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A review by secretmagic
Midnight Bites by Rachel Caine
4.0
Myrnin's Tale - 3/5
I love Myrnin, and loved seeing a bit of his past, but I didn't feel like there was enough.
Nothing Like an Angel - 5/5
This was the Myrnin tale I was hoping for! We know from the main Morganville stories that Myrnin had a troubled past. I hated seeing the pain he experienced (more than once), but loved seeing him find that one spark of goodness to keep him going.
Sam's Story - 3/5
Like with Myrnin's Tale, I felt like this was too short. I wanted so much more of Sam's back story. He has such a complicated past, so it was interesting seeing bits of how it came about (like the fact that he had to have a human kid, without Amelie, in order to be Michael's grandfather). At the same time, I had issues with the timing...I don't know exactly when the main Morganville storyline is supposed to be set, but the timing in Sam's Story didn't seem to match up with the technology available during Claire's time in Morganville.
Grudge - 4/5
I'll always like Shane POV stories - but this one was tricky to read. Poor Shane. He hasn't had an easy life. No new information, everything in this one is discussed in the main storyline, but still didn't make it easy to read.
New Blood - 4/5
While this one started with a similar storyline to Grudge, I like that it went further and that we got to see more of Eve's backstory. It was interesting seeing her interact with a younger Jason at the point where he was pulling away.
The First Day of the Rest of Your Life - 4/5
Out of all of the Glass House residents, Eve has always been my least favourite - not that there's anything wrong with her, but Claire, Shane and Michael come just before her. But this story gave her an extra edge. In theory, as a Morganville fan, I knew Eve's story already - but I was always curious about why she believed Miranda all the time and how she moved into The Glass House. Curious no more.
Amelie's Story - 3/5
I think the most interesting part of this scene was the author note before. It always fascinates me to know how an author plans their series - especially with a series 15 books long. It was interesting to know that this was written before many of the main characters and plots had been developed, and before knowing how involved Oliver and Amelie would become in each other's Morganville lives.
Wrong Place, Wrong Time - 3/5
Every Morganville character is flawed - they live in a town full of vampires, it's hard to have perfect morals all the time. Richard is definitely a flawed character. This story didn't give any new insight into his character, but was an interesting way to see how they deal with outsider troublemakers.
Dead Man Stalking - 4/5
Shane and Frank have a very troubled relationship, so this one wasn't much of a surprise: trying to find a way to wipe out vampires. But it was nice seeing Shane stand up to his dad and fight for Michael's survival.
Lunch Date - 4/5
Always love Shane and Claire scenes! This felt a bit like a deleted scene, long enough to give you feels, but not really anything to advance the storyline. It gets extra points for being Claire and Shane focused. Also clears up a reference to one of Shane's jobs made in the main storyline.
All Hallows - 4/5
Costumes, blood drinking and Miranda predictions - typical Morganville! I liked this one quite a bit, it was action-y and a nice addition to the story. I really liked Mr Ransom. He reminded me a bit of Myrnin, in that he wasn't sure he was doing things right around humans. Sort of a gentle-vampire, with good intentions, even if they didn't come off the right way.
Murdered Out - 4/5
I originally read this one in the back of one of my UK/ANZ editions. I really enjoyed reading it at the time because it felt like a little bonus look inside Shane's head (before all the Shane POV's started in the main storyline)
Worth Living For - 4/5
Another one that I've read before, but couldn't resist reading again. I like that it shows Shane's struggle to accept Michael as a vampire, but also can't leave him to fend for himself. He's got Michael's back.
Drama Queen's Last Dance - 4/5
When I read Bite Club and everyone kept mentioning the epic arrival of Gloriana, I seriously thought I must have been reading books out of order (or at least skipped a chapter or two), but she was completely unknown to me. Turns out I was just missing a short story! Didn't like Glory in Bite Club and didn't like her in this one either - but at least that's the way it's supposed to be.
