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Vampire Babylon #2
Midnight Reign
In the sequel to Night Rising, Dawn Madison must employ all of her skills as a vampire slayer as she is drawn ever deeper into the heart of Los Angeles's erotic, underground vampire community. Reprint.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 5, 2008
13 people are currently reading
816 people want to read
About the author
Chris Marie Green
44 books249 followersChris Marie Green, former school teacher turned full-time writer, gets out of the office by taking long trips to places such as Japan, Italy, and New Orleans. When she’s not causing international incidents, she enjoys yoga, movie-going and dabbling in firsthand research such as fencing, Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She also writes under the name Crystal Green and Christine Cody
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 1, 2011
In this one we find out a whole lot more about the mysterious Voice, as well as Frank. Also, there's another person that we get to find out more about. I was certainly surprised because I didn't expect it. It's such a cool twist.
Now I can't wait to see what else Dawn uncovers, and if the Underground will survive now that she knows as much as she does. Heck, I know I'm being really vague with details but if I go into it, it'll ruin everything if you haven't read it.
I also enjoyed the new mystery, of the vampire serial killer. Again, this was totally unexpected, but all so worth it in the end.
Okay, I don't want to say anymore because I'm itching to share nitty-gritty details. But if you love a good urban fantasy with a noir-mystery angle, you've gotta get into this series. Dawn is a really interesting, real and flawed character with more confusion in her life than anything else. She wants answers, but in life they're not always the easiest things to get. But boy, I wanna be in on everything she uncovers. ;)
Now I can't wait to see what else Dawn uncovers, and if the Underground will survive now that she knows as much as she does. Heck, I know I'm being really vague with details but if I go into it, it'll ruin everything if you haven't read it.
I also enjoyed the new mystery, of the vampire serial killer. Again, this was totally unexpected, but all so worth it in the end.
Okay, I don't want to say anymore because I'm itching to share nitty-gritty details. But if you love a good urban fantasy with a noir-mystery angle, you've gotta get into this series. Dawn is a really interesting, real and flawed character with more confusion in her life than anything else. She wants answers, but in life they're not always the easiest things to get. But boy, I wanna be in on everything she uncovers. ;)
January 8, 2023
The world-building is great. It’s one of the few books to answer the question “why is your protagonist trained in acrobatics, athletics, pursuit driving and several martial arts?” With “because she’s a stuntwoman.” It only gets two stars because about two thirds of the way through it falls apart. It feels like the author wanted the characters to be in certain positions, setting the stage for the third book, so the plot stopped being driven by the characters. Instead, plot “twists” happen without any foreshadowing, the villains revealed to be ridiculously more powerful than the previous book in general and then suddenly having a power they’d not used before that conveniently counters one of the good guys (admittedly overpowered) main advantages, and (worst of all) the characters, both heroes and villains, start acting like idiots, contrary to the personality that’s so far been written for them. There’s attempts at justifying this behaviour, but they feel forced and unnatural, clearly being written like that because the plot needs them to act that way, in order to set up the third book. Very disappointing.
May 25, 2016
Who’s the copy-cat vampire slayer in town? What is wrong with Kiko? Where is Dawn’s father: Frank? Why is all this happening? And how can Dawn survive still human?
Dawn, Breisi & Kiko are still running into dead ends in their search for answers. Seems that someone is manipulating the playing field. But who and why? Everyone in this book seems to be going insane. I really feel sorry for Dawn as she tries to make some sense out if it all and survive at the same time.
The vampires are getting to be very strange. It’s hard to get a handle on them. At first I thought their plans, though dishonest, at least made sense, but now I think their leader must be totally insane. And it’s seems to be inherited to his children. No wonder they need to be wiped out.
Though the story of what happened after Benedikte’s (how do you pronounce that?) 1st Underground was destroyed is interesting.
And the ending is so painfully unexpected that the next book just has to be read immediately.
Quick Thoughts: 1) I like that we are finally getting some details about Jonah. So far it’s what I guessed but more interesting.
2) I hope nothing permanent has happened to the Friends. Their origin was totally unexpected, but I like.
