Review: Ghost Town (Morganville #9) by Rachel Caine

On May 14, 2019June 3, 2019 By Beth JonesIn Book Review3 Comments

While developing a new system to maintain Morganville’s defenses, Claire Danvers discovers a way to amplify vampire mental powers. Through this, she’s able to re-establish the field around this vampire-infested Texas college town that protects it from outsiders. But the new upgrades have an unexpected consequence.

So I’m 9 books in and I think I’m about to write my first 5 star Morganville rating! I’ve been loving these books so far but they definitely can come across as lacking depth sometimes. Well, this all changed in Ghost Town for me!

Caine tackled so many new subjects in this book. Claire finally kills the inevitable and faces the guilt that comes with it. Claire is then faced with a difficult decision, and chaos ensues shortly after (because, of course, periods of quiet are rare and short lived in this town).

‘”Stop it! Claire screamed, and put herself in front of Shane,’

My favourite thing about this series is always the group of friends. Claire, Shane, Michael and Eve are one of my favourite YA friendship groups, and the fact they stick together for so long really shines through. Each of the group are different, wonderful and complicated in their own ways and I love them for it.

I always flick through these books wanting and longing for the quiet moments between friends, which are often must needed respite between tense action scenes. For the first time in the series, Ghost Town seemed to combine the two, with the action and tension being based mainly on what is going on between the friends.

‘like she could protect him from words the way he protected her from fists.’

Without giving away loads of spoilers for this book, the emotion and depth is at 100%. I nearly ended up in tears in some moments, and it was the first time I felt such a deep connection to the characters. Caine’s writing has definitely developed since book 1 and it shows so much here!

★★★★★
5 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

Review: The Quiet at the End of the World by Lauren James

On May 13, 2019 By Beth JonesIn Book Review4 Comments

Goodreads | Amazon

How far would you go to save those you love?
Lowrie and Shen are the youngest people on the planet after a virus caused global infertility. Closeted in a pocket of London and doted upon by a small, ageing community, the pair spend their days mudlarking for artefacts from history and looking for treasure in their once-opulent mansion.
Their idyllic life is torn apart when a secret is uncovered that threatens not only their family but humanity’s entire existence. Lowrie and Shen face an impossible choice: in the quiet at the end of the world, they must decide who to save and who to sacrifice . . .

Lauren James is an auto-buy author for me. I loved The Next Together and The Loneliest Girl in the Universe was one of my favourite books of 2017, so I picked up The Quiet at the End of the World pretty much as soon as it came out. And trust me, Lauren hasn’t disappointed.

Again, we have a female protagonist who loves engineering, which I admire so much. It’s so important and yet unfortunately uncommon to see female main characters in YA like Lowrie, and we need more of her to inspire future readers. And the diversity doesn’t stop there, with a bi main character, British/Asian main characters and a trans character. The Quiet even explores class boundaries.

‘Maybe that’s what matters. Maybe that’s what being “alive” is. It’s not some trick.’

I’m constantly on edge with Lauren’s books and she honestly writes plot twists like no one else! I was again left on the edge of my seat with this book, and it kept me so interested that I finished it in just a few days.

But alongside a fast-paced and thoroughly entertaining plot, Lauren manages to explore some of the deepest subjects humanity can comprehend – namely what makes us human. To throw such a huge topic in but not make the reader feel overwhelmed is beyond me.

‘There’s no magic chemical that gives something a soul. It’s about being loved and loving in return.’

This book was hopeful, lighthearted and emotional at times. I related so much to Lowrie and Shen, and ended up close to tears at some scenes. The uniqueness of the concept is astounding, and I endlessly admire Lauren for her ingenuity and creativity. The Quiet has quickly become one of my favourite books of 2019 so far!

★★★★★
5 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

Review: Kiss of Death (Morganville #8) by Rachel Caine

On May 5, 2019May 26, 2019 By Beth JonesIn Book Review3 Comments

Goodreads | Amazon

Claire Danvers has a few things on her mind. First of all there is the laundry, which is now an unfortunate shade of pink. Then there is her boyfriend, Shane, who is never too far from her thoughts. Finally there is her best friend Eve’s relationship problems. As if life as a student wasn’t complicated enough, Claire just happens to be studying in Morganville. A town run by vampires. Trouble seems to follow Claire and her friends like a shadow and tonight is no exception to the rule. They must find the most difficult documents for a vampire to acquire; people passes that will allow ‘bad ass’ Morley and his friends to leave Morganville. But it’s proving incredibly difficult, and with the odds seemingly stacked against them, the biggest question of all is…Will they survive?

