Midnight Untamed by Lara Adrian
Series: Midnight Breed #14.5
Published by Evil Eye Concepts
Published on: October 11, 2016
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 120
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Amazon | GoodReads
The mission was supposed to be simple. Infiltrate an enemy’s stronghold outside Rome and eliminate its leader. For a Breed warrior as lethal as Ettore Selvaggio, AKA “Savage”, stealth assassinations are only one of his many cold-hearted specialties. But the last thing Savage expects to find behind enemy lines—in his target’s bed—is a woman he once adored.
It’s been years since Savage last saw beautiful Arabella Genova. Years he’s strived to banish to his past, along with the fierce desire he once felt toward Bella . . . and the irresistible calling of her blood that stirs in him even now, despite the fact that she belongs to another male.
But when fate throws Savage and Bella together again in a race for their lives, will his long-lost love prove to be the one woman he can’t live without, or the perfect weapon to destroy him?
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The latest entry into the 1001 Dark Nights books is a novella that is part of Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed series. The Midnight Breed books are favorites of mine, although Adrian’s novellas have varying degrees of readability for me. Most I have really enjoyed, at least one I didn’t, and this one fell sort of in between. I enjoyed it, but it was not without a problem.
The Midnight Breed books are about a group of immortal vampire like warriors. There’s a whole lot of world building if you read the novels, but in the novellas, not so much. These warriors are the good guys, the ones you would call if something supernatural was threatening. And there is always a threat or a new villain, in this case a criminal group called, Opus Nosturm. In this story, warrior, Ettore Selvaggio, is sent to an enemy camp (or mansion, in this case) to take out a Breed male named Vito Massioni, a major drug dealer associated with the Opus Nostrum group, also known as the Breed’s biggest enemy now. While scouting the mansion in preparation to blowing it up, he sees a familiar face in one of the windows. Before he can carry out his mission, he has to be sure if it’s really her, the one woman he has never forgotten, Arabella Genova. Bella is a breedmate, one of the human women that can mate with a Breed male and live as long as he does, through the sharing of his blood. She was the sister of a friend of his, and he had fallen in love with her many years before. Things happen and he loses her forever, or so he thought. Seeing her, he knows he must rescue her.
This story ended up being a thriller of sorts. Since it is so short and a romance has to happen, it all goes very quickly. The trope here is star crossed lovers reunited, although with major problems before they can get their happily ever after. I liked the two main characters and thought they were worthy additions to the Breed novellas. There were just two or three peripheral characters in addition to the villain. And actually a broody, wounded Breed male is introduced later on in the story that I would bet will show up in another book or novella someday. If not, then I will be disappointed.
So, I did like the characters and the premise is very typical of one of these books-which I do enjoy. My problem came with the actual size of the novella. It starts at 13 percent in, and ends at 87 percent-which wouldn’t normally be a problem for me, but the whole thing is only 120 pages. This translates to very little actual story. I think there could be at least another thirty to forty pages or so, still be a novella, and tell a more involved story. I have had that problem in the past with these novellas. I wish they would give us enough of a story to warrant the price. Sorry, but I needed to mention this since it bothered me.
For Midnight Breed fans, in particular, I do heartily recommend this book. It’s a peek at more of our favorite warriors and their happily ever afters; just don’t expect a detailed, world building filled read. For people not familiar with this series, this book can standalone so don’t worry. I should also mention it’s an adult read due to sensual scenes.
Bottom line, I am glad I read it, but I am even more excited to read her latest full length book, Defy the Dawn, which I purchased recently.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
I have always meant to try this author but I haven’t. I really need to grab book one and try it.
Yes, Stormi and it’s free for the first one!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Untamed by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112)
I’m not going to say I blame you over being upset with the price versus the number of pages. Especially since extra pages would have added so much to the story. Grrr. I am happy you enjoyed this little story though. I’ve only read the first few in this series but I enjoyed them as well – just haven’t had to time to stay caught up. 😉
Yeah, I did some research and found out these 1001 Nights are written in order to get people to read the different authors series and most of them are this size. I would be way happier with 99 cents or even $1.99 for such short reads. I buy so many wonderful full size books for 2.99! I know I have gotten spoiled 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Untamed by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112)
Oh, I wish I continued on with this series! I think I stopped at book #2? That was years ago, though. I love seeing my favourite characters go about their lives outside of the books they starred in, so I think for fans of this series, this would be a recommended read!
Glad you enjoyed this collection, Lorna!
I have loved most of them. They are kinda split up-the first ten or so and then it skips forward twenty years and it takes a complete different turn in story. I admit, I loved the first part so much, and I like the second part, but it’s not the love I had for the first ten(?)for sure 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Untamed by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112)
That is the problem with novellas, most of the time they are way too short! Glad you did still like this despite the deceiving length of it.
I don’t mind a novella that doesn’t include a bunch of junk stuff with it to make up the pages. Sometimes novellas are really important to the story so I like those. Usually they are priced accordingly though, and I don’t think this series is 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Untamed by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112)
I’m not a fan of novellas but I love this series.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Review: The Darkest Torment by Gena Showalter
Do you like the newer part better then the old, or the older ones better than the new? I really loved the first group way better, but still enjoy these as well 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Untamed by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112)
The length of novellas usually drives me crazy. This one did as well, but I felt like it had a decent ending, with just a little bit of a hint of a couple to come.
Yes, I liked that new warrior that was introduced-I do hope we get his book 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Untamed by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112)
*waves*
*Waves back*
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Untamed by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112)
I loved the first four books in the Midnight Breeding series, in fact, I devoured them, but I haven’t read any of the 1001 books. Hmm, seems I am missing out!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Belle Chasse by Suzanne Johnson
I loved the first nine or ten actually more than I loved BDB. I know, most people don’t believe that, but I really did 🙂 I have actually read several of the 1001 books. I’ve liked most of them 🙂
I love this series, but I agree about the novellas being a crap shoot. I have this one on my Kindle with another novella and have been dragging my feet about reading them. But I will. 🙂
Glad to see what you think so I have a better idea of what to expect.
It’s definitely worth reading just really short. I have another new one to read soon as well…or not 🙂 Glad to hear you live this series as well!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Untamed by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112)
Lara Adrian is an author I haven’t read as yet. I’m curious about these 1001 Dark Night books though. But novellas are so short, I’d be a little disappointed at the size of this one too.
I recommend you read book 1, Kiss of Midnight by her. I read that and then read most of the rest of the first 9 back to back as I couldn’t put them down. One of my all time favorite series just for those first 9 or 10 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Untamed by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112)