bookishworm2016's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
paradoxically's review
1.0
Argh. It was like in the span between the first book and this one, Violet has gotten ten times more melodramatic. It's so irritating seeing a character backslide like that. She's jealous of the time Jay is spending without her, she doesn't talk to her family or Jay about her problems (even though they have known for years about her ability to sense the dead), and I spend a good portion of the time wanting to slap some more sense into her. It was like the author took her main character and forced emotional upheaval all over her just to give the book more drama.
Then there's Violet's friend, Chelsea, who is an awful person. I don't care if she seems cool, or that she speaks her mind, there are ways to do that without being a jerk. Every time she wanders across the page I lose most of my interest and just wait until she goes away. How Chelsea is any better than the cheerleaders that the main character derides is beyond my understanding.
And, oh jeez, Violet's inability to stand up for herself, to tell her family and Jay what is going on, is the most frustrating part of the book. Someone connected to the FBI starts snooping around and what does she do? Not tell her family. She spends so much time trying to run away from reality that I can hardly stand her now. Jay is perfectly sweet to her (to an almost sickening degree, honestly), and she doesn't nearly match him in that. I liked them together in the first book, but in the second I was mostly feeling sorry that Jay even stuck around Violet.
The plot was shallow and seemed mostly... petty. Then there was the reveal at the end that sort of just pops up and I didn't care at all. I expected a lot more from the book--the least that the book was be all right like the first--only to have those expectations fall flat. 1-2 stars.
Then there's Violet's friend, Chelsea, who is an awful person. I don't care if she seems cool, or that she speaks her mind, there are ways to do that without being a jerk. Every time she wanders across the page I lose most of my interest and just wait until she goes away. How Chelsea is any better than the cheerleaders that the main character derides is beyond my understanding.
And, oh jeez, Violet's inability to stand up for herself, to tell her family and Jay what is going on, is the most frustrating part of the book. Someone connected to the FBI starts snooping around and what does she do? Not tell her family. She spends so much time trying to run away from reality that I can hardly stand her now. Jay is perfectly sweet to her (to an almost sickening degree, honestly), and she doesn't nearly match him in that. I liked them together in the first book, but in the second I was mostly feeling sorry that Jay even stuck around Violet.
The plot was shallow and seemed mostly... petty. Then there was the reveal at the end that sort of just pops up and I didn't care at all. I expected a lot more from the book--the least that the book was be all right like the first--only to have those expectations fall flat. 1-2 stars.
xxertz's review
3.0
good, but very predictable - was surprised at the underage sex reference tho. realistic to teen life, but hmm
laurenjodi's review
2.0
Desires of the Dead
2 Stars
Synopsis
Violet Ambrose has always kept her ability to sense the echoes of the dead a secret but after finding the body of a dead boy, she has drawn the attention of the FBI. Unfortunately, she also finds herself the target of a disturbed stalker and has no one to turn to, not even her closest friend turned boyfriend, Jay Heaton who is preoccupied with he newest pal, Mike, whose family seems to have secrets of its own.
Review
The paranormal thriller premise has potential but is completely overshadowed by the teen melodrama and angst.
Violet has become a completely different character - she has regressed emotionally and is now a typical whiny and jealous girlfriend who keeps secrets and overreacts to the smallest thing. The fact that she fails to tell her parents of the FBI's interest, is completely illogical and ruined my suspension of disbelief.
The story begins well with the discovery of a boy's body and Violet's stalker but ends up going in a confusing and disappointing direction. The tension and suspense that builds in the beginning rapidly fizzles out by the end.
Violet and Jay's romance is sweet and they certainly have oodles of chemistry but his perfection gets old after a while and the inclusion of Rafe feels out of place. It is as if Derting needed a tick next to "love triange" on her YA check list.
I may eventually read the next book if it comes my way but I won't be actively looking for it.
2 Stars
Synopsis
Violet Ambrose has always kept her ability to sense the echoes of the dead a secret but after finding the body of a dead boy, she has drawn the attention of the FBI. Unfortunately, she also finds herself the target of a disturbed stalker and has no one to turn to, not even her closest friend turned boyfriend, Jay Heaton who is preoccupied with he newest pal, Mike, whose family seems to have secrets of its own.
Review
The paranormal thriller premise has potential but is completely overshadowed by the teen melodrama and angst.
Violet has become a completely different character - she has regressed emotionally and is now a typical whiny and jealous girlfriend who keeps secrets and overreacts to the smallest thing. The fact that she fails to tell her parents of the FBI's interest, is completely illogical and ruined my suspension of disbelief.
The story begins well with the discovery of a boy's body and Violet's stalker but ends up going in a confusing and disappointing direction. The tension and suspense that builds in the beginning rapidly fizzles out by the end.
Violet and Jay's romance is sweet and they certainly have oodles of chemistry but his perfection gets old after a while and the inclusion of Rafe feels out of place. It is as if Derting needed a tick next to "love triange" on her YA check list.
I may eventually read the next book if it comes my way but I won't be actively looking for it.
michaela95c's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't like this as much as I did the first, but I still thought it was good. This book wasn't as creepy as the first, but it did have me guessing as to who was leaving all these messages for Violet. It had a good plot, and a good ending. I really like Rafe and I like to find out more about him and his "ability", I think he and Violet could become good friends or maybe more. Don't get me wrong, I love Jay but there's just something about Rafe...
Can't wait for the next book!
Can't wait for the next book!
authorash's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Stalking
ellenpenleysmith's review
4.0
Desires of the Dead brings back all the awesome and familiar things and people we were introduced to in the first of the series, The Body Finder.
