale…it’s that good. You must READ this book NOW!
I will go ahead and tell you that I LOVED this book. It was everything that I love in a romance novel: Mystery, murder, mayhem, a conspiracy, hot sex, a strong heroine, a semi-likable hero (I sort of want to smack him in the face, but he’s likable enough), and a strong (very strong and complex) plot. I know that’s a large laundry list of things, but all together they equal the perfect and I do mean PERFECT story/book. I know that you must think I’m over selling the book, but I’m not. Truly, it was one of the best reading experiences that I had last year (a couple days ago really). Okay, enough gushing/fangirling from me (at least, I’ll try anyway).
Before I go on though, I just want to say that I think the author is an evil genius. He’s a genius because he’s crafted a beautifully twisted love story that takes many twists and turns that you don’t see coming. He’s crafted a spider’s web of lies, betrayal, and even love that the reader has to unravel in order to find any semblance of truth. It’s not easy, but that’s part of the fun. He’s evil because…well, he completely left me hanging! Yes, I know that books must end, but really? Did he have to stop there? There is so much left to know and understand! He couldn’t have just given us a little more??? I know I sound like a whiney addict here, but I’m dying (yes, dramatic but true!) to know more…even just a little more. I even read the snippet at the end of book one into the next one and let me tell you….BAD IDEA! That so did not help me at all. He certainly knows how to keep us guessing and wanting, no, needing more! See why I say he’s an evil genius? Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Okay, I’m done whining, I swear. You should also know that whining is new for me. Usually, I can wait patiently for the next book to be released, but not this time! I guess I will have to just sit back and wait patiently though…at least, I’ll try.
At this point you would expect to see a summary of the story, but I’m not going to give you one because I can’t. I just honestly cannot do it. I have way too many feelings and emotions that would seep through into my summary and then I would end up accidentally spoiling the story for you. I’m just going to play it safe and tell you to READ THIS BOOK!!!!
Now, back to the reading experience…it was…marvelous, twisted, and painful (at times my heart stopped, fractured, and then shattered…no joke). I just don’t have the words to do this book or reading experience justice. I mean, the romance is…unexpected and it will take your breath away. When Shadow finally shows us that he is capable of being something other than an asshole…it’s beautiful. Then the story takes a whole bunch of turns that you don’t see coming and…WHAM! Nothing is as it seems. I will say that the suspense of the entire situation is frustrating! You’ll see for yourself.
Anyway, the characters are wonderful! They are extremely well written and developed perfectly. Aria is strong…she’s so much stronger than she gives herself credit for. She endures so much pain and heartbreak before meeting Shadow, which makes the ending that much more unbearable for the reader because you’re literally hurting for her. Shadow is another character that has suffered unimaginable tragedy, yet unlike Aria, he let’s them consume his entire being. He’s just as strong as Aria, but instead of proving it by moving on with his life…he’s stuck on repeat. It’s very, very sad. However, Aria does bring him out of it…somewhat. It’s nice to see him come alive and not be a douche all of the time. That being said, the ending just made me want to smack him one good, hard time. No, I’m not normally a violent person. I’m also not trying to be insensitive when I say this…please believe that. I do feel terribly bad for him, of course I do, but he doesn’t cope with his demons…he drowns in them. Does that make sense? I hope it does once you read the book because I don’t know how else to put it.
I know this is a long review, so I’m going to wrap it up by saying that this book will force you to FEEL everything! You’ll feel suspicious, fearful, depressed, happy, and unbelievably sad. I laughed, cried, and even screamed at my e-reader. This book is seriously the equivalent of book crack…Logan Patricks (the evil genius) gives you a first hit and then leaves you hanging (be warned!).
Anyway, this is a ten star read on a five star scale…it’s that good. You must READ this book NOW!
December 24, 2013
This book was simply amazing and I absolutely loved it. It had everything I want in a book: strong, well written characters, a mystery that kept me guessing and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. “One more page” turned into “one more chapter”. I couldn’t put this book down because I had to know what was going to happen next. The sexual tension between Shadow and Aria was off the charts hot as their relationship evolved. There was just enough humor to balance out the intensity of the dire circumstances Shadow and Aria faced and these light-hearted, fun moments kept the story from becoming too ominous.
I love a good alpha male in the books I read and Shadow met all the requirements. He was sexy, mysterious and intimidating. He trusted few and was fiercely protective of those he loved. He is driven by his quest for vengeance but when a chance meeting thrusts Aria into his life, he’s thrown off kilter by how much she comes to mean to him and he soon realizes there is more to life than retribution. Aria is his light in the darkness and he will stop at nothing to keep her safe.
I felt an instant connection to Aria because she’s a rare find: a strong female who is self-assured and doesn’t do stupid things driven by insecurity. She doesn’t play games or make Shadow “prove” he loves her. She stands with him and fights alongside him. When things get heavy, she doesn’t cut and run, she stays strong and holds on tighter. She doesn’t shy away from conflict, she hold her head up high and stands up for herself. She isn’t a damsel in distress waiting to be saved, she’s more apt to pick up a weapon and save herself. These are the things I admire most about her and they make her a viable player in the Midnight Society.
