This was a really good sequel. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about these characters as well as meeting some new ones. This story felt more emotional than the first one and was a little harder to read for that reason. However, the emotion of this book was central to the story, and that is what makes this book such a good read. ( )

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: This novel had a unique premise, but like its first installment, failed to satisfy me completely.

Opening Sentence: Twilight falls crisp and clean in the first day of spring in Carrefour.

The Review:

Eveny Cheval is not safe. Recently, she was thrust back into a heritage of magic and danger, with no idea how to deal with it. But the stakes are higher now, because she knows that she is born of two separate sects of magic – which gives her power that no one can begin to imagine. This also makes her a threat to Main de Lumiere, a group that believes magic is wrong and unnatural. To add to her troubles, her heartache from Caleb is fresh, and she doesn’t believe she’ll find anyone else, until she meets Bram: open, warm, almost too good to be true.

When starting this, I was excited, if not a little hesitant. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed The Dolls when I read it last year, but I felt something was lacking. I think a lot of it was that I expected a rich, voodoo, interesting atmosphere, but the tone felt kind of flat. I also was troubled by the romance. It was one hundred percent insta-love, which can only be done if executed perfectly, and in this case I don’t believe it was. I also just disliked Caleb. He seemed moody and uninterested, not brooding and secretive.

Nevertheless, I went into it with an open mind. After all, I recently read Promises I Made, which far overtook my expectations and cured the problems I’d had in book one. I feel that although this book was more action-packed and interesting, it still felt, dare I say it, dull – at least in tone. I also hated how they brought in a love triangle again. At least in the first novel it had some sort of plot device and was there for a reason, but I didn’t feel it was at all necessary in book two.

I did like Eveny as a main character, despite her tendency to fall into the same cookie-cutter mold as many YA heroines: beautiful, self-conscious, discovering her own power. This book, she stood up for herself more, which I appreciated. She did attempt to conquer the growing attraction she had for Bram and give things with Caleb a shot, so I’ll give her that.

Altogether, I did think this book overtook its first installment in action and intrigue. But it had the same problems in lacking tone, unneeded insta-love and love triangles, and somewhat cookie-cutter main character. Don’t get me wrong, this was a good book, even if it seems like I’m complaining a lot. I think that fans of the first book will have much less trouble than me and enjoy it more than I did. It has a unique premise and you might as well give it a try.

Notable Scene:

“I’m just warning you,” she says, looking away, “You believe in people too easily, and I think it’s going to get you hurt.”

She gives me a long look and walks away without another word, . I watch her go, feeling more confused than ever.

I’m still sitting on my bed, staring after her, when my father appears in my doorway. “I’ve talked to Peregrine’s and Chloe’s mothers. After the attack today, they finally agree. It’s time we all take a trip to Caouanne Island. We leave first thing in the morning.”

FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Midnight Dolls. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )