Book Review: Until I Die by Amy Plum.

Product details:
Publisher:Atom
Release date: May 3rd 2012.
Paperback, 320 pages.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Ages: 14+
Series: Revenants #2
Other books in series: Die For Me
Source: Received from publisher for review.

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

Please note: This book is part of a series. There may be spoilers for previous book in the series in this review.

With the same sumptuous prose and vivid imagery that brought the streets of Paris to life on the pages of her debut novel Die for Me, Amy Plum welcomes us back into the world of romance and revenants in Until I Die where Vincent and Kate must fight destiny and deadly enemies in their quest to be together.

In Die for Me Kate and Vincent fell in love in the City of Lights, while also finding the time to rid the world of the evil numa leader, Lucien, who wanted nothing more than to see Vincent’s head on a plate. So, with their arch-foe out of the way, it should be all plain sailing for our favourite couple from now on, right? No, not quite.

Kate knew that falling in love with an immortal boy would change her life forever.  After losing her parents, Vincent was the one who breathed life into her again, and now she can’t imagine ever being without him.  As a revenant, though, Vincent sacrifices himself to save the lives of others.  It’s his very reason for being. But how do you watch the boy you love die over and over again? The answer is you don’t. Kate can’t live that way, and Vincent wouldn’t expect her to. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to be with Kate, but if he can’t resist sacrificing himself to save innocent lives, then he’ll have to watch Kate grow old and die, while he remains forever young.

The fascinating history of the revenants is richly detailed as Kate and Vincent embark on separate and equally dangerous missions to uncover a solution to the problems that threaten to drive them apart.

Kate and Vincent’s is a love story that I truly can’t get enough of.  They have a beautiful romance, and while they are hopelessly besotted with each other, Plum is careful to add depth to their characters, which she does with a wonderful supporting cast of friends and family.  Though she is in love with Vincent, Kate doesn’t spend her every waking moment with her boyfriend.  The Kate of this book is different to the grief-stricken girl we met in Die for Me..  This Kate is fierce and feisty, and she’s more forthright too, particularly in her suggestive expressions and confessions to Vincent as their relationship progresses. Plum is mindful of her heroine too.  Kate always stays true to herself, no matter what the situation, and she always has time for her sister and her friends. She never lets her love for Vincent completely consume her, and she always makes time for others.

And why wouldn’t she? The friends that Kate makes in Paris are delightfully warm, the kind of characters that you’ll want to become friends with too.   In Die for Me I loved the sisterly dynamic of Kate and Georgia’s relationship, while her friendship with Charlotte, her revenant confidante, was one of my favourites. Though Charlotte is absent for much of this book, Kate makes a new friend in Violette, a centuries old revenant who has taken up residence in Paris.  Then there’s Ambrose who is charming as ever, and Jules, Vincent’s best friend who is an adorable flirt, especially whenever Kate is near.   I know a lot of readers had a soft spot for Jules after reading Die for Me, but  I glossed over his brilliance just a little, so blinded was I by my love for Vincent, and so fearful of the prospect of the dreaded love triangle. There is no love triangle here, though. Above all else, Jules is unflinchingly loyal to Vincent, and I love him for it.  All I’ll say is that I hope it stays that way!

Though some of the plot twists in this book didn’t come as any major surprise to me, I can tell you that nothing prepared me for the ending of this book. Oh, my heart. The final pages of Until I Die just killed me.  I really don’t know how I’m ever going to wait a whole year to find out what happens when the series concludes with If I Should Die in 2013.  I may be reduced to begging for an advance copy of that one. I need to know what happens next!

If you love Paranormal Romance, you can’t go wrong with this series.  It’s one of the best around, and I highly recommend it.