I also love the secondary characters in Semblance; they are well-thought out and developed. Even though the story doesn’t center on them, they each have key roles in the outcome. Nobody is unimportant or a throw away character. One of my absolute favorite supporting characters was Lincoln aka Mr. Fox. He was sexy, sarcastic and brilliant; a true rival to Shadow for my affection.
Logan Patricks did an amazing job of making me care about each and every player in this story. His ability to draw me in and keep me hooked throughout the entire book made this story a page turner. It was a fast paced thrill ride from beginning to end and I can’t wait to read the next book in the Midnight Society.
I love a good alpha male in the books I read and Shadow met all the requirements. He was sexy, mysterious and intimidating. He trusted few and was fiercely protective of those he loved. He is driven by his quest for vengeance but when a chance meeting thrusts Aria into his life, he’s thrown off kilter by how much she comes to mean to him and he soon realizes there is more to life than retribution. Aria is his light in the darkness and he will stop at nothing to keep her safe.
I felt an instant connection to Aria because she’s a rare find: a strong female who is self-assured and doesn’t do stupid things driven by insecurity. She doesn’t play games or make Shadow “prove” he loves her. She stands with him and fights alongside him. When things get heavy, she doesn’t cut and run, she stays strong and holds on tighter. She doesn’t shy away from conflict, she hold her head up high and stands up for herself. She isn’t a damsel in distress waiting to be saved, she’s more apt to pick up a weapon and save herself. These are the things I admire most about her and they make her a viable player in the Midnight Society.
I also love the secondary characters in Semblance; they are well-thought out and developed. Even though the story doesn’t center on them, they each have key roles in the outcome. Nobody is unimportant or a throw away character. One of my absolute favorite supporting characters was Lincoln aka Mr. Fox. He was sexy, sarcastic and brilliant; a true rival to Shadow for my affection.
Logan Patricks did an amazing job of making me care about each and every player in this story. His ability to draw me in and keep me hooked throughout the entire book made this story a page turner. It was a fast paced thrill ride from beginning to end and I can’t wait to read the next book in the Midnight Society.
January 5, 2015
Breathtaking. This is
THE
best book I’ve read so far in 2014. A review is simply not enough to rave about this book! I stayed up late in the night to read it and haven’t been this intrigued by a story since Gone Girl and The Dark Duet. I had never heard of the author before but he has become an instant favorite of mine.
Aria Valencia, a lowly classical music student, is barely scraping by when she encounters a mysterious stranger who is about to change Aria's life forever. After this meeting, Aria is introduced to the Midnight Society, a regal organization of the rich and powerful. The Midnight Society's leader, Shadow, becomes entangled in Aria's life and the two form a unique bond. While Shadow has darkness within him, Aria begins to bring out the light.
Secret societies, danger, intrigue, romance- this book has it all! I loved how twisted this book became towards the end and I guarantee you will not see anything coming!
Side note: A classical piano song is referenced throughout this book and I highly suggest giving it a listen as it enhances the tone of the story: Gaspard de la Nuit
Aria Valencia, a lowly classical music student, is barely scraping by when she encounters a mysterious stranger who is about to change Aria's life forever. After this meeting, Aria is introduced to the Midnight Society, a regal organization of the rich and powerful. The Midnight Society's leader, Shadow, becomes entangled in Aria's life and the two form a unique bond. While Shadow has darkness within him, Aria begins to bring out the light.
"We were two distinct entities in this vast universe ourselves- Shadow living in a world of money, power, and a haunting past which suffocates him daily. Meanwhile I was a simple girl whose life blood was filled with impossible dreams and musical sonatas."
Secret societies, danger, intrigue, romance- this book has it all! I loved how twisted this book became towards the end and I guarantee you will not see anything coming!
Side note: A classical piano song is referenced throughout this book and I highly suggest giving it a listen as it enhances the tone of the story: Gaspard de la Nuit
"I closed my eyes and allowed the spirit of the music to possess me, my hands no longer my own but an extension of the piano itself. I was its vessel- its mistress- and the intimacy we shared was one filled with beautiful and majestic music."
January 3, 2014
What a major disappointment. I hate writing these kind of reviews ...and rarely do! I feel privileged to have someone's hard work shared with me but this one went far south fast. The synopsis and first 10% had me so excited to read this book, however after that the story seemed to fall apart. Plot wise I felt some events should have been enhanced while others could have been completly eliminated. Specifically the ending just read as a rushed mess. There was contradiction in character development that made reading frustrating. It lacked real steam in the romance and intensity in the mystery. With some good developmental editing this book could be a 5 star but as it stands I feel generous giving it a 2.
April 2, 2014
This novel deserves a PERFECT 10!!!
This is my new favorite book/series!!!
LOVED this Novel!!!
Chomping at my nails, need MORE!!!!
Beautiful, Haunting, Thrilling and Seductive...
An Adult Fairy-Tale
If something looks to good...it just might BE...
Anna
Reading, Writing, and Book Reviews
This is my new favorite book/series!!!
LOVED this Novel!!!
Chomping at my nails, need MORE!!!!
Beautiful, Haunting, Thrilling and Seductive...
An Adult Fairy-Tale
If something looks to good...it just might BE...
Anna
Reading, Writing, and Book Reviews
Read
November 16, 201450%
February 2, 2014
I reviewed this at MustReadBooksOrDie with my friend Shelley!
