Cyndere's Midnight (The Auralia Thread, #2)

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Cyndere's Midnight (The Auralia Thread #2)

by Jeffrey Overstreet (Goodreads Author)

4.1 of 5 stars 4.10 · rating details · 402 ratings · 40 reviews

When a bloodthirsty beastman discovers Auralia’s colors, his conscience awakens. When the heiress of a powerful kingdom risks everything to help him, their lives--and the lives of a kingdom--hang in the balance.

“Cyndere walked down to the water to make her daily decision — whether to turn and go back into House Bel Amica, or to climb old Stairway Rock and throw herself int...more

Paperback, 336 pages

Published September 16th 2008 by WaterBrook Press (first published August 26th 2008)

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Jun 22, 2012 Sx rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012

I'd recommend that this book not be read as a stand alone novel. I tried reading it as thus and took some time to actually get fully into it because I didn't really get the world in the beginning and none of the characters really connected with me since it started in the thick of all the action.
I persevered though and was greatly rewarded.

The prose is gorgeous, the world believable and organic. With it being touted as Christian sci-fi, I kind of expected being hit with all the Christian morality...more

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Mar 18, 2010 Fred Warren rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Being the second book of a series, Cyndere’s Midnight has to overcome some of the usual handicaps faced by such stories. It has to be a complete story, in and of itself, while at the same time continuing the tale begun by its predecessor and setting the stage for the next story. It’s not introducing a shiny new world no one’s seen before, and it’s not going to end with a fully-satisfying sense of closure. The story also has to bring readers who missed the first book (like me) up to speed while k...more Being the second book of a series, Cyndere’s Midnight has to overcome some of the usual handicaps faced by such stories. It has to be a complete story, in and of itself, while at the same time continuing the tale begun by its predecessor and setting the stage for the next story. It’s not introducing a shiny new world no one’s seen before, and it’s not going to end with a fully-satisfying sense of closure. The story also has to bring readers who missed the first book (like me) up to speed while keeping fans of the first book engaged.

Cyndere’s Midnight is, to my mind, mostly about passing the torch. Aurelia the artist/weaver began a quiet revolution in the world of Aurelia’s Colors, and now it’s up to Cyndere, King Cal-raven of Abascar, Rescue the ale boy, and Jordram the beast-man to carry on her work, countering the encroaching evil and bringing harmony back to the Expanse. Along the way, Cyndere comes to terms with her sorrow, Cal-raven learns to accept the responsibility of being a king, Rescue finds his purpose in life, and Jordam begins to recover his humanity. Any of these threads could be a novel all by itself, and they intertwine with each other. The result is that there is a lot going on in this story, and it’s hard sometimes to know where to focus one’s attention. There are other sub-plots that begin to form, then recede into the background, perhaps to surface again in the next installment.

There are a lot of unresolved mysteries in this story–the fate of Aurelia, the identity of the monstrous (yet strangely benevolent) Keeper, the nature and source of the evil, mutagenic Essence and the medicinal water and blue flowers at Aurelia’s well outside Tilianpurth. There’s much discussion of the enigmatic Northchildren, but they make no appearance here, and though Jordam and his brothers talk incessantly about their Cent Regus chieftain, Skell Wra, he remains offstage, even in his own lair. All the mystery gets a little frustrating at times, but I think this is primarily a function of Cyndere’s Midnight being a transitional story in a series.

The characters are complex, and they all have their quirks and faults. No “plaster saints” in this book–they’re all human beings (or at least partly human) wrestling with very human failings and problems. I complained a little in my review of last month’s book about a lack of female presence in that story. Not a problem here. The ladies hold their own, and more, with the men. Cyndere and her confidante, Emeriene, are strong, confident, and resourceful. There are also many female soldiers in the Bel Amican and Abascar armies. If there’s a lack in characterization, it’s in the villainry. The cloth-swathed Pretor Xa is the lone representative of the sinister Seers, and since Steve Rice has already taken the expression, “better living through chemistry,” I’ll just have to say that Pretor Xa reminded me instantly of Mumm-Ra from the old Thundercats cartoon series. Hmm…he mostly hung out with mutant beast-men too.

