Taken by Midnight by Lara Adrian

Title: Taken by Midnight
Author: Lara Adrian
Series: Midnight Breed (book #8)
Previous in series: Shades of Midnight
Next in series: Deeper than Midnight

My rating: 3.5 Stars

Synopsis: After being attacked by the Ancient, Jenna Darrow finds herself struggling to understand the changes going on around and inside her. Not only must she come to terms with the changes occurring within her own body and with the existence of vampires in the world but also with her inexplicable attraction to Brock, a Breed warrior who has the power either to heal or destroy her heart forever…

Review: The last two books in the series have been hit or miss for me (Ashes was a miss but Shades was an amazing hit). Unfortunately, Taken by Midnight is more miss than hit, although there are some highlights such as the continuing story of the battle against Dragos and the search for the missing Breedmates. I really enjoyed the fact that the women of the Order take an active role in the story and are not merely window dressing.

Another positive aspect is the information provided regarding Hunter, the cold and logical warrior who has fascinated me from book 5, and Chase who seems to be coping with some serious issues. I am eagerly awaiting their stories.

The romance is the most disappointing aspect of the book because, even though Jenna and Brock are interesting as individual characters, their relationship lacks the chemistry and intensity of connection that characterizes the other couples in the series. While you cannot help but sympathize with Jenna’s suffering, it is difficult to completely identify with someone who is completely immersed in their pain and guilt to the extent that they have almost lost the will to live. Brock, on the other hand, is an amazing hero, loving, patient and protective but his attraction to Jenna didn’t mesh with me.

Overall, the writing flows and the action scenes are excellent. However, many questions remain unanswered regarding Jenna’s transformation and I hope that details will be forthcoming in the next installments.