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bbrassfield's review against another edition
4.0
I know what you must be thinking. WTF is a 48 year-old dude reading a novel like Dead Beautiful? Welp it all started in an independent bookshop dontchaknow, my syfy/fantasy YA spurt of recent years that is. Buffalo Street Books is a fabulous bookshop in Ithaca NY and during the Hamilton years I often journeyed there (and the wonderful Moosewood restaurant) and every time I went in the very astute book buyer had many tasty reading treats displayed on the YA syfy/fantasy table. I'd saunter over to the table, pick up some interesting sounding titles or novels with cool looking jackets and grab a seat in the comfy chair adjacent to the table and have at the first chapter or two of each. Looking back it is amazing how many great reads I found there and managed to support independent bookshops in the process. I actually read Dead Beautiful a couple of years back but have just started the sequel and thought it time to add it to my good reads list.
Dead Beautiful opens in a redwood forest in northern California, very close to where I lived for nine years and this setting is what drew me to the novel. By the time I got to the part where the story shifts to the east coast I was hooked. After suffering through the gawdawful Stephanie Meyer Twilight novels (a friend saved me from finishing the dreadful fourth installment) it is refreshing to find well-written imaginative YA fiction like this novel by Yvonne Woon. The main storyline does involve the undead but not in the way you might think thankfully, and the plot is fairly original. Our story begins in northern Cali with the parents of our protagonist on a hunt in the forest but for what we do not yet know. In fairly short order they end up quite dead with more than a little air of mystery as to how they got that way and the life of their high school aged daughter is turned utterly upside down. Soon the story shifts to New England as Renee goes to live with her grandfather and begins attending a private preparatory school that is much more than just another New England boarding school. The much more is what gives the story its weight and most of the adventure takes place in this somewhat cliched setting although the nature of Woon's plot renders this mostly a mute criticism. Renee comes to understand her parents were murdered by a group of undead (no not vampires!) and her new school is actually home to both the living and the undead. She also comes to learn much of her previously unknown family history from her grandfather who himself has a long history with the school and the undead. I won't say too much about what makes someone in this story undead as this is a key part of the novel but I will say Dead Beautiful was a thoroughly enjoyable novel with several engaging well-rounded characters. Early in, the sequel seems even better.
Dead Beautiful opens in a redwood forest in northern California, very close to where I lived for nine years and this setting is what drew me to the novel. By the time I got to the part where the story shifts to the east coast I was hooked. After suffering through the gawdawful Stephanie Meyer Twilight novels (a friend saved me from finishing the dreadful fourth installment) it is refreshing to find well-written imaginative YA fiction like this novel by Yvonne Woon. The main storyline does involve the undead but not in the way you might think thankfully, and the plot is fairly original. Our story begins in northern Cali with the parents of our protagonist on a hunt in the forest but for what we do not yet know. In fairly short order they end up quite dead with more than a little air of mystery as to how they got that way and the life of their high school aged daughter is turned utterly upside down. Soon the story shifts to New England as Renee goes to live with her grandfather and begins attending a private preparatory school that is much more than just another New England boarding school. The much more is what gives the story its weight and most of the adventure takes place in this somewhat cliched setting although the nature of Woon's plot renders this mostly a mute criticism. Renee comes to understand her parents were murdered by a group of undead (no not vampires!) and her new school is actually home to both the living and the undead. She also comes to learn much of her previously unknown family history from her grandfather who himself has a long history with the school and the undead. I won't say too much about what makes someone in this story undead as this is a key part of the novel but I will say Dead Beautiful was a thoroughly enjoyable novel with several engaging well-rounded characters. Early in, the sequel seems even better.
wyvernfriend's review against another edition
3.0
The book starts with our heroine, Renee, finding her dead parents, which leads to her grandfather sending her to a boarding school where the subjects are strange and some of the pupils are stranger. She falls in love but the path to true love doesn't run smooth.
