Darkness Becomes Her (Gods & Monsters #1) by Kelly Keaton
YA Paranormal
February 22, 2011
Hardcover, 288 Pages
Simon Pulse

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “I want vengeance.”

Ari has always felt alone and different; be it her strange colored eyes or her long silver hair that cannot be be cut or changed. When she sets out to find out about her birth mother, she discovers a whole new world filled with vampires, a vengeful goddesses, and a prophesy that changes her life forever.

Seventeen year old Aristanae (Ari) Selkirk has been in foster care since birth, abandoned by her mother as a baby. When she sets out to find her mother she learns that she had herself committed and took her own life. All that is left is a shoebox. Inside is a letter addressed to Ari claiming that the woman of their family are cursed and for her to run and hide for they will find her and kill her. Unsure who “they” are, Ari decides to travel to New 2, a post hurricane ravaged section of New Orleans that houses the world’s paranormals and ruled by 9 families. As she prepares to leave for New 2, she is attacked by an unknown man who tries to kill her with an unusual sword. She kills him in defense and is shocked when he disappears in a puff of smoke. When a young girl driving by offers her a ride to New 2; Ari’s journey towards her destiny begins.

Kelly Keaton nee Kelly Gay, author of the fantastic Urban Fantasy Charlie Madigan Series, debuts a new YA series with Darkness Becomes Her. Darkness Becomes Her takes classic Greek mythology and twists it with urban fantasy to create an exciting, action packed YA debut that embraces you tightly and doesn’t let go till the last page. Vivid yet simplistic world building creates a dark and mystical New Orleans brimming with a supernatural cast set against a modern and realistic background. Ms Keaton creates a bridge of superstition and legend to our world in an intoxicating manner.

Ari is our fantastic heroine. Ms. Keaton has created a 17 year old heroine that feels real. Intelligent and courageous, she is imbibed with common sense and realism to allow us an instant connection with her. She doesn’t instantly cleave to those she meets in New2. She trusts no one and continuously questions their motives for helping her.

A superb fighter, her knowledge of guns and knives quite impressive, Ms. Keaton gives enough of Ari’s background to make it an acceptable and plausible part of her make up.

A superb and highly developed cast of supernatural characters enchant and misdirect us as Ari interacts with them. Are they good? Are they evil? You find yourself just as unsure as Ari when it comes to trusting them. Everyone has a hidden agenda and Ari must stay two steps ahead in order to avoid becoming a central part of their plans.

While this is not a romance book, you still get glimpses of love through out the story. A small romance brews sweetly throughout the story. I have to say I appreciate the lack of teen angst on this subject. We also see deep bonds of friendship being forged and an unfortunate incident provides a gateway into the next installment of this series. Ari begins to truly care for the friends she has made and would walk through Hell, literally, for them.

The plot is exciting and wonderfully complex in it’s execution. Surprises and multi story lines hit us from all sides and come together for an tense climatic ending left me elated, hooked, and wanting more.

Rating: B+

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