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Disrupted Magic #1
Midnight Curse
Scarlett Bernard is used to cleaning up messes. As a human who cancels out any magic around her, Scarlett’s job is to keep the supernatural world hidden—at any cost.
On the eve of the Vampire Trials, a two-day tribunal that allows the otherworldly community to air their grievances, Scarlett receives a blood-soaked message from Molly, her estranged former roommate. Molly, a vampire, had been living with twelve human college students…and in one terrible night, she slaughtered them all.
Scarlett believes Molly’s been set up, but no one else in the Old World agrees with her. And the true perpetrator is determined to make sure Molly goes on trial for the massacre—the penalty for which is death.
With less than two days to prove her friend’s innocence, Scarlett calls on former LAPD detective Jesse Cruz to help her dig into Molly’s past. But no one—Molly included—wants Scarlett and Jesse to bring the terrible truth to light.
On the eve of the Vampire Trials, a two-day tribunal that allows the otherworldly community to air their grievances, Scarlett receives a blood-soaked message from Molly, her estranged former roommate. Molly, a vampire, had been living with twelve human college students…and in one terrible night, she slaughtered them all.
Scarlett believes Molly’s been set up, but no one else in the Old World agrees with her. And the true perpetrator is determined to make sure Molly goes on trial for the massacre—the penalty for which is death.
With less than two days to prove her friend’s innocence, Scarlett calls on former LAPD detective Jesse Cruz to help her dig into Molly’s past. But no one—Molly included—wants Scarlett and Jesse to bring the terrible truth to light.
11 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 7, 2017
1454 people are currently reading
2567 people want to read
About the author
Melissa F. Olson
42 books1,740 followersMelissa F. Olson is a writer and film professor. Her work includes the comic ARCHAIC, the feminist horror novel The Other Frankenstein, and more than 20 urban fantasy novels and novellas, including the Scarlett Bernard series and the Boundary Magic novels. Her journalism and academic work has been published in The International Journal of Comic Art, the compilation Images of the Modern Vampire, Tor.com, and the Everyone's Gone to the Movies series.
Melissa has been a writing teacher, English professor, and TEDx presenter, but she now divides her time between writing and conventions, where she speaks about issues related to genre, feminism, writing, and parenting. Read more about her life and work at MFOlson.com.
Melissa has been a writing teacher, English professor, and TEDx presenter, but she now divides her time between writing and conventions, where she speaks about issues related to genre, feminism, writing, and parenting. Read more about her life and work at MFOlson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 324 reviews
July 29, 2018
A very, and somewhat surprisingly, good popcorn read.
You know what I mean, right? How often had you had a conversation when a friend asks if you’ve eaten anywhere good lately and you say how fabulous the popcorn you just had was? (am I the only one with foodie friends?) Not at all, I’m betting; while popcorn is salty, crunchy fun, it is ultimately unfulfilling and forgettable. Though Midnight Curse was actually a bit above ‘popcorn’ in my reading scale, largely by setting up a number of tropes and then ignoring them.
You may notice the official title says, ‘book one.’ It forgets to mention its the second trilogy written with the lead character, Scarlett Bernard, which is actually a good thing. Some authors (Karen Moning, cough, cough) seem to think one needs to start with an ‘unlikable’ character in order to have the character become someone the reader likes, presumably to avoid Mary Sue characters. This worked out in my favor, because I enjoyed the current Scarlett who is apparently three years older than the last series of books. She’d make references to events earlier in her life, and sometimes I thought, “hmm, sounds like an interesting backstory,” but once or twice I thought, “ugh, glad I didn’t know her then.” Here I thought that Olson was doing a Star Wars thing (sigh; starting with book four to six, then working backwards? Okay?), but I guess that was too much credit. Somebody do that, okay? (Besides Lucas, because that didn’t work. Or is it because we don’t really want prequels in our stories? Did he break a Campbell rule?)
“There wasn’t actually an ominous creak, but it was definitely implied.”
The story is told by Scarlett, with moderately amusing commentary mitigated by tough emotional situations. I usually appreciated her attempts to navigate situations in a mature way, so score a book point for relative emotional maturity. She is finding enjoyment and security in her professional life as a Null, mediating between vampires, witches, and werewolves. She’s a guardian for Shadow, a semi-mythical wolf-hunting creature that is a smart, calm dog-hybrid when in Scarlett’s range. Shadow easily became one of my favorite characters in the story.
“But it felt more respectful to ask rather than assume, and I tried to treat Shadow with the same respect I would give a human. Okay, probably more respect than I would give a human.“
Scarlett’s ex-roommate/former BFF calls her for help. She’s a vampire who has accidentally killed the ten women she’s living with. This is by far the weakest part of the plot line and never adequately gets addressed. Once I got past that, it became an engrossing story that I had a hard time putting down, despite my knee-jerk tendency to dislike stereotypical wolf and vampire urban fantasy world-building. It could be that Scarlett was a fundamentally likable character, but it could also be that my genre expectations are just so low that Olson never hit any of my trigger points.
I was tempted to continue the series, but found my enthusiasm dampened by descriptions of the next book, hints that the supporting cast is largely absent, and a friend reviewer who notes that Olson seems to drop major plot bombs and then end the book. Who knows, however–the UF mood may strike again.
You know what I mean, right? How often had you had a conversation when a friend asks if you’ve eaten anywhere good lately and you say how fabulous the popcorn you just had was? (am I the only one with foodie friends?) Not at all, I’m betting; while popcorn is salty, crunchy fun, it is ultimately unfulfilling and forgettable. Though Midnight Curse was actually a bit above ‘popcorn’ in my reading scale, largely by setting up a number of tropes and then ignoring them.
You may notice the official title says, ‘book one.’ It forgets to mention its the second trilogy written with the lead character, Scarlett Bernard, which is actually a good thing. Some authors (Karen Moning, cough, cough) seem to think one needs to start with an ‘unlikable’ character in order to have the character become someone the reader likes, presumably to avoid Mary Sue characters. This worked out in my favor, because I enjoyed the current Scarlett who is apparently three years older than the last series of books. She’d make references to events earlier in her life, and sometimes I thought, “hmm, sounds like an interesting backstory,” but once or twice I thought, “ugh, glad I didn’t know her then.” Here I thought that Olson was doing a Star Wars thing (sigh; starting with book four to six, then working backwards? Okay?), but I guess that was too much credit. Somebody do that, okay? (Besides Lucas, because that didn’t work. Or is it because we don’t really want prequels in our stories? Did he break a Campbell rule?)
“There wasn’t actually an ominous creak, but it was definitely implied.”
The story is told by Scarlett, with moderately amusing commentary mitigated by tough emotional situations. I usually appreciated her attempts to navigate situations in a mature way, so score a book point for relative emotional maturity. She is finding enjoyment and security in her professional life as a Null, mediating between vampires, witches, and werewolves. She’s a guardian for Shadow, a semi-mythical wolf-hunting creature that is a smart, calm dog-hybrid when in Scarlett’s range. Shadow easily became one of my favorite characters in the story.
“But it felt more respectful to ask rather than assume, and I tried to treat Shadow with the same respect I would give a human. Okay, probably more respect than I would give a human.“
Scarlett’s ex-roommate/former BFF calls her for help. She’s a vampire who has accidentally killed the ten women she’s living with. This is by far the weakest part of the plot line and never adequately gets addressed. Once I got past that, it became an engrossing story that I had a hard time putting down, despite my knee-jerk tendency to dislike stereotypical wolf and vampire urban fantasy world-building. It could be that Scarlett was a fundamentally likable character, but it could also be that my genre expectations are just so low that Olson never hit any of my trigger points.
