Search - Glass Houses (Morganville Vampires, Bk 1)

Janice Y. (jai) reviewed 11/1/2006...
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7 member(s) found this review helpful.

First book in a young adult series. Claire Danvers is a freshman at Texas Prairie University in Morganville. At 16, two years younger than other students starting school, she is very smart, but unfortunately slated for hazing because she made popular girl Monica Morrell look stupid. At first the abuse seems extreme, but as she learns more about the town, that is the least of her problems. Morganville is run by vampires, and Monica has protection under them. Claire leaves the dorms to escape Monica, and moves into a house with a group of other kids who have grown up in Morganville. Written with a teen voice, this book is very face paced as Claire runs from one danger into another with only the Glass House as a place of safety. Crushes, bullies, first love, supernatural characters. Akin to L. J. Smith, maybe better. I was impressed that the author thought about Claire being underage and younger than her housemates who seem to consider this carefully before letting her live with them and also make rules about what she is allowed to do because of her younger age. What 18 year old thinks about that?

OH, the book has something of a cliffhanger! You may want to have the second book in your hands before you get to the last few pages. I guess I have to wishlist the next book now.

Jeanetta S. (zophine) reviewed 12/10/2008...
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6 member(s) found this review helpful.

First in the Morganville Vampire series and a very quick but fun read. I didn't realize that this series was geared to the youner generation until after I started reading it, but it kept me entertained all the same. I even decided to pick up the rest of the series to see where the hijinks end.

Nymphadora T. (nymphadora) reviewed 4/20/2008...
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5 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is a fun little book to read when you are waiting for the next Kelley Armstrong or Kim Harrison to be shipped. It is a young adult novel, so it is definitely tame in comparison to other novels of the same genre. The concept of a vampire-run town that no one outside of the town knows about is intriguing. The mystery surrounding Morganville is told in a way that leaves you wanting more.

I love the characters and will definitely be ordering the rest of the series. I have a daughter who is a bit of an academic over-acheiver so it it was fun to picture her in Claire's shoes. I like the fact that we never forget that she is sixteen in a world of eighteen year olds and that yes, there is a difference between those two ages. While Claire is mature enough for college, there are some things that she really does just want to call her parents for help with and that is refreshing. I like that the characters' respect for their parents and other adults is still strong while not being portrayed as wimps because of it.

Shantel C. (silverdancing) reviewed 3/9/2009...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

I will tell you now that I absolutely love this particular series, but much like the Twilight Saga, I would never let my teenage niece read it. Which if any teen reads this review is going to be the kiss of "I have to read this now". I just hope parents are being responsible and reading what their kids are before hand. It's an intriguing mix of teenage angst and very adult themes of hazing in schools, who the monsters really are, and a rather belligerent attitude towards adults. One of the main characters is a 16 year old early admission college student. She flat out lies to her parents repeatedly and does everything she can to stay living with her 18 year old boyfriend. I could understand a college age teen reading this series but nothing under 18. The concepts get more adult as the series progress'. I know my niece who is 12 verging on 13 reads way past her level so I pre-read and recommend to her mom. Again great series for an 18+. I'm still rather disturbed that it and Twilight are in the "teen" section of the local library.

Christina T. (crysteena73) reviewed 11/18/2008...
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4 member(s) found this review helpful.

I was a little concerned that this being a YA book the meat of the story would be lacking and not hold my adult attention as well as an adult novel would. I was happy to be completely surprised that this book not only held my attention I didn't want to put it down until I finished ever last word.
Claire is a 16 year old super smart cookie who finds herself at a small college not too far from her home. She did not want to go there but her parents insisted. She ends up going from socially snubbed in high school to being bullied in a dangerous manner. After an incident at her dorm that had her covered in bruises she just knows she has to find something off campus. What she finds is a wonderful house and some pretty great friends. Friends she really needs when she also finds out that Morganville is filled with vampires and unless you have Protection you end up lunch or worse.
Rachel Caine has done an excellent job of writting a book for teens that entertains everyone. Her take on vampires is interesting and wooohooo what a cliff hanger she zaps at the readers at the end. You will find that you not only want to read more about Claire and her 3 friends but you will want to read about them right now. Make sure you have the second one in the wings when you start this first one.
Over all I give this book 4.5 stars.

Barbara S. (barbsis) - Netcong, NJ reviewed 2/11/2010...
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1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Upon reading the first chapter I almost threw the book down in disgust thinking this was another high school popular girls against the geeks thing. I so hate that clicky shit - way too high schooly. Granted this is a young adult novel but still I can't stand reading about high school girls fighting for supremacy. It just irks me. Having said that...

Luckily I persevered and continued reading. I'm so glad that I did. I really like Claire - 16 or not she's incredibly smart and grown up. Her roommates are wonderful to take her in and protect her from the undesirables in Morganville - vampires - even at a risk to themselves.

I think the funniest part was when her parents showed up at her new residence. The ending was a killer - leaving poor Michael hanging was criminal. I can't wait to pickup the next installment. What a wonderful start to the series.

Janet S. (poodledogs) reviewed 12/14/2006...
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What a great start to a new series! Characters are a little young for me (16 and 18), but couldn't have done college story line any other way! highly recommended!

Amy P. (jaapyle) reviewed 3/23/2008...
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Awesome series! I would recommend the second book be available because it is a huge cliffhanger!

Karen K. (krin) reviewed 1/12/2009...
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This was a good urban fantasy. I liked how Claire learns to deal with trouble both living and undead. I look forward to reading next book in series, Dead Girl's Dance.