Review of DIE FOR ME by Amy Plum

Title - Die For Me
Author - Amy Plum
Published by - Harper Teen
Release Date - May 10, 2011
Rating - Winter Faerie = 5 stars!

Synopsis from Goodreads - DIE FOR ME is the first of three books about Kate, a sixteen-year-old American who moves to Paris after the death of her parents. She finds herself falling for Vincent, who she discovers is not the typical French teenager he appears: he is something else entirely.

DIE FOR ME presents a new supernatural mythology presented in a city where dreams are sometimes the same as reality.

My Review - After losing their parents in a tragic accident, Kate and her sister move away from Brooklyn to live with their Grandparents in Paris.  Kate is heart-broken over the loss of her parents and isn’t the same girl she used to be.  Although Kate loves Paris, it is full of memories she shares with her parents, and sometimes just basic day to day functions are difficult.  Kate’s sister Georgia is the exact opposite of Kate.  While Kate is quiet and contemplative and trying to figure out the person she has become as the result of this tragedy, her sister Georgia  is out –going and spontaneous, she makes friends easily, and likes to be in the middle of the action in Paris.  While Georgia misses her parents desperately as well, she decides to throw herself into living life to its fullest, and will do anything to bring her sister along for the ride and make her happy too or at least help her forget for a little while. 

After deciding to get out of the house one day, Kate goes to a café to read a book.  While getting lost in her book and people watching at the same time, Kate looks around and sees Vincent, who is also at the cafe with friends.  Vincent is heart stopping beautiful.  Kate can’t look away and feels drawn to and curious about him.  It seems the feelings are mutual because Kate is surprised to see this beautiful boy is watching her back, quite intently.  It isn’t long before Kate and Vincent run into each other again, and to Kate’s astonishment, he asks her out on a date.  Kate and Vincent connect immediately and it isn't long before Kate realizes that Vincent has a secret.  Vincent isn’t the normal teenage boy he appears, and his secret not only puts her life in jeopardy, but his as well, and Kate isn’t sure she can willingly open herself up to the possibility of loving someone and then possibly losing them.  Not again.  Not after all the loss she has already experienced. 

Amy’s writing flows so beautifully!  I was up at all hours reading and devouring this book.  You can tell she lives in Paris because her love of the city shines through the pages in her descriptions of the books setting.  The details about the museums, cafes, art galleries, shops, and even the streets just jumped off the page and made me feel like I could actually see Paris in my mind!  Amy introduces Revanants, a new take on paranormal for me, and I was completely captivated by the story they have to tell!  Everything from the mythology Amy creates, to the romance between Kate and Vincent, the plot, conflict, supporting characters, was spot on.  I was drawn in and completely immersed in the story and fell in love. 

Saying I loved Die For Me seems inadequate.  I became passionate over Kate and Vincent’s story, I cheered for them and ached for them.  Amy Plum made my heart hurt for Kate who is trying so hard to come to terms with a loss she will never understand.  Amy made me love the relationship Kate and her sister Georgia share.  Amy made me feel swept away by Vincent, who is beyond a doubt swoon worthy and knows how to romance a girl, he is a hero at his very core and the kind of boy every girl dreams of!  Amy captivated me with her fresh and horror filled take on mythology, she made me laugh with and love the supporting characters, especially Jules and Ambrose.  Amy makes me feel all of these things and then she combines it with a back drop that is Paris… be still my beating heart people!  What more could you ask for?!  An author that can write something so amazing that it makes you feel all of these things, in my mind is brilliant and full of writing magic!  Die For Me has been forever tattooed on my heart and long after I turned the last page, the story stayed with me.  I can’t wait for the next book in the series. 

Bottom Line –Die for me is a story of love, loss,  passion, self-discovery, thrown in with heart stopping horror, all wrapped up in the city of dreams… what more could you ask for?    Je l'ai aimé

Reviewed by:  Jennifer

*Normally I don't yet review books that still have a while until their release date, but I was very excited to share this book with you all!  Be sure to add it to your Goodreads list, and I will be reminding you when the release date approaches! *

*Thank you to Harper Teen for the ARC to review!