Shel: This book came to my attention after all of my new Twitter friends kept talking about it (met through OBSESSING over Night Owl **waves to Twitter pals**). It came so highly recommended that I went off the official blog reading list and bumped it up to my very next read; I'm so glad I did! Court: Right. I think we saw it, oh I don't know, everywhere!!! And what else can we ask for. We love books. This was being raved as an amazing book. Sign us the fuck up!
Shel: Rather than recap the synopsis or try to write about the book without spoilers, I'm just going to ramble a little about all of the things I loved about Semblance. Court: Right. It would be very hard not to spoil. And this is definitely one you have to experience. It is fun. It is hot. It is frustrating (the characters, not the writing!) It is awesome. And yes: a man did write that point of view from Aria. Promise.
Shel: 1. It's witty. Aria, especially, has some funny ass one liners and I loved her snark. As someone who is an outsider to most of what is happening around her, she has clever observations about the people and events happening and can sometimes lose her filter...all of this adds up to lots of chuckles from me. Court: She was a lot of fun. I have a lot of love for the name Aria (Yes, I am 25 years old and frequently watch Pretty Little Liars...I dare you to say something about this...lol) She is a strong character, and I loved how the piano aspect was such a huge part of who she is, because now we also know from stalking following Logan's website that he is a very talented pianist. It isn't just a plot point. It is something the author knows a lot about and is genuine. Felt it. Loved it.
Shel: 2. It's different. I honestly didn't know what to expect because I didn't even read the blurb before I started it. I went in blind which is a little unusual for me but since it was so highly recommended, I just jumped right in. So maybe I'm not widely read, but I don't remember reading anything quite like this...this whole secret society plotline was intriguing and kept me guessing, reading, thinking, wondering..well you get the picture. I liked that there was enough there to keep me interested but there are still so many questions that I CANNOT wait to get to books 2 and 3.
Court: We are avid lovers of things dark and "holy shit, did that really just happen...there is no going back from that choice" plots and characters...as well as secrets, secret societies, assassins, fast paced thrill rides...so this has all of that. Not in a way that I was expecting though. It was a wild ride. And the end. Wow. Still don't have many words for the end!
Shel: 3. Cambodia. That entire section was just magical for me. I know want to visit...!? Weird? I dunno. Court: That was really beautiful. And has one of my favorite scenes from that part.
Shel: 4. The last 20% was action packed and will have you begging for more. If only I had an emoticon for begging..on hands and knees..you'd see it here. Court: Let me just say I am so freaking glad that I was reading at a time where I didn't have to do anything else but give my attention to this story. It is hard to get anything done while reading this, but totally worth it even if you are busy!
Shel: 5. Shadow. I cannot forget about Shadow. He's alluring; he has a nice mix of tortured soul, alpha male, humor, and tenderness and maybe I shouldn't have liked him as much as I did...but I did. Court: I swooned just by the name Shadow. If that isn't a strong, fitting name for this alpha man I don't know what is. He is hhmmm...if I finish that sentence I might go on to spoil. So I will keep that to myself. Read it. Just read it!
Shel: 6. Lincoln, Calisto, Abraham and Justin..to name a few...not only enhanced how we viewed Aria and Shadow but also added significantly to the plot. Court: All of these people and things said mean something, so pay attention.
Shel: I am super excited that we read this and I hope that all of you go out and read it; it's a fantastic read from a fantastic writer! Court: Yep. Our list of obsessions gets longer and longer by the minute, and Logan's writing progress bar is one of the newest items on it. We can't wait (No pressure, right?) for the next book to come out and to continue these people's story. It is awesome!
Shelley: 5 stars
Courtney: 5 Stars
Shel: This book came to my attention after all of my new Twitter friends kept talking about it (met through OBSESSING over Night Owl **waves to Twitter pals**). It came so highly recommended that I went off the official blog reading list and bumped it up to my very next read; I'm so glad I did! Court: Right. I think we saw it, oh I don't know, everywhere!!! And what else can we ask for. We love books. This was being raved as an amazing book. Sign us the fuck up!
Shel: Rather than recap the synopsis or try to write about the book without spoilers, I'm just going to ramble a little about all of the things I loved about Semblance. Court: Right. It would be very hard not to spoil. And this is definitely one you have to experience. It is fun. It is hot. It is frustrating (the characters, not the writing!) It is awesome. And yes: a man did write that point of view from Aria. Promise.
Shel: 1. It's witty. Aria, especially, has some funny ass one liners and I loved her snark. As someone who is an outsider to most of what is happening around her, she has clever observations about the people and events happening and can sometimes lose her filter...all of this adds up to lots of chuckles from me. Court: She was a lot of fun. I have a lot of love for the name Aria (Yes, I am 25 years old and frequently watch Pretty Little Liars...I dare you to say something about this...lol) She is a strong character, and I loved how the piano aspect was such a huge part of who she is, because now we also know from stalking following Logan's website that he is a very talented pianist. It isn't just a plot point. It is something the author knows a lot about and is genuine. Felt it. Loved it.
