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kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Twelfth in the Morganville Vampire urban fantasy series for young adults revolving around four fast friends and the trials and tribulations of living in a vampire-run town in Texas.
My Take
Hoo, boy. Scary. Tense. Dramatic. Did I say "scary"? And the ending...*shakin' in my boots*.
Each chapter is written from a different character's perspective---just pay attention to the chapter headings. Shifting the viewpoints allows for each major character to share what's in his/her head. Their doubts, fears, and hopes. And never so sad as when we share Shane's dreams as it makes what follows so very poignant. The drama of Michael and Eve's concerns can't help but ring a sad farewell, for their individual thoughts and actions are sensible as are their fears.
Whoa, Claire is stepping up and out---talking back to the scary vamps and not taking any shit from them. Even weirder, Oliver acknowledges that he needs human help right now. Just don't hold your breath too long.
Shane has such desire and need. So normal. So deserving. It just made me cry.
Sending help for them is what Hannah should have done in the first place, dammit!
Perfect is the key.
The Story
They've been driven back to the vampire stronghold in Founder's Square. Fortunately, it's well-fortified although chocolate and espresso were not part of the considerations. They didn't rescue many from the draug, just Naomi, Oliver, and Michael. If not for Michael's and Amelie's attacks, it wouldn't have been this good.
As it is, Eve's plan to create weapon caches around town is a good one and events cement her standing. It's Claire with her shotgun, Shane with his flamethrower, and Naomi who will search out Theo, for Amelie desperately needs aid. Theo is also the vampire who protects Claire from Oliver's less-than-tender mercies and Eve from Naomi's plots.
Surprisingly, Myrnin has some good militaristic ideas with one huge objective being the water treatment plant. Now Oliver has forbidden Myrnin to plan any battles...but, technically this isn't a battle although getting the keys to the Founder's "tank" may be considered one!
The plant is just one objective. Saving Shane and finding a better weapon than what they have is more critical. Shockingly, Monica insists on coming along on Claire's rescue mission with Richard, Hannah, Michael, and Eve. It also allows them to discover a new weakness. Caine left a loose thread---how Magnus is linked to Claire. Shane surprises everyone---his idea is so much more brilliant.
The Characters
Claire Danvers is young and brilliant. Not yet 18, she is essential as Myrnin's assistant. Essential enough that Amelie, the leader of Morganville and its vampires, grants her a great deal of leeway. She's also the only one who can see through Magnus' glamour. Shane Collins has changed so much from his ignoble start. He cares. He loves, particularly he loves Claire. it's that love that could well be his downfall.
Michael Glass has been a vampire for a bit now. He still plays his guitar, but he'll never go on the road with his music. He and Eve had intended to marry in Last Breath. Now, who knows after the ordeal he has suffered, the attack on his beloved. He still cries out in the night with the nightmares he suffers. Eve is still freaked out by the attack. Uncertain of her future, she is avoiding and wanting Michael.
Amelie was badly bitten by the draug and now she lies dying even as the attacks continue and the battle rages for her throne. Naomi is Amelie's "sister" and a recent arrival. She's more of a threat to the Founder than Oliver with her sense of entitlement. Oliver owns Common Grounds and is Amelie's rival. He despises humans and is completely against Amelie's policy towards them. Theo Goldman is one of the few vampires friendly to humans. Well, as friendly as a vampire may be. It's his knowledge of medicine and vampires that Oliver is counting on. Myrnin is brilliant and bi-polar. He's also in love with Claire. For herself in his life. For her brain to run Morganville. It just depends on his mood.
Frank Collins is/was Shane's jerk of a dad. Never a real father, all he ever thought of was destroying vampires. Only to be turned himself into a vampire and then into Morganville's protector. Jason is sort of on probation and he's been co-opted into making Myrnin's special bullets. He's also a target for Naomi and a threat to hold over his sister, Eve. A psychopathic human, he would be a terrifying vampire.
Monica Morrell, the queen bitch, has returned to Morganville. Seems her credit cards were running out. Richard Morrell is Monica's brother and an amazingly decent man. With his father's death, the vampires insist he is now Morganville's mayor. Hannah Moses is the police chief. She's had experience in war but never like this. She and Richard have been thrown together a lot in this crisis.
Magnus is the master draug. The greatest threat that exists to vampires and he intends to eliminate every last one.
Captain Obvious leads the human resistance against the vampires. and he'll sign his own death warrant. Miranda is a psychic who refused to leave town. She has a role to play if she can't keep Claire safe.
The Cover
The cover has a black and green watery background with a close-up of Eve looking out at us with wicked promise, her short black hair sweeping obto her cheek, her forehead.
I don't know which is the Blacker Dawn, trapped without hope in Founder's Square at the start or the end.
My Take
Hoo, boy. Scary. Tense. Dramatic. Did I say "scary"? And the ending...*shakin' in my boots*.
