Die For Me by Amy Plum

Die For Me by Amy Plum

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Source: Won
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 341 pages

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

Characters that are utterly charming, a vibrant setting and a brand new type of paranormal creature make Die For Me the brilliant supernatural read it is.

Kate and her sister Georgia have had their entire lives uprooted. In a very short time period, their parents have died and they've been shipped off to France to live with their grandparents and finish off their high school careers. So it's no wonder that Kate has a bit of trouble adjusting. When we first meet Kate, her day-to-day tasks are repetitive and lifeless. It doesn't make for a very exciting beginning but I thought it did a good job in revealing some of Kate's innate nature, which is always important for later on.

Kate herself was a character that I liked. While not necessarily a new favourite heroine, Kate came off as brave and mature. Again, this obviously had to do at least a little with her parents' death but regardless, it was great to read about a girl that could be level-headed when the situation called for it. Vincent and his "family" were all so wonderful. They had a familiar, easy dynamic when they were together and I looked forward to whatever moments Jules Vincent appeared on the page.

The development in Kate and Vincent's relationship was certainly quick but it made me smile. They're a sweet pair and the quick way that they fell for each other just meant that we could speed up the actual story. I mean, the final showdown at the end... that was cool.

The idea of revenants is such a unique spin on zombies - I loved it! It was fascinating to hear about their history and the way that they worked. I especially liked that we got to get into the heads of the actual revenants a bit and see what they really thought of the job that came with it.

Aaaand finally, we have the setting - Paris. France has got to be the most stunning place to set a book. Granted, I've only read two novels set in the Country of Love (the other being Anna and the French Kiss) but wow. Amy Plum makes fantastic use of the beautiful setting available to her and it adds a spark to the entire novel.

Exciting and compelling.

Cover Comments: Gorgeous! I love that you can see the Parisian setting in the backdrop and, let's face it, the black swirls are just really pretty to look at.

4 stars!