Sorry, ghosts of my misspent youth pop up every now and then. :)

Overstreet describes the world of the Expanse in lavish detail. Many of the flora and fauna are familiar to us, others are totally alien. I particularly enjoyed the tetherwings, the tame little watchdog birds that Cyndere employs to warn her of danger. At times, though, there were so many new creatures running about, it became a bit overwhelming.

There are many strong themes running through the story–forgiveness, redemption, perseverence, courage, and the costs required of those who oppose evil, as well as the consequences of embracing it.

The result of all this detail and complex plot and thematic content is a very dense story. This is not “short attention span theater.” It asks for focused reading and deep thought. Sometimes the weight of the story slows it down. There’s a pretty cool battle scene near the end, but if you’re looking for a slam-bang actioner, you’ll be disappointed. Cyndere’s Midnight is a journey, and it’s often arduous and emotionally draining, but it’s a trip worth taking.(less)

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Oct 14, 2009 Jill Williamson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Cyndere, heiress to Bel Amica, and her husband, Deuneroi, have a dream: to tame the beastmen of Cent Regus. But those same beastmen murder Deuneroi while he’s on a mission to seek out survivors from the fallen House Abascar. Cyndere finds refuge at Tilianpurth, a Bel Amican garrison and watchtower. While she is in the forest trying to say goodbye to Deuneroi, she meets Jordam, a beastman. But Jordam is different from his ferocious brothers. He knew Auralia, and her colors have fought to tame his...more Cyndere, heiress to Bel Amica, and her husband, Deuneroi, have a dream: to tame the beastmen of Cent Regus. But those same beastmen murder Deuneroi while he’s on a mission to seek out survivors from the fallen House Abascar. Cyndere finds refuge at Tilianpurth, a Bel Amican garrison and watchtower. While she is in the forest trying to say goodbye to Deuneroi, she meets Jordam, a beastman. But Jordam is different from his ferocious brothers. He knew Auralia, and her colors have fought to tame his wildness. Cyndere chooses to embrace the dream she and Deuneroi once shared and pushes aside her anger to reach out to Jordam. She sends him on a mission to warn the survivors of House Abascar of an impending Cent Regus attack. But there is more to the story than any of them think. And will King Cal-raven bother to listen to the warnings of a beastman?

I’m torn over these books. They are wonderful stories, imaginative and beautifully written, but I can’t read them fast. I’m a quick reader, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t get though a Jeffrey Overstreet book in a day or two like I can most others. I felt the same way about Overstreet’s first novel, Auralia’s Colors. Around page one hundred, I could have walked away from the book easily, but when I reached page two hundred, I couldn’t put it down. As a writer, I know that’s a dangerous way to tell a story, but it seems to work for Overstreet.

Cyndere’s Midnight gripped me much earlier than Auralia’s Colors did, but I was disappointed to meet a new host of characters from page one when I wanted to read about the characters at the end of Auralia’s Colors. Some of those characters are in Cyndere’s Midnight, but this is not their story. I am glad to discover that book three is called Cal-raven’s Ladder, for Cal-raven is one of my favorite characters in the series. Him and the ale boy.

Cyndere’s Midnight is an inspiring story that goes much deeper than a parallel story to Beauty and the Beast. To me, the beastmen, who were once regular men, represent sin. They’ve indulged in the Essence to give them strength and must go back again and again to be revitalized. But the Essence is what has turned them into beastmen. Jordam has discovered another way to survive the craving: to wean himself of the Essence altogether. And Auralia’s colors give him the strength to do that in the same way a relationship with Jesus gives us strength to overcome our own temptations. It is these deep parallels that keep me hooked into Overstreet’s tales of The Expanse.(less)

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Apr 25, 2010 Adrienne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-count-2010, fantasy, own-it

The second book in the Auralia's Colors series is an interesting read. Now that Overstreet has set up his world - "The Expanse" - he can delve more deeply into the different groups of people that populate it. House Abascar and the Ale Boy return in this story, but the focus of the novel is elsewhere.

