Tuck and Roll (Morganville Vampires Vol. 1: Glass Houses & The Dead Girl’s Dance – A Book Review)

Glass Houses & The Dead Girls’ Dance (The Morganville Vampires #1-2)

Author: Rachel Caine

Published: 2009

On Goodreads

My Rating:

Rated F for fangs, fighting, and a side of goth-bomb sarcasm.

 

On the day Claire joined the Glass House, somebody stole her laundry. (Glass Houses, p. 1)

 

Glass Houses

Morganville is a small town in the heart of Texas. The college is quaint. The local coffee shop holds all of your caffeine and Wi-Fi needs. The houses are old and the townspeople are skittish. The further you go off the beaten path the more you realize this town has a lot of secrets. At least that’s how it is for Claire Danvers. Accepted to college at sixteen, she quickly discovers what it’s like to get on the bad side of the resident psycho-rich girl, Monica Morrell. What she didn’t expect was to delve into the nightlife and secrets of the town after moving into the Glass House. Though her roommates don’t show any signs of life, she discovers the town’s deepest secrets and they’re out for blood, her blood.

The Dead Girls’ Dance

Claire Danvers is adjusting pretty well to Morganville, an old town, run by vampires. When Shane’s father comes to town to kill as many vampires as possible as revenge for the loss of his daughter and wife because of them. As Claire’s and her friends’ lives threaten to rip apart at the seams, she must think fast to help them before all hell breaks loose with them caught dead in the middle.

 

The Morganville Vampires series is 1 of 3 that I am rereading as a part of my New Year’s Resolution. This is 2 of 15 books.

Where the fecking hell do I begin!? Sorry, turning down the excitement…but not really. Saying that I’m in love with this series is an understatement. A major one! This isn’t some Twilight or The Vampire Diaries. These aren’t vampires that you’ll fall in love with. It’s more like a: “Oh god! Oh god! I’m going to die!” kind of vibe. Utterly sharp and witty, I couldn’t put this book down until I was done, just like the first time. Claire didn’t expect her first time out in the world to involve life-threatening situations with vampires and I didn’t expect to get so obsessed.

Movellas

 

The shocks and twists still get me smirking. People aren’t always as they seem and that is especially the case with the vampires of these books. Will they kill you or save you? Claire does walk that fine line. And, I admire the way she just automatically fit in at the Glass House the moment she walked in and in some cases acted more mature than her housemates. Granted, she filled to the brim with awkward, but aren’t we all? As she snaps into mature mode pretty fast, dealing with things she’s never had to in the past, like mean girls, boys, seances, and vampires, she surprises everyone with how she thrives with her boldness and bravery in the face of terror and danger.

So much originality. Claire is too smart for her own good and I love how each of the other characters from Michael, Eve, and Shane (and hold gods, I love Shane), to the vamps: Oliver, Amelie, and Sam really stand out and I can see them so clearly. And the town of Morganville is truly unlike anything I’ve ever seen. However, I can totally relate to how Claire feels about her college and how it seems rundown, just not the bit where students disappear sometimes due to being vamp-chow. It’s a town that you’d look at and not give a second thought to or think about living in. It’s unmentionable, passable, making it a perfect place for vampires. The developing relationships and bonds start strong right out of the gate. I was just immediately hooked because of the chemistry between the characters, especially Claire and Shane. I love those two together so ridiculously that I forget how necessary it is to breathe. LOL.

Giphy

Imaginative and original and witty. There’s nothing like this out there. This series is always a pleasure to read and write about. The paranormal and YA genres are my favorite. If I’m honest though, when I came across this series I was incredibly skeptical because of something crazy. Some of the character’s last names of MV are the same from a favorite movie of mine: The Covenant. It makes me laugh more than anything now. See, Claire shares her last name with the movie’s main character, Caleb, and Shane with the movie’s villain, Chase. In the end, the curious summary and these last names got me to pick up the book. I’m so glad I did.

Pintrest

The more I think about it, the weirder it is, but I guess I can thank Monica for being a real bitch or else Claire would’ve never come to become a part of the Glass House and the dangerous, life-threatening adventures wouldn’t be the same. So, thanks, Monica? Ugh, I can’t say – or write – that with sincerity. She’s a real piece of work and by that, I mean a classic Mean Girls plastic of Morganville with a sprinkle of psycho. LOL.

