JESSICA'S GUIDE TO DATING ON THE DARK SIDE +
JESSICA RULES THE DARK SIDE
Beth Fantaskey
Paranormal Young Adult
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available Now
Received from publisher for review
JESSICA RULES THE DARK SIDE
Beth Fantaskey
Paranormal Young Adult
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available Now
Received from publisher for review
THE STORY (Book one only - from Goodreads)
The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .
Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war — and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.
MY THOUGHTS
Quick and fun reads, Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side and Jessica Rules the Dark Side don’t necessarily bring anything new or innovative to the world of vampires, but they do give us characters who are vibrant and funny and who easily draw us into their world even if it is one we’ve experienced before. The first installment starts out a bit lighter in tone, Jessica vehemently rejecting Lucius’s presence in her home and his claims to her as his future bride, but as things progress the lighter humor gives way to more serious emotion, and we suddenly find our hearts in a vampiric vise-like grip we didn’t entirely see coming. Humor does persist throughout both books however, giving us a highly enjoyable combination of levity and heaviness as we watch Jess’s life change in ways she never thought possible.
While both books are entertaining, book one is definitely the stronger of the two, Jess and Lucius’s troubled courtship immensely more satisfying than we thought it might be based on the opening chapters. The beginning pages paint a rather familiar picture for us, a young woman suddenly becoming the object of complete and utter focus by the hot new student at school, but once Lucius moves into the apartment above her parent’s garage and more fully immerses himself in her life, the familiarity begins to wear off, replaced by genuine interest and increased emotional attachment. We watch with hearts a bit in our throats as Jess learns what it’s like to desperately want something she can’t have, feeling for her as she realizes she had the opportunity to reach out and grab him but she didn’t move quite fast enough and now he's danced seemingly out of her reach.
Book two introduces a new character in Lucius’s close friend Raniero, and gives us not only first person narration from Jess but also her best friend Mindy as well. The introduction of this new dual perspective in addition to the continuing presence of correspondence from Lucius and Raniero gives this second installment a different feel, detaching us slightly from Jess as we are now forced to split our attention between not only her and Lucius but Mindy and Raniero as well. Mindy also has a younger voice than Jess, her predilection for using the word “like” and her driving need for Raniero to be someone he doesn’t want to be to please her contrasting with the slightly more mature interactions prominent in the first book. Jess herself isn’t quite the same girl we met in the first book either, moping a bit around the castle and repeatedly telling herself she’s not cut out to be queen instead of focusing that energy on learning the rules and regulations governing her new life. It’s not until over halfway before Jess finally shakes loose of her uncharacteristic melancholy and begins to take charge of her own future instead of allowing it to be dictated for her.
Overall, this is an entertaining series, the first book highly recommended for those who enjoy paranormal young adult fiction that has a well-executed combination of humor and romance. The second book is slightly disappointing given our strong attachment to the first, but it’s still a quick read even though it lacks some of the elements that made its predecessor so strong.
Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side: 4/5
Jessica Rules the Dark Side: 3/5
I believe I have the first book on my Kindle. I'll have to pick it up one of these days!
ReplyDeleteI really liked both books. I agree that book 2 is not as good, but I still liked it quite a bit. I think the letter/emails set the books apart from others that I've read. Plus, I adored Lucius's dry humor. I liked the quote in the first book - something like he "repatriated" the dolls in his room. And Raniero was adorable.
ReplyDeleteI love this review because this was exactly what I needed since I haven't started this series yet! Those books sound fun and light with Vampires! Love when this comes together! Second books are either a hit or a disappointment so I would still like to read them and see where the series goes!
ReplyDeleteI've had the first book on my TBR shelf forever and heard nothing but good things. However, I wish that someone would bring something different to the world of vamps than one we've seen before. Well, The Immortal Rules breaks the mold. As for this series, too bad the second one isn't as good as the first, but still it sounds fun! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review!!! I will make sure to check these books :)
ReplyDeleteI love it when you write a review of a series in one because it makes it easier to see which one was better! And even though the second book wasn't as great as the first, I don't think I could pass up the chance to read a light and fun vampire read! When I think vampires, I think dark and scary. I think it'd be really fun to have humor sprinkled through the intenseness! :) And at least I can look forward to the dual narrative -- I love those things!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful review, Jenny! <3
I have the first one on my kindle from when it was free! I think it is going to be one of my 12 YA this year and it seems worthy of that space after your review :)
ReplyDeleteAmanda - The first book was free for a little while on the Kindle I think - a really fun read:)
ReplyDeleteAlison - I did as well, though I greatly preferred book one. I didn't mind Lucius's letters, those were hilarious at times, but Mindy's sections didn't add much for me in the second book.
Danny - They are fun and light, I enjoyed them:)
Julie - The Immortal Rules was fabulous, I adored that one. While these vampires may be nothing new, they were still well done and that's enough for me:)
Lilly - Thank you!
Mimi - The humor really makes these books memorable, I loved Lucius in book 1:) Hope you get a chance to read them Mimi, I know you'd like them:)
Felicia - YAY FREE! Love when that happens:) I'd say the first one is definitely worthy. It won't blow your mind but it will make you laugh:)
Your reviews are always so brilliant....:) I read the first book forever ago and I remember LOVING it!!! I even have a signed hardback of the book...it sits on the row of awesome on my bookshelf. I loved Lucius and Jess's banter in the first novel...Ive been scared to read the second because Ive read so many mixed reviews.
