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ellenpenleysmith's review against another edition
4.0
Desires of the Dead brings back all the awesome and familiar things and people we were introduced to in the first of the series, The Body Finder.
The one thing that I love about these books is the suspense and, morbidly enough, all the murders! I finished The Body Finder really enjoying it and have had the sequel on hand for almost a year now just waiting to be read. One good thing about these books is that you can wait a year and a bit to read the next one because each book is kind of formed in the same way as the Heist Society series--stand alone novels within in a series. You could pick the second book or third book up and read it without reading the others and still understand everything.
One thing that was different though was the fact that Desires of the Dead is rather predictable. I had it all figured out before Violet did and at first that worried me. Am I going to be reading through this whole book knowing the ending and Violet being clueless? But Derting has made a smart character out of Violet and she's just as much on the ball as we are! And the bigger surprises which Violet doesn't get don't take all that long to be revealed either. Although, I do think their prologue definitely gave the biggest surprise away, which is a real shame because if it weren't for the prologue I may have stayed clueless a little longer.
Again, I didn't find the writing to be all that special or boring. It was plain, but the suspense definitely made up for it. There was definitely less focus on the love in this book, which I was kind of thankful for. I do like Jay, but there's nothing about their relationship that I find exciting. It just seems safe and kind of boring if I'm too be honest.
The introduction of the FBI has definitely moved this series into a new direction, one that I think I'll enjoy if it means more mysterious. Because, lets be honest, one girl cannot be involved in all the murder stories in her home town by accidentally coming across the echoes. But with the FBI and a few twists, Derting has set the series up for as many books as the readers and publishers want!
Overall, I was really happy with Desires of the Dead. It was suspensful, pushed the series into a new direction, and an easy read since I read it in only a few hours.
The one thing that I love about these books is the suspense and, morbidly enough, all the murders! I finished The Body Finder really enjoying it and have had the sequel on hand for almost a year now just waiting to be read. One good thing about these books is that you can wait a year and a bit to read the next one because each book is kind of formed in the same way as the Heist Society series--stand alone novels within in a series. You could pick the second book or third book up and read it without reading the others and still understand everything.
One thing that was different though was the fact that Desires of the Dead is rather predictable. I had it all figured out before Violet did and at first that worried me. Am I going to be reading through this whole book knowing the ending and Violet being clueless? But Derting has made a smart character out of Violet and she's just as much on the ball as we are! And the bigger surprises which Violet doesn't get don't take all that long to be revealed either. Although, I do think their prologue definitely gave the biggest surprise away, which is a real shame because if it weren't for the prologue I may have stayed clueless a little longer.
Again, I didn't find the writing to be all that special or boring. It was plain, but the suspense definitely made up for it. There was definitely less focus on the love in this book, which I was kind of thankful for. I do like Jay, but there's nothing about their relationship that I find exciting. It just seems safe and kind of boring if I'm too be honest.
The introduction of the FBI has definitely moved this series into a new direction, one that I think I'll enjoy if it means more mysterious. Because, lets be honest, one girl cannot be involved in all the murder stories in her home town by accidentally coming across the echoes. But with the FBI and a few twists, Derting has set the series up for as many books as the readers and publishers want!
Overall, I was really happy with Desires of the Dead. It was suspensful, pushed the series into a new direction, and an easy read since I read it in only a few hours.
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
5.0
This book was as great as the first one or even better!! :D I loved it!!
I admire Violet and her courage a lot and I totally love Jay. *sigh* He's perfect. He reminds me of someone. *sigh*
Though, I was very upset when Violet didn't confide in Jay with all the Sara Priest situation and the thing that was going on with the threats and the dead kitty.
And I was even more upset when she was so stubborn that she and Jay broke up. I wasn't upset; I was heart broken :'(
My poor Jay suffering like that :'( And she was suffering too!! Stubborn girl!!
Now, one last thing - I don't know what to think about Mister Rafe. He seems to be a good guy but what's going on between him and Violet??
I don't want him to steal Jay's place. In fact, I think that that is not possible because Violet is obviously completely in love with Jay and Jay with her but that electricity feeling that happens every time that they touch each other's skin is a little bit disturbing.
Kimberly, don't you even think about "twilighting" this awesome series and pull off some weird connection between Violet and Rafe, just like it happens between Bella and Jacob!!
I admire Violet and her courage a lot and I totally love Jay. *sigh* He's perfect. He reminds me of someone. *sigh*
Though, I was very upset when Violet didn't confide in Jay with all the Sara Priest situation and the thing that was going on with the threats and the dead kitty.