Fave Scenes: beanbag wars, Breisi waiting in the SUV, the Friend in the portrait and Breisi’s room
Dawn, Breisi & Kiko are still running into dead ends in their search for answers. Seems that someone is manipulating the playing field. But who and why? Everyone in this book seems to be going insane. I really feel sorry for Dawn as she tries to make some sense out if it all and survive at the same time.
The vampires are getting to be very strange. It’s hard to get a handle on them. At first I thought their plans, though dishonest, at least made sense, but now I think their leader must be totally insane. And it’s seems to be inherited to his children. No wonder they need to be wiped out.
Though the story of what happened after Benedikte’s (how do you pronounce that?) 1st Underground was destroyed is interesting.
And the ending is so painfully unexpected that the next book just has to be read immediately.
Quick Thoughts: 1) I like that we are finally getting some details about Jonah. So far it’s what I guessed but more interesting.
2) I hope nothing permanent has happened to the Friends. Their origin was totally unexpected, but I like.
Fave Scenes: beanbag wars, Breisi waiting in the SUV, the Friend in the portrait and Breisi’s room
August 24, 2008
Awesome. I just finished "Midnight Reign" by Chris Marie Green. This is book two in her 'Vampire Babylon' series and a wild ride from start to finish. If you enjoy your urban fantasies with a darker edge, you have got to try this series, but you'll have to read the first book, "Night Rising", to understand the scope of this work.
Dawn is still searching for her father. Meanwhile, she's been recruited by 'the Voice' into joining his team of investigators searching out the inner sanctum of a vampire nest in LA. She's also still torn between her attraction to "the Voice" and Matt, a private investigator who's also supposedly looking for Dawn's father. In this story, we get a deeper look into past incidents that helped create this present. We learn more about 'the Master' and his 'son' Sorin. We learn more about Eva, Dawns' moviestar mother who was tragically murdered. We learn more about Kiko, the little person with a literal magic touch. And we learn more about Dawn and what drives her.
I was hooked from page one and will be tapping my toes outside the bookstore on September 2, 2008 for the release of "Break of Dawn".
Dawn is still searching for her father. Meanwhile, she's been recruited by 'the Voice' into joining his team of investigators searching out the inner sanctum of a vampire nest in LA. She's also still torn between her attraction to "the Voice" and Matt, a private investigator who's also supposedly looking for Dawn's father. In this story, we get a deeper look into past incidents that helped create this present. We learn more about 'the Master' and his 'son' Sorin. We learn more about Eva, Dawns' moviestar mother who was tragically murdered. We learn more about Kiko, the little person with a literal magic touch. And we learn more about Dawn and what drives her.
I was hooked from page one and will be tapping my toes outside the bookstore on September 2, 2008 for the release of "Break of Dawn".
January 26, 2012
This is book two of the Vampire Babylon series, which will be told in two sets of trilogies - making for six books in total. This book takes place one month after the end of book one. The team suffers a loss and we find out more about Dawn's family, and there's more from rival P.I., Matt Lonigan. We also get a name, Jonah, and a face to go with The Voice/Boss that we-met-but-didn't-meet in book one. We still don't know exactly what Jonah is at this point though I have my suspicions but the rather unusual relationship between him and Dawn continues. I'm liking the story enough to continue with the series but it still hasn't reached the "I love it" stage. The story really slows down in parts but over all it's okay.
November 14, 2009
While I had some trouble thriving in this book. I have found myself pressured into continuing this series for answers to some many questions. Dawn's story line is an interesting read, although I have trouble keeping up with these books because the author is narrirating rather than living the story. Each chapter is told as though it is a third person looking in. I have had trouble following this story, and finding interest in all situation. Though, as I have said Chris Green is commended on the fact that is has a interesting story that keeps me reading only to find answers to questions that I can not live with not knowing the answers.
June 7, 2011
I really liked this book better than the first book, as it definitely moved along at a better pace, but I still didn't "love" it. Although this was not an "I can't put it down" book, it was enjoyable. I am looking forward to reading the third book in the series to see if it follows the pattern of getting better with each book in the series.
January 30, 2019
56 points/100 (3 stars/5)
A murder to investigate, a father to find. A woman who looks just like her dead mother.