 

That Bad Habit…

Once again, I have to gush about a book series that should be a TV series.

Am I still saying this should be a TV show? YES! This isn’t some gushy love story…well, there are moments and I still melt into a puddle at them, but this is about living with vampires and realizing that they’re not always cuddly. It’s smart and resourceful and I still crack up at the sarcasm. Do I have a cast list in mind? Yes, but don’t worry. I’ not going to list it out. I do think this could renew the dying fandom for vampires though. Make it fun and entertaining and engaging again.

 

Overall

This is my third time running through these books. I don’t often reread books, but with this series, I will always reread them and for those who love vampires, I will gush and recommend MV to them as well. Action-packed, butterfly-inducing, and fast. This isn’t your typical vampire story or town.

 

Quotables:

“Damnit, she resented being scared in a library! Books weren’t supposed to be scary. They were supposed to…help.” (Glass Houses, Claire, p. 147)

“Run first. Mourn later.” (Glass Houses, Shane, p. 162)

‘Things change. We have to adapt.” (The Dead Girls’ DanceFrank Collins, p. 248)

 

More to come soon…                                                                                                

  -K.

 

P.S. Song today? Ain’t It Fun by Paramore.

 

Find Me:

Twitter

Goodreads

 

Thoughts? Let’s chat in the comments below!

From Beneath, It Devours…Yes, It Might Be A Hellmouth (Night Shift – A Book Review)

Night Shift (Midnight, Texas #3)

Author: Charlaine Harris

Published: 2016

On Goodreads

Goodreads

My Rating:

Rated D for an intriguing and curious build-up that only to lead to a disappointing delivery.

 

The first suicide arrives one early October night.

Midnight, a small town in Texas with only one stoplight, is facing strange times. Weapons in the local pawn shop, Midnight Pawn, are flying off the shelves only to be used in gruesome suicides right at the crossroad in the middle of town. Secrets and revelations come out into the open throwing Midnighters off balance. One thing is for sure, there’s a strong power rising in the small town and it’s threatening to destroy everything and everyone.

 

The Midnight, Texas trilogy is a part of my New Year’s resolution and this is 3 of 3.

Amazon

Goodreads

 

Midnight Crossroad review – here

Day Shift review – here

 

It upsets me to say this, but this book was such a disappointment. GAH! No! I love the show. It inspired to read the books!!! I kept imagining that this final installment would put things into perspective and give some sort of fulfilling closure. Alas, not the case. Manfred is still being his crazy, work-driven self. Fiji is more tense than usual. Bobo is awkward. Olivia is on the precipice of losing her shit. Then, of course, there’s this great evil below the town.

Tumblr

Where do I start? There was so much that was promising with this final book. I always felt like the final book of a trilogy or any series was meant to be significant and final and closing, and most importantly, satisfying on some level. I thought there’d be answers that would make sense, but everything from Olivia’s secrets about her life to the reason Manfred feels like he has to work constantly to Fiji’s family history is messy. While reading, it felt like it was all shoved together super fast with no clear rhyme or reason. There were no real answers to be had, and if there were, it wasn’t clear. Everything was left hanging in the air.

It’s been hard to feel anything for these characters. It still is. I was hoping to gain ground, but with the style of writing keeping the characters at arm’s length with the reader, I just didn’t find myself caring, EXCEPT for at the end with Fiji and Bobo. And at that part, I was utterly mortified. Like, what the holy balls of hell!? If you’ve read this trilogy and have gotten to this part maybe you understand where I’m coming from.

Giphy

The big bad? It wasn’t clear until about the middle of the book that there was one and who/what the big bad was is still a mystery because the book didn’t get into it. There just wasn’t much depth or interest paid to it. It felt very meh. Usually, there’s something dire about an evil that threatens to destroy you and your home. Not the case here. Bummer.

