Mar 29, 2011

Review: Die For Me by Amy Plum


Title: Die For Me
Author: Amy Plum
Publisher:  HarperTeen
Publication Date: 5.10.11
Pages: 352
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Yes (Die For Me #1)

Rating: A+

Summary (from Goodreads):
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.

DIE FOR ME presents a new supernatural mythology presented in a city where dreams are sometimes the same as reality
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Review:
I’m not sure what I expected when I first delved into this debut by Amy Plum, but whatever it was certainly wasn’t this refreshingly romantic story. It reads like a fairytale; beautiful and magical that makes you wish you could fall into the world of Kate and Vincent. Very rarely has a debut novel so captured my adoration and attention the way Die For Me has.

When Kate arrives in Paris following the deaths of her parents, she’s in a numbing freefall. It was painful to see the way she had so completely tucked into herself and was starting to shut down … until Vincent. I think the romance of Kate and Vincent will go down as one of my favorite novel romances of all time if for no other reason than their love wasn’t easy.

When Kate discovers Vincent is a revenant and what that entails, she actually walks away. It seems like authors are so quick to get to the romance nowadays that they forget the reality. The reality is most teenage girls wouldn’t jump at the chance for a supernatural boyfriend. Most would be freaked as hell and would need a few weeks (as Kate does) to fully accept the implications of what that means. I love that while Kate was sweet and innocent she was also insecure and scared enough to admit that maybe she was in over her head. I love Amy Plum for letting the readers see that weakness.

I’ve read dozens of paranormal romances and mostly the reaction to finding out one’s significant other is not-so-human is either the immediate “that’s OK, I love you anyway even though we’ve only known each other for a few days” or an initial hesitation only to be replaced by wondrous ardor the next chapter. Plum doesn’t take the “easy” way out and her characters are all the richer for it.

No matter how epic the love, nor no matter how earth-shatteringly awesome the hero/heroine is, no story is complete without a dynamic cast of characters. Allow me to assure you that this book has that covered in spades. From Kate’s whimsical sister Georgia to Vincent’s enchanting kindred (I could seriously devour an entire series for each of these characters, and I may stage a riot if I don’t see some Ambrose/Charlotte in the next book), there is never a dull moment to be found.

Plum’s time spent in France clearly shows as the novel is rife with lush description that literally puts you in the scene with the characters as they walk the Parisian streets. I could almost smell the buttery crescent rolls baking and the warm aroma of cappuccinos as I turned the page. Her in-depth knowledge adds an extra layer that is as fantastical as the lights of Paris.

In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve fallen head-over-heels for this novel to the point where I’ve already pre-ordered it. I recommend anyone reading this review go and do the same. I promise you won’t regret it. I certainly don’t.

11 comments:

  1. So glad you liked it! This books sounds amazing! I've requested to review it through NetGalley but have yet to hear back from the publisher. *crosses fingers* here's to reading it soon!

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  2. Glad you love it! It's been sitting in my pile of e-galleys to read for a while but I finally started it last night.

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  3. I really, really, really want to read this! Sounds so different--and you can't go wrong with Paris as a backdrop. I was so bummed to get turned down for it on NetGalley :( But I've added it to my wishlist.

    Thanks for stopping by today and entering the giveaway! I'm your newest follower!

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  4. I'd heard a lot of murmurs about this book, but hadn't seen any reviews that made me want to read it until I saw yours. Now it's a must read for me! I love the fact that the female lead is hesitant to get involved with a boy that is not a normal teenage boy, and avoids him for awhile. It sounds griping!
    I'm definitely a new follower - well done on the review!
    Gena Robertson
    robertsongena@hotmail.com

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  5. I loved this book also!! I agree that the romance between Kate and Vincent was totally refreshing and much more realistic than most paranormal romances put forth. And who wouldn't love the Paris setting. Amazing, one of my favorite reads of 2011.

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  6. Hii.I have won it in a giveaway and completed reading it.I love this book!!Amy Plum did a great job of describing Paris with every minute detail:)

    name - sweety

    sweety225(at)rocketmail(dot)com

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  7. I really want to read this book! It sounds so great! Thanks for the review!!

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  8. I've had this book on my TBR list, but no other review that I have read has made me want to read it more than yours has! The story sounds wonderful, and the cover is soooo beautiful! Thanks!

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  9. Thanks for the great review! Die for Me is definitely going on my TBR shopping list!

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  10. Oooooo I really liked this book as well! Five stars from me!!!! I won it from Amy, and I have to say, for a book about "dead" people, I really like it!!!!! France is sooo beautifully described in this book!!! I believe Amy lives there, so it makes sense that she would have such a good feel of the setting. I love the characters too. Great debut!!! I read Until I Die and loved that one as well (although that ending... cliffhanger!).
    Great review!!!!! :)

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  11. I want to read this book soooo much! I have heard so many good things about it.

    Konstanz Silverbow
    nothoughts2small.blogspot.com

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