The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Eternity Cure
Author: Julie Kagawa
ISBN: 9780373210695
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Released: April 30, 2013
Series: Blood of Eden #2
Page #: 446
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary:

"In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood.

She has done the unthinkable: died so that might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever—and possibly end human and vampire existence.

There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago—and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time.

Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make."
_____________________________________________________
First Lines: (From the ARC, subject to change)

"I smelled blood as soon as I walked into the room.
A blast of snow-laced air accompanied me, swirling around my black coat, clinging to my hair and clothes as I shoved back the door."
Page 9
_____________________________________________________
Review:

While this book did take me an eternity to finish, it wasn't the fault of the book. Life got in the way (darn life!). If this is the first you are hearing of the Blood of Eden series, I highly suggest you go pick up a copy of The Immortal Rules. It's a perfect vampire novel. Plus, there might be spoilers in this review....

So, Allison is finally getting used to being a vampire. She's learned how to deal with her urges, and even how to stay up a little past the sunrise. She's making huge progress. And now she is on a quest to rescue her sire. She can tell he is in great danger and wants to help. But once she finds where he is, she realizes there are much bigger things at stake. There is a new human virus that is making people go crazy and attack. Plus, it does something wicked to vampires. She's between a rock and a hard place, but she is back where she started. Where she grew up. One would hope that might give her the upper hand.

Quite frankly, I was really worried that Zeke wouldn't be in this book. The first book left him in Eden. A human refuge. Allison had walked away from him and all of the other people they met on the journey. I'm not going to get into specifics, but he does appear in this story again. And things really heat up. He becomes even more of a badass than he was before ... and don't even get me STARTED on the ending! Whew!

I don't recall much about Sarren from the first book, but he becomes the ultimate baddy in Eternity Cure. He's vicious and unrelenting and just plain intense. There are times that Allie has to get into his head and figure out what in the world his grand plan could be. He also pulls no punches and will use the weakest thing about you in a fight.And I love how Jackel is the guy you can't trust, but you sort of have to. It's hard to know what side of the fence he lives on, but he definitely keeps you on your toes. I sort of can't wait to learn more about him.

You can see where the focus of the next book is going to be - on Eden again. And on Sarren and his plans for the world. I absolutely cannot wait. And I promise not to take so long reading that one. I'm definitely hooked into the story. Kagawa has a gift for telling rich, amazing stories. I am definitely a fan and will read just about anything from her. So, now comes the waiting game for book three.

This series really is great for those vampire lovers who are still out there. The main character is a reluctant vamp and you get the feeling that she really doesn't want to give in to the dark side. It makes her lovable and relateable. I think a lot of teens will identify with some of her struggles (outside of the wanting to drink blood thing). I have recommended these books several times and will continue to do so.
_____________________________________________________
Other Book Reviews:

I'm Loving Books
Candace's Book Blog
Bookish Ardour
Musings of a YA Reader
ReadBreatheRead
Anna Reads
Writing is a Blessing
Fiction Frenzy
Book Chick City
Book Brats

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

Title: The Indigo Spell
Author: Richelle Mead
ISBN: 9781595143198
Publisher: Razorbill
Series: Bloodlines #3
Released: February 12, 2013
Page #: 401
Source: My public library

Summary:
"Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she struggles to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do.

Then she finally tracks down the elusive, enigmatic Marcus Finch - a former Alchemist who the organization denies exists, and who lives in shadows, on the run. With Marcus's help, Sydney realizes that the group she's been loyal to her whole life has been hiding the truth from her. Is it possible that her golden lily tattoo might have more power over her than she thinks?

As she struggles to come to terms with what that might mean, Sydney is compelled to use her growing magical powers to track down an evil magic user who is targeting powerful young witches. Using magic goes against everything she always thought she believed, but she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her special blood - or else she might be next.

Forgetting her own way is harder than Sydney ever dreamed. Maybe by turning off her brain - and following her heart - she'll be able to finally figure out where she belongs."
____________________________________________________
First Lines:

"This wasn't the first time I'd been pulled out of bed for a crucial mission. It was, however, the first time I'd been subjected to such a personal line of questioning. 
'Are you a virgin?'"
Page 1
____________________________________________________
Review:

If you haven't read the first two books in the Bloodlines series, I highly suggest you do so. Especially before reading this review. I can't be responsible for any spoilers I accidentally let slip from those. Plus, they're really good. Especially if you were a Vampire Academy fan.

Sydney has finally come to terms with her assignment. She has to be friends with vampires - and sometimes more than friends - but she has started to realize that not all is well with the Alchemists. They are hiding things... and people. She realizes that there is a lot about her organization that she doesn't know. Now there is a rogue group who is trying to bring her in - to help her cope. Not to mention that some crazy witch is after her. It's a crazy time just when she was learning to cope with everything.

I really do love the Bloodlines series. Almost as much as the VA series. I think Sydney makes an awesome leading lady and the parallels to the other story are fairly seamless. You feel like you're still in the original story. Just looking at things from another perspective. Mostly I am thinking about the relationship between two that have the bond. This story is about someone outside of that bond and how it changes everything. I sort of like that aspect of this book.

There's a lot going on in this story. And plenty of things go unanswered, so I know they will come up in future books. I sort of wish I could just have them all at once, but I always have to read them when they come out... like a dufus. Ah well. At least they are reliably good books. And I can't help but get completely lost in the stories. There's a lot more romance in this book than the others. Things start to get figured out and Sydney has a bit of clarity about it all.

