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The Dolls #2
Midnight Dolls
More secrets. More power. More trouble.
The secrets swirling around Carrefour are deepening, and the lies are more tangled than ever as Eveny discovers the truth about her past.
It’s only been a couple of months since Eveny Cheval discovered that she’s a powerful queen of zandara, the voodoo-like form of magic that has controlled the town of Carrefour for generations. But she barely has time to consider what this means before she’s attacked by the murderous anti-magic organization Main de Lumière once again.
Alarmed, her powerful father takes her – and her sister zandara queens, Peregrine and Chloe – to his home on mysterious Caouanne Island. But the island holds its own secrets about Eveny’s past – and her future. Now, she’s torn between two magical traditions – and two guys: mysterious Caleb, who’s pushing her away, and charismatic Bram, who seems too good to be true.
With Main de Lumière closing in and Carrefour’s defenses crumbling, Eveny, her sister queens, and the townspeople she’s supposed to protect are in danger. And as the revelations about her past continue pouring in, Eveny begins to realize that she might just be the only one who can save them all. Now, she has to fight for the people and the town she loves – and for her own life.
Welcome to Carrefour, where long-buried secrets simmer like heat over the bayou and whatever you desire most can be yours—for a price.
The secrets swirling around Carrefour are deepening, and the lies are more tangled than ever as Eveny discovers the truth about her past.
It’s only been a couple of months since Eveny Cheval discovered that she’s a powerful queen of zandara, the voodoo-like form of magic that has controlled the town of Carrefour for generations. But she barely has time to consider what this means before she’s attacked by the murderous anti-magic organization Main de Lumière once again.
Alarmed, her powerful father takes her – and her sister zandara queens, Peregrine and Chloe – to his home on mysterious Caouanne Island. But the island holds its own secrets about Eveny’s past – and her future. Now, she’s torn between two magical traditions – and two guys: mysterious Caleb, who’s pushing her away, and charismatic Bram, who seems too good to be true.
With Main de Lumière closing in and Carrefour’s defenses crumbling, Eveny, her sister queens, and the townspeople she’s supposed to protect are in danger. And as the revelations about her past continue pouring in, Eveny begins to realize that she might just be the only one who can save them all. Now, she has to fight for the people and the town she loves – and for her own life.
Welcome to Carrefour, where long-buried secrets simmer like heat over the bayou and whatever you desire most can be yours—for a price.
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2015
19 people are currently reading
774 people want to read
About the author
Kiki Sullivan
8 books73 followersKiki Sullivan is the author of The Dolls series. Like the main character Eveny Cheval, Kiki used to live in New York and now calls the American South home. Unlike Eveny, she finds it impossible to keep her rose garden alive and has been singlehandedly responsible for the unfortunate demise of countless herbs. She may or may not have hung out with queens of the dark arts, strolled through creepy New Orleans cemeteries at night, or written the first book of this series with a red-headed Louisiana voodoo doll beside her computer. Visit her at www.KikiSullivan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 19, 2017
Midnight Dolls follows on from the ending of the first book The Dolls in which we continue with the story of main character Eveny and her escape from the town that is under threat from a powerful enemy. I personally preferred reading this book more for the following reasons: The twist towards the end regarding back to the mystery of Eveny's mother's death was shocking, as a reader, I truly didn't see that one coming. The pacing was quicker, the deathly events occurring spookier and the magic was easier to understand. The elements of voodoo was what saved the book for me, I was generally interested in reading on and finding out more about it.
I read this book for the Spookathon, add me on Twitter to see daily updates of what I read: www.Twitter.com/MarriedToBooks3
I read this book for the Spookathon, add me on Twitter to see daily updates of what I read: www.Twitter.com/MarriedToBooks3
December 31, 2015
Must Read
From "The Dolls" to the latest installment "Midnight Dolls", Kiki Sullivan is a captivating author. The theme of good over evil is the perfectly laid out. Both books are fast paced and hard to put down. This author is up in coming and one to watch. Definitely on my favorite list.
