Book Review - Tape

Title: Tape
Author: Steven Camden
Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks
Release Date: 30 Jan 2014
ISBN-13: 978-0007511204

Synopsis
Record a voice and it lasts forever…

In 1993, Ryan records a diary on an old tape. He talks about his mother’s death, about his dreams, about his love for a new girl at school who doesn’t even know he exists.

In 2013, Ameliah moves in with her grandmother after her parents die. There, she finds a tape in the spare room. A tape with a boy’s voice on it – a voice she can’t quite hear, but which seems to be speaking to her.
Ryan and Ameliah are connected by more than just a tape.
This is their story.

My Review
I saw a blog post about this book and it looked really interesting, I then saw it advertised elsewhere saying it was a great new release and that it could be the 'next big thing'. I don't normally pick books by that recommendation but it looked good and sounded interesting so I admit I was curious, then my colleague at work requested it and said it was worth a read so I took it off her hands when she was finished.
This book is told from dual narrative - Ryan in 1993 whose mother has died and his dad has remarried bringing him a rather nice step-mother and a terror of a step-brother. He starts to record tapes to his mum as a way of getting over losing her, but then he meets a girl, a girl he likes and this is his story of coping with loss and finding first love. We then have Ameliah in 2003 whose lost both her parents and is now living with her nan, when going through her parents stuff she finds a box of old cassette tapes and starts to listen to them, amongst the music she finds one with a voice on, who seems to be talking to her, but who is he.
Ok, so the big link between the tapes and the people involved is pretty obvious - as soon as I had figured out who was who in the story I worked out the link, but I still wanted to know how they got to where they are now, I wanted to see how their stories played out.
My first reaction to the book was 'I have no idea what is going on', but I kept reading and after about 30 pages I had grasped the basics and started to like the characters and get a grasp on who was who.
I sat and read this in about 2 and a bit hours in one go - I couldn't put it down, partly because I wanted to know how it all turned out, but also because I was slightly worried I would lose track of what was happening if I put it down so I kept going.
This is a fairly sweet story, one where you just get to know the characters and see their story develop, but there isn't much more to it than that. There is no great revelation - well there is the connection between the characters, then the 'mysterious stranger' that turns up, but I figured both of those out pretty immediately so it wasn't a big surprise or anything. 
The synopsis also hints at a 'time-travel' sort of story and for one point in the story about 100 pages in Ameliah and Ryan do seem to communicate but it's over again in a second, there is one last connection to each other at the end but it's very brief and brushed over. 
If you want a book you can sit with and just get to know some characters and have a brief look into their lives then this is perfect, but if you want a really in depth story with development and excitment then I would look for something else.
But I did enjoy this book for what it was, it just wasn't earth shattering. It was sweet, sweet and simple.

My Rating

 

Book Review: Witch In Love

Title: Witch In Love
Author: Ruth Warburton
Series: Winter Trilogy (book 2)
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Release Date: 5 July 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1444904703

Synopsis
Anna still finds it hard to believe that Seth loves her and has vowed to suppress her powers, no matter what. But magic—like love—is uncontrollable. It spills out with terrible consequences, and soon, Anna is being hunted. Abe wants Anna to embrace her power, while Seth is pushing Anna to accept that his feelings are real. She finally does, a moment too late. Suddenly, it's like the Salem witch trials all over again: burnings, torture, and faceless judgements. In the face of the ultimate betrayal, who will save her?

My Review
So after reading book 1 I had a lot of things I wanted to know and I was for some reason addicted so I dived straight in to book 2. Overall I have to say I think i enjoyed this book more than the first. It has a really creepy sort of feeling to it, there is something or someone after Anna and they are up to know good, mix that with secrets from her past and darker magic it just had a darker feel and I liked it, the book really set the atmosphere. Anna also seems more realistic in this book, she's developed more and I feel like I know her better and can therefore understand where she's coming from, it was good to see her grow throughout the story.
This book starts off with action and excitement and it carries on throughout the book, keeping you interested and wanting more, I actually felt my heart rate increase a number of times as I held my breath and raced on to know what would happen next. 
I really liked Seth in the first book, but for some reason my suspicions were raised by him but I couldn't put my finger on why. But I kept reading waiting for him to do something that would make me see why I felt that way, it was cleverly done as I had to keep reading to discover his secrets and whilst I didn't get the outcome I expected - it was still very good and I was still shocked.
I'm actually glad I enjoyed this book more, I had my reservations after the first one and wasn't sure if I would want to finish the series. Although I wouldn't say this is the best series ever, it is enjoyable and I do have to read the third book - I need to know how it all ends. There are so many things I want to see resolved.

