Book Review: Die For Me by Amy Plum
Kate’s life isn’t very easy. Both of her parents die in a car wreck. As a result, she and her sister Georgia move from NYC to Paris to live with their grandparents who are actually pretty awesome. While Kate is drowning in the sads, she ends up at this cafe and meets Vincent who is pretty much the love of her life, but he’s not human.
Die For Me
Unfortunately, Die For Me fell flat to me. I found myself unable to connect with the characters. Kate spends so much of her time moping, which is understandable, but it gets old to me after awhile. Plus she’s kind of bland. Furthermore, this read a bit too much like Twilight for me, minus the love triangle aspect. I mean, there’s instalove and the whole ‘I never knew love as a revenant before you kind of thing’ which I find aggravating, because that’s not how love usually works. I think I’d rather see characters who have suffered the battle scars of unrequited love come together rather than people who are risking their lives and in love with each other after, what, a few days?
I did, however, like that Vincent was a nice guy who didn’t order Kate around. I always have a soft spot for nice guy/beta male characters. Another cool thing was the Paris setting, I think it’s fun when a book isn’t set in America. Also, new paranormal creatures are awesome. I always thought revenants were robots or gollums, not people who die over and over again. However, I thought this wasn’t enough for the overall blah feeling I got from Die For Me.
Although, I feel I should put this caveat out there. Just because this book did not work for me, does not mean it will not work for you.
Disclosure: Received for review via Netgalley.
Other Reviews:
Purchase Die For Me here. *FYI I receive a small commission if you buy things from Amazon after clicking link. Proceeds used for upkeep of site
This post was written by...
April (Books&Wine) – who has written 1074 posts on Good Books And Good Wine.
April is 24 years old. She is an educator. In her free time she can be found reading, working out, or eating junk food. She often wears her sunglasses at night.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I actually really loved it. Mostly for the romance and the setting.
I loved this book. I agree that it’s very similar to Twilight and understand that that is a turn-off for many. It was a positive for me.
I particularly liked the character development of the Revenants, which reminded me of the Cullens.
I agree that Vincent is such a sweetheart.
I haven’t read this yet but I have it on my TBR list. I enjoyed your review. I am really tired of “insta-love” and Twilight similarities in YA fiction. While I know that some similarities are just part of writing romance (adult romance has a lot of similar plot points), when it is jarring enough that it pulls you out of the story then that says something. I am currently reading Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini and struggling with that. I may like Helen more than Bella but the Delos family might as well change their last name to Cullen. Anyway, great review! Thanks for sharing your honest opinion. I think I may wait awhile before picking up Die for Me-at least I will get it from a library instead of buying it.
What a bummer that you didn’t end up liking it much!
I have heard this quite a bit recently. I figure I will still give it a shot, but thanks for such an honest review!
I kinda had a feeling this would be a book I wouldn’t like. It sounds very much like the same ol’ been there done that YA paranormal. Now I know I’m not missing anything by not reading it!
I loved this one! I read it and I didn’t see anything Twilight about it, but many other people related it to Twilight. I really loved Vincent! Great honest review!
I finished this last week and haven’t done my review yet but I kind of felt the same way. Kind of a been there, done that feeling. I did love the setting and her writing was good, it’s just the story that didn’t make it for me.
Great review! Happy Reading!
Mary @ Book Swarm
Great review. There is so much hype around this book, that I decided to read it too, I’m not starting for another two weeks though, so it will be interesting to see if I come to the same conclusion. I do love the cover, it’s very beautiful, one of my favorites.
Ok, now I’m torn. I’ve read reviews that lead me to believe I’ll really like it, but your negative aspects line up with things that would probably bother me too. Sigh. Oh darn. I guess I’ll just have to read it for myself
DIE FOR ME was a slow-paced read, but I really enjoyed its characters, especially Vincent. Hope you’ll give its sequel a chance;)
Sorry this wasn’t what you had hoped for. I adore books set in Paris, but have put off picking this up because of the not so great reviews.
See I LOVE Paris like crazy…..like love love love it and it really makes me sad when the actual plot line is rather crappy. i have a copy of this already but really i am SO reluctant to read it because even the cover gives off the whole “i would do anything for my love, this all time love with this person, why no i can’t tell you their name because i don’t know it yet” vibe. and i’ve heard what the supernatural element is and just NO i can’t do it. it makes me feel a bit icky
I loved this book! It’s my favourite book. I felt it was nothing like twilight, VIncent is my favourite character and at times Kate did annoy me, but I can’t fault it really. The only thing I would change is the lucan thing… I didn’t really like the whole idea with him, although it was amazing. Now, I want to visit paris..
I’m very glad you enjoyed Die For Me, Shannon! Different strokes for different folks, I guess
If u want a non immediate love story read the iron fey series. Amazing books. Iron king to iron daughter to iron queen to iron knight. Really amazing series
I have to say… I REALLY enjoyed this book. Now that I see reviews pointing out the similarities to Twilight, I can pick up on the similarities, but let’s face it, is there a truly original idea anymore? I think Plum has picked up on some elements of Meyer’s writing, and she’s improved on them (steal from the best and make it better anyone?)
I went to Paris about 6 months ago, and Plum captures the elements of the city so well. I’ve been to the Rue de Bac, and the Seine really does have those ridiculous fake beaches set up. The pace of the story really did remind me of sitting in a Parisian cafe… you sit and enjoy, and before you know it you’ve been sitting there for three hours and you’re late for dinner (unfortunately, a true story).
I don’t think that comparisons between Kate and Bella Swan are fair… I think that Kate was far more temperate about her relationship with Vincent than Bella ever was with Edward… and Vincent is way less of a douche than Edward ever was.
All in all, I bought this book because I liked the idea of a paranormal book set in Paris, but I really didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did!
True. Vincent is definitely less douche-y than Edward.
I do think that you make some great points, Brooemopolitan.
Thank you for weighing in!