Review: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

I still get goosebumps whenever I remember reading this. A good kind of goosebumps, because if you want to read a YA horror that will give you ONE HECK OF A THRILL RIDE, you have a winner in The Body Finder.

Title: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Pages: 336
Release Date: March 16, 2010
Published by: HarperCollins
Source: From author for blog event (thanks so much, Kim! YOU ROCK!)
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary:

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

I loved how simple this book looks on the surface, but it's something that you will immensely enjoy reading as you go along. It's scary. It's addictive, and you just can't stop! It's been a long time ever since I felt really scared while reading, and this book just made me jump at certain moments. Kim is a master of creating haunting scenes.

The Body Finder is told between the alternating POV's of Violet and the killer. Knowing what goes through the mind of a serial killer is scary. Readers are given an all access pass into the twisted dark thoughts of a monster, how he hunts, how he kills, and how he disposes of the girls. Kudos to Kim for writing such a character. It's not easy writing about something so evil.

I also love how Violet seems to be normal. Yes, she does have an ability to sense the dead, but I love how her character is not one of those typical female protagonist who possess abilities that others doesn't. She isn't isolated, without friends, or the typical freak that everyone in school hates.

Despite the paranormal theme, I love how the story goes beyond telling Violet's ability, but also gives us a glimpse of what it's like to be a teenage girl. Violet's story has more to it than just discovering dead bodies through their echoes, it also discusses Violet's life in general. Her growing attraction to her best friend, her closeness with her parents, her friends, homecoming. I love how these elements were all put together and created a very enjoyable story!

For once, there is no love triangle. Hallelujah! I can only read so much love triangle in books before I get tired of it, so reading this side of the story is like a breath of fresh air. This time, the best friend did not lose against the new guy (because there isn't one). Not in this book.

Raise your hands if you love Jay! Who wouldn't love such a cute, quirky, funny, protective guy?

The amount of romance in this book is just astounding! When you combine that with thrilling moments, you get an explosive book! I love how the romance between Violet and Jay played out. The tension between the two best friends is almost a real, tangible thing. It's very hard to ignore. When do you go from best friends to lovers? When you cross that certain line, is it ever possible to go back? This part of the book gave it a very realistic and captivating quality.

I think the key in making The Body Finder such a delight to read is how simple everything is. The characters weren't portrayed exaggeratedly, and the plot was kept simple and smooth. Reading The Body Finder is like riding a roller coaster. Slow at first, but it goes on full speed, through twists and turns, highs and lows, bends and curves, and the next thing you know, you're sitting there, stunned but very satisfied. Kim was able to figure out how to put just the right amount of creepiness, suspense, thrill and romance and combine all of that and weave one fabulous story!

Definitely a recommended read!
The Body Finder just landed itself into my favorite reads list for 2010. :)

My rating

Content (plot, story flow, character):

Stunning: Worthy of a Goddess' Praise!

Book Cover:

Book cover crush alert! I love how blue the cover is, and how the flower looks so simple yet so attractive.

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Watch out for my interview with Kim tomorrow and find out how you can be one of the two winners of a copy of The Body Finder and tons of SIGNED fantastic SWAG sent by Kim herself!