Black Dawn

The twelfth installment in Caine's thrilling Morganville Vampire series, Black Dawn, does an excellent job at maintaining a high standard of storytelling and overall excitement.

This time around, Morganville has properly gone to shit and Claire and co. must find a solution to the Draug problem and save the town they actually pretty much hate? They address the irony so I don't have to side-eye anyone.

Anyone who has been reading from book one is very familiar with the characters by now, so we certainly don't need major developments at this stage, but Caine is the gift that just keeps on giving. Michael and Eve take more of a central role than they have in the past few books and I really appreciated seeing their relationship problems as show more opposed to the events of the previous book just being brushed under the carpet.

Shane's parts of the books honestly frustrated me a little bit. I found myself wishing for his hallucination part to end so we could get back to the story. I have to say I'm not overly keen on the shifting perspectives since I like seeing everything from Claire's point of view, but I accept that after so many books, there's only so much the author can get from one character.

Myrnin is still my favourite sans none. I understand that his behaviour can be cruel and benevolent at times but he undoubtedly cares about Claire. I honestly never suspected his feelings for her before this book, and maybe in another time, with no Shane around, I could wish for that ending, but Shane is just too perfect for Claire. I love that Caine has spent so many books with Claire and Shane together. She doesn't unnecessarily pull them apart every five seconds in order to fill pages. It's much more heartfelt and realistic as far as I'm concerned.

The draug plot line is one of the best arcs Caine has explored throughout the series. This enemy brought hopelessness and suffering to a whole new level in Morganville and it really had me wondering if they could find a way out this time.

I'm highly anticipating the last three books and hope they can keep with the momentum of this installment. Hopefully the series will go out with a bang, but after so many excellent books, I have every faith in Rachel Caine pulling it off wonderfully. show less

4.5 stars

So I was looking forward to reading this book for two reasons: one, it was the first book I'd get to read in AT LEAST a month. I kid you not. Two, it's Rachel Caine. And Morganville. After her last book upped the notch even further, I awaited this book with eager anticipation. It didn't disappoint.

Rachel Caine has a rare talent with her ability to make a series this long, yet one that never fails to keep you reading in suspense. Black Dawn is action-packed, filled with fast-paced scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. Friends Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael have to battle the draug once more with the help of a few others. Amelie has been bitten by the master draug and Morganville's future looks bleak unless something can show more be done to defeat the vampires' deadliest enemy. Caine narrates the story from a variety of POVs, not only those of the four MCs, but also several others. Each narrator has their own unique voice, distinguished from every other, nicely establishing a relationship between the reader and each of the characters. In between the action Caine integrates some sweet scenes between Michael and Eve and, of course, Shane and Clare.

Something that particularly stood out for me about this book was the way in which you got to see our four friends all notably develop. You'd think that this many books into the series, there wouldn't be more to add. But there is. The changes in these characters make you appreciate them all the more and even those who seem cold on the exterior - namely Oliver and Monica - are allowed some vulnerable moments. And really, could I write this review without dedicating just a little time to Shane? I think not. ;) Without giving too much away, I will say that Shane goes through an especially difficult time. There's one chapter (you'll know when you read it) which is beautifully written, and the effects of his experience are brilliantly woven into the rest of the story. Shane remains the sweet heartthrob that we've come to know and love.

Overall, Black Dawn (isn't that such a cool name??) is wonderfully written with alternating POVs that don't jump too quickly, allowing you to get to know the characters even more and help with the pace of the story. For all you Shane fans out there, I promise you that however much you love him already, you love him more in this one! If you haven't read this already, do so as soon as you can! :) show less

If anyone knows me they will know how much I am about to talk about this book! I mean AHHHHHHHHH! Holy crapola amazing! Riveting and never-ending explosions of plot that keep me at the edge of my seat. (And seriously, if you have not read this series, what are you waiting for GO!!!)

Every time I open a book from Morganville, I fall right back into the city. I see the coffee shop, the university as well as the Glass house. What I loved about this book is that the author, Ms. Caine presents the reader with some amazing point of views. Most of the time, we are given the point of view from Claire. Not that I don't like her, she is my home-girl, but it is very interesting to see and feel what the other characters are thinking.

First off Eve. show more WOW! To be in here shoes was like stepping on a never-ending roller coaster ride and never ever wanting to get off. I loved hearing her thoughts, feelings her emotions of the trials that her and Michael are going through. I especially loved feeling the power she has in herself. The moment when she step up to Michael and told him.....ooooh boy! I was like,"You go Girl!"

Next Shane. Another one of my favorite characters who's attitude never ceases to make me snort. I loved being in his mind and seeing his thought and feelings for Claire. let me tell you ladies that his love for Claire is so pure and sweet, it makes you heart beat faster. They he saw them together in their future, in a future that is just hope made me want to cry. I admired that he saw something beautiful despite all the crap and wars going on in Morganville.

Next, deaths. Yes there are some and no I won't say who. But I will say that I am sad to see this character go. The character is a minor one, but one that still made a big impact on the the glass gang.

My final verdict, MIND BLOWN! Black Dawn features everything you want a a book. Growth in the characters, love when you least expect it and death hanging at every corner. Black Dawn surpasses the other books and sets the sights for an amazing change that is yet to happen. Never predictable and always enjoyable, Black Dawn sweeps the reader away! show less

Our Review [by Michelle L. Olson – LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha]:
I love the Morganville Vampires series and have been an avid follower since book #1. While I didn’t think that anything could surpass the incredibleness that was Book #11, Last Breath, I stand corrected after the completion of Black Dawn.

If I said that Last Breath was a home run, then Black Dawn was a grand slam!

Like all Morganville books, there was tons of action, danger lurking around every corner, sweet romance, problems to be solved, friendships solidified, alliances forged, enemies made and mysteries galore, all packed into a fabulously eerie and quirky package.

Like Last Breath, Black Dawn gives us insight into other characters by switching between points show more of view. It was seamlessly written and a wonderful gift for the reader to get inside these other characters’ heads.

Last Breath was definitely darker than the other Morganville books. They’ve been getting increasingly darker installment after installment (to my utter delight), but there were times during Black Dawn that you could actually feel the hopelessness, and those times just lent more credibility to the glimpses of hope that were uncovered like rays of sunshine.

While Morganville is known for its danger, and we fans have come to expect and love the town and its residents for it, the Morganville in Black Dawn is literally flooded with death, destruction and despair. All that deranged action is thrown at you in a non-stop thrill ride that grabs you from the very beginning and doesn’t’ really ever let go, because even after completion of the last page, you want to scream, “Well, what now??”.

The character development in Black Dawn was intense, the storyline intriguing and demanding nothing short of utter investment, and the world, in true Rachel Caine fashion, beautifully fashioned.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Black Dawn a thoroughly deserved 5 Skulls, and would recommend it to EVERYONE! Morganville may be classified as YA, but we like to call it YA for the not-so-young-adult, and this installment proved that Rachel can capture both sides of the audience with ease.

I am so happy that there will be more Morganville to come. I absolutely adore this series. show less

I love The Morganville Vampires series with all my heart. I've read all the books to date a few times and I only do that with absolute all-time favourites. I tend to complain when a series just goes on and on but seriously? I don't want this one to end, ever. I don't know how I can ever let go of these wonderfully developed characters and their scarily addictive story. Everything about these books just draw me in and refuses to let go. They're so incredibly gripping and entertaining. The only bad thing is that I get so caught up in them I finish them in no time and then I'm left waiting impatiently for the next book. I try to pace myself but it's just not possible.

Black Dawn picks up right where book eleven left off. Morganville is in show more serious danger as the draug (the only thing that really terrifies vampires) are in town and threatening to ruin everything! We see humans and vampires somewhat reluctantly joining together to fight a common enemy. This whole book was so insanely intense. I had to put it down several times because it was freaking me out so much! It really messes with your emotions and I was so terrified for my favourite characters because they have to face some awful situations. Yet they do it with courage and never really think about not fighting. They're all seriously brave and I love how, as always, Michael, Eve, Shane and Claire look out for each other even when they're not getting on.

Shane gets a lot of focus in this book- something I'm sure many fans won't mind at all! Of course, as always where Shane is concerned, it's not always good focus and will probably make your heart freak out and have you refusing to believe what you've just read. Shane has a way of always getting into sticky situations (not always his fault, really) and terrifying both the characters and the readers! Claire is awesome and has gotten even tougher, something I didn't think was even possible. She's so selfless and smart, it's hard not to like her. Their relationship faces some problems but neither of them run away from the problems and it's interesting watching them try to deal.