House Bel Amica, introduced in Book 1 as a rival of House Abascar is where most of the story happens. Cyndere, the heiress to the throne of Bel Amica, is struggling with the losses of her father, br...more

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Apr 28, 2011 Ranting Dragon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: caleigh

http://www.rantingdragon.com/cynderes...

Cyndere’s Midnight is the second book in Jeffrey Overstreet’s series, The Auralia Thread. In the first book, Auralia’s Colors, we were introduced to the magical Auralia, the conflicted Prince Cal-Raven, and the nameless, unassuming ale boy. Now Cyndere’s Midnight takes us away from House Abascar all the way to House Bel Amica, where heiress Cyndere loses the men she loves and must choose between giving up on life or following the seemingly hopeless dream s...more

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Feb 25, 2010 Timothy Davis rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book. I would actually like to give it a 3.5, but I don't see any option for a half-star rating.

Overstreet's style of writing is an acquired taste. His primary strength is the ability to transport the reader to a different place and time through richly detailed images and compelling character development. Sometimes his language is almost overly flowery, explaining too much of what you should be experiencing rather than just letting you feel it. He's a huge fan of creating new wor...more

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Jun 12, 2009 Amydeanne rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Okay, a few things come to my mind initially when I think of this book– after I’ve read the first few pages of it. Call them odd or not, but this is what’s crossed my mind. (please remember this is a new genre for me, so bear with me as I get a feel for it!)

* The End of the Spear - Where the missionaries go to a place and their husbands are killed, yet the wives stay and still minister to the natives, who eventually become Christians.
* Big foot. - the fact that they are like beastmen and proba...more Okay, a few things come to my mind initially when I think of this book– after I’ve read the first few pages of it. Call them odd or not, but this is what’s crossed my mind. (please remember this is a new genre for me, so bear with me as I get a feel for it!)

* The End of the Spear - Where the missionaries go to a place and their husbands are killed, yet the wives stay and still minister to the natives, who eventually become Christians.
* Big foot. - the fact that they are like beastmen and probably because I watched: http://animal.discovery.com/videos/lo... last night lol. The mystery behind them mostly… no one really knows.

My thoughts on this… the first bit is hard to get into.. it took me a while to follow it, and I’m not sure if I hadn’t checked out a few peoples reviews if I would have captured some of the ideas floating in this book (like not until after 10 that I got an inkling that the beastmen were that way b/c of Essence - a drug that kept them under the spell).

That being said, I thought it was a decent book with a lot of imagery floating around… I love the elaborate detail Overstreet provides, and I could probably read a few times before you grasped some of it.

Along with the other things that I pointed out yesterday, a few things that came to my mind today was:

* the ale boy reminded me of Harry Potter, with his throbbing forehead and parental death at birth… not as a main character, but his little charms about him. (yes, I watch too much movies/tv.. i admit that lol.. it’s a perpetual Dora party here…)
* Cyndere seems really wish washy… a moment she’s heroic, and the next she’s a nincompoop… her personality is very skitzo (reminds me of a few girls i know lol).
* I’m not really sure I got anything Christian per say out of it, but than again what makes a book a “Christian book” ? Because it’s clean? Because it relies on God? Because it encourages our beliefs? I never did figure out Narnia for a long time, so you’ll have to pardon me .. I’m not saying that’s bad.. I think going mainstream on some of this stuff is great.. just for me, some of that’s lost on my mama brain… or my simplicity if I dare call it that lol.

So my conclusion on this book… It kept building momentum and gave me a grand ending, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I think it could have been made into 3 or 4 books all on it’s own though, as there were so many stories to follow in it. All in all though, I think I shall be looking forward to the next book in the series!

