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The Auralia Thread #2
Cyndere's Midnight
In the second book in the Auralia Thread series, the power of Auralia’s colors brings together a bloodthirsty beastman and a grieving widow in a most unlikely relationship, one that not only will change their lives, but could also impact the four kingdoms of The Expanse forever.
Jordam is one of four ferocious brothers from the clan of cursed beastmen. But he is The glory of Auralia’s colors has enchanted him, awakening a noble conscience that clashes with his vicious appetites.
Cyndere, heiress to a great ruling house, and her husband Deuneroi share a dream of helping the beastmen. But when Deuneroi is killed by the very people he sought to help, Cyndere risks her life and reputation to reach out to Jordam. Beside a mysterious well--an apparent source of Auralia’s colors--a beauty and a beast form a cautious bond. Will Jordam be overcome by the dark impulse of his curse, or stand against his brothers to defend House Abascar’s survivors from a deadly assault?
Jordam is one of four ferocious brothers from the clan of cursed beastmen. But he is The glory of Auralia’s colors has enchanted him, awakening a noble conscience that clashes with his vicious appetites.
Cyndere, heiress to a great ruling house, and her husband Deuneroi share a dream of helping the beastmen. But when Deuneroi is killed by the very people he sought to help, Cyndere risks her life and reputation to reach out to Jordam. Beside a mysterious well--an apparent source of Auralia’s colors--a beauty and a beast form a cautious bond. Will Jordam be overcome by the dark impulse of his curse, or stand against his brothers to defend House Abascar’s survivors from a deadly assault?
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2008
21 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Overstreet
6 books240 followersMy 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.
Currently I am celebrating ten years working as communications specialist at Seattle Pacific University.
My dream? To someday have a full-time job teaching creative writing and film-related courses.
My other dreams? They've all come true.
These are my published novels, so far:
Auralia's Colors
Cyndere's Midnight
Raven's Ladder
The Ale Boy's Feast
This is my memoir of "dangerous moviegoing," published by Regal Books:
Through a Screen Darkly
This is my blog: Looking Closer with Jeffrey Overstreet
This is my Facebook page: http://facebook.com/jeffreyoverstreethq
This is my Twitter account:
http://twitter.com/jeff_overstreet
I grew up in Portland, Oregon. My father was a teacher there during that time, and my mother has worked as a teacher too... so I grew up in a world of educators.
My younger brother Jason is some kind of singer/songwriter/composer genius. He has a singing group called Rescue that continues to amaze and bless audiences everywhere. I'm proud of that guy.
My wife, Anne, comes from Roswell, New Mexico. (Insert alien-related joke here.) We just celebrated our 16th anniversary. She works as a gardener and a freelance editor, but her poetry is what really blows my mind. Read her book: Delicate Machinery Suspended. It's breathtaking. Really.
I've been writing books since before I started kindergarten. I think the first one was called "The Sea Monster," and it was full of scribbled drawings of a massive, fanged beast trying to swallow a little stick-figure man. I'm not sure what that represented, or if I identified with the man or the beast.
But, thanks to a whirlwind of events in 2005-06, and a few meetings that could only have happened through God's wild imagination, my first book was published: Through a Screen Darkly: Looking Closer at Beauty, Truth, and Evil in the Movies (from Regal Books). It's a book about art, faith, and the way that a good movie can change the world. It's a memoir of sorts, but also a collection of meditations on great movies, and I include some excerpts from memorable interviews with filmmakers and movie stars.
I'm also a novelist. Auralia's Colors and its three sequels, Cyndere's Midnight, Raven's Ladder, and The Ale Boy's Feast, were published by WaterBook Press, a Random House imprint.
What is more:
I'm a contented resident of Shoreline (north end of Seattle, Washington).
I'm the contributing editor of Seattle Pacific University's Response magazine.
I've worked for decades as a film critic for a variety of publications including Paste, IMAGE, Christianity Today, Books and Culture, Risen and more.
I'm a trouble-prone follower of Christ.
I guess that'll do for starters. Any questions?
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.
Currently I am celebrating ten years working as communications specialist at Seattle Pacific University.
My dream? To someday have a full-time job teaching creative writing and film-related courses.
My other dreams? They've all come true.
These are my published novels, so far:
Auralia's Colors
Cyndere's Midnight
Raven's Ladder
The Ale Boy's Feast
This is my memoir of "dangerous moviegoing," published by Regal Books:
Through a Screen Darkly
This is my blog: Looking Closer with Jeffrey Overstreet
This is my Facebook page: http://facebook.com/jeffreyoverstreethq
This is my Twitter account:
http://twitter.com/jeff_overstreet
I grew up in Portland, Oregon. My father was a teacher there during that time, and my mother has worked as a teacher too... so I grew up in a world of educators.
My younger brother Jason is some kind of singer/songwriter/composer genius. He has a singing group called Rescue that continues to amaze and bless audiences everywhere. I'm proud of that guy.
My wife, Anne, comes from Roswell, New Mexico. (Insert alien-related joke here.) We just celebrated our 16th anniversary. She works as a gardener and a freelance editor, but her poetry is what really blows my mind. Read her book: Delicate Machinery Suspended. It's breathtaking. Really.
