Born At Midnight

Born At Midnight by C.C.Hunter

Publication date: March 29th, 2011
Published by: St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: YA Paranormal
Rating: 4/5
Eligible for Debut Author Challenge 2011

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

What a pleasant surprise Born At Midnight was! For reasons unknown, I didn't have high hopes for this book, but I'm here to tell you it was not bad at all!

BAM is such a fun, entertaining read! Although it's not a short book, Hunter's writing made it very easy to read, kept its pace fast throughout, and added so many details and many different little things, that there's never a dull moment in it.

The story was interesting enough. Combining all the supernatural elements together, vampires, witches, ghosts, weres, it has a little something to suit everyone's tastes.

Characters were…I said fun already, right? I don't know why, but writing this right now puts a big smile on my face because Born At Midnight was exactly that for me: a light, amusing read. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean frivolous. I just very much enjoy a book that for once doesn't have an impending doom or IL(instant love). Yes, there is not a BIG BAD in BAM, which doesn't diminish the story's value in the least. In fact, it's a very welcomed change.

I think I was talking about the characters somewhere way back…

So, Kylie, the protagonist, is a nice enough girl who comes from a broken home. I liked the fact that she wasn't a whiner or a moaner or a complainer. Granted, she may have misjudged some people but that doesn't make her annoying or a bad person. Let's not forget that she is 16 years old.

I liked her self-assurance and the way she didn't make a big deal out of being chased by 3 guys simultaneously(yep, I'm not lying). She completely owns it without being obnoxious. 

Her friends, Miranda the witch and Della the vampire, were OK I guess, although I would have wanted to learn more about their background, where they come from, how they came to be who they are.

As for the guys…the hottness level was so off the charts, that by the end I still couldn't decide who I wanted Kylie to end up with. Well OK, that's a lie. I like Lucas a lot more than I like Derek, but Derek is swoon-worthy too!

An abundance of hot guys and a great story to go with it? I'm sold!

Born At Midnight is a quick, easy but very cleverly constructed read that will definitely keep you interested till the very end!

Looking forward to book #2 which is called Awake At Dawn and comes out October 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin.

I received an ARC of this book through the First Reads program.

U2 360 Tour Live In Athens 03/09/2010

Dreamy, magical!U2's concert was all I could hope for, and more.

Just an unbelievable,unforgettable, once in a lifetime-experienece...

WATCHING : Spartacus Season 01

If you have yet to watch it, please please please!Wait not longer!!You won't regret it, promise!
Andy Whitfield : I really hope you get well soon!Our thoughts are with you!

True Blood S03x01 Bad Blood

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

YES, YES and YES!!!

Season 03 of True Blood is finally on!!!I don't have much to say about the first episode, other than it was AWESOME!!!!!!If any of you guys decided to stop watching after Season 02, coz let's face it,Maryanne's story -meh- , you MUST and SHOULD watch the first episode of season 03. So many things happening, I didn't even realise it was a 50 minutes episode!Well, I'll always have a problem with Paquin's acting, since it's with great difficulty that I endure her presence, but I try to shut her out and just sit and marvel at the rest of the episode.Apart from the obvious cool factors of True Blood that is Bill and Eric, I just love seeing Jason and Jessica in pretty much everything they do.I was pretty hesitant about Jessica at first because she is not a character in the book, and I was sure she would not have a good enough story and basically would be completely dull.I couldn't be more wrong!As for Jason, well, everyone pretty much knows how amazing he is so there is no need for me to add more to the praise.

If I had to name one thing that stands out in this episode,it would be-come on, you know it!- Sam's dream of course!UN-BELIEVABLE!!!!!To be honest, I didn't know what was going on at first.I had totally forgotten the blood bond(Sookie-Eric) and what it can do to your brain.Way to go Giota, I have read all 9 Sookie books and I still forget important facts!Or maybe I just take them for granted.Anyway, I didn't read too much into it at first, but then as Bill started to get closer to Sam and their breath getting heavier and then  when Sam takes off his shirt I was thinking "Gee, something really wrong and perfectly perverse is going on here!" One of the most amazing and memorable scene in True Blood ever!

Watch it!!!!Pure awesomeness!!

WATCHING : Pretty Little Liars S01x01

I was waiting so long for the pilot of PLL,since I am a huge fan of the books, and I must admit, I am little bit disappointed.

I'll try not to compare the series to the books much.I don't think I have to really since,the pilot at least,was very similar to the book.Only Jenny's last name is changed and the time period between Ali's disappearance and the "present".

However,as I watching I had the constant feeling I was watching 5 episodes all shoved into one.Anyone who has read the books will get what I am saying.I don't know if I would understand  anything that went on if I hadn't read the books beforehand.But maybe I'd enjoy it more if I hadn't read the books.I really don't know.

I didn't like any of the guys.Well, maybe Ezra a little bit,if he got rid of that stupid haircut!I think the best looking one was Mike,Aria's brother, and we didn't get to see much of his face!Ian...OMG Ian was awful!!In case you don't remember, he is Melissa's,Spencer's sister's,boyfriend from Spencer's flashback.First of all,Ian is blonde.I know you think it's a minor detail, but trust me,it's really not.Anyway,guy-wise it was a let down.Also, a guy that plays a major role in the books was not introduced.Maybe later on.

Now, the girls.I like Spencer.I like the girl they cast for her role,even though I never thought I would.She is not the out of this world beauty,which Ali is supposed to be(which she so isn't,btw) and I think she is exactly as she is described in the books.Well, apart from the blonde hair.What do they have against blondes??Dunno!

The girl who plays Emily is OK, but not at all who I would have picked.The other I have no problem with yet.

Plot was really a mess.Everything was happening so fast, Ali's disappearing, Aria and Ezra's alleged relationship,Emily confiding so easily in Maya, a girl she just met(same goes with Aria and Ezra),and in general the whole episode, especially the first half, was a blur.I know they are trying to fit everything in 10 episodes but I think they've overdone it.Also, do you know if the first season is supposed to be about the first book or more,because if that's the case,and judging from the first episode,I don't think I'll like it much.

But there is no need to jump into conclusions.There are 9 episodes ahead, we'll just have to wait and see where this whole thing is headed.

My new obsession...

The National.Isn't this song beautiful?The video is fan made.I don't think there's an official one.

Revision is the key

Every time I watch Lost's finale, I like it even more!I think I was a tad too severe in my review of the last episode.I think, after the 3d time I've watched it, I am satisfied,both emotionally and mentally(plot wise).Watch it more than once, guys.You'll live a totally different experience!