This review was first posted on http://www.rubysreads.com.

I want to start this review by saying that it pleasantly surprised me. I'm often skeptical when Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy authors decide to try their hand at YA fiction. Some authors--and people, for that matter--assume that because if they can write to appeal to an adult audience, than writing to a teen one will be easy peasy lemon squeezy. Then again, there are crossover authors whose adult stuff I won't touch (Kelley Armstrong comes to mind), but that doesn't keep me from adoring their Teen stuff. Lynn Viehl doesn't quite fall into the same category as Kelley Amstrong, but I do think that After Midnight was more successful than any book she's written with an "adult" audience in mind.
After Midnight is a Rural Fantasy. The story picks up with Cat, the heroine, beginning her first day at her new school. After years of moving around and constantly being the new girl in town, Cat and her brothers have decided to settle in Lost Lake, a small town in Florida. Cat and her brother, Gray, have been raised by their older brother, Trick, since their parents died and for most of Cat's existence, it's been just the three of them. Wherever they've lived, they've felt like outsiders. And while Cat's ready to continue their cloistered lifestyle, Gray is yearning for a more normal All-American life, whatever their older brother says.
I genuinely liked Cat, though she was a little too independent to be true. It's rare to find a teenager that self-possessed, or one who is never at a loss for what to say when she's up against an antagonist. It was Cat's two brothers that intrigued me. I was fascinated by Gray. He's uber-protective of his sister, but he has no trouble manipulating her into helping him achieve his goals. Sadly, his protective streak fades when siding with his sister conflicts with his romantic interests. Gray's desire to play football and date the head cheerleader was poignant, bizarre and sad. Trick isn't as easy to read. His main function in the book appears to be keeping secrets from Cat, but his motivations are, as yet unclear. Intriguing is the word for him.
I was less impressed with Jesse. He's sort of your stereotypical vampire hero: Moody, broody, isolated and tortured but totally in love with the heroine. He kind of doesn't do anything. He's acted upon, and does very little acting himself. Fortunately for Jesse, there was no rival for Cat's affections. As far as romance goes, I'm waiting to see what develops for Gray. I have a suspicion. Or, a theory at least.
Frankly, the part of this book that won me over was the end. It puts a whole spin on the mythology--and on Cat's relationships--that I think is fascinating. I should say that is hast no effect not on Cat and Jesse's l-o-v-e. They're just as blahblah-still-in-lovecakes as ever. Plotwise, though, the story ends with discoveries that redeem After Midnight from the banal star-crossed lovers theme. And, the Van Helsing/Vampire cliche. So, my advice to you is this: if you reach the middle of the book and are bored by Jesse's brooding, read on to the end anyway. The best parts of the book are the parts without him. I know, you're surprised to hear me say that. But: Trust me. Romance aside, it's worth it.