I was tempted to continue the series, but found my enthusiasm dampened by descriptions of the next book, hints that the supporting cast is largely absent, and a friend reviewer who notes that Olson seems to drop major plot bombs and then end the book. Who knows, however–the UF mood may strike again.
February 12, 2017
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy:
MIDNIGHT CURSE is the first in the Disrupted Magic series, but is actually the 10th novel written in the Old World Chronology series by Melissa F. Olson. I didn’t realise it was part of a larger series until after I had finished it, and I didn’t feel like I missed anything by not reading the previous books; in fact, I adored how Scarlett is a more mature, experienced heroine who has tricks up her sleeve and isn’t bumbling around discovering her powers or how the world works.
Scarlett is a null, someone who can cancel the magic of other supernaturals in her vicinity. She’s part janitor, part professional liar, keeping the supernatural world hidden by cleaning up messes and breaking up supernatural fights (by making everyone in her range temporarily human). She’s a necessary part of the council or supernaturals, but it also feels like she’s also excluded because of what she is. It was refreshing to read about a heroine who is capable from the get go, who has gotten past her rocky start and dramatic upbringing. She has a backstory that you hear snippets about, but I was never confused when it was brought up, it just worked to make the character more real.
It’s difficult to pick what my favourite part of the book was: the cool variety in witchcraft types, the awesome ex-police detective Scarlett enlists to help her discover who is trying to frame her friend, the sensitive werewolf boyfriend or the giant hell-dog that was created to hunt werewolves and who Scarlett has to keep by her side at all times.
On second thought, it’s the dog for sure. She's called Shadow, she understands basic human speech, she wears a little service dog vest and can tear out a man’s throat before he has time to scream. What’s not to love?
Supernatural politics, intense actions and high emotion blend perfectly to make one of the best urban fantasy books I’ve read in a long time. Pick it up here, or dig through the older books if you want, but you’ll not be sorry you discovered the Old World Chronology series.
MIDNIGHT CURSE is the first in the Disrupted Magic series, but is actually the 10th novel written in the Old World Chronology series by Melissa F. Olson. I didn’t realise it was part of a larger series until after I had finished it, and I didn’t feel like I missed anything by not reading the previous books; in fact, I adored how Scarlett is a more mature, experienced heroine who has tricks up her sleeve and isn’t bumbling around discovering her powers or how the world works.
Scarlett is a null, someone who can cancel the magic of other supernaturals in her vicinity. She’s part janitor, part professional liar, keeping the supernatural world hidden by cleaning up messes and breaking up supernatural fights (by making everyone in her range temporarily human). She’s a necessary part of the council or supernaturals, but it also feels like she’s also excluded because of what she is. It was refreshing to read about a heroine who is capable from the get go, who has gotten past her rocky start and dramatic upbringing. She has a backstory that you hear snippets about, but I was never confused when it was brought up, it just worked to make the character more real.
It’s difficult to pick what my favourite part of the book was: the cool variety in witchcraft types, the awesome ex-police detective Scarlett enlists to help her discover who is trying to frame her friend, the sensitive werewolf boyfriend or the giant hell-dog that was created to hunt werewolves and who Scarlett has to keep by her side at all times.
On second thought, it’s the dog for sure. She's called Shadow, she understands basic human speech, she wears a little service dog vest and can tear out a man’s throat before he has time to scream. What’s not to love?
Supernatural politics, intense actions and high emotion blend perfectly to make one of the best urban fantasy books I’ve read in a long time. Pick it up here, or dig through the older books if you want, but you’ll not be sorry you discovered the Old World Chronology series.
August 11, 2017
Sigh.
DNF @ 73%
Anyone who knows me knows I hate DNF'ing books. But my tbr is getting out of control so I'm getting a bit more laxed in my DNF policy.
I usually 1* DNF books, but this one had some cool elements. But I just failed to connect with any of the characters. I realized that at the 73% mark I just didn't care what the resolution would have been. Might give this a second shot, one day, but for now it's a DNF.
DNF @ 73%
Anyone who knows me knows I hate DNF'ing books. But my tbr is getting out of control so I'm getting a bit more laxed in my DNF policy.
I usually 1* DNF books, but this one had some cool elements. But I just failed to connect with any of the characters. I realized that at the 73% mark I just didn't care what the resolution would have been. Might give this a second shot, one day, but for now it's a DNF.
February 6, 2017
Technically this is the first book in a new series, but I consider it to be book 4 in the Scarlett Bernard series, which is fine by me since I wasn't happy with the way somethings ended in the last book. This was the best of the Scarlett books yet!
There was a time gap of 3 years, so the characters have matured. Scarlett was decisive and knew what she wanted out of life. Despite having relationship issues with Eli, she didn't convince herself she wanted things she didn't to appease him. However Eli remained the same: needy and dependent. Their relationship perfectly depicted how two people can love each other but not be compatible.
Scarlett's life had been relatively calm and uneventful until Molly contacted her about a serious problem. Molly's life was on the line unless Scarlett could prove her innocence in a short period of time. Knowing she couldn't do it on her own, she contacted her old friend Jesse who was somewhat reluctant to help with the case.
Jesse had been through a lot in the last 3 years. His strict moral code didn't mesh with the old world, and it wasn't easy for him to come to terms with that. Other issues popped up in that time like getting a divorce and fame from writing a book. When Scarlett stumbled into his life, he was lost. Working on a case for the first time in a long time reminded him of what he wanted out of life. I always liked Jesse but preferred him even more now. He finally accepted things as they are instead of expecting them to neatly fit into the categories right and wrong.
There was not a cliffhanger at the end, but I'm really looking forward to the next one just to get more time with the characters.
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
There was a time gap of 3 years, so the characters have matured. Scarlett was decisive and knew what she wanted out of life. Despite having relationship issues with Eli, she didn't convince herself she wanted things she didn't to appease him. However Eli remained the same: needy and dependent. Their relationship perfectly depicted how two people can love each other but not be compatible.
Scarlett's life had been relatively calm and uneventful until Molly contacted her about a serious problem. Molly's life was on the line unless Scarlett could prove her innocence in a short period of time. Knowing she couldn't do it on her own, she contacted her old friend Jesse who was somewhat reluctant to help with the case.
Jesse had been through a lot in the last 3 years. His strict moral code didn't mesh with the old world, and it wasn't easy for him to come to terms with that. Other issues popped up in that time like getting a divorce and fame from writing a book. When Scarlett stumbled into his life, he was lost. Working on a case for the first time in a long time reminded him of what he wanted out of life. I always liked Jesse but preferred him even more now. He finally accepted things as they are instead of expecting them to neatly fit into the categories right and wrong.
There was not a cliffhanger at the end, but I'm really looking forward to the next one just to get more time with the characters.
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2019
Midnight Curse by Melissa F Olson and narrated by Amy McFadden is an audible book that follows the other series starting with the book Dead Spot. It has the same characters and that is wonderful! It is a few years later and it does have that new character! Yeah! A big ugly dog like creature made from dark magic. Molly is in deep trouble for something that isn't her fault and is going to be sentenced to death if Scarlet can't get the truth in time. Molly is her ex-roommate and vampire. Lots of danger and action. Narration was perfect!
February 5, 2017
What? A mere human is entrusted with keeping the all-powerful supernatural world secret? Go team mere humans! Scarlett is a Null, all she has to do is walk into a room of vampires, werewolves, etc., and poof, they become like humans. No power, no fangs, no supernatural speed or even going furry. Her job is to keep the supes from being discovered by the humans.