And I was even more upset when she was so stubborn that she and Jay broke up. I wasn't upset; I was heart broken :'(
My poor Jay suffering like that :'( And she was suffering too!! Stubborn girl!!
Now, one last thing - I don't know what to think about Mister Rafe. He seems to be a good guy but what's going on between him and Violet??
I don't want him to steal Jay's place. In fact, I think that that is not possible because Violet is obviously completely in love with Jay and Jay with her but that electricity feeling that happens every time that they touch each other's skin is a little bit disturbing.
Kimberly, don't you even think about "twilighting" this awesome series and pull off some weird connection between Violet and Rafe, just like it happens between Bella and Jacob!!
michellesantiago's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the first one better but this one still really good. I love Jay--such as sweetheart. :)
But, URGH, there's a hit there that Derting might throw in a love triangle with Jay, Violet and a new character, Rafe in the next book. I really hope she goes against the YA grain and does NOT.
But, URGH, there's a hit there that Derting might throw in a love triangle with Jay, Violet and a new character, Rafe in the next book. I really hope she goes against the YA grain and does NOT.
scarletcorset's review against another edition
5.0
(re-read 10/3/15)
**5 STARS**
Seriously one of my favorite series ever. I was afraid nothing could match up with the first book in this series, but this sequel was just as amazing!
**5 STARS**
Seriously one of my favorite series ever. I was afraid nothing could match up with the first book in this series, but this sequel was just as amazing!
jlove731's review against another edition
5.0
Desires of the Dead was just as good as The Body Finder! It was everything I had hoped it would be and more!
Desires Of The Dead picks up 3 months after the first book. Jay and Violet are continuing with their relation and all their friends are still along for the ride. A brother and sister pair of new students arrive at their school which seems to be the start of new problems for Violet. Including the FBI seeming to having an interest in her.
I loved this book just as much as the first! Jay and Violets relationship definitely goes through ups and downs and 100% heats up! And I was so happy with their journey in this book! I loved it! And I LOVE Jay <333. Chelsea is hilarious I love her. Also a new character I cannot wait to read more about is Rafe!!! I have a feeling he will be causing some trouble in the future Mr. Emo eye candy woo woo! :)
Another thing I love about these books is how Derting let's us into the twisted minds of others. Just love the details, the torture, and the feelings in them! I got to admit, the animals parts most certainly make me sad.
Overall I really adored this book! I cannot wait for book three!! This series is so worth the read! :)
Desires Of The Dead picks up 3 months after the first book. Jay and Violet are continuing with their relation and all their friends are still along for the ride. A brother and sister pair of new students arrive at their school which seems to be the start of new problems for Violet. Including the FBI seeming to having an interest in her.
I loved this book just as much as the first! Jay and Violets relationship definitely goes through ups and downs and 100% heats up! And I was so happy with their journey in this book! I loved it! And I LOVE Jay <333. Chelsea is hilarious I love her. Also a new character I cannot wait to read more about is Rafe!!! I have a feeling he will be causing some trouble in the future Mr. Emo eye candy woo woo! :)
Another thing I love about these books is how Derting let's us into the twisted minds of others. Just love the details, the torture, and the feelings in them! I got to admit, the animals parts most certainly make me sad.
Overall I really adored this book! I cannot wait for book three!! This series is so worth the read! :)
thesarahstory's review against another edition
3.0
Als Violet die Leiche eines entführten Jungen entdeckt, zieht sie unweigerlich die Aufmerksamkeit des FBI's auf sich. Sara Priest möchte ihre Unterstützung bei der Ermittlung, doch Violet versucht alles, um ihre Gabe geheim zu halten. Doch schon bald geht es um viel mehr: Ihre Beziehung zu Jay ist in Gefahr, und auch ihr Leben.
Violet kennen wir, genau wie die meisten anderen Charaktere, schon aus Bodyfinder, dem Vorgänger dieses Buches. Ich werde euch hier in dieser Rezension nichts erzählen, was euch den Spaß am ersten Teil nehmen könnte, wenn ihr ihn noch nicht gelesen habt. Außer den Grundlagen gibt es auch gar nicht viel zu verraten.
Violet kann Tote aufspüren. Sie kann die Hinterlassenschaften ihrer Seelen riechen, hören, schmecken oder sehen. Manchmal sogar spüren. Das ist eigentlich mehr oder weniger alles, was man zu den beiden Teilen sagen müsste. Denn die Handlung dreht sich jedes Mal darum.
