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rachel caine

Trailer Alert: Morganville: The Series! (Plus, Episodes 1 and 2!)

The web series for one of my all-time favourite book series, The Morganville Vampires, is finally here!
After being backed by 832 pledges on Kickstarter, the project was funded in July last year and now, the trailer for the upcoming series has arrived!

If you’re not familiar with the Morganville Series, here’s a little about it before you watch the trailer:

A brave teen (Claire Danvers) moves to the very isolated West Texas town to attend the local university, only to (a) run afoul of the local mean (very mean) girls, and (b) move to the safety of off-campus housing with three strangers. But the plot thickens when she discovers that her new housemates aren’t crazy: Morganville really is run by vampires. They own it, and every one in it. And now … they own her. 




If you’re interested in learning more about the cast/crew click here or if you want to check out the Morganville store, here!

And…You can now watch episodes 1 and 2 of the Morganville Series for HALLOWEEK on Geek and Sundry! 

Episode One



Episode Two

I’M SO EXCITED/FANGIRLING RIGHT NOW.


Happy Watching!

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Book Review: “Prince of Shadows” by Rachel Caine


Title: Prince of Shadows

Author: Rachel Caine
Genre: Young Adult – Historical Fiction 
Release Date: February 4th, 2014
Also by the Author: The Morganville Vampires, Weather Warden, Outcast Season, Revivalist, Red Letter Days 
Published by: Allison & Busby


With thanks to Allison & Bubsy for the review copy of this novel! As always, my reviews are non-bias and fair.




A thrilling retelling of the star-crossed tale of Romeo and Juliet, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Morganville Vampires series. 
In the Houses of Montague and Capulet, there is only one goal: power. The boys are born to fight and die for honor and—if they survive—marry for influence and money, not love. The girls are assets, to be spent wisely. Their wishes are of no import. Their fates are written on the day they are born.

Benvolio Montague, cousin to Romeo, knows all this. He expects to die for his cousin, for his house, but a spark of rebellion still lives inside him. At night, he is the Prince of Shadows, the greatest thief in Verona—and he risks all as he steals from House Capulet. In doing so, he sets eyes on convent-bound Rosaline, and a terrible curse begins that will claim the lives of many in Verona…

…And will rewrite all their fates, forever..

When I heard Rachel (aka; one of my favourite authors EVER) was coming out with a Historical Fiction novel and that it was a novel of Romeo and Juliet, I was immediately anticipating it’s release and thanks to Allison & Busby, I got to read it. This is my first Historical fiction novel, believe it or not, so I was excited to see whether I liked the genre or not! 

All I know is, Rachel Caine has never written anything that wasn’t amazing, and Prince of Shadows goes down on that list of phenomenal novels as of now. 
All that I kept thinking all the way through was how brilliantly classic and believable Rachel had written the book, and how it weaved perfectly into Romeo and Juliet’s tale. Prince of Shadows ticked several boxes for me; romance, history told with enthrallment and not leaning toward something I’ve heard before, mystery and grace. We all know that the story of Romeo and Juliet is a tragic one, but set in the POV of Romeo’s older cousin, Benvolio, we see things in a whole new light, that even sheds some light on a romance that hadn’t been as tragic at all, but yet, hard to hold on to. 

 Benvolio is of course, the Prince of Shadows himself, and while thieving from House Capulet, he meets none other than Rosaline, who would soon take the role alongside him as the hopeful romance that we root for, whilst Romeo and Juliet take a back seat in the novel. And whilst Rosaline and Benvolio’s romance isn’t the main feature, it is subtle and is incredible in that way that their connection isn’t forced upon the readers. While he loves Rosaline, he shouldn’t, and should above all remain loyal to his House. It’s hard to say much without giving a lot away, but all I can say is that possibly, all along we had thought Romeo and Juliet were the star-crossed lovers, but maybe they weren’t the only ones. And their story might just have been as heartbreaking and hopeful. 

I read Romeo and Juliet a very long time ago, but reading Prince of Shadows has brought back that love for Shakespeare and especially a modern twist on a tale already told. Rachel did a flawless work of art on turning what was always a tragic love into unveiling another side to the story. 
Mesmerizing, captivating and classic, Prince of Shadows was a novel beyond the boundaries of brilliance. I can’t say how much I adored this take on a classic story and how much I am looking forward to diving into some other Historical novels with my new-found love for them. Rachel deserves nothing short of five stars for another addition to her long list of five-star novels in my eyes. 






Have you read Prince of Shadows?

What did you think? 

