Friday 18 March 2011

Book Review: Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting.


Product details:
Publisher: Headline Book Publishing.
Release date: March 17th 2011.
Paperback, 358 pages.
Rating: 4½ out of 5.
Ages: 14+
Series: The Body Finder #2.
Other books in series: The Body Finder.
Source: Received from publisher for review.

The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.

When Violet Ambrose's morbid ability to sense the echoes of those who've been murdered leads her to the body of a young boy, she draws the attention of the FBI. She is reluctantly pulled into an investigation that will endanger more than just her secret...but her relationship and possibly her life as well.



Oh, how I swooned over The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting. That book grabbed me right from the first page, and made me fall completely and utterly in total book love. Then there was Jay, who I also fell completely and utterly in love with. Oh, swoon! If you are a regular reader of this blog, or if you follow me on twitter, you will know that I literally never stop talking about Jay Heaton! Out of all my book boyfriends, Jay is my number one. So, with all this in mind, you can imagine I how excited I was for this sequel, and I can safely say that Desires of the Dead totally impressed me. It’s a taut, fast-paced mystery, with the same great characters you’ve come to know and love, and of course, that hot romance that fans of the series just can’t get enough of!

For Violet, Desires of the Dead is all about her coming of age, self discovery and the realisation that her ability may lead to greater possibilities than she ever imagined. Three months on from that fateful night at the school prom, Violet is coming to terms with what her ability to sense the dead might mean for the future.  When Violet senses an echo and takes matters into her own hands, she unwittingly attracts the attention of an FBI agent and her mysterious co-worker, and these two might be about to change Violet’s life forever…

While the storyline here is multi-layered and engrossing, I will say that Desires of the Dead lacks a little of the suspense of The Body Finder, especially the darkly sinister elements of the first book that really made it stand apart from anything else I've read in YA literature. I loved the inclusion of the Seven Deadly Sins chapters here, and a certain stalker element that had Vi seething with jealousy, but I did think that the mystery here was more predictable than before. What this one lacked in suspense, it more than made up for in the hot romance department though! Oh yes!

In The Body Finder, we saw Jay and Violet transition from best friends to boyfriend and girlfriend. Watching their relationship unfold was adorable, and here their relationship naturally progresses and goes through changes. Jay and Vi have their ups and downs for sure. Their relationship is unique in the love-at-first-sight world of YA literature. It’s totally real, very relatable, and oh, so romantic!

While I have always liked Violet, it’s safe to say that she can be very stubborn and she sometimes doesn’t make the best choices. Here she is reluctant to confide in Jay because of the change in their dynamic. I didn’t entirely understand this at first. She’s been through so much with Jay, and has no reason to distrust him. But this is all about Violet finding her own way, and she does that. And then she realizes that she doesn’t have to do it all on her own. Awww…

Can I dedicate some time to Jay now!! I didn’t think I could love Jay more than I did in The Body Finder, but after reading this one, oh I do! Jay is the sweetest, most perfect guy ever! I love his sexy, lopsided grin. I love that he’s so hot, and is completely oblivious to that fact – guys like that are so totally appealing! And I love how he is so protective of Violet – her rock, her constant, and always there for her. I could probably go on for days about Jay, but, OK, I’ll stop now!

With Violet learning more about her ability and the new world of possibilities it brings to this series I seriously can’t wait to find out what happens next. I also think that the introduction of FBI agent, Sara Priest, and the mysterious Rafe with his connection to Vi means that things are about to get even more interesting in her already drama-filled life.  I am especially intrigued by Rafe, and what he might bring to the table. Hmmm...yes, indeed!   I have no idea where book #3 will take us, but I can't wait to read more about Violet and Jay. I hope I don't have to wait too long for my next fix!

17 comments :

  1. Fantastic review! I gave this one 4.5 out of 5 stars as well. I agree that it was good, but you are right- it lacked some of the suspense that TBF had. I also had issues with Violet not confiding in our favorite character, Jay. That part was frustrating for me. But, I completely agree with you regarding Jay. He's such a dreamy guy. I'm intrigued by Rafe as well....can't wait for book three!

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  2. I finally gave in and bought The Body Finder. I am excited to meet Jay :D Glad to hear that the second book is great as well.

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  3. Love your review! I am a big Jay fan too. He is the perfect literary boyfriend and I am glad to hear the romance is just an amazing as the first book :)

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  4. I cannot wait to read this. I love the relationshiop Jay and Violet have and I'm glad to hear that they are still together in the sequal. :) Great review.

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  5. I couldn't agree more with your thoughts on this one Leanna! I thought the mystery was much more predictable, but I loved the romance element. JAY!!!! And I agree on Violet, her continuing to go out alone when she has Jay and her family supporting her was frustrating, but I still loved this one overall:)

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  6. Gahhhh would you believe I've yet to read book one?! It's sitting on my shelf, and I hear rave reviews, so I think I need to tackle it soon. Fabulous review of a book that sounds equally amazing. :)

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  7. I must read this one soon. It is sitting by my computer waiting to be read. I loved the first one.

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  8. Gah! had to skip it since I have yet to read the first. Hear wonderful things about the series!

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  9. Tsk! You people who haven't read TBF - what are you waiting for?!! :-p

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  10. I wouldn't believe myself that I have not read TBF yet!

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  11. LOOOVEDDD this book <333 And I think Rafe is going to stir up soem trouble in the love department! He's adorable<333 But I LOVE JAY. He's the best boyfriend ever :) I'd take him.

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  12. I think a lot of people liked Rafe in this one, but I didn't really think of him like that. I guess I'm blinded by my love for Jay! Gawd, I am going to cry if there are bad times in store for Jay!!

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  13. I enjoyed the first book, especially the suspense. Sorry to hear this one doesn't have the same mystery feeling as The Body Finder. But glad to hear Violet and Jay's relationship is growing. However, she needs to let him in! Who is this Rafe? I'm looking forward to this one. Fab review!

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  14. Yay! I love this review! I do a little inner happy dance every time I think of Jay :) My copy just came in the mail yesterday!

    I also put up my Unearthly review comparison today featuring your review :)

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  15. I haven't read this one yet and am so excited to find out that we get to fall even more in love with Jay. It's too bad though that this one lacks some of the suspense because that's what I loved about The Body Finder.

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  16. @Julie - Oh, Rafe is a mystery! I have a feeling more will be revealed in the next book!

    @Small - I stopped by. Love the review comparision!

    @Canadian Girl - Jay is even dreamier in this book. I love him so!!

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  17. Great review. I really enjoyed Desires of the Dead mainly because I wanted to see more of Jay and Violet's relationship. Although I thought Body Finder was way more creepy than this was I still liked both these characters.

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