Pretty When She Dies: A Vampire Novel

Maybe

no

yes

What was there not to like ... ok LOVE about this book? It was a refreshing return to traditional vampire lore; sunlight kills, no eating animals, have to be invited inside someone's home ... It was great!

There are two clear halves to the book, the first half where Amaliya is trying to figure out what happened to her, and adjust to her new "life", and the second half, where she meets other vampires and learn about her maker. If I had to pick a favorite half, I am not sure I would be able to. They are just to different; like comparing traditional vampires to sparkly vampires. They both drink blood but that is pretty much it.

I really felt for Amaliya during her struggles. She had a pretty tough life, and her after-life isn't shaping up to be so hot either. Due to he upbringing, she has next to no self-esteem, but is pretty self reliant and stubborn. That turns out to be her biggest advantage.

When she finally meets others of her own kind ... Oh Cian. (Pronouced Key-an) She wins the lottery when she meets him. Except he is engaged. To a human. But that's ok, he isn't even her type. Sure sure honey, keep telling yourself that. He is everyone's type.

And the narrator, Kristin Allison, does a great job with the different characters. I never wondered who was talking. I was a little concerned right at the beginning, because she seemed a little monotone, but it fits with the story. Just give it a sec. :-)

I really have nothing bad to say about this book. I loved it and can't wait to listen to the next one, Pretty When She Kills.

I received this audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own.

Frater brings the darkness back to vampires! The story is a bit gory at times, which serves to remind us that vampires are lethal beasts.

Amaliya Vezorak, a 24 year old woman, is a bit of a loner and social outcast. She dyed her blonde hair black, and she is covered in tattoos and piercings. She feels like she has never really fit in anywhere, and her appearance only adds to the problem. Her mom was stricken with cancer when Amaliya was a young girl, and her father started an affair with Amaliya’s 18 year old cousin before her mom had even passed away! Amaliya’s cousin eventually became her step-mother. All Amaliya wanted to do was to go away to college and get away from her family. However, when she received the shocking news that her younger sister, Rachel, was terminally ill, Amaliya left college to return home to take care of her.

After her sister dies, Amaliya returns to college and enrolls in a psychology class that is being taught by a prestigious professor from England. Unbeknownst to Amaliya, the Professor is not just a vampire but also a necromancer: He can control the dead. He bites Amaliya but, just before she dies, he gives her some of his own blood and then buries her in the woods. After she awakens, she is mad with the hunger. She crashes a dorm party and slaughters them all, and she realizes that she cannot stay. She sets out to try to find others of her kind and to learn to survive. She eventually meets up with Cian, who was also created by the Professor, and he agrees to help Amaliya learn some survival skills.

Underneath her tough persona, Amaliya is just like anyone else and wants to fit in. She longs for that acceptance of self and peace in her life. I liked her character, and I was amused by her cheekiness. I wanted Amaliya to find that happiness that she was seeking. My favourite character was Amaliya’s grandmother, Innocente: Who wouldn’t want a kick-ass grandmother like that?! She is tough as nails, and I love her unconditional acceptance of Amaliya. I enjoyed the ending of the book, and I can’t wait to read more about Amaliya and Cian in the next book in the series, Pretty When She Kills.

I really enjoyed Kristin Allison’s narration. I thought she did a great job of capturing the essence of Amaliya, with just the right amount of attitude. Her pace is excellent, and her subtle characterizations worked well.

The Prose was rather simplistic but you slowly lose the feeling of being peached at after a chapter or two.

The ending was rather predictable, but the struggle made it worth while.

The Narrator did a great job. Nice inflections and her repitior of characters voices was well played.

It ended well, and there is no REASON to continue. Doubtless if enough sold it will be continued.

The early prose were difficult to get past, but the overall story was well enough to keep us entertained.

The book is good but you have to tollerate the first half. This vampire book is a more of a back to basics without drowning you in over the top reality changes that break believability. Many people will miss out because they don't hang in there and realize that the narrators monotone is due to 3rd person pespective and a disorientated character being overly emphasized early on. There were a few parts where the he said she said got annoying but i understand that because the transition from text to audio isn't always perfect. The book got good latter on and I ended up loving it so i am buying the next one.

High on my list

Love the different stories

no

If you like vampire stories this is a great one.