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vivianabana's review
3.0
I really enjoyed the Dead Is series but like many people I like the original characters of anything and if changed I don't particularly enjoy it. I was a good book but I think the story is going to be like Daisy's just different and it will feel like re-reading it just with different people.
erin_oriordan_is_reading_again's review
4.0
This book marks the beginning of the Jessica Walsh era - Jessica takes over as heroine of the Dead Is series from Daisy Giordano. Psychic Daisy and her sisters are the Walsh's next door neighbors, and Daisy's boyfriend Ryan is the best friend of Jessica's older brother Sean. Jessica doesn't have psychic powers, but she does have a strange new tattoo that just appears without the use of needles. She learns she's a virago, a supernatural warrior-woman destined to guard her hometown of Nightshade, California.
I wondered if I would like this series as much with Jessica in charge as I did with Daisy. I did, pretty much. The ending was a little rushed, but I imagine some of the confusion will be further cleared up in the next volume, [b:Dead Is a Killer Tune|12513514|Dead Is a Killer Tune|Marlene Perez|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg|17499359].
While battling an outbreak of a strange infection and an even stranger ant farm, Jessica develops a crush on the new lead singer of local band Side Effects May Vary: her fellow Nightshade High student Dominic Gray. But Dominic seems to have a split personality when it comes to Jessica; sometimes he seems into her, and sometimes he's all over Selena Silvertongue. What's up with Dominic? Will Jessica survive the danger - and Flo's virago workouts - long enough to find out?
I wondered if I would like this series as much with Jessica in charge as I did with Daisy. I did, pretty much. The ending was a little rushed, but I imagine some of the confusion will be further cleared up in the next volume, [b:Dead Is a Killer Tune|12513514|Dead Is a Killer Tune|Marlene Perez|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg|17499359].
While battling an outbreak of a strange infection and an even stranger ant farm, Jessica develops a crush on the new lead singer of local band Side Effects May Vary: her fellow Nightshade High student Dominic Gray. But Dominic seems to have a split personality when it comes to Jessica; sometimes he seems into her, and sometimes he's all over Selena Silvertongue. What's up with Dominic? Will Jessica survive the danger - and Flo's virago workouts - long enough to find out?
aknas22's review
3.0
Didn't like this one as much as I liked the first 5 about Daisy. One of the reasons is that I liked Daisy's character a lot more then Jessica's. I also liked Rose and Poppy.
thisbookishcat's review
mysterious
fast-paced
2.5
The story itself isn't bad, although I could do with less of the high school love drama, it's just that everything went at an awkwardly fast pace that really shouldn't have, and in fact didn't, work. From training to conflict resolution, everything was too convenient. If I was reading these back in junior high, I might not think so poorly of the continuation of this story, but right now it isn't working for me.
gfue's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
bookreader02's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This only took me a day since I couldn’t remember having read the last few books to this series before. Although, I will admit that I missed Ryan and Daisy even if they were mentioned a couple times. But I still enjoyed it, I loved Dominic and Jessica though, although there were a few people throughout the book that made me a bit mad at that character. But I love books that can make you feel upset or angry at a character, even if it is the main character or not.
l1brarygirl's review
3.0
Since this is book #6 in this series, you might already be familiar with the setting and such. Thing is, this book marks the beginning of a new narrator and supporting characters. No longer do we have the physic Daisy Giordano, who graduated from high school at the end of book #5 ([b:Dead Is Not An Option|7430203|Dead Is Not An Option (Dead Is, #5)|Marlene Perez|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1287973754s/7430203.jpg|9408525]). We now have Jessica, who is the younger sister of Sean (who is dating Samantha, Daisy's best friend from previous books).
I don't know if Perez is trying to reach out to the younger spectrum of young adult readers because why else would we go from following the tale of sisters in high school and college to some freshmen (who happen to go after older, junior guys)? Because of this, I think that the characters seemed a little too immature for my reading taste. I mean, the way that Dominic treats her (switching between hot & cold) really got on my nerves. Jessica as a character over all didn't seem to have much depth to her.
The two characters I really liked were Flo and Raven (fellow Viragos along with Andy). Flo is the kind of girl who kicks butt and I like her sense of humor through the t-shirts she wears. Example: I PUT THE FATAL IN EMME FATALE. and PLEASE DON'T FEED THE ZOMBIES. I've always liked her in the previous books and I am glad we get to see more of her.
Raven also fascinates me. She's a Virago but also a pacifist (interesting combo right?). She doesn't let the relationship issues between Jessica & her brother Dominic define her friendship with Jessica, which I admired.
One thing that made this book difficult to read was the fact the characters seemed oblivious to the danger that was right in front of them! At least in the other books, there was a sense of mystery and the reader didn't know what was up from the beginning. Saying that, the book is a quick read (it being just shy of 250 pages).
Things that redeemed this book from being two-stars:
1. ZOMBIES! Though not actual zombies, it still is a plus in my mind to involve zombies :)
2. Though I didn't like Dominic at all, his seer abilities were really cool. Clues given as songs? Awesome! It is a recycled idea - the "haunted" jukebox in Slim's Diner is ringing bells. Still, it is a unique paranormal talent.
That all being said, I did go on to read book #7, Dead is a Killer Tune. My review on that one will be up shortly.
Update: To clarify, the author did say on her website that this book was part of a spin-off series.
This review can also be seen on my blog.
I don't know if Perez is trying to reach out to the younger spectrum of young adult readers because why else would we go from following the tale of sisters in high school and college to some freshmen (who happen to go after older, junior guys)? Because of this, I think that the characters seemed a little too immature for my reading taste. I mean, the way that Dominic treats her (switching between hot & cold) really got on my nerves. Jessica as a character over all didn't seem to have much depth to her.
The two characters I really liked were Flo and Raven (fellow Viragos along with Andy). Flo is the kind of girl who kicks butt and I like her sense of humor through the t-shirts she wears. Example: I PUT THE FATAL IN EMME FATALE. and PLEASE DON'T FEED THE ZOMBIES. I've always liked her in the previous books and I am glad we get to see more of her.
Raven also fascinates me. She's a Virago but also a pacifist (interesting combo right?). She doesn't let the relationship issues between Jessica & her brother Dominic define her friendship with Jessica, which I admired.
One thing that made this book difficult to read was the fact the characters seemed oblivious to the danger that was right in front of them! At least in the other books, there was a sense of mystery and the reader didn't know what was up from the beginning. Saying that, the book is a quick read (it being just shy of 250 pages).
Things that redeemed this book from being two-stars:
1. ZOMBIES! Though not actual zombies, it still is a plus in my mind to involve zombies :)
2. Though I didn't like Dominic at all, his seer abilities were really cool. Clues given as songs? Awesome! It is a recycled idea - the "haunted" jukebox in Slim's Diner is ringing bells. Still, it is a unique paranormal talent.
That all being said, I did go on to read book #7, Dead is a Killer Tune. My review on that one will be up shortly.
Update: To clarify, the author did say on her website that this book was part of a spin-off series.
This review can also be seen on my blog.
heyshay07's review
3.0
I was a little worried since the new book stars Jessica instead of Daisy, but they are basically the same character. The mystery is fun and weird though always pretty easy to figure out. Even so, I love this series. It's fun and light.