Friday, April 30, 2010

Review: Jessica’s Guide To Dating On The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey


Title: Jessica’s Guide To Dating On The Dark Side
Author: Beth Fantaskey
Release Date: 2/1/2009
Publisher:  Harcourt
Number of pages: 351
Reading Level: Young Adult


Thanks to Beth Fantaskey and International Book Tours for giving me the chance to read and review this book.




Description from Goodreads:


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.



“Just remember, girls:  The young male vampire is a predator by nature.  Some boys may look at you not only as a romantic interest but as prey…”

Chapter 1, “On the Verge of Adult Vampiredom,” in Growing Up Undead:  A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions.

My thoughts:


I knew I was in for a treat when upon opening this book the first thing I read was an excerpt from a self-help book aimed at teen vampires.  Not that it should have surprised me. With a title like Jessica’s Guide to Dating On The Dark Side I was expecting fits of giggles and I got them. This book contains hilarious dialogue and snarky one liners. Jessica, our curvy protagonist, is sweet and likeable. I have to applaud Beth Fantaskey for creating a female character that is a size 10 and not a 2.  We need more average sized characters in books especially those aimed at teen girls.  Lucius is the hottie vampire betrothed to the lovely Jessica.  He is clever and witty but also a little dark. I dig guys with a dark side so Lucius was a hit with me.  The letters he writes to his uncle with the use of what he refers to as “Americanisms” had me laughing out loud.  Things do get a little angsty towards the end but the majority of the book is seriously funny.


Jessica’s Guide to Dating On The Dark Side is a quick and amusing read.  I’d definitely check it out if you are a fan of the vamps. There are some situations and language that might not be suitable for younger teens/preteens. I think this one will definitely appeal to adults that enjoy young adult novels. I very much enjoyed the sarcastic banter and the progression of Lucius and Jessica’s relationship.  This is a great book that I highly recommend.


Beth Fantaskey on the web.





7 comments:

  1. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have read some good reviews and have it sitting on my TBR pile. I am looking forward to reading it.

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  2. *cheers!*
    glad to hear you liked it - now I'm going to start :D

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  3. This sounds good, I'll have to look for it during my next bookstore visit. By the way, I've listed you on the sidebar of my blog under the title Need a great book to read? Check out these fabulous book bloggers.

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  4. Thank you, Heather! That is very cool! Starting a blog roll is one of the many things on my to do list :)

    Stephanie & Juju, Thanks for stopping by!

    Amelia, I just read the post about how this one is frustrating you. I hope you can find a way to get through it. It does take a different tone towards the end so I understand why it isn’t working for you. Believe me when I say I’ve met my fair share of books that have left me seriously mad ;)

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  5. Awesome review!!! I have this one too and can't wait to read it! I'm glad to hear it's so good!

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