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A Journey of Black and Red #9
High Midnight
After decades of efforts and bloodshed (mostly from her victims), Ariane has finally succeeded in un-life. She has a cozy vampire government job overseeing racial relations with pesky mages and tasty werewolves, a domain in Illinois, her own weapon manufacturing company… Things are looking up!
Her recent foray into Europe to serve with the Vampire Knights may have ended in disaster after one of their officers tried to murder her, but fortunately, she rose to the rank of Lady and can now return with her honor intact alongside her newly ascended sister Jimena.
Now it appears some daring insects were trying to take over her lands while she was away. The audacity! Alongside some spring cleaning, Ari will have to contend with uppity godlings and also possibly freeing the entire fae race from captivity.
It will all be worth it if she gets to wear pants.
Her recent foray into Europe to serve with the Vampire Knights may have ended in disaster after one of their officers tried to murder her, but fortunately, she rose to the rank of Lady and can now return with her honor intact alongside her newly ascended sister Jimena.
Now it appears some daring insects were trying to take over her lands while she was away. The audacity! Alongside some spring cleaning, Ari will have to contend with uppity godlings and also possibly freeing the entire fae race from captivity.
It will all be worth it if she gets to wear pants.
- GenresFantasyParanormalDark
475 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2024
27 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 30, 2025
Great end(?) to a great series
This review is about the series: read it! Beg, borrow, buy or steal ‘em just read it. Although really, you should buy the books so that Alex can continue to devote time to writing - maybe books 10+ ? I understand how an author might tire of a world, but I sure haven’t.
I usually avoid vampire fantasy books since most have devolved into dull bodice rippers. Unlike Ariane - our darlin’ Southern belle turned (literally) into ordnance enthusiast and apex predator - I’m not a fan of the genre. Ah, but this series is so tastefully done that the bits of romance serve as the chocolate chips in just-out-of-the-oven cookies, perfectly balanced in buttery, gooey dough, leavened by nummy violence and the flavor of gunpowder for a bit of umami.
Ariane is a delightful character and I enjoyed watching her grow up over this 9 book series. Supported by an engaging cast of characters, Alex’s very good writing and truly fresh imagination, she explodes (haha) into a Renaissance creature of the night. His writing style reflects her thoughts and changes as the books progress - shows her struggles to overcome instincts- very well done, sir! The first book does a particularly good showing her fear, PTSD, her reactions to being forcibly turned, and vampire instincts warring with teenage-hood. Ewww! And he’s funny as hell, especially when skewering stupidity and/or political movements. Very clever use of parallel vampire and human history.
I’d say he succeeds in his goal to evoke emotions in his readers.
Very minor wish list:
-please fix those occasional typos and grammar slips.
- I would have liked to see the language of the times better reflecting d in the series. There were some colorful
ul idioms floating around, especially pduring the Civil War
- Metis was so well done, I’d like to see more supernatural animals
- “Ms.” wasn’t in use during the 1800s. Its use is jarring.
All in all, what a delightful find. I even liked the cover art!
This review is about the series: read it! Beg, borrow, buy or steal ‘em just read it. Although really, you should buy the books so that Alex can continue to devote time to writing - maybe books 10+ ? I understand how an author might tire of a world, but I sure haven’t.
I usually avoid vampire fantasy books since most have devolved into dull bodice rippers. Unlike Ariane - our darlin’ Southern belle turned (literally) into ordnance enthusiast and apex predator - I’m not a fan of the genre. Ah, but this series is so tastefully done that the bits of romance serve as the chocolate chips in just-out-of-the-oven cookies, perfectly balanced in buttery, gooey dough, leavened by nummy violence and the flavor of gunpowder for a bit of umami.
Ariane is a delightful character and I enjoyed watching her grow up over this 9 book series. Supported by an engaging cast of characters, Alex’s very good writing and truly fresh imagination, she explodes (haha) into a Renaissance creature of the night. His writing style reflects her thoughts and changes as the books progress - shows her struggles to overcome instincts- very well done, sir! The first book does a particularly good showing her fear, PTSD, her reactions to being forcibly turned, and vampire instincts warring with teenage-hood. Ewww! And he’s funny as hell, especially when skewering stupidity and/or political movements. Very clever use of parallel vampire and human history.
I’d say he succeeds in his goal to evoke emotions in his readers.
Very minor wish list:
-please fix those occasional typos and grammar slips.
- I would have liked to see the language of the times better reflecting d in the series. There were some colorful
ul idioms floating around, especially pduring the Civil War
- Metis was so well done, I’d like to see more supernatural animals
- “Ms.” wasn’t in use during the 1800s. Its use is jarring.
All in all, what a delightful find. I even liked the cover art!
December 5, 2025
Yet again another excellent entry in the series. Gilbert takes what could the finale of other series and makes them merely another event in the larger story. The stakes keep rising, the the conflicts escalate, and things still stay interesting and unpredictable.
September 13, 2024
I liked everything except the ending ;)
June 4, 2025
Too much Bingle in this one for me, but Ariane's other shenanigans save its rating easily. Also, the PS at the end - chef's kiss.
July 20, 2024
Excellent continuation
Great characters, engrossing story, cool relationships, awesome battles and an amazing main character, what's not to love? Can't wait for the next one!
Great characters, engrossing story, cool relationships, awesome battles and an amazing main character, what's not to love? Can't wait for the next one!
May 21, 2025
fun fun
August 18, 2025
This is more of a 3.5 stars.
I am so done with the whole Bingle shit. I even skipped parts of it because im just DONE with how terrible it is.
The author has cool ideas but the execution falls flat at times, especially with the overuse of "speeches".
I'm not kidding, every book of his has at least 2 or 3 long winded speeches.
It goes something like this "Men and women, you come here today in a united front to oppose those who seek to shackle us. You have fought bravely, overcome obatacles, and blah blah blah. We fight for a better future, a future in which.." And on and on, ijfc 😭
Also, author uses "traits" in abundance throughout this series (something that happens in his other series as well *Calamitous Bob*) and maybe its because I associate the word traits with personality quirks is why I find something wrong with it.
If you can get over long winded speeches, absurd Bingle storyline that pops up time to time, and the jarring use of "traits", then you'll like this book.
All in all its a fun ride.
I am so done with the whole Bingle shit. I even skipped parts of it because im just DONE with how terrible it is.
The author has cool ideas but the execution falls flat at times, especially with the overuse of "speeches".
I'm not kidding, every book of his has at least 2 or 3 long winded speeches.
It goes something like this "Men and women, you come here today in a united front to oppose those who seek to shackle us. You have fought bravely, overcome obatacles, and blah blah blah. We fight for a better future, a future in which.." And on and on, ijfc 😭
Also, author uses "traits" in abundance throughout this series (something that happens in his other series as well *Calamitous Bob*) and maybe its because I associate the word traits with personality quirks is why I find something wrong with it.
If you can get over long winded speeches, absurd Bingle storyline that pops up time to time, and the jarring use of "traits", then you'll like this book.
All in all its a fun ride.
January 30, 2026
Great book
A really good book. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book for people who love vampire stories. This author is very creative with his storytelling.
A really good book. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book for people who love vampire stories. This author is very creative with his storytelling.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews