Desires of the Dead: A Body Finder Novel (edition 2012)

Feb 15, 2011. Can't wait!! ( )

Desires of the Dead
2 Stars

Synopsis
Violet Ambrose has always kept her ability to sense the echoes of the dead a secret but after finding the body of a dead boy, she has drawn the attention of the FBI. Unfortunately, she also finds herself the target of a disturbed stalker and has no one to turn to, not even her closest friend turned boyfriend, Jay Heaton who is preoccupied with he newest pal, Mike, whose family seems to have secrets of its own.

Review
The paranormal thriller premise has potential but is completely overshadowed by the teen melodrama and angst.

Violet has become a completely different character - she has regressed emotionally and is now a typical whiny and jealous girlfriend who keeps secrets and overreacts to the smallest thing. The fact that she fails to tell her parents of the FBI's interest, is completely illogical and ruined my suspension of disbelief.

The story begins well with the discovery of a boy's body and Violet's stalker but ends up going in a confusing and disappointing direction. The tension and suspense that builds in the beginning rapidly fizzles out by the end.

Violet and Jay's romance is sweet and they certainly have oodles of chemistry but his perfection gets old after a while and the inclusion of Rafe feels out of place. It is as if Derting needed a tick next to "love triange" on her YA check list.

I may eventually read the next book if it comes my way but I won't be actively looking for it.

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In Desires of the Dead, Jay and Violet are very wrapped up in each other and in their new relationship. Very. Let's just say if you love the steamy stuff, you'll be very happy with this one. Violet also just wants to be a normal high school girl with a new boyfriend. But of course, the "echoes" of the dead she hears won't leave her alone. She needs to learn more about her special talent and how to use it.

Things between the happy couple are complicated by some new kids in town: cool guy Mike and his shy younger sister Megan. Jay and Mike become fast friends, causing Violet to feel a little left out. And Violet has a mysterious secret admirer who suddenly turns stalker.

FBI agent Sara Priest and the enigmatic Rafe enter the picture. Sara is very interested i learning more about how Violet senses the dead, and Rafe just seems interested in Violet. Horrors -- could a love triangle be developing just as Jay and Violet found happiness.

As in the first book, the story is written from two perspectives: Violet's and the killer's, creating suspense and a creepy cat-and-mouse vibe. While I didn't find the mystery in Desires of the Dead to be quite as satisfying as in the Body Finder, this is a fresh and original series that takes one of my favorite genres and translates it really well for the YA audience.

Highly recommended for fans of romantic suspense!

Ok I can't stand not saying something about this book. This book is a good example of why I am tentative when it comes to reading YA books. During half of this book the main character flips and flops and flounders about weather or not she should spill her big secret. She ends up blaming other people and gets a million chances to tell people but the moment it is time she freezes. This is what I hate about YA characters,they are so indecisive and don't know what they want. Just tell the truth! Argh!! So frustrating! That is why only 3 stars! ( )

Ok I can't stand not saying something about this book. This book is a good example of why I am tentative when it comes to reading YA books. During half of this book the main character flips and flops and flounders about weather or not she should spill her big secret. She ends up blaming other people and gets a million chances to tell people but the moment it is time she freezes. This is what I hate about YA characters,they are so indecisive and don't know what they want. Just tell the truth! Argh!! So frustrating! That is why only 3 stars! ( )