Kiss of Death: The Morganville Vampires

To paraphrase 50 cent, I love `Morganville Vampires' like a fat kid loves cake.... But I was a little sceptical going into `Kiss of Death' - mostly because this is the first book in the entire series that takes the characters out of Morganville. It's one of the things I love about this series - the setting. It's kind of a genius way for Rachel Caine to explore tired vampire mythology; by putting a modern `social experiment' spin on it. So yes, I was a bit iffy on the idea of Claire and the gang journeying out of Morganville and taking their show on the road... but as usual, Ms. Caine delivers another incredible instalment that left me hungering for more! This 8th instalment has our beloved characters going on a road-trip to Dallas, Texas. But oddly enough I would say this book, more than any other, brings the focus back on the town of Morganville and triggers a deeper exploration of the relationships of our protagonists. For Eve, this road-trip marks her first departure from Morganville. She has grown up around vampires, never knowing anything other than the `eat or be eaten' human hierarchy of the township. It was really interesting to read Eve's reactions to the `outside world', and really put into perspective just how closed off Morganville is. Caine really explores the deeper issues of Morganville and its human/vampire cohabitation when Claire and the gang come across a small town that's also over-run by vampires. Only difference is: this town doesn't have the same mortal/immortal societal balance... here, the humans are prey and the vampires are bent on mayhem. It was a really clever way for Caine to both shake things up in the series (by taking it *out* of Morganville) but also examine the heart of the series. By having this contrast between a vampire-run town and a vampire/human run town. I think `Kiss of Death' has come at the perfect time in the series too. The character are getting older - our protagonist, Claire, is now 17 and in a serious relationship with Shane (19). It makes sense that as our protagonists step into adulthood, they start questioning the norm and their status-quo. As much as `Kiss of Death' examines the wider theme of Morganville's superstructure, Caine also cleverly brings the story back to focusing on our four main protagonists. Claire and Shane have been dating for quite a few books now, and sleeping together for the last 3. Michael and Eve have also been an item for a good portion of the series. The last few instalments have seen our protagonists fighting big bad guys, and not have a whole lot of time for big relationship questions. But in `Kiss of Death' Caine plants some interesting seeds for future exploration as each character takes stock of their lives and how their romances are evolving. None more so than Michael - the only vampire of the group - who starts to question the longevity of his relationship with the mortal Eve. And the best thing about `Kiss of Death' is that Caine explores all these rela

This is too awesome. Our awesome foursome is back again with more adventure and more dangerous situations outside Morganville. Yes, can you believe it? I never thought the day would come. We were left wondering how the hell can Claire fulfill his promise to the new villain vampire Morley. It always seems to be a moot point when situations like these arise. Yet Claire and Amelie always surprise us. In this book Claire, Shane, Michael and Eve is granted a pass to leave Morganville for a week, chaperoned by Oliver, to accompany Michael to Dallas to see a potential record deal. It was a very exciting prospect for a road trip, not even Oliver's looming presence can dampen their mood. On their way to Dallas, Oliver announced an unprecedented stop on a small town named Durram where trouble started brewing. They soon found themselves in the middle of another vampire revolt that lead them to Blacke where Bishop left his wake of vampires with infections. It was one heck of a crazy ride. As usually, Caine did not disappoint. I love where this series is going and it is going strong. I miss a whole lot of Myrnin humor on this book and that snarky attitude from Monica but everything else was just perfect. Every sequel gives us a lot of breath taking action and some killer thrill and it always ends with "I want the next book now!" reaction. And what about the Claire-Shane romance? its not on the adult level yet but not really one you can call puppy love. It has become more intense on the emotional scale. My friend Tina from GoodReads was right reading a Morganville book is like welcoming back home friends.

Another great book in the series. Claire, Shane, Michael and Eve finally get a temporary pass out of Morganville and they do not get far before the trouble begins. I love how Claire's strength and character has developed. On the surface at the beginning of the series, she seemed like such an easy target. She continues to surprise me, and, apparently, her housemates and everyone else. I love the relationships and interactions between Claire, Shane, Michael and Eve ... Some of the dialogue makes me laugh out loud.

One of the best things about the Morganville Vampires series is the continuity. Everything Claire and Co. say has a consequence and sometimes that consequence is more than they bargain for. I love it. You can tell, almost immediately, when one of them says or promises something that will come back to bite them in the butt (such as their promise, in Fade Out, to Morley and his motley gang). That is just their luck quite frankly. The beginning is slower then I expected, but that makes sense given the high octane ride that was Bishop, and the post-high crash that was Ada. I wouldn't say things were exactly perfect for the Glass House Gang, but their only concern was Morley. Michael was getting a deal, they were all getting out of Morganville for a little while (even if Oliver had to tag along, for obvious reasons) and they were almost guaranteed a vampire free weekend...not including Michael or Oliver of course. What could go wrong? Oh practically everything. Oliver has his own agenda, from Amelie, that lands them group in Boondocks, Texas. They all decide to hit up the local truck stop and wind up in a whole heap of trouble that just keeps escalating from there on out. Once the action begins it doesn't really slow down. However the trademark wit and devilry is still very much in attendance. I laughed everytime one of them would, almost as a positive mantra, chant "We've been in worst situations". The amount of times Claire has to think to herself that Bishop was a worst situation is sad. Coupled with the fact she begins missing crazy Myrnin after a while. Though I missed Myrnin. There wasn't enough of him in this book. Some of the more mundane things are aired out (issues between Eve and Michael, Claire's parents and even some uncertainties that Michael is feeling about his and Eve's future) in and around the rest of the plot, but a solid chunk is given over to cleaning up one more mess Bishop left behind. This was a transition book, setting up many of the storylines that the ninth book, Ghost Town (due out in November 2010) will expand upon, as well as bringing to a close some other looser threads that would only get in the way of a larger story arc. Once again I greatly enjoyed this installment of the Morganville Vampires series. This series has, without a doubt, become one of my favorite series to follow and wait for.

"Kiss of Death" is another strong entry into the Morganville Vampire series. Things in Morganville, TX have died down since Bishop was taken care of, but there is still enough drama to go around. Michael gets an offer to record a CD in Dallas, & Amelie grants the gang (plus Oliver) passes to leave Morganville for a few days. Of course, their trip to Dallas pretty much turns into the road trip from hell. After Oliver insists on stopping at a gas station in a backwoods town, things take a turn for the worst. Eve incites some of the locals into a near fight, & Oliver disappears claiming to do Amelie's bidding. He later turns up bloody & beaten at the gang's hotel room. "Kiss of Death" is a nice departure from being in Morganville, TX the entire book. Poor Eve was so excited to leave Morganville for the first time that I felt kinda sorry for her. Claire & Shane's relationship becomes more serious, while Eve & Michael continue to struggle with his life as a vampire. Oliver figures heavily into this book, which I enjoyed. All in all, another great visit with Claire & friends. I'll be waiting impatiently for the next book.