In the fast paced sequel to Past Midnight Charlotte Silver finds herself In frightening and very real danger.After a terrifying encounter in Ohio that leaves her arm in a sling Charlotte tries to at least regain some semblence of normality by going to a party with Harris Abbott, captain of the football team and one of the most popular boys in school. Despite the fact that her parents would disapprove she takes part in a game called one hundred candles, the result of which will supposedly bring spirits into the room. Dismissing it as harmless fun she thinks nothing of it until strange things begin to happen at school. Could the ghost stories from the party be releasing spirits into the school? What was the meaning of the encounter in Ohio? Is she really running out of time?The threat in this book was definitely more dangerous than the one Charlotte’s family experienced in Past Midnight. In the previous book they had to try to piece together events from the past whereas here they were being tracked down by something that wouldn’t stop until it had achieved it’s goal. Her relationship with Harris was interesting, he kind of seemed like a nice guy but some of the things he did, like constantly disappearing, were weird. In the end it was revealed why and I really couldn’t stand him, he turned out to be a real asshole. Noah was nice too, I liked him in Past Midnight but there was much more character development in this book, at least of Noah, which was a good thing, I’m looking forward to what happens in the next book. I really wish we’d seen more of Charlotte’s friends, apart from briefly mentioning them at the party we hardly saw any of them. That includes Jared and Avery too, they slipped in and out of the story but considering Avery and Charlotte are supposed to be best friends we didn’t see much of her. I also wanted to know more about Jared, I know his story has been resolved in many ways but I felt like he was this character who had so much promise in the first book but just got overshadowed by everyone else. I guess the author decided he wasn’t that important. I know the hurt he was feeling then was gone, or at least greatly lessened in this book but I was still disappointed. I really enjoy the paranormal parts of the book, I mean it’s kind of the whole point, but sometimes I felt like a lot of the normal was neglected. Charlotte still has a life, we saw more of this in the first book when she was helping Jared and Avery but less in this one. So although I enjoyed the fact that it was more intense and the danger much greater I missed the characters we met in the first book.The ending was sad but hopeful, I want to know what happens next.I do have a few notes about the audiobook which I hope people who plan to read the book that way will find useful. Firstly, One Hundred Candles has a different narrator than the first book. The narrator herself isn’t too bad, I do sometimes find that she barely pauses at the end of sentences which is slightly irritating, especially when she takes note of commas. My biggest problem is the recording quality, it sounds a little echoey, as if she’s reading in a room with wooden floors and virtually no firnature, also there was some background noise. Just after the start of chapter 14 there’s a sound like a baby, or a cat, it’s quite distant but still, it really shouldn’t be there. Also sometimes it sounds like you can faintly here cars, like you can sometimes if you’re in a room near a street. It doesn’t damage the book as such but it just didn’t seem very professional to me. I’m not considering that with my rating of the book, the plot itself was good and I don’t want the bad audio to be reflected in my rating, however I would give a word of warning to people planning to listen to the book. Reviewed in 2011:I've developed a slight obsession with the "Past Midnight" series. The characters are likeable, the story lines are interesting, and the pacing is wonderful. Plus, the fact that they are slightly over two hundred pages, as opposed to the [what seems to be normal] four hundred page young-adult novels, doesn't hurt. These books are easy to read and incredibly enjoyable."One Hundred Candles" did a good job of summarizing the events that took place in "Past Midnight". From the first line until the very last, I couldn't tear my interest away. Charlotte's family is finally settling down. She's getting the chance at a normal life; she even has hope of attending prom for the first time. And them - BAM, it hits you fast. The scene with Charlotte and Marcus. Thing's settle for a while, until New Year's when Charlotte spends time with Harris. The entire one hundred candles ritual was interesting. The reader can sense something is coming, but Purnhagen is great with her pacing and she manages to set it up perfectly so that it hits you hard when all hell does break lose.Before he finds them, Charlotte's life seems to be finding a balance: her parents are getting along better, her relationship with Noah has grown, and she thinks that the worst is over. Then her father delivers the news that they have to run, everything comes crashing down around her just as it was beginning to fall into place. From that moment until the final page, you hope for the best, but Purnhagen doesn't gloss over everything. He's coming to punish Charlotte. This isn't going to be a happy ending. Not yet. There's a lot of pain headed her way. There's going to be a lot of healing that needs to take place before she can get her life back in order. And she's not safe yet. There's still a chance that the energy will manifest itself again. She may have won this time, but safety isn't promised.I can't wait to start "Haunting the Night" and "Beyond the Grave"! This series is honestly addicting.
What do You think about One Hundred Candles (2011)?
It didn't excite me as much as Past Midnight and Raising the Dead. The story was all too familiar.
—kelseysouch
Its nice also scary i mean in are good way but i really LIKE IT! in other words I LOVE IT!
—Duck
A clever teen mystery. Lots of moving pieces that had me guessing until the end.
—wormcy
