Customer Reviews

Midnight Brunch (Casa Dracula Series, Book 2)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Marta Acosta has done what so many writers fail to do: she has written a sequel that is at least as good as the original novel, if not better! She is a writer who knows her characters and breathes life into her words so that we may know her characters, too.

"Midnight Brunch" is a fantastic, funny, and smart romantic comedy which continues Milagro de los Santos' wacky adventures in life and love. We're introduced to Goth drones and megalomaniacal, effeminate vampire politicians, a high school English teacher who moonlights as a tabloid reporter, and an alcoholic former Hollywood heartthrob who favors nudity and the company of rich menopausal women.

Marta Acosta is an author to watch! I am so impressed with her wit and intelligence. As a rabid Jane Austen fan, I also appreciate her nods to "Mansfield Park" and "Northanger Abbey".

You MUST buy this book, in addition to the first book in the series, "Happy Hour at Casa Dracula". I anxiously await the third novel in the series, rumored to be coming out next year.

I really enjoyed the biting humor in Marta Acosta's first novel, Happy Hour at Casa Dracula. So I began reading Midnight Brunch with the same trepidation that I face when I read any author's second novel: fear that the author might only have one good novel in them. I am happy to report that Midnight Brunch has even more of a cutting edge and dark humor than Marta's first effort. This novel can be read as a stand-alone novel but, if you have read Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, you are already familiar with the main character, Milagro, who continues to stumble into wild and outrageous situations among vampire society. Milagro is funny, sexy and quirky and throw her into a situation and comedy ensues. The only downside I can see is that now I have to wait for some unknown time until Marta writes her third novel

In California wannabe writer Milagro de los Santos has moved into the ranch house of her beloved plastic surgeon Dr. Oswald Grant in spite of his family's delicate condition; Oswald and the rest of the Grants suffer from "genetic autosomal recessive disorder" also called vampirism. Besides Oswald, Milagro and his grandmother seem to get along so she feels more like a princess.

However word of a purebred human living and loving their son has staked horror into the hearts of Oswald's concerned parents. They arrive for a clan naming ceremony as well as to drive out the evil human. They exclude Milagro from attending a family rite involving a midnight blood curdling ceremony for his cousin's newborn. When Oswald leaves on a medical mission, two other vampires Willem Dunlop and Silas, decide they need a human sacrifice to launch the Project for a New Vampire Century; Milagro as a vampire lover is perfect.

The sequel to HAPPY HOUR AT CASA DRACULA is a delightful satire that lampoons the vampire romance sub-genre. Milagro is wonderful with her hot saucy observations on life and death amidst the vampire horde. Fans will enjoy her latest zany escapades as she tries to stay one bite away from the screaming mob.

Harriet Klausner

I love the Bay Area chica vamp/vampire concept. I recommended Midnight Brunch to my 2 reading groups and to all my friends. It's hot summer reading but much, much more. It's so much fun. This amusement factor caused me to laugh aloud, many times. I felt like I was enjoying a conversation with a wild and wonderful friend, as I continue to get to know Milagro. She is an easy character to hang out with. Her friends and enemies are equally appealing and familiar. By the end of these books (this is my second and can't wait for a third) I always want a red cocktail of some sort, everything is so tangible. I hope the next book include recipes. Or, how about a movie? I think it would be ideal. I can't think who would not enjoy this off-beat page turner (or film!).

There are no stakes in Marta Acosta's vampire books. Instead, she uses her sun-sensitive, protein-hungry mutants to puncture bigots and those puffed up by wealth or fame. In Acosta's first book, 'Happy Hour at Casa Dracula,' much of the fun came from the interaction between Milagro de los Santos and Edna, who believes that no one's innocence or intelligence exists until proven. In Midnight Brunch, Edna takes a back seat to Thomas Cook, a self-centered actor who insists on treating Milagro as his personal assistant.

Milagro: Thomas, I am not working for you.

Thomas: You're telling me! That's why I had to let you go. Remember to get my good side.

Jennifer Cox (author of 'Around the World in 80 Dates') likens Acosta's stories to "Stephanie Plum meets 'Sex and the City'...", and that's the best summation I've heard so far. If you like to hoot with laughter and appreciate good writing, these books are for you.

I usually read non-fiction, but I picked up Midnight Brunch for a little relief from the the dark side of reality, and I couldn't put it down. It is an irreverent page-turner which kept me laughing all the way to the end.
The characters are infectious, I see Milagro de los Santos all over San Francisco, and can pick out those obvious graduates of F.U. wherever they are.
Thank you, Marta, for the new twist on my usual "reality". When will your next book grace the shelves?

Milagro de los Santos, is a vivacios, saucy, outspoken and sexy latin woman who is living with the love of her life and his eccentric family on a California ranch. Little did Milagro know that by spying on a family ritual that she was not invited to, would send Milagro into the deepest darkest secrets of the family's so called "genetic disorder" some also call vampirism.

Marta's book is full of wit and humor at the turn of every page. This book will leave you laughing, smiling and yes wanting to stay for a "bite".

Here's another hilarious, sexy page-turner about the rich, sophisticated Casa Dracula vampire family. Curvy, sarcastic Milagro gets into trouble when she investigates the vampire network. My favorite character, dangerous and wicked Ian Ducharme, is back trying to steal Milagro away, and a new stranger introduces her to the spooky Project for a New Vampire Century. Before she can say, "Yes, I'll have a blood cocktail with a twist, please," she's on the run and heading straight for more trouble. It's a great adventure with romance and lots of laugh-out-loud lines. I loved it!!

I loved Midnight Brunch, even more than the first
novel in the series, Happy Hour at Casa Dracula! The characters are more
developed and I thought this one was a real
page-turner, I simply could not put it down! Highly amusing
and exciting at the same time, a perfect combination! Marta, when can we look forward to reading Book 3?

I really did enjoy this book despite the two complaints I'm about to share.

I love the characters and the writing. However, it did get a bit slow near the middle when (oxymoron coming) there was so much going on it was a bit difficult to keep up. I found myself speed reading through these parts just to get on to something more comfortable.

Also, and perhaps it's just me, there isn't enough interaction between the lead character and her love interest--he's seems almost peripheral. I'm not sure I really know why she loves him so much; not because he's a bad guy, but because I've seen so little of him. I'd hoped he'd be more present here, but nope.

All in all, it's an entertaining book and I'm glad to have read it. I've got the third installment of the story, Bride of Casa Dracula, on my night stand ready to start this evening.

Happy reading!