I've been writing books since before I started kindergarten. I think the first one was called "The Sea Monster," and it was full of scribbled drawings of a massive, fanged beast trying to swallow a little stick-figure man. I'm not sure what that represented, or if I identified with the man or the beast.
But, thanks to a whirlwind of events in 2005-06, and a few meetings that could only have happened through God's wild imagination, my first book was published: Through a Screen Darkly: Looking Closer at Beauty, Truth, and Evil in the Movies (from Regal Books). It's a book about art, faith, and the way that a good movie can change the world. It's a memoir of sorts, but also a collection of meditations on great movies, and I include some excerpts from memorable interviews with filmmakers and movie stars.
I'm also a novelist. Auralia's Colors and its three sequels, Cyndere's Midnight, Raven's Ladder, and The Ale Boy's Feast, were published by WaterBook Press, a Random House imprint.
What is more:
I'm a contented resident of Shoreline (north end of Seattle, Washington).
I'm the contributing editor of Seattle Pacific University's Response magazine.
I've worked for decades as a film critic for a variety of publications including Paste, IMAGE, Christianity Today, Books and Culture, Risen and more.
I'm a trouble-prone follower of Christ.
I guess that'll do for starters. Any questions?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 18, 2010
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 characters he created and thought the story had a lot of potential.
I thought I knew where he wanted to go, but it never seemed like he quite got there.
Still I loved the characters he created and thought the story had a lot of potential.
May 26, 2009
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 simply foils to the men around them, nor are they pathetic, weak creatures. At the same time, they are not Amazonian warriors, more masculine than feminine.
Jeffrey has woven me thoroughly into the plot of the world of Abascar, Bel Amica and Cent Regus. I will be hanging in suspense until the release of the next book and am eager to see how he ties all the threads together and brings them to resolution.
Jeffrey has woven me thoroughly into the plot of the world of Abascar, Bel Amica and Cent Regus. I will be hanging in suspense until the release of the next book and am eager to see how he ties all the threads together and brings them to resolution.
April 28, 2011
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 she once shared with her husband: taming the beastmen who killed him.
New faces and stories
Cyndere’s Midnight is populated by characters barely mentioned in Auralia’s Colors. The main characters — Cyndere, Emeriene the Sisterly, Ryllion the guard, Mordafey and Jordam the beastmen — are entirely new. A few familiar faces make reappearances, like Cal-Raven and the ale boy, but the real, emotional storyline wholeheartedly belongs to Cyndere and Jordam. Cal-Raven and the ale boy are only used to drive the plot forward.
I have mixed feelings about these new characters. Cyndere and Jordam are certainly more believable and relatable than Auralia, and their relationship is fascinating and complex – all positive changes from the first book. At the same time, however, the enormous jump from Auralia’s Colors to Cyndere’s Midnight was unexpected and unsettling. Some of the conflicts in Auralia’s Colors are left unresolved at the end, but these conflicts are still only briefly addressed in Cyndere’s Midnight. I missed the first book’s focus on the ale boy and Cal-Raven, even as I was happy that Auralia had taken a backseat.
Villains: good or bad?
Most of the villains in Cyndere’s Midnight are beastmen. Addicted to a dangerous substance called Essence and bloodthirsty to the point of complete stupidity, these beastmen are unable to string a full sentence together and seem to spend most of their time on slobbering and infighting. With the exception of Jordam, the beastmen are shallow characters and, due to their low, animal intelligence, they don’t make very satisfying villains. For one thing, they are just so plain dense that, if it weren’t for their size and numbers, they’d pose no threat at all. For another, the beastmen’s evilness either stems entirely from the influence of Essence, or from the mere fact that they’re beastmen, who are generally understood to be evil. These facts prevent Overstreet from exploring the darkness of human nature and choices, since Overstreet can instead handily point to other causes that explain his beastmen’s flaws.
There are also some villainous humans, whose names I’ll keep secret since they would spoil the story. One of these human villains is believable and fleshed out fairly well, but the other – the really evil one – is completely unexamined. We have no idea what his motives are or how he came to be the way he is. My hope is that this villain will become clearer in the next two books of the series, and that Cyndere’s Midnight is just meant to be a mysterious introduction of the man.
The writing takes a while to get going
Jeffrey Overstreet’s writing is, like last time, enjoyable and poetic. Unfortunately, however, I found his penchant for metaphors overwhelming at the beginning, and even though I was immediately drawn to Cyndere, it was still difficult to feel her emotions through the heavy veil of symbolic language. And even though it’s no secret that her father, brother, and husband are all taken from her by the beastmen – that’s all mentioned in the book’s blurb – Cyndere’s Midnight still insists on describing each death for several pages. The book would have been much improved had Overstreet started Cyndere’s story after all of the men’s deaths and instead jumped right into the action.
On only a tangentially related note, the Christian symbolism is more obvious in Cyndere’s Midnight than in Auralia’s Colors. The Christian element still isn’t overbearing and rarely bothered me while reading, but for those of you allergic to religion, you may want to keep this in mind when deciding whether to start the series.
Why should you read this book?
If you enjoyed Auralia’s Colors, you will likely enjoy Cyndere’s Midnight – but just a little less. The characters, while generally more appealing than those from Auralia’s Colors, are still entirely new and may prove a bit of a shock to anyone expecting more about Auralia, the ale boy, or Cal-raven. However, despite the new characters, and despite the shoddy villains so far, Overstreet’s vision for the series is still obviously guiding the plot’s progress. By the end, you’ll start to see promising threads from Auralia’s Colors weave into Cyndere’s Midnight, and I am still eager to see what new surprises Overstreet will reveal in book three, Raven’s Ladder.