Shel: 2. It's different. I honestly didn't know what to expect because I didn't even read the blurb before I started it. I went in blind which is a little unusual for me but since it was so highly recommended, I just jumped right in. So maybe I'm not widely read, but I don't remember reading anything quite like this...this whole secret society plotline was intriguing and kept me guessing, reading, thinking, wondering..well you get the picture. I liked that there was enough there to keep me interested but there are still so many questions that I CANNOT wait to get to books 2 and 3.
Court: We are avid lovers of things dark and "holy shit, did that really just happen...there is no going back from that choice" plots and characters...as well as secrets, secret societies, assassins, fast paced thrill rides...so this has all of that. Not in a way that I was expecting though. It was a wild ride. And the end. Wow. Still don't have many words for the end!
Shel: 3. Cambodia. That entire section was just magical for me. I know want to visit...!? Weird? I dunno. Court: That was really beautiful. And has one of my favorite scenes from that part.
Shel: 4. The last 20% was action packed and will have you begging for more. If only I had an emoticon for begging..on hands and knees..you'd see it here. Court: Let me just say I am so freaking glad that I was reading at a time where I didn't have to do anything else but give my attention to this story. It is hard to get anything done while reading this, but totally worth it even if you are busy!
Shel: 5. Shadow. I cannot forget about Shadow. He's alluring; he has a nice mix of tortured soul, alpha male, humor, and tenderness and maybe I shouldn't have liked him as much as I did...but I did. Court: I swooned just by the name Shadow. If that isn't a strong, fitting name for this alpha man I don't know what is. He is hhmmm...if I finish that sentence I might go on to spoil. So I will keep that to myself. Read it. Just read it!
Shel: 6. Lincoln, Calisto, Abraham and Justin..to name a few...not only enhanced how we viewed Aria and Shadow but also added significantly to the plot. Court: All of these people and things said mean something, so pay attention.
Shel: I am super excited that we read this and I hope that all of you go out and read it; it's a fantastic read from a fantastic writer! Court: Yep. Our list of obsessions gets longer and longer by the minute, and Logan's writing progress bar is one of the newest items on it. We can't wait (No pressure, right?) for the next book to come out and to continue these people's story. It is awesome!
Shelley: 5 stars
Courtney: 5 Stars
March 13, 2014
So I have a guilty pleasure of mine that I am going to share with you all....no judgments here, right?? I kind of love the show Gossip Girl. Trust me, I know that it's probably not right, I am a 29 year old mother, and all around pretty nice kind of gal, but I love it, so there it is. I've heard countless times from my guy that it's "Unfathomable that you can like anyone in that show. They are all terrible, spoiled, pretentious aholes...", at one point he also made an offhand comment, after being subjected to watching quite a few episodes because I was, about how Dan Humphrey was the only one in the bunch that was "halfway decent", to which I responded by laughing a lot.....for ***SPOILER ALERT*** Dan Humphrey is secretly, the Gossip Girl. He was not impressed. OK, I swear this all has bearing on my feelings about this book. Semblance was like Gossip Girl, ON STEROIDS, not legal in the US because they make you fucking crazy steroids. In fact, if Gossip Girl and The Godfather had a baby, thy name would be Semblance. So naturally, I dug it.
This book was over the top in every way, but somehow all together, it worked for me. About halfway through I was thinking it was alright, by the end, my mind was blown by the sheer craziness of it all. There was a secret society with the most powerful and financially elite at the very center of it. They called themselves, The Midnight Society. Come on, who isn't intrigued by a secret society?? Of course there were some skeletons in the closet with this bunch, and my friends, they burst out of that closet with a vengeance, after doing the Macarena ;)
Of course this story would not be complete without, Aria Valencia, lonely, hauntingly beautiful, financially challenged classical music student, and pianist extraordinaire who laughs in the face of timeless adages like "If you think it's too good to be true, it probably is.", and then gets stabbed in the back for not using that space filler inside of her beautiful noggin. Yes, there were times when you will probably want to kick her in the shin and run away, she knows better than what she's doing, but proceeds anyhow, but she does so with reckless abandon and a mouth like a trucker, so if you're like me, she'll grow on you! She's got spunk and she doles it out wherever she goes, I love it.
Let's also not forget about our hunky leading man, Shadow, the brooding King of the Midnight Society. A man with a haunted past and vengeance to dish out. He is on a mission of revenge and won't rest until he's achieved his goal. Well, minus some pretty steamy romps with a certain leading lady. Unbeknownst to him, there is a storm a brewin' in his kingdom, and heads are going to roll. Fellow Midnight Society royalty, and Shadow's friend, Lincoln was also a favorite character of mine. He was a little arrogant, and a lot charming. Abraham, the fatherly figure and Calisto, the princess,aka Shadow's sister, were both other characters that made some pretty large impressions on me. Everyone in this book had a very interesting story beneath their shiny exteriors.
There was mystery, intrigue, pretty much every deadly sin, and ridiculous amounts of bloodshed.....I mean seriously how many people can die in broad daylight before a cop arrives in this city?? I mean military like assaults go down in these neighborhoods completely unnoticed and/or unreported by ANYONE?! Lol like I said, there was some pretty over the top things in this book, but it really did work for me all thrown in together. Almost forgot to mention the pretty epic cliffhanger at the end too. There were some major revelations and all around shit hitting the fan at the end, and you are left hanging pretty hard. Well Mr. Patricks, your evil genius plan worked, I will definitely be reading the next book. I just have to know what happens next!! Well done, by the way, this was a stellar novel, especially for a debut novel. Can't wait to see what you come up with next!
