PG-13 version of Darynda's snarky writing

4 1/2 Stars

I love the fact that Darynda has decided to write a YA series. There are so many of us that LOVE the Charley Davidson series, but since it is a little graphic in places, it's not really appropriate for younger teens to read. Death and the Girl Next Door, the first book in the Darklight series is perfect for those who want a PG-13 version of Darynda's snarky writing. But with a new series there is the obvious drawback - having to wait months until the next installment.

Being a Darynda Jones fangirl, I dove head first into Death and the Girl Next Door with the unwavering knowledge that I was going to LOVE every page. Now that I have finished the book I can officially say, I loved it - but not every last page. There is a point (about midway) when the forward momentum of the story seemed to stall a bit. This doesn't last for long before the pace picks up again. Just when I had pretty much figured out what was going on, another layer got added to the story! This made the end of the book hard to deal with - not because the story didn't have an awesome cliffhanger, but it made it hard BECAUSE there was an awesome cliffhanger.

Let me not forget about the narrator, Lorelei King. What can I say? Darynda Jones and Lorelei King make an awesome pair!! I can't imagine any of her books narrated by anyone else.

*Sigh* I am not going to dwell on the fact that I have to wait five months until Death, Doom and Detention, I am just going to start counting the days until Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet is released.

28 people found this helpful

Recommended

First, Lorelei King does a wonderful job, as always, as narrator. I think I could listen to her read almost anything!
I really like the Charley Davidson series, and was curious as to how Darynda Jones would do in a book for younger readers. I was ~not~ disappointed! During the first chapter I was worried this book would be along the same story line as Charley's, but very quickly found out that she only took the same ideas of Death and the Grim Reaper and Angels, and wrote a very different story.
There is a lot of humor, some of it aimed at us no-longer-teenagers. The characters didn't get very well developed, but at the end of the book I had that awful and wonderful feeling of having just read the first chapter of a long story. "Awful" only because none of the next books have been written yet. There is plenty of time in the story ahead to get to know the characters better - that is the wonderful part. I'm just not very patient.
The one part I'm having trouble with is how a very old supernatural being can be mistaken for a high school student. This did not detract from the story while I was reading it, but after I was finished and trying to figure out where the story would go next, it occurred to me that the situation will get interesting. Knowing Darynda's style, I'm sure she will have a good answer for me in book 2.
Overall, this was very good entertainment and a well-written story. I look forward to the rest of the series, and would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the YA genre.

10 people found this helpful

Cute Paranormal YA story

This book was cute. I'm not a huge fan of YA, but I really liked this author and narrator. The first thing that took me a while to get over was that I kept associating the voices to the voices from Charley Davidson. For example, this new boy in school named Jared uses the same voice as Reyes. Glitch, the main character's best friend, his voice is a lot like Uncle Bob's. In my mind, I kept wanting to put the characters in the wrong place.

The story starts off a little slow. It takes a long time to figure out who is what. Everything is explained, but not until the very end.

The jokes were cute, but they weren't the LOL funny of the adult series, but then this does not surprise me. I think the author did a great job of staying funny while staying in the YA appropriateness (I can't believe I just spelled this word correctly the first time. I wasn't even sure it was a word.). It is great if you want some light reading while still getting some humor. Definitely funnier than most YA books.

6 people found this helpful

I don't know. . .

I have listened to all the Charley Davidson books and am still on the fence about her. The problem I have with Charley is that she makes the WORST choices and is so angsty that she reminds me of an immature teenager. Having said that, Lorelei is an actual teenager so her angsty, hot and cold emotions are a little easier to take.

The story is an interesting one and gives you all of the background info on the characters.

I am a huge Lorelei King fan but I am not sure she was the right choice for this series. She manages to do all of the voices well except Lorelei's, King is a little old sounding and I have a hard time imagining her as a teenager. Plus, it's so similar to the Charley books, that having the same narrator makes it difficult to differentiate between the two series at times.

I'll buy the next one and hope it's better.

4 people found this helpful

Love love LOVED it!

I wasn't sure if I would like this because it is for the junior set, but this was a great story line and I cannot wait for the next book! The writing was fantastic and the narration was great.

4 people found this helpful

Interesting listen

Would you listen to Death and the Girl Next Door again? Why?

Yes I would, just to catch the things I may have missed yhe first time

Would you recommend Death and the Girl Next Door to your friends? Why or why not?

