BLACK DAWN (Morganville Vampires YA) by Rachel Caine

Black Dawn is the 12th book in the Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine. It picks up right where Last Breath left off. Morganville is in total chaos after the battle with the Draug. The one enemy that the vampires have tried to evade for centuries. Most of the Morganville inhabitants have been evacuated due to the danger lurking, literally, everywhere in Morganville. The ones still in town are trying valiantly to come up with a way to defeat, and ultimately kill, the Draug. The fact that the Draug are “water-like” creatures makes that daunting task a slippery slope. Michael and Eve are struggling to rebuild their relationship and their trust in each other after Michael’s rescue from the Draug in Last Breath. Let’s just say that after his rescue from the Draug, his vampire nature rose to the top!!! But, first, they have to try and defeat the Draug.

Claire, of course, is enlisted to help Myrnin (resident whacky, brilliant vampire scientist) to try and come up with something to help save them all. Amelie, the Founder, has been infected by the master Draug, Magnus, and is slowly slipping away. While she is being protected by Oliver, her 2nd in command (and enemy some days), others plot to take over Morganville as soon as Amelie is “gone”. Myrnin and Claire come up with ways to kill some of the Draug, and soon, they, along with Shane and Michael and Eve, set out to the water treatment plant to cut off the Draug’s access to Morganville’s water supply. Once they reach the plant, they split up to complete their separate tasks. Then, mayhem ensues. Shane is captured by the Draug and held captive. Claire, very unwillingly, is taken back to Founder’s Square (the vampires strong hold). She rallies her posse once again and goes back to rescue Shane. Enlisted to help are Richard Morrell (the mayor), Hannah Moses (chief of police) and Monica Morrell (resident mean girl). Mayhem ensues during the rescue, but everyone makes it out alive. This time……………

Then, things get really dicey!! I can’t tell you (without giving too much away) if they kill the Draug or not, but I can tell you that Shane is the one who astounds everyone. Not Myrnin. Not genius Claire. But plain ol’ Shane!! Then, things really get kicking! A lot of known characters show up in this book, who haven’t really been around a lot lately. And, O.M.G.!!! There are things that happen at the end that totally surprised me!! I totally didn’t see a couple of things coming, and, in my opinion, those things can only enhance the Morganville experience. There will be new foes, new alliances, and to quote a line in the book, “New rules, children. Brand new rules. Remember that”.

This book was written from several character’s perspectives. And, to be honest, I would have to stop and think sometimes whose point of view I was reading from. That said, it was another great book by Rachel Caine. I so love it when a book is a page turner, and this one was. I love it when I get so vested in the story that I don’t realize I can’t turn the pages fast enough until it sneaks up on me!! I wish that I could say more about what happens in the book, but, like I said earlier, I don’t want to give too much away. Thankfully, the 13th installment, Bitter Blood, comes out in November 2012, so I won’t have to wait too long!! I can’t bear to be away from Myrnin too long!!

Well done, once again, Rachel!!!!

Reviewed by Vickie