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kara_jane's review against another edition
4.0
First off I got into the book at first page andi really loved it but i felt like it was the Twilight Saga at some parts. Renee and Dante are a really cute couple but getting closer to the end they started getting on my nerves a little. But other then that they story leaves off on a cliff hanger and this leaves room for a sequel in which i will gladly read.
realchephsteph's review against another edition
3.0
The writing was ok, but I thought there were a few cliches in the beginning. For example, the main character Renée cut her hair in the 2nd chapter, which clearly was supposed to represent a change of character that didn’t appear in the writing. I thought Dante was introduced as the dark brooding love interest, and his cautious yet caring personality was not accurately introduced. The development of the plot was really good in the middle and towards the end, however the actually ending left the reader wanting in a not good way.
fernthepanda's review against another edition
3.0
The parallels to Twilight were eerie-even down to dialogue at times. This books was a quick read and for my teens who loved Twilight (& yes, I did too) this book will be a instant hit. The pacing was great.
I found the storyline intriguing, albeit predictable. I admit I grow tired of heroines who are seemingly daft-seriously why do they always seem so slow on the uptake? Renee is unfortunately no exception.
While I will definitely keep reading this series (it really was entertaining) I still can't help feeling like parts were just one giant Twilight knockoff.
And was I the only one who kept reading Megaron as Megatron and secretly wishing that some Transformers would show up? It would have been epic...
I found the storyline intriguing, albeit predictable. I admit I grow tired of heroines who are seemingly daft-seriously why do they always seem so slow on the uptake? Renee is unfortunately no exception.
While I will definitely keep reading this series (it really was entertaining) I still can't help feeling like parts were just one giant Twilight knockoff.
And was I the only one who kept reading Megaron as Megatron and secretly wishing that some Transformers would show up? It would have been epic...
breezy610's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay. I wasn't really impress with it for some odd reason. I feel that like whole thing was done over. but i will read the sequel to find out what happen next for the pair.
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
The start of a young adult, paranormal-romance series, Dead Beautiful.
The Story
It's a typical start. Young girl's parents die mysteriously. Her estranged grandfather is now her guardian and puts her in a boarding school far from her friends. She, Renee Winters, makes a few friends but is mostly intrigued by a gorgeously beautiful male student, Dante Berlin, who ignores everyone but for some mysterious reason is attracted to her.
As the fall semester continues, the mysteries pile up with a death similar to her parents. A student is claimed to have transferred but she appears during a séance. With the aid of a lost manuscript by Descartes, Renee pieces the horrible truth together.
The Characters
I found the primary characters clichéd with the lesser characters mere breaths of Woon's pen. She did a lovely job of describing the settings though.
My Take
The dialog felt very Young Adult. Except for Dante. He came across as so much more mature…I think this is why he reminded me of Edward from the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyers. Renee was irritating with her constant whining on and on about herself. She leaps to conclusions…in less than a single bound, but then, I suppose that is what young girls do.
Further on, Woon is "intriguing" us (and attempting to create a mystery) with the "curse" afflicting the school...it's the 20th century and "it's the first unexplained tragedy since 1789". Whoop-ti-do. How is this so very mysterious???
Okay, I've changed my mind. At first I was feeling very irritated with the book. With myself, for being so compulsive about finishing a book but, as I got toward the end, I became so riveted by the story. The last few pages in particular. I could not read fast enough. Although. I do have to wonder what was with the headmistress that she allowed one of the students for whom the school was formed to be in a position of power. Seems rather contradictory.
Woon did a marvelous job of leaving me hanging. Now, I have to wait until 2012 to find out what happens next!
The Cover
The cover is odd. The setting appears to be the school grounds and I'm guessing the young girl is Renee but why she's wearing a black tea gown with a cape is beyond me. It would have made more sense to put her in her school clothes.
The Story
It's a typical start. Young girl's parents die mysteriously. Her estranged grandfather is now her guardian and puts her in a boarding school far from her friends. She, Renee Winters, makes a few friends but is mostly intrigued by a gorgeously beautiful male student, Dante Berlin, who ignores everyone but for some mysterious reason is attracted to her.
As the fall semester continues, the mysteries pile up with a death similar to her parents. A student is claimed to have transferred but she appears during a séance. With the aid of a lost manuscript by Descartes, Renee pieces the horrible truth together.
The Characters
I found the primary characters clichéd with the lesser characters mere breaths of Woon's pen. She did a lovely job of describing the settings though.
My Take
The dialog felt very Young Adult. Except for Dante. He came across as so much more mature…I think this is why he reminded me of Edward from the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyers. Renee was irritating with her constant whining on and on about herself. She leaps to conclusions…in less than a single bound, but then, I suppose that is what young girls do.
Further on, Woon is "intriguing" us (and attempting to create a mystery) with the "curse" afflicting the school...it's the 20th century and "it's the first unexplained tragedy since 1789". Whoop-ti-do. How is this so very mysterious???
Okay, I've changed my mind. At first I was feeling very irritated with the book. With myself, for being so compulsive about finishing a book but, as I got toward the end, I became so riveted by the story. The last few pages in particular. I could not read fast enough. Although. I do have to wonder what was with the headmistress that she allowed one of the students for whom the school was formed to be in a position of power. Seems rather contradictory.
