REVIEW: Death and the Girl He Loves by Darynda Jones
The enthralling final book of the DARKLIGHT trilogy is as surprising as it is wonderfully choreographed. A recommended read for young adults who love a great paranormal suspense, as well as for adults who are young at heart!
Death and the Girl He Loves by Darynda Jones
Series: Darklight, Book 3
Category: Paranormal YA
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: October 8, 2013
ISBN: 978-0312625221
Rating 5 + Recommended Read
Review by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies.
Unfortunately, I didn’t read books one and two, so I apologize in advance if I spoil either one of those for you in this review of book three in the DARKLIGHT trilogy. Just due to what is revealed in this final book, I won’t know for sure if talking about the first three chapters of DEATH AND THE GIRL HE LOVES will spoil the first two books for you. But, that’s all I’ll concentrate on, the first three chapters, so you’ll get the full effect of the end of the trilogy on your own when you read it.
Lorelei “Lor” McAlister finds herself abandoned at the Bedford Fields Academy, a private boarding school for children of the wealthy. Her grandparents aren’t wealthy, but she earned a scholarship so she was removed from the only home she knew in New Mexico, given a new name of Lorraine Pratt with a background story of being from Arizona, all to protect her from something. Lor is suspicious of the scholarship and wants nothing more than to go home. Especially since she’s having visions of impending doom for everyone she accidentally touches or bumps into. She can see their deaths and the storm that takes place the day they die, most of her visions are so horrifying that Lor can’t stand the thought of touching another human being with a prediction to tell. And now, she’s getting death threats slipped into her pockets. Somehow, some way, she’s going to escape this place.
Lorelei makes a few new friends at Bedford Fields Academy, who add to the mystery of why she’s there and who is trying to kill her. She had been brought to the school by members of the “Order,” a group of believers who know she is the last prophet and who believe she will save the world. But, her travels to this new place have been so secret. None of her friends in New Mexico know where she is and Lor is not allowed to tell them for fear of their safety as well as hers. Her only contact with her past is through a new cell phone number for her grandparents who have raised her since the disappearance of her parents when she was six-years-old. Lor’s new friends, Crystal, Kenya and Wade add to Lor’s confusion and anxiety, in addition to some humor, while she struggles to find a way home before something really bad happens.
For those who have read the first two books, many of the previous characters such as Brook, Cameron, Glitch and the so very irresistible Angel of Death, also known as Jared, are back to support Lorelei in her quest.
Although there’s a great amount of action and mystery to kick off this final book in the DARKLIGHT trilogy, it’s the characters who truly shine. Lorelei is a fun heroine. She’s sassy, inquisitive and not completely convinced she’s the answer to anything. She doesn’t want the responsibility of saving the world, yet it has been thrust upon her by her predetermined destiny as a prophet. She hasn’t grown up with this knowledge, even though she knows she’s different, but has had the facts handed to her in the last few months. For centuries the women in her family have been prophets and she’s the last one. Crystal, who is Lor’s roommate at the boarding school, is especially comical. She definitely adds the comic relief to Kenya’s danger and Wade’s darkness. I could so easily picture each one of them and laughed at their antics, as well as fretted when I was sure Lor wouldn’t survive what came next. When Jared is introduced, I fell hard and he continued to enthrall me to the very end.
The DARKLIGHT trilogy is definitely one that you should read in order. I understood most of book three without reading the first two books, but once I got to the end and realized how fabulous it would be for someone who had read all three books, I was disappointed that I didn’t get that same experience since I had received just the third book for review. I loved the ending because it’s surprising and clever, so I highly recommend that you read this series of books in order to get the full impact of a very good finale.
The series order is…
Book 1: Death and the Girl Next Door (released October 2, 2012)
Book 2: Death, Doom and Detention (released March 5, 2013)
Book 3: Death and the Girl He Loves (released October 8, 2013)
A fabulous conclusion which will move you to tears—DEATH AND THE GIRL HE LOVES is the perfect book for young adults, as well as adults, who love a new twist in a world facing an apocalypse. Filled with camaraderie, great friends who have your back, love, family, laugh-out-loud moments and a destiny of unparalleled mystique, DEATH AND THE GIRL HE LOVES will rock your emotions, twist them up and send them crashing back at you before it’s done. Bravo, author Darynda Jones—you made me laugh, you made me cry and you completely surprised me with this unique story—a recommended read!
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What’s on your TBR Mountain? Have you tried a Young Adult series that you love yet? Do you share the love of reading with the children in your life?
October 20, 2013 at 8:14 am
Thanks for your review on this book. Don’t you just hate it when you realize the book your reading is part of a series and an intricately woven series at that? I’ve never read this author and I haven’t read much in the YA genre. Not sure if I’ll step into the genre either due to my over-large historical romance TBR shelves.
When it’s all said and done, I do love reading books in series and I prefer waiting to read the series when I have them all…if possible. I absolutely hate to read them out of order. I hate feeling slightly lost and like I’m missing something if I happen to read the last book in a series. I also enjoy books that deal with the same main character(s) throughout a series. Coming to mind are the Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries by C. S. Harris, Sarah Woolson Mysteries by Shirley Tallman, Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries by Ashley Gardner and the Gaslight Mystery Series by Victoria Thompson.
October 29, 2013 at 10:49 am
I really haven’t read many YA books and so that let’s me out of the series to I do like the sound of this book and may be changing my mind on YA books. I to agree with Karen I like the whole series together and then read book after book as my mind may forget what I read. After all I am HEADING toward old age at 66. ha ha
October 29, 2013 at 12:06 pm
I have yet to read young adult books. However, when my sons were little I read to them a lot. We had loads of children’s book available . Their favorite was If You Give A Mouse A Cookie…
November 1, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Karen — I can understand completely how the TBR can effect what we try new. I love series, but I just can’t seem to find the time to read too many of them when there are so many books and genres I want to try. But I do love a tightly woven series. One that I’ve read over and over is THE KENT FAMILY CHRONICLES by John Jakes — a great American historical series if you ever want a change of pace.
Sue — I think as long as you’re young at heart, reading a YA series can be fun for anyone. Especially if you have nieces or nephews or grandchildren to share them with. I love chatting books with my niece which is why I read so many YA books. From the last book, I’d definitely recommend starting at the beginning of this one to try. Very fun!
Joye — thank you for the recommend on the children’s book. I love reading to my grandchildren and can’t resist buying them loads of books. They’re reading to each other now at the age of 3 and 5 — one makes up the words, the other one reads them. So proud!
Thank you Karen, Sue and Joye for visiting and commenting!
November 2, 2013 at 1:15 pm
Dorine: I agree with you about The Kent Family Chronicles. An outstanding series that I read that series so many years ago, I didn’t think anyone in the 21st century even knew the work of John Jakes. I’ve thought about buying new copies just to re-read.
I do have a couple of his more recent works on my ever growing TBR shelves. The stories are set during the American Civil War. I don’t know if they are actually a series or just closely related. Anyway, the titles are:
On Secret Service, April 2001;
Charleston, August 2002;
Savannah or a Gift for Mr. Lincoln, October 2004
Really need to put them to the top of my TBR list.
November 21, 2013 at 4:54 pm
I haven’t read those titles by John Jakes, yet. I did read the NORTH AND SOUTH trilogy, though.
Funny story — I shared a set of the KENT FAMILY CHRONICLES with my parents, we wore it out and bought another. That set is worn out so I think we better buy eBook copies this time around. LOL I can’t remember how many times I’ve read those books.
Glad to hear we have it in common 🙂