 

Overall

Well…it’s over. *Shrug* Anti-climactic. Just not what I expected. Harris is a great writer. I mean that. I enjoy her style and flare and how she gave normalcy to the supernatural rather than painting them as nothing but monsters. But, here’s the but(t). I felt like nothing really happened. Nothing exciting or liberating. Maybe a little past my comfort zone at the end there, but that’s about it. As you can tell when a book gears me up, whether, at one end of the spectrum or the other, I get to writing a lengthy review. This one will go up on my shelf. While it didn’t come out as a favorite it was still enjoyable.

 

Quotables:

“It might sound snobbish if being a real Midnight person were something anyone else in the world aspired to. That’s like saying someone doesn’t really fit in with the Weirdo Club.” (Manfred to Olivia, p. 108)

“‘I know a pair of angels. I talk to angels. I live on the same street as angels. And across from a talking cat and a witch.’ And yet, he admitted to himself, this didn’t feel strange at all. It felt quite normal.” (Manfred, p. 165)

 

More to come soon…                                                                                                

  -K.

 

P.S. Song today? Taking Over Me by Evanescence.

 

Find Me:

Twitter

Goodreads

 

Thoughts? Let’s chat in the comments below!

 

 

The Non-Refundable Type of Gifts (A Gift of Magic – A Book Review)

A Gift of Magic

Author: Lois Duncan

Published: 1999

On Goodreads

Goodreads

My Rating:

Rated T for three kids inheriting shit from grandma they shouldn’t have.

 

Nancy can do things no one else can…

When grandma was dying she told Elizabeth that she had three gifts for her grandchildren. Now, after a divorce, Elizabeth and her children come back to her hometown to her grandmother’s house. While she’s struggling to find a sense of normalcy, her three kids are fully coming into the three gifts promised to them. One of them, specifically given to Nancy, is special and will turn her life upside down. It’s the gift of magic.

 

Lois Duncan always delivers. A master and classic writer of not only suspense that doesn’t put me to sleep but also supernatural and/or slasher-y. She really keeps my attention and her writing is engaging. This one is no different.

Pintrest

There is a lot going on! Maybe too much. From dealing with the effects of Nancy dealing with her family splitting up, there’s also the pressures of childhood and the unique, scary, and supernatural themes that become obsessive. The book was good but there was too much happening to keep track of it all compared to the other Duncan books I’ve read. The focus was…well, there wasn’t much focus on anything. Each individual struggle seemed so separate, though it’s understood that the theme is the discovery of independence. But, trying to keep track of each character didn’t go well for me.

The setting was meant to be. Being in a beach town even though it seemed gray was beautiful. It just gave me some throwback time. Very nice and nostalgic and longing and perfect for the story itself, like (and I know this is cheesy) the place was made for it.

 

Overall

A bit all over, but a good story nonetheless. Duncan really went into the complication and construction of family and not just in the touchy-feely part but in the ways family works (if that makes sense). I also always appreciate that she makes her books quick reads. On the shelf you go!

 

Quotables:

“…You must learn if you accept it. A gift is nothing unless it’s used…” (grandma to Nancy, p. 135)

 

More to come soon…                                                                                                

  -K.

 

P.S. Song today? Tomorrow Never Knows by Our Lady Peace.

 

Find Me:

Twitter

Goodreads

 

Thoughts? Let’s chat in the comments below!

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (Day Shift – A Book Review)

Day Shift (Midnight Texas #2)

Author: Charlaine Harris

Published: 2015

On Goodreads

Goodreads

My Rating:

Rated U for going undercover to get rid of the annoying people on your lawn.

 

There is no such thing as bad publicity, except in Midnight, Texas.

Reporters flood Midnight after one of Manfred’s clients, a wealthy widow, dies during a séance. Accused of being a thief, his reputation is at stake. Olivia and Manfred team up to figure out how to keep his reputation intact and keep Midnight safe. In the process, unexpected secrets come to light.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Midnight Hotel just reopened. Acting as a temporary residence for the elderly waiting on openings in livings centers and a place for commuters on temporary jobs. It seems like Midnight’s population just grew.

 

The Midnight, Texas trilogy is a part of my New Year’s resolution and this is 2 of 3.