From "The Dolls" to the latest installment "Midnight Dolls", Kiki Sullivan is a captivating author. The theme of good over evil is the perfectly laid out. Both books are fast paced and hard to put down. This author is up in coming and one to watch. Definitely on my favorite list.
January 2, 2016
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: This novel had a unique premise, but like its first installment, failed to satisfy me completely.
Opening Sentence: Twilight falls crisp and clean in the first day of spring in Carrefour.
The Review:
Eveny Cheval is not safe. Recently, she was thrust back into a heritage of magic and danger, with no idea how to deal with it. But the stakes are higher now, because she knows that she is born of two separate sects of magic – which gives her power that no one can begin to imagine. This also makes her a threat to Main de Lumiere, a group that believes magic is wrong and unnatural. To add to her troubles, her heartache from Caleb is fresh, and she doesn’t believe she’ll find anyone else, until she meets Bram: open, warm, almost too good to be true.
When starting this, I was excited, if not a little hesitant. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed The Dolls when I read it last year, but I felt something was lacking. I think a lot of it was that I expected a rich, voodoo, interesting atmosphere, but the tone felt kind of flat. I also was troubled by the romance. It was one hundred percent insta-love, which can only be done if executed perfectly, and in this case I don’t believe it was. I also just disliked Caleb. He seemed moody and uninterested, not brooding and secretive.
Nevertheless, I went into it with an open mind. After all, I recently read Promises I Made, which far overtook my expectations and cured the problems I’d had in book one. I feel that although this book was more action-packed and interesting, it still felt, dare I say it, dull – at least in tone. I also hated how they brought in a love triangle again. At least in the first novel it had some sort of plot device and was there for a reason, but I didn’t feel it was at all necessary in book two.
I did like Eveny as a main character, despite her tendency to fall into the same cookie-cutter mold as many YA heroines: beautiful, self-conscious, discovering her own power. This book, she stood up for herself more, which I appreciated. She did attempt to conquer the growing attraction she had for Bram and give things with Caleb a shot, so I’ll give her that.
Altogether, I did think this book overtook its first installment in action and intrigue. But it had the same problems in lacking tone, unneeded insta-love and love triangles, and somewhat cookie-cutter main character. Don’t get me wrong, this was a good book, even if it seems like I’m complaining a lot. I think that fans of the first book will have much less trouble than me and enjoy it more than I did. It has a unique premise and you might as well give it a try.
Notable Scene:
“I’m just warning you,” she says, looking away, “You believe in people too easily, and I think it’s going to get you hurt.”
She gives me a long look and walks away without another word, . I watch her go, feeling more confused than ever.
I’m still sitting on my bed, staring after her, when my father appears in my doorway. “I’ve talked to Peregrine’s and Chloe’s mothers. After the attack today, they finally agree. It’s time we all take a trip to Caouanne Island. We leave first thing in the morning.”
FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Midnight Dolls. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: This novel had a unique premise, but like its first installment, failed to satisfy me completely.
Opening Sentence: Twilight falls crisp and clean in the first day of spring in Carrefour.
The Review:
Eveny Cheval is not safe. Recently, she was thrust back into a heritage of magic and danger, with no idea how to deal with it. But the stakes are higher now, because she knows that she is born of two separate sects of magic – which gives her power that no one can begin to imagine. This also makes her a threat to Main de Lumiere, a group that believes magic is wrong and unnatural. To add to her troubles, her heartache from Caleb is fresh, and she doesn’t believe she’ll find anyone else, until she meets Bram: open, warm, almost too good to be true.
When starting this, I was excited, if not a little hesitant. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed The Dolls when I read it last year, but I felt something was lacking. I think a lot of it was that I expected a rich, voodoo, interesting atmosphere, but the tone felt kind of flat. I also was troubled by the romance. It was one hundred percent insta-love, which can only be done if executed perfectly, and in this case I don’t believe it was. I also just disliked Caleb. He seemed moody and uninterested, not brooding and secretive.