January 19, 2015
Wow.
I don't know where to start. So I'm going to just wing it.
Almost from the start I found myself "talking" to Aria, much in the way you would talk to the girl on screen during a horror flick. "Don't do it, Aria! DON'T DO IT!" Were constantly at the forefront of my mind in the beginning!
Did she listen? Of course not! (They never do, do they?)
Enter Shadow. He's as dark and broody as his name suggests. The rich, bad boy with a thirst for revenge. He's haunted by his past and his number one desire in life is to avenge his parent's murder.
Now, in the first half or so we don't get completely blown away. I'm not saying it isn't good, because it is, but this is the part where the "romantic" aspect of the "romantic thriller" label comes into play. While laying the groundwork for the thrilling parts later. We see Aria and Shadow grow close. We find Aria befriending several members of the mysterious Midnight Society. And ultimately with this part we find Aria and Shadow giving into each other.
The second half. The second half. Holy begeezus. Lets say the shit definitely hits the fan. And that fan is a high powered turbine on a jet plane and it spews it EVERYWHERE.
I don't want to get into details but the fast and short is that someone is now after Aria and wants her dead. And Shadow, well Shadow just isn't going to sit back and let that happen. One thing leads to another and soon you're sucked so far into everything that it's virtually impossible to put the book down!
There are twists and turns at every corner and when you think you've got it figured out, well another curve ball is thrown. Though I do have to admit- I DID figure certain things out sooner than I would have liked. HOWEVER- I'm a bit of a thriller and suspense junkie (usually in movie form, but still...) I do pride myself on figuring out 99% of most mysteries/suspense/thrillers before there's any indication of just "whodunnit" given. So the fact that I was able to do that reflects in no way on Logan's abilities as a writer.
There are a few minor issues in editing that I picked up on. I will be messaging Mr. Logan about those separately. But I have another HOWEVER. However: one must keep in mind that I read A LOT and have the ability to pick up on the minor things that you're typical reader won't notice. If you are a typical reader- you're actually probably wondering just what in the heck issues I'm talking about. They don't detract from the story at all and as I stated in one of my reading updates- it's really all me being nit-picky. It's just what I do.
The ending: no one wanted to tell me the end. I'm not giving details- but lets say that yes it's a cliffhanger, but it's not a cliffhanger. Haha! I know, that doesn't help. We leave this book at a natural break. We are left wanting more, but at the same time we aren't screaming "WHY DID YOU LEAVE IT LIKE THAT?!?!?!"
In his acknowledgements Logan says he's done his job as an author if you stay up to the wee hours to finish. Well- Logan, my dear, you definitely did your job!!!
If you aren't opposed to blood and guts and gore and violence then you should definitely check this out! It's graphic, it's sinister, it's fucking awesome! I loved it! And I can NOT wait very long for the next one... so Logan... let's get to it... m'kay? LOL
I don't know where to start. So I'm going to just wing it.
Almost from the start I found myself "talking" to Aria, much in the way you would talk to the girl on screen during a horror flick. "Don't do it, Aria! DON'T DO IT!" Were constantly at the forefront of my mind in the beginning!
Did she listen? Of course not! (They never do, do they?)
Enter Shadow. He's as dark and broody as his name suggests. The rich, bad boy with a thirst for revenge. He's haunted by his past and his number one desire in life is to avenge his parent's murder.
Now, in the first half or so we don't get completely blown away. I'm not saying it isn't good, because it is, but this is the part where the "romantic" aspect of the "romantic thriller" label comes into play. While laying the groundwork for the thrilling parts later. We see Aria and Shadow grow close. We find Aria befriending several members of the mysterious Midnight Society. And ultimately with this part we find Aria and Shadow giving into each other.
The second half. The second half. Holy begeezus. Lets say the shit definitely hits the fan. And that fan is a high powered turbine on a jet plane and it spews it EVERYWHERE.
I don't want to get into details but the fast and short is that someone is now after Aria and wants her dead. And Shadow, well Shadow just isn't going to sit back and let that happen. One thing leads to another and soon you're sucked so far into everything that it's virtually impossible to put the book down!
There are twists and turns at every corner and when you think you've got it figured out, well another curve ball is thrown. Though I do have to admit- I DID figure certain things out sooner than I would have liked. HOWEVER- I'm a bit of a thriller and suspense junkie (usually in movie form, but still...) I do pride myself on figuring out 99% of most mysteries/suspense/thrillers before there's any indication of just "whodunnit" given. So the fact that I was able to do that reflects in no way on Logan's abilities as a writer.
There are a few minor issues in editing that I picked up on. I will be messaging Mr. Logan about those separately. But I have another HOWEVER. However: one must keep in mind that I read A LOT and have the ability to pick up on the minor things that you're typical reader won't notice. If you are a typical reader- you're actually probably wondering just what in the heck issues I'm talking about. They don't detract from the story at all and as I stated in one of my reading updates- it's really all me being nit-picky. It's just what I do.
The ending: no one wanted to tell me the end. I'm not giving details- but lets say that yes it's a cliffhanger, but it's not a cliffhanger. Haha! I know, that doesn't help. We leave this book at a natural break. We are left wanting more, but at the same time we aren't screaming "WHY DID YOU LEAVE IT LIKE THAT?!?!?!"
