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Publication
Jove (2010), Paperback, 320 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Romance. Suspense. HTML:It began with Krentz...continued with Quick...and now it will end with Castle. Book Three of the Dreamlight trilogy. For many earthly centuries, a legendary curse has plagued the Winters family, stemming from the tumultuous founding of the Arcane Society. But now, on the futuristic world of Harmony, the curse's final mystery will be unraveled... Head of the ghost hunters guild Adam Winters and dreamlight reader extraordinaire Marlowe Jones must break the curse, save Harmony's entire underworld-and fight a passion that could destroy them both. Watch a Video.
Language
Original language
English
User reviews
LibraryThing member SunnySD
The new head of the Jones & Jones Paranormal Private Investigations wears a lot of black leather and rides a Hog. Even her dust bunny rocks a studded color. But despite the tough exterior, Marlowe Jones is less at home in the field than she'd like. And her latest case - tracking down who stole a
The Winters family may be traditional enemies of the Jones family, but for Adam, the moment he lays eyes on Marlowe he knows that there's more between them than antipathy and a stolen artifact. Marlowe's talent with dreamlight may be the only thing standing between Adam and the madness at the dark end of the spectrum.
I have to admit, the whole Burning Lamp series didn't enchant me the way Krentz's earlier books have. And the conclusion to her series didn't do much to improve things. Cute dust bunny antics aside, this is pretty formulaic and predictable fare without much tension even given the multiple plot threads going on.
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rare object from the Arcane Society museum - has her rubbing elbows with the new Frequency City Guild boss, a man with a few secrets of his own.The Winters family may be traditional enemies of the Jones family, but for Adam, the moment he lays eyes on Marlowe he knows that there's more between them than antipathy and a stolen artifact. Marlowe's talent with dreamlight may be the only thing standing between Adam and the madness at the dark end of the spectrum.
I have to admit, the whole Burning Lamp series didn't enchant me the way Krentz's earlier books have. And the conclusion to her series didn't do much to improve things. Cute dust bunny antics aside, this is pretty formulaic and predictable fare without much tension even given the multiple plot threads going on.
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LibraryThing member thewalkinggirl
Marlowe and Adam were interesting characters and their interactions were sweet and enjoyable to watch, I just wish more of the focus had been on them and their relationships with each other and their families and friends. The problem for me was that the Dreamlight lamp storyline has already been
The writing was light and fast-paced, and I am looking forward the next in the Ghost Hunters series, but I'm very happy that this trilogy is done.
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done and in almost the exact same sequence of events, so there was no real mystery, suspense or excitement in the plotting. The writing was light and fast-paced, and I am looking forward the next in the Ghost Hunters series, but I'm very happy that this trilogy is done.
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LibraryThing member montano
Castle's third book of the Dreamlight series is a retread. Although the setting is supposed to be on a distant planet centuries in the future, the dialog and trappings feel like modern day America with a few buzz words thrown in.
The whole story plays out exactly like the last installment. There is
The whole story plays out exactly like the last installment. There is
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no suspense when you know exactly how the last story unfolded. Show Less
LibraryThing member hoosgracie
I read this because it is part of Castle's Harmony series as well. I enjoyed the story and the dust bunny - Gibson - in this one was particularly amusing.
LibraryThing member bbrazy
Slang peculiar to the fantasy planet of Harmony makes the story difficult to follow.
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
This is the third in an Arcane Society trilogy that involves the Burning Lamp. Each is written in Jayne Ann Krentz's alternative worlds, the victorian under the Amanda Quick name, contemporary under Jayne Ann Krentz and the futuristic under the Jayne Castle name. All three involve Men from The
It's futuristic in that it's set on a different planet with alien ruins and an alien species referred to as Fluff Bunnies, who, it would appear, are more than they seem. I refer to it as SF-lite because it feels like a contemporary setting with a minor glaze of SF.