Vexed - 4/5
I could probably read endless short stories from Myrnin's POV. While he is undeniably crazy, he brings so much spark, excitement and emotion to a story. I really enjoyed this one, watching him just roll with the insane, ghostly adventure.
Signs and Miracles - 3/5
Not sure how I feel about this one. I was a little confused about the timeline for this one - Hannah's Chief again and the draug are mentioned, so it might be pre-Daylighters or post-Daylighters. Either way, it threw me off a bit trying to work out the timeline. Other than that, it was an interesting look at a non-vampire Morganville incident, with a few Glass House cameos!
Anger Management - 4/5
Another Shane story to make me smile! There's evidence of Shane trying to grow in the later books in the series, and this story shows part of how that happens: Therapy with a Vampire. But it's Shane still, so there plenty of snark and a bit of rescuing thrown in too.
Automatic - 4/5
Vampires and the modern world - there are some crossovers that just don't work. This was a funny, little addition to the Morganville world.
Dark Rides - 4/5
I'm always surprised at how many vampires are still living outside of Morganville. Amelie keeps saying her town holds the last of them and more keep popping up outside town limits. This one shows one of those vampires - and it's not the nicest of situations. Nothing to add to the main Morganville storyline, but a nice little look at extras into the world.
Pitch-Black Blues - 5/5
My two favourite male Morganville characters hanging out together - what could be better? Well, another look in Myrnin's past, of course! I love seeing Shane and Myrnin interacting together - and even better because it's set after Daylighters, so a perfect continuation of the story.
A Whisper in the Dark - 3/5
I liked that this one showed Michael embracing his vampire side a bit more, but I sort of wish we had seen more of it in the main storyline. Michael spends so much time resisting, for obvious reasons, but it turns out he has a lot of power and skill that we just don't get to experience with the other Glass House crew.
And One For The Devil - 4/5
Myrnin and Claire doing crazy Myrnin stuff! I'm so glad this was the final story in the collection - and that it was set after the main Morganville storyline ends. It shows that not all the danger and excitement ended with the Daylighters. Myrnin is still Myrnin and like with Pitch-Black Blues, he's sharing his adventures with the Glass House crew.
I love Myrnin, and loved seeing a bit of his past, but I didn't feel like there was enough.
Nothing Like an Angel - 5/5
This was the Myrnin tale I was hoping for! We know from the main Morganville stories that Myrnin had a troubled past. I hated seeing the pain he experienced (more than once), but loved seeing him find that one spark of goodness to keep him going.
Sam's Story - 3/5
Like with Myrnin's Tale, I felt like this was too short. I wanted so much more of Sam's back story. He has such a complicated past, so it was interesting seeing bits of how it came about (like the fact that he had to have a human kid, without Amelie, in order to be Michael's grandfather). At the same time, I had issues with the timing...I don't know exactly when the main Morganville storyline is supposed to be set, but the timing in Sam's Story didn't seem to match up with the technology available during Claire's time in Morganville.
Grudge - 4/5
I'll always like Shane POV stories - but this one was tricky to read. Poor Shane. He hasn't had an easy life. No new information, everything in this one is discussed in the main storyline, but still didn't make it easy to read.
New Blood - 4/5
While this one started with a similar storyline to Grudge, I like that it went further and that we got to see more of Eve's backstory. It was interesting seeing her interact with a younger Jason at the point where he was pulling away.
The First Day of the Rest of Your Life - 4/5
Out of all of the Glass House residents, Eve has always been my least favourite - not that there's anything wrong with her, but Claire, Shane and Michael come just before her. But this story gave her an extra edge. In theory, as a Morganville fan, I knew Eve's story already - but I was always curious about why she believed Miranda all the time and how she moved into The Glass House. Curious no more.
Amelie's Story - 3/5
I think the most interesting part of this scene was the author note before. It always fascinates me to know how an author plans their series - especially with a series 15 books long. It was interesting to know that this was written before many of the main characters and plots had been developed, and before knowing how involved Oliver and Amelie would become in each other's Morganville lives.
