[.ca] Midnight Predator (ISBN 0786265760)

From Amazon.com:
Midnight, the ancient evil sanctuary of vampires and their human slaves that was burned to the ground centuries ago, has risen from the ashes to open its dark doors once more. And it's up to Turquoise Draka, famed human vampire hunter of the Bruja guild, to stop Midnight's founder and vampire most malevolent, Jeshikah. But once inside Midnight's walls, Turquoise discovers that instead of Jeshikah, the surprisingly benign vampire Jaguar is at the helm. Acting as a human slave, Turquoise tries to discern Jaguar's mysteriously kind motives as she works at planning Jeshikah's assassination. Meanwhile, her acting servitude is playing havoc with her memories, as she begins to recall the bleak days when she used to be a human slave herself, the time before her training as an elite Bruja warrior. With bitter memories of beatings and humiliations battling with her present suicidal assignment, Turquoise must do everything in her power to keep from blowing her cover and losing her sanity. Teenaged horror author Amelia Atwater-Rhodes has successfully hit her writing stride in Midnight Predator, her fourth novel. Finally her burgundy-haired, black leather pant-wearing, revenge-lusting characters (and those are just the humans!) seem less like Anne Rice rip-offs and more like original Atwater-Rhodes creations. Atwater-Rhodes's use of flashbacks is more polished than in previous works, and her characterization is more solid and consistent. Teen vampire fans will eagerly fall upon this vibrant, violent addition to Atwater-Rhodes's intricately woven dynasty of vampires, witches, and shape-shifters. (Ages 12 and older) --Jennifer Hubert

Midnight Predator:
The book starts with Turquoise Draka and Ravyn Aniketos fighting for leadership of Crimson. Crimson is a group of mercenaries that will kill almost any "thing" for a price. After a draw is called and the two leave they are approched by Jillian Red. She hires the two to get into Midnight and kill Jeshickah, a ruthless vampire. The only way to get into Midnight is to be sold as slaves to the owner of Midnight, Jaguar. There they find that their misson may be a little harder than expected. Both hunter come face to face with their past. this is a great book that I would tell everyone to read.

Midnight Predator:
A lot of people have compared this book to R.J Smith's "The Chosen" as i have read both books i still do not see much resemblance. As a matter of fact I enjoyed this book ten times more then The Chosen, it's characters are much more stronger, the plot is thick enough and it's just a great read.

Enjoyable.:
This book isn't as bad as the other slop she's thrown together. The only gripes I have are the dialogue, which seems to be one of her glaring flaws as an author. Even if they're crazy über vampires in kickin' black leather and spandex, no one in their right frame of mind will say half of the retarded things Amelia makes them say. For example: "There is a difference between keeping a well-caged rattlesnake on the shelf to display and letting it slither between your bedcovers." Um.. are you serious, Amelia? Jesus. Another gripe is that nobody STABS anyone in this book--they all go planting knives into people. Count how many times the words "plant" and "knife/knives" are used and I think you'll be inclined to agree that Amelia's definitely reaching out for a dramatic flare. And it's shamefully obvious. I'm not going to get into the book's plot since there's all these things talking about it, instead I'll review it--since that's what a review is. I didn't mind the new set of names Ameila graced us with in this novella (The only one I want to harp on is JESHICKAH because that's so ridiculous she should be smacked for getting away with it) and even Jaguar is tolerable. In fact I pretty much enjoyed everyone, Amelia did a nice job somehow on this one. One of the biggest problems I've heard mentioned is how so many parts of the plot, characters and story are taken from another book that Amelia admits to having read. So there you go. Even plaguerists can get published, kids! The vampire hunter bit doesn't get old since this is a nice take of another perspective. Also throwing in the human slaves is a nice touch. I just wish she didn't garnish the whole prospect of slavery so much--I wasn't impressed or horrified by the whole thing, meanwhile Turquoise is choking back bile. Amelia just makes things so dramatic there's hardly anything tangible for us to hold onto. So humans were bred like cattle--okay. Woop dee doo. Hearing someone talk about it in Amelia's goth, gloom doom prose does nothing for me. She needs a lot of work there--or she should eliminate dialogue from her future books. Taking all that into account this book is still worthy of three stars.. because despite all that I enjoyed it. The whole "human minds create a vampire's viciousness" is an interesting touch and I think she summed it up rather nicely, and while Turquoise didn't necessarily take out the vampire she was assigned to kill, she does tie up her own loose ends, which gives us a nice sense of closure for the poor girl. The fact that it ends without any clear cut definition about what happens to her is also a nice touch. I'm sure if one really wanted to, there's plenty of things about the book they could enjoy; you just have to get past Amelia's glaring flaws and cringeworthy dialogue first. Good luck.

Abusive Vampires Beware!:
Turquoise is a member of Crimson which is part of Bruja. For the past two years she has been a mercenary hunter. Her prey has been vampires. She and a rival have just been hired to infiltrate a vampire slavery den known as Midnight. Turquoise was once a slave to a vampire. It has scarred her physically and mentally. Now she must put herself under a vampire's control in order to carry out her contract. Once inside Midnight, Turquoise learns that not all vampires as a evil as those she has dealt with in the past. They are still predators, but the come in varying degrees. The ordeal Turquoise goes through reads like a rape or abuse survivor. Unlike many in real life, Turquoise gets a chance to take revenge on her abuser. This is a very strong tale that deals with some harsh issues (don't let the vampire trappings fool you). This is a story of dealing with abuse and humiliation. This was quite well done.

A Honest Review to MIDNIGHT PREDATOR:
I really enjoyed this liked this book for a couple of reasons. One of them is that the author is very belivable, she paints pictures with her words. She is also very discriptive and is good at using exact words to describe people down to the last detail. Emotions and conflict are another subject the author writes about really well. She's excellent at writng about how the character is feeling and when they are in a fight i can picture the movement an attacks the people make as if i'm actually there cheering them on. If i had to choose a favorite part, it would be hard but i think i would choose the part where Turquoise goes into the courtyard which is an "off limits" room to slaves, such as herself. Once she picks the lock to the room and enters she discovers two jaguars one female, one male. The female takes to her an acts almost like a kitten, but the male wont allow her to leave the room... finally Turquoise tries to leave the room and the male jaguar pounces... the rest you will have to read for yourself. I think that the most vivid subjects the author wrote about were characters and conflict. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes can describe a being (vampire, human or anything else) so real, so solid, so... wow. i really can picture them and half the time i expect them to walk through the door. Most the time i wish they would brcause the male characters seen REALLY cute. As i had mentioned before she is wonderful at writing about combat. I can deffinitely picture the bloody lips, and the crunch of broken bones. This book really is worthy, you should read it.