Customer Reviews
NOT MUCH OF A DANCE 
2007-10-05
I did enjoy reading it; however it did not live up to the 1st book. The character development is interesting though. Feels like it's slightly unfinished. Not a stand alone book-read book 1 first.
Couldn't put it down 
2007-06-15
I was lucky enough to pick this up just days after I'd read Glass Houses and had cooled off from facing the unwelcome cliffhanger that topped off what was otherwise a terrific book. As the other reviewers say, this picks up moments later and the action is non-stop until the end -- where we get another cliffhanger, though not QUITE as traumatic. I mean, this one you have to think about for the full scope of the potential trauma to set in.
The characters are getting more dimensional and interesting and the worldbuilding shows how intricate it is, hiding so many mysteries that we want to investigate. I don't usually like vampire novels, but this series has lots of original ideas in it -- and its characters carry them to even higher levels. The cliffhangers are frustrating, but I'm currently writing a series that has its own set so I guess I should welcome this as setting a precedent. Be assured that the basic plot of the book is complete within it; you won't be dissatisfied.
You'll also get some really good scares. Have fun reading it! (And Rachel Caine: WRITE FASTER!!!)
5 stars 2007-06-12
Picking up right where Glass Houses ended, the story of Claire, Shane, Michael, and Eve not only continues, but turns up the volume and intensity. A cold war, cold as only vampires could make it, has been declared now that Shane's father and his vampire hunters have arrived. When one of the "leading citizens" among the undead is killed, Shane is implicated and his life forfeit unless his three friends can do something to stop it. Even those who claim to know he is innocent refuse to help, and so, Claire and Eve are forced to take desperate risks to save him. None of them could have foreseen the terrible prices that will have to be paid for the sake of love.
***** Book one in this series left me emotionally spent, in a good way. The intensity is cubed in this latest entry. It was hard to put this down for even the slightest break and, forget what happens to the kid with the scar and glasses, I want to know what happens next in Morganville. If you love to read about characters with whom you can get deeply involved, Rachel Caine is so far a one hundred percent sure bet to satisfy that need. I love her Weather Warden stories, and her vampires are even better. *****
Amanda Killgore
Much better then Glass Houses 
2007-06-06
I just recently finished this book and I definitely enjoyed it a lot more then Glass Houses. I sped through GH and didn't take it all in and on a second reading I was kind of disappointed (I would rate it 3 stars). But Dead Girls' Dance is a LOT better.
The story isn't as crazy this time around, all the introduction of the characters and the town is over and done with so you can now concentrate on the story itself which is turning out to be interesting.
I felt Glass Houses was a bit rushed, like Rachel tried to fit in too much stuff into the book. This one is much more even. The story is non-stop as it usually is in all of Rachel's book, but it doesn't feel rushed or overdone.
This book is short, but it squeezes a lot in - deaths, vampires, a crazy party and even a bit of romance. I'm glad Claire and Shane got together even though he still thinks Claire is a little bit too young for him.
When I finished Glass Houses I wasn't so enthused to read Dead Girls' Dance as I didn't enjoy the 1st book but I'm glad I read it now as it's a LOT better.
This book ain't no Weather Warden book (Rachel's other series, one of the best book series ever written), but it's still loads of good fun and a great quick read. I'm looking forward to the 3rd book, released in October. 4 stars.
4.5 stars. Leaves a lot of threads dangling. 2007-05-22
Claire Danvers is a genius. She thinks studying and learning are fun. Since she is only sixteen, her parents will not allow her to attend college far away. They want to be able to drive up anytime they believe Claire needs them. Therefore, Claire attends Texas Prairie University (TPU). Due to problems with the previous dorm's popular girl, Monica Morrell, trying to kill her, Claire lives off campus at Glass House with three other house mates.
Claire is only now getting used to knowing that vampires rule the town and the local humans are pledged to certain vampires as life-long servants and blood donors. Anyone without a bracelet showing that he has Protection is nothing more than meat if he roams the streets after dark. It is a little more tolerable, thanks to her roommates. Eve has become Claire's best friend. Shane has become Claire's boyfriend. David is still strange, even though Claire now understands why David is never seen during the day. No, David is not a vampire, but that would be a blessing compared to what he is now.
Now a fraternity is throwing its annual Dead Girls' Dance. Amazingly, Claire and Eve have been invited. They have no idea WHY they were issued the invitation though. Since Claire is so young, she would have declined, except that Shane's father, along with a gang of bikers, are on a vendetta to kill all vampires. If humans get in the way, that's just too bad.
***** This book picks up EXACTLY where the first left off. If you have not read book one (Glass Houses), then you will find yourself lost a few times. Thankfully, this time the story does not end in the middle of something horrible, like a murder. It does, however, leave many threads dangling. I am still confused on when Claire's two days dead line got extended by her parents. Did the author forget about it? Loop hole? Who knows? Hopefully, the dead line will be explained in the third novel (Midnight Alley), due for release October 2007. Teens and Young Adults will not be the only ones to be enthralled by this series. If you like vampires, this is for you! *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Much better than Glass House(1st book) 2008-06-23
This book is much better than the 1st book. The characters are more developed and the book is full of action.The story flows much better also. The first book felt choppy and contrived and very High School. This book is just way better.
Nice 2008-06-20
This was a great book. The first in the series was a little slow, but this one keeps up the action throughout and blends perfectly with the first. This is definitely worth reading; what a great, innovative series!
LOVED IT!!!! 2007-12-22
As good as the first!!!
Dont be put off by the Young Adult tag - if you like Kim Harrison and early LKH - check out this series - you'll love it! My regret of 2007? Not getting into this series sooner! First class urban fantasy.
flew through it in one afternoon 2007-10-21
Granted, the book was only 238 pages long, so it wasn't all that hard to knock it out in only a few hours, still... this new series has got bite! Caine does a great job with characterization. The story did not have as much feel to as the first one, but it is easy to see that Caine has much planned in the future. The story picks up exactly where the last one left off, with Michael dead on the floor and Shane's dad and biker gang holding the girls and Shane hostage. The story has the title "The Dead Girls' Dance," but this is misleading in that the dance holds only a small part of the story and is not even the climax of the story. I'm late reading this one, but it is my understanding the third installment is coming out Oct. 07 and really, I'm glad I won't have to wait.
Great Follow-up 2007-10-15
This was an amazing sequel to an amazing novel. Caine might just be the next best thing.