After what I went through reading Night Rising, I was worried about what this one would bring me. I'm pleased to report this is actually way more readable. Overall, it is a much better book. It is like night and day between the two. I'm not certain what happened behind the scenes to change, but this was much better. I can tell what is going on in the story without decoding fragments of thought. It flows better. There are fewer incomplete thoughts and half hints scattered about the rest.
Midnight Reign does sort of suffer from middle child syndrome, though. After reading it, I'm not exactly certain why it needed to be an entire book. However, this concerns me a lot less than the level of writing concerned me before. Many series suffer from this, and book two frequently ends up being like this.
The plot is a lot more coherent and on track in Midnight Reign. I actually understood what was going on the entire time, and knew why they were doing everything they were doing. Mostly, the book focuses on them looking into the death of a second girl killed apparently by a vampire. The first murder happened at the very end of Night Rising and it felt like a throwaway at the time. Thus, I was really confused why it was getting so much attention this time around.
I'm still not exactly certain why they're investigating this murder at all, though. It isn't like they know that the first was actually connected to the Underground - they just are assuming that. Even working off that assumption, investigating the murder isn't likely to lead them to the Underground, especially since the dude that did the first is in jail? I just don't get it.
This is, of course, after they took a whole month off from looking to heal and train. While her father is still missing. While her mother-look alike is around out there. While tiptoeing around the fact that Dawn and Jonah had sex. Pauses between books only make sense when there isn't so much at stake and so much left unsaid that require time to have not jumped ahead.
There is also a secondary storyline between Sorin and the Master. We find out a lot about them, and these weren't to jarring like they were in the first book. They mostly had a point to them, and I was actually left shocked at the end of the book by the direction it took. Their relationship and powers are pretty interesting. I don't resent their inclusion like I did last time around.
The most prominent thing in the book, however, is Eva, Dawn's mother. Dawn is eaten alive by how much Jacqueline looks like her mom. Her mom who she kind of hates for leaving them. The fact that she might be a vampire just makes it worse for her, because that means she actually chose to leave them. I also hate how the big mystery I had from Night Rising, "The Photo", was just the pictures of Eva's death, and how we learn about it in a damn throwaway line. What in the world was the point of all that buildup?!
Sidenote: jesus christ Eva is wacked and I hate her, too.
I'm still confused by this worldbuilding, though. I was back to second guessing whether the world knows that vampires exist at all or not. I'm settling on "not", because that is the only way this story makes sense. Yet, every so often, evidence to the contrary seems to pop up to throw that into question. I'm not certain why it is being written so vaguely.
I also make no secret that I dislike prophecy. Well, it is more like I hate prophecy. And now Dawn is supposed to save the world, and she is the key to everything, and she has to make a choice now?? (Also, could the Buffy allusions be any more thick?) Making me question it even further is that her mental abilities in Night Rising seem to have failed her completely in Midnight Reign. She couldn't seem to do jack shit with them at all, except make the vampire's job harder.
Then there is her boss. He seems to feed off sex, somehow? Or just feeds off her desire for him? Or her acceptance of him inside her being? Fuck if I know. This is one of the weirder relationships I've ever come across, that is for sure. Oh, and apparently he has a body afterall? I think. Honestly, everything about Jonah is just bizarre. He never tells her anything, deliberately keeps things from her. He makes her angry (which, granted, isn't actually all that difficult) all the time because he doesn't tell her anything, because he won't talk to her. The only reason they ever really interact is for him to order her around or have sex with her. Both of them use the other, him for his job, her for his sexual prowess. It is pretty awful.
Then there is the secondary love interest. Who apparently wants her to look just like her mom. It is pretty sick. Everything about his skeeves me out. I hate how often she turns to him every time she is upset or horny. He is like the worst person in her life, and yet she keeps turning to him. And that is including Mr. Jonah who doesn't seem to regard her for anything resembling a person, just a body to please him.
This is such a better book than Night Rising, even if it still has a lot of problems. There are some interesting problems and insights that we get, though. Pretty much all of them deep enough into spoiler territory I'm not really willing to share them.
To read more reviews in this series and others, check out keikii eats books!
A murder to investigate, a father to find. A woman who looks just like her dead mother.