In his acknowledgements Logan says he's done his job as an author if you stay up to the wee hours to finish. Well- Logan, my dear, you definitely did your job!!!
If you aren't opposed to blood and guts and gore and violence then you should definitely check this out! It's graphic, it's sinister, it's fucking awesome! I loved it! And I can NOT wait very long for the next one... so Logan... let's get to it... m'kay? LOL
February 14, 2014
SEMBLANCE is a fast-paced, character driven suspense with a unique plot and premise, with the addition of mystery both to the story line and each character portrayed in the book. Even the secondary characters come to life and are memorable with each encounter.
It is evident that Logan Patricks has a passion for writing both fictional prose and music (specifically the piano), as his love for both come shining through with each passage.
The author’s voice (which is both witty and intense) and style utilizes all the senses:
Hearing—the reader will feel as if they are sitting in the audience, listening to the beautiful, soulful music while Aria (the heroine) plays on the piano.
Scent and taste—the reader is transported to Cambodia to experience all the fragrance, the food and the music of that country’s culture.
Sight--The Macarena scene will have the reader laughing and at the same time, being able to visualize the characters participating in this dance, which allows the reader to see Shadow (the hero) out of his comfort zone. Always a plus to see an alpha hero act out in an unpredictable manner.
Touch—the reader is able to feel how music, love, tragedy, disappointment, heart wrenching loss, happiness and sadness all touch each character and how it has shaped their lives and their actions.
There is intrigue surrounding the characters and especially the Midnight Society, which keeps the reader turning the pages.
This is a story about a young woman’s desire to accomplish a goal as a tribute to her father, and what started out as a simple wish to obtain more money to get her through some tough financial times, sends her on a whirlwind of excitement, financial gain and connecting with a man she doesn’t know or understand, but is able to reach a part of his heart and soul that has been darkened by tragedy beyond his comprehension and out of his control. With all that excitement and adventure, though, comes a lot of danger, painful loss and challenges for both the hero and heroine.
This is also a story about a young man who has been in a dark place most of his life and feels the only way out is through violence, and to keep a wall around himself. His loyalty, devotion for his family and friends is an admirable quality, but at the same time it also is his weakness.
The book does resolve a lot of the plot twists that the reader encounters through each chapter, so a lot of questions are answered. However, there is a cliff hanger at the end of the book, but not one that leaves the reader hanging in frustration, rather a cliff hanger that gives the reader a reason to look forward to the next installment.
I look forward to the next book.
It is evident that Logan Patricks has a passion for writing both fictional prose and music (specifically the piano), as his love for both come shining through with each passage.
The author’s voice (which is both witty and intense) and style utilizes all the senses:
Hearing—the reader will feel as if they are sitting in the audience, listening to the beautiful, soulful music while Aria (the heroine) plays on the piano.
Scent and taste—the reader is transported to Cambodia to experience all the fragrance, the food and the music of that country’s culture.
Sight--The Macarena scene will have the reader laughing and at the same time, being able to visualize the characters participating in this dance, which allows the reader to see Shadow (the hero) out of his comfort zone. Always a plus to see an alpha hero act out in an unpredictable manner.
Touch—the reader is able to feel how music, love, tragedy, disappointment, heart wrenching loss, happiness and sadness all touch each character and how it has shaped their lives and their actions.
There is intrigue surrounding the characters and especially the Midnight Society, which keeps the reader turning the pages.
This is a story about a young woman’s desire to accomplish a goal as a tribute to her father, and what started out as a simple wish to obtain more money to get her through some tough financial times, sends her on a whirlwind of excitement, financial gain and connecting with a man she doesn’t know or understand, but is able to reach a part of his heart and soul that has been darkened by tragedy beyond his comprehension and out of his control. With all that excitement and adventure, though, comes a lot of danger, painful loss and challenges for both the hero and heroine.
This is also a story about a young man who has been in a dark place most of his life and feels the only way out is through violence, and to keep a wall around himself. His loyalty, devotion for his family and friends is an admirable quality, but at the same time it also is his weakness.
The book does resolve a lot of the plot twists that the reader encounters through each chapter, so a lot of questions are answered. However, there is a cliff hanger at the end of the book, but not one that leaves the reader hanging in frustration, rather a cliff hanger that gives the reader a reason to look forward to the next installment.
I look forward to the next book.
June 19, 2014
Absolutely brilliant story telling and creative imagination this author knows how to bring vivid images to life and haunting classical music drifting through your mind. I was completely enthralled and captivated by this tempting, seducing and twisted fairytale thriller. Logan Patricks takes you on a journey of musical seduction, exotic flavorful foods, and mystical ancient temple ruins in historical locations.
Aria Valencia is a struggling college student, an artistic pianist, highly skilled and eloquently virtuoso. This leading lady is graceful at holding her own in extreme measures from catty comebacks, humorous commentary and completely devoted in protecting the ones she loves.
"My abilities to tell a lie were as proficient as a hole-punched condom."
I unleashed a loud groan, which could have turned Chewbacca on.
