Until I Die

The cover:

Okay. This goes to my favorite covers ever section! I still think the cover of the first book is better than this one (I love the reddish pinkish color ;)), but they can't keep the same one now can they?

This one is gorgeous too!

The storyline:

This sequel blew me away!

It was somewhat different from what I expected. There are few things I really don't like about it. Which obviously has to do with Kate (no offense to her fans.).

What I loved:

- Amy has a wonderful ability to explore and explain every setting of the story. It was amazing how I could simply imagine myself with the characters surrounded by these amazing settings.

- The involvement of the characters was great. I loved how each character had a reliable place in the story and everyone was involved, including Georgia!

- The dilemma in the story is gripping. And near the end, some twists were beginning to come out that I had to question what I read in the previous chapters.

- The mystery was great.

- OMG! The action in this sequel kept me going on :D.

- And finally, the ending. What an ending! I finished this book at 2 a.m. and I was like someone had hit me on the head! I had tears in my eyes and I wished (Still...) I had the sequel! You'll be left breathless!

What I disliked:

- The beginning wasn't as good and as strong as I ‘d expected. It was slow paced and made me somewhat question what was going on.

- The writing style was somewhat different; there were some expressions that didn't fit the story at all, and it made me wonder that maybe the relationship that Kate wants is mostly physical. In other words, it felt like romance was being forced in the story. The way Kate's character has evolved, I was wondering why for God's sake she was acting so un-lady like (I wouldn't want to see a 17 years old girl give the middle finger to someone who is centuries older than her! No matter how rude he was.).

Conclusion:

This was the longest review I've written as far as I can remember.

To be honest, I wasn't sure this book would get past 3 flowers (stars) for me. But after almost 10 chapters, I was sold, and I decided it won't get less then four. And then, when I finished the book I decided 5 won't be enough!!!

This book was a mystery and a puzzle to solve for me. I think the way things were made by Amy was the right way since I completely totally trust her.

I love this book, and this trilogy is going right with The Hollow Trilogy by Jessica Verday as my favorite trilogy ever!!!

If you love mystery, twists, romance, novels set in foreign countries and want to experience something unique, I recommend you read this series. You won't regret!

One more phrase: I can't wait for the final sequel!!! Come on 2013, come fast!

Full Review at Rumor Has It

WOW! I'm sitting here trying to figure out exactly how I feel...

Still trying...
Trying...

I'm still left at Hmmm...

I'll figure it out by the end of this review. I hope.

As you all know I bumped this series up on my TBR list because I received an ARC of Until I Die while attending RT Convention 2012. As you also might know I didn't score the first book very high. Just in case you don't already know this then find out why HERE. If you follow me on Goodreads you'll realize that I rarely give a book a 5 star rating. An impressive book usually gets 4 stars and so 3 stars isn't altogether a bad rating. Sorry, in order to get a 5 star rating it has to be one special book. Give thanks to JK Rowling for my tough scoring because the writing and the feeling left after reading those books is what I compare all my readings/ratings to.

OK so with that said! I gave this a 5 star rating. The more I thought about the book and how it left me at the end the more it earned its 5 star rating.

Amy Plum totally redeemed herself with this read. I LOVED IT.

Until I Die picks up a few months after Die For Me. Kate is adjusting to the Revenants and the Revenants are adjusting to Kate. For the most part she is considered family and has earned their trust. She spends most of her time at the mansion that houses Vincent and his Revenant family. Kate is training with a sword so that she can defend herself better in case she faces off with a Numa. Numas are the equivalent of the Revenants in that they are undead but polar opposites in how they are kept animated. Speaking of the Numas, the surviving Numas are keeping a low profile since their leader was killed. It's as if they've all disappeared which keeps the Revenants in a constant state of alert.

Towards the end of the first book Vincent decides that he will make the ultimate sacrifice and force himself to not die in place of another in order to shelter Kate from having to morn his death over and over again. Kate jumps on this and agrees to be with him. Well, something happens in Until I Die that makes Kate rethink the terms of this agreement.

What I liked:
o The cover. Amy Plum continues to be blessed by the cover gods.

o In Die For Me I didn't care much for Kate because I didn't see anything special about her. She just was and that just wasn't good enough for me. In this book she becomes that special person. We get to finally see a personality. She is strong, smart, responsible, determined, brave, realistic (as she can be given the circumstances), proactive and passionate. In the last book she was broken but even that didn't come through. In this book you know she WAS broken but is mending.


o As I mentioned before, something happens that makes Kate rethink the terms of the agreement she has made with Vincent where he is forced to go against his compulsion to save people. She actually grows up in this moment. Instead of calling it quits like last time, which by the way quitting doesn't even enter her mind this time (YAY KATE), she decides she will not stand by and let Vincent deal with the compulsion on his own. She realizes that he has a purpose and they just need to find a way to make everything work out. This is a huge turning point in their relationship and also one for Kate. She's not being so selfish or close minded about things.

o Although we don't see much of Vincent, he still has a strong presence and the feeling of importance and significance permeates throughout the book in regards to him. We also get to experience a deeper understanding of the love Vincent and Kate share.


o NO LOVE TRIANGLES! I forgot to mention this as a plus in the last review. I don't like them too much and it seems a lot of writers dig them. I totally appreciate that this writer does not! Life seems to be complicated enough for Vincent and Kate. Just sayin'.

o Revenants. Oh how I loved getting to know more about them! You will meet new characters and learn more of the Revenant/Numa lore.


o France. The author does a great job in placing you in the story and making you feel as if you are traveling throughout Paris and other parts of France. I WANT TO VISIT FRANCE!

o There is a new villain in this book. I liked the new villain. I knew who the new villain was but still... I liked the new villain AND the book!


o Jules, Ambrose, and Charlotte! I continue to love them. They continue to be beautifully written. They are likable and you want to follow their storylines and dig further into their thoughts/history. I have some theories about Jules! I caught something there. Did you catch something there? Um yeah... I have a lot to say about this one and if any of you want to discuss, hit me up.

o Georgia! Yeah, big sis has won my heart. She is definitely a wonderful person to have in your corner and I am so glad that Kate has her unconditional love and support. As crazy as she is she is equally perceptive and more people should listen to her.


o You actually find “Until I die” in the story. I LOVE THIS.

o The ending... OMG!


o That upon finishing this book I felt compelled to Google Revenants and learn more about their lore.

I really don't have any major dislikes this time. I just need to leave you with this thought though. The Revenants are supposed to be out making sure people are safe. There is a huge compulsion to take the person/human's place in a situation that leads to death. You don't experience those situations very much in this book. Also, there is an ongoing animosity between Revenants and Numa. They are enemies and you'd think there'd be more action. You don't experience very much action in this book. I have come to terms with this. Perhaps this is not the type of book Amy Plum wants to write. HOWEVER, Ms. Amy, if you happen to read this review... adding more action would make this series even more kick ass! OMG! The potential is there!

If you didn't like the first book very much, I recommend giving this one a try. It is fast paced in that there is something constantly happening just not in an action packed way. You will find an intriguing, compelling story full of passion, mysteries, love, anguish, lore, history and even laugh out loud moments.