Eden Maguire

The set-up of the Beautiful Dead book series is unique--the Powers That Be give carefully selected departed spirits a chance to come back and find the justice that was denied to them because of their deaths. Unfortunately it’s almost a Catch-22; find the justice you want--but do it without straying too far from the Base, being seen or interacting with anyone who might know you. They get lots of cool powers, but loads of restrictions.

In comes Darina, who at first struck me as a selfish teen show more girl who needed to get over the guy she dated for only two months. Though Maguire doesn't waste time in explaining that Darina and Phoenix had a connection, the source is suspect since its Darina herself telling us this. Isn't every crush or boyfriend 'the absolute one' to a teenager? When they're reunited its much easier to see the connection that Darina felt, but I still felt uneasy for a little while.

At certain points in Jonas, especially in the beginning as who and what the Beautiful People are is explained to Darina, I had a definite sense of confusion. The sort of confusion you get if you open a book in the middle of it and start reading. The timeline jumped from Darina's present, to Darina's past after Phoenix's death, to Darina's past before Phoenix's death to Darina's past before Phoenix at all. The transitions between the 'present' and 'past'/her memories was rough at best, so I often found myself unable to immerse myself into the world.

There was also the fact that its mentioned, by most of the secondary cast as well as the primary cast, that its unusual for four teens to die all in the same year, all in different ways. All seemingly like accidents, but I gathered the town of Ellerton was a small community since everyone seemed to know everyone else (and their business), so it seemed ominous. This plot thread doesn't go anywhere or gain more than a vague mysterious air however, but kept me intrigued to know more.

As for the secondary cast we're given a mixed lot. Darina's mother Laura and her husband Jim (not Darina's father), who both seem at turns neglectful and too protective; Logan, Darina's best friend who sometimes seems pretty cool and sometimes seems like a real stalker. Zoey, Jonas' girlfriend who survived the accident that took his life, but is bound to a wheelchair and horrifying nightmares. The other Beautiful Dead teenagers-Arizona, Jonas and Summer--and their 'overlord' Hunter. Some of the characters received quite a bit of back-story and development due to their relationship with Darina. She used to hang out with Summer at her house, Zoey was at one time her best friend until a misunderstanding over a boy caused a rift, Jonas used to play guitar with her. Everyone else we got scattered pieces about them, but again usually as it pertained to Darina.

Despite the moments of unease, this book also made me cry, laugh and root for Darina to win the day. Maguire has a handle on what its like to be the survivor in a relationship…the guilt, the anxiety and frustration. The feeling that if you wait long enough, stare hard enough, you'll see them again. I liked the fact that even though Darina and Phoenix could be together again, she still grieved and went through the same process as if he had stayed dead. It didn't magically make her sunshine and sparkles again, or make the world seem easier. I appreciated that Darina, however selfishly she began the undertaking, chose to help the Beautiful Dead find their peace and resolution. Her efforts were clumsy and aggressive, especially to anyone who watches or reads mystery and detective shows, but she was persistent.

At the very end of the book we're given a chapter snippet from the next book in the series, Arizona, which should be interesting as Darina and Arizona--in life and death--can't seem to get along. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one. I want to know more about the Beautiful Dead and see how things turn out for Darina in the end. show less

My thoughts... BLINK. This book was very easy to read and I literally devoured it. When I first saw the cover, I thought "looks very cool". Then I read I heard the word zombies and thought, UGG, but forged ahead anyway. Let me just say that I am so glad I did.

The plot of the story was very unique. Darina found her recently deceased boyfriend alive and well, surrounded by his undead classmates. No vampires, zombies, but not it the theatrical sense. The book held something for everyone, show more mystery, heartbreak, action, a bit of romance, and motorcycles. I could not put the book down. The writing was very smooth and I feel it had a strong voice. The story was believable.

The characters were all very interesting and very memorable. This book focused on Jonas, and Darina's quest to help him. Darina, the heroine was very determined and devoted to her friends. I liked her more and more as the story progressed. One of the characters I hope to learn more about is the guardian, Hunter. We did not learn much about him in this book, but there is something about him, I think he is keeping a huge secret. My favorite thing about the story is the Angel wings tattoo. I don't want to give away what it is, but I will say it was very creative.

The cons...The only thing I could not figure out is how Darina found the Beautiful Dead in the first place. The book opens with her finding them in an abandoned farm. It seemed out of the way-a long drive up a mountain road and a hike through the woods. Unless I missed something, it was a bit too convenient. show less

We are stronger than the warring heavens.
Stronger than the light that splits the sky.
We, The Beautiful Dead, rejoice in our strength."

wow, I didn't think it would be so hard to say what I thought about this book.

it took me a little while to get into the story - Darina is a little hard to get to know. Even at the end of the book, she asks someone "When have you ever known me to walk away?" - and man, I had no idea the answer to that question. And I'm kind of a character reader - I love show more getting to know the people within the book and understand their motivations.

But...this book has revenants. Something which, until recently, I had never ever ever read about. And I'm always curious about them!! But, as usual, this is a totally different take on revenants.

The mystery to this story was an added fun point and something that kept me reading. Now that I know the writing style, have come to undertsand at least a few characters in the small town and the beautiful people, I will definitely read book 2! show less

This book left me completely unimpressed. I thought the first book was mediocre, but this was just plain bad. It took me forever to get through it- not because it was hard to read (it was very basic) but it was just so incredibly boring and the characters really annoyed me. No character has ever annoyed me as much as Darina. She's so completely self-absorbed it's sickening. She spends the whole time saying how stupid her parents are (for things like asking her how she is) and being horrible show more to her only friend. At one point, her step-father is in a car accident and she actually says ''Him being in an accident isn't top of my priority list'' and puts it out of her mind to go hang in her bedroom with her boyfriend. The whole thing was just boring and irritating and I have no desire to read the next one. show less