Shadow Tremaine is a mysterious and secretive soul that has scars of past memories embedded deep within his psyche, they keep him from moving on into life, into a future. Revenge leaves a bitter trail of hatred which he thrives toward conquering and being the lord of The Midnight Society gives him that power to succeed. I could clearly feel his pain in every word I read.
"I want to have a life again. I want to start all over again, away from the Society, away from the politics and the lies, and most of all away from all the ghosts that constantly have a grip around my throat."
In closing I quote the author: The worst part about falling in love with someone, at some point, they were destined to hurt you, whether they meant to or not - the dark side to every love story.
In the end... Oh wait... this isn't the END! You will never ever guess the ending of this little beauty.
Thank you Logan Patricks for the most sensual roller-coaster thrill of a read I've had all year!
Aria Valencia is a struggling college student, an artistic pianist, highly skilled and eloquently virtuoso. This leading lady is graceful at holding her own in extreme measures from catty comebacks, humorous commentary and completely devoted in protecting the ones she loves.
"My abilities to tell a lie were as proficient as a hole-punched condom."
I unleashed a loud groan, which could have turned Chewbacca on.
Shadow Tremaine is a mysterious and secretive soul that has scars of past memories embedded deep within his psyche, they keep him from moving on into life, into a future. Revenge leaves a bitter trail of hatred which he thrives toward conquering and being the lord of The Midnight Society gives him that power to succeed. I could clearly feel his pain in every word I read.
"I want to have a life again. I want to start all over again, away from the Society, away from the politics and the lies, and most of all away from all the ghosts that constantly have a grip around my throat."
In closing I quote the author: The worst part about falling in love with someone, at some point, they were destined to hurt you, whether they meant to or not - the dark side to every love story.
In the end... Oh wait... this isn't the END! You will never ever guess the ending of this little beauty.
Thank you Logan Patricks for the most sensual roller-coaster thrill of a read I've had all year!
December 28, 2013
This is the first book in a new romantic thriller trilogy and I seriously cannot wait to get a hold onto the second book. It lived up to my expectations and got me hooked like no other book in a while now.
We meet Aria, who is a broke music student and won't let herself reduce her to the amount of money she has or rather has not. She takes the opportunity to earn much money by playing the piano on a secret event where faith makes her to become even more intertwined with this secret society than she originally wanted. Aria meets Shadow at this event, whose acquaintance brings danger to her she definitely did not subscribe for. But she is nothing but a fighter and therefore fights for her life and her love against an enemy who seems to be always a few steps ahead.
Semblance reads itself like an action movie - fast paced, with the ulitmate enemy, (who had thought!) action, and in this case a good amount of romance.
I liked Aria's sense of humour you could hear in all her thoughts and comments, it was ironic, sometimes suggestive and definitely not always lady-like. It was somehow refreshing because we all do not have at all times nice and censored thoughts.
The plot was full of twists and turns you did not expect or you did expect and then again not and then it was just like you first expected. So the events would let you stay confused and suddenly everyone seemed suspicious. It was a rollercoaster ride with many many loopings! But I enjoyed it that much more for it and I think Logan Patricks did a good job on his debut in this genre. I'm looking forward to his future works.
We meet Aria, who is a broke music student and won't let herself reduce her to the amount of money she has or rather has not. She takes the opportunity to earn much money by playing the piano on a secret event where faith makes her to become even more intertwined with this secret society than she originally wanted. Aria meets Shadow at this event, whose acquaintance brings danger to her she definitely did not subscribe for. But she is nothing but a fighter and therefore fights for her life and her love against an enemy who seems to be always a few steps ahead.
Semblance reads itself like an action movie - fast paced, with the ulitmate enemy, (who had thought!) action, and in this case a good amount of romance.
I liked Aria's sense of humour you could hear in all her thoughts and comments, it was ironic, sometimes suggestive and definitely not always lady-like. It was somehow refreshing because we all do not have at all times nice and censored thoughts.
The plot was full of twists and turns you did not expect or you did expect and then again not and then it was just like you first expected. So the events would let you stay confused and suddenly everyone seemed suspicious. It was a rollercoaster ride with many many loopings! But I enjoyed it that much more for it and I think Logan Patricks did a good job on his debut in this genre. I'm looking forward to his future works.
February 24, 2014
I don’t even know where to start... I finished this book 2 weeks ago and am still pretty much at a loss as to what to write. Semblance was not what I expected- it was better. I do have to admit it took me a couple of chapters to get into it. But, I refuse to not finish a book and I was delighted that I didn't turn away from it. The story was amazing and I can’t wait to continue the story in the 2nd book when released.
WOW… Amazing; Exciting. This author keeps you guessing almost to the very end. I felt like this story had so many twists and turns that I wasn't sure what I was doing or where it was going.
Aria is a struggling college student unknowingly sucked into the life of The Midnight Society; a secret club of wealth and power. Shadow is the handsome heir to the head of the society and he is on a mission for revenge. They are thrown together unknowingly and fall in love- or do they? Love, power, secrets, jealousy, death and a twisted diabolic plan are a few things that make up this story and you won’t be disappointed.
WOW… Amazing; Exciting. This author keeps you guessing almost to the very end. I felt like this story had so many twists and turns that I wasn't sure what I was doing or where it was going.
