Grudge (The Morganville Vampires #2.5) By: Rachel Caine (Book Review)

 ***This review will contain spoilers***

Summary:

 This story details events discussed in The Dead Girls’ Dance about the death of Shane’s sister Alyssa. Here, in its entirety, is the story of that night told mainly from Shane’s point of view.

Another great short story by Rachel Caine! The first two books briefly mentioned Shane's sister; Alyssa and her tragic demise but it was nice to get a different perspective on the Morganville residents prior to Claire's attendance. Of course, Michael and Shane are the best of buds and we had a insight to the dynamics of Shane's family. Mother is absent working to keep the family afloat, the father is a drunk drowning in his sorrows which if you asked me being drunk would be the last thing I would want to do in a town full of vampires. Finally, we have baby sister Alyssa and big brother Shane. Both have the usual sibling dynamic and Shane being the older brother took up that mantle quite easily. 

A bitch is a bitch and unfortunately when it comes to Monica whichever each she is she still is one. Kinda weird how she had such a hard on for Shane, kissing him at school and then calling him gay when he rejected her. I bet that is another reason why Monica and her gal pal psycho friends mistreat Claire so much. Claire is not the same level of attractiveness as Monice yet Shane chose her. Not only does she try to disparage him in front of the school but then she gets Brandon to do her dirty work and scare him to death (pun definitely intended). I loved when Brandon suddenly flipped on her after she was snapping her fingers at him. I need to see Monica at her lowest because after all the bullshit she has done she deserves to be at the mercy of a very angry vampire or human whichever one inflicts the most pain. 

The Collin's residence ends up burning down including Alyssa in it despite Shane trying to get her out. From the description it seemed like the fire started upstairs and by the time he got upstairs it was too late and he almost perished as well if it wasn't for his father dragging him out. Monica was one of the many residents on the sidelines watching the chaos unfold and she gave him the finger gun salute trying to imply she started the fire...not surprising seeing as how she started one in Claire's room. However, Monica with the help of her brother attempts to apologize to Shane she never caused the fire but simply took credit for it...coincidence? I think not! He doesn't believe her story and left before he would do any real damage.

The short story ends with the remaining Collin's family driving out of Morganville...

Rating:

5 stars on 5! I absolutely loved this short story! It gave us an insight on the most tragic night of Shane Collin's life and cannot get wait for more of these short stories.