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3.09.2011

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton - PSB Review



Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
Fantasy Element: Mythology, Magic, Vampires
Series: Gods & Monsters #1
Order Online:  Amazon.com | BookDepository.com
Stalk the Author: WebFacebook | Twitter
Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

WIN THIS BOOK! Paranormal Spring Break hosted contest to win DARKNESS BECOMES HER & SWAG! 



PJVs QUICKIE POV:
Wow. I haven't read a young adult novel, with paranormal themes, this original and compelling in a long time. Step away from the usual vampire love stories and grab Darkness Becomes Her, you won't be disappointed.


REVIEW:
Deep in the ruined South of Keaton's imagined world, a young girl goes on a quest to find out about her parents. Abandoned at a young age, Ari has been a product of social services for a very long time. Just recently she has finally come to live with a family that has shown her kindness and love. It has not dispelled her curiosity though, she needs to find out why her mother abandoned her at four years old and her journey will take her to an area of the world, that like her has been abandoned.

Thirteen years prior, two massive hurricanes ripped through the Gulf and ruined the Gulf Coast. The US government abandoned the area, moved the people out and left the land to be reclaimed by nature. Nine of the oldest families of New Orleans would not relent and petitioned the US government to purchase the area. New Orleans became New 2, apart from the US - and New Orleans always having been different, now became another world.

Ari crossed The Rim into the unknown of New 2, where she was born, and begins to find that not everything is as it seems. The city hides secrets, and the rumors of paranormal creatures and magic that have been whispered about, might not be as far fetched as she thought. A ride from a stranger and an offer to stay the night in a large, run-down house in the Garden District, introduce her to the forgotten children of New 2 and probably the first friends that Ari has had the chance to make in a long time. But, friends can be used against you, especially if you are one of the most pursued persons in the area - because it would seem that Ari's arrival in the city hasn't gone unnoticed, both my the ruling body of the city, the Novem, and by much more scarier beings than she ever thought existed.
My frist praise for Ms. Keaton will be about her creation of New 2. Keaton embraced New Orleans, turned it on it's side and created something really special in New 2. She really seemed to get the personality of New Orleans and did a wonderful job of conveying it in Darkness Becomes Her. I know you can hear over and over again how different this region is, probably get tired of hearing it, I mean really, it is still the US right, how different can it be? But, it is. Just everything about this city is unique and a bit off. Something, you get used to when you live here, but stun the people that visit. Keaton did a great job of showing the subtle odditiy of the city and then taking it further by creating New 2. I could see it happening - if there was any city in the world that it could happen it would be New Orleans. A quote that resonnated with me and showed that Keaton really got New Orleans:
"...I was born here, and I knew my mother had lived here, but somehow it was more than that. It was in the emotion of the place, the air of abandonment, the slight decay on everything, the wildness of the plants and trees, the haunted appearance that clung to the grand old houses, and the dark parts where light never reached--deep in the lost gardens, behind vacant lots, and beyond boarded-up windows. {skipped a part because of length}...It was the freedom of being in a place that didn't give a shit what you were, because it was different too." 
On top of Keaton's rich imagining of the city she created, her characters are deeply developed and touch you emotionally. You want to take Violet in your arms and protect her, just as Ari does and Sebastien makes your palms sweat. Then along with the characters and the setting the original idea behind what Ari deals with and the plot behind the setting is so original I was literally nodding during reading it, highly impressed with Keaton's creativity. I can't stop singing the praises of this novel. I couldn't put it down. I started reading it the day before Mardi Gras (Lundi Gras) and it took all of my will-power to not bring it on the parade route to read, Mardi Gras day. Standing ovation, Ms. Keaton. I can't wait to read book number two.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
While this book is a Young Adult novel there are mature themes. There is violence and mature language. This is recommended for a mature teen audience.  Use your judgement parents, it is only a few curse words though. I would give this to a 13/14 year-old, but you might want to read it before you do - but, you'll enjoy it, so I don't think it'll be too hard.










 





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1. Tweet:
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Legal Stuff:
  1. Parajunkee's View or Tynga's Reviews is not responsible for items lost in shipping or items shipped from 3rd party sponsors. 
  2. Winners are chosen using a random number generator based on the comment number.
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  4. Winners will be announced on this blog on April 6th and by email if one is provided either in comments or on your profile.
  5. There is no limit to the amount of giveaways you can enter during Paranormal Spring Break but you can only enter each giveaway once (main entry and any extra entries available), if it is found that a person has entered the same giveaway more than the allotted entries those entries will be disqualified.
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7/20

30 comments:

SusanKMann said...

