Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

*WARNING If you haven't read book one there are a few very mild spoilers which shouldn't be an issue since they're all predictable. The spoilers only concerns events in book one.*

4

Desires of the Dead is the Sequel to Kimberly Derting's novel, The Body Finder (here), and follows mostly the same story. It's a YA, probably also describable as paranormal, and we've got the same retinue of characters as book one, and the same area, yet the idea you walk away with is that it feels like the same book as the last.

In the Body Finder, Violet found bodies and got involved in the serial killer investigation, though originally against her will. For people unfamiliar with the book, Violet has the unique and chilling ability to find bodies of living things that have been killed. They call to her, and though sometimes she isn't aware, she then starts heading towards the body. Once the body is buried, the calling reduces to a point that it can then be ignored. It's a weird ability, but it's good that isn't something she can turn on and off: it's integral to her life.

So the major point is that the story of this book is practically the story of the last book. There is the element of the FBI interest, but the bare bones of it are exactly the same. Accidentally gets involved in murder mystery, can't help trying to solve. For me, this wasn't too much of an issue. As I said at the start of my Body Finder review, I read and loved this writer because I love her writing and she really seems to know how to pull people into a story; people like me anyway. So even though I was aware the story was the same, I still enjoyed the writing and the characters.

I good thing I don't think I mentioned in the Body Finder review was that every so often, a chapter is told by another person. Usually they are somewhat murderous, and the fact that we don't know who it is until later on makes these chapters creepy but impossibly interesting. One can't help reading them and trying to find the clues which are giving away who it is.

The romance in the book wasn't as unbearable as last time; I mean they weren't kissing all the time. She matured a little bit, but I don't think she was that different. The thing is I like Jay as a character, and I think they're a good couple, but when they are actually being a couple I just want to glaze over. The relationship was in the 'jealous' stage a bit, and I wonder if that was just for story progression, but I never felt the jealousy was founded since there was never chemistry like with Jay and Violet. This might get better.

Her obsession with finding the bodies is explained away as something she can't control, an urge, but she demonstrates that she can overcome it and ignore it if she has to, so I can't understand why she keeps going off on her own in dangerous places. I mean no one is that stupid. It keeps the story going but, if there is another sequel, I think I'm going to get annoyed. Three books of a heroine who isn't using common sense are bound to get on my nerves.

A final point before I conclude, I have to say I liked the new element in the story of Chelsea's life. It was nice to see a less sarcastic (the 'You can kiss my buttocks' kind) Chelsea, and I actually see her more. I kind of love Chelsea's outrageousness and frankness- honesty's the best policy, right? Another of the things I loved in book one was the relationship Violet had with her friends because they seemed real and people who'd be fun to hang out with. We didn't see as much of Jules and Claire this time, but they were always light relief more than actually important.

All in all it was good book, and if you liked book one, you'll probably like this too. The premise is just as interesting and a murder mystery is by its very nature engaging, and I think that most people won't be bothered by the similarities with book one.

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

5

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting is a book I picked up merely because I read a post by the author online (an extra scene from the book, I think) and fell in love with the way she wrote. It drew me in like I can’t explain and just had to read her books- all of them- in order to luxuriate in her beautifully engaging writing. The story follows Violet, a girl with the talent to find dead things, as she tries to solve a murder mystery.

The starting of the book was spooky as we watch a four year old girl discover a dead body in the woods. There is a mystery to this part of the book that when solved (in a matter of pages) sent a chill up my spine at the innocence of it. This is probably the best start of a book that I’ve read in a long time and I struggled to put this book down even to wash and eat. I was addicted when I read her writing, but the story itself had its own irresistible charms.

I really appreciated the straight-forward attitude Violet had about her “talent”. There was no beating about the bush or ridiculous cover ups; it was just put plain on show. The prologue (the bit with the four year old) probably helped with this because it gave us an idea about this peculiar ability. And as much as I like the whole coming to terms with it thing in fantasy, having someone already comfortable with their ability at the start was a nice change. In fact, I’m hoping I don’t prefer it!

There’s not a lot I can say about the plot because it is a mystery and I don’t want to spoil anything. The way it worked though was that we had like a learning curve were Violet was only a bit bothered by the murders, so we could learn about her and her life/friends, before it becomes a bit more personal and she actually involves herself. It added believability because, let’s face it, we don’t all rush out to find murderers willy-nilly. Later on, the huge twist was a great shock even though I’d had my suspicions. The climax was good too. When the shot was fired, even though I didn’t think who you are supposed to think had died, did die, I doubted myself because of the clever scent/taste that was attached to the shooter. It made for excellent reading, and I was relieved when I found out the full story.