Aria is a struggling college student unknowingly sucked into the life of The Midnight Society; a secret club of wealth and power. Shadow is the handsome heir to the head of the society and he is on a mission for revenge. They are thrown together unknowingly and fall in love- or do they? Love, power, secrets, jealousy, death and a twisted diabolic plan are a few things that make up this story and you won’t be disappointed.
December 30, 2013
I think that this was a nice idea and I think it could have been a 4 star book for me, but here is where it fell short. I never connected with Aria as a character. Her attitude and somewhat crass behavior, in my opinion, didn't work with the idea that she is supposed to be an aspiring classical pianist. Despite her being supposedly "low-born" hearing a woman talk about pissing and bowel movements and such is just not classy behavior. Aria's whole personality and behavior came off as very male to me and I think that's why I never cared for her.
I did like Shadow, but I felt that his whole character would have been a little more hesitant to the love at first sight thing. I know that this is all explained better later on, but it was weird for me. There were also some inconsistencies throughout the plot that pulled me out of the story.
I do think the idea was fantastic and even though I didn't LOVE love this one I want to see what happens so I will probably have to pick up the next one to see what happens.
I did like Shadow, but I felt that his whole character would have been a little more hesitant to the love at first sight thing. I know that this is all explained better later on, but it was weird for me. There were also some inconsistencies throughout the plot that pulled me out of the story.
I do think the idea was fantastic and even though I didn't LOVE love this one I want to see what happens so I will probably have to pick up the next one to see what happens.
February 27, 2014
A very different and trilling about a girl who is independent and trying to survive another semester,trying to pursue her dream of playing piano! Her life changes when she meets Shadow,The leader of Midnight Society. When she used to not have food now she gets three or more times meals day, she could buy clothes. But at what cost ? This love story of Shadow and Aria has a dark side.
I loved this book. It's mystery,the way the story has been told.It was addicting and interesting from the start. I loved the girl who was independent and I liked that a lot in her..It seemed realistic and I could connect with her. Shadow was dark, brooding and at first I didn't like him but as the story progressed I fell in love this guy! You got to read this book. You will be shocked to the core with the secrets it had to say. The story is wonderfully told by the author!!
I loved this book. It's mystery,the way the story has been told.It was addicting and interesting from the start. I loved the girl who was independent and I liked that a lot in her..It seemed realistic and I could connect with her. Shadow was dark, brooding and at first I didn't like him but as the story progressed I fell in love this guy! You got to read this book. You will be shocked to the core with the secrets it had to say. The story is wonderfully told by the author!!
March 8, 2014
I just finished Semblance and I'm still on an emotional high. This book. WOW!! I've heard a lot about it so I moved it up in tbr shelf. So glad I did. This is one of those books that is a rare and special gem. Such a different read then what I'm use to. Filled with love, pain, steamy hotness, humor, yes many laugh out loud moments, mystery,heartbreak, heart racing til the end, and tears. Yes, grab those tissues!! Hold on for dear life and enjoy the ride!! Mr. Logan Patricks does an amazing job at keeping you sucked in and constantly trying to guess what happens next. Which I was always wrong on! Definitely a MUST read and worth every single one of them 5 stars!!!! I can't wait for book 2!!!
January 23, 2014
This book was dark twisted haunting romantic thriller that I am so looking forward to the next book. Prologue captured me right away! Life of midnight society secrets of love death business dealings all twisted keep me flipping through the pages I was not ready for it to end. I was glad this was recommended to me I loved the dark story of the society not sharing details of the organization and why it such a secret for the commoners
Looking for a different read this is a great one
Looking for a different read this is a great one
April 20, 2014
Loved! Gimme more!
Review to come.
I loved this story. It had mystery, love, steam... did I mention mystery?
I love a story that makes me think, and this one kept my wheels turning through a big portion of the book. I had the twist figured out pretty quick but, I wasn't 100% sure I was right. And even when I thought I had things figured out, I found out there were still more secrets to be found.
Great job, Logan! I can't wait to read Prenumbra.
Review to come.
I loved this story. It had mystery, love, steam... did I mention mystery?
I love a story that makes me think, and this one kept my wheels turning through a big portion of the book. I had the twist figured out pretty quick but, I wasn't 100% sure I was right. And even when I thought I had things figured out, I found out there were still more secrets to be found.
Great job, Logan! I can't wait to read Prenumbra.
January 1, 2014
Very excited to read this book.
This is a suspense thriller with a side of sinfully sexual encounters that leave you wanting more. The ending begs the question "Does Shadow truly love Aria?" I want more Midnight Society.
This is a suspense thriller with a side of sinfully sexual encounters that leave you wanting more. The ending begs the question "Does Shadow truly love Aria?" I want more Midnight Society.
January 28, 2014
Review to come!
First half felt a little mechanical but very well written but as the book progressed so did the chemistry and I loved it! Can't wait for the next one! Nice to read something that's not full of cliques and the same old thing :)
First half felt a little mechanical but very well written but as the book progressed so did the chemistry and I loved it! Can't wait for the next one! Nice to read something that's not full of cliques and the same old thing :)
December 31, 2013
DNF 61% -- I tried and tried to far fetched and the Heroine got on my nerves!
February 14, 2014
Absolutely blown away by this book!! It was awesome. Great job Logan. Defiantly looking forward to book two.
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