(ARC) YA Book Review: A Beautiul Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Release Date:27 September 2011
Publisher:HarperTeen
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

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Goodreads description:

On the night of Skye’s seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites—like fire and ice—Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye’s life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move—only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.

In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can’t help falling for, and Devin, who she can’t stay away from, the consequences of Skye’s choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.

My Thoughts...

I went into A Beautiful Dark with little knowledge of what I was getting into, which is quite often the best way for me to start a book.  Despite not being in the mood for a cliffhanger ending (which, SPOILER, there is one), I overall really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one.

I was immediately drawn to Sky and her group of friends.  The birthday party that basically opens the book drew me into their circle and made me feel at home.  Their raport is well-established and familiar, even though you, as the reader, have just met them.  Sky was, overall, a very likeable main character for me.  She is level-headed, intelligent, and responsible.  Her relationship with her friends and her Aunt Jo are a big part of what made me like her--we totally would have been friends in high school.

Enter the mysterious boys and *BAM* love triangle.  Now, I'll *sigh* along with the rest of you, my dear readers, because yes, again, we have a love triangle, but I'll tell you that this one was a bit of a mystery for me.  I honestly was thrown back and forth between these two guys at every turn and for the first time, I honestly did not know which guy I wanted Sky to end up with (and I still don't really know!).

Asher and Devlin are night and day (quite...literally).  Asher is our typical dark and dreamy sexy bad-boy.  He's the risk-taker in the pair--impulsive and always looking for a challenge.  It's hard not to be drawn to his spontenaeity. Devlin, on the other hand, is that rare "good guy" whose charming personality and dashing good looks make him the guy that you WANT to fall for (and really, can't help falling for).  His level-headed personality meshes with Sky's but it's Asher's spontaneity that seems to draw her in.  Devlin is there for her emotionally and brings in simply pleasure and fun, while Asher brings action and passion to her life. How could you make that choice?

I don't want to give away too much beyond that because this ending really surprised me! It's the kind of gripping, fast-paced ending that leaves you breathless and begging for more.  I definitely recommend this one for fans of angel stories and the general battle between good and evil.  You'll find this book a unique take with fun twists and turns.