Each chapter is written from a different character's perspective---just pay attention to the chapter headings. Shifting the viewpoints allows for each major character to share what's in his/her head. Their doubts, fears, and hopes. And never so sad as when we share Shane's dreams as it makes what follows so very poignant. The drama of Michael and Eve's concerns can't help but ring a sad farewell, for their individual thoughts and actions are sensible as are their fears.
Whoa, Claire is stepping up and out---talking back to the scary vamps and not taking any shit from them. Even weirder, Oliver acknowledges that he needs human help right now. Just don't hold your breath too long.
Shane has such desire and need. So normal. So deserving. It just made me cry.
Sending help for them is what Hannah should have done in the first place, dammit!
Perfect is the key.
The Story
They've been driven back to the vampire stronghold in Founder's Square. Fortunately, it's well-fortified although chocolate and espresso were not part of the considerations. They didn't rescue many from the draug, just Naomi, Oliver, and Michael. If not for Michael's and Amelie's attacks, it wouldn't have been this good.
As it is, Eve's plan to create weapon caches around town is a good one and events cement her standing. It's Claire with her shotgun, Shane with his flamethrower, and Naomi who will search out Theo, for Amelie desperately needs aid. Theo is also the vampire who protects Claire from Oliver's less-than-tender mercies and Eve from Naomi's plots.
Surprisingly, Myrnin has some good militaristic ideas with one huge objective being the water treatment plant. Now Oliver has forbidden Myrnin to plan any battles...but, technically this isn't a battle although getting the keys to the Founder's "tank" may be considered one!
The plant is just one objective. Saving Shane and finding a better weapon than what they have is more critical. Shockingly, Monica insists on coming along on Claire's rescue mission with Richard, Hannah, Michael, and Eve. It also allows them to discover a new weakness. Caine left a loose thread---how Magnus is linked to Claire. Shane surprises everyone---his idea is so much more brilliant.
The Characters
Claire Danvers is young and brilliant. Not yet 18, she is essential as Myrnin's assistant. Essential enough that Amelie, the leader of Morganville and its vampires, grants her a great deal of leeway. She's also the only one who can see through Magnus' glamour. Shane Collins has changed so much from his ignoble start. He cares. He loves, particularly he loves Claire. it's that love that could well be his downfall.
Michael Glass has been a vampire for a bit now. He still plays his guitar, but he'll never go on the road with his music. He and Eve had intended to marry in Last Breath. Now, who knows after the ordeal he has suffered, the attack on his beloved. He still cries out in the night with the nightmares he suffers. Eve is still freaked out by the attack. Uncertain of her future, she is avoiding and wanting Michael.
Amelie was badly bitten by the draug and now she lies dying even as the attacks continue and the battle rages for her throne. Naomi is Amelie's "sister" and a recent arrival. She's more of a threat to the Founder than Oliver with her sense of entitlement. Oliver owns Common Grounds and is Amelie's rival. He despises humans and is completely against Amelie's policy towards them. Theo Goldman is one of the few vampires friendly to humans. Well, as friendly as a vampire may be. It's his knowledge of medicine and vampires that Oliver is counting on. Myrnin is brilliant and bi-polar. He's also in love with Claire. For herself in his life. For her brain to run Morganville. It just depends on his mood.
Frank Collins is/was Shane's jerk of a dad. Never a real father, all he ever thought of was destroying vampires. Only to be turned himself into a vampire and then into Morganville's protector. Jason is sort of on probation and he's been co-opted into making Myrnin's special bullets. He's also a target for Naomi and a threat to hold over his sister, Eve. A psychopathic human, he would be a terrifying vampire.
Monica Morrell, the queen bitch, has returned to Morganville. Seems her credit cards were running out. Richard Morrell is Monica's brother and an amazingly decent man. With his father's death, the vampires insist he is now Morganville's mayor. Hannah Moses is the police chief. She's had experience in war but never like this. She and Richard have been thrown together a lot in this crisis.
Magnus is the master draug. The greatest threat that exists to vampires and he intends to eliminate every last one.
Captain Obvious leads the human resistance against the vampires. and he'll sign his own death warrant. Miranda is a psychic who refused to leave town. She has a role to play if she can't keep Claire safe.
The Cover
The cover has a black and green watery background with a close-up of Eve looking out at us with wicked promise, her short black hair sweeping obto her cheek, her forehead.
I don't know which is the Blacker Dawn, trapped without hope in Founder's Square at the start or the end.
sarahmrob's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
Claire, Myrinin, Eve, Michael, Shane, Oliver all fight to save the Queen. She was bitten and is changing. Vampire politics are not resting while she's fighting, there are hints at an uprising or two, both would be worse for the humans in town. The Draug are something that the vampires do not know how to kill, they have been running for centuries from them. How can a small group of young humans help ? Shane steps up the help and is caught in a never ending nightmare, Claire is crazy with worry and everything is just beginning to hit the fan !
Intense action, frightening moments galore and almost no hope for a future. This books shifts the world for this small town and I loved it. Nothing will be as it was and I want the next book NOW.
