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: Web |  Facebook | 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: WIN! DARKNESS BECOMES HER & Swag! hosted by @parajunkee & @Tynga #ParanormalSpringBreak #giveaway http://bit.ly/eZZ2o3 PLZ RT

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.
3. You do not have to be a follower to participate.
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.
6. If it is not stated, it should be assumed that giveaway items have been provided by a 3rd party as a donation to Parajunkee's View.

7/20

Guest Post & Giveaway with Kelly Keaton

It is not only Paranormal Spring Break it is also Mardi Gras. Can you say, "Happy Mardi Gras ya'll, Laissez les bon temps rouler!" It is time to let the good times roll and welcome Kelly Keaton, a woman who shares my same love for New Orleans and Mardi Gras, here to introduce us to her perspective of New Orleans and the world she created in New 2 - the world of Darkness Becomes Her.

Oh, Mardi Gras how I love thee! Kelly Keaton here to plead for her spot as Queen of the Parajunkee Crewe. :) (Picture me with awesome ball gown and sparkly purple and gold mask with gold glitter and fuzzy feathers).

Since DARKNESS BECOMES HER is set in what was once New Orleans, I thought it fitting to introduce you to the world of New 2 and take you around some spots Ari and Co. visit in the book.

New 2 emerged out of the chaos and devastation of two back-to-back hurricanes that destroyed New Orleans, making it uninhabitable. Nine of the oldest (and strangest) families from New Orleans banded together, formed an alliance known as the Novem, and bought the ruined land from the United States. Then, they retreated into their city to rebuild, starting with the French Quarter. The place became known as a sanctuary for the strange and paranormal.

Thirteen years later, it’s known as New 2. The French Quarter has been restored to its former glory and tourists are allowed into the area – though the Novem retains strict control over everything, who comes and goes, the economy, law enforcement, etc.

So let’s go on a little tour to see some places in the book!

The Cabildo Building Jackson Square. To the left of the cathedral is the Cabildo Building, now home to the Novem offices. On the other side of St. Louis Cathedral (pictured below) is the Presbytère, which the Novem turned into their swanky private school.
St. Louis Cathedral	Presbytère
(photo credit of Cabildo & Presbytère: http://www.neworleansonline.com/)
(photo credit: http://www.neworleansonline.com/) The Garden District. Not much has been restored here. Mansions are rotting, gardens are overgrown, Spanish moss grows unchecked, and squatters (those people not related to the Novem, abandoned and orphaned kids, and those who stayed behind after the hurricanes, all have staked their claim on the abandoned mansions). It’s a wild, lush place of lost grandeur and ghostly buildings. One of those mansions is the Morris-Israel House where Crank takes Ari to meet Dub, Henri, Violet & Sebastian.
Lafayette Cemetery (photo credit: http://www.neworleansonline.com/)	Another place featured in the book is Lafayette Cemetery. Much of it (in New 2) is in ruins. Tombs have been destroyed and bones and marble litter the ground, and a small swamp has overtaken a portion of the cemetery...
Wondering how the kids get around? Ari and the kids use the Saint Charles Avenue street car to get from the G.D. to the French Quarter:	St. Charles street car (photo credit: http://www.neworleansonline.com/)
So that’s the very short tour. New Orleans is such an amazing city. Nearly every site, every building and every street you’ll read about in DARKNESS BECOMES HER is a real landmark you can find within the city today. Hope you all are enjoying your Paranormal Spring Break! Thanks for checking out my post and, as always, Happy Reading!!

Contest Deets ONE WINNER:
(Part of the Mardi Gras Prize Pack!) One (1) winner will receive a SIGNED final copy of DARKNESS BECOMES HER by Kelly Keaton along with fun Swag! (Sticky Notes, Bookmarks...)

Requirements:
Following is not required but is appreciated!
US Shipping Only - NO PO BOXES
Fill out the form to win!

Please Spread the Word
1. Tweet: WIN! DARKNESS BECOMES HER & Swag! hosted by @parajunkee & @Tynga #ParanormalSpringBreak #giveaway http://bit.ly/eZZ2o3 PLZ RT

Please Donate to help with shipping expenses:
 

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.
3. You do not have to be a follower to participate.
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.
6. If it is not stated, it should be assumed that giveaway items have been provided by a 3rd party as a donation to Parajunkee's View. 
7. This prize is part of the MARDI GRAS PRIZE pack - please see sidebar for what is available in this giveaway