DARKNESS BECOMES HER by Kelly Keaton

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.


Oh. My. Gosh! I was so completely wowed by Darkness Becomes Her. The concept is so completely original and unexpected, the novel is part Gothic romance, part dystopian, part fantasy, part paranormal, and part contemporary as well. Only twenty pages in and I was hooked. Staying up late and skipping homework were part of my routine as I poured through this book.
     Ari is such a cool, complicated character. She tries to be tough, and can certainly kick some major ass, but she's soft and as susceptible to good looks as any of us girls are. She has her weaknesses, but that just makes her that much more relatable.
     The paranormal aspects of this novel are completely different from anything I've ever read before. There are vampires, witches, shapeshifters, and cross-breeds all mixed up into one story in the most fascinating way possible. Twists and turns and unexpected plot changes were running rampant through Darkness Becomes Her. I can't tell you how disappointed I was when I reached the last page; not to mention the fact that my jaw was hanging open. I did some digging and it turns out this is a series (called Gods & Monsters) and the next book is coming out next year. Thank God! I will be anxiously awaiting the sequel and I hope you'll give Darkness Becomes Her a try once it releases into stores next month. Any devoted fan of fantasy, paranormal, or romance is bound to love this book. Give it a go!

5/5 stars



Darkness Becomes Her releases on February 22, 2011.

**ARC received from publisher Simon Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

My Apologies

Sorry about the lapse in posts this January, I've been swamped with homework (Go High School!) and I haven't been near a computer much in the last month. I've still been reading crazily so there's lots of reviews soon to come. Stay tuned!

THE VESPERTINE by Saundra Mitchell

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.
When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

Wow. I really enjoyed Saundra Mitchell's Shadowed Summer but The Vespertine exceeded all of my expectations. It's been a while since I've read a historical novel--I've been a bit overwhelmed by paranormals--but I am so glad I picked this one up. I honestly felt like I was in 1889 with Amelia and the rest of the cast of characters. There was a perfect mix of historical and paranormal, and oh, the twists! There are so many, I can't even describe how often I was holding my breath. The romance and chemistry meters are high--Amelia and Nathaniel literally cannot stay away from each other. Amelia's gift of seeing the future at sunset is unique and hides quite a few surprises. Though it appears like a light read, The Vespertine is actually quite dark at certain points. Amelia and her best friend and cousin, Zora, are quite naive at the beginning of the novel, but they quickly realize that life is not simply about finding a husband and settling down. They both have to face some serious issues. I don't think I've given much away with this review and that's how it should be. If you decide to read The Vespertine be prepared for some heart-stopping moments. I loved it! I CANNOT wait to find out what happens next in the second novel of the series, The Springsweet, though I have absolutely no idea when it releases. Sometime in 2012, perhaps? Hopefully sooner. And isn't that cover gorgeous?

5/5 stars

The Vespertine releases on March 7, 2011.
** ARC received from publisher at the request of the author.