Review: Die For Me

Book: Die For Me
Author: Amy Plum
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 341
Source: KPL
Stars: 3.5/5

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

In this incandescent debut, newcomer Amy Plum has created a powerful paranormal mythology with immortal revenants. The Paris setting comes enchantingly alive as a relentless struggle between good and evil takes place in its streets. Rich with romance, atmosphere, and thrills, Die for Me will leave readers breathlessly awaiting its sequel.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:  

People have been recommending this book to me for forever, and I finally thought I'd listen! The whole idea of revenants — undead beings (who are not zombies!) with the irresistible compulsion to sacrifice their lives to save others — was definitely intriguing. 

And Amy Plum hit the mark with creating her world! The characters were so beautifully crafted that I found myself adoring every single revenant we were introduced to, especially Charlotte and Jules. Our heroine, Kate, was so intelligent and sweet that I completely loved her at first.  

But even though Kate and Vincent were great characters on their own, I just couldn't love them as a couple. It was too much insta-love without reason, too much talking about loving each other without showing, and too much not being able to function properly when apart — which I found really silly at times! I usually don't mind love-at-first-sight sorts of romances, but to me, this one felt forced. 

Still, with all of that aside, Die For Me was a pretty awesome debut! Original premise, great characters, and the beautiful Paris setting... It was enjoyable to read and the pacing made it easy to get lost in. I'm excited to see where the rest of the series is going! :)

BUY or BORROW?: I borrowed this book, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it! If you're into sweet and original novels, Die For Me is the perfect book for your shelf!

-Mimi