Series: Shadow Falls #3.5
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on February 2nd 2016
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Love & Romance, paranormal, Thrillers & Suspense, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
A vampire and a werewolf who never fit in. A witch whose spells don't always work as planned. And a mysterious new guy who's hiding something. Together they will discover who they're meant to be...Hidden from the human world, Shadow Falls is a secret camp for teens with supernatural powers. But for four very different teens, it's much more than just a camp-it's where their destinies will unfold.Independent and strong-willed Della Tsang didn't believe in vampires...until she became one. Chase Tallman is the newest member of Shadow Falls, but what made him into the sexy, mysterious vampire he is today? And what led him to Della Tsang? For Miranda Kane, magic has always been something she's struggled with-until she finally has a chance to prove herself a witch to be reckoned with. And for Fredericka Lakota, the one guy who challenges her the most will lead her to the life she's always wanted.C. C. Hunter's New York Times bestselling Shadow Falls series captured hearts all over the world. Now available in print for the first time, these enchanting novellas will reveal a side of the camp that you've never seen before...and live in your heart forever. Fans won't want to miss these four remarkable stories of love, magic and friendship in Almost Midnight.
I picked up Born at Midnight at twelve years old, thereabout. The book with the shiny cover sat lonely in the desolate book section of Walmart—Greenwood County is seriously lacking in bookstores—and I couldn’t leave it there all by itself. I was hooked. Hooked to a level that I didn’t know could be so invigorating. To say that I have a passion and slight obsession for any and all things Shadows Falls would be the understatement of the century. I’m currently waiting on my finished copy of Della’s final book in her trilogy to arrive in the mail so that I can add it to the spot I have devoted to these books on my shelves.
When I get an email with an eARC of a C.C. Hunter book in it, I kind of have a major fangirl moment. I rush to NetGalley at light speed and send it to my Kindle so that, if I am reading something else at the time, it will be next. Imagine my delight when the novellas, which are also on my list of must-buys, landed in my hands—electronically.
I had already read two of the five novellas in the compilation, but reread them anyway because one was Chase’s story and the other novella was Miranda’s, and I would feel like a bad fan if I didn’t give them a little bit of my time.
Della Tsang is a unique character, and after already having read her entire trilogy, reading how she came into herself and the emotional trauma that she had to overcome along the way, only made me like her more. The compilation began with two of Della’s novellas, Turned at Dark and Saved at Sunrise, and let me see a beginning to the whys of the snappy vampire. If you haven’t read Shadow Falls: After Dark and want an idea of what to expect, start with these novellas.
Next, I got to revisit Chase Tallman. If you saw my reviews of the last two books in Della’s trilogy, then you know I’m a fan. I had already read his novella and debated skipping over it to the next, but I just couldn’t. After reading Saved at Sunrise, I harbored some mixed feelings toward Steve, the shapeshifter also vying for Della’s heart, and wanted to remind myself why Chase held mine. Chase was only fourteen in Unbreakable, showing the major event that changed the course of his life forever. I would suggest meeting him in Shadow Falls: After Dark before reading his backstory.
Please tell me Miranda is getting her own series? Her issues in Spellbinder are only briefly discussed in the next full-length book, and I want to know more about her love life. This was another novella that I had already read and debated skipping ahead, but I was glad that I hadn’t. Her relationship with Perry brought me back to earlier books, something I love about this series—you’re always going back. Her novella was not my favorite in the compilation, but it adds a lot to the series.
My favorite was Fierce, Fredericka Lakota’s story. I didn’t know a lot about Fredericka, other than she dated Lucas Parker before Kylie Galen came around. I loved seeing a new side to her, the artist and the girl starving for love. She surprised me in the best possible way. I now need her story. Better yet, how about a completed list of every Shadow Falls student, meaning each one gets his or her own story? Okay, I know that’s a little much, but C.C. Hunter has a way of creating irresistible characters and swoon-worthy romances. Did I mention how dreamy Brandon Hart, artist and object of Fredericka’s attention, is?
On a side note, I’ve been in love with Lucas Parker since I was twelve, and that statement still rings true at nineteen. I need a Kylie and Lucas novella. Having him in Fredericka’s story gave me a taste, but I’m not quite satiated.
If you haven’t been indoctrinated into this world yet, start at the beginning! You’ll appreciate the backstories a lot more and find a place you wish really was hidden in Texas.
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