Review: If I Should Die by Amy Plum (Revenants #3)

Title: If I Should Die by

Published: May 7^th, 2013 by Harper Teen

Source: ARC (thanks to the wonderful Hannah from The Irish Banana)

Format: Paperback

Group age: Young adult

Genre: Paranormal / Romance

Challenge(s): 2013 Finish the series

Grade rate: A

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

My Review

Oh. My. Gosh!  Yep, it’s that good.  The Revenants series is another one that I’m very sad to see come to an end. Before I forget, let me get this out of my chest: I knew it!!!  Well, now that that’s over, on with the review.

If I Should Die was so darn good that I stayed up until one in the morning to be able to finish it (a fact that I paid for dearly the next day!).  I couldn’t put it down, it was SO good, with more action that its predecessors.  The book starts right where Until I Die ended, which was a cruel cliffhanger.  I really don’t want to spoil the book for you, but let’s just say that my worst fears came to fruition. But to our heroine Kate this just poses a challenge, a question that needs an answer and she is more than willing to find it in order to be with Vincent again. 

Kate becomes even more amazing in this book, more mature, resourceful and more of a leader.  It’s a good think that she found the guérisseurs in the previous book because Bran has a bigger and more important role here.  Vincent is (eventually), the same as always and I adore his complete surrender and love for Kate; it’s the stuff of dreams *sigh* Theirs is one of the most heartfelt and real romances, I love them as a couple! 

Oh Jules, I feel for you and I wish things were different.  I missed you! We meet a few new characters in this book and get to visit with old ones as well.  I enjoyed reading about Charlotte, Ambrose, Arthur, and most of all Georgia, she is a riot!  As you can guess, Plum’s characterization is outstanding.

There is a ‘war’ in this book and as such there are losses for both, the good and the bad guys.  It seems like there is so much that we (the reader) don’t know about the Revenants and even things that they don’t know because they were lost over the centuries.

The plot is awesome!  It might be a little too convenient, but it works for me.  The writing is beautiful, flawless, and well-paced.  I’m a fan of Amy Plum for life; since I turned the first page of  Die for Me!

I am very happy with If I Should Die, BUT think there is a lot of room for more books or maybe a companion series from Vincent’s point of view, just so we know what happens next with the Paris Revenants and with Georgia.  A lot of questions were answered, however, a lot more were raised and it is the beginning of Kate’s new life, I wish to know MORE. 

Some quotes for you: (please note that these are from the ARC and might change)

“And who do you think you are? Wonder Woman?”

“I would say Kate’s more Catwoman,”  Georgia commented. Much cooler. Less derivative.” – Ambrose and Georgia

“You are my life, Kate. I have been fighting my destiny to be with you, and after all that struggle I find myself powerless…  Something inside me that had been still and silent since my first death all of a sudden sparked and began to live again… - Vincent

About the cover: These covers are all beautiful. I like the view of Kate on the bridge, looking at the water and we can see a shadow reflected on the wall (presumably Vincent).  I also like the colors and the swirls.

Review: Until I Die by Amy Plum (Revenants #2)

Title: Until I Die by Amy Plum

Published: May 8^th by HarperCollins

Source: Purchased

Format: eBook (for Kindle)

Challenge(s): eBook

Grade rate: A-

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.

My Review

Just wow.  I simply adored Die For Me and I was eager to visit with Vincent and Kate again in Until I Die. This book was poignantly beautiful.

One of the main reasons I love this series is the characters.  Ms. Plum knows how to make each one of her characters into an individual that we learn to love or hate.  I really enjoy Jules (hint *can we get a happy ending for Jules?*), Georgia and Ambrose the most, although, as I said each one of these characters feels distinctive and alive.

I will not go on and on about Kate and Vincent, because we know them from the first book.  Let me just say this: I love you Vincent!  Now that that’s been said, we meet a few new characters in this installment, which I was very ambivalent about; I couldn’t bring myself to trust neither Violette nor Arthur.

The setting again plays a big role in the story. I mean, what could be more romantic than Paris?  The story and the mythology of the revenants and the numa is very original and in Until I Die we get a lot more details that we didn’t know.  The plot was well crafted, but the pace was slower than the first book.  The writing is beautiful, it takes real talent to communicate really deep feelings, like the ones between Vincent and Kate, their sense of desperation and urgency to be together.

I still cannot believe the ending and I am hoping for a miracle, because I refuse to believe it!  That cannot have happened.  Needless to say, I cannot wait for If I Should Die, due to be published on May of next year. 

About the cover: This over is also beautiful.  I like the swirls, and the font.  The colors are appropriately darker in this book. 

Review: Die for Me (Revenants #1)

Title: Die for Me by Amy Plum
Published: May 10, 2011 by HarperTeen
Source: Bought for Kindle

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.

Review

I love paranormal and this is one of the best ones I have read this year so far.  Ms. Plum's writing is exquisite, so down to earth and easy to digest.  The novel has a similarity to Twilight in the sense of the innocent girl falling in love with the immortal handsome boy.  But, for me, that is were the similarity ends.  Die for Me introduces a new premise in the revenats, kind of an undead (zombie?) beings with a compulsion for saving lives. 

The characters in the novel were very well developed.  I felt that I got to know and like Kate a lot. Vincent is a boy after my own heart.  He has lived for a while, and knows that what he has found with Kate is precious and he treats it as such.  Their relationship was believable and so sweet.  I can't wait to see what happens next to this lovely couple!

The secondary characters don't necessarily take second place as they were also well developed and complement the story nicely.  The setting of the story, Paris, is another main character in the story and the descriptions of the buildings, river, bridges, all made Paris come alive in the pages of the story. 

If you love paranormal and are looking for something new that is also full of romance, this is the book for you.  Great debut!  The sequel, 'Until I Die' will not be published until next year, oh the agony.  Check out Ms. Plum's website, specially the extras (*wink*)

About the cover:  The cover is so pretty, the red makes it pop and the model facing away from gives it an air of mystery.  You can see Paris in the background which is very appropriate.  I also love the swirls.