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
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
I am not sure what I was really expecting from this novel...but it wasn't what I got. It started off intense with Claire having to face the horrible Monica (talk about a "mean" girl). Monica and her friends torture (literally) Claire leaving her the only option...move out of the dorm. She finds the Glass house with Michael - the big brother who is the voice of reason. Eve - the goth girl with a kind heart and Shane - the boy with the past. Eve bring up vampires in Morganville, which Claire immediately laughs off. But it is true. The town is run by vampires, like the mafia.
Claire has made an enemy out of Monica and can't seem to stay out of any one's way. She discovers Michael's secret, finds out that Shane is dealing with a lot of guilt, Eve is trying to be strong, finds out that the vamps want a book and she actively seeks it out. She makes an enemy out of a vampire named Brandon, a friend in Oliver, and meets chief big vampire.
There was a ton going on in this book but I have to say the middle, even with the events, didn't move fast enough for me. The book picked up the last 40 pages and left a really good cliffhanger.
Claire's characterization is conflicting. One minute she's a meek, young girl. The next she is this mouthy, reckless girl. And I get that it could be her "coming of age" but the book happens so quickly, like a few weeks so this turn about in character seemed really unrealistic to me. If it started to happen in Book 3, it would make more sense or if she started off mouthy and reckless.
Some quick thoughts:
Team Shane! Though for a bit I thought it was going to be Michael.
What parent sends their 16 year old to college 100 miles away?
How strong is "protection"?
Chemical burn? OUCH!
I hope Monica gets...and what was the random moment with her brother?
I had never heard of this one. One of my biggest book pet peeves is when a character doesn't seem to fit his/her "character." That seems to happen here. Overall would you recommend this one?
ReplyDelete@ Alexis - I would recommend this book, but not a must read or move up your TBR pile. I am reading the second one right now and I feel the same about the characters and the middle, but I will read the whole series. They are great plot lines, funny pacing. The characters are a bit more settled in the second one too.
ReplyDeleteI have this one on the want list, but haven't got there yet. Are you going to go on with the series? I'm wondering if it will get better in books two. Thanks for the honest review. :)
ReplyDelete@ Melissa. I am going to continue with the series. I finished the second one today... I might not have if Caine didn't leave endings that made me think "I need to know whats going to happen though." Like I told Alexis...great plot lines!
ReplyDeleteWasn't Monica just an eveil witch? ugh. I hated her. I'm still on book 2, did you enjoy it? Let me knw!
ReplyDeleteOMG I KNOW!! That weird family moment kind of sort of creeped me out...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you pretty much about this whole book lol...It was like...I enjoyed it, but then at the end I wasn't sure if I really did. I like the general story that Rachel Caine lays down...but there is NOWHERE near enough action for me...
@ Diana - I HATE MONICA! I just finished Book 2... same feelings about the plot but I am more attached to Claire and Shane now... I am going to start the third one this weekend.
ReplyDelete@Andra - I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way about the book. Did you read book 2?