{Review} Die for Me (The Revenants #1) by Amy Plum

Posted by Donna
Release Date: May 10th, 2011
Finished Date: June 3rd, 2016

Publishers: HarperCollins
Genre: YA, Paranormal 
Source: Bought 
Format: eBook 

Pages: 357
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo 

 

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier’s parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life—and memories—behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate’s guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he’s a revenant—an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

In this incandescent debut, newcomer Amy Plum has created a powerful paranormal mythology with immortal revenants. The Paris setting comes enchantingly alive as a relentless struggle between good and evil takes place in its streets. Rich with romance, atmosphere, and thrills, Die for Me will leave readers breathlessly awaiting its sequel.

The Review: I decided a few months ago that I was going to try and complete of some the series that I’ve never finished, so Die for Me was top on my list because I really loved the first two books in the series when I read back when they released, so I started from the beginning again and it was definitely a good choice.

Die for Me story follows Kate and her sister moving to Paris to live with their grandparents after the death of their parents. While her sister Georgia has no problem making new friends, Kate is the opposite. She’s still struggling with her parent’s deaths and completely shuts out the world. Her days consist of reading in a cafe until one day she meets Vincent – an attractive 19 year old who doesn't appear to be as he seems. Not only does Kate fall head over heels for Vincent but as she gets to know him, she knows he's hiding a deadly secret and it’s one she intends to find out regardless of the consequences.

I really enjoyed Die for Me the first time reading it and I definitely enjoyed it all the more the second time around. It still surprises me how much information I forgot so doing the re-read was definitely worth it. I did feel that the story started off a little slow but once I read more it started picking up. I have to say I’m really not a huge fan of ghost stories but while the Revenants aren’t exactly ghosts they are the undead so ghosts is probably the best way to describe them. I have read a few books before on the ghosts but I never really enjoyed them. They’re always just okay. But Die for Me however couldn't help but love it as it was a completely new take and Amy Plum made this story her own and I truly loved the concept it. I also loved the French influence that Amy Plum brought to the story. I loved reading about Paris and what it has to offer. I could easily imagine myself standing in the middle of Paris on a cold day looking at all the famous landmarks.

What also made this book for me was the characters. I loved every single character and the humour that they all brought to the story. The boys were all completely swoon worthy and Kate was really likeable too. Although Kate and Vincent’s romance is a bit of on insta-love I could put that to one side because I was enjoying the story so much.

Overall, I think Amy Plum has done a fantastic job of introducing something fresh and new to the supernatural book world and I’d definitely recommend you read it.

This is an update version of my first review which you can read here.

A Review for Until I Die (Revenants #2) by Amy Plum

Posted by Jess

Release Date: May 8th, 2012

Finished Date: May 12th, 2012

Publishers: Atom

Source: For Review

Format: Paperback

Pages: 357
Buy : Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

The Review: When I read Die for Me last year, I fell in love with Amy Plum and her writing. This was no different. Although I had a hard time getting into the book; I found it a little slow to start, and nothing seemed to be happening for a while. There was a lot of history on the Revenants, which I felt probably would have worked better in book 1, but none the less, I plodded along and kept at it, and in the end, I loved it! I loved it so much. 
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Until I Die turned out better than I thought it would. It's always hard to follow up with a second book when the first one was so amazing. But Amy Plum managed to pull it off, and after I got over my sluggish feeling (I think mostly because I wasn't in the mood) I couldn't get enough. I was sucked back into the Revenant world, wanting to help Kate and Vincent find a way to help their situation with Vincent's constant urge to die for someone. 
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After a slow start Until I Die became amazing and I couldn't get enough of it. It  ended up being super exciting, we were introduced to new characters, and I was pretty much set on the bad guy, but I was completely wrong, although not completely shocked when they were revealed.  Which brings me to that cliffhanger of an ending. WHHHAAATT??! Amy Plum did you really leave us like that?! It completely killed me, and I really need book 3. Like NOW! 
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Honestly, after reading this, and loving it, I'd recommend this series to anyone looking for something new in the paranormal genre. You'll fall right in love with the characters, you'll always be craving more, more, more.

A Review for Until I Die (Revenants #2) by Amy Plum

Posted by Donna

Release Date: May 8th, 2012

Finished Date: May 2nd, 2012

Publishers: HarperCollins

Source: eGalley For Review

Format: Paperback 

Pages: 352
Buy : Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

I wish there was only today, just right now, and no forever.

It seems fitting that I fell in love in Paris, the most beautiful city in the world. And if I pretend, I can almost believe that my life is normal and everyone I care about is safe.

But as long as I’m with Vincent, “normal” doesn’t exist. Gorgeous, charming, and witty, he’s everything you could ask for in a boyfriend—but his destiny is so much more.

Even more terrifying than his destiny are his dangerous enemies, enemies who will kill for immortality. How are Vincent and I supposed to be together forever if we’re always in danger?

I know I’ll do whatever it takes—even if it means lying to the people I love—to fight against a fate that is trying to tear us apart.

The Review: Last year Amy Plum convinced me that Ghost stories are just as amazing as any other mythical creature stories and now after reading Until I Die, I’m still convinced because it really was just as good as its predecessor and once again, Amy Plum takes us on a magical and romantic journey in Paris – one that is filled with swoon-worthy boys, full of laughs and danger lurking around every corner. 

This time around Kate and Vincent are in more danger than ever but both of them are determined to try and find a solution to their relationship problem – how can a human and a revenant really be together when the human is aging every day? Both of them take different paths but each one is just as dangerous as the other, especially with the return of the Numa and new arrival’s that are hiding deadly secrets. 

