Title: The Body Finder
Author: Kimberly Derting
Violet Ambrose is your average girl next door except for her one unique ability... she can sense the dead and the imprint that is left behind on their killer. It can come as a smell, a sound, a change in atmosphere - but somehow she be will alerted that something dead is near and it calls to her. Needless to say, it was quite the surprise when at 8 years old this uncanny gift led her to a dead girl's body. Lucky for her, she has a supportive family who not only understand her needs to find the dead (and that includes all sorts of dead critters) but will also help her put them to rest. Then there is her BFF, Jay Heaton.
Jay is the only person outside of her immediate family who knows of her gift. They have been best friends since childhood and are very comfortable with their day to day lives. But all that is about to change. Somehow over the summer, Jay has had a growth spurt and his boyish looks are a thing of the past... he has grown into a very good looking young man and Violet's feelings for him (although she's desperately trying to put up a struggle) are making her feel quite uncomfortable when she starts seeing Jay as a hottie instead of her dorky BFF.
But on top of all her worrying over her feelings for Jay, a serial killer has begun terrorizing Violet's small town and bodies are popping up everywhere. It soon becomes apparent that Violet's "deadly" ability might be what this town needs to find the killer.
Forgive my gushing but... I LOVED this book. It is so expertly done - with such wonderful play between light and darkness. What an amazing debut by Kimberly Derting!
There are so many things that I liked about this book. For starters, I thought the whole aspect of the serial killer and Violet's ability to be very unique in a YA novel. Violet was amazing - she was strong, resilient and, considering her gift is so morbid, she never let it bring her down. I also enjoyed that she was not a bumbling idiot, falling all over the place and not knowing what to do. She was smart, brave and took it upon herself to use her ability in a positive manner. Don't take me wrong, she was not perfect and she didn't always make the right choices, but that's exactly what made her likeable, relateable and realistic.
But what I truly loved about this novel was... VIOLET AND JAY! JAY AND VIOLET! They were just amazing together. Ms. Derting did a fabulous job in really fleshing their relationship out. You automatically get their camaraderie, but as their feelings change all the flirting and sexual tension is definitely one that I found true to life. Their dialogue and interaction with one another was sigh worthy.
All in all, I found The Body Finder to be a very refreshing and unique story. It did not have any of the love triangles, or whiny lead females, that seem to be popular at the moment. Instead you get a very likeable leading lady, with fantastic friends and family, throw in a little bit of mystery and suspense, and then add a budding romance that I could not get enough of, and it was the perfect mixture. I cannot wait to see what Ms. Derting comes out with next, but for now, get yourself a copy of The Body Finder, you will not be disappointed.
Author: Kimberly Derting
Pages: 352
Genre: YA/ Paranormal
Source: Purchased
Violet Ambrose is your average girl next door except for her one unique ability... she can sense the dead and the imprint that is left behind on their killer. It can come as a smell, a sound, a change in atmosphere - but somehow she be will alerted that something dead is near and it calls to her. Needless to say, it was quite the surprise when at 8 years old this uncanny gift led her to a dead girl's body. Lucky for her, she has a supportive family who not only understand her needs to find the dead (and that includes all sorts of dead critters) but will also help her put them to rest. Then there is her BFF, Jay Heaton.
Jay is the only person outside of her immediate family who knows of her gift. They have been best friends since childhood and are very comfortable with their day to day lives. But all that is about to change. Somehow over the summer, Jay has had a growth spurt and his boyish looks are a thing of the past... he has grown into a very good looking young man and Violet's feelings for him (although she's desperately trying to put up a struggle) are making her feel quite uncomfortable when she starts seeing Jay as a hottie instead of her dorky BFF.
But on top of all her worrying over her feelings for Jay, a serial killer has begun terrorizing Violet's small town and bodies are popping up everywhere. It soon becomes apparent that Violet's "deadly" ability might be what this town needs to find the killer.
Forgive my gushing but... I LOVED this book. It is so expertly done - with such wonderful play between light and darkness. What an amazing debut by Kimberly Derting!
There are so many things that I liked about this book. For starters, I thought the whole aspect of the serial killer and Violet's ability to be very unique in a YA novel. Violet was amazing - she was strong, resilient and, considering her gift is so morbid, she never let it bring her down. I also enjoyed that she was not a bumbling idiot, falling all over the place and not knowing what to do. She was smart, brave and took it upon herself to use her ability in a positive manner. Don't take me wrong, she was not perfect and she didn't always make the right choices, but that's exactly what made her likeable, relateable and realistic.
But what I truly loved about this novel was... VIOLET AND JAY! JAY AND VIOLET! They were just amazing together. Ms. Derting did a fabulous job in really fleshing their relationship out. You automatically get their camaraderie, but as their feelings change all the flirting and sexual tension is definitely one that I found true to life. Their dialogue and interaction with one another was sigh worthy.
All in all, I found The Body Finder to be a very refreshing and unique story. It did not have any of the love triangles, or whiny lead females, that seem to be popular at the moment. Instead you get a very likeable leading lady, with fantastic friends and family, throw in a little bit of mystery and suspense, and then add a budding romance that I could not get enough of, and it was the perfect mixture. I cannot wait to see what Ms. Derting comes out with next, but for now, get yourself a copy of The Body Finder, you will not be disappointed.
My Rating:
I've heard only great things about this book and although I really don't like the cover, I must read it! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteWow, wonderful review!! I bought this not too long ago. I reallly need to move it up on TBR!
ReplyDeleteI ordered this one, i'm excited to read it. Your review makes me even more excited!
ReplyDeleteI've had my eye on this one for some time. Thanks for the review--I'll move it up on my wishlist!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very interesting took - I do like the cover! :)
ReplyDeleteThis immediately went onto my Amazon wish list. I would have bought for my Kindle, but I my tbr shelves are groaning under the weight of unread books. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really good one; love the idea...being able to sense the dead and the idea they leave behind traces on their killers. (Watching my wish list grow right before my eyes.)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good! I can't remember if I have it on my library holds... Will have to check! I went a bit library crazy this week....
ReplyDelete