Author: Cara Lynn Shultz (Twitter)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: May 27, 2014
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Fantasy
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher
Paige Kelly is used to weird--in fact, she probably corners the market on weird, considering that her best friend, Dottie, has been dead since the 1950s. But when a fire demon attacks Paige in detention, she has to admit that things have gotten out of her league. Luckily, the cute new boy in school, Logan Bradley, is a practiced demon slayer-and he isn't fazed by Paige's propensity to chat with the dead.Suddenly, Paige is smack in the middle of a centuries-old battle between warlocks and demons, learning to fight with a magic sword so that she can defend herself. And if she makes one wrong move, she'll be pulled into the Dark World, an alternate version of our world that's overrun by demons-and she might never make it home.
The Dark World is set in a very familiar city for many of us - New York City, which lends a touch of reality to an otherwise fantasy and paranormal-driven story. It must be said that I've steered clear of the genre as of late, simply because I've felt that the paranormal felt overdone and outplayed, but with an author like Cara Lynn Shultz at the helm, this novel begged a second look. From the start, it's clear to readers why Ms. Shultz is a fan favourite. With a clear, descriptive and distinct voice, she welcomes us into a world that's dark, alluring and seductive, all the while giving us a thrill ride of an adventure.
In many ways, I feel as though The Dark World succeeded. Paige was a fantastic protagonist with whom readers will easily empathize and associate. Her friendship with Dottie, the ghost, makes her quirky, likable and honest, all of which are characteristics I crave. Dottie, however, was a true delight, as well. She's the type of secondary character that shines so brightly that her light and her personality almost overshadowed that of Paige, until we watch as that light is slowly but surely dimmed throughout the story, giving us more resolve to better understand the Dark World. Enter Logan, and it seems like we have the perfect setup for a paranormal novel, since he's easily just as engaging as Paige.
With a backstory that rivals Paige's, Logan is brooding and handsome, but there's also a humour and flawed reality to his persona, as well, so as their relationship began to develop, I found myself rooting for them quite ardently. Therein, however, lies my one main issue with The Dark World. While we, thankfully, steer clear of the dreaded love triangle, Paige and Logan's connection and ensuing love story was so entirely all-consuming that I felt it began to overshadow the other, perhaps more pressing, elements of the novel. I found that while I was salivating for more details of the paranormal and the Dark World, we were instead given Paige or Logan's desire to better understand one another or to know that the other is safe. It was, frankly, an extremely co-dependent relationship that, to me, weighed the story down.
The Dark World offers us many glimmers of true brilliance though, as well. Just when we think we've seen it all from the paranormal genre, Ms. Shultz gives us powerful new abilities, dangerous demons and an underworld that's eerie and just enticing enough to make us want more. So many tantalizing details are offered up, and it's clear to readers that the Dark World is dark, disturbing and gruesome. However, the writing is done so well that it has a near-cinematic quality to it - offering us a very visceral world to explore.
In the end, I really enjoyed The Dark World, though I felt at times that it was simply setting the stage for future novels, rather than allowing itself to stand on its own. I think that Ms. Shultz has the ability to spin a remarkable new series from this premise though, and I'm desperate to read on and further explore the Dark World and Paige's journey. I give this a high 3.5 out of 5, and I definitely recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal and fantasy.
I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
I too have steered away from paranormal themed stories Melissa, but I'm thrilled that this story delivers something different to a lot of the books already out there. I may have to give this book a go! Thanks for putting this book on my radar!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! The author knows how to spin a dark, underground world...it's definitely something I want to share with the world!
DeleteYou're not the only one to mention that the romance overwhelmed the story and took away from the actual story line, Melissa. That's such a shame, because the book seems to have a really cool concept. I also like the sound of the characters individually. Hopefully, the next book in the series will focus more on the world-building now that the romance has been developed in this one. I'm going to give this book a shot and keep in mind about the romance taking over the plot in mind, so that it doesn't frustrate me. Lovely review,Melissa!
ReplyDeleteIt was even a likable romance...it was just TOO much in terms of how much the story had to offer us without it, you know? I really hope the next installment puts the romance on the backburner and gives us a little more of the Dark World!
DeleteYou know, sometimes I like the secondary characters better than the MCs! Dottie sounds like a trip. This sounds interesting enough for me to try out!
ReplyDeleteDottie is a hoot, and I feel like you'd really enjoy her, Mary! This is a really good book, albeit lacking in some areas, but overall well-written :)
DeleteYou know I agree with you Melissa! As I told you last night, Dottie was a highlight for me, I've got all my fingers and toes crossed that she has a bigger role in the second book. I just couldn't get enough of her and Paige and their adorable friendship:)
ReplyDeleteI loved their friendship, too! Dottie was just so intriguing and different that I really hope to see more of her peppered throughout the series, too! So glad we kind of agreed on this one ;)
DeleteIt often seems the case in ya that it's hard to find a balance between the romance and the actual plot/world-building. I'm still so excited over this story though, I love the sound of it's world that you've described in your review and hopefully, in the next installment more of it is explored. Thanks for the wonderful review, Melissa :)
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely worth the read, despite the lack of balance! It's the type of series I could see building into bigger and better things :)
DeleteThis is such a relief! I downloaded this with no small amount of trepidation. I end up disappointed more often than not lately, but this seems to be everything I've hoped for. It's coming up on my list next week and I'm pretty excited about it.This originality in worldbuilding you write about is particuarly appealing.
ReplyDeleteThis review has me so torn. There are things that I love (like the characters) but things that I am not looking forward to (like the co-dependent romance). Co-dependent relationships are one of my pet peeves in books so I'm going to have to get past that when reading this one. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI've been feeling as if most first books, these days, are set-up novels and I'm not sure how I feel about that. On one hand, I really enjoy the world-building and character introductions but, at the same time, I want to look back on the series and see that each novel progressed to an ultimate end and had its own story arc. While I really like the sound of this, I think I'm going to wait to see how the rest of this series unfolds before picking it up. It definitely has a lot of promise and I rather like the cover, so thanks for such a helpful review, Melissa! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for you to review this one. I've seen it on your sidebar and I kept waiting to see what you thought. I haven't read anything by this author. I think I have her first series. It is disappointing that the first book feels like a setup for the rest of the series. And that the romance was more a part of the story than the paranormal story line. I'm curious about the ghost angle. I like that. But not curious enough to get the series yet. I think I'll wait for book 2. Good review!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review! I have been reading so many contemporary reads now that it's almost summer that I could use a good fantasy/paranormal. I will have to add this one to my list. Dottie has been dead since 1950? Brilliant/unique idea…definitely checking this one out.
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge romance junkie, as you probably have figure out by now, Melissa. Lol! So I'm not sure that the fact that the romance sort of takes over would bother me. Glad to see you enjoyed the story in spite of that. Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds quite intriguing but I am a tiny bit put off by the romance. I am glad it's a romance that you can really love, but I don't really like it when the romance begins to take over the story. I feel like it should be a secondary storyline to the main one, but it sounds like it takes over a lot in this. I think I will still give this one ago as it does sound pretty good. Thanks for the honest review :)
ReplyDeleteI've defintiely been reading less paranormal YA, but I'd be willing to give it another go for a book like this!
ReplyDeletep.s Thanks for dropping by my blog - I'm now following you via GFC & Bloglovin'
Mands @ The Bookish Manicurist