Die For Me by Amy Plum

Title:  Die For Me
Author: Amy Plum
Pages:  344
Genre:  YA/ Paranormal
Source:  Netgalley

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love? [via GoodReads]

I found Die For Me to be a fun, fresh and wonderfully captivating debut novel.  Amy Plum introduces us to Revenants... Revenants were once humans who died selflessly saving another's life and who return to their dead bodies to live again.  They use these born-again lives to continue saving more lives. I have a thing for zombies and I really liked this version of a more romanticized nature.  Revenants sleep for three days each month which regenerates them and should they be killed they easily return to their bodies.

After the loss of her parents, Kate and her sister move to Paris to live with her grandparents.  There she meets Vincent, a mysterious young man who has one heck of a secret.  There were so many aspects of this novel that captivated me.  The first few chapters where you get to meet Kate and learn how the loss of her parents has affected her really rang true for me.  I found myself choking back on tears on more than one occasion.  I enjoyed reading of her relationship with her sister (they were more like BFF's), and her getting used to her new guardians, her grandparents (whom quite frankly, were just lovely).  I also loved reading of her relationship with Vincent.  I liked that their relationship wasn't rushed... instead they took their time to get to know each other, which in turn made you like them even more.  I truly hate when characters are rushing into those "I Love You" moments.  I personally like the more realistic version of relationships and considering Die For Me is a paranormal fiction, I found this aspect of the story to be true to life.

Oh and did I mention it's set in Paris.... oh le Pareees.  Ms. Plum gives you pure mind candy with her stunning and very vivid descriptions of Paris.  I loved taking a stroll with Kate or sipping a latte along with her while enjoying a good book at the local cafe.  I found the setting to really give the story a lot of character.

Aside from our main characters and wonderful setting - I really enjoyed the storyline.  The introduction of the Revenants and, of course, their more evil counterparts.  I also enjoyed meeting the supporting cast - Vincent's roommates (also Revenants), Kate's sister, her grandparents.  Altogether I was very pleased with this story.  I actually read the whole thing in one sitting - I could not put it down.

All in all, Die For Me, is a fabulous debut.  With so many new paranormal stories written every day, it was a breath of fresh air to find such a unique storyline.  Although Die For Me has a definite ending (one, I might add, that left me with a big goofy smile on my face), it certainly is not the end of our story. I, for one, can honestly say that I loved this story and cannot wait to get my hands on its sequel.  Fans of paranormal, young adult will rejoice in this one.

My Rating: