Jessica's Guide to Dating the Dark Side
By Beth Fantaskey
Published on February 2009
Published by Harcourt
Summary taken 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.
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.
The little blurb on the back of the book and on Goodreads made me think that this was going to be a funny book, perhaps even a satire on all the other vampire books out there. I didn't expect a well done, well thought out story. I loved getting lost in the story of Jessica and Lucius. I loved that Jessica didn't fall in love with him instantly. I get so frustrated by books that have one "love at first sight" plot after another. I liked the slow progression of their romance.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series. The author does a great job of keeping the story from every lagging and makes the characters real and believable (as believable as vampire princesses can be!). I loved that Lucius was not a "perfect" male, though he thought he was.
If you haven't read this story and you are a fan of paranormal romance- I have no doubt that you will love it as much as I did!
I can't wait to read the next book in this series. The author does a great job of keeping the story from every lagging and makes the characters real and believable (as believable as vampire princesses can be!). I loved that Lucius was not a "perfect" male, though he thought he was.
If you haven't read this story and you are a fan of paranormal romance- I have no doubt that you will love it as much as I did!
I loved this book! Glad to hear you enjoyed it too! (:
ReplyDeleteFrom the blurb provided, I have to agree that it sounded like something with paranormal-chic-lit (is that even a genre) feel.
ReplyDeleteI really loved this book too! One of my favorite parts was the fact that Jessica doesn't fall in love with Lucius right away too!! That always irks me when the girl fawns over the guy just because he's hot. Instant attraction never works like that in real life, so it feel so unrealistic in a book. So excited for the sequel too
ReplyDeleteKristan
Does anyone else want a copy of Growing Up Undead? I think it is hilarious that this book has a How-to guide for teenage vampires.
ReplyDelete@Kristan
ReplyDeleteI know- I get so frustrated when I read that time after time. I tend to re-read the books that build that relationship slowly.
@thereadingpanda
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely me! I think it would be hilarious!
@Angela Brown
ReplyDeleteVery deceptive!
Like you, I thought this was going to be a funny little book and it ended up getting the last laugh....at me. While there were some funny moments, Jessica's Guide was actually a really serious, dark read. Oooh, I ran the emotional gamut with this book. One minute I was laughing, the next sad, then angry. Sometimes I was on Jessica's side but then I would want to kick her butt. Same with Lucius. That is the way it should be. I was very surprised, pleasantly so, and I am very happy that I gave it a chance. Now of I could hurry up and find the time to read Jessica Rules!
ReplyDelete