Until I Die really was an addictive read. I love being apart of Kate’s journey as she describes the perks of living in Paris. It really seems like a beautiful city – one that I hope to see more of one day. Amy’s excellent writing really give you the French experience even if it’s something as simple as going for a coffee or something as complex as a visiting a museum. Everything is so vibrant and colourful and it really makes me wish I was really there. 

With the arrival of new characters; Violette and Arthur, we do lose some of our favourite characters like Charles and Charlotte. Although they do have small roles in Until I Die, it simply wasn’t enough for me. Charles has his problems but I really liked him in Die for Me, so I’m hoping he makes a quick return. Despite Charlotte and Charles absence, I still think Amy Plum did a fantastic job creating the same setting with each character. Jules and Ambrose of course, are themselves. They both have their share of laughs in this book and as always, I love them but I really wish they could settle down and find girls of their own. Then of course, we have Kate and Vincent who really do go the ends of the earths for each other in this book. Their relationship is so beautiful and really loving that it really gives you hopes that a love like theirs really exists. But what I enjoyed the most about this story was the back story to the revenants. In Die for Me the story touches on the revenants lifestyle but in Until I Die, we really find out the nitty-gritty stuff and it really made me want more. 

Now that cliff-hanger…..Amy how could you? Talk about a shock! Poor Vincent and poor Kate. But I do have hopes that everything will work out fine but 2013 for the next book? TO FAR AWAY! I need it sooner! 

Overall, Until I Die is an unpredictable, fast paced and intense read. If you loved Die for Me then I’m sure you will enjoy this. 


A huge thank you to HarperTeen and Edelweiss for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

A Review for Die For Me by Amy Plum

Posted by Jess

Published Date: May 10th, 2011

Finished Date: December 12th, 2011

Publishers: HarperTeen

Source: Bought

Format: Paperback

Pages: 341

The blurb from Goodreads:In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

The Review: Well Die for Me, was awesome. I'd heard a lot of mixed reviews about it and I couldn't remember what the concept was about until I read it. I loved the whole concept of the story. It was the first time I'd read anything on Revenants, I mean there have been books I've read where they are mentioned, but Die for Me was the first book solely about Revenants (meaning 'To Come Back') in French. 

Kate our main protagonist was very likeable from the get go. She pretty much keeps herself to herself, she likes to read in little café's in Paris. Then she meets Vincent Delacroix...ahh Vincent (his name sounds sexier if you say it the way the French say it lol). The relationship forged between these two wasn't as fast as regular YA romances are forged, it's a lot of stay away, keep my distance sort of thing. But it was still pretty quick, but I'm used to reading insta love in YA books now so it doesn't grate on me as much as it probably should. Vincent will have you swooning like no other, he sorta reminded me a lot of Patch but that's a good thing. He'll even buy you a silk ball gown, and take you for a boat ride along the Seine for your birthday. He'll go as far as reserving season tickets to the Opera as well. Yeah...they don't come any more romantic than Vincent Delacroix.

Every character in this book was pretty amazing, I especially loved Charlotte, Ambrose, and Jules, and at first I thought there was going to be some sort of love triangle between Kate, Jules and Vincent, but Kate made her choice really early on and I think it was the right one. I wasn't overly fond of Georgia, Kate's sister but I got to like her in the end. All the characters grow through out the book and Kate becomes a much stronger person in a way where when it came to the moment, she would defend Vincent's body (he's currently dormant at this point...it's all in the book so read it), even if it meant sacrificing herself to the leader of Numa, Lucien. Speaking of Lucien, I never liked him from the start. From the moment he appears in the book I knew there was something off about him, but he makes one hell of a vindictive little b******d!

Overall this book was pretty surprising and I found myself loving it more than I thought I would. It's a nice fresh concept on the undead, and the fact it's set in Paris and there are oodles of sexy guys (Vincent, Jules and Ambrose) to name a few makes this the perfect little read if you want a new take on YA.

I can't wait for the second one! I want more Vincent, more Jules, and more Ambrose!

A review for Die for Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum

Posted by Donna

Published Date: May 10th, 2011
Finished Date: March 13th, 2011
The Blurb: DIE FOR ME is the first of three books about Kate, a sixteen-year-old American who moves to Paris after the death of her parents. She finds herself falling for Vincent, who she discovers is not the typical French teenager he appears: he is something else entirely. DIE FOR ME presents a new supernatural mythology presented in a city where dreams are sometimes the same as real.

The Review: Die for Me (Revenants #1) is the first book in an new, exciting and fresh series by author Amy Plum and I had high expectations for this book and it really didn't disappoint.


The story follows Kate & her sister moving to Paris to live with their grandparents, after the death of their parents. While her sister Georgia has no problem making new friends, Kate is still struggling with their deaths and ends up shutting the world out. Her days consist of reading in a cafe until one day she meets Vincent. A stunning, attractive 19 year old who doesn't appear to be as he seems. Not only does Kate fall head over heels for Vincent but as she gets to know him, she knows he's hiding a deadly secret - one she intends to find out.

What I liked most about this story, was the French influence that Amy brought to the story. I loved reading about Paris and what it has to offer. I could easily imagine myself standing in the middle of Paris on a cold day looking at all the famous landmarks. 

I did feel that the story started off a little slow but after a few more chapters, you finally start to get into it and I must say, what a completely different take on Ghosts. I have read a few books before on the supernatural creatures but I never really enjoyed them. Die for Me however, I couldn't help but like, as it was a completely new take. Amy made this story her own and I truly loved the concept it. 

What also made this book for me was the characters. I loved every single character and the humour that they all brought to the story. 

The boys were all completely swoon worthy and Kate was really likeable too.

Overall, I did really enjoy the story. I think Amy has done a fantastic job of introducing something fresh and new and I will look forward to seeing how the story progresses when the next book is released.

Thank You to NetGalley and HarperCollins for giving me the opportunity to review this book.