Die For Me
by Amy Plum
Hardcover, 341 pages
Expected publication: May 10th 2011
by HarperTeen
ISBN 0062004018
5 stars
My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.
Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.
Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.
Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.
While I’m fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family’s—in jeopardy for a chance at love?
Kate is a recently orphaned teen who has moved with her sister Georgia to Paris from the United States. The death of both her parents turns her inward, cutting off socially and finding relief in books, museums and hidden cafes. Kate is so completely immersed in grieving and going through the motions of life, which all changes the day she spots a handsome dark boy watching her intensely and she returns the stare. Vincent is kind and wise, handsome and chivalrous, but a little rusty on his people skills. So the two of them have many waters to navigate before they decide to get to know each other and trust one another. Their attachment, while seemingly immediate, takes trials and time to come into fruition.
Die for Me captured my attention so fully that from the moment I picked it up yesterday morning to the completion of the book at the very end of the day, I fell into the story and could not come out. Amy Plum paints a lush beautiful portrait of Paris from a native eye and sketches each character out fully and realistically. Harperteen does not disappoint with the quality of books they are releasing in the paranormal YA genre. Everything about this book felt new and untouched. The concept of revenant, the mythology and plot are spot on and achingly romantic. Besides falling in love with the main characters, I found a place in my heart for each member of the cast. Especially for funny, flirty Jules and Kate’s older sister Georgia. I hope book two will flesh out full roles for them. I also have my fingers crossed that the publisher chooses to stick with the cover on the advanced reader’s edition. It is breathtaking with Kate in a red boat on the Seine.
What can I say other than I won’t forget this book. I’m literally speechless. Die For Me leaves a mark in my mind as fresh as a stoke of a paintbrush and as lasting as a masterpiece. There are a few gruesome scenes that make it for readers who can stomach violence. Otherwise it is refreshingly clean and absolutely amazing. I love that it highlights the arts and history of France as well as close family relationships. Will I be picking up book two? As soon as I can get my hands on it! In the mean time…you… hurry and run over to Goodreads to enter to win your own copy!
You might also like: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand and Hereafter by Tara Hudson.
Lindsay of VioletHourBR
I LOVE this book! It was absolutely amazing! Great review =)