Wenn ihr den ersten Teil noch nicht gelesen habt, solltet ihr eventuell entscheiden, doch abzuschalten. Ich kann nicht versprechen, dass ich alles geheim halten werde. Auch wenn ich nicht vorhabe, etwas von der Story an sich zu verraten, bzw. Fakten aus dem ersten Band, aber sicher ist sicher.
Die Frage, ob man die Bücher unabhängig voneinander lesen kann, beantworte ich ganz klar mit nein.
Natürlich wäre jeder halbwegs intelligente Mensch dazu in der Lage, die Handlung zu verstehen. Aber es wäre trotzdem ein wenig abgedroschen, hohl. Inhaltslos. Es fehlt eben was. Es wäre zu flach.
Violet ist in einer Beziehung mit ihrem langjährigen besten Freund Jay. Das war schonmal Punkt eins wieso ich mich auf Teil zwei so gefreut habe. Und enttäuscht wurde ich keineswegs. Es gibt so wundervoll beschriebene Szenen in diesem Buch, dass ich Kimberley Derting dafür um den Hals hätte fallen können. Ich hab wirklich selten, wenn nicht sogar noch nie, so etwas Schönes gelesen. So eine schöne Darstellung einer Beziehung, einer Liebe, einer Leidenschaft. Ohne anzüglich zu werden, ohne kitschig zu werden. Einfach ganz normal. Und wunderbar angenehm.
Auch Chelsea, Violetts beste Freundin ist wieder mit von der Partie und ich muss sagen, ich habe ihre grantige Art richtig vermisst. Sie ist ein toller Charakter, der richtig klasse dargestellt wird. Zu Chelsea finde ich einige Parallelen, sie hat meine Art Humor und gibt immer ein paar zickige Kommentare ab, die man aber liebenswert auffassen kann, wenn man die Person kennt. Violet kennt Chelsea und weiß wie alles gemeint ist. Sie mag sie dafür.
Ich kann euch schon mal verraten, dass es nicht bei diesem einen Fall bleiben wird. Der entführte Junge ist nicht alles, was euch in diesem Buch erwartet. Ich würde sogar behaupten, dass das Anfangsthema regelrecht zur Nebensache wird. Allerdings werde ich kein Wort darüber verlieren, durch was sie ersetzt wird. Das müsst ihr schon selbst herausfinden. Aber es wird spannend. Sehr spannend.
Von der Autorin habe ich nichts Anderes erwartet, als ein Buch, dass mich fesselt. Ein Buch, dass mich in sich hineinzieht. Und das hat es, wieder einmal. Es war im Gesamten nicht ganz so spannend wie Teil Eins, aber dennoch war es ein klasse Buch. In Kimberley Dertings Schreibstil kann ich mich richtig wohlfühlen und ich könnte lesen, lesen, lesen. Egal welches Buch sie schreiben würde, ich würde alles kaufen. Alles. Auch wenn es überhaupt nicht mein Genre wäre. Ich bin wirklich begeistert von ihr.
Violet kennen wir, genau wie die meisten anderen Charaktere, schon aus Bodyfinder, dem Vorgänger dieses Buches. Ich werde euch hier in dieser Rezension nichts erzählen, was euch den Spaß am ersten Teil nehmen könnte, wenn ihr ihn noch nicht gelesen habt. Außer den Grundlagen gibt es auch gar nicht viel zu verraten.
Violet kann Tote aufspüren. Sie kann die Hinterlassenschaften ihrer Seelen riechen, hören, schmecken oder sehen. Manchmal sogar spüren. Das ist eigentlich mehr oder weniger alles, was man zu den beiden Teilen sagen müsste. Denn die Handlung dreht sich jedes Mal darum.
Wenn ihr den ersten Teil noch nicht gelesen habt, solltet ihr eventuell entscheiden, doch abzuschalten. Ich kann nicht versprechen, dass ich alles geheim halten werde. Auch wenn ich nicht vorhabe, etwas von der Story an sich zu verraten, bzw. Fakten aus dem ersten Band, aber sicher ist sicher.
Die Frage, ob man die Bücher unabhängig voneinander lesen kann, beantworte ich ganz klar mit nein.
Natürlich wäre jeder halbwegs intelligente Mensch dazu in der Lage, die Handlung zu verstehen. Aber es wäre trotzdem ein wenig abgedroschen, hohl. Inhaltslos. Es fehlt eben was. Es wäre zu flach.
Violet ist in einer Beziehung mit ihrem langjährigen besten Freund Jay. Das war schonmal Punkt eins wieso ich mich auf Teil zwei so gefreut habe. Und enttäuscht wurde ich keineswegs. Es gibt so wundervoll beschriebene Szenen in diesem Buch, dass ich Kimberley Derting dafür um den Hals hätte fallen können. Ich hab wirklich selten, wenn nicht sogar noch nie, so etwas Schönes gelesen. So eine schöne Darstellung einer Beziehung, einer Liebe, einer Leidenschaft. Ohne anzüglich zu werden, ohne kitschig zu werden. Einfach ganz normal. Und wunderbar angenehm.
Auch Chelsea, Violetts beste Freundin ist wieder mit von der Partie und ich muss sagen, ich habe ihre grantige Art richtig vermisst. Sie ist ein toller Charakter, der richtig klasse dargestellt wird. Zu Chelsea finde ich einige Parallelen, sie hat meine Art Humor und gibt immer ein paar zickige Kommentare ab, die man aber liebenswert auffassen kann, wenn man die Person kennt. Violet kennt Chelsea und weiß wie alles gemeint ist. Sie mag sie dafür.
Ich kann euch schon mal verraten, dass es nicht bei diesem einen Fall bleiben wird. Der entführte Junge ist nicht alles, was euch in diesem Buch erwartet. Ich würde sogar behaupten, dass das Anfangsthema regelrecht zur Nebensache wird. Allerdings werde ich kein Wort darüber verlieren, durch was sie ersetzt wird. Das müsst ihr schon selbst herausfinden. Aber es wird spannend. Sehr spannend.
Von der Autorin habe ich nichts Anderes erwartet, als ein Buch, dass mich fesselt. Ein Buch, dass mich in sich hineinzieht. Und das hat es, wieder einmal. Es war im Gesamten nicht ganz so spannend wie Teil Eins, aber dennoch war es ein klasse Buch. In Kimberley Dertings Schreibstil kann ich mich richtig wohlfühlen und ich könnte lesen, lesen, lesen. Egal welches Buch sie schreiben würde, ich würde alles kaufen. Alles. Auch wenn es überhaupt nicht mein Genre wäre. Ich bin wirklich begeistert von ihr.
ps_a22's review against another edition
3.0
I forgot how cool Violet's ability was. She and Jay are so perfect with each other and I just loved everything. The addition of Mark and his family was so intense. The scene in the woods was crazy, especially with the man committing suicide. Looking forward to the drama that will undoubtedly unfold with Raf in the picture.
qdalessio's review against another edition
5.0
One word: FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!!!!!! Best sequel EVER!!!! Cannot wait for the third book!
kba76's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Desires of the Dead picks up not long after the events of book one. Violet is under pressure in her relationship with Jay, and there are some new characters who are causing friction. The teen angst continues, though it takes something of a back seat to the key plot.
The main focus of the story is Violet's shifting view of her gift. Having wanted to keep it quiet, she finds herself in an unusual situation of realising that there are others like her. Could her gift be a force for good? Something that can actually help people?
For the majority of the story Violet is victim to some pretty obsessive behaviour. We sense it will involve the younger sister of Jay's new best friend, but the twist involving this family came rather out of the blue for the characters concerned (though you could put the pieces together quite easily).
Violet remains a character who puts herself in difficult situations, and who isn't quite ready to recognise her part in the way these situations unfold. The series is probably not the kind of thing I'd rave about but it's an entertaining idea, and I am curious to see how Violet's attitude to her skill develops.
The main focus of the story is Violet's shifting view of her gift. Having wanted to keep it quiet, she finds herself in an unusual situation of realising that there are others like her. Could her gift be a force for good? Something that can actually help people?
For the majority of the story Violet is victim to some pretty obsessive behaviour. We sense it will involve the younger sister of Jay's new best friend, but the twist involving this family came rather out of the blue for the characters concerned (though you could put the pieces together quite easily).
Violet remains a character who puts herself in difficult situations, and who isn't quite ready to recognise her part in the way these situations unfold. The series is probably not the kind of thing I'd rave about but it's an entertaining idea, and I am curious to see how Violet's attitude to her skill develops.
sarah_bear's review against another edition
4.0
Not as thrilling as the first one, but still very fun to read. I think this is the first teen book I've ever read with a reasonably mature romantic relationship, i.e. very little of the indecision, refusal to communicate, and obsession with "bad boy" jerks or the "mysterious new kid" that usually infuriates me in the genera. Not that those devices aren't seen in adult books as well (and are equally annoying there, as far as I'm concerned), but it's nice to see that teens especially have a decent role-model for a change. And really, I picked this up looking for awesome supernatural crime fighting, not a soap opera :).