Mad Steam: ARC Book Review... Die For Me by Amy Plum

Monday, April 4, 2011

ARC Book Review... Die For Me by Amy Plum

Die For Me

By: Amy Plum

Series: Revenants #1

Published By: HarperTeen

Published Date: May 10th 2011

Pages: Softcover ARC 341
Tags: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Undead

First Line: The first time I had seen the statue in the fountain, I had o idea what Vincent was.

Why the Mad Scientist read this book: The Mad Scientist's won this ARC at the Dark Days of Supernatural Tour in Naperville, IL at Anderson's Bookshop. Now it is on its way to Jen @ In The Closet with A Bibliophile, be on the lookout for her review in a few weeks time.

Concoction of a review:

Oh, where do I begin with this one? Die For Me opens the story with a young girl so racked with grief over the loss of her parents that you could not help but to feel empathy for the dear. Her sister moves them both over to Paris to their grandparents to change the scenery and hopefully the Parisian air will help them heal.

I love how Plum has a mysterious dark stranger swoop into Kate's life. She may have noticed him but I was delighted at the fact that their first few encounters were less then wonderful, just awkward. Beyond that she believes he is not very virtuous assuming that this handsome soul is a criminal of all things. Unexplainable events unfolds around mystery boy and soon she finds out that Vincent is hardly normal, much less even alive.

We slowly learn about Vincent's supernatural state and that of his "family". Revenants are not exactly Zombies but they are walking dead. They pasted away saving others and are now chosen to reanimate so they can continue saving people, often by loosing their lives once again. Although, they do are unable to go to their afterlife destination due to regenerating in three days time. How interesting does this concept sound?! I was profoundly intrigued.

Now, so far this sound like a interesting but bland story. The Mad Scientist loves a good twist and Amy Plum does this by adding in the Numa. The offical bad boys of the Undead! Unlike the Revenants who died saving lives the Numa murdered and pilaged in the former life and they continue on this path. The war between Vincent and his kindred are at constant odds with the Numa, casualties are to be had.

The sweet romance between Kate and Vincent was lovely, there was no part where I felt it was forced. There was a connection between the two but I need to reinforce the fact that she does not jump into his arms immediately and fall so far in love that she races to him. Kate knows that her heart is not healed from her parents death. Due to this, she is a guarded soul who ends up leaving Vincent. The best part of Vincent that will make you swoon over him is when he decides to be a valiant and fight for their relationship. A true old soul.

Charlotte, a revenant, was a strong female who was about to do some series damage by kicking Numa butt but she was also a lone female in the house until Kate came along. Kate also bonded with most of Vincent's other kindred as well. However, there is one who did not approve of having a human of all things amongst them. It is chilling and spins the book in different directs when this character is in the scene.

Dislikes, of course I have a few minor issues. There are some elements that just make you want to sigh but then you realize it is found in nearly all YA. Melodramatic drama & a love that sounds like it will stand the test of time. Her grandparents are in the picture although, I was a tad upset that they let the girls do which ever they pleased. A bit more rules would of been more believable.

Overall, The Mad Scientist found this book to be a light reading with a few editing problems (it is an ARC afterall). It is not a profound piece of YA literature but it is a very entertaining story that does not completely follow closely down the same path as others.

I do believe that this book has laid out the groundwork and background for the idea of Revenants and the Numa. The next in the series has so much potenial to be amazing. The Mad Scientist is already waiting for it!