Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine
Series: The Morganville Vampires #3
Published by Penguin
Published on: October 2, 2007
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 256
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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Claire Danvers's college town may be run by vampires but a truce between the living and the dead made things relatively safe. For a while. Now people are turning up dead, a psycho is stalking her, and an ancient bloodsucker has proposed private mentoring. To what end, Claire will find out. And it's giving night school a whole new meaning.
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Rachel Caine has written one of the most unique vampire series that I have ever read, and I have immersed myself in these books as I read the first four back to back. I don’t know how many I can read before I have to stop for awhile, but right now I am enjoying every one that I have read, or am now reading.
The main character of these books is Claire, a young freshman in college, one that has managed to get herself completely tied up with the vampires that run the town of Morganville. She’s only sixteen, but is probably smarter than any of her professors. Now that she belongs to Amelie, she has to do anything Amelie wants her to-in exchange for protection for her boyfriend Shane, and her other roommates, Michael and Eve. Amelie is the most powerful vampire in the world, and is the founder of Morganville. Mega bully Monica is back in this installment, and she’s acting weird even for her.
One of my favorite things about this series is that each book continues the story from the previous books-sometimes just a few minutes later, or a few days. Because I am reading them one after the other, at times little plot holes do stick out for me, but nothing big-I just tend to notice things like that. And that is the only slightly bad thing I have had to say about any of these books so far. Well that, and the cliffhanger from the first book. Can’t forget to mention that, for all those that hate them.
The main premise of this installment involves an extremely old vampire named Myrnin, that is new to the story this time around. Myrnin is on the edge of madness at any given moment, and at times he tips right over into crazy town. Claire is assigned to help him with his research, before he slips over and doesn’t come back. The vampires are all sick, and going insane. Myrnin has been researching a cure for decades without success. Whenever Myrnin tips over into his insanity, his first thing to do is to try and attack Claire. It was pretty fascinating seeing how she handles him. He lives at the end of an alley that everyone has warned her to never go down, and now she has to go there on a regular basis.
As with all of these books, I love the snark that most of these close friends have in spades. It makes what is actually a very scary premise, have a lighter feel at times. Although Claire is new to the group, it didn’t take her long to become close to all of the friends, Shane in particular. As Shane is her boyfriend now, I have enjoyed the budding romance between them. Michael and Eve’s romance has evolved even more than Shane and Claire’s. As they are adults-compared to Claire-their romance is not G-rated. Nothing is explicit, but is mentioned, so you do know what is going on. There’s also lots of lustful feelings, and almost actions between Shane and Claire as well. That’s why I can’t get over this having a suggested twelve years of age as a starting range for this read. I would think 15+ would be better. Jumping off my soapbox now!
There’s a lot more that happens in this book, but I will just sum it up as more life and death moments, and an adult party that gets more than out of control. If you haven’t tried these books yet and paranormal reads are your thing, I highly recommend this series. It’s fun, it’s creepy, and it’s a total page turner.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
I have listened to the first one and have the second one but not gotten to it…I like the series so far…just need to make room for reading more of them….lol.
Stormi recently posted…Book Review: Darke by Angie Sage
Oh I am glad you decided to give it another try. I hope you like the next ones just as well 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine (@Mollykatie112, @rachelcaine, @penguinusa)
Yay, you’ve met Myrnin. I love Myrnin!
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Midian Unmade: Tales of Clive Barker’s Nightbreed Book Giveaway
Myrnin is quite the character isn’t he-I think he has several different people locked inside of him!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine (@Mollykatie112, @rachelcaine, @penguinusa)
I am wary of reading several books in a series back to back after a favorite series started to go sour for me when I did that last time, but sometimes it works. I keep forgetting about this series and you really make me want to read it. Nice review, Lorna!
Sophia Rose recently posted…Servicing the Target by Cherise Sinclair #Review
Thank you! It is just such a fun series-I would recommend it to anyone that likes paranormal stories-with lots of snark!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine (@Mollykatie112, @rachelcaine, @penguinusa)
I should really try this series, everyone seems to love them and I like the sound of the characters. Insane vampires sounds scary. Great review Lorna, as always you tempt me 🙂
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead
Thank you! Yes insane vampires are pretty scary but Caine writes it in such a way that you are having such a good time reading that it doesn’t bother you as much as it probably should-I hope that made sense 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho (@jessicadhaluska, @zenaldehyde, @AceRocBooks)
They only have a translation at the library, boo
blodeuedd recently posted…#FitReaders Check-In: September 18, 2015
Oh sorry you can’t get one that’s not translated!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine (@Mollykatie112, @rachelcaine, @penguinusa)
Well that certainly sounds interesting. Maybe I should try this one.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Product Review: Melamine Bowls Set Of 12
I would start with book one Glass Houses if I were you but they are all good-just not stand alones 🙂
Myrnin is my fav throughout the whole series, I just adore his craziness! So glad you loved this and are still [lowing through this series!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Dreamland by Robert L. Anderson
I have read 8 of them so far and I am still loving them. Myrnin is a great character you are right!
I agree, fun and addicting. So glad to hear that you are still enjoying
Brandi Breathes Books recently posted…Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post, Bought Borrowed and Bagged
Absolutely addicting! 8 down and 7 to go 🙂 Thanks!
One of these days, I’m going to try and get back into this series. Sigh.
Joy recently posted…Throwback Thursday [12]: Standoff by Sandra Brown
You should-I am so enjoying them 🙂
Isn’t Myrnin a hoot? He’s one of my favorite characters, actually. You really are making me want to re-read and finish this series, Lorna. It’s been too long since I visited Morganville. 😉 I do think it’s interesting that this series is marketed for 12 and up…I didn’t realize that, but agree with you. Great review, as always!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Review ~ Gone Girl ~ #2015HW #ShelfLove #COYER
Thank you! Right now I have every intention of finishing the series but you never know I could get sidetracked as well. But I am really liking it and Myrnin for sure 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine (@Mollykatie112, @rachelcaine, @penguinusa)
Glad to see this series is still going strong for you! I like that the books continue so close together I need to read these!
Naomi @ Naomi’s Reading Palace
Naomi recently posted…The End Game by Kate McCarthy ~ Review & Teaser
They certainly are fun, yet suspenseful reads! 8 down and I think 7 more to go 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine (@Mollykatie112, @rachelcaine, @penguinusa)