You ever known a person, that at first, you weren't too crazy about, but as time passed and the more you got to know this person, the better you liked him? In a strange way, newcomer Mari Adkins's first novel, "Midnight", does just this.

The 325 page novel takes us through a mystical adventure with Samantha "Sami" Clark. In the prologue, she's abused, lonely, and ready to commit suicide. Sami travels to Harlan, Kentucky, a beautiful and quiet Appalachian town nestled near the Cumberland Gap. Here she moves in with Steve Young, a shy and caring friend from years past.

As Sami fights her way out of chronic depression, she meets the mysterious Jeremy. Aloof, but supportive, he guides Sami back to health and assists her in a slow self-discovery process. Vampires are involved, but in a caring, passive (too passive for this reader) fashion. By the end of the novel, Sami is still struggling with her life, but with her new friends and growing powers, the outlook is definitely positive.

Doesn't sound particularly exciting, right? If you're looking for an action packed, vampire-driven lust and rage filled plot, you're better off sticking with Laurell K. Hamilton or Sherrilyn Kenyon. What "Midnight" does is present an emotionally heartwrenching character study. The reader grows to care about Sami. Author Mari Adkins pulls this off with the skill of an experienced novelist. While Sami may cry too often, it still feels 'true'. Her actions are the actions of a clinically depressed individual.

Adkins also gives us a fascinating glimpse into the world of Paganism. Sami's magic powers are real and potent, used in a real world setting and not as some cute form of fantasy. I kept waiting for a violent magical outburst, but that would do Sami and her powers an injustice.

Overall, this is the best of the four eBooks I've had the opportunity to read over the past couple of years. The editing is as good as you'll find in most mid-level imprints, and Mari Adkins shows a knack for storytelling that will one day propel her to a hefty book deal with a print publisher.