Nevertheless, I went into it with an open mind. After all, I recently read Promises I Made, which far overtook my expectations and cured the problems I’d had in book one. I feel that although this book was more action-packed and interesting, it still felt, dare I say it, dull – at least in tone. I also hated how they brought in a love triangle again. At least in the first novel it had some sort of plot device and was there for a reason, but I didn’t feel it was at all necessary in book two.
I did like Eveny as a main character, despite her tendency to fall into the same cookie-cutter mold as many YA heroines: beautiful, self-conscious, discovering her own power. This book, she stood up for herself more, which I appreciated. She did attempt to conquer the growing attraction she had for Bram and give things with Caleb a shot, so I’ll give her that.
Altogether, I did think this book overtook its first installment in action and intrigue. But it had the same problems in lacking tone, unneeded insta-love and love triangles, and somewhat cookie-cutter main character. Don’t get me wrong, this was a good book, even if it seems like I’m complaining a lot. I think that fans of the first book will have much less trouble than me and enjoy it more than I did. It has a unique premise and you might as well give it a try.
Notable Scene:
“I’m just warning you,” she says, looking away, “You believe in people too easily, and I think it’s going to get you hurt.”
She gives me a long look and walks away without another word, . I watch her go, feeling more confused than ever.
I’m still sitting on my bed, staring after her, when my father appears in my doorway. “I’ve talked to Peregrine’s and Chloe’s mothers. After the attack today, they finally agree. It’s time we all take a trip to Caouanne Island. We leave first thing in the morning.”
FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Midnight Dolls. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
September 9, 2017
Another five star read from Kiki Sullivan! This installment was better than the first book. The more the author reveals about Eveny and her history, the better the story is. Great world building. I really hope there is another book coming. Five glittery stars!
July 8, 2018
I admit this sequel is better than the first BUT
romance is still lacking. I prefer Bram over Caleb because at least he's friendly and open. But for some reason, Eveny still chooses Caleb even as he shows no personality beyond his love for her and his steadfast duty to suppress it. I just don't like Caleb, he keeps slipping and it isn't fair to Eveny. Most infuriating is that he's biased against andaba. He has no right to make her decisions on which tradition to follow.
Eveny keeps making speeches, but she has walked out of rooms twice after a dramatic statement. Why not make a stronger stand beyond walking out of a room by actually staying there and convincing everyone?
I like the appearance of Matthias but I feel like all he does is mention how he loves his family. Bram's the same. He just shows his love for Eveny but we don't see more of his background other than he's an artist.
I have to admit, the confrontation scene at the end could be a bit less...I don't know...confessional and childish. It's more wordy than action.
Yeah, I feel like the novel is too fast paced. They visit Eveny's father's island but only for the weekend and they don't do much. It's like Hey just visit the island and try to be convinced to stay. Nothing exciting happens.
The background of Main de Lumiere is intriguing. But the villain showdowns need more depth and convincing.
I honestly don't get the snake at the end.
romance is still lacking. I prefer Bram over Caleb because at least he's friendly and open. But for some reason, Eveny still chooses Caleb even as he shows no personality beyond his love for her and his steadfast duty to suppress it. I just don't like Caleb, he keeps slipping and it isn't fair to Eveny. Most infuriating is that he's biased against andaba. He has no right to make her decisions on which tradition to follow.
Eveny keeps making speeches, but she has walked out of rooms twice after a dramatic statement. Why not make a stronger stand beyond walking out of a room by actually staying there and convincing everyone?
I like the appearance of Matthias but I feel like all he does is mention how he loves his family. Bram's the same. He just shows his love for Eveny but we don't see more of his background other than he's an artist.
I have to admit, the confrontation scene at the end could be a bit less...I don't know...confessional and childish. It's more wordy than action.
