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Darynda Jones, author of The New York Times bestselling series that began with First Grave on the Right, brings us Death and the Girl Next Door, a thrilling Young Adult novel garnering high praise and early buzz from major authors
Ten years ago, Lorelei's parents disappeared without a trace. Raised by her grandparents and leaning on the support of her best friends, Lorelei is finally beginning to accept the fact that her parents are never coming home. For Lorelei, life goes on.
High school is not quite as painful as she thinks it will be, and things are as normal as they can be. Until the day the school's designated loner, Cameron Lusk, begins to stalk her, turning up where she least expects it, standing outside her house in the dark, night after night. Things get even more complicated when a new guy—terrifying, tough, sexy Jared Kovach—comes to school. Cameron and Jared instantly despise each other and Lorelei seems to be the reason for their animosity. What does Jared know about her parents? Why does Cameron tell Jared he can't have Lorelei? And what will any of them do when Death comes knocking for real? Thrilling, sassy, sexy, and inventive, Darynda Jones's first foray into the world of teens will leave readers eager for the next installment.
"Unique, witty, and touching—I LOVED THIS BOOK!" —P.C. Cast, New York Times bestselling author of The House of Night Series
Winner of the 2009 Golden Heart® for Best Paranormal Romance for her manuscript First Grave on the Right, New York Times bestselling author DARYNDA JONES can't remember a time when she wasn't putting pen to paper.
TRAITOR
The small town of Riley’s Switch, New Mexico, had only one coffeehouse, so that’s where I sat with my two best friends, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that only two of us would make it out of there alive. Though I did tend to exaggerate.
The fresh scent of pine from the surrounding mountains, which mingled with the rich aroma of coffee, lingered forgotten. In its place was a tense silence. It thickened the air around us. Emotions soared and rage simmered as I glowered at the traitor sitting across from me, waiting for him to flinch, to cower under my scrutiny. I would make his life a living heck if it were the last thing I did. Mostly because I wasn’t allowed to use the word Hell, being the granddaughter of a pastor and all. Otherwise, Casey Niyol Blue-Spider, aka the Glitch, would be toast.
“I swear, Lorelei,” he said, caving at last as a telling bead of sweat trickled down his temple, “I didn’t take it.” He shifted nervously in his seat and scanned the Java Loft, most likely to see if anyone was paying attention to the unscrupulous activities going on right under their noses. Since we were the only patrons in the place, probably not. “And even if I did, and I’m not saying I did,” he added, jabbing an index finger toward me, “who the heck cares?”
I lowered my voice, controlled the tone and inflection of every word, every syllable, striving to make myself sound menacing. I took up a mere five feet of vertical air space, so menacing was not always easy for me to accomplish. Slipping into a cryptic grin, I said, “You realize the minute I touch your hand, I’ll know the truth.”
His gaze darted to the hand he’d wrapped around his whipped almond toffee cappuccino with nonfat milk, and he jerked it back out of my reach. His hand. Not the whipped almond toffee cappuccino with nonfat milk.
My best friend Brooklyn leaned in to me and whispered, “You know he accidentally deleted seventeen songs off your classic rock playlist, right? And he used your toothbrush once without asking.” She glared at him, the contempt in her eyes undeniable. “I say make the traitor squirm.”
Glitch’s jaw tightened, and I could sense his inevitable defeat like a dog senses fear.
“Tag-teaming?” he asked, indignant. “Isn’t that a little unsportsmanlike?”
“Not for a couple of heartless dames like us,” Brooklyn said.
I turned to her with a smile. “Oh, my god, I love it when you talk pulp-fiction detective.”
“I know, right?” she said, her dark skin and brown eyes a picture of joy.
Brooke and I met when we threw down in the third grade. By the end of my first and only catfight, I had a few missing hairs, a broken fingernail, and a new best friend. And we were practically twins. If not for the fact that she had long sable hair, chestnut skin, and light brown eyes, and I had curly auburn hair, pasty white skin, and eyes the bizarre color of chimney smoke, people would never be able to tell us apart. Probably because we were both exactly five feet tall. Not a centimeter more. Not a centimeter less. It was eerie.
