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smuttea_matcha's review against another edition
3.0
Of all the myths to be picked to make a story, I was not expecting Medusa. I mean sure I should have seen it with all the mentions of snakes and how Ari's mother went insane because snakes were coming from her head, but I totally forgot this was a Greek-myth type book. It was a pleasant surprise though. It certainly refreshed my knowledge on the Medusa myth. I'm just wondering if we'll see a Perseus come in. I liked the little references to Greek mythology, it added to the book's charm I think. I think the book was a little fast paced though. I think Keaton could have slowed it down a bit to have the characters get to know each other before they jump each other's bones. I mean Sebastian and Ari hardly knew each other and suddenly they're making out. I didn't get a good feel of their chemistry. I knew there was a slight attraction between them, but I didn't really get to see what made them click. I knew that Ari loved Sebastian's lips, I didn't see the appeal in dark lips, I kept getting a weird image of Sebastian in my head that sort of ruined the "hot bad ass" look that Keaton was putting together. Crank was cute, and I wanted to see more of her. She's 13, a self-taught mechanic/handy man, and curses adorably. I don't know how you do it adorably, but she does. I also like the insert of Arachne and the myth she represents. Again, I just love Athena, so I didn't like her as the big baddie, but then again all Gods and Goddesses are assholes in the end because they're the higher power. I also like the mention of Persephone (the Goddess of Death that Athena said she killed), another one of my favorite myths and goddesses, so maybe Hades will come out of no where and decide he wants vengeance too? I do hope so, I mean I like to romanticize the Hades and Persephone myth. Anyway, reading this book has me itching to play God of War, ha ha. It was a good and quick read, and I'll end up picking up book two soon anyway.
jeslyncat's review against another edition
4.0
When I first started reading “Darkness Becomes Her” I thought that I wasn’t going to like it. Honestly, I thought the first chapter read like a bad fan fiction, but as I started to delve deeper into New 2, and the history of Ari, I sincerely cared about what happened to her.
Ari is an interesting and dynamic character. She is soft when she needs to be, hard when she needs to be, and extremely realistic. She is now one of my favorite characters in YA.
One of the things I also enjoyed was her relationship with Sebastian—it’s not an insta-love situation. There is realism there, and that is a rarity in modern YA stories that have that element.
Read spoilers and the rest of this review at: http://slightlyjudgmental.blogspot.com/2013/12/darkness-becomes-her-by-kelly-keaton.html
Ari is an interesting and dynamic character. She is soft when she needs to be, hard when she needs to be, and extremely realistic. She is now one of my favorite characters in YA.
One of the things I also enjoyed was her relationship with Sebastian—it’s not an insta-love situation. There is realism there, and that is a rarity in modern YA stories that have that element.
Read spoilers and the rest of this review at: http://slightlyjudgmental.blogspot.com/2013/12/darkness-becomes-her-by-kelly-keaton.html
edna_gio's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
audreychamaine's review against another edition
4.0
Ari has never known her family. She seeks out her maternal history at the mental health facility where her mother was put away, only to find out that her mother killed herself soon after being admitted. Ari isn’t looking just out of curiosity: she’s searching for the reasons why she’s so different. Her hair is long and moon-white, and her eyes are a strange teal color. Ari decides to search for answers in New 2, the dangerous, rebuilt city of New Orleans, sold to nine private families by the U.S. government following a series of catastrophic hurricanes. There she meets a cast of odd but charming characters, and tries to learn who, and what, she really is.
Darkness Becomes Her is a dark, Southern Gothic story with a Greek twist. I love paranormal novels that take place in New Orleans, so I knew that this book would be a must-read for me. It pulls you in immediately: from the first scene I wanted to know more about Ari and the reason why her mother committed suicide while institutionalized. Throw in a random assassin, and the story is rolling.
I did think that the first half of this book was stronger than the second, however. I love the intrigue, and the introduction to new characters and new worlds. I was a bit disappointed with the Greek mythology turn, but hey, it’s not my story so I can’t really complain. The romance between Ari and Sebastian also seemed really sudden. Even with those minor negative points, I still had a fun time reading this book, and devoured it in one day. It’s a must-read for fans of YA paranormal fiction.
Darkness Becomes Her is a dark, Southern Gothic story with a Greek twist. I love paranormal novels that take place in New Orleans, so I knew that this book would be a must-read for me. It pulls you in immediately: from the first scene I wanted to know more about Ari and the reason why her mother committed suicide while institutionalized. Throw in a random assassin, and the story is rolling.
I did think that the first half of this book was stronger than the second, however. I love the intrigue, and the introduction to new characters and new worlds. I was a bit disappointed with the Greek mythology turn, but hey, it’s not my story so I can’t really complain. The romance between Ari and Sebastian also seemed really sudden. Even with those minor negative points, I still had a fun time reading this book, and devoured it in one day. It’s a must-read for fans of YA paranormal fiction.
callidice's review against another edition
4.0
I honestly didn't know what to expect when I started this one, but I am glad that I did! This was a super quick read, which I'm sure I could have finished in one sitting if not for work. I usually find myself annoyed with many of the female protagonists in YA novels today, but Ari was totally cool and down-to-earth. Sure, she kind of falls too hard too quickly for this guy Sebastian that she barely meets, but at least she admits it to herself. Plus, how many YA characters work as bail bondsmen?
