Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Genre: YA-Fantasy

Author Site: www.bethfantaskey.com

First Line: “The first time I saw him, a heavy, gray fog clung to the cornfields, tails of mist slithering between the dying stalks.”

One Word Review: Emotional

Summary: “The undead can really screw up your senior year . . . Marrying a vampire definitely doesn't fit into Jessica Packwood's senior year "get-a-life" plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he's her long-lost fiancĂ©. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius's soul from eternal destruction.” –GoodReads

My Review: Loved it! I’m actually a little speechless about this one, or at least I don’t know quite where to start. I thought this was very well written, you could literally feel all of Jessica/Antanasia’s emotions as you follow her along this amazing journey. When Lucius first arrives you can’t help but hate him. He is SO arrogant, possessive, creepy and talks very formal. As the story progresses his character really develops, and not always in the best way. I loved that when they first meet Jessica isn’t totally overwhelmed by his amazing looks. She actually keeps her head about her and doesn’t give her heart away so easily. We are able to go along with Jessica as she slowly falls in love with Lucius, but is it all a little too late? While she has been pushing him away he has found comfort in the arms of another girl! I admit, this part of the story was very well done, I could feel Jessica’s confusion and pain and I can’t say any more without giving away spoilers. Anatanasia and Lucius have great chemistry together; both are strong-willed and push each other like no one else has. I liked when Anatanasia finally comes into her own and accepts her history.

I was worried this was going to be too much like Twilight, and if you’re worried don’t be. The story is different. Jessica is definitely not Bella and Lucius really gives Edward a run for his money! The book ended pretty well. I wish there had been an epilogue, mainly because I just didn’t want the story to end. It’s one of those books when you’re not even halfway through you're already hoping it doesn’t end. If you're looking for a light read, this isn't it. If you're looking for suspense, passion, drama, suspense, humor, and did I mention suspense? Then this is the book for you!


I’m off to email the author to request a sequel!

Other Reviews:
Karin’s Book Nook
Okbo Lover

The Story Siren**

Okay, I had to get a few things off my chest so I added a "spoiler" section in the comment area. I probably give a lot away, so read at your own risk.

2 comments:

  1. ***SPOILER ALERT*** Okay, below are just a few extra thoughts I had about JGTDOTDS that are definite spoilers, so read at your own risk...

    1) I think Lucius should have realized that just by him leaving wouldn't protect Jessica. I think even if he had been distroyed the two clans would have come looking for her. She was actually safer with him than without him.

    2)It would have been cool if at the end Antanasia would have stood up for her people a little more. Give Lucius an ultimatum, saying that if he didnt change her than she would find someone else who would (maybe a possible rival of Lucius), and that she was not going to leave her clan for him to rule or he was going to have to kill her himself. I think either would have snapped him out of his funk.

    3) It is eluded to that Lucius has a past with the ladies, I would have liked Jessica to confront him about this more. Also, I thought he got off pretty easy where Faith is concerned. And I would have liked him to admit he didnt love/like her, but it still left that he kind of did. Maybe I just wanted Jessica to get after him a little bit more on that count.

    4) Lastly, I enjoyed the letters Lucius wrote to his uncle. Considering how mean his uncle is I'm surprised about how open Lucius is in his letters, but it was a good insight into his thoughts and feelings. Once he realized the danger Jessica was in and that he actually was in love with her he started pulling back. No longer bound by duty but love, he risks his life to protect her.

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  2. I really liked it, but I don't have a lot to say about it. It didn't passionately consume me.

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