Yeah, I feel like the novel is too fast paced. They visit Eveny's father's island but only for the weekend and they don't do much. It's like Hey just visit the island and try to be convinced to stay. Nothing exciting happens.
The background of Main de Lumiere is intriguing. But the villain showdowns need more depth and convincing.
I honestly don't get the snake at the end.
February 27, 2018
I did not like the first book, I only bought the second to see who had murdered Evenys mother.
I didn't think the authors writing could get worse. It did. I ended up skipping pages of this trash just to get to the end.
We have Eveny who is the ultimate Mary Sue, master of charms, everything is handed to her on a plate, EVERYONE likes her, boys love her, she's SO wise, she's a nice person and knows what to do in any situation...plus the fact she's got a dead mother so we're supposed to like her. I didn't.
Then we get to the "voodoo". There's more voodoo in a piece of fried chicken than in this entire book! Marie Laveau is briefly mentioned but that's it. This is a book about stupid teenage witches who use their "charms" for better bodies and nice hair. Marie Laveau is rolling in her grave.
I didn't think the authors writing could get worse. It did. I ended up skipping pages of this trash just to get to the end.
We have Eveny who is the ultimate Mary Sue, master of charms, everything is handed to her on a plate, EVERYONE likes her, boys love her, she's SO wise, she's a nice person and knows what to do in any situation...plus the fact she's got a dead mother so we're supposed to like her. I didn't.
Then we get to the "voodoo". There's more voodoo in a piece of fried chicken than in this entire book! Marie Laveau is briefly mentioned but that's it. This is a book about stupid teenage witches who use their "charms" for better bodies and nice hair. Marie Laveau is rolling in her grave.
September 17, 2019
Eveny Cheval returns once again in this second instalment, with her sister queens Peregrine and Chloe, to prevent the threat of the anti-magic group Main de Lumiere who are intent on destroying magic. This time however, as Eveny discovers her less than simple magical heritage, it becomes clear that she is more of a target for Main de Lumiere than she realised and now it is up to her to protect not only Carrefour but her father’s birthplace of Caouanne Island as well.
Danger is closer than they think, and with a dangerous faction of Main de Lumiere picking off sosyete members one by one, time is ticking as everyone turns to Eveny for the solution.
Definitely not one of my favourite books, and quite a slow burner, but it provided a satisfying conclusion for the Dolls.
Danger is closer than they think, and with a dangerous faction of Main de Lumiere picking off sosyete members one by one, time is ticking as everyone turns to Eveny for the solution.
Definitely not one of my favourite books, and quite a slow burner, but it provided a satisfying conclusion for the Dolls.
January 11, 2018
Ok I enjoyed this , but nit as much as the first one! It lacks as much story to it and as much depth . Most of the decent bits happen nearer the end and if it wasn't for the fact I was reading this young adult book for light reading I may not have preserved with it ! However it is enjoyable and still touches on magic, traditions etc but maybe it could of found more meat somehow ! As a sequel it's not horrific by any means and I would recommend this to any younger adult who enjoys thus genre !
July 11, 2018
pros:
can appeal to readers of different genres
author is very descriptive
very thought out magic system
the ending was great
the plot twist actually made sense and you could easily see how it fitted into the story
cons:
peregrine and chloe are the stereotypically rich and perfect "mean" girls and it gets kind of annoying
some parts were kind of cringey
rating: 3.75/5
i'm not sure why but i just couldn't give this a 4
can appeal to readers of different genres
author is very descriptive
very thought out magic system
the ending was great
the plot twist actually made sense and you could easily see how it fitted into the story
cons:
peregrine and chloe are the stereotypically rich and perfect "mean" girls and it gets kind of annoying
some parts were kind of cringey
rating: 3.75/5
i'm not sure why but i just couldn't give this a 4
February 10, 2018
Really good!