My Rating

    

Book Review - The Grimm Legacy

Title: The Grimm Legacy
Author: Polly Shulman
Series: Grimm Legacy (book 1)
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Release Date: 6 Sep 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0192793102

Synopsis
Elizabeth's new job is very unusual. The building where she works might not look very interesting but behind this ordinary Manhattan façade lurks a very special place indeed. Because here you can borrow anything your heart desires . . .
And in the basement is something so special, so secret, that Elizabeth can't believe her eyes. The Grimm Collection.
Powerful and mysterious items that must be kept safe and can't be lent out to just anyone. So when these objects start disappearing Elizabeth must investigate. But who can she trust? One way or another she has to find out who is stealing from the Grimm Collection . . . and for what dark purpose.

My Review
I've never heard of Polly Shulman before or of this book, but I was tidying the library shelves a while back and saw this. The cover was the first thing to grab me, it was unusual, busy and really eye catching. I also tend to enjoy things based on old fairytales so I was immediately pulled in by the 'Grimm' reference. I decided to give it a go, it looked like quite a short book and rather interesting so I took it out. 
I have to admit it has then sat in my locker for the past month, but I wanted something fairly light to start of my weekend so I grabbed this and got stuck in. And I have to say I was pleased I had picked it up. The writing is quite easy and teh storyline starts off fairly simple and I have to admit quite slowly but it's intriguing enough to make you want to read more. The more you then get to know Elizabeth and discover the workings of the magical 'library' with her the more into the story you get. After writing a paper for her teacher on the history of the Brothers Grimm, he recommends her for a job at 'The New York Circulating Material Repository' what she finds there is beyond belief, floors and floors of magical items that can be borrowed and checked out by people just like a library. They have everything from shoes to fabrics and clothes, umbrellas, chess boards - the lot, and then down in the Basement something even more amazing and very highly treasured - the Grimm collection, items of note from the famous fairytales. 
This sounds like such a cool place to work and I love that we as readers get to discover it along with Elizabeth, it felt like I was stepping into the library myself and seeing the wonders. Now that really would be an awesome job!!! (I think I would miss the books though)
The book really picks up when you start to learn of the strange goings on, people disappearing, strange creatures lurking outside and one by one magical objects vanishing. Elizabeth and her new friends must try to work out who is taking the precious items and why before all the magic is lost.
At 330 pages this book isn't too long and is a nice quick read, it hooks you in and enchants you within the story. I would say it was aimed at slightly younger teens as the language and storyline are fairly simple, but still awesome enough to keep you hooked.
I would recommend this book to fans of fairytale stories, it's great fun. I really enjoyed it. Have now ordered book 2 in the series, I want to know more about this world. :)

My Rating

 

Book Review - Secret Diamond Sisters

Title: The Secret Diamond Sisters
Author: Michelle Madow
Series: The Secret Diamond Sisters (book 1)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: 1 Mar 2014
ISBN-13: 978-1848452879

Synopsis
Savannah. Courtney. Peyton.
The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.