ReplyDeleteI've yet to start this series, and I don't really know why. It sounds solid and fun, and Lord knows I trust your recommendations! Great series review, Jenny! :)))
ReplyDeleteI never got around to reading these (not yet, anyway!) but I always thought they sounded like fun reads!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you'd reviewed/liked these! I've had Book 1 sitting in my nook for about 2 months, and after a thorough scouring/spring cleaning of my bookshelves, was excited to see a hard copy waiting for me too! I'm glad it's a fun read, thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteSounds fun :) And oh yes, I would have wanted a vamp back then, lol
ReplyDeleteSomeone I know in real life recommended these to me once and I just haven't made it around to them. Yay for quick and fun. Bummer for sophomore slump. Still, though, one of these days, right....
ReplyDeleteI always like vampire stories anyway.
I've had book 1 on my TBR list FOREVER!!! *sigh* for second book syndrome...
ReplyDeleteI've heard such good things about the first book in this series; I really need to give it a try! I like the fact that the author keeps the tone fun; sometimes I tire of dark reads! Thanks for the reviews, Jenny! :)
ReplyDeleteMy heart has been in a vampiric vise-like grip for YEARS! LOL
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm liking the sound of the duel narrators bit in book two because of Mindy's POV. She doesn't really sound like a character I'd have the patience for, and Jess' mopy behavior doesn't wound appealing either, but I do already own book one, so I need to make time to read it soon.
I picked the first book in the series up on my kindle when it was either free or .99, I can't remember. I'm happy to see you rated both books fairly high. I've not read many vampire books. I'm a rarity, one who has not yet read The Vampire Academy books OR The Twilight Series. So, judging from your review, I bet I would find a lot to like about these.
ReplyDeleteTina - Hahaha thank you:) I loved the first one, the second one wasn't quite as successful for me but still entertaining:)
ReplyDeleteMelissa - They're fun! I know you're not keen on vampires, so maybe this wouldn't be a series you'd rush out to buy:)
Leanna - They are! Really quick reads too:)
Ashley - I hope you get a chance to read it soon, Lucius kept me laughing through the first book.
Linda - They are fun:)
Asheley - I have so many books like that, no matter how many I read, I never get to all the ones I want to!
Ashley - Get to it woman! And yes, the second book was a touch disappointing, but the characters are still well-executed.
Lauren - Me too! I need the light ones to balance them out:)
Missie - MINE TOO! We make a good vamp-whore team the two of us. I didn't care for Mindy as much, I don't like when the word "like" is used over and over to imitate teenager-speak. Book 1 is fun though:)
Heidi - Love it when that happens:) I thought book 1 was fairly light, at least the first half, but they were more emotional than I anticipated as well!
I was really surprised when I read and enjoyed the first book. The title sounds so campy and I had zero expectations for it. I thought it was very funny (the letters and reflection on our lifestyle from the pov of a vamp was hysterical). I'll definitely pick up the second one up and have heard mixed reviews for it. Glad you enjoyed them for the most part, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteI loved this series! Jessica surprised very much with her changing attitude. I really enjoyed the characters growth. Nice review :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely want that first book. And even though the second didn't rock as hard as the first, I think I want that one too. I'm just greedy like that. ;)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant review! I'm glad you enjoyed both books. Honestly, they're not for me - I had a lot of trouble with the first one and haven't got the urge to grab the second. Still, I'm glad you liked them. :)
ReplyDeleteI thought book 1 was better than the book 2 and there really wasn't enough of Lucius in the second book.
ReplyDeleteYour reviews align with just about all the others I've seen in that almost everyone seems to enjoy the first book more than the second. I love books with humor in them, though, and I love vampires, so I'm excited to read this soon! And it's always good when an attraction to a hot boy becomes something deeper. :) Thanks for the fantastic review, Jenny. Even more eager to start the series now.
ReplyDeleteMy friend keeps telling me to start this series, because she loves the first book. I'm hesitant with vampires, so I don't know when I'll pick it up. However, I'm so happy to hear that you liked the first book and [somewhat] the second book! The characters sound fun and hilarious. :) I'm sorry that the second book wasn't as great as the first, though. Wonderful review, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteI picked up Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side when it was made available for free on Amazon. I'm not sure why it is, but I rarely ever read books with humour in them. I don't consciously stay away, but I guess I gravitate towards darker stories. Still, I can't deny that pure, fun entertainment is really great sometimes!
ReplyDeleteThat was such a great review of these two books. I have the first book and never even knew what it was about. I just had heard good things about it and got it through a swap. And there it sits. Glad to know it has humor in it. I love books with humor. I still think it's such a hard thing to write and yet I love it! Great reviews!
ReplyDeleteHeather
Great double reviews Jenny :) !! I read the first book in the series 3 or 4 years ago in French and absolutely loved it .. I have yet to read the second book though. I've heard mixed things about it so that's why I'm a bit reluctant to pick up a copy !!
ReplyDeleteI gotta try these. They sound like SUCH fun. I want them on audio.
ReplyDeleteI liked the first one (though I haven't read the second yet). You're right though--while fun and quirky, it didn't really bring anything new to the table. But I like the genre and the writing so it was all good.
ReplyDeleteI remember enjoying the first one but I still haven't read the second. Ill have to watch for it at the library.
ReplyDeleteI have the first one and I've been curious about it. I think it sounds pretty interesting even if it isn't a different take on vampires.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by how much I ended up liking the first book. I was expecting same old, same old, but it was like a breath of fresh air. I haven't read the second book yet, and I'm sorry to hear it isn't as good. Thanks for the heads up on the four narrators. That seems like a bit much.
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