While I had a bit of struggle with it, I have a feeling Mr. C - my resident Sci-fi expert will delve into this book and devour it in hours. I must admit as I got closer to the end I started to enjoy more and more of the story, and think it would make a great movie!

I would classify this as a 14A book, not for young ones as there is a bit of gruesomeness in it. I think it was well added for effectiveness.(less)

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Apr 17, 2010 Margaret Metz rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked a lot of things about the series. The constant surprises of characters like Jordam for example. However the problem I had (and I read all three books available) was that unlike many second books, there is no way this book can stand alone. You have to read the first book to understand what is going on in this one. Plus many threads were left unsolved and much of it was too vague.

I thought I knew where he wanted to go, but it never seemed like he quite got there.

Still I loved the character...more

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May 26, 2009 Andrew rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed Jeffrey's first book Auralia's Colors. The sequel was no disappointment either. In fact, I think it was even better. One thing I liked about Cyndere's Midnight is the depiction of the redemption process. Evil, while depicted as fully such, is not depicted as beyond the possibility of redemption. But the process of redemption is not an easy one nor one that all are willing to embark upon. I also appreciate the role Jeffrey has given to the key women in both novels. They are not s...more

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Feb 17, 2009 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Amy by: The authors, my dad

Shelves: fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 01, 2009 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fantasy readers, literary readers

Cyndere's Midnight continues the same excellent standard set in Auralia's Colors.

This novel shifts from House Abascar to House Bel Amica and heiress to the throne, Cyndere. Last in line to the throne, Cyndere is never left alone, lest something should happen to her. Even in a crowd, she leads an isolated life until Deuneroi. In him she finds a kindered spirit and someone to share her dream of rescuing the Beastmen, a wretched, violent race of people that live outside Bel Amica's lands. But when...more

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Mar 10, 2010 Mark rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm never quite sure what to expect from fiction by an author of Christian faith... for every wonderful reading experience (like Stephen Lawhead's Celtic Crusades or C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia), there are numerous slogs through preachy & cliched schlock. (Insert obligatory reference to the Left Behind books here.) It's a little like Tim Burton films - you never know when an "Edward Scissorhands" is going to bloom amongst a field of weeds like "Batman Returns" and "Planet of the Apes."...more

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Mar 02, 2010 Amie rated it 4 of 5 stars

There is a lot going on in this series. Overstreet does a great job keeping it all together. I have already started the 3rd in the series and get the feeling that this isn't the last. I think that is a good thing. I don't like long series mostly because I get impatient and want a resolution for characters. I have to say that Jordam has become one of my most favorite characters.

Just found out that it will be a 4 book series.

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Jan 19, 2009 Carlin rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was looking for Through a Screen Darkly and this was the only book by Overstreet the book store had so I picked it up. It was a good read, I liked most of the characters and the descriptions, but it just didn't grab me to make me want to read more about Cyndere or the Expanse.

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Jun 25, 2011 Nicci rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh gosh, such a great book. This has possibly become my favourite series and I still have 2 more books to go! Overstreet does an incredible job of portraying things from the bag guy's POV, and attaching you to the characters, making you feel what they feel, see what they see. So many twists and turns, SO many surprises in the last few chapters. Incredible. Okay, library, hurry and get me the next one! I cannot wait!!

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Jul 30, 2011 Bonita added it

Fantastic 2nd book in Auralia's Colors series. Such powerful & moving depictions of our fallenness and brokenness and God's power & desire to rescue us and transform us for good - our and others.Can't wait to start the 3rd book: Raven's Ladder.

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Aug 09, 2011 Gypsie Holley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wow, just as good as the first! Leaving a cliff hanger of such proportions that I am in serious search for the next two books!!! This is a greatly written series and will be a most definite reread in the years to come. Thank you Mr. Overstreet!

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Aug 11, 2011 Kyle rated it 4 of 5 stars

A fun and exciting read. It's a brave step forward into the great mythology of the Expanse. Full of suspense and intrigue it definitely left me waiting for the third installment of the series.

