Thursday, January 27, 2011

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Darkness Becomes HerFrom Goodreads:
Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is. 
Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued. 

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her. 

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.
 I would have reviewed this one on or before the release date, but they changed it and I was only cognizant of the previous date. *sigh* So, here I am a few days late.

In this book Ari is trying to piece together her life after being in the system since her mother gave her up and landed in a mental institution. She took her own life shortly afterward. Only now Ari is able to try to seek out her roots. Once she starts to find clues to the answers she seeks, she ends up in a greater mystery. Not only where she comes from, but what she is since human doesn't quite seem to cover it. The journey takes her to New 2, which is New Orleans after several hurricanes destroyed and then taken over by the oldest families in the area.

I enjoyed this book, but I would have liked to know a bit more of what Ari went through before we got to meet her. We get fleeting glimpses of it but not enough to really tell the tale of why she is reluctant to trust others. I think this would have helped me connect much more to Ari and really feel for her later in the book. We are also introduced to a variety of secondary characters. I loved these characters especially Violet who is a tiny goth vampire. Here again, I wanted to know more than I got to, but I do suspect her story will unfold in the coming books in this series.

All in all, I thought this was an interesting take on the Greek mythology aspect entering our own realm and time. I don't want to give too much away and let the story unfold for you as it did for me. I will caution those that do not like the instant attraction aspect to YA books. There is a bit of that, and it did come quickly, but it did not come off as annoying to me. I felt that she was relieved to find other "freaks" like herself and was wanting to trust someone, and Sebastian was kind to her when she most needed it. In other words, it made sense to me in that way. I give this book 3 1/2 stars and am looking forward to the next book to find out what comes next. 



I received this eGalley from the publisher and no compensation for my review was given.

17 comments:

  1. Hmm, not too sure about this one though I'm intrigued by the Greek mythology aspect.

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  2. I like this book. The greek part int he book is what did it for me. I wanted something different and this book delivered. Nice review.

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  3. Oh wait, was this Kelly Gay's alterego, I do love her books :D

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  4. I don't like the cover, so I haven't really given it a second glance before now. I like the premise, and I loved your review :)

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  5. I'm actually really excited about this one, I love Greek Mythology and work that into a paranormal YA = I'm a happy girl:) Too bad we don't get as much of an understanding bout Ari's past, but it sounds like it's an interesting story nonetheless. It's funny, sometimes the instant attraction aspect really bothers me and sometimes I think it works with the circumstances, glad to know it didn't bother you in this case! Really nice review Melissa!

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  6. I like that the story got Greek mythology in it, but I don't really like instant attractions that much. I keep reading that in books and they bug me out. :) I haven't really paid attention to this book, I probably will wait and read your review for the sequal. :) Great review.

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  7. @...Petty, the mythology part was very interesting.
    @Savannah, Yea, it was different and I did like the revelation. ;)
    @blodeuedd... Yep, Kelly Gay. I love her books too.
    @Melissa.... I actually liked the cover, but it is a little stoic. Hope you get it and like it too!
    @Jenny... I know some people just don't like it reguardless so I thought I'd put that in for them. :)
    @Nina... she does question it, if that helps. :)

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  8. Okay, I'm gonna say it. This book seems to be bipolar. Or at least the reviews I have read for it are. I guess it is a love/hate type of book.

    New2? I'm curious but still debating. I mean, it didn't seem to inspire an evil laugh from you so I'm guessing it can wait. LOL

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  9. Greek mythology and vampires - that could be interesting. Perhaps they could have had a better name for the rebuilt city of New Orleans. But I do love that atmospheric cover and great title.

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  10. I was actually very pleasantly surprised by this book, i loved it!!

    they changed the release date??? to when??

    argh! I have my review scheduled, now I dont know the release date LOL

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  11. @Missie... no, I enjoyed it. My pup had me up a few nights so I think my evil laugh was tired. :)
    @Stephanie.. I think it was just the shortened name they gave to the rebuilt city. The name was still New Orleans.
    @Larissa...sent e-mail.

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  12. I enjoy Greek mythology so this sounds interesting - great interview!

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  13. I actually rated this one lower, way lower than you did hehe. Ari was just so aggressive, and angry all the time it bothered me.

    Didn't know about the release date, I still have scheduled for mid Feb.

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  14. Reading and making up my own mind at some point, thanks very much for being non-spoilery though Melissa as this is one have been awaiting to see how it was received and it seems to have a mixed audience... I of course may wait until it comes out in Paperback or I get an e-reader to put it on as cheaper than the Hardback...

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  15. The mythology part might work for me but about the rest, I am not certain. Great review nevertheless!

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  16. @Alyssa... and this is a different take on it. It's interesting!
    @Samita.... hmm... now I didn't see her like that at all. I guess it is just what parts hit us. :)
    @Jackie... I think you'd enjoy it. I think I just wanted more Ari to connect with. I still could, but just wanted more.
    @anachronist... I think it depends on if you enjoy YA. :)

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  17. Sounds really neat. I like the idea of the mythology. And it sounds like a decent read. :) Thanks for the review!

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