So I’m sure many of you have heard all the buzz around Darynda Jones and her Charley Davidson series. Did you know Darynda also has a new YA series? Well, Death and the Girl Next Door is book one of this new series, and if you’re already a fan of Darynda, you won’t be disappointed. Not yet a fan…well you’ve been missing out but starting with Death and the Girl Next Door will make you a fan for sure.
Ten years ago, Lorelei’s parents disappeared without a trace. Raised by her grandparents and leaning on the support of her best friends, Lorelei is finally beginning to accept the fact that her parents are never coming home. For Lorelei, life goes on.
High school is not quite as painful as she thinks it will be, and things are as normal as they can be. Until the day the school’s designated loner, Cameron Lusk, begins to stalk her, turning up where she least expects it, standing outside her house in the dark, night after night. Things get even more complicated when a new guy—terrifying, tough, sexy Jared Kovach—comes to school. Cameron and Jared instantly despise each other and Lorelei seems to be the reason for their animosity. What does Jared know about her parents? Why does Cameron tell Jared he can’t have Lorelei? And what will any of them do when Death comes knocking for real? Thrilling, sassy, sexy, and inventive, Darynda Jones’s first foray into the world of teens will leave readers eager for the next installment.
I’m a huge fan of Darynda’s Charley Davidson series and was excited to get the chance to review Jones’ new YA, Death and the Girl Next Door. Fans already know that Darynda has a way with some snarky prose, and that same fun snark can still be found with Lorelei and her best friend. Um, not that the tone wasn’t YA, it definitely is, but just that same sass and sense of humor…just less crass at times, cause ya know, Lorelei is a teen, not an adult. And this isn’t a criticism. The snark and sass are part of why I love Darynda’s writing style. It was good to see she kept true to that style even with the switch in not only characters but ages/genre.
The pace of Death and the Girl Next Door was pretty even keeled, though there were parts that were slower and some that were faster. All in all, my attention was kept rapt from start to finish. Honestly, who knew a group of friends (errr, well, 3 friends, a newbie and the high school outcast) could find themselves in such trouble? Heh…yeah there is a LOT of trouble, too. All this trouble leads to lots of action, which keeps the book moving at a pretty decent pace. You all know I don’t like slow books as my attention span can equal that of a dog that sees a squirrel *wink*. No problems with the attention waning going on here.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Death and the Girl Next Door. Just don’t expect Reyes to come into being (hey, I was guilty LOL!) from some misty shadows to save the day. There’s Jared and Cameron to help with that *wink*. Definitely a must read if you’re a YA fan or a fan of the Charley Davidson series. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Read Order:
Death and the Girl Next Door
Death, Doom, and Detention