Can I just talk about the cliffhanger ending? I mean, not totally cliffhangery, but you definitely close the book wanting more. There's a huge change at the end and I can only imagine how things are going to turn out. Of course, I'm already hooked... so maybe I'm blinded by the awesome that is Ms. Mead. This is another great installment of a wonderful series. If you haven't started it yet, you should. You don't have to have read VA to get any of it, so don't let that deter you. Solid vampire stories.
____________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

I'm Loving Books Blog
Katie's Book Blog
A Walk on Woods
The Nocturnal Library
Under the Covers Book Blog
Two Chicks on Books
The Nifty Novels Blog
A Beautiful Madness
Anna Reads
Wicked Melody's Tavern

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Title: The Golden Lily

Author: Richelle Mead
ISBN: 9781595143181
Publisher: Razorbill
Released: June 12, 2012
Series: Bloodlines #2
Page #: 418
Source: My public library

Summary:
"Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she's been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California - tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age-old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi - the fiercest vampires, the ones who don't die. But it's her fear of being just that - special, magical, powerful - that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else - someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney's loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists - or her heart?"
________________________________________________
First Lines:

"Most people would find being led into an underground bunker on a stormy night scary. Not me.
Things I could explain away and define with data didn't frighten me. That was why I kept silently reciting facts to myself as I descended deeper and deeper below street level."Page 1
________________________________________________
Review:

If you haven't read Bloodlines, I highly recommend you do so. Of course, I also recommend the Vampire Academy that this series spins off from... but that's not totally necessary. Bloodlines is. And if you are remotely into vampire stories, I know you will love them. But do that before you read here, because there's bound to be spoiler things from the first book.

So, we're now following Sydney in her foray with the Moroi and Dhampirs. Alchemists are notably brilliant and careful - they stay as far away from Moroi emotionally as possible. But Sydney has to live with them for her mission. And she's worried that she might be getting too comfortable with them... one in particular. Ahem. But their group has also discovered a group in Palm Springs who are intent on doing them damage. And they're humans! dun dun duuuunnnnnn. :)

Honestly, this is another well written, well thought-out book by Mead. I've already determined that I will read any of her teen stuff in a heartbeat - and this book reminded me why. While it's the second book in the series, The Golden Lily does not appear to suffer from the second-book-slump. It's still building the story while throwing a few new monster-types at you. The main characters are still feeling each other out and finding out what they really think of each other.

Sydney is a brainiac. Like, crazy smart and has spent her whole life focusing on that. Which makes her socially awkward. To her surprise and luck, there's a guy out there who is just like her. And they figure out the dating thing together... which is fairly funny in its awkwardness. And I sort of loved watching  Sydney figure things out. Very studiously and searching for the emotion in things. I'm rooting for that girl.

There was a bit more of the magic aspect in this book - and Sydney's connection to it. I was worried that it might overpower the story, but there's just enough of it to get the sense of what's going on. I kind of want to shake that teacher who is making her learn all of the spells for her independent study.

I love that there's really only a hint of love triangle - well, two possible ones. But Sydney is so clueless about those things that it takes a while for it to really develop (if at all). And it makes sense the way things turn out... and it gets me excited for the next book to see what happens! Don't even get me started on Eddie, Jill, Micah, and Angeline. Darn love circles! :)

Again, if you haven't read Bloodlines, I suggest you do so asap. The Golden Lily is a perfect follow up and I know the series will be all amazing. Now all I have to do is wait about 8 months for the next book to come out. I definitely recommend this series to those who are still in the vampire world... and for those who like a little magic throw in. You can't go wrong with a Richelle Mead book.
________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

The Page Turner
HubPages
ILoveTeenBooks
Radiant Shadows YA Book Blog
Me, My Shelf, and I
Dream Reads
The Book Barbies
My Heart Hearts Books
A Little Shelf of Heaven

Last Breath by Rachel Caine

Title: Last Breath (Morganville Vampires #11)
Author: Rachel Caine
ISBN: 9780451234872
Publisher: New American Library
Released: October 31, 2011
Page #: 335
Source: My public library


Summary:
"Morganville, Texas, is a small college town that's had its share of problems, thanks to a sometimes volatile mix of human and vampire residents. But there is a new threat in town, and he's turning vampires from predators into prey...


With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace.


She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone who has just moved to town - a mysterious individual named Magnus. After an uneasy encounter with Morganville's newest resident, Claire is certain Magnus isn't merely human. But is Magnus a vampire - or something else entirely?


One thing is clear: Magnus is to blame for the disappearances. And if vampires are turning into victims, what chance does a human like Claire have?
__________________________________________
First Lines:


"Shane's lips felt like velvet against the name of her neck, and Claire shivered in delight as his breath warmed the skin there. She leaned back against him with a sigh. Her boyfriend's body felt solid and safe, and his arms went around her, wrapping her in comfort."
Page 3
__________________________________________
Review:

Just to put your minds at ease, that first line up there doesn't lead quite where you expect it to. I promise it's not as dirty as it sounds. Of course, that's mostly for those of you who haven't read this series yet. And if you haven't, what are you doing reading a review for the 11th book in the series? Silliness... go read the first ten and come back to me :). If you keep reading this, I'm sure there will be spoiler-y-ness.

So... eleven books. This one has the tables turned, for sure. The vampires in Morganville are no longer at the top of the food chain. And that is making the town fall apart and the vampires are running scared. Which, apparently, is what they've always done. This unknown threat is something that has followed them around for hundreds of years. Only now it has its sights set on Morganville. Of course, Claire and her friends have to rescue the town - per usual!

While this story starts out just like all of the others - the comfortable world of Morganville, Texas. Things are predictable in their unpredictability. Michael and Eve are wedding planning and the town is in an uproar because of it. The humans are starting to stand up for themselves - but they aren't aware of what is about to happen to the vampires. Shane and Claire realize what is going on, but they don't know what to do to stop it.

I'm trying not to spoil the story, but there's something that happens in the middle of this book that was shocking. I really thought it was going to change the whole course of the rest of the Morganville Vampires books. It didn't really pan out like I thought it would, but it was an interesting turn of events. Unfortunately, that doesn't have anything to do with the main crux of the story - the whole vampires under attack thing. Well, kind of... but not really. I hope it comes around in the next story.

Anyway, so there's a new baddy in town and it takes over. Amelie tries to run and take all the vamps with her... That's all I can tell you. The concept is very interesting - and it answers a lot of questions I've had about previous books. Such as... why in the world would vampires choose a sunny, dry place to live? You'd think they would like mostly overcast and lots of darkness. This book answers that question and more.

I really did enjoy having chapters from other points of view. I know the previous book did this as well, but it puts a whole new spin on the story. I'm probably wrong, but I think it was the first time to get Amelie's view - and that's a scary place to be! Well, frightening... not scary. She's not one I would ever want to come face-to-face with, for sure.

