Die For Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum
Paranormal YA
May 10, 2011
Hardcover
HarperTeen
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “You’re the one who took a bite of the apple Kate. Although with a serpent that handsome, I can’t say I blame you.”
I was very surprised and pleased by how much I enjoyed Die For Me by Amy Plum. A very romantic and intriguing YA that captures the youthful voice of her characters exceptionally well without miring it down with the often present emo angst and ‘woe is me’ that is sometimes present in a younger set romance. Smooth writing and a steady pace made this extremely easy to follow and relate to. I found myself at the end before I knew it.
Situated in Paris, Ms. Plum weaves her tale set among the grace and old world charm of one of the most romantic cities in the world. Strong world building gives us a glimpse into some new supernatural lore-Revenants. Revenants are select individuals who are pre disposed to give up their lives for others; only to come back again and again. Ms. Plum mixes select mythology to produce a story all her own.
Our heroine, Kate, moves to her grandparents home in Paris with her sister Georgia after their parents are killed in an accident. Kate has a very hard time dealing with her parents deaths and is lost in her grief. I found it especially poignant how the beauty of Paris is used to highlight the bleakness of Kate’s life.
At a cafe she frequents, she spots the most beautiful man she has ever laid eyes on. Vincent. As charming and attentive as Vincent appears, Kate still keeps herself locked within-not sure if she has the right to be happy in the face of her parents deaths. After a rocky start, she agrees to an outing with him. It’s on this outing that Kate begins to feel there is something not quite right with Vincent and his friends. When something major happens, Kate follows her gut instinct and tells Vincent to never contact her again. But Kate is curious and wants to see him again more then ever so she seeks him out and soon learns the secret that Vincent holds. A secret that will challenge Kate in ever way possible.
Kate is a wonderful protagonist. Strong, intelligent, and normal. Yes, I said normal. She is a normal seventeen year old not prone to overblown emo prose or dramatics. She is naturally cautious and doesn’t hesitate to question what she feels isn’t right or doesn’t understand. I really like seeing the interactions between her and her family. It feels natural and unaffected.
Vincent is an attractive,charming, and mysterious nineteen year old who projects a much older soul. His banter with Kate is casual at first-you can see the sparking interest. From the moment they meet you get the feeling of completeness. That these two were meant to be together. Ms. Plum does a wonderful job of pacing their relationship.
Kate and Vincent aren’t perfect together and you see that what he is affects her in more ways then one. The romance is inviting and well, romantic. They love play is suitable for a YA yet Ms. Plum doesn’t hold back on the underlying sexual banter. While Vincent does show some of the “obsessive tortured hero” traits, it’s refreshing that Kate calls him on them rather then simply accepting his attentions as normal.
Our secondary characters are as alive and personable as our protagonist. The dialogue between them all is humorous at times and offers a sense of realism. It draws you in and makes you a part of their lives. Georgia, Kate’s sister, both annoyed yet made me laugh as she flirts her way through the story. I loved meeting Vincent’s Revenant family; Charles, Charlotte, Jules, Ambrose.
We sense some competition from Jules for Kate’s affection and hints are made to other romantic entanglements in the future.
The main conflict is interesting though I really wish we could have gotten more in depth with the Revenants and the Numas. I would have liked to know where it all started and what determines which is which. Hopefully Ms. Plum will divulge more details as the series progresses.
All in all Die For Me is a luscious and fanciful romantic love story set within an intriguing and suspenseful paranormal world. I look forward to the second in the series, Until I Die, set to release in 2012.
Rating: B+
Recent Reviews:
My Bookish Ways – 3.5/5
Icey Books – 4/5
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It sounds so great. I really want to read about the two main characters and whoa that line is cool. So curious. Glad it sounds as good as I am hoping.
haha I LOVE your “guy sidebar” there. Thor and the hammer is hilarious and I love the ingeniousness of the “bouquet of brandon flowers.” Ahh they are adorable and of course so is James McAvoy and who doesn’t love beards??
Thor is smoking HAWT!
Uh until you said it was YA the blurb and your review made me think adult paranormal. I haven’t read a YA singe Hunger Games, shame on me!
It’s a good one. i enjoyed.
I can’t wait to read this one-it sounds really good!
It is.
I’ve heard of this one before and I think it looks really good. It’s refreshing to see a YA where the characters aren’t overly dramatic the way most writers seem to think teenagers are these days. Can’t wait to read it. Great review!
Ms. Plum channels the youth voice quite well. I wasn’t temped once to smack anyone.
“She is a normal seventeen year old not prone to overblown emo prose or dramatics.”
YAY! I can’t wait to read this one, I’ve read nothing but good things about it. Kate sounds awesome and I need to read about Vincent:) Absolutely fabulous review Tori!
Jenny, you will definitely enjoy this one.
Wow, she’s depicted as a normal teenager? How rare. ;P
LOL Yes. She’s normal. I loved it.
I loved this book! So glad you like it too!
I really hope the secondary characters each get a turn at being protagonist in the books to come.
Great review :)
Charlotte and Ambrose. That’s all I’m saying. ;)
Yay! I love a good YA book! Adding to the list.