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 she once shared with her husband: taming the beastmen who killed him.
New faces and stories
Cyndere’s Midnight is populated by characters barely mentioned in Auralia’s Colors. The main characters — Cyndere, Emeriene the Sisterly, Ryllion the guard, Mordafey and Jordam the beastmen — are entirely new. A few familiar faces make reappearances, like Cal-Raven and the ale boy, but the real, emotional storyline wholeheartedly belongs to Cyndere and Jordam. Cal-Raven and the ale boy are only used to drive the plot forward.
I have mixed feelings about these new characters. Cyndere and Jordam are certainly more believable and relatable than Auralia, and their relationship is fascinating and complex – all positive changes from the first book. At the same time, however, the enormous jump from Auralia’s Colors to Cyndere’s Midnight was unexpected and unsettling. Some of the conflicts in Auralia’s Colors are left unresolved at the end, but these conflicts are still only briefly addressed in Cyndere’s Midnight. I missed the first book’s focus on the ale boy and Cal-Raven, even as I was happy that Auralia had taken a backseat.
Villains: good or bad?
Most of the villains in Cyndere’s Midnight are beastmen. Addicted to a dangerous substance called Essence and bloodthirsty to the point of complete stupidity, these beastmen are unable to string a full sentence together and seem to spend most of their time on slobbering and infighting. With the exception of Jordam, the beastmen are shallow characters and, due to their low, animal intelligence, they don’t make very satisfying villains. For one thing, they are just so plain dense that, if it weren’t for their size and numbers, they’d pose no threat at all. For another, the beastmen’s evilness either stems entirely from the influence of Essence, or from the mere fact that they’re beastmen, who are generally understood to be evil. These facts prevent Overstreet from exploring the darkness of human nature and choices, since Overstreet can instead handily point to other causes that explain his beastmen’s flaws.
There are also some villainous humans, whose names I’ll keep secret since they would spoil the story. One of these human villains is believable and fleshed out fairly well, but the other – the really evil one – is completely unexamined. We have no idea what his motives are or how he came to be the way he is. My hope is that this villain will become clearer in the next two books of the series, and that Cyndere’s Midnight is just meant to be a mysterious introduction of the man.
The writing takes a while to get going
Jeffrey Overstreet’s writing is, like last time, enjoyable and poetic. Unfortunately, however, I found his penchant for metaphors overwhelming at the beginning, and even though I was immediately drawn to Cyndere, it was still difficult to feel her emotions through the heavy veil of symbolic language. And even though it’s no secret that her father, brother, and husband are all taken from her by the beastmen – that’s all mentioned in the book’s blurb – Cyndere’s Midnight still insists on describing each death for several pages. The book would have been much improved had Overstreet started Cyndere’s story after all of the men’s deaths and instead jumped right into the action.
On only a tangentially related note, the Christian symbolism is more obvious in Cyndere’s Midnight than in Auralia’s Colors. The Christian element still isn’t overbearing and rarely bothered me while reading, but for those of you allergic to religion, you may want to keep this in mind when deciding whether to start the series.
Why should you read this book?
If you enjoyed Auralia’s Colors, you will likely enjoy Cyndere’s Midnight – but just a little less. The characters, while generally more appealing than those from Auralia’s Colors, are still entirely new and may prove a bit of a shock to anyone expecting more about Auralia, the ale boy, or Cal-raven. However, despite the new characters, and despite the shoddy villains so far, Overstreet’s vision for the series is still obviously guiding the plot’s progress. By the end, you’ll start to see promising threads from Auralia’s Colors weave into Cyndere’s Midnight, and I am still eager to see what new surprises Overstreet will reveal in book three, Raven’s Ladder.
March 10, 2010
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."
It helps, of course, when you trust the author as someone who appreciates story & subtlety, which is certainly true of Jeffery Overstreet. As a long-time reader of his articles & reviews at ChristianityTodayMovies.com and his blog, LookingCloser.org, I was excited to find his first book, Through A Screen Darkly, which is a series of essays on movie-going & faith.
So when Mr. Overstreet released the first book in The Auralia Thread series, Auralia's Colors, I... checked it out from the library & felt really guilty about not reading it. Yeah, I know, that wasn't the story I wanted to tell either, but it's the truth. I'm not sure what kept me from digging into the first novel - some of the reviews I'd read made it sound "artsy" and I never managed to pick it up and get into it before I had to return it.
Fast forward a couple of years to the early part of 2010 when I agreed to blog/review Raven's Ladder, the third book in the series. I quickly realized that I didn't want to read book 3 before I read the first two books. So, for the past couple of weeks, I've carted around The Auralia Thread books and read them whenever I could... waiting for my boys at the park, taking a break at work, even squinting at them by the light of a bedside lamp.
Yes, the books are that good.
It's my assignment to review Raven's Ladder... a task which I'm finding daunting. I want to try & paint a picture of the book (and the series that leads up to it) without spoiling the joy of discovery that comes from reading a fantasy series set in a new world. I hope to get you to pick up Auralia's Colors and find yourself swept up by Jeffery Overstreet's beautifully crafted descriptions & plotting... leading inexorably to you buying all three books.
