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 enlarge | Author: Ellen Schreiber
Publisher: HarperTeen
Category: Book
List Price: $16.99
Buy New: $9.73
You Save: $7.26 (43%)
New (38) Used (10) Collectible (2) from $9.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 5666
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 192
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.9
ISBN: 0061288845
EAN: 9780061288845
ASIN: 0061288845
Publication Date: July 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 6-10 of 10 | | « PREV | | |
 Best book of the series August 13, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Just a warning: this review begins somewhat harsh, but becomes nicer. I promise. The Vampire Kisses series happens to be a series that I have kept reading mostly because I keep receiving review copies. Otherwise, I would have stopped after the first novel. The impressions of the first novel stayed with me for quite awhile, and I believe for valid reasons.
My two main issues were Raven as a goth and Raven's relationship with Alexander. As both of those are central to the books, it did cause quite a problem.
Let's start with the goth problem. For those who are wondering, I am not gothic. I am a punk, but do not think that makes me unqualified. I am fascinated by subcultures, which helped me greatly on an AP essay in my junior year (Basically, `The 1950s were a time of great conformity. Is this true or was counterculture already forming?'). Raven really rubbed me the wrong way because of how she viewed herself as a complete outsider in Dullsville because they could not accept her black-clad self. I always felt the town she lived in would be a lot more inviting if she stopped viewing it in her head as "Dullsville." I also felt like she constantly put her clothes forth as an excuse for being an outsider in Dullsville (and an insider in Hipsterville). Besides being highly unlikely (hello, goth is *gag* trendy), this completely misses the point of being a goth. It's about love. Love of the music, love of the clothes, love, love, love (well, hate of the culture against which it is reacting). Finally, in this book, I felt like Raven actually did find meaning in her clothes other than identification of her status as an outsider, due to this conversation with her hippie aunt:
'"I can't imagine you any other way. The way you dress is who you are. It's more than beads and bangles. You aren't doing it to be like someone else, or fit in."
. . .
". . . I don't wear tattoos to freak her out; I wear them because I have to. It's me."
Aunt Libby paused.
"My mother never understood my inner style, either," she confessed. "That's what it is, really," she said wisely. "It's not about designers or labels but self-expression. And attitude."'
Next, let's move to the problem of her relationship with Alexander. I find her approach to the relationship creepy. Replace "goth" and "vampire" with "golddigger" and "trust-fund baby" and you might see what I mean. Often I feel Raven only became attracted to Alexander because he's a vampire and he dresses in black too. Not a foundation for a lasting relationship. Of course, a lasting relationship is what she's running into headlong. THE COFFIN CLUB forces Raven to consider aspects of becoming a vampire she never bothered to slow down and think about before. Including, sadly, the fact she would have to drink blood. As she says about herself, "I thought I was being investigative and mature when perhaps I was only being reckless." She needs to take that lesson and apply it to her entire life. Raven doesn't yet possess the maturity to tie herself to one person for eternity. She needs to realize that.
As for the rest of the novel, THE COFFIN CLUB is an extremely quick (192 pages) but entertaining read. There's family bonding, some cute romantic moments, and tension between the two factions seeking control of the club. Girly-girl vamps Scarlet and Onyx are now my favorite part of the series. They're idealistic, loyal, and I hope they show up again to steal the show in future installments.
From In Bed With Books
 Couldn't Put It Down August 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I just got this book and finished it in a couple of hours, I really couldn't put it down. It was awesome, and I loved every minute of reading it. I can't wait for the next one to come out to find out what happens.
Very Fast Delivery! July 19, 2008
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
I haven't read this book yet, because I just got it in the mail yesterday but I can't wait to start it. I absolutely love the Vampire Kisses Series and I'm positive this book wont let me down!
I'm rating it a 5 for the speedy delivery and how good the series has so far been. <3333333
The Coffin Club July 4, 2008
2 out of 9 found this review helpful
once again i couldnt stop reading.....
i was shocked knowing that alexander was actually phoenix, did not see that coming!! lol
anyway i hope she does another book because it left me wanting more once again!!!
 Courtesy of Teens Read Too June 24, 2008
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I actually thought DANCE WITH A VAMPIRE, book four of the VAMPIRE KISSES series, was going to be the last one. So I was overjoyed to find out that the story of Raven and Alexander continues in THE COFFIN CLUB.
It is now summer vacation and Raven is missing Alexander. At the end of the last book, Alexander and his caretaker, Jameson, left Dullsville for Hipsterville to return the young Valentine to his family, leaving Raven all alone. Now that school is out, Raven has decided to visit her cool Aunt Libby in Hipsterville. From her aunt, she learns that the creepy mansion in town is being rented. Immediately, Raven investigates and finds her beloved and Jameson camped out in the place.
After a sweet reconciliation, Alexander rushes her out of the place to go on another mission. Raven is left wandering the town waiting for her aunt to finish up one of her classes. She ventures back to The Coffin Club (the infamous place where she first encountered the evil Jagger, Valentine's older brother) and stumbles upon the Dungeon. The Dungeon is the coolest place below the main club. It is also members only. It takes Raven a while to figure out that the "members only" part means vampires. REAL vampires. And there she meets the hypnotic Phoenix. Phoenix may just have some secrets of his own. And Raven stumbles upon Jagger yet again.
As the story develops, Raven gets caught up in the world of vampires and realizes that she does truly fit in with the vampire crowd. She meets two cool gals, Onyx and Sapphire, who befriend her. They accept her for who she is. And she finds out that most vampires just want to be who they are and lead as normal a life as possible.
There is trouble brewing at the Dungeon between Jagger and Phoenix, and the vampire world in Hipsterville may forever be changed. Caught between the mortal and immortal world, Raven again struggles with who she should be. Does she give everything up to be with Alexander for eternity, or should she remain mortal and see how things progress?
Ms. Schreiber keeps the reader coming back for more romance and adventure between Raven and Alexander. They are an unlikely romantic couple who enchants all. The story is light, with mostly action and little depth, but it is truly entertaining and fun. The story leaves the reader waiting for more once again.
Reviewed by: Jaglvr
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