This is one that I believe I got a free copy of at the Romantic Times Convention here in Kansas City in May 2013. I know, I know, I’m way behind on this series, but it was one I kept meaning to pick up, and never did. It was definitely a good story. I’ve seen several comparisons to Twilight, but again, it isn’t quite the same to me, I don’t see the similarities really, other than the guy being basically immortal and the girl a regular human.
In this story we have Katie and her older sister Georgia, who have moved to Paris to live with their grandparents after their parents’ death. They know the city well, as they’ve visited their grandparents there many times in the past. But while Georgia is out dancing and meeting people, Katie is still not quite over her parents’ deaths. She does begin to get out and go to the museums, and even to sit in little cafes and read. There are these very attractive boys that she keeps seeing at the cafe, and then later at a museum. And then on a night when she is out walking with her sister, Katie sees something strange. The one that she found really cute, felt maybe a connection with, is talking to a girl on a bridge, what looks like trying to stop her from jumping. And when she jumps, he jumps in after her! At the same time she sees what looks like a sword fight going on down near the bottom of the bridge. Very weird, but no idea what is going on. Another day at the cafe, a sign begins to fall on Katie, but she is motioned over by a girl right before it happens, basically saving her life. Turns out there is something more about this group of people Katie keeps seeing. The cute boy is named Vincent, and he has to give in and tell her what he is when she sees more craziness, sees him and the other guy trying to save this man in the subway. And while they save him, Vincent’s friend is struck by the train. Now Katie doesn’t know how she can be in love with Vincent, after losing her parents, she’s not sure how she can be with someone that leads such a risky life, and has death as close at hand as Vincent and his friends do every day.
In case you haven’t read it yet, I’ll stop there. Just know that there are also a group of bad guys, that have the same characteristics as Vincent and his friends. A great read, I like that Katie, while yes she has the insta-love thing going on, she does have to stop and think if she could be with him with all that is going on in his life. And even at the end, she says she still has that in the back of her head.
Now I must read on! And I may add this to my Prequel and Sequel challenge if I can get all the books read this year. One last thing, here is a picture of me with the author at the RT Convention.
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Just the comparison to Twilight makes me look the other way. I am not a fan of the Twilight series. While I didn't read all of the books, I tried to read the first one and made it about half way through before giving up. Perhaps comparing it to Twilight is a marketing scheme to draw in all of the Twilight fans and it is nothing like Twilight, I'm not going to take that chance.
See, I love the Twilight books, and so I get tired of people comparing things to it. I know part of the reason they do it is because it was such a big seller so they can pull in those readers to their books. Just like you said, a marketing scheme. But if you didn't enjoy the first one, then it may not be the series for you. And that's okay! I think it's okay for people to not like everything. As long as you don't insult people who do like it. Everyone likes different things.
I'm behind with this one too! I've had a copy of the first one for years and never picked it up. I love that it's set in Paris! I'm especially glad to see that you didn't see the comparison to Twilight, which is likely what's been keeping me from reading it. Great review! 🙂
Rachel @ Paper Cuts
Yeah, it's different from Twilight. Sure, it has similarities, a teen girl, an immortal boy. Missing or out of touch parents. All the normal teen issues! But a different story, the main characters are different.
I have read the entire series and I love all of the books. But my problem with the series was that I ending up liking Jules better than vincent :p
Hmm, your comment about Jules intrigues me. I've kind of wondered what was up with him. It's hard not to like him.
Loved this cover the first time I saw it. I need to read this one. Sounds so good.
It is a beautiful cover!!
I wouldn't compare this book with Twilight at all. I've loved this series and any YA book nowadays seem to just be compared to either Twilight or Hunger Games.
Can't wait to hear what you think of the next books!
So true! Hunger Games is also always compared to. Like Divergent, which to me, yeah, dystopian, but no, not like the Hunger Games.
This book was just okay for me. I stopped after this one and have not finished the series, Im not sure If I will finish it or not. I did love the cover though…its probably why I bought it! lol Thanks for sharing 🙂
I could see that. It's not a series that I'm going to be racing out to read all of, other than maybe for my Challenge I'm doing, if I have time.
I really like the series (though I have to finish the 3rd), I do prefer the second to the first, since the characters grow a lot more, butI love anything set in France, and the covers are just <3. Hope you enjoy the next one! 🙂
Good to hear that the 2nd book is better! I love when the series gets better, instead of just staying the same, or not being as good.
I can't wait to read it! I was turned off when I heard the twilight comparison but now I'm anxious to read 🙂
It's a paranormal romance, and I really think that so many books just get compared to it because it was such a big seller, not necessarily because they are the same. Thanks for stopping by!
It sounds cute, but I am getting a little tired of the insta-love theme. I do like that it's set outside of the US.
I agree, the insta-love is pretty annoying. But it was a nice story on its own.