Tell me in the comments or at @LittleMemoirs on twitter!

happy reading!
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Waiting On Wednesday: “Daylighters” by Rachel Caine

 

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that shines a spotlight on upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
 

If you’re a ‘Morganville Vampires Series’ fan, you will be itching to read my Waiting On Wednesday post this week…

 

 
 
 

While Morganville, Texas, is often a troubled town, Claire Danvers and her friends are looking forward to coming home. But the Morganville they return to isn’t the one they know; it’s become a different place—a deadly one… Something drastic has happened in Morganville while Claire and her friends were away. The town looks cleaner and happier than they’ve ever seen it before, but when their incoming group is arrested and separated—vampires from humans—they realize that the changes definitely aren’t for the better.

It seems that an organization called the Daylight Foundation has offered the population of Morganville something they’ve never had: hope of a vampire-free future. And while it sounds like salvation—even for the vampires themselves—the truth is far more sinister and deadly.

Now, Claire, Shane and Eve need to find a way to break their friends out of Daylighter custody, before the vampires of Morganville meet their untimely end…

 

 

 

Expected publication: November 5th 2013

 

I am literally the biggest Rachel Caine fan. I am dying to read Daylighters, and need my Morgaville fix! I read the previous companion to this; Fall Of Night, a while ago, and just can’t wait to see how the series will come to an end, which is bittersweet… :’)

 

Please write your WoW Post links in the comments bar so I can check them out, tell me what you think of my pick & I always follow back! *Google Friend Connect is gone, so please follow via bloglovin’ below!*

 

 

 
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Book Review: “Fall Of Night” by Rachel Caine {with thanks to Allison & Busby}

The penultimate book in the bestselling series from the amazingly talented YA Writer; Rachel Caine, comes “Fall Of Night”, the must-read and eagerly anticipated novel…

Published by: Allison & Busby
Release Date: 2nd May 2013
Source: Publisher

A little bit about “Fall of Night”…
Claire never thought she’d leave Morganville, but when she gets accepted into the graduate program at MIT, she can’t pass up the opportunity. Saying good-bye to her friends is bittersweet, especially since things are still raw and unsettled between Claire and her boyfriend, Shane.

Her new life at MIT is scary and exciting, but Morganville is never really far from Claire’s mind. Enrolled in a special advanced study program with Professor Irene Anderson, a former Morganville native, Claire is able to work on her machine, which is designed to cancel the mental abilities of vampires. But when she begins testing her machine on live subjects, things quickly spiral out of control, and Claire starts to wonder whether leaving Morganville was the last mistake she’ll ever make…

My Review:


 

Everyone knows how much I love a good Morganville Story. Rachel Caine is a true idol when it comes to writing about Vampires; she makes it believable, yet all that magical at the same time. “Fall of Night” is one of those books that just blinds you from everything else in the world while you’re reading; it captures your attention, demanding to be read. The penultimate novel sees Claire prepare to leave Morganville *shocked* but she was always very headstrong and academic, as every Morganville Fan knows, so passing up an opportunity to have a graduate course at MIT was never an option for Miss Danvers.

Saying goodbye to her boyfriend; Shane, would be painful for her *and the readers?!* also saying goodbye to her friends would be hard too, because there is always that thought that the dynamic that made them survive was having each other, and if Claire leaves, what would that do to them? Of course, how would they survive without the witty, feisty and fiery Claire?–but leaving wasn’t all it cracked up to be. Claire actually fears it could be her last mistake at one point.
The changes in POV were spot-on in Fall Of Night. I actually loved the more mature feel to this book, and felt more connected to other characters, although not being in Morganville was so weird! And of course, you’d think now that Claire is away from the Vampires and strange town activities, maybe her life would be more…normal? Ah, think again! This book took me on an incredible roller coaster of a ride, and the ending! Wow, I did not expect that at all! Ms. Caine surprises and enthrals me into another passionate, action-filled world that was beyond amazing. I would say I am *patiently* waiting for book 15, the last Morganville book *sobs* but that would be lying…I am counting the days until I can read it!
Another five stars (I would give it 6 if I could!) from me for another phenomenal novel from Rachel Caine!

To find out more about Fall Of Night, click here or join the conversation on twitter by using the hash tag; #FallOfNight or #Morganville14

Many thanks to Allison & Busby for the amazing copy of Fall Of Night and here’s to waiting for another dose of Morganville-mayhem!
happy reading,
xo Becca

Why I Love Twitter { I’m getting a Signed Rachel Caine book?!}

Twitter isn’t just for social networking with friends; it’s actually amazing for bloggers…especially when you get to talk to your favourite author…

So, yay! I just pre-ordered my signed Rachel Caine copy of “Fall of Night”, the penultimate book before *wait for it…* the end of the Morganville Series 🙁
Fall of Night sees Claire wondering if she’d ever leave Morganville; let alone get out alive. But going her own way has never been smooth as she finds out that leaving Morganville could be the last mistake she’ll ever make.
Sounds sooo exciting!! I can’t wait to read…and of course review the series that I love so much. Morganville has been with me for a few years now, each character growing on me until I knew this series would be my favourite YA of all time; even a good contender with some adult series out there.
But wait…you, yes, you…can read Fall of Night too! It’s out in stores TODAY, so go and get it! If you haven’t started the series, you will surely love getting to know the characters and the world of Morganville too.

happy reading & happy may!
 
xo Becca
 
 
Becca Jayne
 
 

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Book Review: “Glass Houses” by Rachel Caine (plus “Fall of Night” UK Tour Dates!)

