YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

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.

Join Noella and I!

Yay, ready to start this! :) I hope this Kate is not an annoying character! :)

End of Chapter 5 / page 42
(view spoiler)[I'm liking the atmosphere. Although I'm not really into museums, I want to visit the places Kate visits! It's a bit crazy how she has this obsession with Vincent since the first time she laid eyes on him. Did she say it was her way of coping with her parent's passing? Anywho, it seems promising so far. I wonder if the brick wall falling on her spot in Cafe Sainte-Lucie was an accident or someone was out to get her? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3

The plot in the beginning seems common. However, I love the setting! (view spoiler)[I love how Kate can spend her time in this café and just get lost in her reading. When the "good looking guys" were mentioned, I kinda had to raise my eyebrows because it reminded me of ehem *the Cullens * ehem. I would also like to visit Paris like you Noella! (hide spoiler)]

End of Chapter 9

(view spoiler)[I get it that Vincent and his friends are not exactly normal humans (or probably not human at all) but I'm intrigued at what they do. They seem to appear when there is a suicide and try to stop it. That's new. (hide spoiler)]

@Kate Yeah I'm also wondering how they got themselves into that position? (view spoiler)[ And also what process they go through by sacrificing themselves! Do they crumble to dust and then reappear? Or just wake up unharmed? (hide spoiler)]

End of Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[
I really liked how Kate is researching her assignment and she links it to that May 1968 event and the author made Vincent and his friend present then and it's evidenced in the microfilm spools.

I'm wondering if Vincent keeps tabs on every person (that's why he took an interest in Kate cause she just moved to Paris). Does Vincent attend the American school of Paris? Looking forward to some scenes there XD (hide spoiler)]

End of Chapter 14
@Kate (view spoiler)[Haha I got the Cullens vibes when Kate entered that Mansion place where Vincent lives and got the whole introduction of the 'family', with some of the revenants taking a liking to her and some annoyed. Getting the Alice vibes from Charlotte too XD (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[It's still a mystery about what happens when the Revenants die by sacrificing themselves for other people. So Vincent was not dead but laid 3 days dormant. What was the process with Jules after he got hit by the train then? (hide spoiler)]

@Noella, I was thinking about the same thing! (view spoiler)[It does have the Cullen vibe, even with some of the characters. Its cool though that this about revenants, which is totally new to me. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[So Kate is kind of holding back of which I am surprised. Again, the theme of a hot guy with a secret falls in love with a socially awkward girl presents itself. I wonder what problems that will pose in the future. I'm liking Ambrose's and Georgia's character so far! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19
(view spoiler)[Finally the answer to my question was revealed: If the revenants die, then their cycle restarts and they stay dormant for three days. Interesting. Oh wow and the revelation that revenants can be killed by burning the body sounds like how you get rid of vampires!

Vincent seems like a cool guy the more time Kate spends time with him (and Paris sounds so amazing the more I read). He no longer feels dangerous but safe! I don't get why he's attracted to Kate though. It seems like love at first sight. (hide spoiler)]

End of Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[Reading about Charles and his loose arm being tied up in a body bag was chilling. Poor Charlotte, having to re-experience the death of her brother over and over again. I could understand why Kate broke it off with Vincent. It would be so hard to experience Vincent's death plus reliving the horror of seeing her parent's dead bodies every time Vincent would risk his life for someone.
I have a feeling the club Georgia took Kate to (to cheer her up) was on the Numa side of town. Is Lucien one of them? Kate recoiled when he tried to touch her 0_o. But then why was Charles there? Suspicious! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 28

(view spoiler)[Yay, finally a solution on how to work out their relationship. Although I'm again beginning to think about the comparison to vampires where there is a resisting against nature although in a different way.

The events surrounding Vincent's first death was really sad. But I'm glad that he is more open to Kate now so she wouldn't assume things. I was also wondering what Charles is up to. I had the same thought about Lucien because the revenants explained before that they own bars and clubs. Now, I'm wondering about Papy! He probably knows something. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 35

Time for some action! :)

Done with the book

My final thoughts:
(view spoiler)[The story is promising although I felt it was pretty predictable and common. I was intrigued with the revenants and that was what sets it apart. The relationship between Kate and Vincent seems all too perfect but the scenes were really romantic. I might read the next books in the series but not very much looking forward to what happens next. (hide spoiler)]

@ Kate
(view spoiler)[Yeah Vincent's history was really tragic. Papy seems to know something but he's hiding it. Back when Kate said something about Numas I had a sense he knew more than he was letting on.

I kind of find it hard to believe Mamie allowed Kate to stay the night at Vincent and even to let her call a sickie from school. Like what do two opposite sex teenagers (let's not get into the technicality of Vincent's situation XD) do when they have a sleepover? Uh yeah... It was sweet how Vincent didn't want to rush things. The more he talks the more old-fashioned he sounds. I don't know if this was intentional?

Has Charles... crossed the dark side? I'm interesting in finding out his intentions. (hide spoiler)]

I'm anticipating the action scenes! It's kind of a lull at the moment, with (view spoiler)[Vincent and Kate's relationship working out. (hide spoiler)]

Only 2 stars? :O

End of Chapter 35
(view spoiler)[Hmm.. since the book is first person in Kate's POV I'm guessing we won't get the action in the catacombs but the action will come straight to her where she and Vincent's body is! Bad feeling about this! (hide spoiler)]

End of Chapter 37
(view spoiler)[ How is it that Kate doesn't go crazy when Vincent takes control of her mind? Is it because they're so in sync? I already find it hard to believe Vincent fell in love with Kate and became more lively (according to Jeanne). I mean, Kate was in the dumps to begin with, it's not like she cheered him up? I don't get how she's the one that awoke him from his zombie state, so to speak. She was established as kind of into literature and a brainiac (is that what attracts Vincent?) but putting off school like it's inconsequential contradicts this image.

Anywho, How gory was this chapter?! So much blood and a decapitated head thrown into the fire. Yikes! The violence was quite jarring since there wasn't many fighting scenes until now. (hide spoiler)]

@Kate
I agree (view spoiler)[the scenes were really romantic but the ordinariness of Kate makes me question why Vincent picked her out of obscurity and made him his angel. That boat ride at the end with the lights and the Eiffel Tower. So romantic!!

And yes, my predictions about the last few chapters were pretty much played out!! (hide spoiler)]

@Noella (view spoiler)[There must be something different about Kate. What if it has something to do with the bloodline. Is Kate a revenant herself? Haha. Things oddly went well for her, hearing Vincent while he's volant then being sane after her mind was used. I'm relieved Georgia's into the secret so she won't do anything stupid again! I don't blame her though because things weren't properly explained to her before. (hide spoiler)]

@Kate
(view spoiler)[Yes, Kate must be special in some way. Papy probably knows something haha! (hide spoiler)]

********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Re-starting July 12th

It would be great if a mod can change the date, thanks!

43%
(view spoiler)[The numa, huh? I think they're going to intervene with Kate and Vincent's relationship soon... (hide spoiler)]

finished.

(view spoiler)[The ending was good, I'm just scared that the next two books will suck big time. (hide spoiler)]

*************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

Date Changed. Restarting April 12th 2016. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

I'm in!

Going to start in a couple of days

Oh thank goodness lol. I can't start today either XD

Okay! I'm about ready to start. I'm starting tonight or tomorrow. Take your time if you're still not ready.

Im going to start tomorrow im enjoying my current read of hollow pike

Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[ well that was a despressing start (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[ Well that's certainly suspicious. Mr. Cafe Sainte-Lucie, I hope we meet you soon. (hide spoiler)]

@Siobhan yeah I hope she's not going to be like that throughout the whole book.

I get that she just went through a tragedy in her life, but she got to move to Paris. For someone who dreams of one day going there and never having set foot anywhere in Europe, I'm finding it hard to sympathize with her.

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[ That didn't take long and he has friends.
I don't know...That city definitely does not seem very safe. Who were those guys that save her and why did they leave? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[Not that this chapter wasn't cute but is it too much to ask for a book that's not insta-love? Ugh. I'm sorry but I've had a terrible week with romance. This is the 6th book in a row that I read with insta-love and a bad romance. Is it too much to ask for a little of build up between the two characters? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[ Well I'm glad that pacing's fast. I was worried we'd have to wait till the end of the book to find out what's going on and what Vincent and Jules are. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ oh wow okay so what was going on under the bridge. In the cafe why did they save her then vanish. Its a good story and I'm enjoying it. Her grief I can kinda understand but at the same time I'm hoping she isn't going to be like that the whole book (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ insta love needs to stop (hide spoiler)]

Just starting chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ wow poor Jules :( (hide spoiler)]

Omg what

siobhan wrote: "Omg what"

Yep ikr! It's an interesting story. It gets better and at least the romance scenes aren't as cheesy like in the first few chapters.