This book was so unexpected and different. We definitely needed an answer to the ‘why can’t we leave Morganville?’ question, and Caine gave us a whole book. Without giving any spoilers, this is a road trip book with a twist. After the group being trapped in Morganville for so long, they are finally given a chance to see the outside world.

I loved this one, it may have been my favourite book yet! Seeing Claire and her friends outside Morganville was so fun, but not without it’s troubles and tension.

‘My dad used to say that life’s a journey’

As usual, this book was jam packed with action, twists and turns and I still found it gripping! Having said that, we did have a few well needed breaks and emotional scenes. I love that these books also tackle Claire growing up and moving away, and the scenes with her parents really bring this series back down to earth.

I have to say though, I did miss Morganville and the people in it. Which I guess is what the reader is supposed to feel as Claire finds herself missing home too, so also a clever play on Caine’s part as I’m looking forward to getting back into familiar territory.

‘but somebody screwed up and lost the map.’

Overall, a great idea to mark the halfway point in this series. The series has become pretty predictable for me after so many books but I’m still finding them really entertaining!

★★★★
4 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

Review: Fade Out (Morganville #7) by Rachel Caine

On April 30, 2019April 29, 2019 By Beth JonesIn Book Review5 Comments

Goodreads | Amazon

Life has changed dramatically in Morganville. The resident vampires have made major concessions to the human population and with their newfound freedoms, Claire Danvers and her friends are starting to feel comfortable again – almost.

Are you fed up of Morganville yet? You would have thought I would be, but here I am 8 books in and still enjoying the very entertaining lives of Claire and her friends.

Fade Out was definitely a bit of a change of pace, and didn’t pack in the action quite as much as the previous books in the series. However, I still really enjoyed it, and valued the differences. When we’re 7 books in and everyone keeps dying over and over, the little breathers are pretty welcome most of the time.

‘”Because you’ve got guy parts, you’re automatically a better mechanic than me? I don’t think so,”‘

For me, I’ve always loved the characters in these books and they’ve been so important to me. Because of the nature of this plot, the book was very character heavy and I loved that. The friends banded together to save each other from something, and some of the scenes that came out of it were priceless.

That being said, of course Caine kept up on the twists and turns and I was still kept on the edge of my seat. Other characters, such as Amelie, also kept the tension high and I found certain scenes with them so interesting!

‘Eve said, and bailed out of the passenger side.’

All in all, this is definitely different to the rest so far, but I still enjoyed it. Having more personal battles to fight worked for me and kept me close to the characters I know and love. A slower but also enjoyable part of the Morganville series.

★★★★
3.5 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

Review: Carpe Corpus (Morganville #6) by Rachel Caine

On April 27, 2019April 26, 2019 By Beth JonesIn Book Review3 Comments

Goodreads | Amazon

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?

I know these books are creepy, but honestly what is that title? It hit me about halfway through reading this book that Carpe as we all know from ‘Carpe Diem’ means Seize or Seize the. And of course, Corpus means corpse or body. So there we have Seize the Body. Fun.

Title aside, I really enjoyed this one yet again. Looking back on the earlier books, I can definitely see how much Caine’s writing has improved! It’s also so different for me reading this and the next books as I had read the first 5 years ago but these are all new for me. But I still found I’m enjoying them just as much, if not more, to have even more tense moments where I have no clue what happens!

‘There was just that one moment when she’d seen him as a man who loved his son.’

Shane and Claire were great in this book. Shane hasn’t exactly been my favourite person in the past few books, but the way he treats Claire brought it all back for me. He’s troubled, but also so heartfelt. As always, all of the Glass House residents were great, but I missed having Michael around all the time!

Without giving too many spoilers, I really liked the addition of Ada. As always, Myrnin was great and his crazy episodes make him such an interesting character to read. Like is he a villain? No one knows, and it makes it so intriguing to find out. Talking of characters, this one is definitely the most emotional so far, and I loved it. Although I’m obviously sad/emotional over what happened, it gave a new depth to the story I hadn’t really seen before.

‘Maybe everybody has those moments. Even the worst people.’

