The Midnight Death Match

Legacy of the Hunter #2

by Stacy Claflin

The curse didn’t end with me. It evolved.

They call me the huntress. A myth rewritten in blood and bone. The first of my kind. A girl forged by fae fear and human hate. The last thing they expect is for me to survive.

Now I train in the shadows with the father I once feared, each lesson sharpening the power inside me. The hunter’s blood burns hotter, faster, clawing toward something I can’t name. But my mother left behind a message only I can read—whatever it reveals, someone would kill to keep buried.

Because there’s a movement rising. One that wants to erase my bloodline from existence.

I should run. But I’m done running.

Harek stands at my side. He’s steadfast, scarred, and far too easy to want. And when another fae steps into the storm, cloaked in secrets and ruin, I realize I’m not just part of the prophecy.

I might be the weapon.

My family is in danger. The city trembles at my name. And the girl I was is already gone.

Because monsters don’t just lurk in the dark. Sometimes, we light the match.

Genres: Fantasy

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2025

About the author

Stacy Claflin writes about complex women overcoming incredible odds. Whether it's her Gone trilogy of psychological thrillers, her ongoing Transformed paranormal saga, or her Seaside Hunters sweet romance series, Stacy's three-dimensional heroines shine through.

Decades after she wrote her first stories on construction paper and years after typing on an inherited green screen computer that weighed half a ton, Stacy realized her dream of becoming a full-time author.

When she's not busy writing or educating her kids from home, Stacy enjoys watching TV shows like Supernatural, Pretty Little Liars, and Once Upon a Time.

Join Stacy's newsletter to get free books: http://stacyclaflin.com/newsletter/

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing😟

I so enjoyed the first book in this fantasy adventure series that I was nonplussed with this second volume. So much mystery, vague illusion to secrets and absence of the context provided by the first volume that I felt still left in the dark by the end.

The dragons were cool, female lead Eira's scenes with her younger siblings and her relationship with her hunter father Einar were touching; but the chapters told from the perspective of a mysterious magical conclave and those centering on the destroyed fae city I just found baffling, Lys I couldn't get a handle on, and the twist at the end about breaking the hunter curse and the aftermath I couldn't fathom.

I think this volume relies heavily on the reader just having finished the preceding volume, too. With these stories so interconnected, I believe it's almost essential to read them together or one very soon after the other.

This was a miss for me, probably the first in the dozens of stories I've read by the author in the past decade. Hopefully it was a one off and the next will answer all the lingering doubts and questions that puzzle me still. A brief synopsis of the previous action to start each following addition to the series would prove helpful, too. Or releasing the whole series simultaneously? I am not a reader who doubles back to re-read earlier books in the series to jog my memory.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Stacy Clearman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a good and necessary continuation for the first as the first, while really good and enjoyable, didn't feel like a completed story at the end. I knew I had to read the second immediately. However, there were moments that left me a bit bewildered. Some of the lore never felt fully explained and there was at least one scene where I thought I missed a page. I'm still not sure how the characters ended up where they did in that moment and I reread the previous page twice. Eira is well thought out and provocative and I couldn't wait to see how she changed from the first to the second book. I think she got her happily ever after in a way, though I would have liked to see a little more of the relationship between her and Harek. I really liked him as he always seemed to be aware and respectful of her boundaries as she discovered her new powers, never forcing her to move on his timeline and waiting for her to be ready. Overall, I enjoyed the tale and the character growth, and the twist at the end was nice, keeping with the feeling of an HEA even if there are still mysteries left to uncover.

[Marylin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in this series and wanted to continue reading about the characters' fates, and the author, Stacy Claflin, did a great job carrying the story forward. However, the dialogue and story-world seemed a bit less than the first. Yet, the story still brought drama, action, and bits of mystical suspense.
In this book, we read about the relationship between Eira and her bio-father, with all the tension of the curse. Will they be able to break the curse before either of them has to die?
Eira also struggles to balance her multiple bloodlines and understand what is expected of her.
Stacy Claflin wrote this story with many segments, and now we wait to see how it will unfold in the next book. I know there has to be more.
If you enjoy fantasy with dragons, werewolves, magic, relational tension, and a touch of mystery, then this is the perfect book to pick up and read.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this second book was so so good! Eira is living with her father, the man she is supposed to kill as he is the hunter and she the huntress and their family curse says this is the way. Eira is determined to find a loophole and with Harek by her side, they both strive to find a solution but time is not on their side and a dark battle awaits! There’s a ton going on in this addition and it had me hooked and biting my nails to the quick. Myth, legend, fae, wolves and dragons, this is gripping, exciting, suspenseful and had me captivated the whole way through. The world building continues to enthral and the storyline, well at times it left me breathless, at others I cried like a baby and then that ending left me hopeful and eager for the next book!

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Midnight Death Match is book #2 in the Legacy of the Hunter series by Stacey Claflin.

