Shadow Falls Camp (1) - Born at Midnight by C. C. Hunter

Part one of five of the Shadow Falls Camp series - Born at Midnight by C. C. Hunter (in German Geboren um Mitternacht). I read it in German where it had 493 pages. Age: 15 to Death (girls). Originally published in 2011.

Kylie Galen's life couldn't be worse. Her boyfriend broke up, her parents want a divorce, her grandmother died, she's stalked by a soldier only she can see, at night she gets panic attacks and she can't talk to her best friend cause she doesn't want to hear it. And know her mother sends her to a camp for criminal teenagers. But Shadow Falls Camp isn't what Kylie thinks. In reality it is a camp for supernatural teenagers finding out what they want of life, how they use their powers. But Kylie knows she isn't like the others. No one can "read" her, and with that find out what she is. And next to Holiday, she's the only one who can see ghosts. With help of her room mates, Della and Miranda, and her friend Derek, she tries to find out whether she's human or not... and comes across a crime.

The book is fascinating, exciting and full of problems not unknown to teenagers - except of the supernatural part, of course ;) . C. C. Hunter has a wonderful way with words and different kind of characters, in a different way than Cassandra Clare etc.. but exactly as good. The book's written in Kylie's perspective only, but you get to know other characters so good like you had seen the world through their eyes. That's hard to accomplish. The humour is amazing, mostly about sex – even though there isn't one sex scene in the entire series, mind you.

Kylie herself is altruistic and, seemingly, at first not very brave. She wants to fit in but doesn't, she wants to know, what she is, but she's afraid. Still, she ignores her fear when she once realises what's good and right to do. And she's got a very good view on others – and their relationships.

Lucas seems to be a jerk on first glance, but I actually found him fascinating from the first description on. I started to like him after he showed up with Socks.

Derek is a nice guy as well, but I don't like him as much as Lucas. Mainly, I think, because Derek is... I don't know, how I can describe this. Mainly because he and Kylie doesn't fit exactly. But he's a great guy nevertheless. Just not great for Kylie.

As for her room mates: Della is tough as nails but you see that she wants to protect her heart at all costs, that she's fierce and loving and was hurt one time too often.

Miranda on the other hand has problems with her self-esteem and loves to share. Everything. Much to the dislike of Della.

Perry is interesting as well. This thing with the cat – and the bird! So, so funny!

But the other characters are very well done, too. Holiday, Fredericka, Daniel... basically everyone.

So... that's why I give it a star for style, one for characters, the ideas and the plot.

To the world: Worlds