Waiting on Wednesday: If I Should Die (Revenants #3) by Amy Plum

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

You're in for a treat today. I have actually already read and reviewed today's title and that's a rarity! If I Should Die by Amy Plum isn't set to come out until May 7th, but you can read my thoughts thanks to the lovely Princess Bookie who runs Around the World Arc Tours. Note: as this is the 3rd and final installment in the Revenant series, there are definite spoilers ahead.

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

From Goodreads

Oh how I love this book! This couple is a real as it gets (for a human and an undead boy). While so many people like to compare them to Bella & Edward (meh) I prefer to think of them as more stable and sensible. The rich world created by Plum is one that you can get lost in very easily. It feels as comfortable to me as Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamer series. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have & if not, that you'll consider picking it up now that the series will be complete!

What are you waiting on this week?

If I Should Die (Revenants #3) by Amy Plum review

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST TWO BOOKS! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

From Goodreads

Trust me folks, a summary doesn't get more spoiler-free than that one right there. I tried, in vain, for quite some time to come up with a summary in my own words, but there is just so much that happens that is delicate or could easily be misconstrued if taken out of context that I'm sticking with the official description.

In short, this was amazing! I don't think I've read such a satisfying resolution to a series as this in quite a while. Amy Plum really does all the plots justice in this final chapter of the Revenants series.

We continue with our core group of characters following on the heels of losing Vincent to numa. Different kinds and intensities of grief can affect certain people in varying ways. Some break down, while others rise up. We see both of these among the revenants and Kate's family. Plum does these emotions justice and really allows the reader to connect with the characters' experiences. This style carries throughout the entire book, which I found to be a necessary component while reading. Emotions are relied on heavily in order to carry the story. While there is plenty of action at the appropriate moments, the emotional decisions and reactions are what binds it all together.

Naturally the setting is sumptuous. France is a natural setting for such an extraordinary story because of the rich history that the area lends to the writer. Plum capitalizes on this fact taking us not just through "recent" history, but all the way back to ancient times. None of the book actually takes place then, but as the reader learns more about revenant history, the farther back into time we glimpse.

I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much happened in what seemed like such a short time frame. From beginning to end, this series takes a little over a year, but this book took place in maybe two weeks, some days of which are skipped due to loss of consciousness or travel. This was certainly the most action-packed book of the series and rightly so considering all that had to take place in order to achieve the desired resolution.

If you haven't had the immense pleasure of enjoying this series, please visit your local library or book store and remedy the situation as soon as possible. While I am sorry to see these characters and this wonderful world go, I am happy with the results. Congratulations Amy Plum on a job well done!

Until I Die (Revenants #2) by Amy Plum review

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

From Goodreads
  
Kate has had a rough go of the last year and change. With her parents dieing & her having to move to Paris with her sister to live with her grandparents, she's been a little shell-shocked. But then came Vincent. He turned her whole world upside down with his very existence. After discovering his true identity as a revenant, she still couldn't give up the way she feels about him. After a trial-by-fire immersion into his world, the two decide that they really should give their relationship its proper attempt. The only caveat is that Kate can't spend their relationship worrying about him having to sacrifice himself in order to save other humans.


As a result they each go about trying to find a way to help ease his pain so he can resist the need/desire to sacrifice himself. As the story progresses we learn more about revenant history & mythology as a new enemy springs up. While the numa have been dormant since their master's murder, they have been too quiet & the truth is more astonishing than any of them could have dreamed up.


Amy Plum has done it again. Until I Die is the perfect follow up to the smashing success that is Die for Me. I said it on Twitter & I will be more than happy to repeat it here, this book does not even remotely suffer from second book in a series syndrome. Plum's lush writing style set against the incredible backdrop that is Paris is a force to be reckoned with. There is a vibrancy to her writing that allows the reader to truly experience of what she is writing.


This book was a little more emotional than the first book simply because it involved deep matters of the heart. Kate is still quite young (by Vincent's standards) but she's desperate to make their relationship work. As such she goes through turmoil that only a teenager's first love can create. Even more nerve-wracking is the ultimate betrayal. Naturally I can't give you any hints, but there is something so visceral about a personal betrayal & Plum hits it right on the head.


A fabulous continuation in a wonderful series, I absolutely cannot wait to see what she has in store for the finale. If you don't already, you really should follow Amy on Twitter because she puts up some great stuff like her current profile pic with Stefan & Damon of The Vampire Diaries! (@AmyPlumOhLaLa)

Waiting on Wednesday: Until I Die (Revenants #2) by Amy Plum

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

I am seriously excited for the second book in the Revenants series, Until I Die by Amy Plum. Set to be released May 8th, this book is sure to pick up right where we left off in Die for Me. Such a rich & different tale, I'm sure this one will follow in its extraordinary footsteps.

Obviously there are spoilers ahead (kind of), so turn away if you don't want to see them!

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

From Goodreads 

So who's with me that this sounds amazing? I'm really not sure how these two can work out their relationship. How can two people really be together if they can't first be themselves? A bit deep for a WOW, but true nonetheless. I can't wait to be swept up again!

What are you waiting on this week?

Die for Me by Amy Plum review

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

From Goodreads

Vincent & Kate shouldn't want to be together. There are so many things that separate them including circumstance, age & oh yeah, human status. You see Vincent isn't just a normal guy. He's a revenant, a being compelled to continually die in order for others to have a better chance at life. That imagery just doesn't jive for Kate who sees a simple, kind, compassionate guy who can understand her pain & grief.

Despite doing their best to ignore their feelings & against the wishes of those closest to them, the couple being to date. While the other revenants begin to warm up to her, no one really expects the grave danger she poses to all of them. Not only does she know their secrets, but she knows more than she should & other like her new friends don't appreciate her interference. 

Amy Plum has crafted an in-depth, fantastic world set in the ethereal city of Paris. This ancient city filled with its own ghosts & haunts is the perfect setting for a book about non-dead entities saving the living from their ill-fated lives. Consumed in her own grief, Kate found herself constantly running into Vincent & his crew around town. After a few such run in they were unable to help themselves. If that's not a recipe for relationship disaster I don't know what is! 


Despite everything going against them, the city works her magic for them & the happy couple starts to spend more time together. The city does play a large role in the story & I truly enjoyed how well Amy Plum captured the city's essence. Not only that, she also managed to capture a certain quality of each character's original time period without making them seem too dated. Also, she took what could be a really creepy concept & made it attractive & engaging.


The wit & humor abound in this novel & I really can't wait for it's follow-up. The action kind of reminded me of the book Jumper by Steven Gould where things are slow, then action-packed & then they slow down again. It allows you time to fully absorb what just happened. Truly a magnificent book!

Waiting on Wednesday: Die for Me by Amy Plum

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm really excited to be waiting for the May 10th release of Die for Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum. I think my favorite part, currently, is the fact that the summary is when in first person. I believe that to be a statement about the character & about the author's writing style.

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

From Goodreads

So, as many of you know, I am a Frenchie at heart, so this book naturally sings for me. I am looking forward to seeing the world building because, with extremely pre-established settings, there is always a chance of failure to capture the essence & feeling. I am also hoping to see what "destiny" she has in store for this dreamy-eyed French boy. What are you waiting on this week?