Okay, that's all I can give you without giving away the story. If you haven't read this series yet, I definitely recommend it. It's not one that I long for the next book - but once I'm in the story, I'm so glad I haven't given it up. It just keeps getting better. I'll definitely be looking for the next one, there are more questions yet to be answered!
__________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Read It, See It
So Many Books, So Little Time
A Book Obsession
The Reading Date
Hippy, Beauty, and Books. Oh My!
Book Probe Reviews
Gone with the Words

Department 19 by Will Hill

Title: Department 19
Author: Will Hill
ISBN: 9781595144065
Publisher: Razorbill
Released: March 29. 2011
Page #: 540
Source: My public library

Summary:
"In an underground supernatural battle that's been raging for over a century, the stakes have just been raised.

When Jamie Carpenter's mother is kidnapped, he finds himself dragged into Department 19, the government's most secret agency.

Fortunately for Jamie, Department 19 can provide the tools he needs to find his mother, and to kill the vampires who want him dead. But unfortunately for everyone, something much older is stirring, something even Department 19 can't stand up against..."
____________________________________________
First Lines:

"Jamie Carpenter was watching TV in the living room when he heard the tires of his dad's car crunch across the gravel driveway much, much earlier than usual. Jamie looked at the clock on the wall above the TV and frowned. It was a quarter past six."
Page 10
____________________________________________
Review:

Just to give you a heads up - this is a monster of a book. Well, no puns, really. It's about monsters and it's also humongus. And it took me forever.

So, this is the story of a boy whose father is killed early in his life and he and his mother move around a lot. One day his mother is kidnapped and he finds out what kind of monsters have taken his parents from him. He becomes a part of an elite fighting squad that deal specifically with supernatural terrors. Through them, he sets out to find his mother and bring down whatever monsters cross his path.

Sounds like a tall order for a fourteen year old, doesn't it? There are a few times when he isn't becoming a super soldier that you realize he really is a teenager with angst and crazy emotions. There's also a bit of a crush going on - which really helped me get through the story.

I really appreciated that the vampires were bad and the vampire hunters were good. I know that sounds strange. But we've had so much of the vampire love stuff lately that it's kinda romanced the whole thing. Instead this story goes back to the vamp basics - good vs evil. And there is some serious gore in this book. I mean, I think I was making faces through some parts. Just... gruesome. But you know that means boys will love it :). Me and my librarian brain.

One thing that sort of bothered me about this book was the jumping around in timeline. I do understand that it's necessary to the story - you need those historical figures before you can figure out what's going on today. But you jump from the 1800s to the present to the 1920s to the present. It's a little jarring every time. There is one chapter (the first one, actually) that says it's set in the 1800s. It's not. It's not supposed to say that. I will say that threw me off fiercly. I thought we were going to be time traveling or something because of it.

Okay, so all in all I did enjoy the story. It was super long, but I think you fully got into the character's lives. I really do think this will be best for middle school boys. It's gorey enough, it's actiony enough, it's overall a good story. So, I'll be recommending this one to specific people - maybe not to the general populace :). But I think it will go over really well.
____________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

The Book Zone
Iceberg Ink
Graeme's Fantasy Book Review
SciFi Chick
Empire of Books
Well-Read Wife
Books 4 Teens

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Title: Bloodlines
Author: Richelle Mead
ISBN: 9781595143174
Publisher: Razorbill
Released: August 29, 2011
Page #: 421
Source: My local public library

Summary:
"Sydney's blood is special. That's because she's an alchemist - one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. But the last encounter Sydney had with vampires got her in deep trouble with the other alchemists. And now with her allegiances in question, her future is on the line.

When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of the Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the unlikeliest of places: a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one.

The Moroi court believe Jill and Sydney will be safe at Amberwood Prep, but threats, distractions, and forbidden romance lurk both outside - and within - the school grounds. Now that they're in hiding, the drama is only just beginning."
________________________________________
First Lines:

"I couldn't breathe.
There was a hand covering my mouth and another shaking my shoulder, startling me out of a heavy sleep. A thousand frantic thoughts dashed through my mind in the space of a single heartbeat. It was happening. My worst nightmare was coming true."
Page 1
________________________________________
Review:

I will preface this review by telling you that I absolutely loved the Vampire Academy series. I consider it one of the absolute best vampire series out there. I've recommended it, I've talked it up, I've thought about owning them (a big deal, I promise)... basically I think they're wonderful. All of this to say, I'm probably preconditioned to love Bloodlines. And I did. I'm not sure if it's because I love VA so much... or if it's just that good. I'm gonna say it's just that good.

Bloodlines picks up Sydney's story post-VA. She's gotten into trouble for her involvement with our previous cast of characters and she's looking to redeem herself in the eyes of her father and the larger Alchemist group. She begs to be put on an assignment that takes her far away from things she has known in the past. She fights through her Alchemist training and learns to live with vampires and dhampirs... while her one nearby ally is actually an enemy from the past. In a tough situation, she deals with strange mysteries, teenage love, and learning to protect her charge.

All in all, I thought it was a clever divergence from the Vampire Academy stories. You are still looking at boarding school life - but from a whole different place and perspective. Not to mention that it's actually a human school... but it's a similar setting. The one thing that's not familiar is Sydney's outlook on the world. She was brought up differently and her view of the Moroi and Dhampir's is absolutely the opposite of what I'm used to. I think that's one of the things that makes this book a great companion to the VA books.

One thing that I seriously wonder is if someone who hasn't read VA would get lost in this book. I think the author did a really good job giving you some recap on what the world is like and how things work. I just wonder if it would get confusing for people who aren't into it already. Hopefully all is well. I've already recommended it to someone who hasn't read VA, so I'll let ya know :).

This author officially has my vote for the best endings. She does such a great job of wrapping up the story you're currently following - enough that you have closure to the issue in the book. But then she hits you with a little zing at the end to let you know what's coming and why you should get excited. I know I got excited at the end of this book - the second one is already in my pre-order cart. I just appreciate the author's ability to continue the story without keeping you from having an ending. Bravo!

