Title: Die For MeSeries: Revenants Book 1
Author: Amy Plum
Release Date: 10th May 2011
My Rating: 5/5
Blurb:
Die For Me is the first of three books about Kate, a sixteen-year-old American who moves to Paris after the death of her parents. It introduces a new version of the undead with revenants, beings who are fated to sacrifice themselves over and over again to save others’ lives. Kate finds herself falling for Vincent, who she discovers is not the typical French teenager he appears: he is something else entirely.
My Review:
Words can not describe how much I love Die For Me.
As you can probably tell from the blurb, Vincent is a revenant, but that is all I will say on the matter. I didn't read the blurb properly before reading the book so what Vincent was, came as a surprise and I preferred it that way. What I will say is that revenants are original and as far as I know, they haven't been done in YA fiction before, especially since Amy Plum created much of the mythology herself.
Die For Me could not have been set in a more perfect city. Paris is romantic, magical and has that delicious feeling of something dangerous hiding amongst it's beauty. Amy Plum's writing swallows you up and I could feel myself being transported back to Paris (where I have been twice). You can actually have a look at the locations in Die For Me on Amy's website where she has marked all the places around Paris that Kate, Vincent and the rest of the characters visit, as well as providing her own photos of the locations. Check it out here.
Die For Me has such a wonderful selection of characters; Kate, Georgia, Vincent, Jules, Ambrose, Charlotte, Mamie, Papy, Jean-Baptiste, Gaspard. You can't help but love them. I really liked Kate. She's been through a lot and even though she is broken (and understandably so) she eventually manages to pull herself out of her misery and become a girl who is mentally strong and mature. She's not kick-ass, but she's not wimpy either. She loves books, museums and art and is the opposite of her care-free, extroverted sister Georgia.
"I wanted a heroine who wasn’t dependent on the man she loved. Self-sacrifice is admirable up to a point, but I wanted someone who was independent and smart – not just intellectually but emotionally."
Kate isn't the kind of girl who needs a boy to make herself feel good or to be happy, and she doesn't need Vincent to swoop in and take care of her. But he is certainly blush-inducing with his old school charm and romance. Vincent, Jules and Ambrose all made me swoon, but not at the beginning. They all grew on me as Kate got to know them better and we saw more of who they really were rather than the front they put on. They reminded me of Edward, Emmett and Jasper from Twilight in the way they interacted with each other; joking around and being sarcastic, in a brotherly way.
This is an absolutely fantastic debut with a breath-taking cover. While this will be a series, there is no cliff-hanger and Die For Me could survive as a stand alone novel. I can't wait to read what Amy Plum writes next and to once again get lost in Kate and Vincent's world. I am so in love with this book right now. And did I mention there is sword fighting?!
Die For Me has earned it's place on my All-Time Favourite's list.
Thankyou to NetGalley for this review copy. I will certainly be buying my own hard copy once it has been released.
My Review:
Words can not describe how much I love Die For Me.
As you can probably tell from the blurb, Vincent is a revenant, but that is all I will say on the matter. I didn't read the blurb properly before reading the book so what Vincent was, came as a surprise and I preferred it that way. What I will say is that revenants are original and as far as I know, they haven't been done in YA fiction before, especially since Amy Plum created much of the mythology herself.
Die For Me could not have been set in a more perfect city. Paris is romantic, magical and has that delicious feeling of something dangerous hiding amongst it's beauty. Amy Plum's writing swallows you up and I could feel myself being transported back to Paris (where I have been twice). You can actually have a look at the locations in Die For Me on Amy's website where she has marked all the places around Paris that Kate, Vincent and the rest of the characters visit, as well as providing her own photos of the locations. Check it out here.
Die For Me has such a wonderful selection of characters; Kate, Georgia, Vincent, Jules, Ambrose, Charlotte, Mamie, Papy, Jean-Baptiste, Gaspard. You can't help but love them. I really liked Kate. She's been through a lot and even though she is broken (and understandably so) she eventually manages to pull herself out of her misery and become a girl who is mentally strong and mature. She's not kick-ass, but she's not wimpy either. She loves books, museums and art and is the opposite of her care-free, extroverted sister Georgia.
"I wanted a heroine who wasn’t dependent on the man she loved. Self-sacrifice is admirable up to a point, but I wanted someone who was independent and smart – not just intellectually but emotionally."
From Amy Plum's website.
Kate isn't the kind of girl who needs a boy to make herself feel good or to be happy, and she doesn't need Vincent to swoop in and take care of her. But he is certainly blush-inducing with his old school charm and romance. Vincent, Jules and Ambrose all made me swoon, but not at the beginning. They all grew on me as Kate got to know them better and we saw more of who they really were rather than the front they put on. They reminded me of Edward, Emmett and Jasper from Twilight in the way they interacted with each other; joking around and being sarcastic, in a brotherly way.
This is an absolutely fantastic debut with a breath-taking cover. While this will be a series, there is no cliff-hanger and Die For Me could survive as a stand alone novel. I can't wait to read what Amy Plum writes next and to once again get lost in Kate and Vincent's world. I am so in love with this book right now. And did I mention there is sword fighting?!
Die For Me has earned it's place on my All-Time Favourite's list.
Thankyou to NetGalley for this review copy. I will certainly be buying my own hard copy once it has been released.
Thanks for a fantastic review. I so can't wait to read this. All I'm hearing is good reviews.
ReplyDeleteYAY! awesome review Jess.
ReplyDeleteI've pre-ordered this (based off Nic's review ~ and I really want to read more GOOD paranormal after LOVING Unearthly...) Now I am even more excited!
I's about one month until it's release date plus travel-to-Australia time... It feels like a long wait
I've heard such good things about this book. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteOh yay, another Aussie blogger! This book sounds like a great read too, been hearing lost of lovely things about it.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant review Jess!!!! I am so glad you loved it. They setting was just beautiful and the characters original and charming. I can't wait to own a copy :)
ReplyDeleteAnother one for the list, can't wait to read it! ps got my copy of Genesis too, thanks again :-)
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you loved this book! I did as well, and can't wait to buy my own copy. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat review!!
ReplyDeleteI loved the interview with Amy, well done.
I just gave two friends this book as I loved it THAT MUCH!!! I have a crush on all 3 boys, shame I wasn't a young chicken..loL!!
I still haven't got myself a hard copy....saving $$$ travelling to Melbourne for Cassandra Clare cleaned me out:( But I cant wait to snuggle in bed instead of reading on pooter. I havent looked at your read books, but , Kady Cross The Girl In The Steel Corset is awesome!!! If you like The Mortal Instruments series , this is the book to read.
Have fun:D
Michelle
I'm so glad you loved this book! Kate is such an amazing character! Check out my review HERE.
ReplyDeleteI loved the book and can't wait until you bring out another. It is really one off my favorites and I can read it over and over again and I will still get goosebumps.
ReplyDelete