Chapter 21 and a few pages into chapter 22: (view spoiler)[ I get that she's grieving still but it's just a little irritating for me. I mean he's not really dead and maybe I'm just insensitive but I feel that she should be stay with Vincent because he makes her happy and helps her come out of her grief. But she's running away from that and it frustrates me. (hide spoiler)]

Yeah its getting really really interesting. (view spoiler)[ poor Kate seems to have got in over her head kinda creepy he has her picture by his bed though lol (hide spoiler)]

Did you ever read Twilight?

Chapter 29: (view spoiler)[ I'm having way too much Twilight deja vu. The no sleep, watching over the girl while she sleeps, them breaking up and getting back together...hmmm (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 31: (view spoiler)[ I don't like how Vincent handled things. There's a time and place for everything. I know there's bad blood between him and Lucien. I know that he doesn't want Georgia to get hurt either. But that was just really bad timing to bring that up. He just ruined the dinner and put a wedge between Kate and Georgia's relationship. (hide spoiler)]

Finished! Take your time. I'll still discuss it.

My final thoughts:

(view spoiler)[ I liked it. I'm probably going to give it a 3. This is a light-hearted fun read. It's a good book but that's it. I didn't find it anything special. I just found it enjoyable.

I liked the ending despite its predictability. I guess I'm more lenient on this because I knew it was going to be a romance book. Instead of judging the story itself, I found myself judging the romance.

If you think about it, the overall romance was bad. It was an insta-love. They broke up and got back together rather quickly. Suddenly they're in love with each other after a near death fight. It was the usual romance plot.

But I loved the individual scenes and interaction between Vincent and Kate. Some scenes and lines were cheesy but did not dominate the book. I love the whole fall-in-love-in-Paris setting. The cafes, the amazing birthday present at the end, and their romantic walks on Parisian streets. It was the little things that made this book work for me.

I also loved the mystery behind the revenants and how things aren't quite solved yet. I also really liked the whole idea behind the revenants. It was all very interesting to me.

I loved that characters. They were very well developed. Each revenant had some kind of background story to them and had their own unique personalities. My favorite characters were Jules and Mamie and Papy. I'm actually curious about what Papy knows about the revenants. He seemed genuinely surprised when Kate mentioned numa. Also, it's still a mystery how Kate kept her sanity after taking Vincent in her body and why she can communicate with Vincent in her volan form. I'm betting it has something to do with her heritage.

Overall, fun read. (hide spoiler)]

I think I just wrote my review in that spoiler lol. If I'm lazy, I might just copy and paste that haha.

Nicole wrote: "Did you ever read Twilight?

Chapter 29: [spoilers removed]"
Nope lol
Im done and i agree with everything you said. (view spoiler)[ At times i wanted to slap kate silly. She really got on my nerves and the romance was just too much insta love need to spend my life with you blah blah blah lol :) I hate insta love (hide spoiler)]

Yep exactly. Even after they just met. (view spoiler)[ suddenly it was, I can't spend the rest of my life without you (hide spoiler)]

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Date changed. Restarting October 6th 2018. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Thanks Sarah.
I love this trilogy, havent read it in a while so time for a reread.

Got the book from the library today.
Couldent find it in english so will be doing the first two in norwegian and the last one in english. ( norwegian is my native language. Plum is actually of norwegian decent.)
Will start it later today. Probably in bed.

25%(view spoiler)[ i really dont trust Vincent. why did he say he "really needs to find one of his....friends"? that seems a little off. did he really think she wouldnt follow him? (hide spoiler)]
50%(view spoiler)[how is jules alive? he got hit by a train? right? what is she doing looking around this house? i would have waited, you got guts girl. i wonder why she cant leave. (hide spoiler)]
75%(view spoiler)[i wonder who Vincent use to be. thats interesting that they keep photos of the people hey save, a little weird. i wonder why he was talking about her. (hide spoiler)]
Finished(view spoiler)[i cant believe she finally let her sister meet him. oh wow there was an arm in that bag.. is she going to be her friend? willl she give him a chance to explain? oh wow, sill she say yes to Vincent offer? this is very interesting and i cant wait to see what she does (hide spoiler)]

Ah you read it in one day. I just started it today. I really love the opening line, it says so much in a clever nice way.

Also, this book came out in the time you had tons of pheoux twilight books. ( paranormal romance, protagonist meets someone broody who has a whole adopted family that are somehow undead). I do think this trilogy does it very well.

Huh. This reread is really interesting for me. The first two chapters i really enjoyed, then I felt it got a big cheesy started thinking WHAT I loved this book before have I grown out of it, but now at page 150 I`m really enjoying it again. The joys of rereading I geuss.

Finished it on thuesday. Really enjoyed it. Sierra when do you want to start the second book?