As I've thought about how to do this, I realized that The Auralia Thread reminds me of the TV series, "Lost." No, there's not an airline crash or a smoke monster or even a four-toed statue... but Mr. Overstreet uses the same kind of cinematic style of storytelling to move his plot forward. We get to see important moments from the viewpoints of different characters. Hints are dropped & questions are raised at odd moments that pay off chapters (or sometimes even books) later. The author, much like the writers on "Lost," isn't afraid to kill off characters or radically alter their lives rather than simply pander to our desires for things to be tied up in a simplistic package.
And while the story has definite philosophical & spiritual themes (esp. the relationship of art & faith), those themes don't seem to drive the plot. Instead, they flow out of the natural development of the characters and their lives.
Importantly for me, this is NOT a Christian allegory. Playing the "who's the Christ figure?" game with Christian-penned fantasy novels quickly grows tiresome and takes me out of the book and into "theology debate" mode. Jeffery Overstreet deftly avoids this while still dealing with questions about blind faith, the relationship of art & theology, legalism & freedom, desire as the arbiter of truth, and a plethora of other important themes.
I realize that writing about "serious themes" is likely to turn off some readers. I wonder if my initial hesitation to read Auralia's Colors has to do with other reviewers writing similar things. Pleased, give the story a chance... let the wonder & mystery of this fascinating fantasy world pull you in.
Some specific notes about Cyndere's Midnight:
•I think this is my favorite book in the series so far.
•I'm not sure if that's because I like the storytelling here... or if I hear some echoes to my own spiritual journey in the lives of the characters. Maybe both.
•Reading this book made me like Auralia's Colors even more... which I think is a real positive for a series - it says that the books are interconnected in important ways.
It's probably no surprise that I recommend this book (well, the whole series) heartily!
NOTE: this is a slightly edited version of my review for Raven's Ladder, the third book in the series.
It helps, of course, when you trust the author as someone who appreciates story & subtlety, which is certainly true of Jeffery Overstreet. As a long-time reader of his articles & reviews at ChristianityTodayMovies.com and his blog, LookingCloser.org, I was excited to find his first book, Through A Screen Darkly, which is a series of essays on movie-going & faith.
So when Mr. Overstreet released the first book in The Auralia Thread series, Auralia's Colors, I... checked it out from the library & felt really guilty about not reading it. Yeah, I know, that wasn't the story I wanted to tell either, but it's the truth. I'm not sure what kept me from digging into the first novel - some of the reviews I'd read made it sound "artsy" and I never managed to pick it up and get into it before I had to return it.
Fast forward a couple of years to the early part of 2010 when I agreed to blog/review Raven's Ladder, the third book in the series. I quickly realized that I didn't want to read book 3 before I read the first two books. So, for the past couple of weeks, I've carted around The Auralia Thread books and read them whenever I could... waiting for my boys at the park, taking a break at work, even squinting at them by the light of a bedside lamp.
Yes, the books are that good.
It's my assignment to review Raven's Ladder... a task which I'm finding daunting. I want to try & paint a picture of the book (and the series that leads up to it) without spoiling the joy of discovery that comes from reading a fantasy series set in a new world. I hope to get you to pick up Auralia's Colors and find yourself swept up by Jeffery Overstreet's beautifully crafted descriptions & plotting... leading inexorably to you buying all three books.
As I've thought about how to do this, I realized that The Auralia Thread reminds me of the TV series, "Lost." No, there's not an airline crash or a smoke monster or even a four-toed statue... but Mr. Overstreet uses the same kind of cinematic style of storytelling to move his plot forward. We get to see important moments from the viewpoints of different characters. Hints are dropped & questions are raised at odd moments that pay off chapters (or sometimes even books) later. The author, much like the writers on "Lost," isn't afraid to kill off characters or radically alter their lives rather than simply pander to our desires for things to be tied up in a simplistic package.
And while the story has definite philosophical & spiritual themes (esp. the relationship of art & faith), those themes don't seem to drive the plot. Instead, they flow out of the natural development of the characters and their lives.
Importantly for me, this is NOT a Christian allegory. Playing the "who's the Christ figure?" game with Christian-penned fantasy novels quickly grows tiresome and takes me out of the book and into "theology debate" mode. Jeffery Overstreet deftly avoids this while still dealing with questions about blind faith, the relationship of art & theology, legalism & freedom, desire as the arbiter of truth, and a plethora of other important themes.
I realize that writing about "serious themes" is likely to turn off some readers. I wonder if my initial hesitation to read Auralia's Colors has to do with other reviewers writing similar things. Pleased, give the story a chance... let the wonder & mystery of this fascinating fantasy world pull you in.
Some specific notes about Cyndere's Midnight:
•I think this is my favorite book in the series so far.
•I'm not sure if that's because I like the storytelling here... or if I hear some echoes to my own spiritual journey in the lives of the characters. Maybe both.
•Reading this book made me like Auralia's Colors even more... which I think is a real positive for a series - it says that the books are interconnected in important ways.
It's probably no surprise that I recommend this book (well, the whole series) heartily!
NOTE: this is a slightly edited version of my review for Raven's Ladder, the third book in the series.
October 15, 2009
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.