I was worried it was going to be like a lot of other book sequels- boring and less exciting, but this book was better than I'd hoped. The drama and suspense kept me hooked to the end and the climax and plot twist is unreal. I really suggest this book after you read The Dolls
I was worried it was going to be like a lot of other book sequels- boring and less exciting, but this book was better than I'd hoped. The drama and suspense kept me hooked to the end and the climax and plot twist is unreal. I really suggest this book after you read The Dolls
April 21, 2018
This was a really good sequel. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about these characters as well as meeting some new ones. This story felt more emotional than the first one and was a little harder to read for that reason. However, the emotion of this book was central to the story, and that is what makes this book such a good read.
November 10, 2023
I think it was incredible. I got it out from the libary and didn't work out it was the second in the seires till I was half way through but I still really enjoyed it regardless. And I just love the ending line: "Love will save us. And if I have love in my heart, and if I always believe in its power, I might just be able to save the world."
I think it's just a perfect ending
I think it's just a perfect ending
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2025
♛/♛
reading books that i used to read back in my library era part 6
the two kissing scenes in this had me in a chokehold when i first read this when i was 12. caleb shaw GAHDAYUM but pls get ur priorities straight 💀
this would’ve been a great 2010s tv show like charmed.
♛<3
reading books that i used to read back in my library era part 6
the two kissing scenes in this had me in a chokehold when i first read this when i was 12. caleb shaw GAHDAYUM but pls get ur priorities straight 💀
this would’ve been a great 2010s tv show like charmed.
♛<3
June 1, 2017
The target is the teenage reader. However, The Hunger Games it is not. Nor any of the other young adult literature I've read.
Thanks to Sterling Books for the opportunity to read it.
Thanks to Sterling Books for the opportunity to read it.
January 9, 2018
Good plot but definitely like the first one better.
April 21, 2018
*gasp*
If you read and LOVED the first book, definitely pick this one up as well!! Mostly, just to answer the questions the first book left us with.
If you read and LOVED the first book, definitely pick this one up as well!! Mostly, just to answer the questions the first book left us with.
January 18, 2020
Tag yourself I'm a the "ice blue eyes" guy
June 27, 2023
best sequel
June 9, 2017
This book was perfectly segued into by the first. There is enough mystery to keep you reading and the same designer clothes mixed with VooDoo like magic. A+
February 28, 2017
Read both this one and the first in less than a week. Couldn't put them down. Loved them both.
October 4, 2015
I enjoyed The Dolls last year, so I was looking forward to spending some more time back in the world of Eveny and Carrefour.
Kiki Sullivan brings us back into Eveny's world, after she's had a little more time to adjust to her power. However, things soon come to a head when an attempt is made on Eveny's life by Main de Lumière. With her life on the line, Eveny's father brings her to his world on Caouanne Island, and Eveny quickly discovers that she holds the key to two great magical legacies...
What I loved about Midnight Dolls, was the fact that Sullivan made the deliberate choice to add another layer of complications and mythos to Eveny's world. Rather than have Eveny explore what she already knew, Sullivan proves that there is still a lot of unknown ground for Eveny to cover in the magical realm, especially with the revelation of her heritage from her father's side.
As she explores that ground, Sullivan wisely challenges Eveny to determine just which life she wants to pursue. Eveny has the option of power in two very different heritages, and she's shown the very real possiblities of both. While Main de Lumière forces her hand at several junctures - including bloody, horrifying deaths that reinforce the danger that Eveny and her fellow Queens are in - Eveny uses those moments to find the courage to carve out a path that's uniquely her own, and will be highly appreciated by readers.
Though Sullivan brings in a love triangle to complicate Eveny's life, it's done so with the intention of emphasizing several of the greatest themes of the book, including free will. Caleb and the newly-introduced Bram are both attractive in their own right, but how they help Eveny grow, which I appreciated the most.
All in all, this return to Carrefour is bloodier, more dramatic and with higher stakes. But that's what's spectacular about it. Kiki Sullivan has really hit her stride with this sophomore book, and I'm absolutely looking forward to more books in the Dolls series.
