Monday, October 8, 2012

Death and The Girl Next Door (Darklight #1) by Darynda Jones with Giveaway!

Ten years ago, Lorelei's parents disappeared without a trace. Raised by her grandparents and leaning on the support of her best friends, Lorelei is finally beginning to accept the fact that her parents are never coming home. For Lorelei, life goes on. 
High school is not quite as painful as she thinks it will be, and things are as normal as they can be. Until the day the school's designated loner, Cameron Lusk, begins to stalk her, turning up where she least expects it, standing outside her house in the dark, night after night. Things get even more complicated when a new guy—terrifying, tough, sexy Jared Kovach—comes to school. Cameron and Jared instantly despise each other and Lorelei seems to be the reason for their animosity. What does Jared know about her parents? Why does Cameron tell Jared he can't have Lorelei? And what will any of them do when Death comes knocking for real? Thrilling, sassy, sexy, and inventive, Darynda Jones's first foray into the world of teens will leave readers eager for the next installment.
Okay, have you read Darynda Jones's adult book, First Grave on the Right? You have? SWEET! You will love this one. For me it was like that kind of story for the YA crowd. You haven't? What is wrong with you??? You need to go pick it up (well, if you are part of the YA crowd, you are excused... the adults... get moving!). Seriously, those that enjoy her adult series will love this one as well.

As her adult series, we also have some hot boys to contend and drool over. Stop right there. No, there is no love triangle (so those that are tired of those may cheer now...) but you may equally drool over each brooding hot boy. Yes, there is romance, but there is only one contender for Lorelei's heart. BTW, I just want to know where these boys were when I went to HS? Anyway...

As with Darynda's other books, there is plenty of humor within this book. Although Lorelei, our main heroine, does get in a few laughs and good quips, it really is the secondary characters, Brooklyn and Glitch. Those 2 will get you to smile even in the thick of things. We would all be so lucky to have true and loving friends as these. They really help make this book.

Hm... and now to the part I thought about including and thought maybe I shouldn't. I don't want to spoil anything, but I think it becomes clear what you are dealing with about 1/2 thorough the book. Well, maybe a bit earlier, but certainty exists then. There is the aspect that our friends are dealing with angels. Now I would suggest to those that have been less than thrilled about the angel books flooding our YA genre, to try this book. I think the fact that our angels have a dark side helps. I mean it is hard to write about a perfect being without any defects. Our angels may seem perfect, but are marred by that darkness and it lends them a bit more interest. Also, yes, there is a religious aspect to the book because of this, but it is not religious at all. It does not seem to conform to any one religion nor is it preachy in any way. Yes, there are "believers" but that is only to a specific aspect to a prophesy that holds to no specific religion. For example, her grandpa is considered a pastor, but it is to a more universal type of crowd not to one religion.

I give this book 4 1/2 stars! I really enjoyed this book. The ending felt abrupt to me and I really wanted it to either be longer or prepare me more for the end. It's not a cliffie nor a true abrupt ending, but I still felt like I wasn't quite ready to leave this world yet. That actually may be a good thing since I really want that next book! :D
I received this book from St. Martin's Griffin and no compensation for my review was given.
Oh and guess what??? St. Martin's Press is allowing me to give away one PB copy of this book! It's US only. To enter, just fill out the rafflecopter form below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

48 comments:

  1. Wonderful blog and thanks for the giveaway

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  2. Sounds awesome. And I'm one the people that haven't read her adult books. Shame on me! And shame on me more that this book was not on my tbrlist. Whoops. ;) But now it is! It is! :)

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    1. SHAME! ;) I forgive ya Nina! You rock and I think you'll love the YA series.

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  3. Thanks for the post and giveaway. I've only read a short by Darynda but I want to read more :)

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  4. Thanks for the giveaway!!!
    I cannot wait to read this book... I love the Charley Davidson series!!

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  5. I cannot wait to read this book. Loved the Charley Davidson series.

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    1. It's YA, but as long as you remember that, I think you'll enjoy it.

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  6. I do loooove her adult series so I am so curious!

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  7. I so want to read this book! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  8. Thanks for doing the giveaway. Charley is a very strong person and doesn't take any crap.

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  9. Thanks! I've barely read any books I ener giveaways for! Exactly the point!! Get books you don't have, so no. I haven't read this either.

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  10. I just picked up First Grave on the Right last week and I've been wanting this one for a while. Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. I hope you love her adult series as much as I did! I just thought it rocked.