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.
August 9, 2015
While not quite as well composed as Auralia's Colors (the first in the series), Cyndere's Midnight is still a beautiful book.
Now more familiar with Overstreet's poetic prose, I was able to to focus more on the characters, some of which lacked any real flesh until the end of the novel and frustrated me. However, characters like Jordam, Mordafey, Goreth, Cal-Raven, the ale boy, Deuneroi, and Cyndere came out excellently rendered and even Ryllion and Emerine gained some strength toward the end.
Burdened with a greater geographical span than Auralia, the book moved more slowly and up until the last quarter I was prepared to give it four stars, interested but not greatly moved.
But then came Auralia's fear chamber. And my heart broke.
Even Auralia, brave Auralia, has a place she fears. A place she paints in dark colors, with skulls and bones and webs. A place where she is unsafe.
And yet in her sculpting of her fear, she transforms it into something beautiful. She sets people free.
I have many chambers of fear in my heart. Like Auralia, I also want them to be transformed into freedom.
So once again, I say well done. Once again, 5 stars and a tearful smile.
Some favorite lines:
"This is how we show that we are strong, Jordam. We do what is difficult."
"Beauty had made the people stand still--the poor and the powerful, the dreamers and the dangerous."
"We did it...we fought a battle with light."
"No one has gifts like Auralia...The world would burst into flames."
Now more familiar with Overstreet's poetic prose, I was able to to focus more on the characters, some of which lacked any real flesh until the end of the novel and frustrated me. However, characters like Jordam, Mordafey, Goreth, Cal-Raven, the ale boy, Deuneroi, and Cyndere came out excellently rendered and even Ryllion and Emerine gained some strength toward the end.
Burdened with a greater geographical span than Auralia, the book moved more slowly and up until the last quarter I was prepared to give it four stars, interested but not greatly moved.
But then came Auralia's fear chamber. And my heart broke.
Even Auralia, brave Auralia, has a place she fears. A place she paints in dark colors, with skulls and bones and webs. A place where she is unsafe.
And yet in her sculpting of her fear, she transforms it into something beautiful. She sets people free.
I have many chambers of fear in my heart. Like Auralia, I also want them to be transformed into freedom.
So once again, I say well done. Once again, 5 stars and a tearful smile.
Some favorite lines:
"This is how we show that we are strong, Jordam. We do what is difficult."
"Beauty had made the people stand still--the poor and the powerful, the dreamers and the dangerous."
"We did it...we fought a battle with light."
"No one has gifts like Auralia...The world would burst into flames."
March 2, 2010
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.
Just found out that it will be a 4 book series.
August 22, 2015
Loving this series! If you enjoy fantasy you should definitely check it out!
September 17, 2018
Definitely an improvement from the first book. Wasn't as vague and confusing. The story took a while to build though, just like the first one. Most of the big events happen in the last 1/3 of the book, so stick with it until the end.
I really liked the development of Bel/Cyndere and Jordam's relationship. I look forward to reading the rest of the books to see what happens.
I really liked the development of Bel/Cyndere and Jordam's relationship. I look forward to reading the rest of the books to see what happens.
November 30, 2018
I love how the metaphors and layers of meaning just spread, but not in an obnoxious way. And I desperately want to visit Auralia's Caves.
I think if it had been a few chapters shorter, it would have been perfect, but I get that there are some things that are being set up for the next book as well.
I think if it had been a few chapters shorter, it would have been perfect, but I get that there are some things that are being set up for the next book as well.
May 29, 2019
Can’t wait to see where this is all going!
December 2, 2023
What a beautifully written story. The imagery is creative and breathtaking in some places. I am looking forward to read book 3 in the series.
March 18, 2010
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.
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.
June 12, 2009
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.
* 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.
July 5, 2015
This story continues the series that began with "Auralia's Colors."
First thoughts: "Cyndere's Midnight" is a really interesting read. I enjoyed it more than "Auralia's Colors," mostly because this time around I actually kinda liked the characters (I didn't find Auralia or Cal-Raven that interesting in the first book.) But this story doesn't center on Auralia, but instead on the side characters from the first book, and a few new ones. One thing I really enjoy from Overstreet is that he never forgets a name- if there was a character mentioned by name in the last book who made it into the second book, you can pretty much guarantee that he'll give you an update. They are all still present, and he didn't throw them away.
Summary: So this book focuses on two people, and the first is Cyndere, the princess and heir of House Bel Amica. Cyndere is not a happy person. She's had a lot of tragedy in her life, and her one goal was to find a way to heal the beastmen of Cent Regus from their terrible curse. But when her husband is killed by beastmen while scouting for survivors in Abascar, she gives up and retreats to the forest. But it is there that she meets Jordam, a beastman who is coming back from the brink after being exposed to Auralia's colors.
Jordam is the other main characters, and I think the more interesting of the two. He is traveling in a pack with his three brothers, but he is different, and it is interesting to finally see beastmen up close. Jordam yearns for something he doesn't understand, and with his connection to Cyndere and others, he begins to separate himself from his people, putting both himself and Cyndere at risk.
And there's also a third plot, focusing on Cal-Raven, the Ale Boy, and the survivors from Abascar. It's hard to explain without giving it away.