The ending of this one kind of reminded me of City of Glass in the plot style. Unlike usual Caine, we had a lot of loose ends wrapped up and not such a big cliffhanger, but I’m not complaining! Even though it didn’t make me feel as though I needed to read the next one immediately, I feel like we have enough of an opening to continue in Morganville, but enough closure to know things are going to be different. Let’s see what book 7 brings!

★★★★
4 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

Review: Lord of Misrule (Morganville #5) by Rachel Caine

On April 23, 2019April 22, 2019 By Beth JonesIn Book Review6 Comments

Goodreads | Amazon

In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then along 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.

Rereading this book made me wonder how the hell I didn’t continue with the series last time I read them. I think I maybe didn’t own the next books back then, but I’m so happy I do now so I can continue straight after that cliffhanger!

Honestly, this book was the best so far for me. I’ve enjoyed them all so far, but the introduction of Bishop and a new threat was just great. And I love Myrnin. Having a villain that you as a reader never know when to trust works so well – I was so on edge with him.

‘Hannah leaned against the wall. “Mind if I call shotgun?”‘

I also found this book more atmospheric and creepy. Not only is the town deserted and empty, but the addition of abandoned warehouses etc really put me on the edge of my seat. Reading this while I was alone overnight was kind of perfect for this type of book, and really added to the atmosphere.

Lord of Misrule includes the most action I’ve seen in these books so far which made it (yet again) fly by, and my intrigue from that ending means I’m already 100 pages into the sixth book!

‘”Since you’re carrying one? Feel free.”’

Overall, this series is becoming self-absorbing, and I can’t believe I’m already six books in and not even thinking about other books. It’s guilty-pleasure with action and I love it.

★★★★
4 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

Feast of Fools (Morganville #4) by Rachel Caine

On April 21, 2019April 22, 2019 By Beth JonesIn Book Review3 Comments

Goodreads | Amazon

In the town of Morganville, vampires and humans live in relative peace. Clare 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.

Yes, we’re back! I can’t even describe how much better Feast of Fools was compared to Midnight Alley. Although the pacing can still be a bit off in places, I found the second half of the book especially fast and interesting. I’ve been flying through all of these books, but I definitely hit a lull at the end of 3 and start of 4. So glad it’s picked up again for me!

‘“I’m gonna kill him,” Eve said, or at least that was what it sounded like filtered through the pillow.
Stake him right in the heart, shove garlic up his ass, and-and-“‘

I think a lot of this was due to the new characters. Having a new threat like Mr Bishop was so brilliantly written on Caine’s part. I feel like after having 3 books including only people from Morganville, we definitely needed a fresh insight on the vampire community. The introduction of a new, common enemy was just perfect.

I also have to say the character growth was great. I really feel like I spent more time with the main characters in this one than any books previously. Some of my favourite scenes from Morganville are definitely just scenes between the friends, and they can be the funniest too!

‘”And what?”
“When did you get home?” Claire demanded.
“Apparently just in time to hear my funeral plans. I especially like the garlic up the ass. It’s…different.”’

Overall, a really enjoyable read and perhaps my favourite Morganville book yet! I’m excited for Lord of Misrule now.

★★★★
4 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

Review: Midnight Alley (Morganville #3) by Rachel Caine

On April 19, 2019May 1, 2019 By Beth JonesIn Book Review3 Comments

Goodreads | Amazon

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.

There’s no doubt I’m really enjoying this series. But unfortunately this one is far from my favourite, and I felt the same the first time round too! The pacing is just so off for me, and I remember most of the book being pretty slow.

Due to not having internet for a few days, I did actually finish this earlier in the week. So everything is blending into one in my head! But if I look back at this book, it just doesn’t stick together that well. Like, everything seems random until this one event at the end. And due to this writing style, I didn’t have time to connect with the characters much which I didn’t enjoy!

‘”You shouldn’t be afraid of me because I’m a vampire.”‘

Talking of the characters, I really wasn’t a massive fan of a few of them. Shane is overdramatic, sulky and a bad friend/boyfriend. Claire makes some super bad decisions as usual but I can forgive her most of the time I guess.

But of course I still enjoyed it and things aren’t all bad! This series never fails to entertain me, and the introduction of a new character in this book is needed so much. Myrnin offers a new dynamic and focus, and his scenes are always so tense and entertaining!

‘”You ought to be scared because you just trash-talked my girlfriend to her face.”‘

So overall, a real mix but unfortunately not as enjoyable as the first two books. Although I still enjoyed reading this book, it’s just lacking in some ways.

