Kissing Coffins (Vampire Kisses, #2) Summary & Key Insights

Ellen Schreiber's Kissing Coffins, the second installment in the Vampire Kisses series, continues the gothic romance and supernatural adventures of Raven Madison, a teenage girl who's fallen deeply in love with the vampire, Stefan Blackwood. This book expands on their complicated relationship while introducing new conflicts and supernatural threats.

The central plot revolves around Raven's desperate attempts to keep Stefan safe from a powerful and vengeful vampire hunter named Mr. Gregory, who is relentlessly pursuing Stefan and other vampires. Mr. Gregory isn't simply driven by a desire to eliminate vampires; he holds a deep-seated personal vendetta against Stefan, stemming from a past event that's only partially revealed in this installment, leaving the reader eager for further explanation in subsequent books. His relentless pursuit forces Raven and Stefan to constantly move, evade capture, and rely on their growing bond for survival.

Alongside the overarching hunter-prey dynamic, Raven navigates the complexities of her own burgeoning vampire nature. She struggles with the physical and emotional transformations occurring within her, battling cravings for blood and struggling to maintain her humanity while embracing her increasingly powerful vampire abilities. This internal conflict is a significant theme, reflecting the teenage experience of self-discovery and identity crisis, amplified by the supernatural context.

Other key characters include the enigmatic and supportive Zane, who develops a romantic interest in Raven, adding a layer of romantic tension and creating a love triangle. His presence provides an alternative to Stefan, showcasing a more traditionally human relationship, juxtaposed against the intense, potentially dangerous, romance with a vampire. Furthermore, the supporting cast of quirky classmates and supernatural beings adds to the gothic atmosphere and provides Raven with a sense of community, even amid the danger.

Throughout the narrative, themes of forbidden love, mortality versus immortality, and the struggle between good and evil are central. Raven’s intense loyalty to Stefan highlights the power of love and devotion, even in the face of insurmountable odds. The ongoing conflict between vampires and vampire hunters forces the reader to grapple with the morality of both sides, blurring the lines between good and evil beyond simple black and white. Ultimately, Kissing Coffins builds upon the foundation laid in the first book, deepening the characters, intensifying the conflicts, and escalating the stakes for Raven and Stefan's tumultuous relationship and perilous existence. The ending leaves a cliffhanger, firmly setting up the next installment and promising more thrilling adventures and romantic entanglement.