by Darynda Jones
(Darklight #1)
Paperback, 304 pages
Published October 2nd 2012 by St. Martin's Press
BUY: Amazon / B&N
★★★
Ten years ago, Lorelei's parents disappeared without a trace. Raised by her grandparents and leaning on the support of her best friends, Lorelei is finally beginning to accept the fact that her parents are never coming home. For Lorelei, life goes on.
High school is not quite as painful as she thinks it will be, and things are as normal as they can be. Until the day the school's designated loner, Cameron Lusk, begins to stalk her, turning up where she least expects it, standing outside her house in the dark, night after night. Things get even more complicated when a new guy—terrifying, tough, sexy Jared Kovach—comes to school. Cameron and Jared instantly despise each other and Lorelei seems to be the reason for their animosity. What does Jared know about her parents? Why does Cameron tell Jared he can't have Lorelei? And what will any of them do when Death comes knocking for real?
REVIEW:
Even though I am not a huge YA reader I do enjoy one from time to time and since I love Darynda Jones' Charley Davidson adult series I knew I had to give Death and the Girl Next Door a try.
For me the 1st quarter of the book moved a little slow but then things started picking up for me when the plot started to get more detailed and action packed. There was a really cool action scene between two of the guys where time kind of freezes around them. It was awesome. I could see it all in my head like I was there and I thought this would blow the Matrix away if it was on the big screen.
The humor is much like that of Charley Davidson series but a little watered down for the YA crowd. Lorelei and her buddies, Glitch and Brooklyn are what I imagine what Charley and Cookie would be like in high school, snarky but safe for the PG crowd.
And because this is a YA novel the characters have some of the insecurities that teenagers have; that cheerleader is much more prettier than me, why would he like me? But Lorelei and company have more than just the everyday teenage problems. They have to think about how to save the world. Much harder than a pop quiz.
The characters are likeable and plot is interesting but the I got a little lost in the Christian mythology during some points. But it pretty much boils down to good vs evil.
As far as the hotness of Jared, the tall dark mystery guy that comes to town. He sounds like the prefect little brother to Reyes. Although he is way older than he appears.
All in all fans of Jones' way of writing and snarky humor and YA readers will most likely enjoy this read.
(ARC provided through Netgalley)
Part of:
I started this, but actually had to put it down. I really had a tough time with it holding my attention, but since reaing your reiew, I'm dying to read about the matrix like battle scene!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Death and the Girl Next Door! I'm so glad Darynda is doing a YA series.
ReplyDeleteI gave this 3 stars too and I do like the humor, if Lorelei isn't crushing on Jared, I wanted to set her up with Nick Gaultier (Chronicles of Nick, Dark-Hunters), they share the same sense of humor. LOL
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to read this book just yet and I can't wait to be able to open it up and get started. Reading reviews from those who have read it definitely get me excited to see what it's all about. Thanks for sharing your review!
ReplyDeleteI don't have this book yet but I will be picking it up shortly. Sounds like a great read :) Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI just finished listening to her first Charley Davidson book and enjoyed it. I was excited to find out she had a YA book. I'm curious to see how she works her humor in a YA book.
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