Move over, Bella and Edward. Plum introduces a world and a story that are sure to intrigue teen readers and will easily attract fans of the Twilight series.
PRAISE FOR DIE FOR ME: “I devoured this lush, mysterious romance, which delivers a refreshingly human heroine alongside a hero truly deserving of the title.
Intense romance, action-packed adventure, filled with danger and uncertainty.
The final book in the Die for Me series picks up right where Until I Die (HarperTeen, 2012/Voya April 2012) left off in a stunning scene at Paris's Sacre Coeur monument. Violette betrays the revenants by capturing Vincent and plans to destroy him. She believes he is the Champion, or the one who is prophesied to conquer the numam, those that become immortal by taking lives rather than saving them, which is opposite of the revenants. No longer just a feud between a few revenants and numa, Violette's actions threaten an all-out war. Kate, Vincent's girlfriend, knows that he is not completely destroyed. They can still communicate through their thoughts even if unable to see each other. Her devotion to Vincent remains steadfast as she is convinced that he will be able to be more than just a spirit. "Vincent still existed, even if his body didn't. The boy I loved so desperately hadn't completely disappeared." With the help of her understanding grandparents, and Vincent's family of revenants, she sets out to research the ritual that is needed to bring him back to life. Like the previous books in the trilogy, there is plenty of romance, danger, and unpredictable turns against a backdrop of Paris. Readers will be rooting for Kate and Vincent all the way. Those looking for something beyond the Twilight series will enjoy these fast reads about immortals and will likely relish the dose of history and research involved in Kate's journey to discover the truth. Reviewer: Kelly Czarnecki
12/01/2013
Gr 9 Up—Surfaced secrets and life-changing discoveries abound in this fast-paced supernatural tale as it barrels toward its exciting, bittersweet conclusion. Bent on stealing powers that evil Violette believes Vincent possesses, she destroys his body, leaving him a drifting spirit. But Vincent is still able to contact his mortal love, Kate, and his revenant kindred (undead beings who spend their immortality sacrificing themselves for others). Kate refuses to lose Vincent forever, so she enlists help from her family, friends, and a supernatural healer. Her quest to find a ritual that could return him to physical form takes her from Paris to a secret antiquity collection in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Meanwhile, Violette, in her quest for power, continues to hunt for the Champion, the revenants' savior. While some readers might figure out the identity of the true Champion before the protagonist does, this doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. Backstory fills in the gaps and encourages readers who are new to the trilogy to seek out the first two titles. Tension, danger, and romantic yearning are palpable. Despite fantastical elements, the romance reads realistically. There is some sexual content, but it is not gratuitous. The world-building is solid and unique. Recommend to teens who enjoyed Cassandra Clare's "The Mortal Instruments" series (S & S).—Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ
The Die for Me series about an American teenager involved with undead revenants in Paris concludes. Courageous, loyal Kate mourns not the death, which is a normal occurrence for revenants, but the cremation of her undead boyfriend, Vincent, at the hands of Violette, leader of the evil numa. Vincent can't come back to life if his body no longer exists. Luckily, Kate and Bran, the revenants' healer assistant, unearth a ceremony that might restore him but only if they also can find the ancient, lost equipment necessary. With or without Vincent, the book continues with preparation for battle, then actual battle, with plenty of well-paced tension. Appropriately spaced romantic interludes provide variety. The major plot point is the identity of a prophesied champion, destined to win the battle between good and evil, at least in Paris, for now, and of course, the heroine faces the usual insurmountable odds. Fortunately, this series doesn't take itself completely seriously. Plum includes fairly frequent tongue-in-cheek humor lampooning her own plot--"my safety was at risk because of an evil undead medieval teenager"--which helps lift the book above standard undead fare. Yes, it's the usual mishmash of romance and the supernatural, but the author keeps the narrative moving along at a sprightly pace and handles the suspense well. Formulaic but fun, which makes all the difference. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)