Overstreet's writing is beautiful as before, with amazing descriptions (and personally I love how he casually invents his own flora and fauna, lending a touch of the fantastic to even the most mundane trips and meals in the book.)I liked both Cyndere and Jordam, probably Jordam more since his world was so interesting, but I think I liked everyone a little better, including the Ale Boy and Cal-Raven. The characters just felt more natural, more human and relatable. In the first book, everyone was a little too focused on how perfect and wonderful Auralia was. Now, we get some meat, and I think it pays off because this time around I really cared. And since Overstreet seems okay with killing people off whenever it would be realistic and logical, you have to watch out for those people you like!
I think it's safe to say that if you enjoyed the last book, you'll enjoy this one as well. If you haven't read it, I would give "Auralia's Colors" a shot first. This really isn't one of those books were you can jump in on the second one. I would definitely suggest reading the first one, and then see what you think.
First thoughts: "Cyndere's Midnight" is a really interesting read. I enjoyed it more than "Auralia's Colors," mostly because this time around I actually kinda liked the characters (I didn't find Auralia or Cal-Raven that interesting in the first book.) But this story doesn't center on Auralia, but instead on the side characters from the first book, and a few new ones. One thing I really enjoy from Overstreet is that he never forgets a name- if there was a character mentioned by name in the last book who made it into the second book, you can pretty much guarantee that he'll give you an update. They are all still present, and he didn't throw them away.
Summary: So this book focuses on two people, and the first is Cyndere, the princess and heir of House Bel Amica. Cyndere is not a happy person. She's had a lot of tragedy in her life, and her one goal was to find a way to heal the beastmen of Cent Regus from their terrible curse. But when her husband is killed by beastmen while scouting for survivors in Abascar, she gives up and retreats to the forest. But it is there that she meets Jordam, a beastman who is coming back from the brink after being exposed to Auralia's colors.
Jordam is the other main characters, and I think the more interesting of the two. He is traveling in a pack with his three brothers, but he is different, and it is interesting to finally see beastmen up close. Jordam yearns for something he doesn't understand, and with his connection to Cyndere and others, he begins to separate himself from his people, putting both himself and Cyndere at risk.
And there's also a third plot, focusing on Cal-Raven, the Ale Boy, and the survivors from Abascar. It's hard to explain without giving it away.
Overstreet's writing is beautiful as before, with amazing descriptions (and personally I love how he casually invents his own flora and fauna, lending a touch of the fantastic to even the most mundane trips and meals in the book.)I liked both Cyndere and Jordam, probably Jordam more since his world was so interesting, but I think I liked everyone a little better, including the Ale Boy and Cal-Raven. The characters just felt more natural, more human and relatable. In the first book, everyone was a little too focused on how perfect and wonderful Auralia was. Now, we get some meat, and I think it pays off because this time around I really cared. And since Overstreet seems okay with killing people off whenever it would be realistic and logical, you have to watch out for those people you like!
I think it's safe to say that if you enjoyed the last book, you'll enjoy this one as well. If you haven't read it, I would give "Auralia's Colors" a shot first. This really isn't one of those books were you can jump in on the second one. I would definitely suggest reading the first one, and then see what you think.
January 1, 2009
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 Deuneroi is killed by the very people he sought to help, can Cyndere continue with the dream? Her first opportunity comes when she meets Jordam.
Jordam is a Beastman, but he knows there is a better way--Auralia's colors. But she's gone, and his old nature is reasserting itself. It craves the Essence--the elixir that controls Jordam and his fellow Beastmen. Jordam and Cyndere meet beside an old well, and Jordam recognizes the pain that Cyndere carries--a pain he carries himself. The two traditional enemies form a cautious bond, but will it survive those more interested in destruction than restoration? Jordam is torn between the world of the Beastmen--one of violence and destruction--and of a better way.
This novel also raises more questions than it answers regarding the Keeper and the Northchildren. The ale boy is back as well as King Cal-raven and the survivors of House Abascar.
One thought that kept occuring to me as I read this book was we never know of the impact our lives, no matter how lived, will have on those we may or may not meet. A central character's influence from the first book is profound throughout the second. Even though not physically present, that influence touches and affects people and events near and far.
It's a thought that has stuck with me, long after finishing the book.
Now I'm impatiently waiting for the third book in the Auralia Thread series.
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 Deuneroi is killed by the very people he sought to help, can Cyndere continue with the dream? Her first opportunity comes when she meets Jordam.
Jordam is a Beastman, but he knows there is a better way--Auralia's colors. But she's gone, and his old nature is reasserting itself. It craves the Essence--the elixir that controls Jordam and his fellow Beastmen. Jordam and Cyndere meet beside an old well, and Jordam recognizes the pain that Cyndere carries--a pain he carries himself. The two traditional enemies form a cautious bond, but will it survive those more interested in destruction than restoration? Jordam is torn between the world of the Beastmen--one of violence and destruction--and of a better way.
This novel also raises more questions than it answers regarding the Keeper and the Northchildren. The ale boy is back as well as King Cal-raven and the survivors of House Abascar.
One thought that kept occuring to me as I read this book was we never know of the impact our lives, no matter how lived, will have on those we may or may not meet. A central character's influence from the first book is profound throughout the second. Even though not physically present, that influence touches and affects people and events near and far.
It's a thought that has stuck with me, long after finishing the book.
Now I'm impatiently waiting for the third book in the Auralia Thread series.
