In a time when the earth is perpetually engulfed in darkness, monsters once thought fictional slowly begin to appear. Werewolves, witches, druids and other creatures roam freely through the streets. The worst of them are the vampires. During the fall, they rise and become rulers of the world.
London Hayes works as a Knight of Boudica. Her constant dealings with vampires may one day threaten her life, especially if they discover what she truly is. Follow London as she carries out her knightly duty to protect the citizens in the post‑apocalyptic United Kingdom. Adventure, magic and a slow‑burn romance await.
Title: Midnight Empire: The Tower
Author: Annabel Chase
Genres: Fantasy > Urban Fantasy > Post-Apocalyptic > Vampires / Magic / Werewolves
Read Format: Kindle Edition
Total Pages: 951
Reading Date: 01st September 2026 – 29th September 2026
The reading order – How to Read Midnight Empire: The Tower Series by Annabel Chase
- 1 Wild Knight
- 2 Three Dog Knight
- 3 Deadly Knight
- 4 One Knight Stand
Wild Knight
In a world of darkness where royal vampires are in charge, I spend my days working as a knight in the city formerly known as London. Instead of a lance and a horse, I rely on my trusty axe, Babe, and ride the occasional dragon. Every day, new threats emerge that require a dash of magic and a dollop of attitude.
Good thing I have both.
Naturally, danger comes with the territory. What no one knows is just how dangerous it is for me. If our vampire overlords discover what I am, they’ll execute me on the spot—no questions asked—which is why I avoid them at all costs.
Until now.
If only this one didn’t have a lethal reputation, a princely pedigree, and a quest that leads to more questions than answers. The heat between us doesn’t help matters.
Unfortunately, I can’t refuse a royal command, so I’m stuck until the job is complete.
And even if the job doesn’t kill me, the truth just might.
My thoughts…
In a time when the earth is perpetually engulfed in darkness, with volcanoes spewing ash into the sky, monsters once thought fictional begin to appear. Werewolves, witches, druids and other creatures roam freely through the streets. The worst of them are the vampires. During the fall, they rise and become rulers of the world.
At first, humans believe the darkness is temporary and that once the sun returns, the nightmare will end. They are wrong.
London Hayes works as a Knight of Boudica, resolving threats and crises that emerge daily in the city once known as London. She carries a rare talent tied to her heritage, one that would have her killed if the vampires ever discovered her species.
When House Lewis, the ruling power of the land, assigns her a special task, she has no choice but to comply. To make matters worse, Prince Callan keeps tailing her, and if she is not careful, her secret may be exposed.
This is the first introduction book set in the Midnight Empire World. I am still getting used to the world and its characters. There is a great deal of information to absorb, and at the beginning I felt overwhelmed, but towards the end it eased slightly.
I enjoyed reading a story set in places I have visited, even if they appear in a post-apocalyptic form. It made me feel connected, and I could picture the locations clearly.
London is an easily likeable heroine. It is hard not to warm to someone who loves animals. In this first book, we see some of the talents she possesses, and thankfully the story does not drag on about her species. I am sure there is still more to learn about her abilities, and I look forward to discovering more.
As for Prince Callan, the male main character, not much is revealed about him yet beyond his background. His intentions towards London remain a mystery. There seems to be a hint of flirting, although perhaps he is simply a natural flirt. I doubt it, so the romance is very much a slow burn.
And the ending… oh my. The final twist had me exclaiming, “She did what?” London is definitely a Wild Knight. I still cannot decide whether she is brave or foolish enough to fool them with a decoy. I keep wondering how she manages it.
I look forward to finding out whether her trick will be exposed and what the consequences might be, and I am also hoping the next book will reveal more about her talents and the truth about her father.
Three Dog Knight
I survived a job for royal vampires with my life and identity intact. That means I can return to my normal life as a knight, right?
Wrong.
When a group of werewolves goes berserk in our local pub, there’s a new threat in the city, and the local pack hires me to find out what it is. Unfortunately, that decision draws the attention of a certain vampire prince who likes to keep tabs on the most powerful pack in the city. Just when I thought I was free of the Demon of House Duncan, we’re embarking on a road trip together to investigate.
And what we discover changes everything—as well as each other.
My thoughts…
Something is causing the werewolves to shift into their beastly form without warning, leaving them with no control over their mind or body. When it becomes a clear threat to the pack, the leader asks London to investigate the cause.