In choreographed unison, we refocused on the slimeball sitting across from us.
“Spill,” she said.
“Okay, sheesh.” He pushed back his cappuccino and folded his arms over his chest, a defensive gesture that only added fuel to my suspicions. “I admit it. I had a copy of the test beforehand, but I didn’t steal it.”
“I knew you cheated.” I reached across the table and whacked him on the arm. Thankfully, Glitch wasn’t much bigger than either of us, so the punch quite possibly registered somewhere deep in the scary depths of his boy mind. Or that was my hope, anyway. “You blew the curve, Glitch.”
Guilt washed over him. I could tell by the thin line of his lips, the chin tucked in shame.
“You’re such a wiener,” Brooklyn said. “I really needed those extra points.”
“And where on planet Earth did you get a copy of the test?” I had to admit, I was more than a little astonished. And a tad jealous.
He shook his head. “No way. I’m not giving up my source. And besides, you both got B’s. It’s not like you failed the stupid thing.”
Brooklyn reached over, curled a fist into his T-shirt, and pulled him forward until their noses were mere inches apart. “Clearly you do not understand the innate intricacies and often illogical drives of an A freak.” She let go, disgusted. “I hate your guts.”
“No, you don’t.” He took a swig of his cappuccino, unconcerned.
Like Brooklyn, Glitch was a bona fide child of two nations, with dark, coppery skin from his Native American father and hazel green eyes, compliments of his Irish-American mother. And thanks to a compromise between the two, he had the coolest name on earth: Casey Niyol Blue-Spider. The mix of ethnicities gave him a rich, enigmatic attraction. Though he hardly needed to, he kept his short black hair spiked with blond highlights in an attempt to make himself seem wild and unpredictable, which was always good for a laugh. Glitch was about as wild and unpredictable as a carrot stick. Though he did have an unnatural fear of turtles that was interesting.
“You’re just intimidated by my manly physique.”
Brooke snorted. “This coming from a boy who’s barely tall enough to get on the roller coaster at the state fair without a permission slip from his parents.”
His grin took on an evil luster. “Least I get on, short pants.”
“Oh yeah? Well, at least I wasn’t voted most likely to acquire gainful employment as Santa’s elf.”
“Guys, guys,” I said, holding up my hands for a cease-fire. “We can’t fling short jokes at each other when we’re all short. It’s just not effective.”
“That’s true,” Brooklyn said in disappointment.
“No, it’s not. I am three, count them, three”—he held up three fingers for us to count—“inches taller than the likes of you two. I can’t believe I’m willing to be seen in public with either of you.”
“Glitch,” Brooklyn said, a warning edge in her voice, “I will stab you in the face if you ever speak to me again.”
He squinted at her, completely unmoved, then turned to me and asked, “So, did your grandmother get her computer running?”
“No. You’re just going to have to stop by sometime and fix it.”
“Cool.” He smiled in anticipation. “What’s for dinner tonight?”
I knew he’d do that. Brooke had already invited herself over, claiming she needed to upload her assignment because the Internet at her house was down. Glitch would come over, fix my grandmother’s computer in about ten minutes, and then my two best friends would spend the rest of the evening keeping me company.
It was the same every year. For a week before until a week after the anniversary of my parents’ disappearance, they spent almost every waking moment with me, watching over me, seeing to my every need. They were amazing. I’m not sure what they thought I would do if left alone—I’d never been particularly suicidal—but they were the dearest friends a girl could ask for. The air seemed to turn dreary this time of year, thick and heavy, so having them around did help. And I totally loved being waited on hand and foot, so naturally I milked it for all it was worth.
The bell jingled, announcing a new customer before I could answer Glitch, but I was busy prying my fingers apart anyway. I’d spilled mocha cappuccino over them—hot mocha cappuccino—when I tried to add a sprinkle of cinnamon earlier, and few things were more disturbing than sticky fingers. Forest fires, perhaps. And people who claimed to have been abducted by aliens.