The two main characters do come across quite well as being strong and interesting and their relationship does grow and has to overcome some obstacles (not the least of which is that there's someone out to kill them). I didn't find it a bad read but the Jayne Castle books are my least favourite of this author. I often feel that the SF elements just don't gell enough to make it different enough. It's as if she's trying to appeal to too many markets at once.
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Winters family who have to battle the curse of their family with the Burning Lamp and a psychic woman. This time it's Adam Winters and Marlowe Jones.It's futuristic in that it's set on a different planet with alien ruins and an alien species referred to as Fluff Bunnies, who, it would appear, are more than they seem. I refer to it as SF-lite because it feels like a contemporary setting with a minor glaze of SF.
The two main characters do come across quite well as being strong and interesting and their relationship does grow and has to overcome some obstacles (not the least of which is that there's someone out to kill them). I didn't find it a bad read but the Jayne Castle books are my least favourite of this author. I often feel that the SF elements just don't gell enough to make it different enough. It's as if she's trying to appeal to too many markets at once.
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LibraryThing member lizard_698959
This book was the third book in the Dreamlight Trilogy, the 9th in the Arcane Society series, and the 7th in the Harmony Series. It was however hard to follow for someone who started the Series at the Fired Up the first in the Dreamlight Series. I'd never read another of her Jayne Castle books
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(Harmony Series) before and I felt that I missed stuff and had a hard time following. It was another cute funny paranormal for the Dreamlight trilogy though I loved the little Dust Bunny. Show Less
LibraryThing member Krumbs
It's funny how you can really like one series from an author but just not enjoy another. When those two series are then mixed together it just becomes confusing! I'm not a fan of the Arcane Society books, and to have this be the third in a trilogy set in that world and then it's pulled centuries
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forward into the Harmony series...it hurt my brain a little. The author successfully wove everything together, but I would have enjoyed it more without the thematic acrobatics. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookswoman
I have been enjoying books by Jayne Ann Krentz (and any of her various other names) for many years, going back into the 1980's. Although they often follow a similar formula she always manages to bring something new a fresh to the story.
This is the third, and final, book in the Dreamlight Trilogy
Since this is a Harmony book and written as Jayne Castle it is set far in the future on a planet colonized by Earth but cut off from it for a few centuries. Some of the rules of the planet earth are similar, many are not, and it is those that aren't that make the stories interesting.
Usually listed as a romance writer I classify her as a romantic suspense writer, and these books have all delivered. Fast paced, unique setting, wonderful characters.
Can't wait for the next book, we get to enjoy Fallon's story.
This is the third, and final, book in the Dreamlight Trilogy
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but also the ninth Arcane book and the seventh Harmony book. Takes some serious talent and planning to bring together three different series, keep track of the "history" of all three series and manage to tie up quite a few story lines all in on book!Since this is a Harmony book and written as Jayne Castle it is set far in the future on a planet colonized by Earth but cut off from it for a few centuries. Some of the rules of the planet earth are similar, many are not, and it is those that aren't that make the stories interesting.
Usually listed as a romance writer I classify her as a romantic suspense writer, and these books have all delivered. Fast paced, unique setting, wonderful characters.
Can't wait for the next book, we get to enjoy Fallon's story.
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LibraryThing member Azacia
This book was fun and enjoyable. A great mix of romance, mystery, and the paranormal! The author does an excellent job of pulling in elements from past books while making the story original and with depth of its own.
Both Marlowe and Adam were likable fun characters, the romance was steamy hot and
The "new world" was a bit much for me, and I didn't quite understand the point of the dust bunnies. Some of the characters like "Tucker" and Adam's sister had a murky role in the story, but overall I thought it was well done. It was definitely a fun read along the lines of Jayne's other novels. I'd recommend the book for those who love paranormal romance and adventure and who are familiar with the Dreamlight trilogy.
