Xpresso Reads

Until I Die, the second book in the Revenants series, is very much a middle book, but we do learn tons more about the Revenant lore in addition to greater character development. And of course, we still have the beautiful Paris setting.Oriented towards the Revenant lore, we're plunged deeper into their background and history in this sequel. I was very interested in Amy Plum's unique zombie lore from the beginning, so I was happy to get some more details on these unusual beings. Even though there is still some plot development included, the pacing hovers a bit on the slow side. However, if - like me- you enjoyed book 1 mostly for its characters and setting, you will not be disappointed. There is plenty of Paris presence, in which walks our well beloved characters.Two of these beloved that shine in this novel are Jules and Georgia. I completely adore Jules. He is so sweet and every time he's present he fills the book with humor and charm. Considerably more involved in this book- Kate's sister, Georgia, also knows how to liven things up. She is simply a fun character - witty, spontaneous, and just plain buoyant. She has the confidence everyone wishes they had. I loved seeing more of her. She's also someone we can always count on and put our trust into no matter what. This sisterly bond is another part of the book that I adore. There are a couple of new interesting personalities that join the already superb cast: Arthur is cranky but surprisingly intriguing. And Violette is a lot of fun, outgoing, and charming when she wants to be.Since I wasn't infatuated with the romantic plot in Die For Me, I was happy to find the romance was a tad more passionate in this second novel. Where the previous book left me underwhelmed, Until I Die made me see how, even though it's not an all-consuming, lust-filled romance, the love for each other is definitely present. Their desperation fills the pages, but with an air of maturity. Almost as if they've together for years already. Add a Parisian setting to the mix, and we've got an enchanting love story.An utterly shocking ending will make you long for the final book. It's not every author who would dare go the route Amy went; I love how she's not afraid to make things happen. This is not a fairy tale! For this reason though, I can see how some may not be to happy with it, nonetheless I thought it was an amazingly heartfelt, passionate ending that brings a lot of emotions to the surface. As a middle book, Until I Die is clearly a set up for the finale, but it's still a great addition to the series that gives us plenty of development as far as character and world building. Book 3 - If I Should Die - promises to be heartbreaking and thoroughly intense.--For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads