Since I can't write novel or study I might as well do something useful. This is a review for the Beautiful dead book 1.
Synopsis and back cover
Eden Maguire lives in both Colorado and the UK. Her admiration for Emily Bronte's classic, Wuthering Heights, ties in with her fascination for the dark side of life and informs her portrayal of the restless, romantic souls in The Beautiful Dead.
When Darina’s boyfriend, Phoenix, is the fourth student to die from Ellerton High School, she feels her sanity start to slip away. Why fight when everything is bleak and gray? For Darina, there is no beauty left in the world. She is certain that she’s going crazy when she sees him, and the other high school fatalities, in an abandoned barn. But when Phoenix kisses her, she’s convinced he’s come back… to life? Jonas, Summer, Arizona and Phoenix have been guided back from death by the enigmatic and frightening Hunter, a “babysitter” for souls returned from the dead. The rules stipulate that they can remain in the world of the living for up to one year in order to set right a wrong linked to their deaths. In exchange for being allowed to see Phoenix, Darina agrees to help the undead teens find justice, starting with Jonas—whose year is nearly up! Keeping a barn full of animated, tattooed corpses a secret becomes increasingly difficult as rumors of ghosts and strange happenings rip through the small community. Grief stricken, the townspeople mobilize groups of bikers to explore the country around the town. Darina must discover who is behind Jonas’s fatal motorcycle accident—without becoming a victim herself—and keep the secret of the Beautiful Dead. She would sacrifice anything to help her beloved Phoenix find peace, but setting him free means losing him forever…
I did start the book because I liked the cover and the blurb on the back of the book. These were the first and last things I liked. This is the stupidest book I've read by far. First of all, who names their main character Darina? Darina for crying out loud! And it's not only her name. Jonas, Arizona, Phoenix (!) Summer. Urg, dear God. It might just be me but I can't read a book if I don't like the names.
And anyway, say, I got past that. What is wrong with plot? What was the writer thinking? We are suddenly placed in the middle of nowhere where Darina sees her dead friends perform a ritual. How the f**ck did she get there or why no one knows. Then we have to go through watching Darina get chased by invisible wings and shut out every around her because she's oh so very sad. And when she finds her dead now zombie love Phoenix they just act like nothing happened.
Wait, I haven't told you the worst part. Darina loves Phoenix. Forever. And ever. D+P=L.F.E. Seriously, she's just a teen love who is being dramatic. This whole thing reminds me of lame soap operas.
"I love you Phoenix. We'll be together forever and nothing is gonna keep us apart." I mean seriously they dated for 3 months. How can she love him soooooo much?
I hate this book, I hate it. I can't even bring myself to care for the characters much less 'connect' with them. The Beautiful Dead is currently laying on my bathroom. I try to read some while I pee. But even then I can't. It's too awful. Please save your time and money and DON'T buy this book.
xoxo,
Monster V