Both Marlowe and Adam were likable fun characters, the romance was steamy hot and
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exciting, and the adventure was suspenseful and fun! The "new world" was a bit much for me, and I didn't quite understand the point of the dust bunnies. Some of the characters like "Tucker" and Adam's sister had a murky role in the story, but overall I thought it was well done. It was definitely a fun read along the lines of Jayne's other novels. I'd recommend the book for those who love paranormal romance and adventure and who are familiar with the Dreamlight trilogy.
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LibraryThing member Lauren2013
Midnight Crystal
3 Stars
Disclaimer: This is book #7 in the Harmony series and book #9 in the Arcane Society series. While I have read all of the previous Krentz and Quick (Arcane) books, this is my first Jayne Castle (Harmony) book and my review is probably influenced by a complete lack of
The story and characters are entertaining but the futuristic world is not my cup of tea.
The story is actually comprised of four separate subplots - Is Adam Winters a Cerberus? Who is trying to kill him and why? Who stole the Burning Lamp? What is going on in the underground maze? While each of these storylines is successfully interwoven into a cohesive whole, none is particularly exciting and all are resolved rather anti-climactically.
Adam and Marlowe are carbon copies of their historical/contemporary counterparts in the first two books of the trilogy. While their romance is better than Griffin and Adelaide's in Burning Lamp, it doesn't come close to the chemistry and spark between Chloe and Jack in Fired Up. The villains are also stereotypical although I did love Marlowe's pet Dust Bunny, Gibson and his kleptomaniac tendencies.
The real problem with the book is the world building. There is a significant amount of backstory that is completely missing for newcomers to the Harmony series. While readers familiar with this world might not have any difficulties, any one else will probably be confused by the alien technology, new world politics and history, and the futuristic terminology.
All in all, the Dreamlight Trilogy in general, and Midnight Crystal in particular, are prime examples of how stale a story can become once a series becomes formulaic. Unfortunately, the Arcane Society series is beginning to lose its way. Hopefully it will get back on track in the next installments.
3 Stars
Disclaimer: This is book #7 in the Harmony series and book #9 in the Arcane Society series. While I have read all of the previous Krentz and Quick (Arcane) books, this is my first Jayne Castle (Harmony) book and my review is probably influenced by a complete lack of
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background on this series and the world created within. The story and characters are entertaining but the futuristic world is not my cup of tea.
The story is actually comprised of four separate subplots - Is Adam Winters a Cerberus? Who is trying to kill him and why? Who stole the Burning Lamp? What is going on in the underground maze? While each of these storylines is successfully interwoven into a cohesive whole, none is particularly exciting and all are resolved rather anti-climactically.
Adam and Marlowe are carbon copies of their historical/contemporary counterparts in the first two books of the trilogy. While their romance is better than Griffin and Adelaide's in Burning Lamp, it doesn't come close to the chemistry and spark between Chloe and Jack in Fired Up. The villains are also stereotypical although I did love Marlowe's pet Dust Bunny, Gibson and his kleptomaniac tendencies.
The real problem with the book is the world building. There is a significant amount of backstory that is completely missing for newcomers to the Harmony series. While readers familiar with this world might not have any difficulties, any one else will probably be confused by the alien technology, new world politics and history, and the futuristic terminology.
All in all, the Dreamlight Trilogy in general, and Midnight Crystal in particular, are prime examples of how stale a story can become once a series becomes formulaic. Unfortunately, the Arcane Society series is beginning to lose its way. Hopefully it will get back on track in the next installments.
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LibraryThing member lexilewords
Prelim review: Honestly speaking I really dislike when authors do crossovers for their different genres--I'm an OCD sort of reader so I feel an urge to read all the other books. Despite not being that interested in the Arcane Society.
So I'm ignoring that this is part of a trilogy.
As a new Harmony
So I'm ignoring that this is part of a trilogy.
As a new Harmony
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novel it was fascinating because it gave a lot more clues away about the world and the aliens then we've gotten in recent books. Also Dust Bunnies were featured more prominently (I really would like a Dust Bunny adventure book). Show Less