Posts
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.
I love this book - so romantic, so funny and nails everything I like about a YA book. I wanted to read this a while back and was finally tempted enough during my exams. I grabbed a copy, dived head first and resurfaced giggling. I love it!
Told through Jessica's eyes, Jessica's Guide mixes both past and present, the old and the new, love and hate. It is one of the very best of YA paranormal romance, and within it is everything I crave for in a book! There's the sexy love interest, the crush-worthy opportunity cost, the witty banters, the hilarious moments, vampire royalties, customs, treacherous characters, passion, courage, betrayal, action and love, love love!
I adore the characters in this book. Jessica Packwood - Antanasia - is a vibrant one: a character so close to myself that I immediately connected with her. Just slightly reserved, at times frank, she is a character that I can see resonating in many other teen readers. Her imperfections and uncertainties is seen in everyone and the many mistakes she makes we are familiar with.
Lucius Vladescu, on the other hand, is a character that is developed through both Jessica's observations and through his correspondence with his uncle that the author slips in between chapters. Hardened by a rough upbringing, Lucius is a delicate character, a person afraid of his own nature - although his dominance and humour prevails at the beginning, his character shifts and turns to his darker side as the plot progresses. There is a vivid goodness in Lucius, but lurking not far behind is the dark nature that the author delivers so fluidly.
The romance if full of twists and turns, delivered in a practical pace that highlights the important moments. There is action too - I love the sinking feeling that it made me feel, which meant I really was engrossed in it.
My dislike: one. The narrative fragments closer to the end of the book. Somehow, it coincides with major advances in the plot and characterisation. I would have preferred a smoother transition. Furthermore, Lucius as a character also slips in these portions of the book. I am undecided whether Lucius is portrayed in a way that is true to his character. In retrospect, I believe his character is redeemed in a way that still stays true to his nature. Other than what I mentioned, I have not much dislikes about this book.
As it stands, Jessica's Guide is one heck of an unmissable book. Perfect for YA readers, especially those who're looking for a good telling of a paranormal romance!
Four stars.
