The perfect blend of menace and fun.
Years of serving a fickle master has fashioned Amalina Dalca into a clever young woman who allows her curiosity more freedom than ever before. More world-wise than the scared girl who was pressed into service so long ago, Amalina has developed an ambitious spirit, shedding the once knee-buckling fear of her monstrous master. Besides, posing as the niece of a Count has its benefits. Once the poor daughter of a simple baker, Amalina now has princesses and other dignitaries as close friends. She dines on extravagant meals. Elaborate parties are regularly on her social agenda. The downside to her glamorous life, however, is the nefarious purpose of her master. A double-edged sword to be sure. But Amalina will be tested as never before when she discovers that the Count is not the only creature of his kind. And when it comes to fearsome creatures of the night, the Count of Ardeel may be as gentlemanly as they come.
Amalina and the Midnight Gift is the perfect blend of menace and fun. Sure there are scares, but the well-formed cast is engrossing, telling a story much larger than a basic vampire tale. Holmes has a devilish gift, drawing dangerous characters that manage to charm and endear, allowing readers to share in the emotional turmoil Amalina feels as she navigates a precarious relationship. The Count may be a soulless, bloodthirsty creature of untold malevolence, yet, somehow, he proves to be a most interesting character. Augmenting the vampire’s deeply shrouded history creates an unexpected depth to a story that is already well-rounded and entertaining. The result is that the Count of Ardeel morphs from a fully fledged antagonist into a semi-protagonist. The addition of an even greater villain helps shift the dynamic, setting the book up nicely for any future installments. Deliberate and steady, Amalina and the Midnight Gift is a darkly humorous horror novel, the perfect addition to an already wildly entertaining series.
