Book Review - The Dead Girls' Dance (Morganville Vampires, Book 2) by Rachel Caine

Book Description
Claire Danvers has her share of challenges--like being a genius in a school that favors beauty over brains, dealing with the homicidal girls in her dorm, and above all, finding out that her college town is overrun with vampires. On the up side, she has a great roommate (who tends to disappear at sunup) and a new boyfriend named Shane...whose vampire-hunting dad has called in backup: cycle punks who like the idea of kiling just about anything.

Now a fraternity is throwing its annual Dead Girls' Dance and Claire and her equally outcast best friend, Eve, have been invited. When they find out why, all hell is going to break loose...

***

December 20

This is the second entry into the Morganville Vampires series and was an entertaining book. In many ways, there were improvements in the story and characterizations. But, I can't help but feel as if, overall, the first was a better and more well-rounded book (minus the cliff-hanger ending of course). I don't always understand Claire's reasons for doing things and how she goes about them are completely dumb. I can get over that because even though she has a high IQ, she's still only sixteen. Not to mention, many geniuses don't have common sense, or much of it at the very least. However, nitpicking aside, I look forward to reading future books in the series.

3.75 - 4 stars

Note: The title and description are misleading; the fraternity or dance don't have much to do with the whole basic plot. In fact, I don't really get the title at all. They should have saved that for a future book and thought out a new one.

Book Review - The Tidal Poole (Elizabeth I Mysteries, Book 2) by Karen Harper

Book Description
It is the crowning day of twenty-five-year-old Bess Tudor's life as she returns from exile to become England's queen. But even as her magnificent procession wends its way to Westminster Palace, a shot rings out, muffled by the jostling crowd.

Within moments of becoming England's ruler, Elizabeth learns of the brutal murder of a highborn lady of the court, the sister of one of her dearest friends. Elizabeth cannot refuse her friend's request to find the killer -- especially since the prime suspect is too close to the crown -- and her friends -- to overlook.

Elizabeth must be circumspect. Trust can be deadly. So she summons her small band of loyal retainers and plunges into a cauldron of conflicting loyalties and deadly intrigue.

From the pomp, pageantry, and insidious gossip of the court to the lethal tidal pools swirling under London Bridge, the passionate young queen must seize the reins of her empire -- and find a killer determined to destroy the crown itself....

***

December 17

Not the most plausible series, but it is entertaining and that's why it's called fiction. I did enjoy the first book better, but The Tidal Poole kept me reading and the mystery was well-done. If you're a history buff, better skip it, but if you enjoy reading just for the sake of reading, I recommend the series. :)

3.5 stars

Book Review - House of Whispers (Book One Of The Supernatural Properties Series) by Margaret Lucke

Book Description
Claire Scanlan is launching a new career in real estate and has a chance to sell a spectacular oceanview home designed by a world-renowned architect. But the home has a problem that frightens off buyers - it was the site of a vicious mass murder. As Ben Grant, the handsome, successful brother of one of the murder victims, shows Claire and a real estate rival the empty house, Claire experiences strange sensations. The unexplainable experiences continue and the idea that the place might be haunted both fascinates and repels her. Claire is also fascinated, and not at all repelled, by Ben Grant. Claire realizes the psychic experiences are real and must solve the mystery of the bloody tragedy - even though Ben seems to be a suspect.

***

December 8

4 stars

Book Review - Marked (House of Night, Book 1) by P. C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Book Description

The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire--that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

***

December 6

Admittedly deeper than my last read (Glass Houses by Rachel Caine), it's still in the same basic genre that I felt like reading at this time. Even though Zoey is a bit of a Mary-Sue character (practically perfect in every way), I still liked her, and it probably helped it was written in first person so that I could read her insecurities and such. I loved the basic plot and the side characters, Damien and Stevie Rae (oh, and Nala!) were great. On the other hand, I could probably do without the 'Twins,' but beggars can't be choosers. :P If I had read this as a teenager, I know I would have loved it even more than I do. The book reminded me of Laurie Faria Stolarz's books; it had the same basic feel to it as those do, even if it's totally different in concept.

The book could have done another editing sweep. I had to reread many sentences so they would make sense to me. Now, I don't know if it's because I'm not that up on teenage slang. Now, I'm not that old, but old enough to not know every slang word or phrase. For example, there is a sentence that reads: "Just please with the taking so long." Now what is that supposed to mean? To me it sounds like it's two unfinished sentences stuck together. Hopefully, there won't be too much pop culture thrown into the series, because more often than not, it dates the book and doesn't really add anything. Nitpicking aside, I honestly can't wait to explore more of this world.

4.5 stars

Book Review - Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires, Book 1) by Rachel Caine

Book Description
From the author of the popular Weather Warden series. Welcome to Morganville, Texas.

Just don't stay out after dark.

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation, where the popular girls never let her forget just where she ranks in the school's social scene: somewhere less than zero.

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.

***

December 6

Fast, fun, and thoroughly absorbing. I loved the main characters and thought the story was done well. I have a bit of an issue with the cliff-hanger, but luckily I'll get to the next book soon. This isn't what I'd call a 'deep' book, but I had fun reading it and look forward to the others in the series. :)

4.5 stars