My Review
I am a huge fan of Michelle Madow, I loved her 'Transcend Time' series and became friends with her online, she's a really cool person. So when I heard that she had released a new book I was itching to get my hands on it. I was lucky enough to get a copy through NetGalley and got stuck in as soon as I could. I knew it would be very different from her other series but I was still just as excited to see what this book would bring.
This book is told from different characters point of views, you have the 3 Diamond sisters - Savannah, Courtney and Peyton, and then we also have Madison, a rich privileged girl who lives in the Diamond hotel in Vegas. But I'm getting ahead of things here, let me introduce you a bit to the story first.
The 3 sisters have grown up in Fairfield, attended public school and basically struggled to make a living. Their mum has a drinking problem and pretty much leaves the girls to it. Each has their own role to play, Peyton takes a lot of the responsibility as the oldest but the other 2 don't really know just how much she does. Courtney is the sensible one, the one who always gets good grades at school but spends a lot of her time trying to organise the family, and then Savannah is the youngest and is pretty sheltered from the problems, she is more concerned with sneaking out to parties and hanging out with her best friend. When things take a turn for the worst the girls are told they have to go and live with their father, a man they have never met or been told anything about, he could be anyone. But he's not just anyone, he is Adrain Diamond the owner of the prestigious 'Diamond Hotel' in Vegas, right on the strip. The girls lives are about to change in a very dramatic way. That is when we meet Madison, she's used to having her own way and doesn't like the 3 sisters invading her world.
This was a quick but very enjoyable read. I liked the characters, they all had very distinct personalities but they were all believable and I felt like I could relate. My favourite character was probably Courtney, but then she is the book worm and therefore most like me. Savannah irritated me at times, she could be very immature and made some stupid decisions that could have put her in danger, she also comes across as quite shallow, but she is also fun and you can't help but want to know what she will do next.
I also wanted to slap their father a few times, I hope we will see him soften up a bit in the next book, I didn't feel like we could really get to know him in this one, but I think that was deliberate.
This book is fun, moving, exciting and addictive. My biggest complaint is that I can't read book 2 for months and I want to know what happens, this book leaves everything very open ended and I want more!!!
The perfect book for a cold day snuggled inside, it will take you away and let you explore Vegas - the settings are very good in this book too, you can really tell that Madow has been to Vegas and it feels like the she is giving you a tour, I could picture all of it. 

My Rating
      

Book Review - Ender's Game

Title: Ender's Game
Author: Orson Scott Card
Publisher: Atom
Release Date: 2002
ISBN-13: 978-0356500843

Synopsis
THERE IS NO TEACHER BUT THE ENEMY...

Ender Wiggin is battle school's latest recruit. His teachers reckon he could become a great leader. And they need one.

A vast alien force is headed for Earth, its mission: the annihilation of all human life.

Ender could be our only hope.

But first he must survive the most brutal military training program in the galaxy... 

My Review
This book first came to my attention last year when the film was announced, one of the people I watch on youtube reviewed it and said it was awesome. I tend to trust her reviews so I requested a copy from the library. I then have to admit that it has sat on my pile for about 6 months. I wanted something quite short this weekend whilst I was waiting for my ipad to charge (was halfway through an ebook when it ran out, grrr) and as this was only 320 pages I thought I would give it a go.
I wasn't really sure anymore of what it was going to be about, so I just dived straight in. My first impressions were - this is weird but I decided to stick with it.
Ender is the third child born in a society where only 2 kids are usually allowed, but his birth was requested by higher powers, his siblings had shown promise for Battle School but weren't quite right, so they hoped Ender would be the answer. Always ridiculed for being a 'third' and picked on my his jealous older brother he had grown quite tough by the age of 6. So when they come to take him away to Battle School, away from his family and everything he has known into a harsh army style environment he is surprisingly well prepared. 
The story then follows him through his training as he is pushed and tested and moved and promoted before time.
I actually got about halfway through this book and stopped to comment that I didn't know if I was interested, intrigued or completely bored. It was weird, I was interested enough to find out what happened to him but I didn't really care, and the whole situation just seemed a bit silly. I couldn't get used to the fact that he was only 6-8, he acted more like an experienced, battle hardened 15 year old as did a lot of the other characters.
I also couldn't see the point in some of the situations, they just deliberately seemed to make his life as hard as possible.
I guess that Sci-Fi isn't my strongest genre and neither is fighting/battles so it wasn't really my cup of tea. I ploughed through it and got to the end but by that point I found that I really couldn't care any more.
Overall I was really disappointed with it, I certainly wouldn't bother with the film or any of the other books in what I have now discovered is a Quintet (5 books)
     
 My Rating

Book Review - The Fault In Our Stars

Title: The Fault In Our Stars
Author: John Green
Publisher: Penguin
Release Date: 3 Jan 2013
ISBN-13: 978-0141345659

Synopsis
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.




My Review
I have had this book on my reading pile for a very long time. I always said I wanted to read it, requested it from the library a couple of times but had to send it back due to other people requesting it. Then I saw a promotion on facebook from the publisher and applied and they sent me a copy. It got added to my pile then forgotten about. I gave it to my teen reading group a couple of months ago and they all read it but I didn't get round to it. 
I think part of me was scared of reading it - sounds silly I know, but I had a very strong feeling it would make me cry and I didn't feel ready for that. But finally this weekend I was drawn to it, I felt like the time was right and I dived right in. Do you ever feel like that about books? That there is a right time to read them? 
Anyway, I started this book just after dinner and raced through the beginning, I had to put it down in the evening to do other things but I was desperate to get back to it. Finally at about 11.30pm I picked it up again and stayed up until 1am in the morning to finish it! I couldn't go to bed until I had read the whole book, I just couldn't walk away from Hazel or Augustus, I felt like I had to hear their story, that I somehow owed it to them to see it through.
I quite liked Hazel, she is very matter of fact and has a great view on life, things simply are that way and it can't be changed, that is until she meets Augustus, then she starts to experience a world of different things and the chance of a bigger future is offered to her. She still knows she is dying, that life can't be infinite, but it can be good.
Augustus though is the one that will melt your heart, he has a very relaxed attitude and a wicked sense of humour, even making fun of his own illness and that of his best friend. He just has that easy charm that you can't help but be endeared to.
The book is written in such a style that it flows past and is really easy to read, you will find yourself getting lost in the pages and suddenly you are halfway through the book with no idea how you got there. It's a serious subject matter but it doesn't make you uncomfortable at any point which is really good. I know some people have objected to books like these, saying they are too depressing or they don't take the illnesses seriously, but I think this book does a great job of portraying teen cancer and really makes you think about life and infinity and friendship and loyalty, relationships and hope. It is great for people to be aware and as I say handles the topic really well.
I didn't cry as much as I expected too, but I did find tears in my eyes and my breath catch, it was a deeper emotion that a flood of tears, it was heart warming yet heart breaking at the same time. A book that stays with you after you have finished it.
I will definitely be trying some of his other books, I like Green's style!

My Rating

     
 

Book Review - Daylighters

Title: Daylighters
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: The Morganville Vampires (book 15)
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Release Date: 5 Nov 2013
ISBN-13: 978-0749012717

Synopsis
While Morganville, Texas, is often a troubled town, Claire Danvers and her friends are looking forward to coming home. But the Morganville they return to isn’t the one they know; it’s become a different place—a deadly one…
Something drastic has happened in Morganville while Claire and her friends were away. The town looks cleaner and happier than they’ve ever seen it before, but when their incoming group is arrested and separated—vampires from humans—they realize that the changes definitely aren’t for the better.
It seems that an organization called the Daylight Foundation has offered the population of Morganville something they’ve never had: hope of a vampire-free future. And while it sounds like salvation—even for the vampires themselves—the truth is far more sinister and deadly.
Now, Claire, Shane and Eve need to find a way to break their friends out of Daylighter custody, before the vampires of Morganville meet their untimely end…

My Review
So this is it, the end of Morganville. I cannot believe it's over, took me longer to get through the series than I planned (a whole month longer) but that wasn't due to the books, just my busy life and work getting in the way. I have really loved being a part of this world and feel like I could walk down the streets and talk to the characters as if I had been there for years. It feels like I have had to say goodbye to friends finishing this series, but I know I can always go back to visit.
So Claire and her friends return to Morganville after their brief stint in MIT. They've returned with an extra person too - Jesse the vampire we met in the previous book, which I was pleased about as I really liked her.But now they are back they are in for a shock- the Daylight foundation has taken over. All the vampires are being held in an 'enclave' although it sounds more like a sophisticated prison camp. The humans finally have the freedom they craved, but just what are the Daylighters going to do with the vamps. Whatever it is Claire knows it can't be good. Not wanting to choose sides she has to figure out what is right and what ultimately will bring about the most peaceful future. 
I read most of this book this morning in one sitting and was totally hooked, it's a bit more moral than the rest, makes you think about what makes one persons life more valuable than another but the book isn't preachy or trying to tell you what to think, it just makes you stop and wander. 
Having read this far, as I'm sure every Morganville fan will agree, it is impossible to choose a side. I love Claire, Shane and Eve, even Hannah Moses is cool and a mix of other background characters would be friendly neighbours. But then I also love Amelie, Myrnin, Oliver, and a host of other vamps. There is no way I could pick one side over the other. 
The Daylighters are written perfectly, they really make my spine tingle and my hairs stand on end. Something about them just leaks a feeling of evil, bad intentions, but they can also charm you and make you think they may have a point. The sort of villain that appears as a friend, would pull you into a hug and then stab you in the back whilst still smiling at you. It's creepy - bravo Miss Caine, splendid writing!
I couldn't wait to find out how it would all end but I didn't want it to be over. I was however left with a feeling of 'completeness', like everything was right. It isn't completely wrapped up, there is some open ends, but they are so well built up that I can picture a future for them and know it's all ok. Enough is brought to a satisfying end that you are more filling in the gaps than writing your own ending which is how I like it. 
This is a series I will always treasure and re-visit and thoroughly recommend to anyone. There is so much to experience and fall in love with that you will count yourself as an honorary Morgnaville resident and never want to leave.

My Rating

    

Book Review - Burning Bright

Title: Burning Bright
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Publisher: Harper
Release Date: 4 Feb 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0007178360

Synopsis 
Poet, artist, and printer William Blake works in obscurity as England is rocked by the shock waves of the French Revolution. Next door, the Kellaway family has just moved in, and country boy Jem Kellaway strikes up a tentative friendship with street–savvy Maggie Butterfield.

As their stories intertwine with Blake’s, the two children navigate the confusing and exhilarating path to adolescence, and inspire the poet to create the work that enshrined his genius.

My Review
Every month in the library we hold an 'Open Book Group' session, which basically means that we advertise the book we are going to read and then anyone who comes into the library can request a copy and come along to the discussion meeting. The staff take it in turns to run the session, this month it was my turn and I was given this one.
I've never read Chevalier before and can't say I've ever really wanted to, but I was told that I might enjoy this one and that it was a fairly easy going read.
I left it to the last minute to read, basically starting it at 9pm Thursday night when the meeting was on Friday. I must admit I was exactly captivated and by 10:30 I had put it down for a break, eager to do something else!
Knowing I had to finish it I then ending up staying up until 1:30 in the morning slogging through it.
The mention of a circus in this book was one thing that made me a bit more inclined to read it, I really like things to do with the circus in books, especially more old fashioned style stories but I was disappointed with it, the circus is actually more of a back setting to the story, a place for a few characters to meet and interact for a while but it isn't actually that relevant in my opinion. Which considering the picture on the front is a bit misleading.
The story is set in 1792 and follows the Kellaway family as they move from Dorsetshire to London, it's a very different place and at first they are over-whelmed but they soon find themselves getting use to the hustle and bustle of the town. We have Mr Kellaway who makes wooden chairs for a living, his wife, his son Jem and his daughter Maisie. Considering Jem is supposed to be a teenager he came across to me as a bit weak willed and quite young in spirit, he seemed like a right pushover, I kept waiting for him to do something to prove himself but it never really came. 
The redeeming feature of the book is Maggie, a young girl from London who befriends the family, especially Jem. She has a wicked personality and really lights up the story, she brings a real spark to it and makes it much more exciting. I liked her easy spirit and quick easy speech.
Although the book is based on William Blake's life he too seems like a secondary character, and not all that important - parts of his poetry are quoted throughout the book which helps set the scene a little, but actually got a bit irritating after a while, I found myself skimming them.
The book jumps from scene to scene and never really delves into any given situation so I felt a little bit disconnected throughout, I never really felt involved with the characters or that I cared that much about them.
When I finished the book I wondered what the point was - it didn't really ever go anywhere, I was waiting for something to happen to make it all worth while but I was left feeling a bit deflated.
I found out that The Astley circus and the building that Blake lived in really did exist and that a couple of the scenes in the book were based on real life events - this made it seem a bit more relevant and made me appreciate the book a little bit more. But I think there should be a page at the back of the book to let you know this, make it more general knowledge without having to look up info online.
I fully admit this is not my normal sort of read and I would never have chosen it otherwise, but I am always willing to try different things and have found some gems before, it just wasn't meant to be this time.

My Rating

   

Book Review - Fade Out

Title: Fade Out
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: The Morganville Vampires (book 7)
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Release Date:11 Jan 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0749007492

 Synopsis
Without the evil vampire Bishop ruling over the town of Morganville, the resident vampires have made major concessions to the human population. With their newfound freedoms, Claire Danvers and her friends are almost starting to feel comfortable again…

Now Claire can actually concentrate on her studies, and her friend Eve joins the local theatre company. But when one of Eve’s castmates goes missing after starting work on a short documentary, Eve suspects the worst. Claire and Eve soon realize that this film project, whose subject is the vampires themselves, is a whole lot bigger—and way more dangerous—than anyone suspected.

My Review
Still powering through this series and loving every minute. In fact I think that number 7 may be the best one so far. Things have changed in Morganville, the threat of Bishop is gone and humans have been given more freedom and power and life seems to be getting more normal, or at least what you can class as normal in Morganville. So normal, in fact the Eve has a leading role in the towns play and is more excited about rehearsals than anything. Claire is still working for Myrnin but he's not quite as psycho, Shane's finally got a job and Michael is becoming a singing legend. So everything is cool, right?
Are you crazy, this is where it all hits the fan and you just know it's going ot be good. Enter Kim, slightly crazy goth girl with a love of video cameras and sticking her nose in where it's not wanted, but you can only guess at the trouble she causes, mix in Amelie going all miserable and withdrawn and Myrnin's computer Ada developing a killer personality and things start to happen. 
I read this pretty much this evening in a few hours and found myself laughing out loud and jumping in places, I was utterly absorbed. In fact I think this one does have a bit more humour than some of the others, and Myrnin has the best line ever in this book, I nearly spat my drink out from laughter.
Some series tend to start to get a bit tired by the sixth or seventh book but not Morganville, these books are still exciting and fresh and I can't wait to read more. 

  My Rating

 

Book Review - Carpe Corpus

Title: Carpe Corpus
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: The Morganville Vampires (book 6)
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Release Date: 12 Oct 2009
ISBN-13: 978-0749007775

Synopsis
In the small college town of Morganville, vampires and humans lived in (relative) peace—until all the rules got rewritten when the evil vampire Bishop arrived, looking for the lost book of vampire secrets. He’s kept a death grip on the town ever since. Now an underground resistance is brewing, and in order to contain it, Bishop must go to even greater lengths.

He vows to obliterate the town and all its inhabitants—the living and the undead. Claire Danvers and her friends are the only ones who stand in his way. But even if they defeat Bishop, will the vampires ever be content to go back to the old rules, after having such a taste of power?

My Review
Bishop is still in control and Claire, Eve, Shane and Michael are still caught in the middle. Claire feels more alone than ever forced to work alongside Bishop and on top of that her parents have made her move back in with them. Worried for their safety and missing her friends she feels like her choices are limited. 
This book has a real feeling of tension throughout, you know something big is going to happen, something that the last few books have been leading up to and you can't help but read it rapidly to get through and find out just how they are going to get out of it all.
Myrnin is of course becoming more prominent in the series and I love the scenes with him in, they are just so random and crazy. 
I love how Caine develops not only the characters but the whole town of Morganville, you see the whole place adapt and change and it really comes to life. I still wouldn't want to live there but it feels like I've visited!
As with the previous books, I loved it, read it in mere hours and went straight onto the next book.

My Rating

    

Book Review - Lord of Misrule

Title: Lord of Misrule
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: The Morganville Vampires (book 5)
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Release Date: 10 July 2009
ISBN-13: 978-0749007577

Synopsis 
In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, the master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil dead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn't the only threat.
Violent black cyclone clouds hover, promising a storm of devastating proportions as student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against elements both natural and unnatural.

My Review
And so onto book 5. Started and finished within 3 hours. All in one go. This starts exactly where book 4 finished, Mr Bishop is still causing trouble, Claire and her friends are stuck in the middle of it and things are getting messier by the second. There are some developments in the relationships of the characters too and I love how they have to work at it, nothing is instant. They argue, they storm out, they come back, it's more real.
I'm afraid this will actually be a short review, what I said in the other 4 reviews still stands here, this series is just addictive and awesome. And I want to get stuck straight into the next book. Especially with the ending from this book - can we say OMG!

My Rating

  

Book Review - Feast of Fools

Title: Feast of Fools
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: The Morganville Vampires (book 4)
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Release Date: 5 Oct 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0749079796

Synopsis
In the town of Morganville, vampires and humans live in relative peace. Student Claire Danvers has never been convinced, though, especially with the arrival of Mr. Bishop, an ancient, old-school vampire who cares nothing about harmony. What he wants from the town's living and its dead is unthinkably sinister. It's only at a formal ball, attended by vampires and their human dates, that Claire realizes the elaborately evil trap he's set for Morganville.

My Review
I friggin love this series!!! As I said in my earlier reviews - these are technically re-reads, but with a 4 year gap it's mostly fresh, but it's reminding me why I thought these books were so awesome. 
Things are definitely getting darker in Morganville, there is now danger from a whole new threat and this one doesn't seem like it's going to go away easily. It's got Amelie and Oliver on edge too, so you know it can't be good. Mr Bishop is in town and he's ready to turn everything upside down. Once again Claire is thrown in the middle of it with her housemates Eve, Shane and Michael. But this may be the most danger they have ever been in. Not to mention Eve's brother - psycho Jason is still around and causing just as much trouble. Myrnin is causing his own troubles too, he's getting crazier by the day, but you can't help but like him - he doesn't mean to be such a hassle but he does it so well. 
I started this in my lunch break today and managed to read 122 pages in just 60 minutes and when I got home from work I sat and finished it in one go. They are so easy to read because they capture your attention and keep you on edge and involved in the story. When I'm reading these books I feel like I am there beside Claire, standing in the Glass house, and it's awesome (but if course I know that I'm safe, even if i did jump a couple of times!)
Seriously this is a MUST READ series.

My Rating

    

Book Review - Midnight Alley

Title: Midnight Alley
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: The Morganville Vampires
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Release Date: 5 Sept 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0749079222

Synopsis
Morganville is such a nice place to live...and die. If you don't mind that sort of thing. When Claire Danvers learnt that her college town was run by vampires, she did what any intelligent, self-preserving student would do: she applied for a transfer and stocked up on garlic. The transfer is no longer an option, but that garlic may come in handy. Now Claire has pledged herself to Amelie, the most powerful vampire in town. The protection her contract secures does little to reassure her friends. All of a sudden, people are turning up dead, a stalker resurfaces from Claire's past, and an ancient bloodsucker extends a chilling invitation for private lessons in his secluded home.

My Review
This is it, the book where we finally meet Myrnin! He is by far the most awesome character in this series, he is completely crazy, deranged and to be honest dangerous, but you can't help but like him. I love how he is introduced and how you get to see all the different sides of his personality. 
This book has a lot more action in it, or at least it feels that way, everything seems to go wrong for our four protagonists, but they refuse to give up which is sort of what I love about them. Eve is more sarcastic and I love her witty replies, Michael has stepped up and after his big decision in the last book is more involved than ever and I can't help but admire the big brother vibe he has with Claire and his desperation to keep everyone safe. Shane, well Shane's still a bit of an ass at times but you see more of his heart in this one and he's really growing on me.
The politics of the town are getting darker and you can feel that the story is building up to something much bigger, if you can spot the clues you know where disaster is likely to hit next. But even so when it does happen, you still feel a little surprised.
I read this in about 3 hours and did not want to put it down. This series just keeps on getting better and I'm looking forward to journeying through the rest of the series with these characters. 

My Rating

    

Book Review - Dead Girls' Dance

Title: Dead Girls' Dance
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: The Morganville Vampires (book 2)
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Release Date: 7 April 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0749079864

Synopsis
Claire has her share of challenges. Like being a genius in a school that favours beauty over brains; homicidal girls in her dorm, and finding out that her college town is overrun with the living dead. On the up side, she has a new boyfriend with a vampire-hunting dad. But when a local fraternity throws the Dead Girls' Dance, hell is really going to break loose.


My Review
Straight into book 2, The characters are all pretty much well established now and you are thrown straight into the next phase of their story. Claire is still the young innocent girl, but she is also growing a back bone, she is certainly more feisty in this book and I love this new side to her. Michael, Eve and Shane are also growing and the relationships between them all are evolving too, and I love the group dynamic.
This book invites a whole new threat though, Shane's Dad is in town and he means business, he wants to wipe out all the vampires, but there is much more at stake and he could cause Claire's entire world to come crashing down. 
Again this is a re-read but I didn't remember much, in fact I only had vague recollections of the party and I knew it was exciting. So really it was almost like coming to it fresh. 
These books really do suck you in and refuse to let you go. Highly addictive - ooh and Amelie - she features a lot more and my word does she have presence on the page. 
Actually one of the fun things about reading this series back is that you spot hints of things that are to come, like the dark alley leading to a crazy vamp - if you know the series you know who this is hinting at, and I can't wait for his appearance. 
Just as awesome as the first.

My Rating

   

Book Review - Glass Houses

Title: Glass Houses
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: The Morganville Vampires (Book 1)
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Release Date: 26 May 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0749079512

Synopsis
College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life, but they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood. Will she be able to face the town's terror or will she drown like everyone else?

My Review
I first read this book a few years ago, I got totally obsessed with the series and even went to an author talk with Rachel Caine where she signed some of my books. I have followed the series since and I still love them. 
You can tell how long ago I read them because it was before I started this blog (Which I have been doing for at least 3 years). In fact the first one I reviewed on here was number 9. I then only ever read up to book 12. I found out that there would be 15 books in the series so I decided to wait until that one came out and then just read them all. So guess what I got for Christmas? - That's right 'Daylighters' (book 15) so I started to read the series from the beginning again.
Claire is at College, the youngest one there. She is super intelligent and been given early entry, but her parents didn't want her to go too far away to any main Universities so they settles on Morganville. But she instantly finds herself as an outcast and on the wrong side of the meanest girl in school, but this girl isn't just spiteful, she is violent and has no problem hurting Claire. Eager to escape Claire heads to the 'Glass House' and meets Michael, Shane and Eve, but they seem strange too, but it's better than going back to the dorm. Once there she starts to uncover all sorts of secrets about Morganville, some which are so unbelievable they might just be true.
Although this was technically a re-read for me, it really has been so long since I last read it that it almost felt fresh. Of course, I know how the characters develop in later books but it was fun going back to the start.
These books are highly addictive, I read this in about 3 hours, I think I was a bit unsocial this Christmas with my nose stuck in this book, but I enjoyed it!
Rachel Caine blends the world really well, and makes it feel really realistic, the imagery of her writing is fabulous, I can really picture the places and people, I can totally get lost in these books. 
I of course went straight onto book 2 and am already 100 pages in so expect a review soon. In fact I have challenged myself to read all 15 by New Years, so that's 15 books in 6 days. Not sure if it's possible but I'm going for it. So expect a lot of reviews over the next few days.

Morganville Vampires Rule!

My Rating