★★★
3 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

The Dead Girls Dance (Morganville #2) – Rachel Caine

On April 14, 2019April 8, 2019 By Beth JonesIn Book Review3 Comments

Goodreads | Amazon

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.

I really enjoyed this book, and I flew through it. But unfortunately, I remember it in a fonder light. I remember my first read of this being gripping, on the edge of your seat and so emotional. I’m not going to lie, it was emotional, but I feel like Caine missed some opportunities for some really good scenes.

It’s like instead of remembering what actually happened in this book, I was taking the best parts and remembering a different, better version. Maybe that’s a problem with re-reading books later in life when you have a lot more maturity and reading experience!

‘Claire: “So we do nothing?”‘

That being said, I did still love reading this book. It’s still gripping (to a degree), and I was definitely kept entertained. I read this in less than 2 days once again and couldn’t put it down, the pages really fly by in this series. I also love the variety of scenes all over the town, with such a big cast of characters, that added so much to the atmospheric feel of this book/series.

This book is definitely more of an introduction to Morganville. We’ve met the main characters, we know who we’re rooting for and who we’re against, and now it’s time to learn about this creepy town. The description of the town is definitely one of my favourite things about this series. Caine knows how to build up atmosphere.

‘Michael: “We do the best nothing you’ve ever seen.”‘

I still adore the characters, even Claire, although I understand why most readers seem to find her annoying. She does make some stupid decisions, but mostly she’s just a real, scared, courageous, 16 year old girl who is completely out of her depth. Her loyalty is outstanding, and I love her for it.

There is still no doubt this series is pure entertainment. But I can’t help but love it anyway.

★★★★
3.5 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

Review: Glass Houses (Morganville #1) by Rachel Caine

On April 9, 2019April 6, 2019 By Beth JonesIn Book Review7 Comments

Goodreads | Amazon

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?

I have owned most of these books for years, but unfortunately I stopped at book 5 on my first read of them because I didn’t have all of the books! It’s now almost 3 years later, and I’ve managed to collect the whole series pretty much secondhand. This might sound weird, as it’s a 16 book long series and a big commitment – but I finally picked it up again because I needed something easy. I needed comfort. Life is busy at the moment, and I knew picking up and re-reading the first 5 books before I carry on with the series is just what I wanted right now.

I honestly wasn’t sure how I’d feel about these books. I was a lot younger – and hadn’t read quite as many books – when I read them 3 years ago. But I have to say I had a pleasant surprise, and I still really enjoyed this one.

‘”Damn, Claire. Warn a guy before you do a face-plant on the floor next time.”‘

I mean, to a degree it just is what it is. It’s definitely more of a guilty pleasure read than anything else for me. It’s a little trashy, and the writing isn’t exactly going to blow your mind. But sometimes you just need a bit of trash.

I have very vague, sporadic memories of the first 5 books of this series, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I was drawn into Morganville from the first chapter, and I found it so fast paced that I didn’t stop reading. I got through this one in around a day, which is super quick for me!

‘”I could have looked all heroic and caught you or something.”‘

Although there are many plot holes in this series, I love it enough to ignore them. The characters are funny and real and love each other more than anything. They’re sometimes stupid, too, but it just makes me love them even more. I’m so glad I finally decided it was time to pick this back up!

The bottom line is, these books aren’t going to blow your mind. But if you need some entertainment, and an easy-going read, they’re just the thing.

★★★★
4 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

	Jaylen Devil on Review: Hooky by Miriam Bonast…
	Piper Laksari-Minenc… on Review: The Language of Thorns…
	Beth Jones on Review: Disney Tim Burton…
	Sheri Dye on Review: Disney Tim Burton…
	Robin on Review: Life and Death: Twilig…

The Books are Everywhere

Author: Beth Jones

Review: Ghost Town (Morganville #9) by Rachel Caine

Review: The Quiet at the End of the World by Lauren James

Review: Kiss of Death (Morganville #8) by Rachel Caine

Review: Fade Out (Morganville #7) by Rachel Caine

Review: Carpe Corpus (Morganville #6) by Rachel Caine

Review: Lord of Misrule (Morganville #5) by Rachel Caine

Feast of Fools (Morganville #4) by Rachel Caine

Review: Midnight Alley (Morganville #3) by Rachel Caine

The Dead Girls Dance (Morganville #2) – Rachel Caine

Review: Glass Houses (Morganville #1) by Rachel Caine