 
 

dark, captivating and ultra-amazing, Rachel Caine’s “Morganville” series starts with a bang..and never disappoints…

Publisher: Allison & Busby
Author: Rachel Caine
Available: in Paperback/Hardback/eBook
My Edition: UK Paperback

A little about “Glass Houses”…

 

From the author of the popular Weather Warden series comes the debut of an exciting new series set in Morganville, Texas, where you would be well advised to avoid being out after dark.
College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don’t show many signs of life, but they’ll have Claire’s back when the town’s deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood.

My review:
 
The US Cover of “Glass Houses”

Firstly, I want to express my applause and gratitude to Ms. Caine for writing such a wickedly entertaining and incredible set of novels in the Morganville Series. I began reading them a few years ago after finding the whole series in a local book retailer. I got about the first three novels in the Morganville Series (Glass Houses, The Dead Girls Dance & Midnight Alley – my favourite) and I began reading them right away. I was enthralled by how captivating they were and how much they held my attention; I had heard so many positive things about Rachel’s writing and they all came true. (Of course now I have all the books!)
Okay, so “Glass Houses” is one of my personal favourites. It begins with the ever-present factor of every teenagers life; the bullies. Often in the form of popular, pretty girls with a vengeance or need to hurt those weaker–and that’s where Monica and her “followers” came into it. We learn more about Monica later in the series as to why she is so, well, her. So, Claire *spoiler* gets “beat up” by them. This makes her utterly hate living in her dormitory and she looks to be re-housed. She finds this in the “Glass House”. Yes, I know what you were all thinking when you first saw the title; a glass house–like a house made out of glass?! But no, that was the owners name; Michael Glass. His roommates were, the “beautiful goth” Eve Rosser, and the “handsome misfit” Shane Collins. At the beginning, there wasn’t much to describe Michael other than “ghostly”..and you’ll find out why.
Claire begins to see herself fitting into the Glass House–on a temporary basis, that is. She was a few years their junior and Michael insisted that she only stay there for a little while. But I knew that as soon as they all blended together and let a couple hearts flutter (Michael & Claire…no…Shane & Claire…yes) they would all be kind-of happy.
That’s where the Vampires came into it. Claire didn’t know about the Vampires right away, not until I think it was Eve who told her. This doesn’t make Claire frightened, as such. Possibly a bit “spooked” that she didn’t know, but not so much that she would leave her new friends, because I think she made this sort-of instant connection with them all that I didn’t really notice until I reflected back on the book itself.
There is drama that follows, laughable commentary from jokers Michael & Shane, and the blood mobile?! I mean, like an ice-cream van for Vampires? That’s..weird and amazing at the same time!
I thoroughly adored Glass Houses, then went on to love, love, love the rest of the series, and I’ve read each and every one of them. You will want to re-read them over and over just to relive that insane, crazy-beautiful town they call Morganville.
Rachel’s books will always be 5 stars. 😉

 

UK Morganville Fans! Rachel is coming our way this May 2013 for her “Fall of Night” book tour, so make sure you get to one of her signings in a city near you! (dates below)

“Fall Of Night” will be released on May 2, 2013. (UK) Pre-order here.

May 10
UK TOUR: Waterstones Bristol Gallery (Bristol)
 
 
May 11
UK Tour: Waterstones Southampton West Quay
 
 
May 11
UK TOUR: Waterstones Bournemouth Arcade
 
 
May 12
UK TOUR: WH Smith Exeter
 
 
May 14
UK Tour: Foyle’s Charing Cross Road (London)
 
 
May 15
UK TOUR: Talk, Q&A and Signing at Waterstones (Leeds)
 
 
May 17
UK TOUR: Talk, Q&A and signing at Waterstones Nottingham
 
 
May 18
UK TOUR: WH Smith Darlington
 
 
May 18
UK TOUR: WH Smith Stockton-on-Tees
 
 
May 19
UK TOUR: Waterstones Finchley Road O2 Centre (London)
 
 
May 20
UK TOUR: Waterstones Hull
 
 
May 20
UK TOUR: Waterstones York Talk, Q&A and Signing
 

 
xo Becca
 
Becca Jayne

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