Book review: Crave The Night (Midnight Breed #12) by Lara Adrian

Crave The Night (Midnight Breed #12) by Lara Adrian

Paranormal romance

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published August 5th 2014 by Delacorte Press (first published July 26th 2014)

Born and raised to be an emotionless killing machine, Nathan is one of the most lethal Breed vampires in existence. A key member of the Order—an elite group of warriors charged with protecting both mortals and vampires—Nathan executes each mission with flawless precision and a total lack of mercy. Now he must pursue a powerful, hidden enemy. But Nathan’s hard discipline and training are no match for the fierce pull he feels toward a young woman he has no right to desire—a woman of wealth and high social standing who has long been promised to another Breed male, and who may also prove to be the key to rooting out Nathan’s elusive quarry.

Jordana lives a life of glittering privilege as a member of a prominent Breed family in Boston. Surrounded by fine things and fawning admirers, Jordana wants for nothing—until she crosses paths with a dark, intense warrior from the Order and finds herself swept into an impulsive, sizzling kiss that neither of them will forget. As much as she tries to deny her deep feelings for Nathan, Jordana cannot resist the craving to be near him, to break through his forbidding walls and see the man he truly is. But getting close to Nathan will thrust Jordana into a treacherous new world, forcing her to risk all she has and all she knows about herself and her past. And loving this seductive man could be the most dangerous temptation of all.

Wow, I can't believe Nathan--Corinne's son and Hunter's stepson--is already grown up and has his own book. Crave the Night shows us what a cold, mechanical kickass guy Nathan is after his being kidnapped as an infant and raised in one of Dragos' factories where they created killing machines out of children. 

Jordana has led a life of privilege, raised by a caring and wealthy father. Her best friend is a rare female Breed warrior. Her future has already been planned out for her, including who she will marry, by her dad and his close family friend. But is this what she wants? Readers already know Jordana kissed Nathan in another book. No matter how cool he plays it, Nathan hasn't forgotten. Neither has she. As a museum curator, Jordana shows another side to her stiff, formal self. Her passion for history and artifacts is apparent. When Jordana runs into Nathan again, both may think they are strong to fight their attraction for each other, but the craving will not be denied. No matter what happens as he works his latest case, Nathan finds himself searching out Jordana and so does she. He fights himself so much it becomes repetitive and when he finally gives in, he decides to pull a Mr. Gray in the bedroom. Where did that come from? I believe if his mother had her son back as a teen she would have gone out of her way to show him affection and try to undo some of Dragos' conditioning so Nathan wouldn't still be a cold robot. I understood his being haunted by his past--I couldn't believe all of it.

Since the series has jumped twenty years into the future and humans now know about the Order and vampires, the dynamics of the stories have changed. Adrian has added some much-needed depth to the story line (since Dragos is gone). The new nemesis to beware of are The Atlanteans, their malicious Queen, and their own breed of warriors. Jordana plays an interesting role in all of this which I found fascinating. I do look forward to each installment with the same level of excitement, but I did find this twelfth book lacking in some areas. It was hard to warm up to Nathan, up to the end. Did he fall in love with Jordana or was it simply lust? Neither character had had a true relationship before and their quick coming together was missing those romantic sparks other couples had. Where was the love? The dropping in of bdsm elements also seemed out of place.

Crave the Night had plenty of action, intriguing twists and additions, the return of beloved Breed favorites from earlier books, but as for the starring couple, Nathan and Jordana felt somewhat flat for me. I enjoyed the other aspects of the story and wanted more in the love department (the author excels with romance). I'm still a fan and will wait with the same level of expectation for the thirteenth Midnight Breed novel as I always have. There's some truth to the old adage about old habits die hard.

Rating: 3.5

1/2

Cover comment:

With the series jumping ahead, the covers could use a reboot.

Book source:

Netgalley.