“I have to wash my hands before we go.”
“Okay.” Brooklyn rummaged through her bag and pulled out her phone for a quick check as I scooted out of the booth, grateful for the excuse. For some reason, the fact that my parents had been gone almost ten years exactly, like some kind of milestone anniversary, had me more melancholy than usual. “I’ll keep an eye on the traitor,” Brooke continued, “until we can decide what to do with him.”
“Do you need ideas?” Glitch asked, turning feisty. “I know lots of things you could do to me.”
“Do any of them involve piano wire and a razor blade?”
I laughed to myself and headed toward the back of our favorite and pretty much only hangout. It sat a mere block from our alma mater, Riley High, and we practically lived in our corner booth. I ducked past the snack counter and into a very dark back hall. Judging by the boxes lining the narrow passage, I’d be taking my life into my hands if I risked a journey to the little señorita’s room without illumination, so I ran my hand along a paneled wall. Where would I be if I were a light switch? Just as the tips of my fingers found the switch, a silhouette stepped out of the shadows and brushed past me. I startled with a gasp.
“Excuse me,” I said, placing a hand over my heart.
“Sorry.” The guy paused slightly before continuing on his way, and in that instant, I saw the makings of utter perfection: a long arm with shadowy curves that dipped around the fluid lines of muscle; a tall, wide shoulder; dark hair that curled playfully over an ear and led to a strong, masculine jaw. Something inside me lurched, craving a closer look at his face, but he walked by too fast and the hall was too dark for me to catch anything else.
After a couple of seconds, I realized my hand had brushed against his arm. It was enough to send a vision crashing into me, like the flash of a nuclear bomb, bright and unforgiving. Tamping down my surprise—I hadn’t had a vision in a very long time—I pressed shaking fingers to my forehead to wait out the familiar storm, to see what treasures would wash ashore in the aftermath.
Yet the things I saw were unreal, impossible, and certainly not of this world: A desolate landscape lay before me with scorched clouds and a roiling, violet sky. The air was stagnant and so impossibly thick, breathing it took effort. Then I heard the clanging of metal. I turned to watch in horror as a being, a boy of no more than sixteen or seventeen, fierce and somehow not quite human, struggled with a dark, monstrous beast. The boy’s arms corded as tendon and muscle strained against the weight of the sword he wielded. He slashed again and again, but the monster was fast, with razorlike talons and sharp, gleaming teeth, and the boy knew what those teeth felt like when they sank into flesh, knew the blinding pain that accompanied defeat. But he also knew the power he himself wielded, the raw strength that saturated every molecule of his body.
Another herculean effort landed a thrust in the monster’s shoulder and continued through its thick chest. The monster sank under the boy’s sword with a guttural scream. The boy looked on while the beast writhed in pain, watched it grow still as the life drained out of it, and somewhere in the back of the boy’s mind, he allowed himself to register the burning of his lungs as he struggled to fill them with air.
Blood trickled between his fingers, down the length of his blade, and dripped to the powdery earth beneath his feet. I followed the trail of blood up to three huge gashes across his chest. Evidently three of the monster’s claws had met their mark, laying the flesh of its enemy open. I gasped and covered my mouth with both hands as the boy spun toward me, sword at the ready. Squinting against the low sun, I could almost make out his features, but the vision evaporated before I got the chance. A heartbeat later, I was back in the dark hallway, gasping for air, one palm pressed against my temple, the other against the wall for balance.
I squeezed my eyes shut, fought the memory of the vision, the fear that summoned the taste of bile in the back of my throat, the feel of blood dripping down the boy’s arm.
Ever since I could remember, I had a tendency to see random flashes of inconsequential situations in my head, which, by definition, could point to any number of debilitating diseases. I wasn’t psychic or anything. I couldn’t conjure visions whenever I wanted. Images just seemed to crystallize in my mind out of nowhere, and at the most inopportune times too, shimmering like reflections off water. Sometimes they were just flashes of nonsense, glimpses of the impossible, like a rip in the afternoon sky that let night seep through. Nothing ever came of those.
