This book was a wonderful step up from [b:The Body Finder|6261522|The Body Finder (The Body Finder, #1)|Kimberly Derting|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1296352021s/6261522.jpg|6196751]. I wasn't sure about reading the sequel to it, and I'm really glad I gave it a shot. I still really love the concept of the Violet finding dead bodies, and it's nothing I've ever read before. I simply love it. I'm not one for sappy romances, but I do have to admit, some of the parts it in with Jay and Violet made me go "awhhh" - It was just so cute! The plot was well written, and the ending had a nice twist to it.

I can't wait for the third book!

The book was pretty great. It kept me wanting to read more. Of course, Jay and Violet's romance is the main part that keeps me going, but the suspense and cuoristy it gives you makes you keep reading just like the first book. I wasn't expecting a lot of things at all, especially the sad part with Jay and Violet, it scared me. And I love Rate's power/ability even though it doesn't really tell you what it is. But Violet has to stay in love with Jay, they have to be together or it will ruin the book series for me. Lol.

Overall, the book was great to read. I loved it. I believe that first book was better, but Desires of the Dead was good as well. You should read it if you liked the first book.

Now the wait for the third one...

Ok I can't stand not saying something about this book. This book is a good example of why I am tentative when it comes to reading YA books. During half of this book the main character flips and flops and flounders about weather or not she should spill her big secret. She ends up blaming other people and gets a million chances to tell people but the moment it is time she freezes. This is what I hate about YA characters,they are so indecisive and don't know what they want. Just tell the truth! Argh!! So frustrating! That is why only 3 stars!

I loved The Body Finder. The narration was tense and the plot shocking. Desires of the Dead was still good, but I did not enjoy it as much. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, it just felt more like a filler novel than a sequel.

Violet is having a rough time after dealing with the events of The Body Finder. She isn't sleeping well and has turned into herself, not wanting to upset her parents or Jay. Unlike The Body Finder, there isn't a murder roaming around town who becomes interested in Violet, this time the party obsessed individual wants Violet's life. Not in the "I'm going to kill you" way, but in the "I want to be you" way. While not as tense, I do appreciate the fact that Kimberly isn't doing murderer after murderer after murderer. Because how many serial killers can one small town have? Am I the only one who has that pet peeve?

Violet catches the attention of an FBI agent after finding the body of a small boy in a shipping container. This agent seems to know more about Violet's situation than she's letting on and is, rightfully so, wary this woman and her associate Rafe. Both are hiding things from Violet, trying to get her to truth them, while Violet attempts to figure out if they can be trusted and the reasoning behind their deep interest in her and her ability.

As far as the characters, I simply adore Jay. He and Violet simply have the cutest relationship. I honestly think the years they spent as friends have truly solidified their romantic relationship, even when they aren't on the same page. Violet is the main character that I like, but annoy me to no end when they don't talk to their friends / family and try handle everything themselves.

Without getting too deep into spoiler territory, the ending is where this book found its niche. The ending is tense and nerve wracking; the reasons I enjoyed this series in the first place. Desires of the Dead has a good story line, and I really enjoyed addition and the plot points that came about with the FBI, but I did find it to be a bit too predictable. I'll be interested in seeing what happens with The Last Echo and cross my fingers that the tension and and creep factor from The Body Finder will show up again.

Read review here!! --> http://www.gonewiththewords.com/2011/02/review-desires-of-dead-by-kimberly.html

The Body Finder was one of my favorite books of 2010, so I was extremely excited when I found out there was going to be a sequel. I was very curious to see how Kimberly Derting would continue Violet’s story since the first book could very well be a stand alone book. Whatever it would be, I was positive that I wanted to see more, lots more, of Violet and Jay as a couple. She completely delivered on that front!

Violet and Jay are one of the most amazing couples in Young Adult fiction, and I think a lot of it has to do with how well they know each other. They have numerous things in common, they’re considerate to one another, they have trust, love and definitely a lot of attraction. In this book they become even more intimate, and those scenes when they are together are written beautifully! But like any couple, things aren’t always perfect, and Violet and Jay go through a rough patch that nearly killed me. I was in so much pain for them!

While in The Body Finder Violet’s family is in the forefront, in Desires of the Dead it’s her friends who have taken the spotlight. Chelsea and Claire have some of my favorite scenes in this book. As far as the new characters go, I’m really interested in seeing what roles Sara Priest and Rafe will play in future books.

Another thing I was happy to see were the chapters where we get to hear from “the bad guy”. It was one of my favorite things from The Body Finder…part of what made it so creepy was getting into the killer’s head. The ones in this book are more disturbing than creepy, but they were just as fascinating.

Kimberly Derting delivers another exciting, suspenseful mystery with Desires of the Dead. She kept me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, those last few chapters. If you’re looking for a book that will get your heart racing, from both the suspense and the romance, this is it. :)

3.5

Desires of the Dead is not nearly as good as the first book in the Body Finder series. The romantic buildup in the first book was adorable, and it actually felt like a real life teen romance. The plot was even somewhat original and I found most of the characters endearing.

So, I had high hopes for this book, and I was sorely disappointed after only 3 or 4 chapters. In this book, Violet seems to have changed... and not in a good way. She's incredibly insecure and keeps all of the people in her life at arm's length. I just couldn't relate.

She even made the same mistakes in this book that she made in the first one. How many times does one girl need to run off into the woods by herself or go digging for dead bodies before she gets a clue? It was just completely ridiculous. I ended up skimming most of the book.

*sigh* Why must all of the girls in YA literature be so completely idiotic?

Closer to a 2.5.

It was okay. I liked parts, and was insanely bored with others. Teen drama overtook EVERYTHING. No suspense at all in this. Mild curiosity that was pointedly made too obvious and took away some of the fun. It's like the author gave up on trying to add any twists. I like my twists, dang it! I liked how they played out the new sibling students, Mike and Megan. I really dislike Chelsea. Her teasing, antics with Mike, and general attitude. Story was alright but besides feeling a bit for Megan, this book didn't really move me.

Not as good as the first one, but I still enjoyed it. The mystery in this one felt more like an R.L. Stine book for most of the story until it got actually suspenseful in the end. Instead of girls being kidnapped and any real suspense, Violet has a stalker that leaves nasty notes and calls and hangs up on her. Even Violet is fairly unfazed by this. So it lacked a lot of the suspense the first one had throughout the whole story. And it upped the teenage drama factor. But still good, and I'm still jumping into book 3.