The one thing that I love about these books is the suspense and, morbidly enough, all the murders! I finished The Body Finder really enjoying it and have had the sequel on hand for almost a year now just waiting to be read. One good thing about these books is that you can wait a year and a bit to read the next one because each book is kind of formed in the same way as the Heist Society series--stand alone novels within in a series. You could pick the second book or third book up and read it without reading the others and still understand everything.
One thing that was different though was the fact that Desires of the Dead is rather predictable. I had it all figured out before Violet did and at first that worried me. Am I going to be reading through this whole book knowing the ending and Violet being clueless? But Derting has made a smart character out of Violet and she's just as much on the ball as we are! And the bigger surprises which Violet doesn't get don't take all that long to be revealed either. Although, I do think their prologue definitely gave the biggest surprise away, which is a real shame because if it weren't for the prologue I may have stayed clueless a little longer.
Again, I didn't find the writing to be all that special or boring. It was plain, but the suspense definitely made up for it. There was definitely less focus on the love in this book, which I was kind of thankful for. I do like Jay, but there's nothing about their relationship that I find exciting. It just seems safe and kind of boring if I'm too be honest.
The introduction of the FBI has definitely moved this series into a new direction, one that I think I'll enjoy if it means more mysterious. Because, lets be honest, one girl cannot be involved in all the murder stories in her home town by accidentally coming across the echoes. But with the FBI and a few twists, Derting has set the series up for as many books as the readers and publishers want!
Overall, I was really happy with Desires of the Dead. It was suspensful, pushed the series into a new direction, and an easy read since I read it in only a few hours.
The one thing that I love about these books is the suspense and, morbidly enough, all the murders! I finished The Body Finder really enjoying it and have had the sequel on hand for almost a year now just waiting to be read. One good thing about these books is that you can wait a year and a bit to read the next one because each book is kind of formed in the same way as the Heist Society series--stand alone novels within in a series. You could pick the second book or third book up and read it without reading the others and still understand everything.
One thing that was different though was the fact that Desires of the Dead is rather predictable. I had it all figured out before Violet did and at first that worried me. Am I going to be reading through this whole book knowing the ending and Violet being clueless? But Derting has made a smart character out of Violet and she's just as much on the ball as we are! And the bigger surprises which Violet doesn't get don't take all that long to be revealed either. Although, I do think their prologue definitely gave the biggest surprise away, which is a real shame because if it weren't for the prologue I may have stayed clueless a little longer.
Again, I didn't find the writing to be all that special or boring. It was plain, but the suspense definitely made up for it. There was definitely less focus on the love in this book, which I was kind of thankful for. I do like Jay, but there's nothing about their relationship that I find exciting. It just seems safe and kind of boring if I'm too be honest.
The introduction of the FBI has definitely moved this series into a new direction, one that I think I'll enjoy if it means more mysterious. Because, lets be honest, one girl cannot be involved in all the murder stories in her home town by accidentally coming across the echoes. But with the FBI and a few twists, Derting has set the series up for as many books as the readers and publishers want!
Overall, I was really happy with Desires of the Dead. It was suspensful, pushed the series into a new direction, and an easy read since I read it in only a few hours.
lucy_qhuay's review
5.0
This book was as great as the first one or even better!! :D I loved it!!
I admire Violet and her courage a lot and I totally love Jay. *sigh* He's perfect. He reminds me of someone. *sigh*
Though, I was very upset when Violet didn't confide in Jay with all the Sara Priest situation and the thing that was going on with the threats and the dead kitty.
And I was even more upset when she was so stubborn that she and Jay broke up. I wasn't upset; I was heart broken :'(
My poor Jay suffering like that :'( And she was suffering too!! Stubborn girl!!
Now, one last thing - I don't know what to think about Mister Rafe. He seems to be a good guy but what's going on between him and Violet??
I don't want him to steal Jay's place. In fact, I think that that is not possible because Violet is obviously completely in love with Jay and Jay with her but that electricity feeling that happens every time that they touch each other's skin is a little bit disturbing.
Kimberly, don't you even think about "twilighting" this awesome series and pull off some weird connection between Violet and Rafe, just like it happens between Bella and Jacob!!
I admire Violet and her courage a lot and I totally love Jay. *sigh* He's perfect. He reminds me of someone. *sigh*
Though, I was very upset when Violet didn't confide in Jay with all the Sara Priest situation and the thing that was going on with the threats and the dead kitty.
And I was even more upset when she was so stubborn that she and Jay broke up. I wasn't upset; I was heart broken :'(
My poor Jay suffering like that :'( And she was suffering too!! Stubborn girl!!
Now, one last thing - I don't know what to think about Mister Rafe. He seems to be a good guy but what's going on between him and Violet??
I don't want him to steal Jay's place. In fact, I think that that is not possible because Violet is obviously completely in love with Jay and Jay with her but that electricity feeling that happens every time that they touch each other's skin is a little bit disturbing.
Kimberly, don't you even think about "twilighting" this awesome series and pull off some weird connection between Violet and Rafe, just like it happens between Bella and Jacob!!
michellesantiago's review
4.0
I liked the first one better but this one still really good. I love Jay--such as sweetheart. :)
But, URGH, there's a hit there that Derting might throw in a love triangle with Jay, Violet and a new character, Rafe in the next book. I really hope she goes against the YA grain and does NOT.
But, URGH, there's a hit there that Derting might throw in a love triangle with Jay, Violet and a new character, Rafe in the next book. I really hope she goes against the YA grain and does NOT.
scarletcorset's review
5.0
(re-read 10/3/15)
**5 STARS**
Seriously one of my favorite series ever. I was afraid nothing could match up with the first book in this series, but this sequel was just as amazing!
**5 STARS**
Seriously one of my favorite series ever. I was afraid nothing could match up with the first book in this series, but this sequel was just as amazing!