But sometimes the visions either had been or would be, as though I could see into both the past and the future. Like the one time I accidentally saw into the past after touching my grandfather’s hand. He had been a thousand miles away, and I caught a glimpse of the first time he laid eyes on Grandma. She’d tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she walked to class with her friends, only to have the wind toss it back across her face. She laughed and tried again, and I felt the tug of interest in Grandpa the minute it hit him.
The ability rocked, I admit. But never in my life had I seen anything with so much punch, so much texture.
I hurried to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. Clearly that had been one of those flashes of nonsense. But it seemed so real. I could feel the weight of the air, the depletion of the boy’s energy as he fought, his limbs shaking from exertion and from adrenaline as it pumped through his powerful body.
I blinked and forced myself back to the present, forced myself to calm. Stepping back into the hall, I glanced around in search of the dark-headed boy, to no avail. Disappointment washed over me. For one thing, I wanted a better look. For another, I wanted a better look. The first was for obvious girl reasons. Those arms. That jaw. Who could blame me? The second was because of what I’d just seen. Surely my vision was metaphorical in some way. Scorched clouds in violet skies didn’t exist. And thankfully, neither did that beast.
I must’ve been in the restroom longer than I’d thought. Brooke and Glitch were waiting for me outside. But I couldn’t get those images out of my head. I’d never seen anything like them in my life.
As I grabbed my backpack with a shaking hand, I sensed someone watching. I turned to see Cameron Lusk sitting in a booth, his shoulder-length blond hair visible even in the shadowy corner. Though we lived in a small town and Cameron and I were in the same sophomore class, we hadn’t spoken in forever. He was more the loner type, scowling at anyone who tried to communicate with him. But still, he was right there. It would be rude of me not to acknowledge his surly existence.
“Hey, Cameron,” I said as I fished a tip out of my bag and turned back to our table.
“Your friends already left a tip,” the barista said from behind the counter. “See you tomorrow.” She grinned at me, knowing I’d be back. If I remembered correctly, she’d graduated a couple of years earlier and had gone off to college in Albuquerque. Must not have worked out, since she was now a barista in a small-town coffee shop. Or it worked out perfectly, and she’d gone to college to become a barista in a small-town coffee shop. Hard to imagine, but okay.
“See ya,” I said before glancing at Cameron again. He took the whole brooding thing way too seriously. The glare he’d graced me with could have frozen heck itself. “See you tomorrow, Cameron.”
He lifted a finger in acknowledgment. I felt oddly honored.
“What took you so long?” Brooklyn asked as I stepped into the late-afternoon sun. New Mexico was nothing if not sunny, even where we lived in the Manzano Mountains.
“Did you see that boy?” I asked, scanning the street.
“Cameron?” Brooklyn asked. If the distaste wasn’t clear in her tone, the wrinkling of her nose would have said it all.
“No, a dark-haired boy, tall and really, really muscular.”
Brooklyn jumped to attention and joined me in the search, turning every which way. “What boy? I didn’t see a boy. Especially not a tall, dark, and muscular one.”
Glitch peered in through the coffee shop window. “I didn’t see anyone either. Maybe you imagined him.”
“I had a vision,” I said breathlessly, and two sets of eyes widened on me. I knew we’d spend the rest of the evening talking about what I’d seen. If my vision was even remotely authentic, something very dreadful was about to happen to that boy.
Copyright © 2012 by Darynda Jones
**Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Darynda Jones for providing the review copy.**
I always wondered what all the hype was about whenever Darynda Jones’ Charlie Davidson series popped up. I have yet to read said series, so I still don’t know what all the excitement is for...but what I do know is why Darynda Jones is so popular among teens and adults alike. It’s her writing style. Humorous, fun, light or in a one word description - entertaining. Death and the Girl Next Door was an exceptional start to the Darklight series. It left me wanting more! I just loved it!