The romance- always the bane of my reading. At the start, I loved it because unrequited love makes for a much better read for me because we can all empathise with it to a degree. I knew it wouldn’t last- I knew the moment Jay bloody stepped into the book- but it was still great to read. I think knowing, or at least severely expecting, people will end up together makes their exchanges better to read. When they were together though, the kissing got on my nerves. I mean fine, some people will like it and understand better, but for me it just got grating. I know she really, really loves him but does she need to keep proving it? Otherwise though, I liked the pairing because the personalities genuinely seemed to mesh nicely.

Characterisation was another wonderful thing about this book. Jay was unbearably enjoyable to read and I loved his easiness and confidence (as well as him making fun of Violet). It was more believable than the whole love-sick puppy or overconfident bachelor. Chelsea, Claire and Jules were also all relatively believable and funny to read. Claire annoyed me a little, and I knew were Jules was headed, but Chelsea was hysterical and perfect. I wish I had some of Violet’s friends because, let’s face it, there’s some great camaraderie.

So basically I loved this book. I haven’t read many mysteries but the ones I have are always good. I have nothing else to say but buy this book if you like YA and mystery with a pinch of paranormal.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

17/08/2011

4
Across the Universe by Beth Revis was a dystopia I’ve wanted to read since its release back in spring, but never got around to buying. I had high expectations and, frankly, I didn’t expect them to be fulfilled. But I did think the book was excellent in most areas and my biggest problem would be that it felt jumpy on occasion.

The plot itself is a mix between dystopia, science-fiction and murder mystery. Though I guessed at how things would turn out (I was right) it didn’t make the journey to that conclusion any less enjoyable. In fact, I found myself doubting my prediction numerous times as I thought it too farfetched and unlikely. Reading it wasn’t difficult and I could quite easily picture what I read without trying so I respect the work that must have gone in to achieve such a thing. It was relatively un-put-down-able for me and, being short-ish, I finished it in a few hours. I probably haven’t taken everything in, but too bad; I was too drawn in.

The romance was, for me, a little too sudden and ‘love at first sight’ originally but I do think this sort of corrected itself when past, influential loyalties came into play. Amy’s reluctance, due to Jason, made it so she could actually develop feelings for Elder rather than embarrassing swooning and tiresome make-out sessions. I actually got an idea of how this relationship blossomed.

Godspeed, and the county-like atmosphere it represented, was easily the best thing for me. I enjoy reading world-building, and it didn’t take long until I was completely absorbed in Beth’s. That may have been because there are always secrets in a mystery sort of novel so I unwittingly was solving it, but I genuinely believe that the ship and its inhabitants became (fittingly) one organism and influence I read with glee. I had the hardback, too, which included a map of the ship- making visualisation just that bit easier.

My dislike was, as I mentioned, a feeling of jumpiness. I felt that some parts of the plot felt abrupt and that they came about merely because that was the plot; I didn’t acknowledge any evidence or development that I felt pointed in that direction. I don’t believe in spontaneous inspiration so abruptness in the story jarred me a little. Thankfully, in this case, pros easily outweigh cons. The ending, I might add, felt a little sudden too; but not so much as earlier. In fact, one could put it down to the “surprise!” at the end of the book. I mean, aren’t surprises supposed to seem uncomfortably abrupt?

I genuinely cannot think of someone who wouldn’t like this book. Sure some would say it wasn’t their favourite, but it is easily a well written and enjoyable book that is easy and safe to recommend. Except, of course, if you hate science fiction or murder mystery. Honestly though, I loved it and the only reason I don’t give it a 5 is that that doesn’t feel right for everyone. Truth is, I empathised with most characters to a fault. This doesn’t happen often, therefore I am suitably awed. Don’t miss this or it’s sequel, A Million Suns.

Apart from the review, I also have two personal little enjoyments in the book. One is that I follow Beth’s blog and twitter so I knew a bit of the book’s lore and the origin of some things before reading so I felt that gave me insight and, dare I say, a connection with the book. I guess that shows how effective author blogging can be. The second thing is that I happened to read this when two topics mentioned in the book were on my own mind (the idea that ‘ignorance is bliss’ and the endlessness of space) so it felt as if I was getting another’s views.