June 22, 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 hidden in it, but it was surprisingly subtle, which made it even sweeter.
The major theme of this book was 'struggle', and the blue lights serving as something to calm their raging minds, as a safe haven where they could rest. You've got the beastmen struggling with their baser and nobler instincts, walking on the thin line between sanity and insanity, Cyndere struggling with the loss of her husband and her noble cause, her sisterly struggling with loss and jealously, Ryllion struggling with his 'moon spirits' and what appears to be remnants of his conscience, Cal-Raven struggling to lead, the people of Ascabar struggling to survive. I like how not everyone succeeds in their struggle and how there are in betweens, those like Goreth, neither here nor there, because that really mirrors reality. Even though it is set in a fantasy land, their struggles are something that everyone can relate to, which really grounds the novel.
I adored Jordam, a character who tries so hard, even though he is despised by the weakerfolk and is bound to the Essence, just to do the right thing instead of caving to his baser instincts. It is mad struggle to get there, but when he gets there he finds peace, coherency, and rest. How awesome is that??
The day I finished this book, I went to the library for the rest and was pleasantly surprised to find the other three in the series, so I borrowed them all at one shot. Can't wait to delve more into this wonderful world!
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 hidden in it, but it was surprisingly subtle, which made it even sweeter.
The major theme of this book was 'struggle', and the blue lights serving as something to calm their raging minds, as a safe haven where they could rest. You've got the beastmen struggling with their baser and nobler instincts, walking on the thin line between sanity and insanity, Cyndere struggling with the loss of her husband and her noble cause, her sisterly struggling with loss and jealously, Ryllion struggling with his 'moon spirits' and what appears to be remnants of his conscience, Cal-Raven struggling to lead, the people of Ascabar struggling to survive. I like how not everyone succeeds in their struggle and how there are in betweens, those like Goreth, neither here nor there, because that really mirrors reality. Even though it is set in a fantasy land, their struggles are something that everyone can relate to, which really grounds the novel.
I adored Jordam, a character who tries so hard, even though he is despised by the weakerfolk and is bound to the Essence, just to do the right thing instead of caving to his baser instincts. It is mad struggle to get there, but when he gets there he finds peace, coherency, and rest. How awesome is that??
The day I finished this book, I went to the library for the rest and was pleasantly surprised to find the other three in the series, so I borrowed them all at one shot. Can't wait to delve more into this wonderful world!
June 26, 2016
Good night this book...this book took me so long to read (because of school, testing, then me graduating and up till now, I thought I'll never finish this book at all) but I gave it 3.4 out of 5 stars, mainly because of the ending and because of the slow, action-packed read that I was ready to give it up. Like...set the book down, I can't do this anymore, this book is bloody boring, when the heck can I finish this book so I can read something else....but then after finding a playlist on Spotify, I finished it...and my god this book was really good.
Cyndere's Midnight is all about Cyndere and Jordam, an heiress and a beastman, trying to find some way to bring peace between the Cent Regus and the humans, though after Cyndere's husband's death, she thought it was all over. Everyone kept telling her to forget her husband's dreams of taming the Cent Regus and morn for him, but she wouldn't do it. Jordam is torn to be with his three brothers, including that awful Mordafey, drink the Essence, and please the Skell Wra in some sick and twisted fashion that I can't remember. But as I sat here in my kitchen and finished reading this book, I cried close to the ending....but I KNEW something was up with Ryllion and the Seer...until I read how the Seer, Pretor Xa (I know, weird name n' all) planned on the death of Cyndere's husband without her even knowing.
Da eff?
But I liked it, though it was slow in the beginning and picked up in the middle, along with Auralia's Colors and her caves where she shows her colors-and the ale boy (in which I want to know his name...like bro, WHAT IS YOUR NAME????) who is a descendant of Tammos Rak-who can walk through fire. Shocking, I know. BUT HE CAN WALK THROUGH FIRE AND ALSO NOT GET BURNED.
Cyndere's Midnight is all about Cyndere and Jordam, an heiress and a beastman, trying to find some way to bring peace between the Cent Regus and the humans, though after Cyndere's husband's death, she thought it was all over. Everyone kept telling her to forget her husband's dreams of taming the Cent Regus and morn for him, but she wouldn't do it. Jordam is torn to be with his three brothers, including that awful Mordafey, drink the Essence, and please the Skell Wra in some sick and twisted fashion that I can't remember. But as I sat here in my kitchen and finished reading this book, I cried close to the ending....but I KNEW something was up with Ryllion and the Seer...until I read how the Seer, Pretor Xa (I know, weird name n' all) planned on the death of Cyndere's husband without her even knowing.
Da eff?
But I liked it, though it was slow in the beginning and picked up in the middle, along with Auralia's Colors and her caves where she shows her colors-and the ale boy (in which I want to know his name...like bro, WHAT IS YOUR NAME????) who is a descendant of Tammos Rak-who can walk through fire. Shocking, I know. BUT HE CAN WALK THROUGH FIRE AND ALSO NOT GET BURNED.
February 18, 2009
OK, this book WILL NOT make sense if you have not read the first book. It is definitely a little more intense, but "dark" is NOT the best description. I love this book, and I look forward to Cal-Raven's Ladder! Jeffrey Overstreet ROCKS!