There were times that this story worked for me but there were also times that I just didn't connect well with it. It just didn't resonate well with me and I didn't feel that the characters actually behaved in any real way. Quite readable but puddle deep. It's a bit like a cross between Harry Potter and Twilight with some of the serial numbers rubbed off. The author shows promise and I would be tempted to read her again.
There were times that this story worked for me but there were also times that I just didn't connect well with it. It just didn't resonate well with me and I didn't feel that the characters actually behaved in any real way. Quite readable but puddle deep. It's a bit like a cross between Harry Potter and Twilight with some of the serial numbers rubbed off. The author shows promise and I would be tempted to read her again.
storyflowsolutions's review against another edition
4.0
Dead Beautiful was a really good book. I just wish that i had been able to read it in a shorter time period. The thrill of reading about Dante and Renee was awesome. The story had more twists and a stranger plot line than i expected. Overall, I loved the book and definitely hope that there will be a sequel.
ramblings_ofa_booknerd's review against another edition
4.0
Dead Beautiful is a beautifully written young adult paranormal romance novel. But i don’t know, for some reason This series is so underrated. I mean I fell in love with this!! The characters are unique, although there may be a few cliches around, I found it enjoyable and interesting to read. There were so many mini mysteries throughout the whole book, and it leads you to form your own theories and answers about what's going on because you just get so curious. I love that feeling though.
It's not like one of those books where everything is really predictable. The plot wasn't rushed ,it ran through at it's own pace, which I liked. Since it is set in sort of a dark horror film setting, I did find some of the issues in this novel quite gruesome and creepy but I think that just helps to build a exciting atmosphere.
I loved the little romance involved although sometimes it annoyed me because of the way things turned out between different characters, though it was good It wasn't too cheesy and the whole relationship was constructed slowly , which I liked because I gained a proper undertanding of each character.
It's not like one of those books where everything is really predictable. The plot wasn't rushed ,it ran through at it's own pace, which I liked. Since it is set in sort of a dark horror film setting, I did find some of the issues in this novel quite gruesome and creepy but I think that just helps to build a exciting atmosphere.
I loved the little romance involved although sometimes it annoyed me because of the way things turned out between different characters, though it was good It wasn't too cheesy and the whole relationship was constructed slowly , which I liked because I gained a proper undertanding of each character.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't sure what to expect of this book. I loved the blurb, and the cover looked interesting, though my initial thought was witches or vampires... but it turned out to be Undead/zombies, though not like zombies we know.
Warning: Spoilers might be around
These undead aren't craving for brains, but are looking for their lost soul. Also they are only limited to those under 21 who aren't buried/cremated. So yeah, creepy factor, that you know that a little kid might just kiss and eat your soul. *shivers*
I loved our lead girl, she was really sweet and though she was oblivious to a lot of things, in the end she turned out to be alright.
I also loved Dante. *swoon* He was sooo cute and hot, I expected something was wrong with him, with all the: He doesn't eat, sleep or feel cold. I was really cheering for both our lead girl and Dante to be together and that everything would work out, since they have enough problems. Him being and she being . And that being that, they can't kiss on the lips.
The lessons they got at the school were great, I wish I could learn Horticulture when I was at school.
The book had lots of suspense, romance and I would recommend it to all. :)
Warning: Spoilers might be around
These undead aren't craving for brains, but are looking for their lost soul. Also they are only limited to those under 21 who aren't buried/cremated. So yeah, creepy factor, that you know that a little kid might just kiss and eat your soul. *shivers*
I loved our lead girl, she was really sweet and though she was oblivious to a lot of things, in the end she turned out to be alright.
I also loved Dante. *swoon* He was sooo cute and hot, I expected something was wrong with him, with all the: He doesn't eat, sleep or feel cold. I was really cheering for both our lead girl and Dante to be together and that everything would work out, since they have enough problems. Him being
Spoiler
undeadSpoiler
a monitorThe lessons they got at the school were great, I wish I could learn Horticulture when I was at school.
The book had lots of suspense, romance and I would recommend it to all. :)
dontgrumble's review against another edition
5.0
Really good book, took me completely by suprise! Had to move straight on to the sequel