Have you ever read a book that was so exciting that you literally started dancing? Last week, I was finishing The Dead Girl’s Dance, the second book in Rachel Caine’s The Morganville Vampires series. I was jumping around enough to get the attention of another student, who gave me a weird look. I told her that I was reading a book, but she didn’t seem to understand that a book could really be so good.

The first book of the Morganville Vampire series. Credit: Marlena Rubenstein '14

In the past week, I’ve read the first three books of the series, and I am addicted! When I started the third book and realized that it wasn’t the last of the series, I panicked—how could I finish the book and not have the next one  already waiting to be opened?

You might be wondering why this series is so captivating. 16-year-old college student Claire Danvers of Morganville, Texas is in way over her head. Like almost every other student attending Texas Prairie University, she went to a lame college to take easy classes until she was old enough to transfer out to a better school. But that all changed when she got on the bad side of Monica Morrell, the queen bee, who tried to kill her. Claire quickly realized that Morganville is nowhere close to being a normal town—it’s filled with vampires!

The Morganville series chronicles the lives of Claire and her new roommates: Michael, the mysterious musician with deep dark secrets, Eve, the Goth chick with a twisted past, and Shane, the totally hot guy whom trouble seems to follow around every corner.

At this point, you’re probably rolling your eyes (what, another stupid vampire book?). And believe me, I don’t blame you. However, I am a survivor of the twi-hard phase-I read Meyer’s books, as I’m sure most middle-school girls did. And sure, at the time the books seemed good. After all, who wouldn’t want to imagine the school’s hottest guy falling for the school klutz while they themselves are feeling awkward and confused? But now that I’m the awkward stage is  over (more or less), it’s clear to see that our go-to vampire book was obviously wrong. Where Twilight is more stressful and sappy than action and suspension, Morganville is a happy medium-there’s action to keep your eyes locked in, and romance to keep your heart fluttering.

The books are short and sweet, each one better than the next. They are also easy to read, making them a perfect break from required school readings. I strongly urge you to run to the nearest book store (whether it be physical or digital) and pick up a copy of the first book in the Morganville Vampires series, titled Glass Houses. You won’t regret it!

 

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