The storyline of this book was very interesting. Where the idea of reapers, angels and nephilim has all been done before, I found that Death and the Girl Next Door was original in the sense of presenting prophets as part of the paranormal world. I don’t think I have read a PN book with prophets - so that was something highly fascinating. But what’s even more intriguing is the idea of a past bloodline of prophets. The bloodline of Arabeth - which our heroine belongs to. I loved how Ms. Jones intertwined historic elements with modern paranormal ideas, creating a wonderful world for all readers to delve into.
I have to say, where I liked and enjoyed the storyline, it was the characters that really drew me in. Lorlei was very kickass. She is smart, a great friend and she has prophetic visions! How cool is that!? I really enjoyed Lorlei’s determined personality. She handled every situation head on, and accepted her powers exceptionally well. The best thing about Lorlei was her authoritative side when it came to Jared and Cam. Every time they would begin an argument (that would lead to an all out battle) she put her foot down and told them to stop acting like 2-year olds. It was very funny. Although, I’ll admit, I did find her annoying at times, but that’s a minor detail amongst all the good in her.
Now, this is where the good news come in. In the synopsis, it seems as if we are going into yet another love triangle. But don’t fret, we DID NOT have a love triangle. Yes, we have two guys - Jared and Cam - but only one of them is the love interest, and that would be Jared. I liked his relationship with Lorlei, but I found the romance to be cheesy at times and I thought the main characters “fell in love” way to quickly. Not that the romance was bad - it wasn’t - the story had plenty of swoon to dish out, I just thought it progressed too fast. That’s probably why (as much as I loved Jared) I found Cam much more interesting. Cam is the typical bad boy of the story. Where he and Lorlei don’t share anything romantic, I loved his character and determination to keep her safe. He was very mysterious and very likeable - what the hero of the book should be like.
My favourite aspect of this book, is the role that friendship plays in the story. Lorlei’s two best friends - Brooklyn and Glitch were amazing! They both had such distinct personalities, that it’s impossible not to like them. They were both hilarious and fun- and I loved their constant bickering with each other. Plus, they always stuck by Lorlei's side whenever she was in trouble. They were supportive and took care of Lorlei just like any close knit family would do. I couldn't get enough of them.
Full of great dialogue, characters and non-stop action & mystery, Death and the Girl Next Door definitely got me hooked. After the crazy turn of events in the ending, I am anxious to get my hands on the next book, Deat
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.4 1/2 Stars I love the fact that Darynda has decided to write a YA series. There are so many of us that LOVE the Charley Davidson series, but since it is a little graphic in places, it's not really appropriate for younger teens to read. Death and the Girl Next Door, the first book in the Darklight series is perfect for those who want a PG-13 version of Darynda's snarky writing. But with a new series there is the obvious drawback - having to wait months until the next installment. Being a Darynda Jones fangirl, I dove head first into Death and the Girl Next Door with the unwavering knowledge that I was going to LOVE every page. Now that I have finished the book I can officially say, I loved it - but not every last page. There is a point (about midway) when the forward momentum of the story seemed to stall a bit. This doesn't last for long before the pace picks up again. Just when I had pretty much figured out what was going on, another layer got added to the story! This made the end of the book hard to deal with - not because the story didn't have an awesome cliffhanger, but it made it hard BECAUSE there was an awesome cliffhanger. *Sigh* I am not going to dwell on the fact that I have to wait five months until Death, Doom and Detention, I am just going to start counting the days until Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet is released.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Death and the Girl Next Door is a wonderful portrayal of originality and a likable cast of characters. Darynda Jones is a master at writing for teens and it shows in the voice of heroine Lorelei and her best friends, Glitch and Brooklyn. Lorelei makes this story entertaining and easy-flowing, especially with her open mind toward the supernatural.
The story progresses quickly, but Jones does an excellent job of pacing and giving us enough time to connect to the characters and their situation. Death and the Girl Next Door begins Lorelei's story at the 10 year anniversary of her parents' disappearance. While her friends are on duty to keep her light-hearted in spirit, Lorelei is trying to decipher why resident loner and tough guy Cameron Lusk has been stalking her. When Jared Kovach walks into the story everything changes for Lorelei and, inevitably, the plot unravels with secrets, danger, and a deep romance.