After what I went through reading Night Rising, I was worried about what this one would bring me. I'm pleased to report this is actually way more readable. Overall, it is a much better book. It is like night and day between the two. I'm not certain what happened behind the scenes to change, but this was much better. I can tell what is going on in the story without decoding fragments of thought. It flows better. There are fewer incomplete thoughts and half hints scattered about the rest.
Midnight Reign does sort of suffer from middle child syndrome, though. After reading it, I'm not exactly certain why it needed to be an entire book. However, this concerns me a lot less than the level of writing concerned me before. Many series suffer from this, and book two frequently ends up being like this.
The plot is a lot more coherent and on track in Midnight Reign. I actually understood what was going on the entire time, and knew why they were doing everything they were doing. Mostly, the book focuses on them looking into the death of a second girl killed apparently by a vampire. The first murder happened at the very end of Night Rising and it felt like a throwaway at the time. Thus, I was really confused why it was getting so much attention this time around.
I'm still not exactly certain why they're investigating this murder at all, though. It isn't like they know that the first was actually connected to the Underground - they just are assuming that. Even working off that assumption, investigating the murder isn't likely to lead them to the Underground, especially since the dude that did the first is in jail? I just don't get it.
This is, of course, after they took a whole month off from looking to heal and train. While her father is still missing. While her mother-look alike is around out there. While tiptoeing around the fact that Dawn and Jonah had sex. Pauses between books only make sense when there isn't so much at stake and so much left unsaid that require time to have not jumped ahead.
There is also a secondary storyline between Sorin and the Master. We find out a lot about them, and these weren't to jarring like they were in the first book. They mostly had a point to them, and I was actually left shocked at the end of the book by the direction it took. Their relationship and powers are pretty interesting. I don't resent their inclusion like I did last time around.
The most prominent thing in the book, however, is Eva, Dawn's mother. Dawn is eaten alive by how much Jacqueline looks like her mom. Her mom who she kind of hates for leaving them. The fact that she might be a vampire just makes it worse for her, because that means she actually chose to leave them. I also hate how the big mystery I had from Night Rising, "The Photo", was just the pictures of Eva's death, and how we learn about it in a damn throwaway line. What in the world was the point of all that buildup?!
Sidenote: jesus christ Eva is wacked and I hate her, too.
I'm still confused by this worldbuilding, though. I was back to second guessing whether the world knows that vampires exist at all or not. I'm settling on "not", because that is the only way this story makes sense. Yet, every so often, evidence to the contrary seems to pop up to throw that into question. I'm not certain why it is being written so vaguely.
I also make no secret that I dislike prophecy. Well, it is more like I hate prophecy. And now Dawn is supposed to save the world, and she is the key to everything, and she has to make a choice now?? (Also, could the Buffy allusions be any more thick?) Making me question it even further is that her mental abilities in Night Rising seem to have failed her completely in Midnight Reign. She couldn't seem to do jack shit with them at all, except make the vampire's job harder.
Then there is her boss. He seems to feed off sex, somehow? Or just feeds off her desire for him? Or her acceptance of him inside her being? Fuck if I know. This is one of the weirder relationships I've ever come across, that is for sure. Oh, and apparently he has a body afterall? I think. Honestly, everything about Jonah is just bizarre. He never tells her anything, deliberately keeps things from her. He makes her angry (which, granted, isn't actually all that difficult) all the time because he doesn't tell her anything, because he won't talk to her. The only reason they ever really interact is for him to order her around or have sex with her. Both of them use the other, him for his job, her for his sexual prowess. It is pretty awful.
Then there is the secondary love interest. Who apparently wants her to look just like her mom. It is pretty sick. Everything about his skeeves me out. I hate how often she turns to him every time she is upset or horny. He is like the worst person in her life, and yet she keeps turning to him. And that is including Mr. Jonah who doesn't seem to regard her for anything resembling a person, just a body to please him.
This is such a better book than Night Rising, even if it still has a lot of problems. There are some interesting problems and insights that we get, though. Pretty much all of them deep enough into spoiler territory I'm not really willing to share them.
To read more reviews in this series and others, check out keikii eats books!