Intense action, frightening moments galore and almost no hope for a future. This books shifts the world for this small town and I loved it. Nothing will be as it was and I want the next book NOW.
halynah's review against another edition
4.0
Great installment in the series - a little bit creepy, but still good. I loved Shane and Claire's relationships in this book - even in difficulties they didn't torture each other like Michael and Eve.
zuzanna_glowacka_slapa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mbfeeney's review against another edition
5.0
Yet again, Rachel Caine has had me go through so many different emotions in just one book. I honestly envy her that talent!
Not wanting to give anything away, but I cried, I laughed (the banter was top notch as usual)and I got angry... in fact, I couldn't believe what some of the characters were doing. I wanted to punch a couple of them more than once.
I really can't wait for book 13 (out of 15) to be released already....
Not wanting to give anything away, but I cried, I laughed (the banter was top notch as usual)and I got angry... in fact, I couldn't believe what some of the characters were doing. I wanted to punch a couple of them more than once.
I really can't wait for book 13 (out of 15) to be released already....
eghimire_'s review against another edition
4.0
just announced by Rachel:
In case you didn't hear the news yet: THERE WILL BE THREE MORE MORGANVILLE NOVELS after Book 12, bringing the total for the series to 15 books! I don't know titles yet, but will be able to share some by the end of the year. I just posted the cover for BLACK DAWN, book 12. - Rachel
AND COVER IS RELEASED~! LOVE IT<3
----------------------------------------------------------
Took me absolutely forever to finish this book. Mainly because it's summer and I didn't have the huge urge to read and because the beginning was hard to get into.
Black Dawn start where Last Breath left off. Morganville is under total chaos with Magnus and his draugs. Things are in total hell.
One thing that so different about Black Dawn is that the hilarious humor that is in the previous books, isn't here really. Sure they have their witty banter here and there, but the hilarious humor isn't here. Well considering how things are for the gang, I can get why.
I really liked the changing POV's, though there were A LOT. I think Caine pulled off the different POV's than L.A. Weatherly. But, oh my god, Shane's POV was so sad
Now that the tables are turning and things are getting dangerous, how will Claire and the gang survive the next 3 books?! Hopefully the next book will be a much faster read and have the umph like the previous Morganville Vampire books!
In case you didn't hear the news yet: THERE WILL BE THREE MORE MORGANVILLE NOVELS after Book 12, bringing the total for the series to 15 books! I don't know titles yet, but will be able to share some by the end of the year. I just posted the cover for BLACK DAWN, book 12. - Rachel
AND COVER IS RELEASED~! LOVE IT<3
----------------------------------------------------------
Took me absolutely forever to finish this book. Mainly because it's summer and I didn't have the huge urge to read and because the beginning was hard to get into.
Black Dawn start where Last Breath left off. Morganville is under total chaos with Magnus and his draugs. Things are in total hell.
One thing that so different about Black Dawn is that the hilarious humor that is in the previous books, isn't here really. Sure they have their witty banter here and there, but the hilarious humor isn't here. Well considering how things are for the gang, I can get why.
I really liked the changing POV's, though there were A LOT. I think Caine pulled off the different POV's than L.A. Weatherly. But, oh my god, Shane's POV was so sad
Now that the tables are turning and things are getting dangerous, how will Claire and the gang survive the next 3 books?! Hopefully the next book will be a much faster read and have the umph like the previous Morganville Vampire books!
princessklee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
blove0312's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Emotionally I want to give this a 3. But it wasn’t bad, I just didn’t like most of the decisions made at the end. Which probably adds to the story, I just don’t like it.
Well we didn’t get a gay after all. Wasn’t real clear, perhaps asexual?
While this was intense and scary and we lost some good ones and almost lost several other good ones, in the end terrible decisions were made and I think <b>real cruelty</b> is about to reign. Which is fucking stupid because of how many humans helped. Though really… it seemed they managed, in the end, with so few people including camps. Idk.
The writing was still good, the build up to tense situations was creepy and good, the characters good, we got additional POVs though if you didn’t see the names on the chapter headings you couldn’t always tell it had switched. I’m super disappointed in Amelie. And Naomi still out there to cause chaos. I’m not gonna lie I’m just ready to have this series finished lol. Which probably means I’ll love the next one bc it seems to switch up every other book or so.
Well we didn’t get a gay after all. Wasn’t real clear, perhaps asexual?
While this was intense and scary and we lost some good ones and almost lost several other good ones, in the end terrible decisions were made and I think <b>real cruelty</b> is about to reign. Which is fucking stupid because of how many humans helped. Though really… it seemed they managed, in the end, with so few people including camps. Idk.
The writing was still good, the build up to tense situations was creepy and good, the characters good, we got additional POVs though if you didn’t see the names on the chapter headings you couldn’t always tell it had switched. I’m super disappointed in Amelie. And Naomi still out there to cause chaos. I’m not gonna lie I’m just ready to have this series finished lol. Which probably means I’ll love the next one bc it seems to switch up every other book or so.