The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

summary from goodreads.com

This book was suspenseful and unique in many ways, only one of which was the plotline. There were a few instances when I felt myself slipping from Derting's grip--and at the most suspenseful times, which was odd, such as when Violet could sense the echo of the killer, or discovered the murdered girls--but the book definitely kept my interest throughout the whole time I was reading it. I'm not going to lie, I did sneak it under my desk in class for just a few minutes of reading. I loved the subplot of romance because, after all, who doesn't like a book with romance?

I especially enjoyed seeing the story from the killers’ eyes--it drew more attention to the mysterious, dark side of the novel, and gave both of the killers very distinctive qualities. I couldn't help but find myself very intrigued by them and what it was, exactly, that drove them to commit such hideous crimes. Despite its flaws--which, I'm glad to say, there were very few of--I cannot deny that I loved this book, because I loved it so, so much. One thing for sure: Derting has got some definite talent up her sleeve! What an amazing novel!

The characters were all very developed, which, in my opinion, is key to a great book, and there were little to no questions left unanswered by the end, which is the general thing that makes me sad to finish stand alones, and made me especially sad to finish this one. Violet's unique ability definitely increased my interest, because I wanted to know more about it, and Jay is the ideal boyfriend; let's face it, girls, we all want a Jay in our lives.

This book would be a great choice for fans of Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi, The Darkest Powers trilogy by Kelley Armstrong, and the Wake series by Lisa McMann. What an incredible debut from Kimberly Derting! I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next. If I were you, I’d grab this book the second it hits the shelf at your local bookstore.

Grade: A+

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Book Review: Evermore by Alyson Noel

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, Ever can see auras, hear people's thoughts, and know a person's entire life story by touch. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen.

Damen Auguste is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy. He's the only one who can silence the noise and random energy in her head—wielding a magic so intense, it's as though he can see straight into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she's left with more questions than answers. She has no idea just who he really is—or what he is. The only thing she knows to be true is she's falling deeply and helplessly in love with him.


What i thought: The characters, writing style, and storyline are a tad similar to those in Stephenie Meyer's, L.J. Smith's, and Melissa Marr's books, but written with a fasinating twist and voice that entirely remove the doubt of remake. After closing the cover, you, as i do, will want your own Damen, even if it means changing all that you have ever known.

Ever's character is so realistic that i could hardly doubt anything she said, even when discussing things as UNrealistic as Immortals. Her voice also flowed nicely with the dialoge, and it truly sounded as if a teenager was speaking, rather than an adult author. Also, Damen had a perfectly mysterious and dark air to him, which i really love. . . mmm. Tall, dark, and handsome. Why not? What could POSSIBLY go wrong?

A fantastic novel for all teens, and possibly even a few adults. Laugh out loud funny and thoroughly suspensefull, Noel creates an entirely other world within the one we know and love. This haunting story will have you looking down alley ways and examining the new boy with undeniable curiousity. Ever tells her story in a convincing voice, and one you are not likely to forget. An amazing book that will have readers eagerly awaiting those following it.

Also, i just love this cover. . . Because we all know that we judge books by their covers. (By the way, they are TULIPS not ROSES.) The purple backround with (my guess) Ever holding the red tulips (meaning undying love! Sorry. i had to say it) is just so eye-popping. I just love the two colors together, so long as they stay on paper (purple and red in any other circumstance. . . i shudder to think of it. lol) And the red of the tulips seriously stands out, but not in an annoying bright way, but in a way that is eye-grabbing and mysterious. Really, who wouldnt want to pick this up and read the back?

POSTED BY THE TruNerd