There is a lot going on in Eira’s life. She’s busy training, trying to figure out how to break the curse, understand the Secret Keeper role, and worried about her family. This was an intense story that had me holding my breath. Eira was conflicted about who she can trust and what she can do to protect those she loves. I certainly wasn’t expecting to find myself in tears at one point in the book. There were a lot of unexpected twists and turns along Eira’s journey, but the one at the end and totally blew me away. I cannot wait to see what happens next!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really feel for Eira. The wolf within is getting stronger and harder for her to control. As she searches for answers on what she is becoming, enemies seeking her destruction are joining forces. The Hunter's curse affecting Eira and her her father Einar, is weighing heavily on them both. Can they find a way to end the curse without one of them having to die? There is a twist at the end that I definitely did not see coming.
I am loving this series and eagerly await the next book.

I received a free Advance Reader Copy of The Midnight Death Match through BookFunnel and have chosen to leave a review.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Midnight Death Match is the 2nd book in the Legacy of the Hunter series.

Eira, desperate to break the curse that will force her to battle her dad to the death is staying busy training and waiting for the next step.

There are forces that want to stop her before she learns to control the power, and forces of her dual nature as they are afraid of her.
They want to eliminate not only her but her entire bloodline.
Which means that not only her, but her siblings are also in danger, as well as Harek and his family, and everyone else she has come to care about.

There are developed characters, a bit of humor, and a good bit of entrigue.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC. I have been reviewing books for Stacy for several years. I don't read all her genres but the ones I do read always are excellent and this book in the series does not disappoint. As usual by the end of the book you are anxious for the next to be released.
As it is a continuation of her first book in the series, she picks up where the 1st left off. All the magic and intrigue still goes on. There are times you hold your breath waiting to find out how the characters get themselves out of their situations.
Now I'm waiting to find out how the characters continue on in their new roles in the next book in the series.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was waiting for the next book and it was as fascinating as expected, although quite a bit hard to understand since I'm not a native reader.

Einar and Eira still hope to find a loophole for their curse so they don't have to fight each other to death. They make their way to Courtsview because everyone is out for her bloodline and she's ready to fight whatever comes their way.

It's a fascinating story full of mystery, magic, hope and fear but while Eira doesn't know what's waiting, Harek is always by her side.

I'm looking forward to the next book already!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could picture a fairy tale scene after Einar's fight as Eira and Harek were walking back to Mirendel and the changes they were sharing. But we all know that this is not a fairy tale book, the words, scenery, characters and what they face is anything but a fairytale. I really enjoyed reading more about them as getting to know Lys more, although still can't decide if I like him or his mother very much or at all. My favorite characters not human has to be Vash and Sapphire, the connection they share with their humans is awesome!
And the last chapter........oh my!!!!

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Midnight Death Match - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Legacy Of The Hunter Book 2, The Midnight Death Match by Stacy Claflin, is a tale of dragons, were-wolves, magic and curses. All are part of the evolution of Eira, the Secret Keeper, whose late mother brought her children up in ignorance of their true nature.
Eira learns more about her mystical powers as they're honed in battle - but will they bring her and her loved ones salvation?

Get your copy of The Midnight Death Match today to learn what's next ...it's a must for fans of Game Of Thrones and The Lord Of The Rings!

[Cyndi Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely great book! How in the world did I get so invested in a new character hahaha???? Einar is such a good dad and Eira was going through so much (no spoilers!). She is so lucky to have all of these individuals backing her and standing by her. And Harek is absolutely ❤️❤️❤️❤️. Ending had a couple very unexpected twists that will absolutely make you beg for book #3! Can't wait to find out what happens next!!

[Michelle Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in shock about the ending!! It's crazy good!! But it seems everything comes at a cost sum how. Can she figure away 2 break this retched curse b4 it gets 2 late? After her best friend gets kidnapped they work more 2gether 2 figure out the best, fast way 2 fix the issues at hand. I was really surprised about alot of things. Can't wait 4 more asap!!

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a genre I normally read but since I love all the other books I’ve read by this author I decided to give this series a try. This is the second book and is even better than the first. When magical bloodlines mix and human along with fae fear the outcome, is this the end or the start of something new?

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Kirstie Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed this and read it in one sitting. Plenty of suspense and mystery as this story continues. We learn a few things and get thrown a twist or two. This held my attention on every page. Of course the story doesn't finish here but leaves us wondering what's next.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very imaginative, magical story. Eira holds all this power but needs to learn how to use it. The world needs her and her father to save it. But one must die. They struggle to find a way to suppress the curse and stay alive.

[Denise Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Midnight Death Match, Book 2 of the Legacys of the Hunter series is a wonderful tale full of fantasy, turmoil and love with a touch of humor. Wonderful characters to love too! Can't wait for the next one!

[Tonya Bryant Gillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book moves fast meaning it is over and you want more! This was a great read, it kept my heart racing and turning pages long into the night.

I would highly recommend this series. It was an amazing read.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

Ms Claflin creates a stunning world where shifters, fae, witches, halflings,dragons and humans coexist. Ancient curses and pacts are creating chaos and fighting. A book and series that keeps you coming back for more. Can’t wait until the next book to be released.

[Jassica Sun · Rating 3 out of 5]

female lead is annoying in this book. I'm halfway through it.