 

Amazon

Midnight Crossroad review – here

 

The cute and supernatural town of Midnight gets a little more exciting as the Midnight Hotel opens and a were-tiger comes to town. New drama and new characters bring new adventures. Olivia gets her assassin on in this book and has a little too much fun
(as if there was such a thing). I love her sass. She’s such a badass. I also like that she does show that things bother her. While this series still comes across a little too vague for me, I really enjoyed it. She really stood out in this book. It was her time to shine. Even more, she teamed up with Manfred and thus one of my favorite bromances came into being on the page. I loved them teaming up in the show and seeing it the books makes me geek out hard.

Tumblr

Many little seeds planted in the book seem to be getting ready to bloom and I look forward to the final book to see what comes of them!

Barry of True Blood had a cameo! I had heard he did and it was one of the teeny reasons I was excited to read the books. He got his own storyline and got to give all Sookie Stackhouse fans a squee of joy. It’s just too bad he couldn’t find a home in Midnight. I’ve always believed that Barry was one of the most underrated characters. I wish he had his own book series. He’s such an interesting character.

Giphy

This community feel is one I love so much. Midnight is quaint and cute and just the norm that I think people wish they had in their own towns. I still wish it was more rewarding in its details. I’m being stickler about it and I don’t care. I also don’t care that I’m sounding greedy. There just wasn’t enough for me to feel deathly attached. If any of these characters dropped dead I wouldn’t really care and that’s a bummer. No, that’s a lie. I’d feel bad if Mr. Snuggly died, and I hate cats. He’s just sarcastic and funny.

 

Overall

Still a delight to read. Very humble and sweet. This is a town I’d love to live in. I still feel like while I’m getting beautiful imagery, I’m not getting enough from the characters. But, like many people in the real world, they have their secrets. It makes it relatable, hard to care about sadly. I can’t wait to read the final book. And yes, I’ll say it again, BARRY DESERVES HIS OWN BOOK(S).

 

Quotables:

“Manfred reminded himself that while his car was humble, it was paid for, that he didn’t need a house, and that adding a room to the lawyer’s house was better than being in jail.” (p. 150)

 

More to come soon…                                                                                                

  -K.

 

P.S. Song today? Bright Lights by Matchbox Twenty.

 

Find Me:

Twitter

Goodreads

 

Thoughts? Let’s chat in the comments below!

 

 

Two For One Special (Lothaire – A Book Review)

Lothaire (Immortals After Dark #12)

Author: Kresley Cole

Published: 2012

On Goodreads

Goodreads

My Rating:

Rated D for domineering, douchy, dreadful vampires that are over-sexed.

 

All fear the enemy of old

A deadly force dwells within her

Centuries of cold indifference shattered

Driven by revenge and desperation, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, Lothaire, has plans to take the Horde’s crown, but not until he’s found his bride. Ellie Peirce grew up in Appalachia but always wanted a better life for herself. Getting possessed by a goddess was not what she meant. Now in the clutches of Lothaire and his demands, Ellie comes up with a devious plan to get free.

As Lothaire searches for the magical relic that will help him and his goddess be together he begins to wonder if she truly is his bride that was promised to him. But that’s impossible. He despises humans and swore to never fall for one. He battles his emotions, struggling to figure out who he’ll choose.

 

I am a BIG fan of Kresley Cole. Massive! I’m head over heels for her Arcana Chronicles series. I saw this in the bookstore and went for it. I couldn’t wait to see what she had in store for me. Not going to lie, I got major True Blood vibes, guys.

Giphy

Vampires! Love’em. Hate’em. They play a major part in stories. I love them. From Dracula to Twilight. There’s always something new brought to the mythos of the creature of the night. This one wasn’t up there for me though. I’m all for lusty fun. But this breached the kind of thing that isn’t fun and that’s when a person is being treated like an imprisoned object to be thrown aside. Because I couldn’t get past that I couldn’t fully get into the story sadly.

Giphy

While the story spans the life of an ancient vampire, the story was fast-paced. I love the way Cole can write like that. She keeps me on the edge of my seat and the pages turning fast. I loved how she could turn this on its head so fast. One moment there’s a fight for survival happening and the next the throes of heavy lusty sex are making me breathless. Like, whoa.