As I mentioned earlier, I've already recommended this book to at least one person. I'm not done yet! I think it's a great urban fantasy novel - and I'm 100% positive that VA fans are gonna love it (and already do, from what I can tell). I applaud Richelle Mead for another great start to a series and I will be waiting desperately for the second book!
________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Missy's Reads & Reviews
That Chick That Reads
Bookish
Two Chicks on Books
Moonlight Book Reviews
IB Book Blogging
Feeling Fictional

Jane Jones: Worst. Vampire. Ever. by Caissie St. Onge

Title: Jane Jones: Worst. Vampire. Ever.
Author: Caissie St. Onge
ISBN: 9780375868917
Publisher: Random House/Ember
Released: May 10, 2011
Page #: 227
Source: My own copy

Summary:
"For Jane Jones, being a vampire is nothing like you read about in books. In fact, it kind of sucks. She's not beautiful. She's not rich. She doesn't 'sparkle.' She's just an average, slightly nerdy girl from an ordinary suburban family (who just happen to be vampires). Jane's from the wrong side of the tracks (not to mention stuck in the world's longest awkward phase), so she doesn't fit in with the cool vampire kids at school or with the human kids. To top it all off, she's battling an overprotective mom, a clique of high school mean girls (the kind who really do have fangs), and the most embarrassing allergy in the history of the undead: she's blood-intolerant.

So no one's more surprised than Jane when for the first time in her 'life,' things start to heat up (as much as they can for a walking corpse, anyway) with not one but two boys. Eli's a geeky but cute real-life boy in her history class, and Timothy is a beautiful, brooding bloodsucker who just might hold the key to a possible cure for vampirism. Facing an eternity of high school pressure and fumbling first dates or a mere lifetime together with Timothy, what's a ninety-something-year-old teen vampire to do?"
________________________________________
First Lines:

"'Oh my God, you guys. I am sooooo wasted. Did you see me? I was totally chugging, and now I'm, like... totally wasted!'"
Page 1
________________________________________
Review:

So, basically this is about a girl in high school who happens to be a vampire. There's some mean girl stuff, there's some cute boy stuff, and there's some nerdy boy-love going on. Not to mention that she's allergic to drinking blood - which complicates the whole thing and spurs on the mean girls. She also really wants to go back to being human... at whatever cost.

I have to be honest, it was really hard to get through the first 100 pages (aka half) of this book. Typically, I am able to suspend belief for vampire stories. There has to be some of that. But there were a few details about this one that made it seem weird to me. Like... she's over 90 years old and she still answers to her mom? And that she's the most awkward girl in the world? Don't you mature at all - even though your body doesn't? There was a short mention of the whole, "sucks you're stuck in a teenage mindset" thing... but I had a hard time with it. Not to mention that I just wanted to shake her most of the time.

Now, the second half of the book is a totally different story. There was love, intrigue, and a little adventure. You just have to slog your way through the beginning to get to the good stuff. You learn why her teacher has been acting strangely, how her family became the way it is, and what she hopes for the future.

One big universal thing about this book was family. She is always thinking about and worrying about her family. It comes full circle in the end, but it's definitely a running theme. Of course, if you're eternally with those people, I suppose they become the center of your world. I did enjoy the characters in her family. I wasn't much expecting a ten year old genius :).

The love interests kind of hit me as odd. The one organic relationship is with Eli - the human geek who is a little obsessed with Jane. But it's the kind of relationship that is kinda cute. Aww! Little nerds getting together. Perfect! The second guy, Timothy, is much more of a mystery to me. There's never much of an explanation why he really wants to be with Jane for the rest of their eternal lives. There's one shared interest, but it's taken too far too soon. I just wasn't so sure about that one.

All in all, it's a decent story. There are several things that I had to suspend my belief for (much more than normal), but I think there's a good story in the bones. Those readers who enjoy a humorous take on the whole vampire thing will probably get a kick out of this book. It's definitely the kind of story that doesn't take itself too seriously. So I'd recommend it on that front. I look forward to seeing what this author comes up with next!
________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Forever Young Adult
Midnight Bloom Reads
Dreaming in Books
Alexia's Books and Such
Bibliophile Support Group
BookLoons Reviews
Feathered Quill Book Reviews

Bite Club by Rachel Caine

Title: Bite Club (Morganville Vampires #10)
Author: Rachel Caine
ISBN: 9780451233189
Publisher: New American Library
Page #: 337
Source: My public library

Summary:
"After learning that vampires populate Morganville - and surviving a number of adventures with her new night-dwelling friends - college student Claire Danvers has come to realize that for the most part, the undead just want to live their lives.

But someone else wants them to get ready to rumble.

There's a new extreme sport being broadcast over the Internet: bare-knuckle fights pitting captured vampires against one another - or, worse, against humans. Tracking the out-of-town signal leads Claire - accompanied by a loyal group of friends and frenemies - to discover that what began as an online brawl will soon threaten everyone in Morganville.

And if they want to survive, they'll have to do a lot more than fight..."
____________________________________________
First Lines:

"Looking back on it later, Claire thought she should have known trouble was coming. But in Morganville, anything could be trouble. Your college professor doesn't show for class? Probably got fanged by vampires."
Page 3
____________________________________________
Review:

Check reviews of the past books in the series (The first four were pre-blog):
Glass Houses; The Dead Girls' Dance; Midnight Alley; Feast of Fools
Lord of Misrule
Carpe Corpus
Fade Out
Kiss of Death
Ghost Town

I am always leery of the covers on these books. There's something about them that is a little off-putting for me. But eventually I come to my senses and remember that I love the series. Then I'm good to go.

This tenth book (!!) in the series is about some of the local baddies creating a fight club for vamps and humans. You can imagine how that goes over. Not well. There seems to be a lot more raw emotion and bloody fighting in this book. That gives it a different feel from the other books. You also get a more in-depth look at Shane in this book. More about his life, how he views things, his damage, etc. It's nice to get another perspective a little bit.

I'm trying not to give away any spoilers, so sorry if this is a bit vague. There were a few surprises in the first couple of chapters. Namely, bringing back those characters I thought were gone. I also had forgotten how the end of the 9th book had left me in shock - it carries over and is explained more in this one.

You know, I always wonder what the author is going to come up with next. And I'm always surprised at the many story lines that are carried out in the series. I really enjoy that technology is being pulled in more and more - I mean, doesn't that seem like the logical thing to do? If you're living in a place where no one else knows it's run by vampires. You'd think info would get out there with all the tech at our disposal. Morganville has an answer for everything, though :).

