Black Dawn by Rachel Caine

Black Dawn (Morganville #12) by Rachel Caine ☆☆☆☆

While I still love the series, I had a lot of problems with this book in particular. Things just weren't clicking for me at all.

Partly it's because I still don't like the format change. I am starting to like it being told from multiple perspectives because I love hearing what makes the other characters tic, but the fact that every perspective is in first person except for Claire's will forever get on my nerves. I can easily jump from perspective to perspective, but I cannot jump from first to third person like that. Not only does it drive me insane, but it is confusing as hell, that's the point of consistency.

Aside from that quip (that I'm sure I'll have with the next book as well), there was something about the story itself that wasn't working for me. I want to say that it didn't quite seem like it had the fear necessary for the story line. Everyone seemed to be worrying about the wrong things and wasting a lot of time. They did a lot better locked in the library in Blacke than they did locked in Town Hall in this book. And even the characters just seemed off for me. I don't feel for them as much.

I did buy the next book as a pre-order, but I have a feeling it'll be sitting on my book shelf for awhile while I catch up on some other series that have been waiting for me throughout the entire Fall semester of school. Only a few more weeks before Spring semester starts...

Last Breath by Rachel Caine

Last Breath (Morganville #11) by Rachel Caine ☆☆☆☆☆

My god..... After my less than perfect review of the last book I had no idea at all what to expect with this one, and it knocked me out cold and twisted me in knots simultaneously.

The main thing I didn't like about the last book was how she suddenly broke her structure of 3rd person perspective from Claire's point-of-view and jumped into 1st person Shane often. This book began with an Author's Note that she was going to do something very similar with this one. While I still didn't really like it, it had nothing to do with the character switch this time. The character switch was completely necessary for this particular story line, and structured well. What bothered me was that Claire was still 3rd person while everyone else was 1st person. She might as well have just started writing Claire in 1st person too to keep it symmetrical throughout.

This story confused me and there were times I wondered if I was ever going to pull myself out of the fog and figure out what was really going on. And then the most unexpected thing happened. The book ripped me apart and I was in tears. I never expected this book to make me cry and completely blamed my friend who read it before me for letting me walk into it without warning (which is when she reminded me that I've done that to her twice in the last month and that we enjoy the heartbreak in the end). I battled it out to the end as Morganville fell apart again, and you know what...my friend was entirely right, it was all worth it in the end. And the ending was a total open cliff hanger (the likes of the first few books of the series) and also shocked me to my core. How will I ever hold myself back from diving into the next book right away?! At least I know it's there on my shelf ready for me :)

Bite Club by Rachel Caine

Bite Club (Morganville #10) by Rachel Caine ☆☆☆☆

Oh my, this book has changed all my perceptions of the Morganville series. I don't believe I have ever given any of the books less than five stars, and yet, this book almost got three and a half--not even the full four stars.  And in nearly all of the reviews I have written, I've mentioned that I often don't even care about the story line because I love the characters so much. That changed here.

First thing, there was a major change in structure that entirely threw me off. The books have always been from one point-of-view and in third person. If you wanted to be in the characters themselves and in first person, you read the short stories she posts on her website. In this book, though, all that changed. The structure was mostly the same, but in almost every chapter there was an "interruption" of Shane's point-of-view in first person perspective. The change was unsettling. Yes, I did like seeing inside his head, but after nine previous books with a set structure, I didn't find myself enjoying the interruptions so much.

Second thing, I actually hated all the characters in this book. I hated each and every one of them and each for their own reason. That's why it would have gotten three and a half stars, because I still liked the world, story, and all, but the characters all pissed me off. That being said, they redeemed themselves in the end....somewhat. I still have some reservations. The end of the book is left at a point where a lot of talking needs to be done and forgiveness be made, and I couldn't yet find my forgiveness for all of them either. I couldn't believe how angry I got. (I do love Myrnin though, he's insane and had some quotable things I was gushing to my friend about as she read it before me.)

I'm definitely still hooked on the story and characters, but I'm going to consider each book more closely now. I expected to fall head over heels for this book like the others and it just didn't happen. And I even realized that suddenly the story behind the characters had become important to me because I thought things got tied up too easily in some situations. I'm looking forward to the next book, but not necessarily as anxiously as before.

Ghost Town by Rachel Caine

Ghost Town (Morganville #9) by Rachel Caine ☆☆☆☆☆

So this totally isn't what I had planned to read. I usually only read two Morganville books at a time, and I was already set to read something else, but I decided to glance at the first chapter of this book and I was hooked.

The story line was an original take on what a ghost town can mean and it was beyond interesting. There were so many sides of all the characters exposed, and many couldn't even be expected.

And I cried. Cried!

