Death, and the Girl He Loves

WARNING: If you haven't read the first two books in this trilogy - there are spoilers ahead. But no spoilers for this book.

I don't read a lot of YA - usually only if someone I trust highly recommends it and if it's paranormal. But I picked up the first book in this trilogy based solely on the author, Darynda Jones. I love her work. I LOVE her snark. She writes some of the best snarky banter around (Chloe Neill - also a favourite).

This trilogy didn't disappoint. If the fact that I choose paranormal didn't give it away, I'm not looking for the realistic portrayal of teens. All that angst and melodrama - Yuck! These are teens I can thoroughly enjoy reading - smart asses every one of 'em! But all thicker than thieves.

The trilogy, in a show more nutshell, focuses on Lorelei - she's the last in a line of very powerful prophets, the one foretold to stop the end of the world before it starts. She has a nephilim to protect her and the Angel of Death by her side along with her two best friends. She has no idea how to stop the end of the world before it starts. Adventures are had and information is gleaned. Much snark and witty banter is exchanged.

I didn't know until I finished this one and went searching for information that this was, in fact, a trilogy. But the book ended in such as way that it could be the final wrap up or it could continue. It was only when I turned to Google in confusion that I saw references on her site to it being a trilogy. Boo and hiss.

I read through this final instalment in a day - I stayed up too late on a work night because no way was I going to put this book down. It starts of a tiny bit slow - Lorelei is attending a boarding school in Maine, hoping to hide out from the chaos and forestall the inevitable until she can figure out what she's capable of. It picks up pretty fast though - she can run but apparently she can't hide. I was happy to find that the gang is only separated for a short time, and once they were reunited I became completely absorbed in the book.

It's a fast, fun read with a final showdown that isn't kind to anyone, but ultimately fulfils the prophecies. The aftermath took me a bit to figure out - the transition was very abrupt and so left me feeling disoriented (which might be just what the author intended...) for a few paragraphs before I had my Ahhhh.... moment. After that - fun.

And that last chapter... it left me hoping.... show less

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:
*ARC Received from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Death and the Girl He Loves was a nice conclusion to the DARKLIGHT trilogy. Was it my favorite of the series? No. Was it interesting, compelling, and worth recommending. Absolutely!

This installment was quite a bit more somber and serious than the previous two. Since the moment Lorelei found out about her heritage, she has known that she was the key to stopping a war, however, she never knew how, or when, and nobody could (or would) tell her. As the end draws near, Lorelei's stress ratchets ever higher, and her self doubt skyrockets. Add to that the fact that she's literally foreseen the deaths of everyone she loves and show more is convinced that she just CAN'T stop what's to come, and she's kind of a mess. As she and the rest of the gang try to come up with ways to literally stop the apocalypse and change fate, she systematically works through these complex layers and attempts to find her center. While I enjoyed all of that, found the seriousness necessary, and loved the journey and growth of the characters, I missed the snark and wit. There just weren't as many one liners, snippy comebacks, silly escapades and practical jokes as there were in the previous 2 books, and while my brain understood the necessity for the solemnity, my heart longed for the level of Darynda Jones snark and with that I've come to crave.

I will say this, where the book 'grew up' and swapped fun for seriousness in my opinion, it didn't turn into a stodgy old biddy shut in at home. The level of action was as great, if not better, than the previous 2 books. In addition, the suspense and surprise in this installment were amazing. The plot twist was very unexpected for me, and at first, I was honestly really confused. Then, as it was all laid out and explained, I thought it was kinda brilliant! :)

All in all, Death and the Girl He Loves was an engaging read that I would recommend. I do recommend reading the entire series in order, however, as there is just way too much history for the book to stand well on its own. show less

Death, and the Girl He Loves
Darklight, Book 3

I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series

The Characters:

Lorelei McAlister:
:
Jared, Brooklyn, Kenya, Cameron, Grandma, Grandpa, Mac, a bunch more people

The Story:

This title is a misnomer. This book has very little to do with Jared (the angel of death) and focuses almost solely on Lorelei. In this final installment the war is finally here. The time has come to fight. With the aid of some new help Lorelei found while in hiding at boarding school she finds out if she can defeat the takeover of the earth. The resolution was a bit crazy but ultimately creative on Ms Jones’ part. I am sad to see our time in Riley Switch come to an end. This has been a whirlwind of a series and I am show more very happy about how everything worked out.

The Random Thoughts:

4 Stars show less

Here it is the final days and everything is going to go switchy. Yes, switchy, because nothing will stay the same. Switching up everything is what this book does. Our heroine Lor is finally getting her powers under control and she has picked up a new really cool one that can taker her anywhere, anytime. ( I want this power) Anyway, she faces the ultimate battle, the dark is coming. Something changed while she was hiding away at boarding school something that made things worse. Her friends, family and the world will forever be changed after this day.
I look forward to see more in this series.Ms. jones keeps her characters witty, snarky and full of charm even in the darkest times.
Young Adult book, with no sex, no (I don't remember any) show more offensive language. show less

Contemporary, Paranormal, Young Adult

Banger, Maine & Riley’s Switch, New Mexico

Most girls wouldn’t want the fate of the world resting on their shoulders and Lorelei McAlister is no different. Unfortunately for her the fate of the world rests completely on her shoulders. Lorelei has seen the horrors that lie beneath the everyday world. Those horrors are also getting her friends killed. To protect those she loves she agrees to leave the sanctity of her hometown and is sent to a world that is completely different. Boarding school. Though she is still being watched even in her new world. Someone knows who she is and just what she carries in her soul. She is also seeing visions but that is nothing new for her.

Lorelei must now face the show more fact that no matter where she goes there are people that want her dead. No matter how far she goes her friends and family will still be in danger. Lucky for her those friends include the handsome Angel of Death and a fiercely protective half-angel. Not to mention the ragtag group of loyal supporters that are more than willing to get a little dirty to fight pure evil.

This brings to an end a trilogy that is wonderfully written and will have readers hating to leave the world that has Lorelei McAlister and friends in it. The action is explosive and will keep readers wondering what is going to happen next and where it will come from. The characters are well written and readers will find them easy to relate to. This one will also have readers wishing for more from this world but it is wrapped up very nicely and ties up all the loose ends. It is also a trilogy that readers will want to re-read just to revisit the great characters that occupy this world. This story will take readers on an emotional roller coaster that will leave them happy with the ending. show less

Wonderful tie up to the series with many questions and past history filled in. Many twists and turns.