I really need to get this book, it sounds great. x

Lindsay said...

Tweeted about the contest and following you on Twitter as well now - violethourBR =)

flanpnhfpnanfnFN said...

This one sounds awesome! Great review it just made my lusting over this one even worse :)

Did an interview with KElly today, she's a really cool person.

http://blackfingernailedreviews.blogspot.com/

Ivy said...

Interesting review! :) Looking forward to reading this book!

Tweet: https://twitter.com/ivyreads/status/45497687721779200

ivykiddo@ gmail.com

Nina said...

Don't enter me. ;)

The cover of the book didn't get my attention for a while, but then I read a review about it that made me think twice. Now after reading your review for it, I really want to read the book. Sounds very good. Great review.

Melissa @ Mel's Books and Info said...

Okay! I am sold. I want to go out and buy this book right now! Thanks for the great review. I had seen this one around and even looked at it a couple of times, but just haven't picked it up. Now I need to go out and find a copy. Thanks!

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/wheems01/status/45509957713539072

bibliophile brouhaha said...

Wonderful review - I am so looking forward to reading this book! Sounds like it will be a bit more intelligent than some of the YA Paranormal that I've recently read. Thanks for the review and the awesome giveway - I tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/bibliobrouhaha/status/45518547669106688

Lola said...

This book sounds nice and dark! :)

Rain Maiden said...

This book looks sooo good. I will be adding it to my wish list.

Jnmt3@hotmail.com

Book Addictions by Christina said...

I read and reviewed this book on my blog as well and I love your review of it! The book is absolutely amazing!

Book Addictions by Christina said...

Oh and I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/BookAddictions/status/45555358499999744

Nina @ Death, Books, and Tea said...

This looks really good. Must read.

BLHmistress said...

I absolutely love books that have Mythology in them and this one is one I have so wanted to get and with your review I know for sure I am going to love it.

Book Flame said...

This book looks really good..thanks for the great review

bookflamereviews@gmail.com

Judy said...

If it is that good I would read it before I gave it to my 13 year old granddaughter. She loves to read ( I am so proud of her).


Judy
magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

Mandy P. said...

I can't wait to be able to read this book, it just sounds so good!

mpyff(at)hotmail(dot)com

Mandy P. said...

http://twitter.com/Pyffer/status/45651263576223744

I tweeted. :)

Jamie said...

It seems like everyone but me has read this book. I really want to read it now!

BookGeek said...

I've been DYING to read this book. So pumped!

I tweeted but don't know how to share the post:

http://twitter.com/#!/sduzy496

Pamk said...

great review. I think this is one me and my 15 could enjoy.
I tweeted to http://twitter.com/#!/Pamk258/status/46617822230626304

Julie S said...

Wow this sounds really good.

Tweeted :)
@juliecookies

juliecookies(at)gmail.com

Megan@Riverina Romantics said...

Looks good!

rootml1@hotmail.com

Megan@Riverina Romantics said...

I shared on FB!

http://www.facebook.com/megan.root1

rootml1@hotmail.com

rachel said...

Sounds like a great new twist to paranormal YA!

Meghan @ Books and a Cup of Tea said...

This sounds so darn interesting! Plus the cover is gorgeous

breakkanamexd[at]aol[dot]com

Onge said...

Thanks for the giveaway! Sounds like a great one.
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/chickenherder/status/50781479093018624
chickenherder@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

LOOOOOve to read this book, thanks for the giveaway.

flaka.077@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

tweeted -- http://twitter.com/#!/Ronyka7/status/50799356575625216

Amber I @ Awesomesauce said...

I keep seeing this book and I totally want to read it. Where oh where is my money tree!!


awesomesaucebooks(at)gmail(dot)com

FurryReaders said...

Okay, I just need to know does the Cafe Du Monde still serve their wonderful beignets (remember a funny game of beignet hockey - yes, used a beignet as the puck, on one of my Mardi Gras trips to 'Nah-lins', but that's another story) in New2?

Met the author last year at a signing event and will always want to check out anything she writes.

DaSwee94(at)yahoo(dot)com

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