I think this is the first Morganville book that made me cry and I cherish it for that reason. Each of these books has pulled a strong emotion out of me and it shows the strength and creativity of the writing (beyond the characters, as I've prided in earlier reviews). The last book made me feel frustration, and this one made me follow the sense of mystery and made me feel a deep loss and sadness with the echoes of "ghosts" of the town.

This series makes me ache, in sad ways and in good ways. I'm looking forward to the next book, but at the same time, I know I really do need to take a slight break from the series to regroup before the next ache, whether good or bad.

Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine

Kiss of Death (Morganville #8) by Rachel Caine ☆☆☆☆☆

Okay, so this story line was pretty cool. It went in so many unexpected directions. And I was left wondering why the characters themselves weren't as frustrated as I was while reading it.

Great road trip novel, and oh, was it ever the road trip from hell. As it got closer and closer to the end, I was wondering where the story line was going to go after all, getting more twisted and twisted in the process. And the epilogue at the end worried me. Usually a epilogue takes place years (or even decades) in the future, but it was not the case. It could have been a regular chapter and been just fine.

I'm still loving my characters, and falling in love with them even more in each book. And I'm glad the story line beyond surprised me in this case. Looking forward to the next book. Five more to go at this point :)

Fade Out by Rachel Caine

Fade Out (Morganville #7) by Rachel Caine ☆☆☆☆☆

Another sunrise finish for me. Don't know if I'll ever sleep normally again, but at least a sunrise finish fits perfectly with a vampire novel ;)

I've come to the conclusion after reading this book that I don't really care what the story line is anymore because I love the characters so much. Each of the characters is strong in their actions and their voices, and sometimes that's hard to pull off when writing. A lot of people fall on stock characters (stereotypes) or flat characters (nothing interesting), but each of these characters stands on their own. She has proven with her short stories that the story could be told from any point of view because she's in all of their heads. That's a good place to be.

And what I especially noticed during this book is that even her secondary characters are strong. Kim was an unexpected secondary character and yet I felt like I knew her just as much as those I have adored throughout the rest of the series. And what kind of world I live in without Shane, oh how I love that boy.

So truth be told, I loved the story, but of course I loved the characters more. The story line was secondary to me. My biggest complaint is that the books seem shorter and shorter with each one I pick up and I blow through them way too fast. Maybe that's why I only ever read two at a time, or it would all end too soon for me.

Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine

Carpe Corpus (Morganville #6) by Rachel Caine ☆☆☆☆☆

 I've been reading this series slowly, but two at a time. And I was really excited after I started this one when I suddenly remembered that in meeting Rachel Caine she said that the series was originally only slated for six books, so I have now officially finished the story arc. It's a great place to finish...for now. I have every intention of reading the following six follow up books, but I have other reading to squeeze in too!

So watch can I say about this book? I loved it! It went in so many different directions that I couldn't expect. It had appeals I'd been dying for since book one (those that read it know exactly what that means). And overall, it just ended perfectly. All the loose ends were tied up, the series could have easily have finished, and yet it's still also perfectly left open for more.

My only quip...as the story does start wrapping itself up in the end, there is a side story thrown in and wrapped up quickly in just a few pages and it felt almost unnecessary. In fact, it could have ended just before that and let the story start the next book. I'll eventually get to the next book, but taking a break after the arc is tied up is just the right spot for a break. I'm going to miss Shane while I read something else though, and I won't be able to stay away from him for long :)

Lord of Misrule by Rachel Caine

Lord of Misrule (Morganville #5) by Rachel Caine ☆☆☆☆

I'm so behind in this series, but mainly that's because I pace myself. If I read the whole series at once I wouldn't have time to read anything else.

This book could have easily gotten five stars from me, but it felt too short. I'm definitely picking up Carpe Corpus next so that it doesn't feel as short. The book didn't completely blow me away, but it was like coming home again. I love Morganville and it's Texas influences, which is probably why it makes me feel so at home. 

And I love Shane! I've loved him since the first book. I love the bad boy with the snarky comments. The bad boy that tries so hard to be good. So it's a given. I love how all the characters and written and how they interact with each other. I have a problem with some of the physical descriptions, but that's not that important.

Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires 4) by Rachel Caine

Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine ☆☆☆☆☆

Rachel Caine grabs my heartstrings again! I am absolutely in love with this series and take joy that there are many more books still left to read in this world. I am madly in love with Shane's personality and his resolve. I am proud of the strength of Claire. I want to hold Michael and comfort him. And Eve needs all the support she can get in this installment of the Morganville Vampires series.

The downside to a well-planned story arc is that every book ends in a cliff-hanger because the ends can't be tied up in one novel. This book of course was no difference, ending in a cliff hanger that makes me want to grab book 5 immediately, but I really have to tackle some of te other books on my stack first.