Something occured to me while I was reading this book. I've been pretty involved in the series, but I just realized that this is one of the few vampire stories at the moment where the vamps are actually bad. One of my teens was complaining that vamps are all love interests now - instead of people being scared of them. Basically she thought the idea was ridiculous. I'm going to have to recommend this series to her, because the vamps are still the bad guys. Yes, there are a few lines blurred on that, but not without explanation. I think Caine does a great job showing the many sides to vamps - as in, they still have personalities and such. I guess that's a comment for the whole series, not just this book.

If you haven't picked up the first book in the series, I very much recommend that you do. They have recently republished the first four in two-book bound paperbacks. You should really get your hands on those. Especially if you're looking for a good vampire series that isn't too girly. I know I recommend them all the time to my teens.
____________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Becky's Barmy Book Blog
Book Addict
Fictional Fantasy
Gone with the Words
All Things Urban Fantasy
Fresh Fiction
Paperback Dolls

Ghost Town by Rachel Caine

Title: Ghost Town (Morganville Vampires #9)
Author: Rachel Caine
ISBN: 9780451231611
Publisher: New American Library
Page #: 335
Source: From my public library

**Warning! This summary and possibly review will contain spoilers if you haven't read the rest of the books in this series. So proceed with caution.**

Summary:
"While developing a new system to maintain the town's defenses, Claire discovers a way to use the vampires' powers to help keep outsiders from spreading news of Morganville's "unique" situation once they've crossed the city limits.

But the new system has an unexpected and possibly deadly consequence: People inside the town start forgetting who and what they are - even the vampires. And when Claire's boyfriend, Shane, and her best friend, Eve, start treating her like a perfect stranger, Claire realizes she has to figure out a way to pull the plug on her experiment - before she forgets how to save herself... and Morganville."
__________________________________________
First Lines:

"Oh, this doesn't sound like a good idea," Claire said, looking down at the paper that had been shoved into her hand by a passing student. She paused in the shade of the Science Building porch to read it."
Page 3
__________________________________________
Review:

I'm a Morganville Vampires fan. Clearly this series started before my blog did... See past reviews:
Glass Houses; The Dead Girls' Dance; Midnight Alley; Feast of Fools
Lord of Misrule
Carpe Corpus
Fade Out
Kiss of Death

I have to say that this book was probably my favorite so far of this series. I'm not sure why. There's something about it that just was perfect for me. I think it might be because the last book was so different and this one pulled you back in to the original plot.

I don't think I can do this without spoilers, so sorry about that...
This book goes back to Claire's story with the crazy vampire Myrnin. Because of things that happened in past books, the controls over the town were left vulnerable. Claire's charge is to fix them - and fast. But once she does, something goes terribly wrong in the town. People begin losing parts of their past. Namely, three years.

This whole concept was really interesting to me. I mean, what would you forget if you lost the last three years of your life? What if you woke up one morning and didn't remember the last few years and the people you met and where you worked and even where you lived? I just loved that idea - and it really got me thinking. So kudos there to the author.

This book did leave you with an ending that felt final enough to not be chomping at the bit for the next book. Though, I'll still be reading it. But the ending is a little harsh - I was expecting part of it, but the other part took me a second to digest. It definitely gives you the tone of the next couple of books. It will be very interesting.

If you haven't read the Morganville books yet, and you're a fan of the whole vampire thing, I really suggest them. I always tell teens that they are a whole different take on the typical vamp story. Not to mention that they've recently re-bound these books into a nice two-books-in-one book. And I've read all nine and I'm still a fan - that's gotta say something about how well these books are written.

Speaking of which, check out Rachel Caine's website to see what's on tap next. I do know there is a tenth book on the way later this year. I'm excited to get my hands on that one.
__________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Books Complete Me
So Many Books, So Little Time
Bewitched Bookworms
Buried Under Books
Read-a-Holic
Books With Bite
The Reading date

Eternal: More Love Stories with Bite edited by P.C. Cast

Title: Eternal: More Love Stories with Bite
Author: Edited by P.C. Cast
ISBN: 9781935618010
Publisher: BenBella Books
Page #: 212
Source: From my public library

Summary:
"Love is Eternal... so are they.
Claudia Gray delves into the history of Patrice, from her bestselling Evernight series, and her doomed affair with a mortal World War II soldier.

Strange Angels author Lili St. Crow takes us to St. Mary's Catholic prep school where one disaffected girl can't seem to stay away from the boy she believes killed her best friend.

Wicked series' writer Nancy Holder reimagines Romeo and Juliet with an undead Romeo who's waited centuries for his beloved Juliet's return.

Heather Brewer, author of The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, tells the story of a girl who wakes up kidnapped and locked in a freezing basement with the boy she loves, facing a monster she doesn't dare put a name to.

Rachel Caine returns to the setting of her bestselling Morganville Vampires series where her latest supernatural threat isn't to the residents' lives, but to Eve and Michael's bond.

And Shade author Jeri Smith-Ready introduces us to a gypsy community that harbors vampires, a girl caught between her family and her dreams, and the boy who gives up everything to help her."
__________________________________________
First Lines:

"The air in the USO canteen was hazy with cigarette smoke, thick with longing. It would've been hard to say who was more easily enchanted by romance in this place. Maybe it was the young men going off to war, desperate for comfort and perhaps someone to fight for."
Page 1 from "Bloodshed" by Claudia Gray
__________________________________________
Review:

I picked up this book because I have read and loved something by almost every one of these authors - a couple are ones I haven't read yet, but I have their book in my posession. So I'm getting there. But these stories were all really good. A few had surprise endings - or completely blew my assumptions of the story out of the water. Very well done book. I'm going to attempt to go through each story.


The historical Evernight story by Claudia Gray was wonderful. I loved how the school was still a focal point, but you really got a whole new view of it. And it also was an interesting take on what happens when someone is turned into a vamp without allowing it. It's also a look at how love can blind you to reality - especially when it's eternal.


I haven't read the series by Lili St. Crow, but I probably will try to after reading this story. The perspective in this story really is one of a crass high school girl and the way she lives her life. Thrown in is a couple of murders and a vamp on the loose. I found this one to be a bit more abrupt, but I think in longer form it would be wonderful.


Nancy Holder is another author I haven't read much by (I think), but I have one of her books in my TBR pile. There's something about Romeo that just bothers me. He probably would have in the old version too - but he's just so... obsessed. And crazy-seeming. But that's just Romeo for you, I suppose. :) I did love how the ending turned out, though.