Melissa F. Olson’s MIDNIGHT CURSE is the tale of hidden powers, treachery and the trial of a vampire who may or may not have killed humans in a bloody and wretch-worthy feeding frenzy. Was sweet Molly in her right mind? Was she being controlled by another? Is she actually responsible for these gruesome deaths?
While juggling a relationship on the edge and with only one day to find the truth about what happened to Molly the night of the brutal bloodbath, Scarlett and her allies know time is of the essence, but what if they find the villain behind the killings? Will the Vampire Trials hear her? Listen to her? Or will it all have been in vain…
Lots of attitude from demanding supernatural leaders to Scarlett’s priceless personality, the action and tension rolls on through from start to finish. Some heartache, an untested heroine and a realization of the heart. Lots to like about this series and the first book has me wanting more.
I received an ARC edition from 47North in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Disrupted Magic - Book 1
Publisher: 47North (February 7, 2017)
Publication Date: February 7, 2017
Genre: Supernatural Suspense
Print Length: 317 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Melissa F. Olson’s MIDNIGHT CURSE is the tale of hidden powers, treachery and the trial of a vampire who may or may not have killed humans in a bloody and wretch-worthy feeding frenzy. Was sweet Molly in her right mind? Was she being controlled by another? Is she actually responsible for these gruesome deaths?
While juggling a relationship on the edge and with only one day to find the truth about what happened to Molly the night of the brutal bloodbath, Scarlett and her allies know time is of the essence, but what if they find the villain behind the killings? Will the Vampire Trials hear her? Listen to her? Or will it all have been in vain…
Lots of attitude from demanding supernatural leaders to Scarlett’s priceless personality, the action and tension rolls on through from start to finish. Some heartache, an untested heroine and a realization of the heart. Lots to like about this series and the first book has me wanting more.
I received an ARC edition from 47North in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Disrupted Magic - Book 1
Publisher: 47North (February 7, 2017)
Publication Date: February 7, 2017
Genre: Supernatural Suspense
Print Length: 317 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
March 23, 2024
Fun, fast paced and an urban fantasy that I could really sink my teeth into.
July 10, 2017
Midnight Curse is the first installment of what I will call the second arc of Scarlett Bernard series. From what I gathered from Melissa F. Olson's website, this arc -- entitled Disrupted Magic -- will be another trilogy.
Timeline wise, it has been three years after Hunter's Trail: Scarlett is living with his werewolf boyfriend, Eli, while ex-LAPD Detective Jesse Cruz is now a divorcé who "stars" in his own book (although a ghostwriter actually done all the work).
Midnight Curse starts with Molly, Scarlett's former vampire roommate asks for her help after a night of bloodbath, where apparently the vampire slaughters the girls she lives with. Scarlett believes that Molly has been framed and she asks Jesse to help.
First of all ... I was very impressed with the progress of these characters, especially Scarlett and Jesse, compared to the original trilogy. Previously, I often thought Scarlett to be a bit too passive and Jesse to be too rigid. But I guess the past three years have done a lot for the two. Both Scarlett and Jesse have definitely matured up and that made this story exceeded the previous trilogy, in my humble opinion.
It was clear that Scarlett loved her job and she was competent at it. She learned how to defend herself more than just using her null ability; loved that Scarlett was having quite an expertise in knife-throwing! The three leaders: Dashiell (vampire), Will (werewolf), and Kirsten (witch) clearly respected her. Even if I also thought that Scarlett developed a bit of a temper -- but I guess if I was dealing with an overprotective boyfriend like Eli, I would be annoyed as well.
As for Jesse, he might be started this book to be having quite a depression, after his divorce. But I found him to be more flexible with the rules of the Old World now. It was interesting because Jesse was also the one having quite a connection to Allison “Lex” Luther, the boundary witch from Colorado -- so maybe that influenced Jesse's view of how to deal with these creatures now.
Something for sure, there was an easy camaraderie between Scarlett and Jesse this time while they were working together to clear Molly's name and found out who was really responsible (and what their plan was). They didn't argue a lot ... it made the pace of the book REALLY enjoyable, and I LOVED being with the two of them. Oh, also with Shadow. Don't forget that Barghest turn huge ugly dog *lol*.
Of course the action was awesome too. Scarlett and Jesse only had two days to works things out -- and I thought Olson was able to keep the suspense in check. From the investigation to the revelation, Olson kept me on the edge of my seat. I actually lost my good night sleep finishing this one!!
Last but not least, I loved the connection that Olson made in regards to her other series -- I am sure that one particular progress in this book will make way to Lex's next trilogy series.
This book ended without any cliffhanger sense to it; unless if you count the romance factor . I'm not really in it for the romance though; it is more of this world that Olson provides.
I genuinely have no complaints; I cannot WAIT for the next book (like I said, Olson wrote that Disrupted Magic series would be a trilogy) to be released.
So yep, my first 5* of 2017
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Timeline wise, it has been three years after Hunter's Trail: Scarlett is living with his werewolf boyfriend, Eli, while ex-LAPD Detective Jesse Cruz is now a divorcé who "stars" in his own book (although a ghostwriter actually done all the work).
Midnight Curse starts with Molly, Scarlett's former vampire roommate asks for her help after a night of bloodbath, where apparently the vampire slaughters the girls she lives with. Scarlett believes that Molly has been framed and she asks Jesse to help.
First of all ... I was very impressed with the progress of these characters, especially Scarlett and Jesse, compared to the original trilogy. Previously, I often thought Scarlett to be a bit too passive and Jesse to be too rigid. But I guess the past three years have done a lot for the two. Both Scarlett and Jesse have definitely matured up and that made this story exceeded the previous trilogy, in my humble opinion.
It was clear that Scarlett loved her job and she was competent at it. She learned how to defend herself more than just using her null ability; loved that Scarlett was having quite an expertise in knife-throwing! The three leaders: Dashiell (vampire), Will (werewolf), and Kirsten (witch) clearly respected her. Even if I also thought that Scarlett developed a bit of a temper -- but I guess if I was dealing with an overprotective boyfriend like Eli, I would be annoyed as well.
As for Jesse, he might be started this book to be having quite a depression, after his divorce. But I found him to be more flexible with the rules of the Old World now. It was interesting because Jesse was also the one having quite a connection to Allison “Lex” Luther, the boundary witch from Colorado -- so maybe that influenced Jesse's view of how to deal with these creatures now.
Something for sure, there was an easy camaraderie between Scarlett and Jesse this time while they were working together to clear Molly's name and found out who was really responsible (and what their plan was). They didn't argue a lot ... it made the pace of the book REALLY enjoyable, and I LOVED being with the two of them. Oh, also with Shadow. Don't forget that Barghest turn huge ugly dog *lol*.
Of course the action was awesome too. Scarlett and Jesse only had two days to works things out -- and I thought Olson was able to keep the suspense in check. From the investigation to the revelation, Olson kept me on the edge of my seat. I actually lost my good night sleep finishing this one!!
Last but not least, I loved the connection that Olson made in regards to her other series -- I am sure that one particular progress in this book will make way to Lex's next trilogy series.
This book ended without any cliffhanger sense to it; unless if you count the romance factor . I'm not really in it for the romance though; it is more of this world that Olson provides.
I genuinely have no complaints; I cannot WAIT for the next book (like I said, Olson wrote that Disrupted Magic series would be a trilogy) to be released.