Wrong Place, Wrong Time - 3/5
Every Morganville character is flawed - they live in a town full of vampires, it's hard to have perfect morals all the time. Richard is definitely a flawed character. This story didn't give any new insight into his character, but was an interesting way to see how they deal with outsider troublemakers.
Dead Man Stalking - 4/5
Shane and Frank have a very troubled relationship, so this one wasn't much of a surprise: trying to find a way to wipe out vampires. But it was nice seeing Shane stand up to his dad and fight for Michael's survival.
Lunch Date - 4/5
Always love Shane and Claire scenes! This felt a bit like a deleted scene, long enough to give you feels, but not really anything to advance the storyline. It gets extra points for being Claire and Shane focused. Also clears up a reference to one of Shane's jobs made in the main storyline.
All Hallows - 4/5
Costumes, blood drinking and Miranda predictions - typical Morganville! I liked this one quite a bit, it was action-y and a nice addition to the story. I really liked Mr Ransom. He reminded me a bit of Myrnin, in that he wasn't sure he was doing things right around humans. Sort of a gentle-vampire, with good intentions, even if they didn't come off the right way.
Murdered Out - 4/5
I originally read this one in the back of one of my UK/ANZ editions. I really enjoyed reading it at the time because it felt like a little bonus look inside Shane's head (before all the Shane POV's started in the main storyline)
Worth Living For - 4/5
Another one that I've read before, but couldn't resist reading again. I like that it shows Shane's struggle to accept Michael as a vampire, but also can't leave him to fend for himself. He's got Michael's back.
Drama Queen's Last Dance - 4/5
When I read Bite Club and everyone kept mentioning the epic arrival of Gloriana, I seriously thought I must have been reading books out of order (or at least skipped a chapter or two), but she was completely unknown to me. Turns out I was just missing a short story! Didn't like Glory in Bite Club and didn't like her in this one either - but at least that's the way it's supposed to be.
Vexed - 4/5
I could probably read endless short stories from Myrnin's POV. While he is undeniably crazy, he brings so much spark, excitement and emotion to a story. I really enjoyed this one, watching him just roll with the insane, ghostly adventure.
Signs and Miracles - 3/5
Not sure how I feel about this one. I was a little confused about the timeline for this one - Hannah's Chief again and the draug are mentioned, so it might be pre-Daylighters or post-Daylighters. Either way, it threw me off a bit trying to work out the timeline. Other than that, it was an interesting look at a non-vampire Morganville incident, with a few Glass House cameos!
Anger Management - 4/5
Another Shane story to make me smile! There's evidence of Shane trying to grow in the later books in the series, and this story shows part of how that happens: Therapy with a Vampire. But it's Shane still, so there plenty of snark and a bit of rescuing thrown in too.
Automatic - 4/5
Vampires and the modern world - there are some crossovers that just don't work. This was a funny, little addition to the Morganville world.
Dark Rides - 4/5
I'm always surprised at how many vampires are still living outside of Morganville. Amelie keeps saying her town holds the last of them and more keep popping up outside town limits. This one shows one of those vampires - and it's not the nicest of situations. Nothing to add to the main Morganville storyline, but a nice little look at extras into the world.
Pitch-Black Blues - 5/5
My two favourite male Morganville characters hanging out together - what could be better? Well, another look in Myrnin's past, of course! I love seeing Shane and Myrnin interacting together - and even better because it's set after Daylighters, so a perfect continuation of the story.
A Whisper in the Dark - 3/5
I liked that this one showed Michael embracing his vampire side a bit more, but I sort of wish we had seen more of it in the main storyline. Michael spends so much time resisting, for obvious reasons, but it turns out he has a lot of power and skill that we just don't get to experience with the other Glass House crew.
And One For The Devil - 4/5
Myrnin and Claire doing crazy Myrnin stuff! I'm so glad this was the final story in the collection - and that it was set after the main Morganville storyline ends. It shows that not all the danger and excitement ended with the Daylighters. Myrnin is still Myrnin and like with Pitch-Black Blues, he's sharing his adventures with the Glass House crew.