Immortal Game #1
by Ann Aguirre
Release date: August 5th, 2014
Published by: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Format: Hardback, eBook
Format read: ARC received from the publisher.
SUMMARY
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn't imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She's not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he's impossible to forget.
In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly... bad things are happening. It's a heady rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil's bargains, she isn't sure who - or what - she can trust. Not even her own mind.
Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn't imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She's not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he's impossible to forget.
In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly... bad things are happening. It's a heady rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil's bargains, she isn't sure who - or what - she can trust. Not even her own mind.
MY REVIEW
This is one of the darkest books I have ever read in a really long time. I rarely tread into dark emotional waters, where there are creepy nightmarish creatures lurking on the edges of each page. Right from the beginning, this book gave me so many reasons to DNF it. But, with each page, my curiosity got the best of me. I have never read any of Ann Aguirre's books before... it may have been a good thing. And I do not mean that in a negative way.
The first half of the book is hard for me to put into words. The first few pages are painful and heartbreaking, but then move onto some very poor decisions. Not that the original decision that this character made was the answer, but the latter wasn't any better. But, it made me question, what would a person do in her shoes? I don't believe I would ever put myself in a situation to have to make a decision like this character does... so, who am I to judge?
Edie is a girl that has given up on the world, her parents, and herself. She is ready to end it all and take her chances on what may be waiting for her on the otherside. It is heartbreaking to watch her take the steps to move on with her plan. She is very thorough and precise with how to end her life, nothing can foil it. Until Kian. Kian stops Edie from ending her life with an offer too hard to refuse, but too good to be true. She decides to hear his offer, and if she refuses, Kian will bring her back to the very moment where she left of, like he never existed, and things would go the way she had planned.
Edie accepts Kian's deal.
Instant beauty. Revenge. The life she's always wanted - her life, but enhanced.
But. It all comes with a hefty price. One that could cost her the lives of loved ones, and her own.
One of the things that is repeatedly discussed throughout most of the story is everyone's looks. Edie is average and wants to be beautiful in order to blend in with the popular crowd and destroy them from within. Parts of me understands her need to be pretty - we all have some physical aspects of ourselves that we are not happy with. And when our own faults have been pointed out to us, repeatedly, it only enhances our insecurities. Edie feels that if she is prettier she'll be more confident. And there is some truth to that. However, it doesn't solve anything. Which as we continue on with her story, it is definitely proven to give her the confidence she was seeking, but that it was a vain choice. One that she and others will pay for...
There are some very graphic scenes. Lives lost in the most horrifying ways. In such ways that the saying "I wouldn't wish that on my own worst enemies" comes true... Edie experiences loss, guilt, regret and more emotions that I cannot fathom putting into words.
The first half of the book is hard for me to put into words. The first few pages are painful and heartbreaking, but then move onto some very poor decisions. Not that the original decision that this character made was the answer, but the latter wasn't any better. But, it made me question, what would a person do in her shoes? I don't believe I would ever put myself in a situation to have to make a decision like this character does... so, who am I to judge?
Edie is a girl that has given up on the world, her parents, and herself. She is ready to end it all and take her chances on what may be waiting for her on the otherside. It is heartbreaking to watch her take the steps to move on with her plan. She is very thorough and precise with how to end her life, nothing can foil it. Until Kian. Kian stops Edie from ending her life with an offer too hard to refuse, but too good to be true. She decides to hear his offer, and if she refuses, Kian will bring her back to the very moment where she left of, like he never existed, and things would go the way she had planned.
Edie accepts Kian's deal.
Instant beauty. Revenge. The life she's always wanted - her life, but enhanced.
But. It all comes with a hefty price. One that could cost her the lives of loved ones, and her own.
One of the things that is repeatedly discussed throughout most of the story is everyone's looks. Edie is average and wants to be beautiful in order to blend in with the popular crowd and destroy them from within. Parts of me understands her need to be pretty - we all have some physical aspects of ourselves that we are not happy with. And when our own faults have been pointed out to us, repeatedly, it only enhances our insecurities. Edie feels that if she is prettier she'll be more confident. And there is some truth to that. However, it doesn't solve anything. Which as we continue on with her story, it is definitely proven to give her the confidence she was seeking, but that it was a vain choice. One that she and others will pay for...
There are some very graphic scenes. Lives lost in the most horrifying ways. In such ways that the saying "I wouldn't wish that on my own worst enemies" comes true... Edie experiences loss, guilt, regret and more emotions that I cannot fathom putting into words.
The relationship between Edie and Kian wasn't realistic to me. Edie needed Kian in so many ways - it was clear that they were going to fall for each other. The insta-love came off odd, needy and forced. But, I feel that with time their relationship could have grown on me, but without trust, it was difficult for me to understand and follow. It is very clear that Edie struggles to trust Kian. I wish that their relationship would have grown at a rate that would have built her trust in him. But she never fully does... As the story continues, we learn more of the work that Kian does, and it's not good. And Edie seems to take it all in stride and decides to not think about it. Given her situation, I think I may have done the same thing. There is only so much that the human mind can handle until it starts to shut down and go into denial. Edie needs Kian in more ways than we know right now. The weird just keeps getting weirder, and some of the reality needs to be pushed aside in order to deal with the creepy creatures that are lurking around waiting for her to make a mistake. To catch her off guard again...
It's going to be a long time before I can look into anything that gives off a reflection without second guessing myself.
It's going to be a long time before I can look into anything that gives off a reflection without second guessing myself.
This story is not one that I would have chosen to read on my own. It is definitely not a book for everyone. If you like a story that will creep into your brain, make your imagination run wild; a story where you are willing to open your mind and not judge too harshly, especially without reading Edie's entire story, then I suggest you pick this one up... and then cover all your mirrors and keep the nightlight on. Trust me. It's a trilogy and I'm sure the spooks and gore are going to get worse.
*An ARC was received from the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Ann Aguirre
Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order.
She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets.
She likes all kinds of books, emo music, action movies and Doctor Who.
She writes all kind of fiction in multiple genres, both YA and for adults.
I really like this one - but I can see why this is not a book for everyone. It's quite harsh sometimes and pushes borders quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds really good! I really like creepy mystery stories that are different and out of the norm. I think I will actually pick it up and see if I like it although it might not be for everyone.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! :)
I've been seeing lots of mixed reviews but every review talks about how graphic this book is. I'm a little hesitant to pick this book up but at the same time, I'm really intrigued by the premise! Thanks for the review :)
ReplyDelete