MIDNIGHT LABYRINTH is the first book in an all new contemporary fantasy series by Elizabeth Hunter, author of the Elemental Mysteries and the Irin Chronicles.
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SYNOPSIS
He’s one human caught in a tangled maze of theft, politics,
magic, and blood. In other words, it’s just another night.
Benjamin Vecchio escaped a chaotic childhood and grew to adulthood under the protection and training of one of the Elemental world’s most feared vampire assassins. He’s traveled the world and battled immortal enemies.
Benjamin Vecchio escaped a chaotic childhood and grew to adulthood under the protection and training of one of the Elemental world’s most feared vampire assassins. He’s traveled the world and battled immortal enemies.
But everyone has to go home sometime.
New York means new opportunities and allies for Ben and his
vampire partner, Tenzin. It also means new politics and new threats. Their
antiquities business is taking off, and their client list is growing. When Ben
is challenged to find a painting lost since the second world war, he jumps at
the chance. This job will keep him closer to home, but it might just land him
in hot water with the insular clan of earth vampires who run Manhattan.
Tenzin knew the painting would be trouble before she laid
eyes on it, but she can’t deny the challenge intrigues her. Human laws mean
little to a vampire with a few millennia behind her, and Tenzin misses the rush
of taking what isn’t hers.
But nothing is more dangerous than a human with half the
story, and Ben and Tenzin might end up risking their reputations and their
lives before they escape the Midnight Labyrinth.
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ABOUT ELIZABETH HUNTER
ELIZABETH HUNTER is a contemporary fantasy, paranormal
romance, and paranormal mystery author. She is a graduate of the University of
Houston Honors College and a former English teacher. She once substitute taught
a kindergarten class, but decided that middle school was far less frightening.
She’s the author of the Elemental Mysteries, the Irin Chronicles, and the
Cambio Springs Mysteries.
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Midnight Labyrinth by Elizabeth HunterMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Title: Midnight Labyrinth
Series: Elemental Legacy #4
Author: Elizabeth Hunter
Release date: November 7, 2017
Cliffhanger: No
After reading the first two books in the Elemental Mystery series , I was already familiar with Ben and Tenzin.
However, Ben was still a young boy, and things have changed since I read them. I'm thinking that missing those last two books, and the three novellas preceding Midnight Labyrinth didn't do me any favors. I'm sure now that I was missing some important nuances between the main characters. The sign up for this was misleading in telling me this was (and I quote) "the first book in an all-new contemporary fantasy series by Elizabeth Hunter". I was expecting some sort of romance. A slow burn, or even just a hint that's only introduced in their first full length. What I got a whole heap of platonic friendship laced with an abrupt drunken declaration of deeper feelings that didn't fit or feel natural.
The author states on her website that the two of them ending up together is not out of the question. But if I'm to believe in a possible relationship later, should I not have seen some real clues leading up to that? Some angst? The way their feelings were presented had me thoroughly confused.
For example, more than one person implied to Ben that his feelings went far beyond platonic. I saw absolutely nothing in his thoughts or actions to lead me to believe that. I need to be shown, not told. Tenzin's makeover suddenly filling him with a surge of passionate attraction and lust was very abrupt. What I did see was his thoughts and emotions towards his girlfriend. Immediately after passionately declaring to Tenzin that he wanted to be alone with her, he jumps in bed with the girlfriend. Did that bother Tenzin? Not. One. Bit. The entire matter is balled up, thrown aside, and ignored like it never even happened. Honestly, I would have been MUCH happier to take a possible romance entirely out of the equation.
Putting the relationship dynamic aside, let's address the mystery, the real story here.
Ben and Tenzin are business partners and long-time friends. Well, not so long for Tenzin, considering she's a vamp who's lived several millenniums, and he's a human whose life is like the blink of an eye to her. So...keep in mind that time is relative with them. Ben entered the vampire world through his uncle Gio who raised him, and though he remains a part of that world, has no desire to lose his humanity. He's travelled the world and been on grand adventures that most could only dream of. The problem is, you can't see what he's seen without gaining an enemy or two. And if you upset a powerful elemental vampire upset, there's going to be hell to pay.
Tenzin was a very intriguing and complex character. Her knowledge of human behavior, and overall intelligence is truly unparalleled. Living so long, she's seen every facet of beauty and darkness that the world has to offer. So when she opens her mouth to give advice, you can count on having real wisdom gifted to you. On the other hand, she's hilariously inept at modern society. Or else, she just doesn't care to conform to polite or banal chit chat. She's blunt, socially awkward, and fiercely loyal to those small few who make her inner circle. Her people. There's a ruthless side to her that cannot be ignored, but in the end, you can't help feeling a little bit in awe of her.
Ben and Tenzin are both similar in that they are both drawn to the excitement of adventure. Discovering things long ago lost, and the thrill that surrounds the chase. In this story, they're drawn into a mystery revolving around a set of paintings: The Midnight Labyrinth, The Twilight, and Dawn Labyrinth. Two of the three are on display at the museum, but the third has disappeared after being stolen during the war. The story immediately pulls Ben in, and playing hero is an added bonus. However, things are not quite what they appear. Deceptions have been plotted, and they need to stay on their guard in order to pull off the heist he feels will restore peace to the artist's family.
My feelings were that it was very slow going in the first half, and I felt like I was waiting for something of consequence to happen. But when the action finally kicked forward in the last 30-40%, I had no complaints. The secondary characters Gavin and Chloe had a fantastic sub-plot that had me completely hooked. Strangely, it was almost like this felt like their book more than Ben and Tenzin's. They stole the show so much that I actually got disappointed when their scenes would end. I wish I could have felt the same excitement for the two main characters, but there was a clear disconnect somewhere.
Midnight Labyrinth had its moments of action and humor that undoubtedly kept me entertained. As always, the characters were well-developed and original, and that's why I'll continue to read her stories. But I just couldn't say that I enjoyed it enough to finish off the series with the final book. There was an open ending, a to be continued type of situation. So there's no need to proceed with caution if you don't care to be left hanging off the dreaded cliff.
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