by Jocelyn Davies
Release Date: August 27th 2011 by Harper Collins
Received from netgalley as an e-arc for review
Book Description
Skye never questioned the story of her life. Her Aunt Jo adopted her after the death of her parents when she was just a child, and together they flip through memories the way some people flip through photo albums.
She never questioned if the stories were true.
Until the night of her 17th birthday, when the arrival of two strangers intrudes on her cozy life. Polar opposites, like fire and ice, Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair, cold, and aloof. Skye has no idea what they want—only that their presence coincides with the beginning of some shockingly strange events. Events that Skye, if she dares to think it, might be responsible for causing.
High up in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado, Skye finds herself caught in the middle of an ancient battle, one that began untold millennia ago. Torn between unpredictable Asher, whom she loves, and the infuriating Devin, who she can’t stay away from, her fate is murky as a starless night. And as the secrets of her true identity are revealed, Skye realizes that her destiny may reside in the Heavens—or somewhere darker. (Taken from Goodreads.)
My Review
5 out of 5 Stars
When Skye Parker was six years old she was in a car crash that killed her parents. It was a tragedy that continues to colour and shape her world despite her loving Aunt Jo and best friends, Cassie, Dan and Ian. But Skye has no idea how much of her past is a mystery until two boys, Asher and Devin, who couldn’t be more different from one another, arrive in town to not only shake up everything Skye has ever thought she knew about herself and the world in general, but also to shake up her much guarded heart.
AMAZING. I absolutely loved A Beautiful Dark from the first moment I heard about it. First I loved the poetic title, then I loved the cover art, and then I loved Jocelyn Davies' writing. A Beautiful Dark is such a smooth read I found myself becoming so addicted to the story that I just didn’t want to put it down. What is so special about the novel is how utterly intriguing it is. The reader knows from the first chapter that there is something supernatural afoot but the unravelling of what that supernatural element is, is far more well-developed than many others in this genre, and the need to discover what the hell is really going on is completely absorbing. I might have been slow on the uptake with this one but I was kind of surprised when the paranormal element was revealed. It’s been done before. A lot. BUT it hasn’t been done like this before. I loved Davies injection of an edgy and refreshing mythology to this particular plot device. Moreover, the otherworldly and sometimes sinister atmosphere Davies creates is set beautifully against the vivid backdrop of Boulder, Colorado. The easy and stunning storytelling and first person narrative moves A Beautiful Dark along at a brisk pace, with an abundance of mystery, brilliant characterisation and action.
Speaking of characterisation I am definitely a fan of Skye. She has a tragic past, has known heartbreak, and it has made her somewhat guarded… soooo she wasn’t exactly falling at Asher and Devin’s feet and I have to say I enjoyed that change of pace very much. Moreover, when she discovers the truth about everything she reacts with a genuine sense of shock that was both realistic and refreshing considering many YA heroines swoop past these momentous discoveries with an unbelievable amount of acceptance.
There’s just something about Skye that makes her incredibly likeable. She’s a good friend, she's smart, she’s strong and independent, but not so very nice things have happened to her and we the reader get that all important glimpse into what makes her vulnerable and thus what makes her so relatable to us. I also appreciated Davies’ handling of the romance. For romance fans there is enough to satisfy but I enjoyed its natural development and how throughout the entire novel Skye is constantly questioning the things that need to be questioned and how both of the heroes remain enigmatic in a way that doesn’t frustrate but only lures you on in the hope of finding out more.
I think my mouth was left hanging open at the end of A Beautiful Dark. Just as we discover how cool Skye really is the reader is sucker-punched and left wanting sooo much more. Correction. NEEDING to know so much more.
There has to be a sequel right??!!
AMAZING. I absolutely loved A Beautiful Dark from the first moment I heard about it. First I loved the poetic title, then I loved the cover art, and then I loved Jocelyn Davies' writing. A Beautiful Dark is such a smooth read I found myself becoming so addicted to the story that I just didn’t want to put it down. What is so special about the novel is how utterly intriguing it is. The reader knows from the first chapter that there is something supernatural afoot but the unravelling of what that supernatural element is, is far more well-developed than many others in this genre, and the need to discover what the hell is really going on is completely absorbing. I might have been slow on the uptake with this one but I was kind of surprised when the paranormal element was revealed. It’s been done before. A lot. BUT it hasn’t been done like this before. I loved Davies injection of an edgy and refreshing mythology to this particular plot device. Moreover, the otherworldly and sometimes sinister atmosphere Davies creates is set beautifully against the vivid backdrop of Boulder, Colorado. The easy and stunning storytelling and first person narrative moves A Beautiful Dark along at a brisk pace, with an abundance of mystery, brilliant characterisation and action.
Speaking of characterisation I am definitely a fan of Skye. She has a tragic past, has known heartbreak, and it has made her somewhat guarded… soooo she wasn’t exactly falling at Asher and Devin’s feet and I have to say I enjoyed that change of pace very much. Moreover, when she discovers the truth about everything she reacts with a genuine sense of shock that was both realistic and refreshing considering many YA heroines swoop past these momentous discoveries with an unbelievable amount of acceptance.
There’s just something about Skye that makes her incredibly likeable. She’s a good friend, she's smart, she’s strong and independent, but not so very nice things have happened to her and we the reader get that all important glimpse into what makes her vulnerable and thus what makes her so relatable to us. I also appreciated Davies’ handling of the romance. For romance fans there is enough to satisfy but I enjoyed its natural development and how throughout the entire novel Skye is constantly questioning the things that need to be questioned and how both of the heroes remain enigmatic in a way that doesn’t frustrate but only lures you on in the hope of finding out more.
I think my mouth was left hanging open at the end of A Beautiful Dark. Just as we discover how cool Skye really is the reader is sucker-punched and left wanting sooo much more. Correction. NEEDING to know so much more.
There has to be a sequel right??!!
Sam x
Great review. I can't wait to get my hands on this!
ReplyDeleteIt's fab, I'm sure you'll love it. I'm definitely buying the paperback when it comes out :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds good! I love the cover too - very pretty.
ReplyDelete@ Slowest Bookworm - it's a great read! And the cover IS so pretty - that's kind of why I want the paperback too :-p
ReplyDelete