But I really think what I loved most about the story was the setting of New 2, which is basically a New New Orleans. Especially the Garden District, which is filled with big old houses that are covered in overgrown vines - it just sounds beautiful! Ari stays in an abandoned mansion in the Garden District with a young girl named Crank, who had given her a ride across the New 2 border. Other boarders of the house include an energetic boy named Dub, an adorable little fanged gothic girl named Violet (and her white pet alligator), an older boy named Henri, and a cute boy with dark red lips named Sebastian. I found myself liking them all!
I know that more and more YA novels are starting to incorporate Greek mythology into their plots, but so far this is the first one I've read. I don't want to give to much away, but there's a small clue in the cover that hints to the myth this book is based on.... I have to say that it was a great choice by Ms. Keaton - it made the story really entertaining, and kept me wanting more! The mystery and culture of New New Orleans was also very intriguing, though I did get the feeling like it was Mardi Gras almost 24/7 there....but maybe it was just me.
At any rate, the story moved quickly, there was lots of action, and the romance wasn't at all "in-your-face" and didn't devour the plot in any way. It hasn't made it's way to my "favorites" pile, but I'm glad I took the time to read it. I've already started reading the sequel, A Beautiful Evil, which looks like it'll be a good, quick read as well!
But I really think what I loved most about the story was the setting of New 2, which is basically a New New Orleans. Especially the Garden District, which is filled with big old houses that are covered in overgrown vines - it just sounds beautiful! Ari stays in an abandoned mansion in the Garden District with a young girl named Crank, who had given her a ride across the New 2 border. Other boarders of the house include an energetic boy named Dub, an adorable little fanged gothic girl named Violet (and her white pet alligator), an older boy named Henri, and a cute boy with dark red lips named Sebastian. I found myself liking them all!
I know that more and more YA novels are starting to incorporate Greek mythology into their plots, but so far this is the first one I've read. I don't want to give to much away, but there's a small clue in the cover that hints to the myth this book is based on.... I have to say that it was a great choice by Ms. Keaton - it made the story really entertaining, and kept me wanting more! The mystery and culture of New New Orleans was also very intriguing, though I did get the feeling like it was Mardi Gras almost 24/7 there....but maybe it was just me.
At any rate, the story moved quickly, there was lots of action, and the romance wasn't at all "in-your-face" and didn't devour the plot in any way. It hasn't made it's way to my "favorites" pile, but I'm glad I took the time to read it. I've already started reading the sequel, A Beautiful Evil, which looks like it'll be a good, quick read as well!
saml0920's review against another edition
2.0
The pace of the book was fast which I usually love but in this case it was a little too fast. There was too much thrown into one book. The author had a great idea but i think it would have been better if she would have either made this book longer so things didn't seem to happen one after the other or saved some of the action for the next book. I also wasn't a huge fan of the romance it happened way too fast and was super cheesy.
I did however like the setting! The author did a really good job painting the setting of a haunted mystical New Orleans.
I did however like the setting! The author did a really good job painting the setting of a haunted mystical New Orleans.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
This was först published in 2011 and while it definitely has that similar YA vibe at books around that time and earlier has (not all but most), it was better than I had expected and I cared more for the heroine that I thought I would.
acciolibris's review against another edition
3.0
I picked up this book because I won a copy of the sequel through Goodreads First Reads and I wanted to acquaint myself with the characters before I received my copy. I unfortunately had quite a bit of a hard time getting into the story, and it was only about three quarters of the way through the book that I became truly invested in the story and began to enjoy it. I could have done without some of Ari's outbursts, but I did enjoy the variety of characters/personalities, and once there was more action (aka once Athena appeared) I really wanted to know what was going to happen next. Looking forward to the sequel!
owls_rainbow's review
4.0
Content warning: rape.
The story drew me in from the first couple of pages, I liked Ari and the initial backstory was absorbing.
I liked the world-building, loved the characters - Violet is adorable - though a couple of them were less distinct e.g. Dub? I can't really remember anything other than their name. The mythology was an interesting blend that worked really well and is something I hadn't seen before.
There were a couple of things that caused a star to fall: firstly the instalove, you met this guy a matter of hours ago and you're already snuggling?! Secondly the rape, witnessed rather than experienced but maybe more descriptive than necessary. Also some passages seemed unnecessary at the moment. Ari's past in foster care and a sudden mention of her father at the very end of the book.
4/5 stars
For more reviews visit: https://bulletproof-scarecrow.blogspot.co.uk/
The story drew me in from the first couple of pages, I liked Ari and the initial backstory was absorbing.
I liked the world-building, loved the characters - Violet is adorable - though a couple of them were less distinct e.g. Dub? I can't really remember anything other than their name. The mythology was an interesting blend that worked really well and is something I hadn't seen before.
There were a couple of things that caused a star to fall: firstly the instalove, you met this guy a matter of hours ago and you're already snuggling?! Secondly the rape, witnessed rather than experienced but maybe more descriptive than necessary. Also some passages seemed unnecessary at the moment. Ari's past in foster care and a sudden mention of her father at the very end of the book.
4/5 stars
For more reviews visit: https://bulletproof-scarecrow.blogspot.co.uk/