ARC Review: Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

What is up with books about Greek Mythology and why are they so good? This is the second book I have read this week that has Gods and Goddess in it and there's just something in them that makes it an irresistible, exhilarating read.

Title: Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
Pages: 288
Release Date: February 22nd 2011
Published by: Simon Pulse
Source: Publisher
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary:

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.

Darkness Becomes Her just took my breath away, literally.

Everyone, please welcome the newest kick-ass heroine in town, Ari. At last, after meeting a handful of Young Adult books heroines that are strong and can stand up on their own, Ari by far outshines all of them by a mile. She's frank, she's fierce, she's a fighter, and she protects those she loves with all she's got. She's not one to be pushed around, and Ari definitely would not take such a destructive destiny sitting down. She'll fight and she'll seek revenge for what has happened to her family. What I do not like about her? She curses. A lot. I don't think its necessary to do it to make the character look tough, but I gradually got used to it as I discover more about Ari.

Sebastian join the ranks of hot, brooding and silent type male leads who can pack a punch. Although Darkness Becomes Her's story mainly focuses on Ari, Sebastian's story is worth looking at as well. Like Ari, Sebastian is unique. Different. He is the only one of his kind in New 2, and he doesn't know what kind of threat he poses on the people around him because they don't know what he is. There's a lot more room for development of Sebastian's character as well as his back story, and I can't wait to read more about him.

I'm trying hard not to compare characters to those in other books, but I can't help but reminisce about Katniss and Rue's relationship in The Hunger Games trilogy reflected on Ari and Violet's. Of all the children that was with Ari and Sebastian at GD, Violet is by far the most interesting. I didn't know what to make out of her character, but Violet is intriguing. I'm guessing she will be part of the story more prominently in the next book, and I'm looking forward to it.

Just when I thought this was just another paranormal story with vampires, witches and shifters on it, I was presented with the Gods and Goddess story arc and I have to say that I'm impressed with how the story just seem to blend and incorporate all of these mythical elements and have them co-exist in one novel without one overpowering any parts needed to complete the story.

Also, I have to give Kelly Keaton a great pat in the back. Even with such an action packed novel, Kelly did not fail to create the perfect backdrop for the story, a devastated New Orleans, closed off to the rest of the United States. Reading the descriptions about every street, every corner of the ravaged city helps create a rich, wonderful setting for this dark book.

Darkness Becomes Her made me catch my breath a few times. You'll feel the adrenaline rush that comes along with the action packed scenes in almost every chapter. I was surprised with how well the plot developed and flowed smoothly even with action scenes peppered throughout the book. Darkness becomes her's got all the necessary ingredients to make a breath-taking book. It's got a healthy amount of action, great story arc and vibrant characters!

My rating:

Content (plot, story flow, character):

Stunning: Worthy of a Goddess' Praise!

Book Cover:

Book cover crush alert! Have you all seen what the hardcover looks like? It's beautiful!