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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Book Review: Jessica Rules the Dark Side (Jessica #2) by Beth Fantaskey

Click Here to Read My Review of Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side (Jessica #1)

Jessica Rules the Dark Side

Goodreads

No Synopsis since it contains major spoilers to the for the first book! Also, if you have not read the first book please stay away from Beth Fantaskey’s website, there be major spoilers roaming there! Yes, even in the home page…just stay away, please.

Review (NO SPOILERS, I PROMISE!):

In the first book, Jessica learns something very important: she may or may not be a vampire princess. The whole first book deals with whether or not she is able to come to terms with this revelation. Her life has changed and she has had to make decisions that surprise even herself. In the end she makes choices that take her down a path she never imagined for herself. I really loved Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side (see how much here) and I was super excited to read the sequel. Unfortunately, I am sad to say that after reading the second book, I am beyond angry. I am angry that there is no third book! I have really come to enjoy the characters that inhabit Jessica’s world and I want to see more of them!

The second book, much like the first one, focuses on Jessica trying to deal with situations outside her comfort zone. She has made life-changing decisions and the consequences seem to be more than Jessica had previously imagined. I like seeing how Jessica has changed. Unfortunately, she seems to have weakened since the first book. Apparently, Jessica did not foresee the difficulties that came with the choices she made, and that has really taken a toll on her. Again, I really loved the characters. The returning ones are just like I remembered and the new ones are there for important reasons and they let us learn more about vampire customs.

However, though I loved most of the characters and I think Beth Fantaskey has a wonderful narrative voice, I did not enjoy this book as much as the first one. The first one was dark and unexpected. I wasn’t always sure where we were headed. This one the other hand was way a bit too obvious. I know that twist and unexpected endings are not something we should try to force onto all books, especially since the journey is often better and even more important than the destination. Most books are walks in a park, you sometimes get a glimpse of the ending, but it doesn’t matter because you are enjoying the scenery and fresh air. However, the plot of this one was more like a stroll down a straight path. The characters make reading worth it, but the story leaves a bit to be desired.

Despite the obvious storyline, I found this book to be a light, fun, and really enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend giving this series a go. If you worry about the second book, I would like to assure you that this book is still worth reading. In fact, I would even dare to argue that the obvious plot line is important character development. I think it reveals how much Jessica is in over her head. She cannot seem to function and she cannot seem to notice what is right under her nose. Rather than focus on the plot, it might be better for me to say that this isn’t a story-driven novel; it is a novel that focus on the emotional and inner growth of Jessica. We care about it because we care about the character.

All in all, I am really happy I picked up this series. Though this second book seems to wrap things up very well, I would absolutely love a third installment! I have really gotten attached to Jessica and her peeps, especially Lucius (yep, he is still in my Hall of Book Boyfriends, he should be proud!). I want more Lucius! Beth Fantaskey, help a sister out!  Please!

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Enhance Your Reading Experience with Beth Fantaskey’s Awesome Bonus Chapters! (Note: Read them in the right order, there be spoilers!!!)

After you read Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, but Before you read Jessica Rules the Dark Side: Important Bonus Chapters

(These bonus chapters are important for the sequel, but don’t go snooping around Beth Fantaskey’s website if you don’t want the nature of the ending of the first book to be revealed…you’ve been warned!)

After you read Jessica Rules the Dark Side: a special scene for Halloween  featured  at onceuponatwilight: Bonus Halloween Scene
(This short story answers an important question, but do not read it until after you read Jessica Rules the Dark Side!)

About the Author

Beth FantaskeyWhat Beth Fantaskey Has to Say About Herself:

1. My favorite hobby is traveling the world - but my biggest fear is flying.
2. My second-biggest fear is public speaking… but I’m a college professor (who sometimes teaches public speaking!)
3. I have two 8-year-old kids - who AREN’T twins.
4. My weirdest work experience was helping to “tan” deer hides using cow brains. (I was actually writing a magazine story about it.)
5. I’ve only been fired once, from a job as a bookstore clerk.
6. My best educational experience was doing research in India on the Dalit (“untouchable”) struggle for human rights. (See maarpu.org)
7. My worst experience, ever, was getting food poisoning while riding my bike from the Missouri River to the Mississippi. (My friend told me the chicken tasted strange…)
8. Whenever I visit a new country, I try as many ketchups as I can. (Best: Poland, Worst: China)
9. I am an uncommonly bad volleyball player…ask the team that ALMOST won a championship.
10. I also suffer from mild “ichthyphobia,” or “fear or fish.” I don’t bother trying to overcome that one!

Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook

 

Click Here to Read My Review of Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side (Jessica #1)

2 comments:

  1. Hehe I always enjoy your reviews! This series sounds awesome sauce! Must add to TBR!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for dropping my review! Your levels of awesomeness astound me!

      Delete

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