It’s astounding to think this is the twelfth book in this series, yet it is just as solid and entertaining as the first. Although not the most spectacularly written books ever created, The Morganville Vampires series is incredibly engaging and each book full of humour, friendship and action. It’s impossible not to fall in love with the characters, from sarcastic and tough Shane to hilariously crazy Mrynin. Each and every one is memorable in some way or another and each and every character is a delight to read about. Though I suppose we all have our favourites… mine is Shane Collins.

In this instalment, there is no holding back or stopping to catch our breaths. Rachel Caine carries on at full speed ahead from where book eleven left off. Reluctantly united by a common enemy, the humans and vampires of Morganville attempt to rid their town of the merciless draug – creatures that pose a chillingly real threat to the vampires. Claire and the gang find themselves caught in the middle with challenges, both physical and emotional, surrounding them on all sides.

Shane is the star of any Morganville book for me, but Black Dawn is where I admired him best. Finding himself dangerously close to the draug, his strength is tested like never before. My heart when out to him more times than I can count, but I still adored and cherished his trademark humour. I laughed as many times as I cried and wish I could just pluck him out of the book and keep him someplace safe. And not just Shane – Claire, Eve and Michael have all left their marks on me and Black Dawn reminded me why I love this group of friends so dearly. The way they support and care for each other is wonderful to read about, and the banter between them is one of my favourite things about these books.

“Ladies? After you.”
“Rude,” Claire said.
“I was being polite!”
“Not when you have a flamethrower.”

(Shane’s enthusiasm with the flamethrower was hilarious, by the way.)

And Mrynin! I’ve yet to hate this strange man despite all the less than admirable things he has done. Maybe I am just a fan of crazy? His bizarre personality won me over in the previous books and was just as shocking (and entertaining) in this instalment.

Mrynin was silent for a beat, and then he said, “Bob would be very disappointed in you.”
“Bob the Spider?”
“He looks at you like a mother you know.”

With a series so long (and still not finished!), there is always the risk of the plot being dragged out so extensively that the books end up going downhill. Thankfully, this is not the case with Morganville Vampires. With as much suspense and substance as its predecessors, Black Dawn proves this series is still miles away from its sell-by date. In fact, I dread the moment when this series comes to a close. If any series could be one hundred books long and still fresh and exciting, it is this one. Fifteen books is not nearly enough for me.

(This review also appears on my blog)