Would, if they enjoy YA books

Which character – as performed by Lorelei King – was your favorite?

Jarret, of course

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book has many funny situations

Any additional comments?

The ending was somewhat of a Letdown.

4 people found this helpful

Just awesome!

Would you consider the audio edition of Death and the Girl Next Door to be better than the print version?

Yes definitely!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Death and the Girl Next Door?

too many to pick just one

Which scene was your favorite?

Charley and Reyes

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yep, only took me about 2 days

Any additional comments?

I just discovered Darynda Jones a few months ago. I went to RWA 2012 and I kick myself for not knowing about her then cuz I would have totally been all fan girl all over her. After RWA I read their website about who won certain category awards. As always I was interested most in who won the PNR category and wouldn't you know it, it was Darynda Jones. I figured that was a good enough endorsement to read her books. So I picked up the first Charley Davidson book, First Grave On The Right and OMG I found a new fave!!! I gobbled them up but that was before my blog, so I never reviewed them on here, sorry. I did read before I blogged but there's too many books before my precious blog to go back and review them all. Anywho, I'm totally getting sidetracked. So when I found out that Darynda Jones was coming out with a new YA series also (what is with everyone starting YA stuff this month) I was totally excited because out of everyone, she probably writes the best dialog and it would totally fit for teens and guess what, I was right! I totally love this new series even though it deals with Angels and stuff of that sort rather then my beloved Vampires, Shapeshifters and Zombies but I digress, I did actually love this book. After reading so many YA recently that I was almost rolling my eyes at having to read another one and thinking "what more can they bring to the genre?" Darynda Jones brings a fresh take on it. There is still a teen girl and hawt guys and of course the ever present BFF but other then that it's fun and fresh. There is no love triangle for our main characters, which is refreshing but possibly one for our secondary characters. Each character is a living breathing entity all their own and the story moves flawlessly through them. The word play is witty and very realistic to the characters, seeing as how they are teens. Some YA books you read the characters come off as more adults trapped in teens bodies but not here, these characters truly come off as teens or at least teens from what I remember being (ah the memories or horrors, how ever I choose to view them, LOL). I definitely recommend this book to all teens and adults. I did not see any issues that I'd put an age limit on with this one. There's only a few kisses and that's it. I do have to say though, I'm a little creeped out by the main hero Jared and our heroin Lorelei being an item but I won't go into more then that. When you read the book, you'll understand. Other then that, which I'm sure I'll get over, the book is a must read! Love, love, loved it!!!

4 people found this helpful

Great Book!!

If you liked the "Twilight" saga, then I think you will also like this one. While this is not about vamipres or werewolves, it does remind me of Twilight. One girl caught between 2 guys and which will she pick. It is a different look at Archangles and the Grim Reaper. I like that Darynda Jones has combined them into the same being. Ms. Jones has developed an interesting story and a great supporting cast. While this book is in the first person (Lorelei) it does not take away from the story. I eagerly await the next book in this story as well as the next in her "Grave" series.

7 people found this helpful

Riveting from beginning to end

Would you consider the audio edition of Death and the Girl Next Door to be better than the print version?

I enjoyed both version, I will say that the narrator did a splendid job of changing between the characters, as to minimize confusion. Really enjoyed this book, reminded me much of Darynda Jones and her sexy character Ryes and Charlie.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Death and the Girl Next Door?

The fight scenes between Cameron and Jared the first half of the book kept you wondering just how do these two know each other and what gives....suspenseful!

Which character – as performed by Lorelei King – was your favorite?

While I love the main character Lorelei, Lorelei King did a great job of the bestie Brooklyn as spunky no nonsense best friend that doesn't take no for an answer and UN-seemingly sticking her nose in where it doesn't belong, but with the best of intentions. Glitch was a hoot too.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely, had the hardest time putting it down or going to bed at a descent hour as I was afraid stopping the narrator would some how leave me missing a memorable moment. Plenty of suspense to keep your interest.

2 people found this helpful

childish theme

I love the author Darynda Jones and have read two of her other series entirely. I adore the narrator Lorelei King, she's beyond talented and brings the characters to life. This review is about THIS book not the author or the narrator.

This book is really very childish if you're an adult. Perhaps a teenager or someone in their 20s might find it interesting but the conversations are juvenile and I just couldn't get through more than half the book before I needed to return it.

1 person found this helpful