Title: Born of the Night
Author: Amanda Ashley
In: Stroke of Midnight (Sherrilyn Kenyon, Amanda Ashley, L.A. Banks & Lori Handeland)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Werewolves
Dates read: 31st January 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperback
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: “She is no longer your daughter,” Reyes retorted, wincing as the blade nicked his skin.
When Lady Shanara Montiori is taken hostage, she learns that the rumors about her captor are true. Lord Reyes is afflicted with the dark curse of the werewolf. Still, Shanara can’t fight the attraction they both feel. Will their love break the curse-or feed its powerful hold?
This is a great little standalone novella. It was easy, a great world, but I wasn’t disappointed when I found out that it was a standalone. There was just something easy, happy and pleasant about this being a standalone. There was enough going on that I couldn’t put the story down. But everything was tied up neatly at the conclusion, unlike some of the novellas that really need to be a part of a greater series.
I liked the whole Romeo and Juliet feel to this story. After all, it’s two people from warring factions, thrust together. Alright, Reyes actually kidnaps Shanara and plans to use her as bait for her father… but it’s still got that whole forbidden love feel to it. Especially when they realise that they’re starting to fall for one another, and regret it seriously since they’re you know… enemies.
One of the things I love the most about this novella is that everything comes full circle. Reyes must deal with a curse placed upon his father. And is seeking revenge for his father’s death. Shanara is the child of the man who is responsible for much of this. It’s quite poetic that the woman who originally causes all of the heartache is also the one who provides the happily ever after.
There is just something about this novella that is sweet, easy and a nice way to end a long day. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it was about the story that made me so happy, but I look forward to reading it again in the future to figure out just what it was that I loved so much…
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