So yep, my first 5* of 2017
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
January 16, 2018
This was a straight 3 star book. Nothing really grabbed me, but it wasn't written poorly. I just thought way too much was going on for this first book and have just a general state of confusion occurring while I was reading this. I kept checking to make sure this was the first book in the series, and it is. I was told after the fact that I should have read something called the Scarlett Bernard series first before reading this and my reply was "Seriously? I don't have time to read three other books before I read a series starring this same person? Also why was there even a spin-off? This makes no sense!" So yeah, that turned into a 30 minute conversation I will never get back.
Olson sets up a world in which there is something called the Old World that deals with supernatural creatures (witches, vampires, werewolves).
One of our main characters is Scarlett Bernard who is a "null" someone with the ability to null the magical effects around witches, vampires, vampires. For example, if Scarlett is around a vampire, the vampire becomes human. I have no idea why the person wouldn't just turn into dust if they are a 1,000 years old, but I learned to stop asking questions like that while reading.
The other main character is a former friend/partner whatever of Scarlett's, former LAPD detective Jesse Cruz. Jesse is bitter over a divorce and feeling like he got played by the Old World people (I barely manage to figure out what happened based on all the hints floating around).
When a former vampire friend of Scarlett (goes by the name of Molly) asks for her help, Scarlett goes up against the Old World to prove she was set up. She enlists the aid of Jesse who agrees to saddle up to work alongside Scarlett again.
There was no there, there for me while reading. Scarlett got really annoying. I have no idea what her issues were, but she apparently has a long term boyfriend that she treated like an annoyance, a supernatural dog (that I never want to hear about again) whose every mood and tick she can pick up on. Jesse got a bit self righteous for me. Molly's character made no sense to me after what we see of her. I am speaking of the ending and the terribleness that is found out about why exactly Molly was targeted.
There are additional characters in this, but none that really stuck with me while reading.
The writing was okay. The book just got a bit awkward when it went from Scarlett to Jesse's POV. It didn't work that well.
Look, I am always looking for an urban fantasy to sink my teeth into. This one just didn't move me either way. I may read the second book or I may not. I just hope that the author manages to fix the world building and develops the character. I get this was the first book in a series. But there was way too much information being thrown at me that didn't work seamlessly into this story. For example, we just got told that Jesse used to have feelings for Scarlett and they haven't seen each other in three years. There could have been some dialogue about that between the two of them. The only thing that I did like was Scarlett being happy she could just be friends with Jesse without any romance going on. I am sure that gets thrown out later, but I swear I loathe love triangles. If any of the future books seem to be heading in that direction just let me know.
Olson sets up a world in which there is something called the Old World that deals with supernatural creatures (witches, vampires, werewolves).
One of our main characters is Scarlett Bernard who is a "null" someone with the ability to null the magical effects around witches, vampires, vampires. For example, if Scarlett is around a vampire, the vampire becomes human. I have no idea why the person wouldn't just turn into dust if they are a 1,000 years old, but I learned to stop asking questions like that while reading.
The other main character is a former friend/partner whatever of Scarlett's, former LAPD detective Jesse Cruz. Jesse is bitter over a divorce and feeling like he got played by the Old World people (I barely manage to figure out what happened based on all the hints floating around).
When a former vampire friend of Scarlett (goes by the name of Molly) asks for her help, Scarlett goes up against the Old World to prove she was set up. She enlists the aid of Jesse who agrees to saddle up to work alongside Scarlett again.
There was no there, there for me while reading. Scarlett got really annoying. I have no idea what her issues were, but she apparently has a long term boyfriend that she treated like an annoyance, a supernatural dog (that I never want to hear about again) whose every mood and tick she can pick up on. Jesse got a bit self righteous for me. Molly's character made no sense to me after what we see of her. I am speaking of the ending and the terribleness that is found out about why exactly Molly was targeted.
There are additional characters in this, but none that really stuck with me while reading.
The writing was okay. The book just got a bit awkward when it went from Scarlett to Jesse's POV. It didn't work that well.
Look, I am always looking for an urban fantasy to sink my teeth into. This one just didn't move me either way. I may read the second book or I may not. I just hope that the author manages to fix the world building and develops the character. I get this was the first book in a series. But there was way too much information being thrown at me that didn't work seamlessly into this story. For example, we just got told that Jesse used to have feelings for Scarlett and they haven't seen each other in three years. There could have been some dialogue about that between the two of them. The only thing that I did like was Scarlett being happy she could just be friends with Jesse without any romance going on. I am sure that gets thrown out later, but I swear I loathe love triangles. If any of the future books seem to be heading in that direction just let me know.
February 27, 2017
*Source* NetGalley
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*My Thoughts*
Midnight Curse is the first installment in author Melissa F. Olson's Disrupted Magic series. However, it is also book # 4 in the Scarlett Bernard series, and book # 10 in what's being called the Old World Chronicles. Other books in this series features Allison "Lex" Luther's Boundary Magic trilogy. I mentioned Lex, because she makes a brief but all important stop during this story. More later. Recently, thanks to Amazon, I purchased the first (3) books in Scarlett's series and will attempt to go back to the beginning and see how it all began.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews 02/27/2017
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*My Thoughts*
Midnight Curse is the first installment in author Melissa F. Olson's Disrupted Magic series. However, it is also book # 4 in the Scarlett Bernard series, and book # 10 in what's being called the Old World Chronicles. Other books in this series features Allison "Lex" Luther's Boundary Magic trilogy. I mentioned Lex, because she makes a brief but all important stop during this story. More later. Recently, thanks to Amazon, I purchased the first (3) books in Scarlett's series and will attempt to go back to the beginning and see how it all began.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews 02/27/2017
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
February 12, 2022
“Whoever had forced Molly to kill her friends wanted her to get caught, go on trial and be executed before she had a chance to prove her innocence.”
About : Scarlett Bernard is a “null,” a human who cancels out any magic around her. Her abilities come in handy on the job—she works to keep the magical world a secret from normal humans in the city of LA. She’s actually starting to enjoy her job, although she's also enjoying the good life with her werewolf boyfriend, Eli, outside of work.
But duty calls when someone magically forces a vampire friend of hers into murdering 12 USC roommates. Scarlett’s job becomes twofold: hide the magical involvement from the humans and find out who wants to hurt her friend.
Nobody believes in the vampire's innocence, but Scarlett is determined to find the real murderer with a little help from an old LAPD buddy. Midnight Curse is adult UF authored by Melissa F. Olson and published February 7th 2017 by 47North.
I was browsing Netgalley for a promising new series when I ran across Midnight Curse, first in the new “Disrupted Magic” trilogy. It wasn’t until after I requested the book that I learned about a previous trilogy starring Scarlett Bernard, but I jumped in anyway.
And Olson had me from the first line.
Thoughts : Scarlett is at an art show with her boyfriend when she gets a creepy, blood-spattered SOS note delivered from her old vampire friend, Molly. The note asks Scarlett to come meet her secretly, so Scarlett blows off her boyfriend, hoping he’ll understand and let her handle it. After all, if she tells him, he has to tell his werewolf pack leader, and then the secret’s not so secret anymore.
But things careen out of control and soon, Scarlett finds herself running damage control on all fronts while still trying to uncover the real mass murderer—and their veiled purpose. The story unfolds in the perspectives of both Scarlett and her LAPD friend Jesse, and a fantastic first 50% ensues. Scarlett and Jesse keep the twisty mystery plot moving, interspersing their investigation with humorous one-liners, psychologically layered character dynamics and precise, interesting backstory and worldbuilding.