The story by Heather Brewer was the most interesting to me. She writes a story that is pure horror and terror... then twists up the ending giving the whole story a new light. It's very well done and I love how she writes. I would love to see how this story could have panned out if it were longer.

Of course I loved the story by Rachel Caine - but I'm a long time fan of the Morganville Vampire books. It's great to get a story from Eve's point of view. Honestly, it felt like she has more meat to her instead of Claire. I would totally read more about her. I kinda hope the new character she introduced is in the next novel.

And last, but not least, the story "Thirst" by Jeri Smith-Ready. I think I had the most confusing time with this one. Probably because it's set in a place/mindset that I don't get. But it's a great story of love and desperation. Shows what lengths someone would go to for someone they love.

All in all, I think this was a great group of short stories. Especially for those who are into the whole vampire thing. There are lots of variations on the same ole' story. I very much intend to pass this one along to my teens.
__________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Cem's Book Hideout
Amberkatze's Book Blog
Poisoned Rationality

Still Sucks to Be Me by Kimberly Pauley

Title: Still Sucks to Be Me: More All-True Confessions of Mina Hamilton Smith, Teen Vampire.
Author: Kimberly Pauley
ISBN: 9780786955039
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Page #: 374
Source: From my library

Summary:
"Why it still sucks to be me
1. Here I am, some all-powerful (ha), all-knowing (yeah, right), in-control (totally not) vampire, and my parents and the stupid Vampire Council still get to dictate everything I do.

2. Not only did they make me fake my death and funeral (I didn't even get to go!), but I had to leave behind my BFF Serena and move really far away.

3. Meanwhile my boyfriend George is off "reconnecting with his parents" in Brazil. Land of beaches, bikini babes, and the biggest party in the world. He's probably going, "Mina, who?"

4. Grady asked me to Homecoming and won't take no for an answer.

5. Did I mention cute but oh-so-complicated Cameron, the only other bloodsucking teen in town? That's because I'm trying not to think about him, thank you very much.

6. And ugh, Raven. Is she seriously stalking Serena?

7. Vampire superstrength can't fix this trainwreck. But can I?"
__________________________________________
First Lines:

"I, Mina Hamilton, am officially dead. Officially, officially. You name it, I've got it: death certificate (which I'm not allowed to keep in a scrapbook, per the Vampire Relocation Agency rules), obituary in the paper (depressingly short, if I do say so myself, and ditto on the scrapbooking), and a funeral."
Page 1
__________________________________________
Review:

So, I read the first book over a year ago now... and I think the characters have improved with this book. My last review was a little dumb, so I'm just going to ignore everything I said there.

There's a lot to love about this book. One of the things that really gets my attention is the amount of humor used in this story. It's mostly the snarky side comments throughout, but it keeps the book light and funny even during the insanely drama-tastic moments. Of which, there are quite a few.

I think this second book is tons better, but I think that's because there's a lot more going on. In the first book you're dealing with whether Mina wants to become a vampire and what that would mean and who that would effect. Now it's all about the people around her and trying to keep her family's secret. Not to mention the number of romantic encounters she has to diffuse.

I'll continue recommending the first book to anyone looking for a funny and lighthearted take on the vampire story. This one does the trick. And very well, I might add. It's great for just about everyone - including middle grade readers. So yeah, go pick this one up. You won't regret it.

This story is definitely growing with age... into something more fun, interesting, and mature-ish. I had a few actual "laugh out loud" moments while reading this book. That always leaves a good impression on me. I really hope the author writes another book for these characters. The ending is a full ending, but there's more story to come, it seems.

Speaking of the author, check out her website. She's also the founder of Young Adult Books Central. I was a part of that for a while - very cool. So look around, because she's always involved. Hopefully we'll see more books from her. :)
__________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Manga Maniac Cafe
Karin's Book Nook
Book Crazy
So Many Books, So Little Time
Novel Novice
Fantasy Book Critic

Alex Van Helsing: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson

Title: Alex Van Helsing: Vampire Rising
Author: Jason Henderson
ISBN: 9780061950995
Publisher: Harper Teen

Summary:
"Fourteen-year-old Alex has no idea that he's descended from the world's most famous vampire hunter, but that changes fast when he arrives at Glenarvon Academy and confronts two vampires in his first three days.

Turns out that Glenarvon isn't the only school near Lake Geneva. Hidden deep underground lies an ancient university for vampires called the Scholomance. And the deadly vampire clan lord known as Icemaker? You might say he's a visiting professor.

When two of Alex's friends are kidnapped by Icemaker, it's up to Alex to infiltrate the Scholomance and get them back - alive. Assisted by the Polidorium, a top-secret vampire hunting organization with buried ties to the Van Helsings, Alex dodges zombies, bullets, and lots - and lots - of fangs on his way to thwarting Icemaker's plans and fulfilling his family destiny."
__________________________________________
First Lines:

"Alex Van Helsing ran. He ran instantly and without a second thought in the direction of the scream, bursting from the side of the road into the trees as fast as his legs could move, rubber soles churning against soft earth and leaves slick with dew."
Page 1
__________________________________________
Review:

As you can probably tell from the first few lines, this book kicks off with a ton of action and it doesn't let go until the very end. And even then, you know there's more action to be had.

This is a wonderful action-packed, horror story that fits squarely in the middle grade guys fiction stuff. It's got enough detail to be interesting and enough things going on to keep you reading. Honestly this book didn't take me very long - I was surprised to be at the ending so soon. I definitely was left wishing for more, but this story leaves you with a few questions. So hopefully there will be another one.

You may be thinking that this is just another of those vampire books. And yeah, it's a vamp book... but none of your main characters are. And every vamp you encounter actually fits the mold of vamp - pasty skin, hates holy stuff, snarly, and will attack you in an instant. That makes for a lot of fun. Not to mention that it pulls in characters from literature. That makes my lil' librarian heart go pitter pat. I really liked all of the Van Helsing references. I think it will spark some interest in anyone who doesn't know the original stories.

The setting for this book is really cool too - Switzerland @ Lake Geneva. It's possible that I google mapped this while I was reading the story. I can just see how things pan out and it would be very awesome to visit there. I think that it also makes for a great setting for a movie - that's one of the great things about this book. I could see everything happening just as it's written in a movie. How cool would that be?

