***Review*** Midnight Alley (Morganville Vampires #3) by Rachel Caine

On The Back Of The Book

Morganville is such a nice place to live... And die. If you don’t mind that sort of thing.

When Claire Danvers learnt that her college town was run by vampires, she did what any intelligent, self-preserving student would do: she applied for a transfer and stocked up on garlic. The transfer is no longer an option, but that garlic may come in handy.

Now Claire has pledged herself to Amelie, the most powerful vampire in town. The protection her contract secures does little to reassure her friends. All of a sudden, people are turning up dead, a stalker resurfaces from Claire’s past, and an ancient bloodsucker extends a chilling invitation for private lessons in his secluded home.

My Review:

Why did I choose this book? 

Well for many reasons, one of which I've listed above in italics. (Go me!) But also because I've been wanting to read this series for so long and they've been staring at me. Just staring and it's getting creepy. Also once I start a series I like to see it through... preferably together... even more preferably in order... so that's what I'm doing.  

What did I think of this book? 

I really liked it. I'm really enjoying this series. The cliff hanger at the end of book 2 wasn't really that good so I did wonder if maybe it would make me like this one less but once it's got going Midnight Alley is SO action packed that I found myself just getting sucked right back into the story. There was a plot from book 2 Jason! I mean WTF is up with him? that finally gets explored a bit more. In The Dead Girls' Dance I felt it was just picked up, thrown in there, then ignored but I can see that it's just to make the series feel more connected. So yes, plot exploration gets an A!

I still feel like Rachel Caine is a solid writer that knows how to weave a story together and this makes reading her books even more enjoyable. I also like that you don't have to use all your brain cells to read these and that makes them quick to read and easy to like.  

What did I think of the characters? 

Well, I think that the main boys and girls can be a bit predictable and are quite obviously (well for me) genre stereotypes. Saying that though, I don't mean in a bad way. Claire is learning to kick arse. Michael is denying his vampire killing instincts but still remaining a nice guy. Eve is a fabulous goth girl that I adore because the whole goth thing works on her, it doesn't feel forced. Shane... aaaah Shane, I actually think I like him, even though he's your typical angsty sex object. He needs to treat Michael better though or I might be tempted to go hunting for him... even though he's fictional.

I love how the vampires have their own agenda and they aren't all *swoops into room and shakes mane of perfect hair* "Oh! Claire! You're so pretty and special and OMG I think I love you!" *grabs Claire and kisses her passionately* "Oh Miss Danvers, you're my destiny!" and so on and so forth. They're mean, they're manipulative and by gosh I heart them.

My favourite character has to be Myrnin though, he feels so dangerous and alive and on the brink of madness. I don't know why but he draws me in and really makes me want to read on when he's in a scene.

On the other hand my least favourite character is Monica. I wish she wasn't so transparent. She's just like every other teen rich bitch in this genre. I want something different now!!

My Rating

Once again I don't feel that it's special enough to warrant my 5th star but I will say this, we're getting closer. OMG that ending!!! I need to know what happens next! I can't take it!!  

Would I recommend this? 

I would most definitely recommend this to fans of YA PNR because it's one of the best series I've come across and I've read quite a few of them over the years... or at least tried to. Some are just too bad.