March 14, 2024
Just finished this book, it started off a little slow, but the last 50-5 pages really ramped up the story ALOT. So many twists and turns I almost need a notebook to keep track. Trying to find others to discuss this book because it's starting to get juicy. Not your typical vampire book that much is for sure.
April 16, 2018
Awesome second book in the Vampire Babylon series finds vamp hunter Dawn and her group dead center in the battle between The Master and The Voice. Very well written with interesting characters and plot. Highly recommended to all friends of fanged lit.
May 8, 2019
3.5 stars
World Building: A-
Girl Power: B
Guy-Hero: C
Plot-Twists: B+
Love-Interests: B-
Villains: A
Feels: B-
Suspense: C
Title Logic: A-
For you clean-readers: this book does have mature content.
World Building: A-
Girl Power: B
Guy-Hero: C
Plot-Twists: B+
Love-Interests: B-
Villains: A
Feels: B-
Suspense: C
Title Logic: A-
For you clean-readers: this book does have mature content.
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December 31, 2019Not feeling it.
June 22, 2010
I really liked the first book but this one not so much. I was disappointed. The book would get interesting and then slow down, slower than a snail. It would speed back up and get interesting and then quit again. That annoyed me. A lot.
It was very predictable but at the very end, some things did surprise me. But with the book moving so slowly, it took me a long time to read it and the surprises were just bleh. I was tempted to not finish it but I couldn't. I will read the next book because I feel like I need to finish the series and because I love Jonah's character, but I also feel as if I could just end the series with this one.
I got tired of Dawn going back and forth and repeating things we already know, like how she felt about her mom and Jonah. I guess I wish it was expressed differently. The book to me was bland.
It was very predictable but at the very end, some things did surprise me. But with the book moving so slowly, it took me a long time to read it and the surprises were just bleh. I was tempted to not finish it but I couldn't. I will read the next book because I feel like I need to finish the series and because I love Jonah's character, but I also feel as if I could just end the series with this one.
I got tired of Dawn going back and forth and repeating things we already know, like how she felt about her mom and Jonah. I guess I wish it was expressed differently. The book to me was bland.
June 14, 2009
I did not read the first one but I did not need to in order to get the concept and the back story. One book was enough for me. There is too much going on with the vampires. I have read about every type of vampire there is but these vampires make no sense to me. I am not really clear what they are, vampires is used but I am not sure she did not need to call them something else. Dawn is smart and believeable but human and should have been killed several times. She is not a paranormal being and she is no Van Helsing. It makes no sense. I like the ghost and most of the companion characters. All in all it was okay but I am okay with skipping the rest of the series. I don't recommend it unless you are into the sci-fi perspective of vamps not the romance side.
September 18, 2015
Frank is found, Dawn's world is turned upside down, a beloved main character dies, the Vampire Killer is unmasked and in this action packed adrenaline ride we find answers to certain questions but are left with even more as we go into book 3 Break of Dawn.
I will start that one with a bit of trepidation as having read the blurb know Dawn has even more shocks in store, one of which even made me sad on her behalf when it was revealed in this second book to readers.
I will start that one with a bit of trepidation as having read the blurb know Dawn has even more shocks in store, one of which even made me sad on her behalf when it was revealed in this second book to readers.
July 17, 2015
This book was a lot better than the first. It had more drama and action, but I was sadly dissappointed in a couple of things. One being that there was almost no sex, two Matt turned out to be the Master, and three Briesi died. :( :( :( Oh and Eva turned out to be a total phycho jealous dillusional bitch, so that pissed me off too. I really hope Dawn kicks her ass at some point and Frank stops acting like a love-struck (and dumb-struck) teenager. Also I must admit, in the next book, I wanna see Jonah get all jealous and possesive and HOTT when the Master starts to put the moves on Dawn. :) :) :) I can't wait for the next book!
April 5, 2008
Dawn continues her work for Limpet and Associates, hoping that their mission to track down and destroy the Vampire Underground will lead to her missing father. And who is the lovely young starlet, Jac, who bears such a strong resemblance to Dawn's long-dead mother? Who IS Jonah Limpet, and who are their mysterious spiritual "Friends?" I wasn't thrilled with where this edition left off. I know there will be more, but I'm left with an unpleasant taste in my mouth waiting for it to be published.
