Immortal Love Stories With Bite - Edited by P.C. Cast

Rachel Caine revisits the setting of her Morganville Vampires series, where the vampires are in charge and love is a risky endeavor, even when it comes to your own family.

Tantalize author Cynthia Leitich Smith gives us a love triangle between a vampire, a ghost, and a human girl, in which none of them are who or what they seem.

Claudia Gray takes us into the world of her Evernight series, in which a pre-Civil War courtesan-to-be is courted by a pale, fair-haired man whose attentions are too dangerous to spurn--in more ways than one.

Vampire Academy author Richelle Mead brings us the tale of a young vampire on the run from the rest of her kind, and the human boy who provides the getaway car--as well as a reason to keep running.

Wicked series writer Nancy Holder immerses us in a post-apocalyptic New York where two best friends are forced to make a choice that may kill them both.

Rachel Vincent explores a new corner of her Soul Screamers universe with the story of a leanan sidhe capable of inspiring the musician she loves to new creative heights--or draining him, and his talent, dry.

Master fantasist Tanith Lee shows us what happens when a bright young woman with some supernatural savvy encounters a misguided (but gorgeous) young vampire.

And Kristin Cast, co-author of the House of Night series, introduces us to a new kind of vampire: one with roots in Greek mythology, and the power to alter space and time to save the girl he's meant to love.

Title: Immortal Love Stories With Bite
Author: Edited by P.C. Cast
Genre: Young Adult, Vampire Fiction
Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.
My Rating: 3.75/5

1. Haunted Love - Cynthia Leitich Smith. Interesting premise, had some good twists to it. Good story though it didn't quite keep me 100% captivated. 3/5

2. Amber Smoke - Kristin Cast. I like this author. I thought this story was poorly executed. It had great potential, but I disliked the main character, and thought everything was poorly explained (MC's reactions to her situation). 2/5

3. Dead Man Stalking - Rachel Caine. A good background story for Shane. Loved this one, and was happy to see Shane get his own story. 5/5

4. Table Manners - Tanith Lee. Felt like I needed to read this with a British accent, not entirely sure why, but that seemed to work for me. Otherwise, interesting. 3.5/5

5. Blue Moon - Richelle Mead. Loved this one. I think it could be the start of a new series for Richelle. Set-up and execution leaves you wanting more. 5/5

6. Changed - Nancy Holder. Very dark, and visceral story. Not one of my favourites, but still was good. 4/5

7. Binge - Rachel Vincent. Enjoyable storyline. Will definitely be reading more from this author. 4/5

8. Free - Claudia Gray. Captivating and refreshing. Loved the heroine in this tale. 4/5

This book counts toward the 2010 100+ Reading Challenge hosted over at J. Kaye's book blog.

Glass Houses - Rachel Caine

It's a small college town filled with quirky characters. But when the sun goes down, the bad comes out. Because in Morganville, there is an evil that lurks in the darkest shadows--one that will spill out into the bright light of day.

Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. The popular girls never let her forget just where she ranks on the school's social scene: somewhere less than zero. And Claire really doesn't have the right connections--to the undead who run the town.

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....

Title: Glass Houses
Author: Rachel Caine
Genre: Young Adult
Sub-Genre: Vampire Fiction
Publisher: Nal Jam Books a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
My Rating: 4.5/5

This is the first YA book that I have read by Rachel Caine, and I loved it. I loved the fact that there are four (relatively main) characters (Michael, Shane, Eve, and Claire). The story drew me in, and left me wanting more. I'm hoping that the writing itself evolves throughout the series, but it was definitely an excellent read. This will be a book that I recommend to my friends (or anyone that asks for a new series or author). I love the chemistry between the main characters, be it as friends (or maybe more?) The only thing that I recommend though (before reading the book), is that you have the second book (or the rest of the series?) ready, because Rachel clearly loves the cliffhanger effect! I'm waiting for the second book from the library, and I finished this book with a "holy crap batman! What happens next?!" outlook. (Duane can attest to that...) This is a book that I wouldn't mind having on my shelf. The story is just that good.