I love the places that this book went and how fluid the story is. And most importantly I love love love the humor in this. I wish I had the guts to highlight sections of a book because if I did there would be so many one-liners and sections highlighted that my book would glow. However, I do mark them with post-it note strips and the result is making my book look like one of my school books ;)

Maybe my craving for book 5 will make me read the books in between faster. Here's to hoping!

The Dead Girls' Dance (Morganville Vampires 2) AND Midnight Alley (Morganville Vampires 3) by Rachel Caine

The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine ☆☆☆☆☆

Love, love, love! All the drama that built up in the first book and ended with a major cliff hanger just keep right on and didn't let up even once. This series is definitely one I am very very glad to have picked up after meeting the author and don't ever want to put down.

One of the best parts of this book was the development of Shane's character. There were so many sides to him and so many layers that every time you saw him you felt like you were looking at someone entirely new. And so see just how much guilt and pain he was holding inside was heartbreaking.

And then you have Monica Morrell, who you think can never get any worse and more destructive than she already is....and then proves you wrong by something equally or even more horrendous. This series makes you lose your faith in humanity just as much as it portrays vampires as the mob-like bad guys. And if vampires have to be portrayed as bad guys in this day and age where they are usually the unsung heroes, then it's only fair that humans are just as cruel, if not more so.

In the first book, I marked one page for re-reading over and over. In this one I marked at least three different sections in this one.


Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine ☆☆☆☆☆

So even though the second book didn't end in a cliff-hanger, I couldn't resist picking up the third right away and it didn't disappoint.

In terms of marked pages...I can't even count how many pages I marked in this one. Between romance and just overall humor...wow.

And humor, my god, Rachel Caine, I do love you. I was literally laughing out loud at so many points during this book. And I don't have that much of a reaction often. I'll smile or sometimes laugh a little, but with this book I'm talking about gut-wrenching laughter. There were some moments that were so funny that I wanted to text it to my friend, but then realized I'd have to put it in context and it would take too long. Now, of course, I'm telling her to hurry up and read the books and catch up with me. Oh, how I hate reading alone.

There was so much going on in this book. There was pain and anguish, drama that can't be expressed. So much was on the surface and so much more was just below and barely accessible. The plot unraveled slowly, revealing how much she's had planned from book one and how much more she still has planned for the readers. And, like the first, it ended with a cliff-hanger, but I'm going to try my hardest to hold out on the fourth. (I have two enormous stacks of books to read plus I can't seem to leave the library so make that almost three stacks to catch up on.) Can't wait til I can get to it though, this series is to die for (pun probably intended).

Glass Houses (Morganville Vampires 1) by Rachel Caine

Glass Houses by Rachel Caine ☆☆☆☆☆

The world of the Morganville Vampires has been on my wish list/reading list for longer than I care to admit to. After finishing Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead, the final book in the Vampire Academy series, I was having vampire withdrawal from the finale of one of my favorite series' of all time (which I do intend to re-read and review appropriately in the future). Fans of the series encouraged me to bump Morganville up on my reading list. But what really finally pushed me to buy the book was finding a flyer at my local pulic library announcing the author, Rachel Caine, would be doing a book signing THAT weekend! I drove all over town for a copy to no avail and finally the night before the event an amazing B&N employee found me a copy of Volume 1 (which includes books 1 & 2), the last copy, hidden on a shelf behind the information counter.

I managed to get in one chapter that night before her signing the next day, needless to say I was blown away and told her as much. I found out that day that she was from my hometown, making her a true inspiration as someone working in my genre from my hometown that became a New York Times best-seller! Is it possible? Can I be that author someday? "To Elizabeth, With all my best! Rachel Caine" Those words will highlight my shelves for years to come. And the plot bunnies from her mini-lecture on the history of vampires will hopefully find homes on paper soon.

And so in one of the best weekends of my life I discovered the life of Clare Danvers, a 16-year-old freshman in college, and the secrets behind the people of Morganville, Texas. And also my latest and greatest addiction.

This book proved to be a shocking look at the darkest side of humanity. In the opening of the book Clare is nearly killed...and not by vampires. When you think that these attacks on her by humans can't get any worse, they do. And this is all well before the vamps themselves are even introduced. The vamps fit the typical classifications: avoids sunlight, retractable fangs, can't enter without invitations. Their difference is that they function like a mob and that's where it gets interesting.

As Clare is learning that Morganville is more than just a small college town in Texas, the vampire world begins to unfold before her as she fights to save herself from the college mean girls, make new friends, and protect those that she grows to love. And just to add to the drama, it ends with a cliffhanger that leaves you drooling for more.

This book had me not wanting to put it down even once, but I had to get schoolwork done, which was really sad. I ached for these characters, I loved for them, and wished I could be there backing them up. And I have to say, as for me, my favorite scene was midway through the book, and anyone that has read it or is about to, you'll know exactly which scene when you heart stops and beats rapidly all at the same time. Bravo, Rachel Caine! You have won me over.