Customer Reviews

Breaking Midnight (Berkley Sensation)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

SYNOPSIS:
This second installment in the Fitz Clare chronicles begins immediately as the first book, Kissing Midnight (Upyr), leaves off. Edmund Fitz Clare is being held by vampires Frank and Li-Hau and he is completely helpless to free himself because of all the iron bullets still in his body. Those two corrupt individuals have a truly horrendous plan in mind for Edmund. Back at the Fitz Clare home Graham makes a decision with life changing repercussions in order to help find Edmund and bring him home.

OPINION:
I'm very glad to say that this second segment of the three part Fitz Clare family story is even more interesting and exciting than the first was. And that is really saying something special from my perspective. This story has a great deal of action and activity in it and also reveals why it was so important that Emma Holly set the stage for this series in 1933.

All of the characters from the first book return with each one showing great changes in their personalities brought on by the stress of Edmund being kidnapped. Estelle finds even more powers and insights which she learns to use. Graham makes a life changing decision and has Robin, Edmund's natural son, guide him through the process. Ben is given more depth to his character and plays a very important part in the rescue plans. And I get my wish, Sally does indeed grow much more mature because of the circumstances she is faced with. There are two new characters introduced, Penelope (Pen) Anderson, the daughter of the man Graham worked for and another vampire, Durand, who will figure quite prominently in the third installment of this adventure.

There are still quite a few sensual scenes written into this story, but the attempt to rescue Edmund takes center stage and so there is a wonderful, complex plot to this novel. The period setting is presented with all the rich trimmings available from this time period and it all made for a very opulent feel to the book.

RECOMMENDATION:
Once again, I highly recommend this book. Emma Holly actually did a wonderful job of incorporating all of the happenings from the first part of the trilogy so that this book can be read as a standalone. And this book does not contain the cliffhanger atmosphere which was present at the ending of book #1, but I really want to read that last novel to make sure Frank and Li-Hau finally get exactly what they deserve. The idea for the final segment sounds interesting enough to make me look forward to receiving the third and final part of the Fitz Clare chronicles.

By half way through I was just bored with the plot and skipped ahead to the sex scenes. I was annoyed that the author would name one character Ben and another one Pen- which both look very much alike and cause me much confusion in scenes where both characters were present. I liked the Ben and Sally plot line but that was it.

I was on vacation in Asia this past summer and happened to see Kissing Midnight (the first of this series) in the Taipei 101. I loved it and was very eager to read the second and third installment. Verdict? I've read better-written books, but Emma Holly still has some serious genius inside her. I just started reading the third installment of this series and it features a much-darker Edmund, which is generously hinted at in Breaking Midnight. My only complaint is that although the plot sometimes grows stagnant with the same characters, I'm not overly fond (yet) of the way Emma Holly shoved in several new ones. There's an American girl who's willing to help the Fitz Clares, but with a sketchy background and motives, and a prison guard who shows both understanding and contempt for *BRIEF SPOILER* Edmund and the human race. *END SPOILER*

Some parts of Frank and Li-Hua's plot were a little fuzzy and unclear (but that could just be me). Although I like Nim Wei's character and although it would make sense for her to join the quest to rescue Edmund, Nim Wei appears only very briefly and doesn't join them at all. Robin also stays comfortably in London, which confused me some.

Still, it's an all-around good book and gets a sincere thumbs-up from me. Not the best, but hey, no author can appeal to everyone!

Breaking Midnight

His enemies captured Edmund when he foolishly ran off the night he received the surge of power Auriculus' death gave him. He finds himself in a dungeon, God knows where, being tortured for secrets that he is unable to reveal, because what the torturers seek isn't something Edmund can tell, much less show. That, however, is no deterrent to his captors who are convinced that Edmund is lying.

The Fitz Clare clan doesn't plan on waiting for the safe return of their patriarch. Estelle, the unofficial leader of the family, has decided to go after Edmund as she is having extremely lucid dreams that are slowly revealing clues to Edmund's whereabouts. The men, Graham and Ben, Edmund's grown sons, have no intention of letting Estelle run off on her own to rescue their father, which means, of course, that Sally will be off with them as well. Now with this small family army in tow, they set off to Europe to track down Edmund.

However, fate has plans for them that they never counted on - Graham becoming an Upyr to save his father and then there's the addition of the mysterious Pen to their group. Will they reach Edmund in time or will they be too late in spite of all their efforts?



