Official Review: Midnight Dreamer by C.R. Barlow
Posted: 09 Sep 2015, 11:59
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Midnight Dreamer" by C.R. Barlow.]
1 out of 4 stars
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Midnight Dreamer by C.R. Barlow is a romantic tale which tells the story of Rebecca ‘Becca’ Grant, newly divorced university student embarking on the next phase of her life. Her ex-husband has divorced her after cheating on her less than a year into their marriage. In an effort to improve her opportunities, Becca has given full custody of her baby daughter to her ex-husband in order to concentrate on her education and degree.
Becca meets Samuel, ostensibly another student, during her first class and quickly develop a friendship. Just as their relationship is about to progress further Samuel is forced to tell Becca he is an angel; the last of seven created by an archangel three thousand years ago. Becca believes Samuel gave her something to hallucinate all he showed her in an effort to prove his other-worldliness; however, she ultimately relents to hear his explanation and their relationship quickly develops beyond friendship.
As their relationship deepens, Becca confesses to Samuel that she is divorced and has a child. Samuel is infuriated that her past is sullied and repudiates Becca. Samuel comes to his senses when Becca is almost attacked by demons, searching for him. Samuel explains that she will always be in danger unless she allows him to turn her into an angel. In order to protect herself and her child, Becca agrees to become an angel and remain by Samuel’s side forever.
I gave Midnight Dreamer 1 out of 4 stars. My first issue is calling it a short story. There is no closure to the story and it ends in a very obvious cliff hanger - this is part one of a longer story. Secondly, I had a hard time empathizing with the main character Becca. I never felt the depth of feeling Becca claims for Samuel. The author states it, but never explains why. What led to it other than a kiss or the attention Samuel paid to Becca? I want the romance books I read to evoke emotion, to make me feel for the characters when they are happy or sad, even if I don’t personally identify with the character.
I was also confused when it came to Samuel's status as an angel. The process by which he became an angel seemed more vampiric than angelic. After becoming an angel Becca states the reason she and Samuel are together is because, “The universe, God, whatever power shaped our lives, had put us together.” Shouldn’t you inherently believe in God if you are an angel? If the idea is to present an alternate understanding of theological symbolism, then the author should explain the idea to the reader.
I struggled to finish this story, even as short as it was. I never truly believed in the characters or their relationship and struggled to understand why they were together. I had too many questions regarding Samuel to believe the premise of him being an angel. This may be by design - the author may elaborate or explain in later portions of the book. Ultimately, Midnight Dreamer did not pique my interest enough to want to find out.
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Midnight Dreamer
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1 out of 4 stars
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Midnight Dreamer by C.R. Barlow is a romantic tale which tells the story of Rebecca ‘Becca’ Grant, newly divorced university student embarking on the next phase of her life. Her ex-husband has divorced her after cheating on her less than a year into their marriage. In an effort to improve her opportunities, Becca has given full custody of her baby daughter to her ex-husband in order to concentrate on her education and degree.
Becca meets Samuel, ostensibly another student, during her first class and quickly develop a friendship. Just as their relationship is about to progress further Samuel is forced to tell Becca he is an angel; the last of seven created by an archangel three thousand years ago. Becca believes Samuel gave her something to hallucinate all he showed her in an effort to prove his other-worldliness; however, she ultimately relents to hear his explanation and their relationship quickly develops beyond friendship.
As their relationship deepens, Becca confesses to Samuel that she is divorced and has a child. Samuel is infuriated that her past is sullied and repudiates Becca. Samuel comes to his senses when Becca is almost attacked by demons, searching for him. Samuel explains that she will always be in danger unless she allows him to turn her into an angel. In order to protect herself and her child, Becca agrees to become an angel and remain by Samuel’s side forever.
I gave Midnight Dreamer 1 out of 4 stars. My first issue is calling it a short story. There is no closure to the story and it ends in a very obvious cliff hanger - this is part one of a longer story. Secondly, I had a hard time empathizing with the main character Becca. I never felt the depth of feeling Becca claims for Samuel. The author states it, but never explains why. What led to it other than a kiss or the attention Samuel paid to Becca? I want the romance books I read to evoke emotion, to make me feel for the characters when they are happy or sad, even if I don’t personally identify with the character.
I was also confused when it came to Samuel's status as an angel. The process by which he became an angel seemed more vampiric than angelic. After becoming an angel Becca states the reason she and Samuel are together is because, “The universe, God, whatever power shaped our lives, had put us together.” Shouldn’t you inherently believe in God if you are an angel? If the idea is to present an alternate understanding of theological symbolism, then the author should explain the idea to the reader.
I struggled to finish this story, even as short as it was. I never truly believed in the characters or their relationship and struggled to understand why they were together. I had too many questions regarding Samuel to believe the premise of him being an angel. This may be by design - the author may elaborate or explain in later portions of the book. Ultimately, Midnight Dreamer did not pique my interest enough to want to find out.
******
Midnight Dreamer
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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