Because I jumped in without reading the earlier books, I worried that missing information would muddy the experience for me. But Olson integrates explanations smoothly without info-dumping. The worldbuilding becomes clearer with every page. A lot of the mystery developments do rely on past history and knowledge of Scarlett’s manifold abilities, but I still enjoyed the plot very much.
So with all this going for Midnight Curse, why did I rate the book at 4 stars instead of 5?
It’s largely due to a subjective reaction to one relationship arc that left me feeling bitter during the second half. Throughout the novel, we see the themes of relational control and abuse taken to different extremes, and I didn’t enjoy how it played out in Scarlett’s case. I’m not a huge fan of these dysfunctional relationships from hell, haha.
But I get the feeling that Olson wanted/needed to shake things up for the new trilogy, and my impression of Scarlett suffered without an understanding of the love triangle and character histories of the original series. She came across as very immature to me in this one isolated relationship. She’s a great protagonist in every other way, and in fact, a lot of readers enjoyed everything about the book (the overall Goodreads rating is super high—currently 4.27, wow!), including this arc. Your experience of this relationship arc seems to really depend on your emotional connection to the characters.
Overall : So while Midnight Curse is a great UF, it left me severely cranky, haha. I probably won’t read any more about Scarlett because I try to avoid getting my heart ripped out; but I’d be down to read more by this author—I loved everything else about the book. I could see a lot of readers giving it five stars.
Recommended To : I recommend this to readers looking for adult UF with a strong mystery, a fast pace and characters that don’t leave room for ambivalence.
Thank you so much to Melissa F. Olson, 47North and Netgally for this great ARC. I really enjoyed it!
If you liked this review, you can read more of my speculative fiction reviews on my blog
About : Scarlett Bernard is a “null,” a human who cancels out any magic around her. Her abilities come in handy on the job—she works to keep the magical world a secret from normal humans in the city of LA. She’s actually starting to enjoy her job, although she's also enjoying the good life with her werewolf boyfriend, Eli, outside of work.
But duty calls when someone magically forces a vampire friend of hers into murdering 12 USC roommates. Scarlett’s job becomes twofold: hide the magical involvement from the humans and find out who wants to hurt her friend.
Nobody believes in the vampire's innocence, but Scarlett is determined to find the real murderer with a little help from an old LAPD buddy. Midnight Curse is adult UF authored by Melissa F. Olson and published February 7th 2017 by 47North.
I was browsing Netgalley for a promising new series when I ran across Midnight Curse, first in the new “Disrupted Magic” trilogy. It wasn’t until after I requested the book that I learned about a previous trilogy starring Scarlett Bernard, but I jumped in anyway.
And Olson had me from the first line.
Thoughts : Scarlett is at an art show with her boyfriend when she gets a creepy, blood-spattered SOS note delivered from her old vampire friend, Molly. The note asks Scarlett to come meet her secretly, so Scarlett blows off her boyfriend, hoping he’ll understand and let her handle it. After all, if she tells him, he has to tell his werewolf pack leader, and then the secret’s not so secret anymore.
But things careen out of control and soon, Scarlett finds herself running damage control on all fronts while still trying to uncover the real mass murderer—and their veiled purpose. The story unfolds in the perspectives of both Scarlett and her LAPD friend Jesse, and a fantastic first 50% ensues. Scarlett and Jesse keep the twisty mystery plot moving, interspersing their investigation with humorous one-liners, psychologically layered character dynamics and precise, interesting backstory and worldbuilding.
Because I jumped in without reading the earlier books, I worried that missing information would muddy the experience for me. But Olson integrates explanations smoothly without info-dumping. The worldbuilding becomes clearer with every page. A lot of the mystery developments do rely on past history and knowledge of Scarlett’s manifold abilities, but I still enjoyed the plot very much.
So with all this going for Midnight Curse, why did I rate the book at 4 stars instead of 5?
It’s largely due to a subjective reaction to one relationship arc that left me feeling bitter during the second half. Throughout the novel, we see the themes of relational control and abuse taken to different extremes, and I didn’t enjoy how it played out in Scarlett’s case. I’m not a huge fan of these dysfunctional relationships from hell, haha.
But I get the feeling that Olson wanted/needed to shake things up for the new trilogy, and my impression of Scarlett suffered without an understanding of the love triangle and character histories of the original series. She came across as very immature to me in this one isolated relationship. She’s a great protagonist in every other way, and in fact, a lot of readers enjoyed everything about the book (the overall Goodreads rating is super high—currently 4.27, wow!), including this arc. Your experience of this relationship arc seems to really depend on your emotional connection to the characters.
Overall : So while Midnight Curse is a great UF, it left me severely cranky, haha. I probably won’t read any more about Scarlett because I try to avoid getting my heart ripped out; but I’d be down to read more by this author—I loved everything else about the book. I could see a lot of readers giving it five stars.
Recommended To : I recommend this to readers looking for adult UF with a strong mystery, a fast pace and characters that don’t leave room for ambivalence.
Thank you so much to Melissa F. Olson, 47North and Netgally for this great ARC. I really enjoyed it!
If you liked this review, you can read more of my speculative fiction reviews on my blog
February 27, 2017
Stream of consciousness....
An enjoyable albeit by the numbers urban fantasy.
I don't know why, but Scarlett Bernard has never really grabbed me as a character. Not in the way Lex from the Boundary Magic series does. And I can't work out why. Don't get me wrong, this is a good book, but it's not a great book.
Except for the dog. Everything about the dog was great.
So if you want some entertaining fluff, Midnight Curse delivers. But if you want my recommendation, read Boundary Crossed
An enjoyable albeit by the numbers urban fantasy.
I don't know why, but Scarlett Bernard has never really grabbed me as a character. Not in the way Lex from the Boundary Magic series does. And I can't work out why. Don't get me wrong, this is a good book, but it's not a great book.
Except for the dog. Everything about the dog was great.
So if you want some entertaining fluff, Midnight Curse delivers. But if you want my recommendation, read Boundary Crossed
April 18, 2021
I liked this book and it was a good read but I enjoyed the first three books more from Scarlett Bernard Books.
I just read this again and had to give it another star better the second time around.
I just read this again and had to give it another star better the second time around.
August 3, 2018
This was a solid UF novel. Not as good as some, not as bad as others. A nice, fast read with an interesting set of characters, a fascinating mystery plot, and a professional-quality narrative. Vampires, werewolves, witches, and all the rest of the midnight folk populated this tale, set in Los Angeles. The only problem I had with it was a huge one: none of the characters resonated with me. Maybe because they were not deep enough, or maybe because none of them touched me emotionally, but I didn’t identify with any of them. The heroine Scarlett left me cold. Of her supporting cast, the only one I really liked was her pet Shadow – a magical beast, a semi-intelligent half-wolf half-dog with a penchant for killing baddies. Together, they kicked ass of a villain and saved a damsel in distress, both of whom were as flat as the rest of the characters.
Despite this book’s flaws, despite all the blood and gore on the pages, it was actually a nice summer read.
Despite this book’s flaws, despite all the blood and gore on the pages, it was actually a nice summer read.
February 11, 2017
I discovered Melissa F. Olson's books via her second series Boundary Magic. When I went back to read the Scarlet Bernard trilogy I was slightly less impressed. Traditionally I'm not a fan of love triangles but by the end of the series, Scarlet had chosen her love, Eli, who had proven himself true in every way.