Saving Midnight

Now that Edmund is home safe and sound, they have retreated to an old family home in order to help Edmund come to terms with the fall out of his rescue and his ever-increasing powers. Not much seems to be going Edmund's way and he is slowly, but surely driving Estelle away - the only one that will ultimately help him come back to himself.

In the meantime, attacks of unconscionable brutality have been occurring in America that Graham and Edmund suspect are the acts of Edmund's captors. Edmund is unable to go with such an unstable control over himself, although Graham, Ben and Sally are more than willing to go in his stead to put a stop to the atrocities occurring. But what do they find once they reach America? None other than Pen, in the middle of it all, and involved in a secret organization created to protect humans from horrors such as these. In the end, Graham must decide if he trusts Pen, and himself, enough to have her along on this mission to save humanity from the depravities occurring.

In the end, they might have to sacrifice it all to triumph, but will they be willing or able to do so?



Breaking Midnight and Saving Midnight brings this epic tale that Emma Holly began in Kissing Midnight in such a spectacular fashion that will not only wrap you in the sensuality of the characters, but also have you on the edge of your seat as the mystery and fast paced action rocket explosively from the first page. Edmund continues to be a fascinating man, full of contradictions and vulnerability. Estelle becomes, almost by default, the leader of the Fitz Clare clan and becomes the driving force behind Edmund's daring and deadly risky rescue. The real surprise within both of these novels is the revelation of Edmund's children - Graham, Ben and Sally. Graham is reveled to be a man of strength that is willing to go to any length to protect his family, even so far as becoming an Upyr, something he previously had reviled. Ben and Sally, inevitably, become each other's strength as they unite as a couple and the gifts they have received from their proximity to Edmund are revealed. However, the real surprise in these novels is Pen. The previously vacuous girl-child sheds her dilettante persona and shows herself to be a commando of sorts, more than ready and able to engage in battle against the evil Upyr. As expected from Emma Holly, Breaking Midnight and Saving Midnight are full of sensual moments that will have you reaching for a cool glass of water which serves to not only heighten the suspense and romance, but will leave every fan breathlessly on the edge of their seat waiting for the next move! The set up and detailed development of the Upyr world and the Fitz Clare family is magnificent and it only serves to whet the reader's appetite and leaving you wanting for more after the last page is turned. Pick up Breaking Midnight and Saving Midnight for a powerfully emotional read that is action packed and steaming hot! Bravo Ms. Holly, this trilogy is spectacular work!



Sabella
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

The storyline sounded so interesting that I ordered all three books in this 'set'. The first one was ok, but I couldn't get through the second at all. Ended up throwing all of them away as I couldn't even pass them off to my friends as I do with other good reads. The characters were just strange, not at all like the other good vampire romances on the market today. All the sex scenes were the same, she just flip-flopped the characters. To be fair, I did try to read another of her story lines - Fairyville - and found it to be lacking as well. Ms. Holly has a large fan base according to the posted reviews, but I will not be joining those ranks.

I really enjoyed this book and it's characters. I enjoy reading Emma Holly's books that are more on the "mild" side. It has just enough sex without crossing the line to erotica. I enjoyed the love stories. The characters really grew on me and made me want to keep reading all night.

In 1933 Upyr Elder Edmund Fitz Clare is shocked with the affront when he regains consciousness. A rival group of shapeshifters apparently abducted him and chained him inside some dungeon. He can only guess that he remains in London and that their plan is to use him as an expendable bargaining chip.

Edmund is unaware how far his enemies plan to go as they want nothing less than world domination; to succeed Edmund and his faction must be removed. Mortal Estelle begins having visions of her missing lover in which she sees him in bondage. She is not sure what to do, but the kidnappers are aware of her and plan to take their fight to her and her family; only Edmund can save them, but he is incarcerated.

The second Fitz Clare historical urban fantasy (see KISSING MIDNIGHT) is a super tale filled with plenty of intrigue and suspense as the hero is trapped but more worried about his loved ones than himself. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Fitz begins to understand his predicament and never slows down as he knows he must find a way to escape. Fans will feel they have been transported to a unique Depression Era London courtesy of Emma Holly.

Harriet Klausner

I thought the second book would include more Nim Wei and more of Robin (wouldn't that be great if they got together?) Edmund needs to kick so butt for payback. Great sex scenes and I actually enjoyed Pen's involvement.