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Mar 25, 2010 Sheri rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have really been enjoying this series. The main characters are remarkable in their passions of good vs. evil, of helping the un-helpable, and of the power of good coming from one small girl.

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May 30, 2011 Cathrine Bonham rated it 4 of 5 stars

Read a lot easier than the first book. I think it was because I was used to the new world having read "Auralia's Colors" first. For the record though there is enough back story that one could read this book first you wanted.

A great story especially for those who love Beauty and the beast.

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Oct 19, 2008 Katie W rated it 5 of 5 stars

It was compelling to read about the beastman Jordan's transformation as he breaks free from the curse and continually grows as a character. No longer is he governed by hate and a relentless desire to kill. In some ways the breaking free prompts him to take more risks and self-sacrifices for those he cares about, but at the same time his life is filled with more joy and peace and purpose and he wouldn't go back to his old way of existence for anything.

The other characters also grow and develop th...more

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Nov 01, 2012 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

My favorite book by a favorite author. It is a fantasy that contains a palpable and haunting world. I was a part of that world by the first chapter.

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Feb 18, 2009 Hanna rated it 4 of 5 stars

It took me a couple chapters to remember what was happening from the last book, but once I got going I really enjoyed it. It's a great story and an interesting world. I often get annoyed by books that jump characters a lot, but I cared enough about each of the characters in this book that I didn't mind at all. Can't wait for the third to come out!

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Nov 26, 2012 AK Anderson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Yes yes yes yes yes. Everything I'd expect of a sequel of Auralia's Colors, and so much more.

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Mar 21, 2010 Chanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

this was good stuff. :O

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Sep 21, 2008 Magma rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fantasy lovers

Shelves: fantasy, mystery, romance, with-dragons, young-adult-middle-school, adult-young-adult, action, favorites

ohmygosh! I'm chomping at the bit for this story to be released....now I have to go to diff bookstore websites and put it on my wishlists.

READ THE FIRST BOOK!
Auralia's Colors ROCKS!!!

okay....here's an interview Mr. Overstreet did with a fantasy blogger and it has some insider info if you guys wanna look
http://fantasydebut.blogspot.com/2008...

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Dec 09, 2012 Pauline rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, own

Didn't realize this was part of a series when I bought it a long time ago while I was in Arkansas. It is highly possible that I would have appreciated this more if I had read the first one. However, since I didn't there was really no connection to any of the characters and it was difficult to get into the story. Things are thoroughly confusing if you haven't read the first one.

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Jun 01, 2010 Bill Tillman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: wishlist, christian-fantasy, magic, magician, otherworlds, sorcerer, wizard, ya, young-adult, demons, dragons, fantasy, fiction, gods, monsters

Even better than the first in series. One of the best Christian fantasy series written. A multi-level adventure of discovery, danger, high fantasy, and great world building.

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Aug 02, 2011 Hilarey rated it 4 of 5 stars

The kids didn't like the series for a read-aloud. Too many characters to keep track of and too much going on. When we read aloud sometimes a week passes between chapters and no one could keep track.
But I really enjoyed it after I started reading it alone.

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Jun 12, 2010 susan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-scifi-magical

I just finished the third book. They just get better and better the farther along in the story you go. I will anxiously await the fourth !

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About Jeffrey Overstreet

My name is Jeffrey Overstreet.

I am a teacher and a writer, and I travel all over the place speaking about creative writing, film criticism, fantasy, faith, and the power of play.

Sometimes I'm invited to teach creative writing courses and workshops. This brings me great joy.

My dream? To someday have a full-time job teaching creative writing and film-related courses. I pay bills by working as a wr...more

More about Jeffrey Overstreet...

Books by Jeffrey Overstreet

Auralia's Colors (The Auralia Thread, #1)

The Ale Boy's Feast (The Auralia Thread, #4)

Through a Screen Darkly: Looking Closer at Beauty, Truth and Evil in the Movies

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