ARC Review: Last Breath

Posted October 26, 2011 by Jen in 4.5 stars, Paranormal YA, Rating A, Reviews, YA Literature Tags: , ,

Last Breath
Author: Rachel Caine 
Release Date: Nov. 1, 2011
Publisher: NAL
Morganville Vampires #11
ISBN: #978-0451234872
Genre: Young Adult
Format(s): Hardcover (352 pgs), Paperback (4/2012), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
      With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace. 
      She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone new to town-a mysterious individual named Magnus. After an uneasy encounter with Morganville’s latest resident, Claire is certain Magnus isn’t merely human. But is he a vampire-or something else entirely?
What Una is talking about:
      I picked up the Morganville Vampires by accident.  There was a short story in an anthology and it really piqued my interest.  Last Breath is the eleventh book in the Morganville Vampire series and the world continues to fascinate me while the characters continue to enthrall me.  Ms. Caine has expanded on the departure we saw in her last book and it only enriched the experience.
      Last Breath finds the residents in the Glass house in the center of scrutiny.  Without spoiling anyone who has missed reading the previous book (Bite Club – review HERE), we begin with the ramifications of our cliffhanger.  Sides are once again being drawn between the vampires and humans with our heroes – the Glass House residents – Michael, Eve, Shane and Claire, once again caught in the middle.  There is a new evil that has infiltrated the town and it puts the last nemesis, Bishop, to shame.  However, I will say that the book summary (see above) does not seem to match my feeling or personal understanding of the actual book plot.  Or more to the point, I feel that it was a little misleading.  I did read an uncorrected proof so maybe this is the reason.  That being said, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel.
      I admit, this is a young adult novel that does have the young adult aspects – language, slang, angst, but it does so in a way that allows adults like me to relate to the reality and not be irritated by it.  Ms. Caine does an expert job in crafting this series.  In the previous book, she allowed us to glimpse portions of the story from Shane’s perspective (up until then, the stories were told from Claire’s point of view).  In Last Breath, Ms. Caine pulls out the stops and gives us insight into several other characters, all of whom I have been wondering about their perspective.  It truly added a new refreshing aspect and overall enriched the novel immensely.
      The Morganville Vampire series is a young adult novel that I would recommend mothers and daughters could share.  I would say that it is best for ages mature middle school age through high school and up.  There are, what I would consider some adult choices that are made and I feel are not appropriate for young/elementary school age or immature students.
      Suffice to say, this is another great book in a wonderful series.  Last Breath took mine away several times.  I admit, I did get worried and teary-eyed in a few places.  However, Ms. Caine did not disappoint.  Go out and try the Morganville Vampire series, but I do not recommend you start with Last Breath.  There is such a rich back-story, it is well worth starting at the beginning or, at least, you can start at book 9, Ghost Town, (review HERE) as Twimom did.
Una’s Rating:
Loved it – enthusiastically recommend (A)
 
 
 
To celebrate the release of LAST BREATH, the 11th book in the New York Times bestselling Morganville Vampires series, Rachel Caine is throwing a 
“Welcome to Morganville Bash” in a city near you! 
Readers who purchase books at the store will be eligible to win free raffle bags filled with notebooks, pencils, vampire swag, books and other cool Penguin gear goodies!
There will also be free goodies for everyone who attends.
Come to the bookstore, meet RACHEL CAINE, have your books signed, and participate in a raffle drawing to receive cool prizes!
Wednesday, November 2nd
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonett Street
Houston, TX  77005
6:30 PM
Thursday, November 3rd
BARNES & NOBLE #2662
Oakview Mall
3333 Oakview Drive
Omaha, NE  68144
7 PM 
*w/ Chloe Neill
Saturday, November 5th
VEGAS VALLEY BOOK FESTIVAL
Historic Fifth Street School
401 S. 4th St
Las Vegas, NV  89101
ALL DAY
Sunday, November 6th
BARNES & NOBLE #2614
Roseville
2100 North Snelling Ave
Roseville, MN  55113
2 PM 
*w/ Chloe Neill and Andrea Cremer
Monday, November 7th
BARNES & NOBLE #2808
5275 Harvery Street
Muskegon, MI  49444
7 PM
Tuesday, November 8th
BARNES & NOBLE #2086
301 Main Street
Exton, PA  19341
6 PM
Wednesday, November 9th
BARNES & NOBLE #2908
3454 Erie Boulevard East
Dewitt, NY  13214
 7 PM 
Saturday, November 12th
BARNES & NOBLE #2344
861 NE Mall Blvd
Hurst, TX  76053
3 PM 

 

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