Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

Title: Desires of the Dead
Author: Kimberly Derting
Release Date: February 15th, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 368
Format: Hardcover
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: The Body Finder
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger.

An amazing sequel to an amazing series! I am falling in love with Violet and Jay, especially Jay, as Derting takes the reader onto an adventure like no other.

Violet's abilities have helped her find serial killers and bring peace to the dead, but now she has attracted the attention of the FBI and an unknown threat. Violet will need the help of Jay and her wits in order to make it through.

While, Derting brings back familiar characters like Violet, Jay, Uncle Stephan, Chelsea, Claire, and so on, Derting also introduces some new characters like Mike and Megan, who somehow end up being at the heart of this drama. And a series addition, Sara Priest and Rafe, FBI agents (not exactly) who have taken special interest in Violet for her unknown (to them) unusual abilities.

Throughout the book, Violet would like to get them off her back, she finds that she is in a position where her secret does not have to be a secret, and can do some good. But at the same time in fear of losing Jay. Though, the latter doesn't seem to be so. I know that in the blurb Derting talks about Violet's relationship is in danger, I honestly don't feel like things between them were that bad. Or at least, not as bad as the author makes it sound.

Jay continues to be overprotective, and Derting continues to give us alternative point of view. But, the interesting part is that it was not like the last book where the reader gets the view point of the killer, in this version the reader gets the view point of a character who wants to threaten Violet.

I think what Derting does well is that her characters keep true to who they are. Violet continues to be stubborn and wanting to do what is right, while Jay continues to be protective and loving.

The biggest shocker comes near the end, because I honestly did not expect what happened, and I don't think many will see it coming. The ending leaves a lot open for the future books, which suggest that the FBI will be coming back and playing a deeper role. I feel like a lot more will happen with the addition of Sara and Rafe, which I am looking forward to.

And, before I forget, Derting also adds something new to Violet's abilities, which takes a small role near the beginning, but hopefully will be seen more of later on.

The only thing that I don't exactly like about this book is that Violet sometimes show's a lot of weakness and she leans too much on Jay. This is especially true whenever there's a dead body. I can understand the toll it takes on her, and I love how Derting describes it, but sometimes I wish that she could hold herself together. And another thing that I don't like is how Violet leaves her family and Jay out of certain situations. I can understand her need to protect them, but sometimes I think that she needs to realize that she has people there for her to help her. She doesn't need to do things by herself.

Besides this, I feel like this series is going places. I am excited for the next book and cannot wait for it.

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Body Finder
Author: Kimberly Derting
Release Date: March 16th, 2010
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes that the dead leave behind in the world... and the imprints that attach to their killers. Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find the dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer... and becoming his prey herself

I have to say that the start of this series is the best way to end the year. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book, because I could not imagine how it was that someone found dead bodies. It was interesting, I won't lie, but I couldn't really picture it. So, the way Derting expressed it through the book felt so original.

Violet, basically, can find the dead or at least those that went through a violent murder. Those murdered, and she assumes that it's only the ones who's lives were wrongfully taken, leave an echo that calls to her. And this calling - it can be any of the five senses plus this feeling - does not leave until the bodies are laid to rest. And on top of that the killers leave an imprint that matches that of who they murdered. So when a serial killer appears in her little hometown Violet feels their call. But on top of all this, as if it weren't enough, she has to deal with her growing feelings for her best friend Jay.

Overall, I loved the book. It was an excellent start to an excellent series. The character of Violet is conflicted with her emotions about her gift and that of her best friend, which just makes being a teenager that much more complicated. Derting brought Violet to life for me. While I wish that Violet was a little more stronger, instead of withdrawing into this zombie state that she gets in whenever the call of the dead is too powerful. And that she didn't lean so much on Jay, but in consequence it's a little cute, which makes the ending that much better.

I also enjoyed the alternative chapters that Derting gives. Not only do we get to see Violet's side of things but also get into the minds of the killers, which always asks the question: "Who did it?" That's what I feel Derting did an excellent job at. Not only did she keep us in suspense but she held on with all the twists that she had up her sleeve that kept the book going.

It went at an excellent pace and it didn't take long for things to really start going and once they did Derting kept it for the entire book.

This is on the list of my favorite new series for 2011 coming into 2012. I loved Violet and Jay, though if he could lighten up that would be great.

It was like I could not read this book fast enough. It was dark, haunting, hair-raising fun that made this first book excellent.