Secrets play a big role, and not all are revealed. The biggest secrets will come as a surprise to readers, but they're not completely shocking given the paranormal theme of the story. Nevertheless, readers will come back for more in the next addition of the series, Death, Doom, and Detention. Jones does a fantastic job keeping reader interest throughout the story. Her introduction of the Angel of Death and a supernatural history that defies the laws of reality will hopefully put and keep Death and the Girl Next Door on the bestseller list!
*Paperback received from publisher in exchange for an honest review*
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 16, 2013
Darynda Jones has done it again. Totally engrossing and fabulous. I thinm it may have been even better than Death and the girl next door which I loved. Great story telling and compelling characters. Always wanting more. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
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Posted March 3, 2013
A great book, looking foward to the next two.
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Posted February 17, 2013
Really enjoyed and can't wait for second book.
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Posted January 6, 2013
Love the grave series so i decided to give this book a go. Loved it and can't wait for the next book in this series.
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Posted December 24, 2012
Well written story that would make a great read for early teens . I liked the fact that the girl was real and likeable with the romantic lead a little bit bad boy.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Brought to you by OBS reviewer Autumn
*Beware of possible Spoilers*
Lorelei McAlister knew she was a bit different. But everyone feels like that in high school, right? Her friends, Brooklyn and Glitch, have always been there to support her and in the end that’s all that matters.
All that matters until she realizes that the very same day she finds the school loner, Cameron, has been following her, a mysterious new boy makes his appearance at Riley High. Lorelei can’t believe how beautiful Jared is (He’s a total supernova!) but when she accidentally makes contact with him, she sees only fear and destruction. Of course, it’s just her luck that the only boy she has ever been interested in might just be the Angel of Death.
As the story unfolds, Lorelei and her friends all have a part to play in the war between heaven and hell. Nothing is as it seems and sometimes you can’t help but break all the rules.
Death and the Girl Next Door is Jones’ first venture into the “Young Adult” genre and she really makes the grade. Her characters are funny, intelligent and lovable. The boys (I’m Team Cameron!) are mysterious and totally swoon worthy. The banter is hilarious and the plot is complex. My only reservation was that the story was a bit slow in the beginning but I was not at all disappointed with the outcome. The next installment of the trilogy, Death, Doom and Detention, is set for release in March 2013 and I can’t wait to see where Darynda takes it from here.
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Anonymous
Posted December 6, 2012
I really enjoyed this book even though I am far from a young adult. Characters were fun and I enjoyed the banter between them. Good quick read
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Posted November 25, 2012
Great read!! This it isn't her Charley Davidson series BUT it walks a very fine line of being a remake of it....HOWEVER, putting that aside Darynda writes a AWESOME story, her characters are always fleshed out, life like and believable. I enjoyed this book and cant wait until the next one comes out
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Death and the Girl Next Door is a fun, fun novel! Darynda Jones definitely doesn't slack on the sarcasm in this story. All the teenagers are hilarious, and have the sarcasm going on. I honestly can say I don't have a favorite character. Lorelei (Lor) is the main character, and she’s strong and witty. I quickly identified with Lor as she’s only five feet tall…yeah, I’m short, too. I love all these teens. Brookly and Glitch are Lor's two best friends. Jared and Cameron are the two gorgeous supernatural guys. Jared is in love with Lor, and Cameron is Lor's protector (no love triangle).
Lorelei sees visions, and when she meets Jared, the gorgeous new guy at her school, he's to die for, literally. And when the gorgeous loner guy Cameron starts stalking her, Jared and Cameron have instant hate for each other, and as they’re trying to kill each, little Lor is caught in the middle. But all she can do is drop some shin kicks between these two six-feet tall supernaturals. Lor’s life just got complicated; who she thought she was, is
not who she really is, and Jared is a big part of that complication and mystery.