So colour me surprised (and not entirely satisfied) to find this new book which is set several years later, turns that ending on its head. I guess I can understand that needed to be done so that Scarlet could move on and grow. And I always liked Jesse (although they are just friends here). My only other gripe in this otherwise entertaining urban fantasy was right at the beginning when Scarlet discovers her old vampire housemate Molly covered in blood and looking very guilty at the scene of a terrible crime. For me Scarlet jumped way too quickly into the "I know Molly, she couldn't have possible done it" mind-set. From what I remember of Molly she definitely could have. And the 12 poor female students that had been brutally murdered by Molly hardly got any sympathy from Scarlet by comparison.
Overall though I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to seeing where the author takes Scarlet on this new journey. I'm definitely on board!
So colour me surprised (and not entirely satisfied) to find this new book which is set several years later, turns that ending on its head. I guess I can understand that needed to be done so that Scarlet could move on and grow. And I always liked Jesse (although they are just friends here). My only other gripe in this otherwise entertaining urban fantasy was right at the beginning when Scarlet discovers her old vampire housemate Molly covered in blood and looking very guilty at the scene of a terrible crime. For me Scarlet jumped way too quickly into the "I know Molly, she couldn't have possible done it" mind-set. From what I remember of Molly she definitely could have. And the 12 poor female students that had been brutally murdered by Molly hardly got any sympathy from Scarlet by comparison.
Overall though I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to seeing where the author takes Scarlet on this new journey. I'm definitely on board!
Read
February 21, 2017Okay, I didn't read this book. I happened to like Eli and how things ending in the other trilogy. I hated how she changed him to justify a breakup at the end of this book. I didn't get far in this book, so I won't leave a rating. However, I got far enough to get the feeling where this book was headed and search out spoilers to confirm what I suspected. I feel like the author wrote it this way to please the Jesse fans. While I liked the guy, I didn't like him enough. Eli well he's great. I won't read a book that makes him out to be the asshole. So I'm done. I won't read anymore in this series. I will read the other series she has. Although, I'll be honest, I'm weary she will pull something like this with Quinn I think the vampires name is. But Scarlett's is off my reading list. I'll get a refund for the audiobook.
March 8, 2018
KU
This is essentially number 4 in the Scarlett Bernard series. I’m not sure why the author decided to alter the name but this novel continues on seamlessly 3 years on from book 3.
Another good upbeat mystery with all the good and complex characters and plenty of precarious meetings with lots of tenuous discussion between the vampire, werewolf and witch factions.
The vagaries of the love triangle carry on as it seems the author considers sexual tension to be a necessary evil. Eli remains the solid devoted lover, and Jesse is still the pretty copper. Once a cop always a cop, right? What I will say is that Jesse seems to have done a 360° with his attitude and responses regarding dead bodies and missing persons, and although his circumstances have altered, I find this too hard to be credible.
This is essentially number 4 in the Scarlett Bernard series. I’m not sure why the author decided to alter the name but this novel continues on seamlessly 3 years on from book 3.
Another good upbeat mystery with all the good and complex characters and plenty of precarious meetings with lots of tenuous discussion between the vampire, werewolf and witch factions.
The vagaries of the love triangle carry on as it seems the author considers sexual tension to be a necessary evil. Eli remains the solid devoted lover, and Jesse is still the pretty copper. Once a cop always a cop, right? What I will say is that Jesse seems to have done a 360° with his attitude and responses regarding dead bodies and missing persons, and although his circumstances have altered, I find this too hard to be credible.
June 17, 2017
This new series features Scarlett Bernard and is a continuation of the series that started with DEAD SPOTS. Three years have past since we last hooked up with Scarlett and she's learned a lot, now able to better control her power as a null.
Even though I recommend reading all of the other books in Olson's Old World Series (Scarlett Bernard & Boundary Magic), it's not necessary to follow the story told in this book.
I'm glad Olson is continuing stories within this world. It was good to reunite with Scarlett, Molly, Jesse and council leaders once again. I'm looking forward to the next two books in this trilogy in her very interesting Old World.
Even though I recommend reading all of the other books in Olson's Old World Series (Scarlett Bernard & Boundary Magic), it's not necessary to follow the story told in this book.
I'm glad Olson is continuing stories within this world. It was good to reunite with Scarlett, Molly, Jesse and council leaders once again. I'm looking forward to the next two books in this trilogy in her very interesting Old World.
September 30, 2018
Review and BR comments to come <3
February 15, 2017
Disclaimer: eARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Version: Intermediately read/listened to the kindle & audio versions of this book.
Release Date: 02/07/2017 (Currently available on Kindle Unlimited for free.)
Review to come. 3.5 stars
Version: Intermediately read/listened to the kindle & audio versions of this book.
Release Date: 02/07/2017 (Currently available on Kindle Unlimited for free.)
Review to come. 3.5 stars
March 8, 2017
This was a unique read for this genre. I liked how it flowed more like a suspenseful read rather than your typical paranormal read. I'll definitely check out more of this writers work. It's an added bonus it being offered as a kindleunlimited.
December 23, 2023
The time0jump was unexpected. Turned out to be great/refreshing. Loved everything about this book.
August 6, 2017
Full review at TheBibliophage.com
I’ve enjoyed all of Melissa F. Olson’s previous books, and Midnight Curse is no exception. This is what I call a “popcorn book,” derived from the term “popcorn movie.” There’s plenty of fluff, it’s truly escapist, and it may not be the most high-minded book I’ll read this year. But sometimes that just what I need!
I happened to read this in a week when I was juggling a lot of stressful stuff. So, it was the perfect antidote, although it took me longer to read than Olson’s books usually do. I was super distracted, so I’m choosing not to be critical since it was probably my fault.
I’ve enjoyed all of Melissa F. Olson’s previous books, and Midnight Curse is no exception. This is what I call a “popcorn book,” derived from the term “popcorn movie.” There’s plenty of fluff, it’s truly escapist, and it may not be the most high-minded book I’ll read this year. But sometimes that just what I need!
I happened to read this in a week when I was juggling a lot of stressful stuff. So, it was the perfect antidote, although it took me longer to read than Olson’s books usually do. I was super distracted, so I’m choosing not to be critical since it was probably my fault.
February 6, 2017
"If I couldn’t free Molly legally, I was damned well going to have a plan."
Scarlett is a human with a unique ability that has landed her in a gig with a vampire boss- she is a walking null for all magic. Vampires are human around her. Witches cannot cast spells at her or in her presence. Even werewolves lose their lupine mojo when they get within 15 feet. Because of this, she has been tasked to keep L.A.'s rather extensive magic community away from human eyes. She is the clean-up crew for the otherworldly. But this time the boss is not backing her and she is in over her head. She will need help.
“Wow.” Scarlett paused in the doorway for a moment, taking in the
empty pizza boxes, beer bottles, and dirty clothes. “Just fully embracing
the divorced guy cliché, aren’t you."
Jess is an ex-cop going through a divorce. He is on edge and has more than a few unresolved feelings towarf Scarlett and her Old World boss. He is your typical beer-swilling good guy who has seen too much and lived to tell about it.
So what could bring these two from different worlds, too much history, and not enough time apart together?
"Please Scar. I snapped my mouth shut. I knew that handwriting. Molly."
A vampire is not playing by the rules. As a result, a bunch of women have been killed and more have been taken. And he has set up another old friend of Scarlett's to take the fall. Old World laws are clear. Scarlett has about 24h to find out what really happened or Molly will die. And there is nothing a do gooder like an ex-cop hates more than an innocent bwing caught in the crossfire.
