Erin S. (nantuckerin) reviewed on 7/11/2010 + 158 more book reviews

Shallow confession time: I almost didn't read Glass Houses because I was put off by the cover. I'm just far enough out of the age demographic to find goth characters pretty offputting. But I'd heard so many good things about Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampire books, I had to give it a try. I'm glad I didn't judge the book by it's proverbial cover, because I would have missed an introduction to one of the most intriguing paranormal YA series I've encountered in a long time.

The vampires in Morganville don't sparkle. They aren't romanticized or crush-worthy. They're superior, hard-core killers that run the town of Morganville and offer lucky residents Protection for their fealty and a monthly, required blood donation. College students like 16-year-old prodigy Claire aren't so lucky. The transient population in town has a way of disappearing, and lots of people turn their heads when they do.

This is bad news for Claire, who made a powerful enemy in the dorms. She feels her life is at risk, and begins a desperate search for a new place to live after the threat turns physical. Claire stumbles upon the opportunity of a lifetime when she answers a roommate ad for the Glass House, a spooky old gothic mansion on the outskirts of campus. Not only is it a safe, spacious property full of mysterious rooms and a strange energy, her new roommates (goth Eve, sarcastic jock Shane and mysterious day-sleeping musician, Michael) offer her a chance for friends and a real home. Unfortunately, life away from the house isn't so safe for a young girl without a bracelet to signify Protection, and Claire finds herself the target of vampires with a grudge. After one of her roommates saves her life, Claire makes a deal with the enemy, goes on a search for an ancient and coveted vampire relic, and discovers that there are more secrets in Morganville than she ever imagined.

I haven't read any of Caine's adult novels, like her popular Weather Warden series, but I'm eager to do so after this introduction. Her characters are likeable and well-written. The dialogue is witty and believable, and the dynamic of the four Scooby-esque roomies reminded me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- in a good way. The whole thing was well-written and humorous, without sacrificing the horror elements that are the cornerstone of the vampire novel genre. And it's kind of refreshing to read a book with scary vampires again, to be frank.

Glass Houses introduced an ambitious amount of plot for a first book in a series, and the cliff hanger ending was really annoying. But overall, I really enjoyed the book. I will seek out Dead Girls Dance, the next book in the series, as soon as I can.

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