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A review by amibunk
Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda Jones
3.0
I much prefer Darynda Jones' adult books. The author's typically strong characters are watered down considerably, while the romance, witty dialgoue, and plot dynamics were blown way over the top.
I wonder if authors like Ms. Jones are doing our young women a disservice by creating these magically romantic "true, deep love at first sight" type of novels. A little realism would help these supernatural novels greatly. Additionally, I'm getting more than tired that an entire generation of teen fiction heroines keep being attracted to potentially sinister and threatening males. Sure, the plot sooner or later reveals these boys to be harmless or good, or the heroine experiences a change of heart and goes after the nice boy. But are these books hurting our teenage girls by teaching them to ignore their instincts in hope of finding love?
One positive note (which saved this novel from receiving only two stars) is that the main heroine is not trapped in a cliched love triangle. Rather, it is a supporting character who fulfills that role, which is much more enjoyable.
I wonder if authors like Ms. Jones are doing our young women a disservice by creating these magically romantic "true, deep love at first sight" type of novels. A little realism would help these supernatural novels greatly. Additionally, I'm getting more than tired that an entire generation of teen fiction heroines keep being attracted to potentially sinister and threatening males. Sure, the plot sooner or later reveals these boys to be harmless or good, or the heroine experiences a change of heart and goes after the nice boy. But are these books hurting our teenage girls by teaching them to ignore their instincts in hope of finding love?
One positive note (which saved this novel from receiving only two stars) is that the main heroine is not trapped in a cliched love triangle. Rather, it is a supporting character who fulfills that role, which is much more enjoyable.