I will definitely be recommending this to all of our guys who are looking for the next best thing. This story will absolutely satisfy and they will be itching for more. Girls will love this one too, but it's not very often that a book is solidly dude - especially with all that newfangled romance stuff they're throwing in fantasy books these days :). It's good. It's solid. And a really fun read.

The author has an Alex Van Helsing blog that has interviews, news, and other reviews. Check it out!
__________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Bookalicious
Library Lounge Lizard
scifichick.com
The Bibliophilic Book Blog
Bookworming in the 21st Century
There are lots of reviews out there - and it seems like everyone really likes it. Therefore you need to pick this one up immediately. Obvs.

Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine

Title: Kiss of Death (Morganville #8)
Author: Rachel Caine
ISBN: 9780451229731
Publisher: Signet

Summary:
"Vampire Michael Glass just received the call he's been waiting for all his life. His music has attracted the attention of a heavily connected music producer who wants him to cut a demo and play some dates - which means Michael will have to enter the human world.

But he won't be alone. He's been assigned an undead escort, which includes immortal enforcer Oliver, as well as Michael's human friends: rebellious Eve, oft-misunderstood Claire, and courageous Shane. And with that mix of personalities, this is going to be a roadtrip from hell.

But what waits for them proves more perilous than they thought. Caught between humans who hate them and a savage party of traveling vampires out to create a blood-soaked feast for themselves, Michael and his friends may not make it to the show on time... or ever."
____________________________________________
First Lines:

"The way the Glass House worked, on a practical level, was that there was a schedule for the stuff that had to be done - cooking, cleaning, fixing things, laundry. Technically, they were all on every housemate's list."
Page 3
____________________________________________
Review:

I'm going to be honest here and say that I don't particularly look forward to the latest Morganville Vampires book - it's not a series that I sit on pins and needles waiting for. And I always end up sitting on the book for a while before I pick it up to read.

All of this doesn't mean I don't like it. I guess it's just hard for me to get jazzed up about. It's a solid story with really great and dynamic characters. There is just something very similar about each book - and they're all cut off in the middle of the story. I do understand that for the sake of having multiple volumes and such... it's just hard to jump back into as a reader.

A few things were different about this particular story. Instead of the whole thing taking place in Morganville, there are several of the characters that are granted permission to leave the city limits for a few days. I enjoyed a lot of the things that happened - mostly because they couldn't have happened in Morganville. There are a few wrenches thrown in to keep the whole thing interesting. And it does quite the job of it.

There are, of course, lots of loose ends. This story probably created a lot more questions than it answered. I will always read the next book just to see what happens. I'm definitely hooked. I will continue to hand this book to kids as well. If you haven't read any of them, here are the rest of the books in the series:
Glass Houses
The Dead Girls' Dance
Midnight Alley
Feast of Fools
Lord of Misrule
Carpe Corpus
Fade Out
Kiss of Death

Here's the author's website for you to see what's coming next! Enjoy :).
____________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Paperback Dolls
Rex Robot Reviews
Fresh Fiction
Reading Angel
I Heart Monster
Wicked Little Pixie

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Title: Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5)
Author: Richelle Mead
ISBN: 9781595142504
Publisher: Razorbill

Summary:
"After a long and heartbreaking journey to Siberia, Dimitri's birthplace, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's -and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It's graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives outside of the academy's cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri. He's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and how her worse fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he has silenced her... forever.

But Rose can't forget what she learned on her journey - whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose's prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what - and who - matters most to her. And in the end, is true love really worth the price?"
_____________________________________________
First Lines:

"There's a big difference between death threats and love letters - even if the person writing the death threats still claims to actually love you. Of course, considering I once tried to kill someone I loved, maybe I had no right to judge."
Page 11 (aka the first page of the story)
_____________________________________________
Review:

I've decided that the Vampire Academy series is my absolute favorite vampire story... vampire romance... vampire action... everything. From the first book to this one, the story just continues to get better and better.

I think one of the things I really love about this story is that Rose is a lot less of an angsty teen than in most young adult vampire books. I mean, it's written into the story that the dhampir lifestyle forces people to grow up really fast and be more mature than other people. So when Rose is faced with some possibly seriously teen moment, it's usually taken on with force and total girl power :). In Spirit Bound, there is a little more of the angsty-ness showing through, but I think that's because of the situation Rose has found herself in. And that situation is very much a "boy trouble" situation.

This fifth installment was pretty action packed from the beginning. I didn't quite expect so much to happen within the first few chapters of the book. But I'm glad it did - started off with a bang! There are parts in the story where I expect things to not work out, but then they do... and other things seem obvious that they would happen, but then they don't. This book (and whole series, really) will absolutely keep you on your toes.

I was discussing this series with one of my regular teens at the Library today - she was telling me that Vampire Academy is just massively better than *other vamp series that everyone loves.* She said she gets excited when other people agree. Me too! There's just something amazingly wonderful about the writing and the way things pan out. It's just all well done - and I'm absolutely itching for the next book! This one leaves you seriously hanging... irritating. But I'm still absolutely hooked. I'm ready to read it!!

I'm actually shocked to see that the next book is coming out in December!! That seems like it wouldn't be too far away! See, I found it on Richelle Mead's website. You should go check that out!
_____________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Frankie Diane Mallis (watch for spoilers)
Tynga's Reviews
Alpha Reader

Probably there will be more reviews cropping up starting tomorrow. I look forward to seeing what everyone thought of it!

Burned by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Title: Burned (House of Night #7)
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
ISBN: 9780312606169
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Summary:
"Thing have turned black at the House of Night. Zoey Redbird's soul has shattered. With everything she's ever stood or falling apart, and a broken heart making her want to stay in the Otherworld forever, Zoey's fading fast. It's seeming more and more doubtful that she will be able to pull herself back together in time to rejoin her friends and set the world to rights. As the only living person who can reach her, Stark must find a way to get to her. But how? He will have to die to do so, the Vampyre High Council stipulates. And then Zoey will give up for sure. There are only seven days left.

Enter BFF Stevie Rae. She wants to help Z, but she has massive problems of her own. The rogue Red Fledglings are acting up, and this time not even Stevie Rae can protect them from the consequences. Her kinda boyfriend, Dallas, is sweet but too nosy for his own good. The truth is, Stevie Rae's hiding a secret that might be the key to getting Zoey home - but it also threatens to explode her whole world.