Apparently this is a second story arc for a series that I have not read. It did not matter. Enough of the past was explained that I feel like I did not need (or miss out) on anything because I missed the previous series. In fact, because of Scarlett's descriptions of herself in that series, I actually have no interest in reading it. Which is an odd turn, I know.
In this book, the characters were matured and well rounded. Eli, (Scarlett's werewolf boyfriend) was a dependent week willed ninny who kept messing with the woman's independence. Jess was a good friend depite that Scarlett had broken his heart way back. Molly made aome haed choices and wasn't the grasping sorority princess that she first appeared. Even the enemies had reasons and plots going on with them that kept the reader intrigued and did not make me want to vomit or throw the book.
The old Scarlett (according to herself) was an abused pushover who refused to make decisions and took the easy way over the hard way. Hmmm...nope. Not interested in that version. Further, I apparently missed a love triangle. I hate love triangles and have to be convinced by an auther to except one. In the past a bad love triangle has made me give up on an author (Sarah J. Maas and her penchant for switching romance intersts bookly comes to mind.) And I am pleased that I was introduced to this author without that tangle in the plot.
Overall I would have to say this book was a light, enjoyable read. It did not bring anything "new" to the urban vampire genre, but neither did you feel like you were bored stiff reading the same ole story. There is a romaantic backstory going on between Eli and Scarlett, but it adds rather than detracts from the plot. It reiterates that our characters are not one dimensional and thay they did not magically appear for this crisis; but that they have lives when not chasing down rogue vamps or putting the kobosh on werewolves who hate packlife.
That all being said, the pace and plot keeps a reader interested but this is not a gripping read. There are stereotypes (werewolf and alpha male are big ones) and tropes riddled here. They do not take away from the story but it does make you want to smack a few characters when they fall into them. I personally would have dropped or gelded my boyfriend had he run to his boss to tattle because he could not get me on my cell-I seriously hated Eli. So enjoyable, but not new, thoughtful, or exciting.
But really sometimes light and enjoyable is just what a reader needs.
I would recommend this book for people who enjoy a light urban fantasy and do not mind forgoing surprises.
ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
Scarlett is a human with a unique ability that has landed her in a gig with a vampire boss- she is a walking null for all magic. Vampires are human around her. Witches cannot cast spells at her or in her presence. Even werewolves lose their lupine mojo when they get within 15 feet. Because of this, she has been tasked to keep L.A.'s rather extensive magic community away from human eyes. She is the clean-up crew for the otherworldly. But this time the boss is not backing her and she is in over her head. She will need help.
“Wow.” Scarlett paused in the doorway for a moment, taking in the
empty pizza boxes, beer bottles, and dirty clothes. “Just fully embracing
the divorced guy cliché, aren’t you."
Jess is an ex-cop going through a divorce. He is on edge and has more than a few unresolved feelings towarf Scarlett and her Old World boss. He is your typical beer-swilling good guy who has seen too much and lived to tell about it.
So what could bring these two from different worlds, too much history, and not enough time apart together?
"Please Scar. I snapped my mouth shut. I knew that handwriting. Molly."
A vampire is not playing by the rules. As a result, a bunch of women have been killed and more have been taken. And he has set up another old friend of Scarlett's to take the fall. Old World laws are clear. Scarlett has about 24h to find out what really happened or Molly will die. And there is nothing a do gooder like an ex-cop hates more than an innocent bwing caught in the crossfire.
Apparently this is a second story arc for a series that I have not read. It did not matter. Enough of the past was explained that I feel like I did not need (or miss out) on anything because I missed the previous series. In fact, because of Scarlett's descriptions of herself in that series, I actually have no interest in reading it. Which is an odd turn, I know.
In this book, the characters were matured and well rounded. Eli, (Scarlett's werewolf boyfriend) was a dependent week willed ninny who kept messing with the woman's independence. Jess was a good friend depite that Scarlett had broken his heart way back. Molly made aome haed choices and wasn't the grasping sorority princess that she first appeared. Even the enemies had reasons and plots going on with them that kept the reader intrigued and did not make me want to vomit or throw the book.
The old Scarlett (according to herself) was an abused pushover who refused to make decisions and took the easy way over the hard way. Hmmm...nope. Not interested in that version. Further, I apparently missed a love triangle. I hate love triangles and have to be convinced by an auther to except one. In the past a bad love triangle has made me give up on an author (Sarah J. Maas and her penchant for switching romance intersts bookly comes to mind.) And I am pleased that I was introduced to this author without that tangle in the plot.
Overall I would have to say this book was a light, enjoyable read. It did not bring anything "new" to the urban vampire genre, but neither did you feel like you were bored stiff reading the same ole story. There is a romaantic backstory going on between Eli and Scarlett, but it adds rather than detracts from the plot. It reiterates that our characters are not one dimensional and thay they did not magically appear for this crisis; but that they have lives when not chasing down rogue vamps or putting the kobosh on werewolves who hate packlife.
That all being said, the pace and plot keeps a reader interested but this is not a gripping read. There are stereotypes (werewolf and alpha male are big ones) and tropes riddled here. They do not take away from the story but it does make you want to smack a few characters when they fall into them. I personally would have dropped or gelded my boyfriend had he run to his boss to tattle because he could not get me on my cell-I seriously hated Eli. So enjoyable, but not new, thoughtful, or exciting.
But really sometimes light and enjoyable is just what a reader needs.
I would recommend this book for people who enjoy a light urban fantasy and do not mind forgoing surprises.
ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
November 25, 2017
4 1/2
So it did take a while to get into this for me but I don't think it was the fault of the book so much but that it is a spin off and I didn't already know the characters. I didn't feel for them yet a lot was happening. In the end I got to know the characters and really liked when I got 3rd person Jesse's POV. I think that is where it kind of took off for me. The ending is a little convoluted but really good how it ends. There were a couple of things that I would have liked differently. So in the end it was really good. I bumped it up because I thin the slow start was from not reading Scarlet Bernard series, and the Boundary series before this one. I really think that this should be at least a continuation of Scarlet.
-------------while reading, update--------------
I read almost 20% and just put it down for a while. Although it had action almost immediately, I just didn't connect to what was happening or the people. The people could be because these are all characters are from her Scarlet Benard series, Dead Spots, and I haven't read it. Actually I haven't read any of Olson's work yet. But at the time, I also felt like I was on UF over load.
I came back to it and started up again, 2nd times a charm but it might be that I got further in at over 30% and a new character was introduced. Now she has not only the dog (bargess) but a former police officer, that is on her side. At first it was disconcerting because up to now it was all 1st person in Scarlet's POV, but it switches over to 3rd person in Jesse's POV. Well each time the POV changes it is a head spin. I would rather 3rd person all the way through if the POV is going to change characters. Still, when introduced the storyline took off for me. These definitely have a history but at this point, I don't need to know it. She trust him and he has ideas and seems to be able to pull Scarlet from her emotional choices that is doing her no good.
Went from a "might be a DNF" to a "definitely will finish, cannot put down right now" somewhere between 18% and 25%.
So it did take a while to get into this for me but I don't think it was the fault of the book so much but that it is a spin off and I didn't already know the characters. I didn't feel for them yet a lot was happening. In the end I got to know the characters and really liked when I got 3rd person Jesse's POV. I think that is where it kind of took off for me. The ending is a little convoluted but really good how it ends. There were a couple of things that I would have liked differently. So in the end it was really good. I bumped it up because I thin the slow start was from not reading Scarlet Bernard series, and the Boundary series before this one. I really think that this should be at least a continuation of Scarlet.
