After discussing this series with a friend the other day, I realized that I stopped after the first two (because that’s all that had been released at that stage). I want to get back into this series that many people I know rave about! So I’ve decided to read one Morganville Vampire book a week for the next twelve weeks! Morganville Mondays I shall call the days when I post my reviews!
Welcome to the third Morganville Monday – this week focusing on the third book of the series, Midnight Alley
Book Review:
Title: Midnight Alley (Morganville Vampires #3)
Author: Rachel Caine
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Contemporary, Vampires
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: January 2011 (first published 2007)
Pages: 372
Rating: 4 stars
Synopsis (from goodreads):
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:
WARNING: This review will contain spoilers from the first two books in the Morganville Vampires series. I tried to write a spoiler-free review but so much of what happens in this book is a response to what has already happened in the series and it was just too hard for me to review without major spoilers. If you don’t want to know what happens the in the first two books then please stop reading now.
Things in Morganville are really starting to heat up. In Midnight Alley, Claire and the other inhabitants of the Glass House have to get used to some new developments. Michael is no longer a ghost bound to his house but rather, now a fully fledged vampire. Not so lucky for him that his best friend is still on a rampage to kill all the filthy bloodsuckers that dwell in Morganville. Shane needs to work out if he considers Michael worthy to live now that he’s one of the living undead.
Things aren’t smooth sailing for Eve either. On top of having to accept the fact that her boyfriend is now on an all liquid diet, her brother is still in town and up to his old tricks.
After signing her allegiance to Amelie in the end of The Dead Girls’ Dance, Claire now has to accept all that the Founder’s protection gives her. I don’t think she ever expected that it was going to end up with her playing student to a crazy and blood thirsty mad scientist who is trying to save the vampire race before insanity claims him entirely. She sure does manage to get herself into some tricky situations.
I’m really starting to enjoy this series. The writing in this book felt more comfortable to read – the characters are starting to get into the right groove and act like the teenagers they are. I liked the often use of pop culture references as well as the character development. Claire is starting to show that she’s as smart as she’s always claiming to be. And on top of that she’s starting to act as street smart as she is book smart. I was so proud of her with regards to her interactions with Monica Morrell in this book. And I love the romance between Claire and Shane. The constant references to their lack of sex due to her age are getting a little old but I love how they interact with each other. They’re adorable.
Shane is one of those characters that I’m not sure my feelings towards him. There are times when I think he’s awesome and others when I just want to shake him and ask him what in the world is he thinking? He’s so hot-headed and his outlook on the world is a little black and white but in this book I thought he might slowly be coming around to see all the shades of grey. One of my favourite things from the first two novels was his relationship with Michael and to see him trying to ruin things infuriated me. Lucky for him that he’s got Eve and Claire to try to kick him into line.
The plots are starting to get more complex and interwoven with the fabric of the rest of the series. I can feel that there’s something amazing planned in the future. I loved how the series is growing – both with regards to the characters and the world that this particular type of vampires inhabit.
The next book should be interesting. This one ends in such a way that I’m very eager to read on and find out exactly how things are going to play out.
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