Myrnin is as awesome (and wacky) as ever and made me laugh out loud so many times. He's also getting really sweet and at times was seemed to be becoming a bit of a softie! Michael and Eve are still reeling from the events of book eleven. This book is told from many POVs, which works sometimes and doesn't work other times. I like seeing things from Shane and Claires perspective, but I'm really wasn't too crazy about the times it switched to Eve. I really love her as a character but her POVs just don't work for me. Overall, this is book is amazing and I have no idea how I'm going to handle the wait until book 13, which isn't out until November of this year. I can't recommend this series enough, even though new-comers will certainly have a lot to catch up on! show less

Here we are back for another installment of the YA Morganville Vampires series. This latest is book 12 of a planned 15 book series that centers on Claire Danvers, a teen who attends college in Morganville, a Texas town where vampires and humans co-exist openly. Once you move to Morganville and find out their secret, good luck getting out. Rachel Caine sure knows how to feed my addiction to this series by releasing new books twice a year. Life is never dull in Morganville and each book introduces a new challenge for the gang. I miss the series already, even though there are still three books left to go. The latest book is still keeping me guessing on what the end game of the series will be as circumstances in Morganville become more and show more more dire.

In the 12th Morganville Vampires book Black Dawn, the action picks up right after Last Breath took off. In fact, many of the same problems exist from that book so this is more of a continuation of that story. The icky mysterious draug creatures are still creating havoc in Morganville and have the vampires running scared. The draug hide out wherever the water is and feed off of any available vampire or human they can find. They are fiendish creatures that can multiply in water – they made me recall the monsters of Gremlins or CHUD. They have a deadly leader too named Magnus but he doesn’t have a stripe like in Gremlins, in fact it’s almost impossible to tell him apart. Time is running out to destroy them before they take over completely. And with Founder Amelie infected, wannabe vampire leaders come out of the woodwork to try and take over. Claire, Shane, Michael and Eve have their work cut out for them once again.

The book again continues the recent trend of multiple POV, with Claire, Shane, Michael, Eve, and Oliver taking turns with the narration. And Shane in particular takes the reader on quite a journey with one of his chapters that had me holding my breath. I like following different characters around, and learning their secrets and thoughts about the craziness of Morganville. So I’m glad that the multiple POV has become a regular thing now.

This book is moody, dark and intense and has a bigger sense of hopelessness than other installments. With Morganville under attack basically it felt like anything could happen. The stress and tension of the crisis brings out some interesting reactions from the characters.

One thing that sets the vampires of Morganville apart is that they are so unpredictable, and for the most part very dangerous. And with Morganville in flux, the relationship between vampires and humans is extremely fragile. That relationship continues to intrigue me and I’m so curious to see where it’s all heading.

In Black Dawn important events occur that set the stage for the next book in the series. Emotions run high and glimpses inside the minds of different characters show how much they care about one another. This installment was a little uneven for me though, and I can’t quite put my finger on why. I think I was ready to move on from the draug story, or maybe they just creep me out. Regardless, this book ends on such an ominous tone that has me concerned for the fate of my favorite characters. I look forward to visiting Morganville again soon to see how Claire and the gang are managing to survive in the next book, Bitter Blood. show less

I wanted to read Black Dawn because I had to know what was going to happen with Amelie, and I am loving this series in general. I have raced through them and can't stop making moments to read it.

It was hard seeing Eve and Michael having a hard time after the events in the last book, but I am so rooting for them to somehow make it work. But some of the comments and being in M's head makes me think that maybe it won't. I hope so hard that I am misreading it though, because even though Eve has such a vulnerability she is also very strong and knows how to handle herself.

Claire is coming even more into her own, and less afraid to speak up. She had a confrontation with Oliver, and I was so proud of her. I sincerely hope that some cure can show more be found for Amelie, but it was looking pretty grim, and I wondered just how Morganville would continue to exist and how the humans would fare if Oliver did take over.

It was neat though, to see humans and vamps working side by side and growing a bit more appreciation for the other in fighting the powerful draugh. They are water dwellers, and can move and multiply. Though they prefer vamps, they will go after humans too, and it was very action filled as they were fighting them. I was worried by the tone that the epilogue took, but I imagine it will just be another obstacle for them to overcome.

It didn't disappoint with keeping me guessing, bringing new challenges and developing the charac ters that I have come to love or at least love to hate. There is still the hint of unpredictability, and characters acting in a way that I haven't come to line up with their personalities and actions thus far.

Definitely still enjoying the series, and will continue until its over, at which point I might cry.

Bottom Line: Good installment, new enemies to fight and insights on the characters. show less