This follows the remnant of Abascar as they struggle for survival in the Blackstone Caves. We also journey to house Bel Amica, where we meet Cyndere, the heiress. She has lost everyone in her family except her mother, the queen, to the blood thirsty Beast-Men of Cent Regus. Before Cyndere's husband died, they had shared a dream of reversing the curse of Cent Regus, but then the people of Cent Regus killed the king-to-be. Now we meet a Beast-Man who is not all bad, and he is entranced by Auralia's colors, and he flares up the hope that Cyndere had of curing the Beast-Men of their curse.
The book ends with hope as the possibly good beastman, Jordam, begins to heal, and he even starts to free some human slaves from beastman clutches (namely Partayn, Cyndere's brother), and he stays and waits for Cyndere to show him, a healing beastman, to the whole of House Bel Amica.
This follows the remnant of Abascar as they struggle for survival in the Blackstone Caves. We also journey to house Bel Amica, where we meet Cyndere, the heiress. She has lost everyone in her family except her mother, the queen, to the blood thirsty Beast-Men of Cent Regus. Before Cyndere's husband died, they had shared a dream of reversing the curse of Cent Regus, but then the people of Cent Regus killed the king-to-be. Now we meet a Beast-Man who is not all bad, and he is entranced by Auralia's colors, and he flares up the hope that Cyndere had of curing the Beast-Men of their curse.
The book ends with hope as the possibly good beastman, Jordam, begins to heal, and he even starts to free some human slaves from beastman clutches (namely Partayn, Cyndere's brother), and he stays and waits for Cyndere to show him, a healing beastman, to the whole of House Bel Amica.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2010
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 words that are hyphenations of words you already know: beastman, for instance. Something in my mind says, if this is really a fantasy realm, why do I recognize all of these words? Why aren't the beastmen called Narpolts, or Quazlech?
Like the great fantasy writers of the past, you can tell that Overstreet is completely immersed in this world that he has created, complete with civilizations, geography, geopolitical realms, flora & fauna, etc. And since he has spent the time and effort to be able to get to such a place, he can lead us there.
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 words that are hyphenations of words you already know: beastman, for instance. Something in my mind says, if this is really a fantasy realm, why do I recognize all of these words? Why aren't the beastmen called Narpolts, or Quazlech?
Like the great fantasy writers of the past, you can tell that Overstreet is completely immersed in this world that he has created, complete with civilizations, geography, geopolitical realms, flora & fauna, etc. And since he has spent the time and effort to be able to get to such a place, he can lead us there.
April 26, 2010
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, brother and husband. She retreats to a small outpost on the border between Bel Amica's territory and that of the cursed house, Cent Regus. There, she finds that her husband's death is part of a larger plot to upset the order of House Bel Amica, and all the other civilized houses in The Expanse...
I enjoyed Cyndere's Midnight very much. I particularly appreciated how the action shifted from one character to another smoothly, but also in a way that kept my attention. Overstreet's world is a fascinating place, and I look forward to returning there in the next book in the series.
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, brother and husband. She retreats to a small outpost on the border between Bel Amica's territory and that of the cursed house, Cent Regus. There, she finds that her husband's death is part of a larger plot to upset the order of House Bel Amica, and all the other civilized houses in The Expanse...
I enjoyed Cyndere's Midnight very much. I particularly appreciated how the action shifted from one character to another smoothly, but also in a way that kept my attention. Overstreet's world is a fascinating place, and I look forward to returning there in the next book in the series.
October 20, 2008
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 through the adventures and events in this book. It left me with chills and tears because I was sorry the book had ended! I'm glad there's more to come!
The other characters also grow and develop through the adventures and events in this book. It left me with chills and tears because I was sorry the book had ended! I'm glad there's more to come!
October 31, 2013
Cyndere's Midnight is not only a fantabulous fantasy novel and sequel to Auralia's Colors but one of my favorite books of the year. Jeffrey Overstreet's wonderful way with words wins the hardened heart over. How? By building upon and breaking beyond "Beauty and the Beast." Compassionate and complex casting of characters. Lyrical and lovely language. Poetical and powerful prose. Suspenseful storytelling strategies: Shakespearean shades and Tolkien techniques. "Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme..." Tantalizing and timely turns and twists of faith over fate. Finally, thank you, Jeff, for keeping the faith!
August 17, 2014
Still unsure what I think about this one. I tolerated moonspirits because I thought they were false gods and the Overstreet was pointing to that Keeper (God-character) as the true God. But Scharr Ben Fray's comment near the end (something about moonspirits, Northchildren, and the Keeper all being together) made me think perhaps they weren't. And now I can't figure out where they fit into the allegorical side of the story, and am uncomfortable because they remind me of Eastern mysticism.
There was also some gratuitous discussion of nudity and repeated mention of marriage beds.
There was also some gratuitous discussion of nudity and repeated mention of marriage beds.
June 26, 2011
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!!
September 22, 2008
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...
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...
February 19, 2009
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!
December 10, 2012
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.
July 28, 2015
I was completely " hooked" on Aurelia in the first novel. The ale boy was my second favorite character. He's in the second novel quite a bit. However, this novel did not enthrall me as much as the first one. I sort of burned out on " evil thIngs beast men do." I also figured out two kind of major plot twists way early, which was a bummer for me.
January 19, 2009
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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