Dark Song Review

Thursday, December 16, 2010


Marc said he heard the dark song when he creeped houses. The song the predator's heart sings when it hears the heart of the prey. I heard it now. Marc said it had always been in me. Lurking. Waiting for me to hear.
Ames is not the person she was a few months ago. Her father lost his job, and her family is crumbling apart. Now, all she has is Marc. Marc, who loves her more than anything. Marc, who owns a gun collection. And he'll stop at nothing--even using his guns--to get what he wants. Ames feels her parents have betrayed her with their lies and self-absorption, but is she prepared to make the ultimate betrayal against them?
Taken from GoodReads.

In Dark Song, we meet Ames. She’s a golden girl with the world at her feet. Born into a life of privilege, cushy mansions, and excess, Ames doesn’t know the first thing about loss until the rug is pulled out from under her feet. When her father is fired from his job, details emerge revealing him for what he truly is, and Ames feels betrayed. Lost and confused, her perfect world starts to unravel, and suddenly she’s thrust into a new town with new lies and new losses. But Marc offers her an out. He offers her protection and a sense of stability…but how much is Ames willing to give up for him?

Before I say anything else, let me state that Dark Song is NOT a feel-good book. If you are looking for something light and fluffy, this is not the book for you. I didn’t really know what I was in for when I started Dark Song, but I was intrigued, and I’ll admit that I devoured this book in about four hours. It’s a quick and fast-paced read that sends you on a dark and enthralling ride as a good girl goes bad. Gail Giles strings you along with Ames and her family, hooking you with a plot that won’t let you go.

I was amazed by just how dark Dark Song really was. I had a general idea where it was going, but wow…it dips into some pretty dark and messy material – stuff that I’m not usually used to or want to read. That said, I think Gail Giles handled the issues with due tact. I will, however, state that while I found the characterization of Ames, her family, and Marc to be superb, I was really, really disappointed in the secondary characters at the beginning like Kim. Her first introduction is as “the anorexic girl,” and her descriptions that followed were stereotyped and a bit crass. Furthermore, her cronies were the stereotypical mean girls that I loathe so much. I wished those characters broke the mold like Emily. I also had some trouble stomaching the actual relationship between Marc and Ames. It’s very…graphic, shall we say. I think, however, that was the point of Dark Song.

All in all, if you’re looking for a no-holds-barred take on one girl’s downward spiral from good to bad, Dark Song is a really great read. It’s very dark though, so if you do read, be prepared for the content to be rather heavy. I give this a very strong 4 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to fans of YA, contemporary fiction, and I think an adult audience would appreciate it, as well, as it’s a very poignant story.

This ARC was given to me free of charge from the publisher, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

41 comments:

  1. Hmm, now you have me thinking about this one. It sounds good, but I didn't think it would be that dark. I'll have to push it up on my tbr list to find out. Thanks for the heads up, and the great review. :)

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  2. This was a great review Melissa! Sometimes I like to be surprised by the depth of a book, but it's almost always better to know beforehand so I can mentally prepare myself. Thanks!

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  3. This one has been on my radar for awhile now...I thought it was a paranormal at first but found out what it was about. Great review!

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  4. Wow, this one does sound really dark and intense and one I'll have to be prepared for before reading. I'm with Kelli, I like knowing it's difficult to read before I jump in and am caught unaware. Fantastic review, I'll have to think about this one:)

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  5. Great review!
    I agree dark and heavy but it is well written!

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  6. I definitely have to be in the mood for dark books, so thanks for the heads up on that! As always, a spectacular review :)

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  7. What a creepy but enjoyable book. I think the best part of it was Marc, she did a great job at making him dark and interesting! Awesome review Melissa!

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  8. Great review. I was wary about this one because it sounded dark but I wasn't sure how dark. From your review, it sounds like it is very dark and not something I want right now. Thank you.

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  9. I didn't know this book was so dark and intense. I like books like that every once in a while, so I'll definitely be checking this one out.

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  10. It definitely sounds like one of those books you have to be prepared for, like Jenny said. But I'm intrigued--it sounds like a powerful read. Thanks for the review!

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  11. This is one of the best and most honest reviews that I have read on Dark Song. I've been tempted by the book, but I haven't been swayed to give it a try ... until now! ;)

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  12. Honesty is really your strong point and I do appreciate it very much. This book might appeal to me but only in some circumstances - thanks for the forewarning about its content.