Lor can't keep her eyes off Jared, let alone her hands. Lor is Jared's forbidden fruit; she will be the death of him. This is kind of morbid for Jared considering who he is. Lor and Jared’s romance is sweet and deadly, and one I want more of.
Death and the Girl Next Door is absolutely hilarious. I loved these five teens that fight against the dark side. I recommend this novel as a great, fun paranormal read!
I recently got into reading Darynda's Charley Davidson series and had to read this one as I loved her writing style. I am happy to see that style translated over to this book. It was a really cute read that I loved. Lorelei is not your typical teen but we soon learn she is way more than that. I loved her character and how the author made her so independent and so snarky. She is really cool and witty. I loved that she was just a little bit different too but if she only knew just how different she really was.
We start this book with Lor being a typical teenager enjoying her life until things take a drastic change for her in the form of Cameron and Jared. These boys are both so different in some many ways and we really learn just how different as the book goes on. I loved everything about both of them even if they were both a little too eager to always fight and be a little crazy. It made for an entertaining read though especially when they would argue with each other. I loved that Lor could make them listen to her though and tone down their issues around her. She had a calming effect on both of them.
Lor learns pretty quickly some really interesting facts about herself and the boys and whoa was it a doozy. I have to say I didn't see that coming. I loved the world that the author created too of the small town life and the high school drama that Lor dealt with too. It was a great look into that world. The author did a good job of creating such complex characters that had some serious issues to deal with. I loved that they all tried to stay as normal as possible though throughout it all.
Overall this was a great read and I loved everything about it. The world building and character development was well thought out. I loved the pace of the book and how it all flowed so well. It made for a really enjoyable read. I loved this book and can't wait for the next installment.I think you should check this one out for a great read.
I received this book for free for review from the publisher and that in no way infulenced my review.
Death and the Girl Next Door had a promising synopsis and I had high hopes for this novel, however I was mildly disappointed. From the first page I felt this novel was lacking in maturity, whether in characters or plot. The characters were a bit childish and two dimentional while the plot felt a bit slow and then very rushed and confusing in the middle and the end.
Characters: I personally could not connect or even much care for any of the characters in this novel. The main protagonist Lorelei was forgettable, I honestly don't remember much about her and I've only read this novel a couple of days ago. She was smitten at first sight by Jared and I just didn't comprehend how they have surpassed their confessions of love and went straight into angst over how they can ever be together and if their love is strong enough to go through it all. I did however enjoy Cameron, he was funny, and while he did feel a bit of a boy with the way he picks fights left and right, he was at least better than the brooding Jared. Don't get me wrong, I love brooding bad boys but Jared just couldn't pull it off. Plot: oh boy, I really didn't like how the author randomly jumped into action when one second they were sitting down chilling and the next windows are breaking and blood is being splattered. Then the next second the two main characters are kissing each other while everything else broke loose. I just felt I couldn't really follow the action and I just felt it was a bit absurd with the way the plot developed.
While I had a ton of issues with this novel, I did enjoy it and never thought about stopping the novel. I just hoped that the plot was complex enough but didn't leave us wondering on the intentions of all the characters and I just hoped the characters and romance were better developed. All in all, I know many people who have enjoyed this novel and if you are a paranormal fan, then you should check this one out!
Anonymous
Posted October 8, 2012
This book was fantastic and way more then expected. I loved the banter between Brooklyn, Glitch and Lorelli not to mention you could practically feel the tension between Cameron and the "reaper". I definitly am exctied about the next book in the series!! Way to go Mrs. Jones!!
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Posted November 2, 2012
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Anonymous
Posted October 27, 2012
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Posted February 10, 2013
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Posted May 6, 2013
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Posted October 29, 2012
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Overview
Darynda Jones, author of The New York Times bestselling series that began with First Grave on the Right, brings us Death and the Girl Next Door, a thrilling Young Adult novel garnering high praise and early buzz from major authors
Ten years ago, Lorelei's parents disappeared without a trace. Raised by her grandparents and leaning on the support of her best friends, Lorelei is finally beginning to accept the fact that her parents are ...