Mundie Moms

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Book Review- The Body Finder

By Kimberly Derting
Published by Harper Teen
Released on March 16th, 2010
Source- Bought
5 stars- This is a must read!

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 (quoted from Goodreads).

The Body Finder is such a fantastic book! I'm ashamed to admit it had been sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read for a few months now, but when I read it was on Cassandra Clare's 12 Favorite Books list (released on Barnes and Noble the other day), I finally pick it up and read it. It took me one sitting to finish this beautifully written story. I'm completely blown away that it's Kimberly's debut book. The plot, the setting, the love story and the fascinating point of view from the killer completely captured my attention and took me on a fabulous, emotional ride.

Jay and Violet have quickly become two of my all time favorite characters, and I finally understand why Jay made it on so many top 10 all time favorite male character lists. Let me talk about Violet first, as her voice is one of the best I've read. She's so honest, real, snarky, completely relatable and someone I would love to hang out with. While I don't know what it's like to sense the echos of those who have died, it was really easy for me to sympathize with her and what she deals with. She's a strong character, with a fascinating ability who tries to be normal, and is able to do so (for the most part) with the support of her family and Jay. I love the supportive role her family plays, which is absent in so many YA books.

Jay is brilliant! He's loyal, protective and all around great guy. I liked that his good looks don't go to his head, making him even more likable. I really enjoyed the history that Jay and Violet have from growing up together and being best friends. He's the one person that knows about her secret outside of her family and he is completely supportive of her. Kimberly did a great job with Jay and Violet's transition from best friends to being in a relationship. It was spot on as once you cross that boundary, often times there is no turning back and it does change things. I understood Violet's worry of crossing this boundary. I loved these two together, as they made me laugh out loud and had me sighing more than once. I really appreciated that while they have a few hot scenes, they don't go all the way. I think it adds a little something more to their relationship and who they are.

The setting is beautiful and as I've said before, I'm a sucker for a beautiful North West setting. It played a huge role in The Body Finder as Jay and Violet spent a lot time in the woods behind her house when they were younger, but it's also where she makes a lot of her grizzly discoveries. Kimberly delivers a fantastic plot that is one part suspense and one part romance. I was both fascinated and mortified with the killer's point of view. It's disturbing being in his head, but it also adds an element of fear which is strategically place into the story at just the right times. One moment I would be laughing out loud at Jay and Violet's bantering or sighing from their scenes together and the next my adrenaline would be racing from the killer's scenes.

This is one engaging, romantic and thrilling book that I would recommend to older YA readers. It's one of those books that will leave you thinking about days after you're read it. There is very mild language, and some underage drinking at a party that may not be suitable for all readers. I think it's a fantastic debut book as it's suspenseful, beautiful and breathtaking, and one I highly recommend reading it.

9 comments:

  1. I am so happy to hear that you like this book. I am reading it myself and I am enjoying it so far. Nice review!!

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  2. I loved this book so much- I thought that it was the best book of 2010 (and I will totally admit it... I shed quite a few happy tears while reading this book just because it was THAT GOOD)... :)

    PS. I love the new blog banner (even if it is gigantic)... ;)

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  3. I thought this was such a good story. It was unique and I love that about books. I loved getting the killers POV it made it so much more! It was a great first book, I so can not wait to read the next one.

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  4. Savannah- I can't wait to hear what you think when you're done. I am in love with this book!

    Avery- I don't know why I waited so long to read it!! LOL Thank you- the banner is WAY to big. I swear it wasn't that big last time we had it up.

    Awesomesauce- (I totally love saying that)- I agree! Very unique story, and the killer is so freaky and fascinating all at the same time. Desires of the Dead is awesome!! YOu'll love the sequel.

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  5. I keep picking this up at the library but have yet to check it out. After your great review, now I'll have to.

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  6. Yay! I am so glad you read it and loved it! Kimberly is such a wonderful person and certainly is a gifted writer. The Body Finder is such an engaging and romantic novel, and the sequel is amazing as well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it! :-D

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  7. Haha! This one has been sitting on my nightstand forever, even after Shannan said I should read it.

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  8. YAY!! I'm so happy you loved it too!! This is one I give to EVERYONE! I have some books I give to chick lit types, some to paranormal types, some to fantasy types. This one is for everyone!

    P.S. I could read this whole post in reader today, so whatever you did, it worked.

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  9. Midnyte- I hope you enjoy it!!

    DJ- Thank you and I completely agree with what you said. It's a very engaging, romantic novel.

    GITS- You have GOT to read it!!! lol

    Andye- Thank you and YES! It's one I"m recommending to everyone too. YAY I'm so glad it works. I don't know what was up with it before.

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