Review by Lisa T. Bergren
You probably know me well enough by now to know I have a thing for the out-there. Xmen, Marvel superheroes, Star Wars..bring it on. Hey, it’s why I wrote a time travel series. I think it’s that forever-kid inside me, a desire within to know something beyond myself, beyond my ordinary life. I love a good tale that captures my imagination and makes me think, “What if…” And in this YA romance, the author caught me in her web of what-ifs…Goodreads.com Summary:
In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.
When Kate Mercier’s parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life–and memories–behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent. Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate’s guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he’s a revenant–an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again. In this incandescent debut, newcomer Amy Plum has created a powerful paranormal mythology with immortal revenants. The Paris setting comes enchantingly alive as a relentless struggle between good and evil takes place in its streets. Rich with romance, atmosphere, and thrills, Die for Me will leave readers breathlessly awaiting its sequel.
My Two Cents:
Plum started to weave her web around me with two unique sisters, stumbling in a believable way, through the process of grieving their parents. It helps that they have two adorable, doting grandparents living in Paris, so well-drawn that I felt like I was settling in with sweet, sophisticated Mamie and wise Papy (who I hope will play a more pivotal role in book 2–he KNOWS things). I loved the sisters’ characterization–one party girl, one more introverted–and their tender, unique connection. The author obviously “gets” girls, because that relationship isn’t always easy. I laughed when at one point, Papy wonders if WWIV was about to begin.
Plum weaves an intriguing mythology within the pages about revenants–the “undead”–people who sacrificed themselves for others, and for some reason, are left to continue to do that for all of eternity instead of moving onto heaven. And while the undead revenants fight to save humans, there are darker forces at work, striving to drive humans toward death, and the two of course clash. I cheered when I discovered this, because I adore a great good vs. evil tale.
Our heroine captures the attention of one particularly hot rev and a paranormal romance on the order of Twilight ensues. It’s a pretty intriguing love story. And nestled into the heart of Paris, as well as set against the backdrop of the epic battle, we decide to forgo sleep and settle in for some seriously fast, page-turning chapters.
That said, I didn’t quite understand what drew the hero and heroine together, beyond physical perfection and the fact that revs become a little “obsessed” with humans they save. I wanted to know why Vincent is willing to fall in love for the first time in decades (surely Kate’s not the only beautiful introvert he’s saved in all those years). I get chemistry–I like chemistry. But I like to see deeper connections, understand why two people are falling in love so I can believe they can beat the odds. But I’m pretty sure we’ll learn more about that in book 2–enough so that I’ll preorder it from Amazon (Until I Die, May 2012). Because I’m hooked, and I’m willing to suspend disbelief to find out more about this intriguing group of characters and Plum’s unique Parisian under(over?)world.
Mama Bear Warnings:
PG-13: Mild profanity, clear sexual draw, sexual innuendo. (Even though in this book, the characters remain chaste.)