Just as I thought there would be nothing as interesting in the myths of faeries, vampires and werewolves, Amy Plum wrote a striking, refreshing debut that features revenants that captures my attention immediately. Revenants are defined as "undead beings whose fate forces them to sacrifice themselves over and over again to save the lives of others". However, there will be darkness where there is light - a group of evil revenants called the numa work in the opposite way - they destroy lives whenever it is possible. I find this new concept of immortality captivating as I've never read anything like this before. And it is presented in such a way that you'd feel glad to soak up whatever information that is offered in the book.
Our heroine, Kate retreats into her shell of loneliness and despair ever since her parents died in an accident. She finds solace in reading books and visiting art museums. Then, she meets a remarkably handsome French guy named Vincent by chance. And I bet you know what happens next - they fall in love with each other. As Kate learns about Vincent's secret, her rationality makes her question her heart's desire to be with him. She is afraid that she won't be able to face the deaths that revenants have to go through every time they save a live.
My favourite character in this book has to be Kate Mercier. She copes with her parents' death by delving into fantastical worlds in books. Although she never realize it, she is actually mentally strong and determined when it comes to protecting her loved ones. As for Vincent and his friends, they are really supportive of each other and are actually one big, loving family.
The villain in this story is a clever one. He knows how to use strategies to trick, manipulate and deceive. The fighting scenes in this book are real and gritty, and more than once I find myself praying for our determined but nonetheless feeble Kate's survival.
The French setting in this book is breathtaking - I would love to visit France someday to see for myself the magnificence of the Eiffel Tower, stroll around the streets of Paris, visit the art museums that display famous artworks and have some coffee at a classic French café (and maybe date a French boy! Haha!). Everything sounds so nice that I can't help but imagine myself at the places Kate goes to.
Oliver Wendell Holmes says that love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness. I think this suits Kate's situation. It is when she finds love that she becomes happy once again. Vincent is the perfect boy for Kate - he's understanding, caring, loving and drop-dead gorgeous. What more could a girl ask for?
In a few words, Die for Me is a romantic, refined and refreshing take on the modern young adult paranormal genre. If you want to read something new and original, remember to pick up a copy of Die for Me when you visit a bookstore. You won't be disappointed.
Note: There are a few kissing scene.
Amy Plum grew up in Birmingham, Alabama before venturing further afield to Chicago, Paris, London and New York. An art historian by training, she finally traded a tiny apartment in Brooklyn for a rambling farmhouse in a village of 1300 people in the French countryside. She lives there with her French husband, two young children and big red dog Ella, and spends her time writing in a tiny ancient stone house in her garden.
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