In the middle of the whole mess is Aphrodite: ex-Fledgling, trust-fund baby, total hag from Hell (and proud of it). She's always been blessed (if you could call it that) with visions that can reveal the future, but now it seems that Nyx has decided to speak through her with the goddess's own voice, whether Aphrodite wants it or not. Aphrodite's loyalty can swing a lot of different ways, but right now Zoey's fate hangs in the balance.

Three girls... playing with fire... if they don't watch out, everyone will get Burned."
______________________________________________
First Lines:

"Kalona lifted his hands. He didn't hesitate. There was no doubt whatsoever in his mind about what he had to do. He would not allow anything or anyone to get in his way, and this human boy was standing between him and what he desired."
Page 1
______________________________________________
Review:

Longest summary ever. That summary pretty much gives you the entire gist of the story. You would think that they wouldn't need much of a summary at all - given that anyone reading this book has probably read the first six. I mean, they don't exactly back-track in the book at all, so why give a summary that is so complete. Ahem, sorry for the tangent.

Okay, so this is the seventh book in the House of Night series. I think that these books are going to be better read back to back once they are all released. As I said, there's no going back, so when you pick up this book, you're completely right where they left off. I guess that's a good attribute to have, but it's been months and months since I read the last one. It takes me a little time to get back into the story.

There are very few series that I've followed for seven books (namely, the HP series... that might be it). This one I started out absolutely loving everything about it. Now that we've come this far - and have several books to go - I'm wishing for more. I mean, the story is still solid... there are just a few things that are starting to get on my nerves. Like, the accents. It's starting to bother me that Kramisha's accent is so completely exaggerated. It's a little... much. That's the one that really stands out to me, but I was just giving an example.

One thing I really liked about this book is the amount of character development that we got. The other books have been so focused on Zoey, it's almost like the rest of the characters have been jipped a little bit. But you learn a lot more about other people and see how they are growing into almost-adults. You also find more respect for some that I didn't have any for before.

I really did miss the grandmother in this book. Through the rest of the series, she has been sort of a main character - always in the background helping out when needed. In this book, she was almost an afterthought. I'm glad she got thrown in there, but that's what it felt like - she was thrown in.

Even though there were things about this book that I didn't love, I still will be recommending the series - especially if you can get your hands on the whole thing at once! It's really well built and interesting. Definitely one of the great vampire series out right now.

Check out the House of Night website for more details on earlier books and upcoming projects!
______________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Geeky Blogger's Book Blog
The Bookshelf Sophisticate
Ms. Martin Teaches Media
I had problems finding more reviews. There are tons of announcements out there, but not as many reviews. Have you reviewed this one? Let me know so I can add you!

Immortal: Love Stories with Bite

Title: Immortal: Love Stories with Bite
Author: Various - edited by P.C. Cast
ISBN: 9781933771922
Publisher: BenBella

Summary:
"When you're immortal, true love really is forever.
Rachel Caine revisits the setting of her popular series, where the vampires are in charge and love is a risky endeavor, even when it comes to your our own family.
Tantalize author Cynthia Leitich Smith gives us a love triangle between a vampire, a ghost, and a human girl, in which none of them are who or what they seem.
Claudia Gray takes us into the world of her Evernight series, in which a pre-Civil War courtesan-to-be is courted by a pale, fair-haired man whose attentions are too dangerous to spurn - in more ways than one.
Vampire Academy author Richelle Mead brings us the tale of a young vampire on the run from the rest of her kind, and the human boy who provides the getaway car - as well as a reason to keep running.
Wicked series writer Nancy Holder immerses us in a post-apocalyptic New York where two best friends are forced to make a choice that may kill them both.
Rachel Vincent explores a new corner of her Soul Screamers universe with the story of a leanan sidhe capable of inspiring the musician she loves to new creative heights - or draining him, and his talent, dry.
Master fantasist Tanith Lee shows us what happens when a bright young woman with some supernatural savvy encounters a misguided (but gorgeous) young vampire.
And Kristin Cast, co-author of the House of Night series, introduces us to a new kind of vampire one with roots in Greek mythology, and the power to alter space and time to save the girl he's meant to love."
____________________________________________
First Lines:

"So... just what in the hell is it with you teenagers and vampires? Huh? Okay, I have my suspicions."
Page vii from P.C. Cast's Introduction
____________________________________________
Review:

That's quite the summary, huh? The back of the book does a good job of lining up the types of stories you're going to read so I don't have to! woo hoo :). As with many short story books, this one has quite the theme... vampire romance (obvs). And it's absolutely going to appeal to those Twihards and lovers of other wonderful vampire series. I mean, look at that cover!

I think my favorite of the stories comes from Richelle Mead. This isn't all that surprising considering my love of her Vampire Academy Series. This story is called Blue Moon and is really well fleshed out. I know that short stories sometimes lack a little.... umph. This one had me wishing for more chapters. It's all about a world where vampires rule and one girl has a prophecy to change it all - and she doesn't want to. So she runs away. It's a great base and the story is written wonderfully. Kudos Mead!

I had a little heart pitter patter when I saw there was a story from Rachel Caine (why are there so many Rachels?) that was based on her Morganville series. I'm a fan :). The normal series is written from Claire's point of view, but this one went a little deeper with Shane and his dad. It's a really interesting addition to the series... and I'm wondering if it's going to play a small part in the next book. hmmm.

The rest of the stories in the book are wonderful as well - I just don't want to bore you with my take on each one. All of these authors are so experienced, it's almost like gliding through a simple obstacle course. Easy peasy. So seamless. As always, they're just impressive. :)

The introduction by P.C. Cast is absolutely wonderful. If you don't read this entire book, you at least need to read the intro. She writes about why vampires have taken off - what teens really love about it... and why she's so into it. It's really introspective and a great kick off for the rest of the stories.

I do recommend this book for those who are into the vampire romance stuff. It's definitely meant for the older teen - considering the amount of sensuality and such. ahem. It gets a bit steamy at some spots. But it's a great book and I'm glad to pass it along.
____________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

All Things Urban Fantasy
Tink's Place
There really aren't many reviews out there for this one... so be one of the few! :) At least that I could find. Did you review this one?