 

Overall

It’s not a bad read. Not at all. This just wasn’t my scene. Obsessive is cute. So is possessive. But, there’s a line to be drawn and not crossed for me. And it crossed, therefore, crossing this book from my like list. I mean, Ellie was sassy, but Lothaire was incredibly overpowering and disgusting. I can’t get over how he was. If you liked this book then awesomesauce. Just not for me.

 

Quotables:

“Life in every cursed drop.” (p. 261)

“I’m twenty-four years old. I’ve spent more than twenty percent of my life on death row. And I’ve still known more happiness in my short life than you have in your unending one.” (p. 295)

 

More to come soon…                                                                                                

  -K.

 

P.S. Song today? Bad Things by Jace Everett.

 

Find Me:

Twitter

Goodreads

 

Thoughts? Let’s chat in the comments below!

Secrets Among Honesty (Midnight Crossroad – A Book Review)

Midnight Crossroad (Midnight, Texas #1)

Author: Charlaine Harris

Published: 2014

On Goodreads

Amazon

My Rating:

Rated

 

You might pass through the town of Midnight without noticing it, if there weren’t a stoplight at the intersection of Witch Light Road and the Davy highway.

Such a small town with many boarded-up windows and curious inhabitants, Manfred Bernardo is its newest resident. Moving into the open place beside the pawnshop, Manfred is welcomed by everyone, even after he tells them he’s a psychic. He discovers quickly that he’s going to fit in just perfectly. As perfect as it can go with a vampire neighbor and a witch who lives across the street.

Then the pawnshop’s owner, Bobo is thrown into rough waters when his girlfriend turns up dead. Manfred and the rest of the town step in to help figure out who did it. Several secrets come to light, but so many more still hide under the surface of Midnight.

 

The Midnight, Texas trilogy is a part of my New Year’s resolution and this is 1 of 3.

 

This is my first time reading from Harris and I really enjoy her books. There’s something light and down to earth about them. I’m still collecting her Sookie Stackhouse novels so I won’t be able to get to those anytime soon. But, I’m glad to have this trilogy to get my taste into Harris’s supernatural world.

Tumblr

There is such a wide range of characters. They’re all special and unique and given attention and I like that. It made all of Midnight important. I love a good community that can rally together. However, I wish it could’ve gotten more personal with the characters. Because I didn’t know enough about them I couldn’t get attached to them. I like trying to figure out what makes characters so mysterious, but this verged on vague and disinterest that pushed them toward not important.

The energy of this book was at a comfortable hum. It just felt like a day in the neighborhood which is super nifty. I felt I was resident in this dry, supernatural town. Loved it! The best bit has to be how steady the storytelling is. Just day to day without rush. These are the lives of the Midnighters.

I will be a little grumpy here and say that I can’t believe it took so long for the cat to talk! Like holy cow! Having seen the show, I found Mr. Snuggly to be so entertaining. I am glad he wasn’t just added in and is a part of the trilogy. Such a bonus!

Tumblr

 

Overall

While this doesn’t quite make it to my favorites shelf, I am definitely keeping it. It’s a beautiful book. I swear it’s like it’s filled with kindness and normalness for the supernatural. They’re just living the normal life like us. Plus, the cover art is gorgeous.

 

Quotables:

“You people who live in Midnight. You’re all marching to the beat of a different drummer.” (Arthur to Bobo, p. 160)

 

More to come soon…                                                                                                

  -K.

 

P.S. Song today? Midnight by Emily Thomas.

 

Find Me:

Twitter

Goodreads

 

Thoughts? Let’s chat in the comments below!

It Begins… (A Discovery of Witches – A Book Review)

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1)

Author: Deborah Harkness

Published: 2011

On Goodreads

Goodreads

My Rating:

Rated B for characters that bewitch you, bewilder you and make you melt into a massive puddle from swooning so hard.

 

It begins with absence and desire.

It begins with blood and fear.

It begins with a discovery of witches.

Diana Bishop, of the Bishop witches that date back to Salem, and also a young scholar of Oxford spends her days studying and researching alchemy in Oxford’s Bodleian Library while also resisting using her magic. Then one day she calls up a manuscript that hasn’t been seen in centuries. Witches, vampires, and daemons alike gather, waiting for her to call it again. More than anything she wants to be left alone.