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  11. Oh I really need to read this one, I have it, just haven't had the time to read it yet but I'm glad it's as good. I was wondering. great review!

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  12. Well, I think she pulled back quite a bit to make it YA, so it made sense to me. There are things Charley can do that there is no way that Lor could do as a teen. I agree... good beginning! :D

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  13. Love Charley! I still have to read book 3 to be prepared for the newest release. Really looking forward to this one. I'll give you Reyes but I'm taking Garrett!

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  14. I was thinking the same thing while reading this one Melissa - there was nary a Cameron or Jared in sight at my high school. WTH? The high school gods were cruel to me ;-)

    I loved this book so much! I have yet to meet Charley (I KNOW!) but that series rocketed up my list after reading this one. Can't wait:)

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  15. Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!(: I've heard mixed reviews of it, but not having read any of Jones' previous work, I really want to give this a shot before reading her adult books, so I hope I enjoy them. Fantastic review, Melissa! :D

    ~Keertana
    Ivy Book Bindings

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  16. Oh this looks goooooood! I haven't read any of her books but can't wait to try some out!

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  17. I'm sorry to say, I think I'm the only one left in the UF reading world who's not read her books. Sad, I know. But I do need to get to them, I do know that. ;) Thank you.

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  18. I haven't read any of her books. I did get First Grave on the Right for my mom a while ago and have been bugging her to read it so I can borrow it if she likes it.

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  19. I've really been looking forward to trying this one! I LOVE the Charley Davidson series!! Sp glad to hear you liked it and thanks for the offer!

    (Great blog! New follower here. :) I just found you when I followed your link for the contest.)

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  20. No I haven't but I am always looking for new authors and books. Thanks for the giveaway. Tore923@aol.com

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  21. thanks for the awesome giveaway! I've been reading such great reviews for this book :)

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  22. I haven't had a chance to read any of that Charley Davidson books yet but I'm looking forward to reading them.

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  23. have not read any of her books but this one sounds like a good read...

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  24. I haven't but this book sounds really interesting so i would like to read it :)

    oh and p.s Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  25. Great review, thank you! I have pre-ordered this book myself, and am looking forward to reading it soon.

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  26. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! I haven't read any books by Darynda Jones yet.

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  27. I'm ashamed! I haven't had the time to read her adult series, but I intend to read it soon! :)

    Angels with a dark side ? I'm interested!
    I'm not a great fan of angel books but your review makes me really want to try this one!

    Thank you ;)

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  28. Awesome interview and giveaway! Thanks so much for the chance.

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  29. I've read all of Darynda's books! She is fantastic! I am counting down the days til 4thGBMF comes out! Thanks so much!

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  30. I have not read any of Darynda's book yet. I have heard they are fabulous! I need to pick them up soon!

    Thanks so much!

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  31. I think I've been lucky and have yet to read too many angels. I'm still fresh and mostly getting a tad tired of my lovable vampires. This sounds like the escape I've been looking for. Have yet to read anything by Darynda but I have all her books on my wishlist. Great giveaway and thanks for the chance to win

    Jolene A

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  32. I am ashamed to admit that I hadn't heard of Darynda Jones until I saw reviews for this start to pop up over the last little while.

    And no love triangle? Get the smelling salts out- I'm about to keel over! ;)

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  33. Seriously?? There isn't a love triangle? Yay!! I've been staying away front his book because that cover just screams love triangle lol

    I'm so glad I read your review.

    I'm just dying for a good angel book that doesn't involve the dreaded triangle.

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  34. Bought the first of her adult series for my mom last freaking year and she still hasn't read it! I think I'm stealing it next time I visit.

    Two guys on the cover and no love triangle?! Score.

    I have yet to read an angel book I really like, I can feel my stomach begin to rebel at the thought of reading another one, but this looks good so I'm definitely going to give it a try.

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  35. I haven't but I gotta. Like, I really really gotta. I am definitely starting with this one. Maybe. I might just go get whatever books of hers that I can find at the library. People love this woman. I kind of want to love her too! Thanks so much for the awesome post and giveaway!

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  36. Long-time minion, part-time Darynda fan. I've only read the first Charlie Davidson book (listened to the audiobook, actually), but it's made me eager to try her new YA series. YAY.

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  37. I haven't read this author before but the review sounds interesting.

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  38. no i have not read any of the book but ilove to read and review them

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