Keeping the matter quiet without House Lewis finding out is impossible, and the house sends Prince Callan to ‘accompany’ her on the investigation in Devon.
Venturing into territory owned by House Peyton is dangerous enough, but the situation becomes even more complicated when the princess there stakes her claim on Prince Callan, leaving London caught in the middle of political drama.
I like where this book is heading. There is always adventure and another stone to uncover. I am convinced each stone corresponds to a dominant supernatural group.
The first belonged to the vampires, the second to the witches, and in this book we learn about the werewolves’ stone. I cannot help wondering what the next stone will relate to, and which house we will explore next.
Things are getting interesting, and I am excited to see how everything unfolds, especially after Prince Callan orders London to stay away from him. What is behind that? Is it Princess Louise’s threat, or something entirely different?
And then there is the mystery of London’s father, still left untold. I hope the next book reveals more about him, and about the truth London has yet to uncover. 🤞
Deadly Knight
From the time I joined the Knights of Boudica, I’ve pretended to be just like all the others. A magic specialty or two. Skilled with a blade. An innate sense of justice.
But normal is overrated, right?
Now that I know there are more ancient and powerful stones out there, I won’t rest until I find them. If that means using more of my magic and risking exposure, then it’s a chance I have to take.
My research leads me to a place I never imagined. A place where history is stored.
And secrets are revealed.
Unfortunately, my discoveries put a target on my back. I can’t make a move without a vampire breathing down my neck. Of course, there’s one vampire whose closeness I don’t really mind—if only he wasn’t a dark prince with a deadly past and a monstrous family.
If only he wouldn’t kill me on the spot if he found out what I truly am.
With the race on to claim the remaining stones, I have to put my personal feelings aside and do the job I was born to do. These stones could change the world for the better—or they could be the end of us all.
My thoughts…
A warning for readers: this book ends with a cliffhanger, so if you do not have the final instalment ready, do not start reading it. There you go, I have warned you. In this book, I finally learn who London’s father is, and although I was shocked at first, it makes perfect sense. It is always someone powerful.
Anyway, London Hayes takes us to Birmingham, Wales and Scotland this time, and I enjoyed every part of the adventure. The Pegasus ride and the dolphin encounter were delightful, and the psychotic ghost haunting the abandoned castle added a memorable touch to London’s solo journey, which later becomes a duo because the prince always appears in the end.
Secrets are shared, though not all of them, and the betrayal cuts deep, followed by a twist that even Callan does not expect. It is a lovely read overall, and I cannot wait to find out how the stones might shape the world again, or clear the volcanic ash from the sky and bring the sun out.😅
One Knight Stand
I’ve spent a lifetime hiding my identity just to survive. I’ve concealed my true nature from our vampire overlords, including the one who’s captured my heart, and I’ve kept my friends at arm’s length to protect us both.
And now I stand to lose them all because of it.
With the final ancient stone up for grabs, I face my toughest challenge yet—seek help from friends and enemies alike, or go it alone like I always have.
A battle looms for control of the stones—a battle that might finally force me to embrace the full extent of my magic.
Magic so powerful that it just might kill me.
But if it comes down to a choice between my survival or the realm’s, I know which one I’ll choose.
The fate of the world depends on it.
My thoughts…
For readers who enjoy post‑apocalyptic stories set in the United Kingdom with a strong female lead and a world filled with supernatural beings, especially vampires, this series is well worth reading.
It delivers action, adventure and a colourful mix of monsters, with just enough humour to keep things light. The story moves quickly and remains engaging from start to finish. I like London as a heroine. She is confident, brave and mature, and her personality carries the story well.
There is one thing I do not quite enjoy, and it is the way London suddenly understands her abilities very well. For example, when she creates clones of herself, she performs the skill perfectly despite having no time to explore or practise it. Don’t get me wrong, I like my heroine to be powerful, but I also want her strength to feel earned rather than instantly mastered.
I think the story could be improved if London had a moment to train in another plane, a place where time does not exist, allowing her to practise and draw out her hidden abilities with the influence of the stones. That would make her sudden expertise feel more believable.
I also hope we learn more about her fellow knights, Kamikaze and Briar. Both have great potential, and I would love to see them in their individual series. I am not peeking ahead at what the rest of the Midnight Empire series holds. I want it to be a surprise, and hopefully my wishes come true. 🤞
