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Glass Houses (by Rachel Caine)

common sense media says

Light, fluffy vampire series big on fun, small on plot.

parents & educators say
See all 7 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book is heavy on the vampire lore, with some related vampire violence. There's also some mean girl-type violence, with one girl nearly being killed. Much of the violence happens without real consequences.

Positive messages: Overall, the book is positive with its focus on a young college student finding her voice among a dangerous mix of mean girls and undead evil. Solid friendships develop in the strange, supernatural surroundings.
Positive role models: Some positive characters, including one who is learning to speak up and stand up for herself, and some solidly evil ones, who seem to exist only to torment others.
Violence: This is a vampire story, so there's an expected degree of violence and intimidation including "disappearances" and threats of bites. Some of the most disturbing aspects of the violence comes not from vampires, but from mean girls targeting a smaller, less popular girl. They push her down the stairs, threaten to kill her, and make dangerous attempts to "pay her back" for a perceived slight.
Sex: There's more sexual tension than actual sex. Some mild crushes and intoxicating, dangerous vampires with bloodthirsty -- yet hot -- advances.
Language: Mild name-calling like "dork," "loser," and a few gateway swears like "hell."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: A teen drinks beer.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Glass Houses

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about vampires. Why are vampire stories so popular right now? What do you find appealing? Which stories most interest you: traditional stories, or ones that focus on teens and young adults?
  • How are relationships and friendships key to the story?
  • Michael is hiding a big secret; what is he afraid of? How does that affect his relationship with Eve and Shane?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Claire Danvers finds herself stuck in a small Texas college town attending classes until her parents decide she's mature enough (at 16) to move on to one of the bigger universities she is dying to attend. Funny enough, dying is on Claire's mind a lot these days as she discovers the small town of Morganville is full of  vampires and plain old mean girls who are set on making her life miserable, at least as miserable as they can before they end it. She finds friendship and safety with her new roommates, but her presence puts them in danger, too. What power does she have over the horrors that run the town?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Vampires are everywhere these days, and this book opens yet another vampire series. Author Rachel Caine does a great job creating a sympathetic hero out of quiet and meek Claire, and we fall in love with her roommates Eve, Michael, and Shane almost as fast as she does. The backdrop of the novel -- vampires that run a town and the rules they have set forth -- would be worrisome enough, but add mean girls who like destruction and have a taste for blood on their own, and readers will spend half their time wondering why Claire doesn't get out of this town the first chance she gets.

As the rules of the town are laid out and more mysteries are revealed, kids will find themselves wanting Claire to stay at least long enough to figure out all the secrets. This is a great book for reluctant readers and teens who can't get enough of the fantasy vampire/witch/wizard genres. It's no Twilight, but it's not half bad.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Rachel Caine
Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication date: October 3, 2006
Number of pages: 256
Paperback price: $6.99
This review was written by Terreece Clarke
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

williamsophie
kid, 12 years old
10
 
morganville vamps review
i loved it ,like a lot,it was amazing.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (4)
PlagueRattyRat
teen, 14 years old
11
 
Must read
Absolutely fantastic set of books. The series at the moment goes like this: Glass Houses, Dead Girl's Dance, Midnight Alley, Feast Of Fools, Lord Of Misrule, Carpe Corpus, and Fade Out. The 8th book of the series, Kiss Of Death, is soon to be released.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (3)
charlie lou
teen, 16 years old
13
 
i absolutly loved this book, couldnt put it down. if u havent gt 1 go out and gt it now! also the sequels r just as good
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
Zarah
teen, 15 years old
12
 
I ?love? the series!
I love the entire Morganville Vampires series! The books are amazing and if you haven't read them yet, I highly recommend you check out the first book, Glass Houses.
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gozi
kid, 12 years old
17
 
I HATE IT
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)
sarah cere
teen, 16 years old
15
 
its ok i wouldnt buy it
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cullengirl88
adult
14
 
Addictive
Love it. Very addictive.
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