Woon did a marvelous job of leaving me hanging. Now, I have to wait until 2012 to find out what happens next!
The Cover
The cover is odd. The setting appears to be the school grounds and I'm guessing the young girl is Renee but why she's wearing a black tea gown with a cape is beyond me. It would have made more sense to put her in her school clothes.
cala_p's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this book. I'm not big on mystery, but with this book it always kept me wanting to know what was going on.
As for the paranormal aspect, I liked the originality of it; zombies, but not the traditional kind of zombies
As for the paranormal aspect, I liked the originality of it; zombies, but not the traditional kind of zombies
kayleightayla's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sierrataq's review against another edition
5.0
When I first started reading this book, I was instantly intrigued. Yvonne Woon gives very accurate and precise descriptions of scenery and settings in this story. As it went on, it turned into a romance-filled mystery story. I couldn't believe that I had never found this book before! If you love mysery, fantasy, romance, and reading about the undead/paranormal figures, you'll love this series!
renuked's review against another edition
3.0
The Plot: Strangely, I had higher expectations of this book. I'm as much of a fan as anyone for the girl who goes off to the elite boarding school, meets handsome guy, learns new secrets. But, only as long as it also puts something new and original onto the table. This was pretty typical I must say. Half of the plot twists I had completely figured out by the halfway point. So many pointers were given, plus the title...Dead Beautiful? At first I thought it was haunting, but the book truly was the opposite.
The Characters: Also very unoriginal, plain characters. Renee? Eh. Dante? He is supposed to be this absolute Adonis (oh wait that's Greek not Roman, oh well) but he was just kind of weird and tried too hard to be mysterious. I really dislike that stuff. You know, guy with big secret that is worried he'll hurt you if he tells you and whiny girl struggling through the most obvious plot details possible. Boring. The other characters? Practically nonexistant. The introduce Brett for a second and I thought, uh oh, love triangle? Nope, Brett just disappears. Renee's roommate disappears for 2 days before Renee finally gets the brains to tell someone. Yeahhhh.
The Romance: I love dynamic character relationships with actual tangible friendship before true love. Or, even better, if you are going to make them argue before said love, make it a good fight, with lots of feistiness and whatnot. And please above all, do not make them literal soul mates. (Don't do the opposite of what I just said, and don't do what this book did). That is all.
The Style: What is to be said here? Nothing original but no gaping holes either. Just average.
Overall: Now you are asking me, I just read a terrible review on this book? But why 3 whole stars. Well the book fit together well, it was and easy-cheesy read and lastly the mythology was the best part. All that stuff about why we bury the dead, Romulus and Remus, Latin, and the 7th Meditation was actually fascinating. That was the one aspect of the book that wasn't stamped word for word from another book. Other than that, if you want to read about mysterious deaths and hot guys saving wimp girls on the beach, be my guest and read it.
The Characters: Also very unoriginal, plain characters. Renee? Eh. Dante? He is supposed to be this absolute Adonis (oh wait that's Greek not Roman, oh well) but he was just kind of weird and tried too hard to be mysterious. I really dislike that stuff. You know, guy with big secret that is worried he'll hurt you if he tells you and whiny girl struggling through the most obvious plot details possible. Boring. The other characters? Practically nonexistant. The introduce Brett for a second and I thought, uh oh, love triangle? Nope, Brett just disappears. Renee's roommate disappears for 2 days before Renee finally gets the brains to tell someone. Yeahhhh.
The Romance: I love dynamic character relationships with actual tangible friendship before true love. Or, even better, if you are going to make them argue before said love, make it a good fight, with lots of feistiness and whatnot. And please above all, do not make them literal soul mates. (Don't do the opposite of what I just said, and don't do what this book did). That is all.
The Style: What is to be said here? Nothing original but no gaping holes either. Just average.
Overall: Now you are asking me, I just read a terrible review on this book? But why 3 whole stars. Well the book fit together well, it was and easy-cheesy read and lastly the mythology was the best part. All that stuff about why we bury the dead, Romulus and Remus, Latin, and the 7th Meditation was actually fascinating. That was the one aspect of the book that wasn't stamped word for word from another book. Other than that, if you want to read about mysterious deaths and hot guys saving wimp girls on the beach, be my guest and read it.
mishtighosal's review against another edition
4.0
Many reviewers have compared Dead Beautiful to Twilight.... Well, this book had me hooked on right from the first page.
I loved this book. It wasn't boring like Twilight, and the female protagonist, Renee Winters, is more interesting than Bella Swan. Even though the interactions between Renee and Dante, the mysterious handsome guy might remind one of Bella and Edward, the book is humorous and interesting enough to keep one interested in the trilogy.
But beware of cliffhangers!
I loved this book. It wasn't boring like Twilight, and the female protagonist, Renee Winters, is more interesting than Bella Swan. Even though the interactions between Renee and Dante, the mysterious handsome guy might remind one of Bella and Edward, the book is humorous and interesting enough to keep one interested in the trilogy.
But beware of cliffhangers!