February 27, 2010
Book two in the Vampire Babylon series proved to be a wild ride from start to finish! If you enjoy your para’s/urban fantasies with a darker edge, you won’t be disappointed with the second installment of the series. This reader would suggest reading Night Rising (book 1) first in order to get the “full effect”, but there is enough recap that it is not necessary.
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Please visit my blog for the rest of this review!
http://yzhabellasbookshelf.blogspot.c...
Come on over and hang for a while!
Thanks!
October 12, 2012
I suspected her mother from the very beginning, however, I did not predict her father. Kiko needs to get his mojo back because without it he is not as much of the story as i believe he should have been after the first book. I just hope he make a grand comeback in the next book. I would like to see Dawn make up a certain amount with her mother enough to fully understand how much her mother truly does care about her and that it was just as hard for her to let her go as it was for Dawn to grow up without her.
March 29, 2023
A reread of a old favourite. This might be my favourite book of the first trilogy, and I just really love it. So many twists and turns! Such great horror! Such an insight into the villains! And by this point I am honestly FOND of Dawn Madison brooding everywhere and being a wonderful failpotato of a person. You do you, Dawn, you do you!
Honestly, though, I am about five steps away from just forcing this series on everybody I know and screaming "READ IT!" I love these glorious books SO MUCH.
Reread #A lot: Everybody in this series is so messed up I love it. <33
Honestly, though, I am about five steps away from just forcing this series on everybody I know and screaming "READ IT!" I love these glorious books SO MUCH.
Reread #A lot: Everybody in this series is so messed up I love it. <33
March 20, 2009
The 2nd book in the Vampire Babylon series and it was alittle better then the 1st book in a sense that it didnt go down the road of sex alot like it did in the 1st book.It did some more background story on the characters especially the Underground vampire characters and how the Underground came to be.Also Dawn finds out more about things dealing with her dad disappearing and all.It was really better then the first and keeps getting better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2015
Well I do like the general story but I don't particularly like Dawn. And the fact that the author keeps obsessing about how ugly Dawn thinks she is but she can still pull everyone she wants! Kieko is still my favourite character but the Ava twist was very predictable! The master twist was better though! But still overall I skipped a lot and didn't really listen to most of the rest of it. The one part I did like was who the killer was!
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July 27, 2011I wanted to give this 4 stars by the end, but had to remember it didn't really grab me for a good while. But, by the end, I was really glad I got into the series. I was worried I would get strung along with no questions answered, but this did a good job of surprising me. I already have the next one in my "to be read" queue.
July 24, 2016
Have to say. I just LOVE how Chris thinks and writes outside the box.
Lot of twists and turns. Very good at keeping you guessing.
Even if you think you have something figured out. She keeps you unsure, until a reveal.
Some nice twists to classic genre characters.
Fresh plots and ideas, for urban fantasy.
Not the norm, and another series. That is worth checking out by her.
Lot of twists and turns. Very good at keeping you guessing.
Even if you think you have something figured out. She keeps you unsure, until a reveal.
Some nice twists to classic genre characters.
Fresh plots and ideas, for urban fantasy.
Not the norm, and another series. That is worth checking out by her.
September 3, 2008
pretty good follow up to the first. with some mildly shocking twists, nothing too outrageous. Looking forward to the third.
* on an unrelated note to self - don't read a book in a single 7 hr. sitting again b/c it causes reading hangover
* on an unrelated note to self - don't read a book in a single 7 hr. sitting again b/c it causes reading hangover
May 28, 2010
Although I hated the first book in this series, I had already purchased this and decided to read it. It was much better then the first, although that doesn't say much. This book contains more plot and by the end of the book I had to see what happened.
March 22, 2011
Enjoyed this second installment in Dawn's story. What an adventure!
September 22, 2009
This book was better than the first one. I found myself getting into the book. When it ended, I was actually excited to pick up the next one.
January 25, 2009
Wow this series has kept me seriously on my toes, can't wait to read the third one.
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September 8, 2009Book #158, for 2009
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews