The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine

Series: The Morganville Vampires

Author: Rachel Caine
Page Count: 248
Published: April 3rd, 2007

Publisher: NAL Jam

  5 Stars ★★★★★

 

 

In the second book of the Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine, Shane's father is determined to kill as many vampires as possible. However, being under Amelie the vampire's Protection, this isn't exactly a good idea, because the inhabitants of the Glass House worry that they will be blamed for the actions of his anti-vampire biker gang.

Nothing is as it seems, and nobody can really be trusted. 

This book was intense. 

Rachel Caine really knows how to draw her readers in from the very beginning. The action started in the first chapter and continued non-stop throughout the whole book, with a good balance in terms of both physical action and mental plotting.

The Dead Girls' Dance was also very emotional. Because the author succeeded in making me care about the characters in book one, the misfortunes that fell upon them in book two were heart wrenching and shocking. 

I also like how Rachel Caine blurs the lines between good and evil. Very few characters are one hundred percent good or one hundred percent evil. I find myself switching back and forth over whether I want them to lose and surrender, or to succeed in their endeavors.

I don't have any negative comments or criticism regarding this novel. Very entertaining and thought-provoking, I recommend this book/series to YA readers looking for a great vampire book with complex ideas and elements of mystery.

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Beautiful Cover(s) of the Day!

The Morganville Vampires Series by Rachel Caine is a popular YA/NA book series. I have only read book one, Glass Houses, but I was very impressed and I definitely recommend it.
There are several different and beautiful versions of the book covers, but these are my favourites for sure! I am a sucker for gothic covers (pun intended) and these draw me in.

 The blurb:

"From the author of the popular Weather Warden series comes the debut of an exciting new series set in Morganville, Texas, where you would be well advised to avoid being out after dark.

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?"

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Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

Series: The Morganville Vampires

Author: Rachel Caine

Page Count: 239
Published: October 3rd, 2006

 Publisher: NAL

5 Stars ★★★★★

Claire is sixteen years old, and starting her first year of post-secondary education in Morganville. After angering Monica, one of the popular girls in her college dorm, she finds herself battered, bruised, and desperate. 

While going through advertisements for off-campus housing, she stumbles across the Glass House. Shane, Michael, and Eve are looking for a fourth roommate. They reluctantly allow her to stay, but only temporarily...at least, that was their plan.

Monica is out for revenge, and not only does she have her group of human admirers to assist her, but as Claire soon learns, she has connections with vampires as well. But the worst of it is yet to come; Claire will face shocking revelations, brutal attacks, and life-threatening betrayals.

I was pleasantly surprised by the first installment in The Morganville Vampires series, Glass Houses. The synopsis had me prepared for a stereotypical, potentially cliché YA novel, with brooding vampires and spontaneous love affairs. 

While some of the vampires could be described as brooding, it wasn't a common trait amongst every single one of them. I appreciated that Rachel Caine gave each of the vampires their own unique personalities as opposed to the popular "I'm a self-loathing vampire" trope...it made them seem all the more believable. 

As for the non-vampire characters in this book, I really grew to care about some and loathe others. They were realistic; they had their own strengths and beauty, yet they also had their flaws. The characters were diverse and I felt like they complimented each other well and really added to the story.

The plot and pacing were so incredibly refreshing, especially for a YA novel! Chapters didn't drag on and on, yet they didn't fly by either. I was hooked to the story, and to the mystery and danger Claire had to face throughout the book. As for the romantic aspect, I was greatly impressed. There was no "insta-love", and when characters did become interested in each other it was obvious why (and it wasn't just because of looks, money, or paranormal status). In other words, the romance was meaningful.

I recommend this to fans of vampire fiction and YA fiction,  especially fans of Claudia Gray and Melissa de la Cruz. 

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