-------------while reading, update--------------
I read almost 20% and just put it down for a while. Although it had action almost immediately, I just didn't connect to what was happening or the people. The people could be because these are all characters are from her Scarlet Benard series, Dead Spots, and I haven't read it. Actually I haven't read any of Olson's work yet. But at the time, I also felt like I was on UF over load.
I came back to it and started up again, 2nd times a charm but it might be that I got further in at over 30% and a new character was introduced. Now she has not only the dog (bargess) but a former police officer, that is on her side. At first it was disconcerting because up to now it was all 1st person in Scarlet's POV, but it switches over to 3rd person in Jesse's POV. Well each time the POV changes it is a head spin. I would rather 3rd person all the way through if the POV is going to change characters. Still, when introduced the storyline took off for me. These definitely have a history but at this point, I don't need to know it. She trust him and he has ideas and seems to be able to pull Scarlet from her emotional choices that is doing her no good.
Went from a "might be a DNF" to a "definitely will finish, cannot put down right now" somewhere between 18% and 25%.
September 6, 2018
I don't think anyone has ever put it quite as well as
carol.
did when referring to Midnight Curse as a 'popcorn read'.
To sum it up; a popcorn read is 'salty, crunchy fun, [...] ultimately unfulfilling and forgettable.'
As you may or may not know/remember, earlier this year I read Nightshades by the same author and dubbed it one of my Favorites of 2018, and this was the reason that I decided to look into Melissa F. Olson's other series.
Having combed through Goodreads in search of information re. these other series, I decided to begin with Midnight Curse, which is the first in the Disrupted Magic-series.
It is, however, also #10 in the Old World Chronology ...
This, I had completely missed.
I will stand by my opinion that if a book is numbered as #1, it should be possible to read it as a story of its own, independent of previous books even if these take place in the same universe.
This is not the case with Midnight Curse. There are plenty of references and prior relationships which do not get a thourough enough explanation in this novel for a new reader to be able to connect all the dots. There were times when this annoyed me enough to "disrupt the magic", (uh-huh, I went there alright).
That being said, I actually ended up really liking the [continued] story of Scarlett Bernard. And if it hadn't been for the discrepancy I might've given it a four star rating, but paired with some
other minor - subjective! - flaws, I can't really bring myself to do so.
To sum it up; a popcorn read is 'salty, crunchy fun, [...] ultimately unfulfilling and forgettable.'
As you may or may not know/remember, earlier this year I read Nightshades by the same author and dubbed it one of my Favorites of 2018, and this was the reason that I decided to look into Melissa F. Olson's other series.
Having combed through Goodreads in search of information re. these other series, I decided to begin with Midnight Curse, which is the first in the Disrupted Magic-series.
It is, however, also #10 in the Old World Chronology ...
This, I had completely missed.
I will stand by my opinion that if a book is numbered as #1, it should be possible to read it as a story of its own, independent of previous books even if these take place in the same universe.
This is not the case with Midnight Curse. There are plenty of references and prior relationships which do not get a thourough enough explanation in this novel for a new reader to be able to connect all the dots. There were times when this annoyed me enough to "disrupt the magic", (uh-huh, I went there alright).
That being said, I actually ended up really liking the [continued] story of Scarlett Bernard. And if it hadn't been for the discrepancy I might've given it a four star rating, but paired with some
other minor - subjective! - flaws, I can't really bring myself to do so.
September 11, 2019
3.5 Stars. I have not read the first three books that were about Scarlett as I did not realize this was a "spin off/continuation" of a previous trilogy. I was able to figure out most of the background from information that was dropped throughout this book. I am actually glad I didn't read the previous three books as I think if I had I would have been invested in her relationship with Eli. I liked Eli (what little we saw of him in this book) but even though Scarlett said she was in love with him NONE of her actions backed that up. In fact, if she wasn't upset with him she was either ignoring him or treating him like a annoyance. Since I wasn't invested in them as a couple I just assumed from the beginning that they weren't going to work out. I believe the author is going to take the route of Scarlett/Jesse. It seems he was in the previous books as well and not treated all that well by the hints dropped in this book.
So other than the relationships which I neither liked nor disliked there was a big mystery in this book about who set up Scarlett's old friend. Now I had to completely ignore some "big issues" with the crime that was committed as there seemed to be a lot of holes that didn't make sense to me. Once I put that aside I enjoyed the mystery. I enjoyed Scarlett's friendship with Jesse and the two of them working together to solve the crime. I liked the secondary characters and wish we got to spend more time with the other members of the council.
Overall I liked this book but I didn't love it. It did hold my interest enough that I will read the next one.
So other than the relationships which I neither liked nor disliked there was a big mystery in this book about who set up Scarlett's old friend. Now I had to completely ignore some "big issues" with the crime that was committed as there seemed to be a lot of holes that didn't make sense to me. Once I put that aside I enjoyed the mystery. I enjoyed Scarlett's friendship with Jesse and the two of them working together to solve the crime. I liked the secondary characters and wish we got to spend more time with the other members of the council.
Overall I liked this book but I didn't love it. It did hold my interest enough that I will read the next one.
March 5, 2017
This is the first book in the Scarlett Bernard storyline that I've read, although I have read all of Olson's Boundary Magic series to date and enjoyed them a good bit. I liked this one, too. It's good urban fantasy without a lot of frustrating tropes, and the endings are tight instead of manipulative.
I liked it well enough that I'm now going to go back and read/listen to the original Scarlett Bernard series so I know the history of this book. Don't get me wrong, the author did a great job of bringing a new reader up to date without making you feel like you're lost because you haven't read the earlier works, I just want the other stories.
I liked it well enough that I'm now going to go back and read/listen to the original Scarlett Bernard series so I know the history of this book. Don't get me wrong, the author did a great job of bringing a new reader up to date without making you feel like you're lost because you haven't read the earlier works, I just want the other stories.
November 21, 2022
Why the Hell do I keep paying for Kindle Unlimited if this is what I get for it???
Thank goodness this was a freebie if you have Kindle Unlimited or I would have been storming the castle trying to get my money back.
The idea sounded like a good one -the execution of said idea sucked! I also think that though this book was said to have been the first book in this series, that other book came before it and it would have been easier to get int this one had I read the earlier books.
Was this supposed to be a very young adult book? The characters are so shallow and annoying. the plot ended up being so childish that I ended up figuring everything out in the first few chapters.
Thank goodness this was a freebie if you have Kindle Unlimited or I would have been storming the castle trying to get my money back.
The idea sounded like a good one -the execution of said idea sucked! I also think that though this book was said to have been the first book in this series, that other book came before it and it would have been easier to get int this one had I read the earlier books.
Was this supposed to be a very young adult book? The characters are so shallow and annoying. the plot ended up being so childish that I ended up figuring everything out in the first few chapters.
September 6, 2018
Scarlett is a "null" and is employed by the head vampire in Los Angeles to clean up messes and be security for the magical community. When her former roommate is involved in a mass murder, Scarlett teams up with a former partner (a human named, Jesse) to try to prove that Molly was forced to kill. They have to figure how the how and why before Molly is executed for her crimes. It turns out to be a complicated case of revenge.
I liked it. Scarlett is sometimes whiny, but she and her dog kick some major booty. I also liked the partnership between her and Jesse - they worked pretty well together despite a troubled past. I'm excited to see what their next case will be.
I liked it. Scarlett is sometimes whiny, but she and her dog kick some major booty. I also liked the partnership between her and Jesse - they worked pretty well together despite a troubled past. I'm excited to see what their next case will be.
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