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  13. I've heard lots about this and all seem to agree that it's a very dark story. Not too sure its for me but I have a friend who I know will love it so I just might read it one day.

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  14. I haven't seen too many reviews of this one (for some reason that cover always makes me think it's some kind of vampire paranormal book until I read the description, LOL) - it does sound very dark and gritty. I'm not a huge fan of really graphic stuff, though, so I may steer clear of this one for the time being.

    Also the stereotyped mean girls always irritate me too - a pity this book falls prey to that!

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  15. I don't think this book is for me, but thanks for such a detailed and honest review! I tend not to like books or movies that are too dark. Also, I can understand your disapointment in the secondary characters. Too often there are those one dimensional, stereotypical mean girls in YA novels.

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  16. Sounds so good! It's nice to throw in a darker read every once in a while, amidst the light and fluffy.

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  17. i was supposed to receive this one for review, but it never made it here, maybe i'm glad it didn't b/c i don't think i would have been able to read it

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  18. I have to say, I like happier books, or at least hopeful books, so this one doesn't really sound like it's for me. Great review =)

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  19. I've had this one awhile and haven't gotten to it yet. But I've been dying to read it. I'd like to read something dark. I tend to read the love stories, happy endings. I'm wondering if I'll like this one. Thanks for the great review!

    About Kailin Gow is that cover with the pink roses to die for or what??? And the second one has purple berries or something with ice on it. Beautiful. I love the story. I want to read all of hers!

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  20. I have to be in a certain mood to read a book like this, but I'm definitely loving your description so I would like to get to this eventually.

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  21. I'm not sure I could read this book right now...

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  22. Okay, now I'm interested. Thanks for this review. Dark, but well written. I think this is something I'd enjoy.

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  23. Not light and fluffy, makes a note of that. Still I do like books that are serious too, just as they are not too dark and sad

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  24. I don't read contemporary YA often at all, but this sounds really interesting. I'll have to see if I can get it from the library.

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  25. Nice review, this one's on my to read list.

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  26. I've been wanting to read this book way before I ever read your review. But your review definitely wants me to pick it up more, now! Having had my life spiral from good to bad (though I'm sure not in the extreme way Ames's had), I think I'd be able to appreciate and connect with this book a lot. Thank you for the review! Can't wait to read it myself! :)

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  27. lol, when I first looked at the title I thought it said "Dork" Song... then I read the review and kinda felt bad I thought the book was a "DOrk"... great review I bet Kelli will read it :)

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  28. Never heard of it but your review definitely makes me want to check it out! Thanks for sharing!

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  29. Melissa, your review for Dark Song is the second one I've read and it's also the second time I've heard about how dark it is (which I'm really glad you mentioned). I have it on my wishlist and I think I'll leave it there for now because the book does sound really interesting but I'm in the mood for lighter reads these days.

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  30. Great review. I think I might have to move this up my wishlist but make sure I a light and fun book to read afterwards :)

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  31. This wasn't anything like I expected. Like you I didn't think it would be so dark. What an intense story. Thanks for the great review!

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  32. Wow this does sound like a very dark read. I have yet to pick this one up, although thanks to you I hope to do so over break. I love your honesty and am now looking forward to reading this

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  33. I have to admit that I'm definitely intrigued with this one. I don't delve into dark reads all that often, but this one sounds like it one that I really need to read. Agree with Nic, should I read this one, I'll make sure to balance it out with a light and fluffy read afterwards.

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  34. Amazing review! Still can't figure out exactly what this book is about, but it sounds dark and intriguing!

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  35. OMG !! I love this cover !! I definitely have to buy this book !! I'm a new follower by the way !! Here's m blog if you'd like to take a look at it : onceuponaquote.blogspot.com

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  36. I like a dark read now and then, but like Tammy I like to balance them out with light and fluffy reads afterwards (well, we are book twins!). I'm intrigued by this one. I hadn't heard of it before now, but I think I will check it out.

    Thanks for the great review!

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  37. Gah! Melissa! I'm so sorry I'm stalking your blog atm, but I'm so glad to read your review for this one.

    I love dark and heavy material, so I think this would be a perfect read for me.

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  38. Melissa, I have this book in an ARC that I won, and Im glad your review is helping push this a little further down my TBR pile...the book is probably a little dark for the holidays!

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  39. Great review Melissa, really gave me a feel for the book -- that said, I don't think it's one for me.
    Enjoy your holidays!

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