Her entire world shifts when she meets Matthew Clermont, fellow doctor of Oxford and vampire, who like others, is very interested in the manuscript. What begins as a mission to get Diana to call up the manuscript soon turns into something much deeper, passionate, and filled with many discoveries than either of them intended. They’ll stand up to anything and everyone in their way to protect each other and the manuscript that may contain the most important answers to questions about their existence.

 

The All Souls Trilogy is a part of my New Year’s Resolution. This is book 1 of 3.

 

For the last twenty-four hours, I’ve been debating about how to begin this review. I’ll start where I began with this beautiful, mesmerizing series. The television show. I’d heard about it through a grapevine—I can’t remember which—and knew in my gut that I just had to watch it. I knew it wasn’t the typical broody supernatural show. There was both complexity and sophistication and so much beauty. I was blown away. So that’s where it began for me and then I just had to read the trilogy.

The book was long and deep, but I can honestly say that I feel like it didn’t drag. There’s purpose and a sense of longing and wonder with magic weaved in-between. Witch water and witch fire. Vampires as hunters. And daemons as overly intelligent and creative beings that dance on the line of sanity. I’m bewitched I tell you!

Everything Horror

Diana and Matthew are drawn together through powerful passion, magic, and determination. The chemistry between the two of them is fire! I’m melting from the heat and certainly not complaining. I admire how stubborn they both are and how they stand up for what they believe in and how they feel. It’s so intense and incredible. It shook me, guys. And also, if you’ve read this already or watched the show, French bundling. LOL. I’ll never stop laughing like a moron at that. It’s so adorable, yet blush-worthy. The book made me feel intensely.

The surrounding characters were also phenomenal! I loved all of them! Well, except for Knox and Gerbert. They’re villainous dillholes. Ugh! So many dimensions and life and all-around loveable other characters. I especially loved when everyone was together under the Bishop roof. I especially loved how the Bishop witches are surprising, almost as if to say they’re the weirdos of their species. LOL.

Tenor

And Marcus and Miriam, gah! Love them. They, along with Mathew, don’t come across as the typical type of vampire: broody and depressing. It’s refreshing. In fact, they take on a realistic facet, coming across as dominant creatures. Of course, coming across the Bishops created a great challenge.

There was so much to take in with this book. All good. All amazing. Completely mind-blowing. From the world building of Oxford to Madison to Sept Tours, it was all vivid and colorful and just gorgeous. The imagery was just stunningly realistic and added so much to the characters and swept me away.

Giphy

Overall

I honestly don’t have a bad thing to say about this book. Not a damn one. Finding the right words for this review was so difficult because this book was what I can only describe as ineffable and obviously rambling. It was in-depth and magical and splendid in how Diana and Matthew and all of the other characters worked my emotions. Praise from all angles from me. People told me this would be one of those ones that would become an obsession and it has! It’s just absolutely magnificent from head to toe, from magic to love, just absolute perfection. There’s so much more to this story than what the show gave, but they’re both so fantastic and leave me desperate for more. Never read anything like this. I need to start the next one!

 

The Nerd Daily

 

Quotables:

“Aunt Sarah had always told me that magic was a gift. If it was, it had strings attached that bound me to all the Bishop witches who had come before me. There was a price to be paid for using this inherited magical power and for working spells and charms that made up the witches’ carefully guarded craft.” (Diana, p. 13)

“I want what I shouldn’t want, and I crave someone I can never have.” (Mathew, p. 106)

“A witch shouldn’t keep secrets from other witches. Bad things happen when she does.” (Gillian to Diana, p. 122)

“Did you know that a witch’s blood makes music? Like a siren who sings to the sailor, asking him to steer his ship into the rocks, the call of your blood could be my undoing—and yours.” ‘(Mathew to Diana, p. 175)

“Dying was nothing at all like I’d expected it to be. There was a moment of bone-deep quiet. A sense of parting and regret. Then nothing.” (p. 503)

 

More to come soon…

  -K.

 

P.S. Song today? It Won’t Kill Ya by The Chainsmokers ft. Louane.

 

Find Me:

Twitter

Goodreads

 

Thoughts? Let’s chat in the comments below!