Kiki Sullivan brings us back into Eveny's world, after she's had a little more time to adjust to her power. However, things soon come to a head when an attempt is made on Eveny's life by Main de Lumière. With her life on the line, Eveny's father brings her to his world on Caouanne Island, and Eveny quickly discovers that she holds the key to two great magical legacies...
What I loved about Midnight Dolls, was the fact that Sullivan made the deliberate choice to add another layer of complications and mythos to Eveny's world. Rather than have Eveny explore what she already knew, Sullivan proves that there is still a lot of unknown ground for Eveny to cover in the magical realm, especially with the revelation of her heritage from her father's side.
As she explores that ground, Sullivan wisely challenges Eveny to determine just which life she wants to pursue. Eveny has the option of power in two very different heritages, and she's shown the very real possiblities of both. While Main de Lumière forces her hand at several junctures - including bloody, horrifying deaths that reinforce the danger that Eveny and her fellow Queens are in - Eveny uses those moments to find the courage to carve out a path that's uniquely her own, and will be highly appreciated by readers.
Though Sullivan brings in a love triangle to complicate Eveny's life, it's done so with the intention of emphasizing several of the greatest themes of the book, including free will. Caleb and the newly-introduced Bram are both attractive in their own right, but how they help Eveny grow, which I appreciated the most.
All in all, this return to Carrefour is bloodier, more dramatic and with higher stakes. But that's what's spectacular about it. Kiki Sullivan has really hit her stride with this sophomore book, and I'm absolutely looking forward to more books in the Dolls series.
December 17, 2015
The first book was fun in a ridiculous sort of way, but this one was pretty pointless. We did finally learn who killed Sandrine, but that was pretty easy to figure out after the first few chapters. Also, Caleb still sucks.
I'm not sure if this is the last book or not, but I doubt I would read another one. In my opinion, all the loose ends were tied up and there is no reason to continue the story.
I'm not sure if this is the last book or not, but I doubt I would read another one. In my opinion, all the loose ends were tied up and there is no reason to continue the story.
April 28, 2016
This story is different, I enjoyed that it was about voodoo princesses and not normal witches and it showed the different tribes of voodoo. The storyline was not that unique in terms of the romance and the loss of a parent, how ever it was creative in all other aspects.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kikis' writing style and it was a book I did not want to put down I cannot wait to complete the next book.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kikis' writing style and it was a book I did not want to put down I cannot wait to complete the next book.
February 6, 2017
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! Kiki really has ended this book fantastically, any doubts I had about Eveny and Caleb have been erased! I would love to see a novella on whether Eveny and Bram ever meet face to face again and if so what would happen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2016
This was a quick and easy read (under 4 hours). I really enjoyed it for the most part but towards the end there was too much explanation for me.
Possible spoiler ahead ...
Possible spoiler ahead ...
August 20, 2016
I received this book in exchange for a fair review. Thank you!
This is one of the best books I've won from a Goodreads giveaway. It took me a while to get to it because I wanted to get the first book and start from the beginning. Overall I loved it and hope there's a third installment!
This is one of the best books I've won from a Goodreads giveaway. It took me a while to get to it because I wanted to get the first book and start from the beginning. Overall I loved it and hope there's a third installment!
August 1, 2016
I never thought I would be crying reading fantasy book. If you love magic and love this book is for you.
I do hope there will be a continuation story about Eveny, Caleb and Bram. who will she choose???
"LOVE will always SAVE you"
I do hope there will be a continuation story about Eveny, Caleb and Bram. who will she choose???
"LOVE will always SAVE you"
August 13, 2016
I read the first book "the dolls" and couldn't wait to read this and I was not disappointed I couldn't put it down seeing the world through Eveny's eyes is amazing and I am truly addicted to this book.
April 12, 2016
*2.75 maybe*
September 12, 2015
Excellent book! Engaging and suspenseful. Just finished reading and looking forward to the next book in series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews