Review: Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez

D e a d  i s  t h e  N e w  B l a c k by Marlene Perez

Release Date: 9/1/08

Publisher: Harcourt

Next: Dead is a State of Mind (2009)
Age Group: Young Adult (13+)

Pages: 204

Source: Own/gifted to by a friend
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle

Word Blurb: Light, fun, and hilarious!

"Everyone in the Giordano family is psychic—except for Daisy. When her mother, who uses her power to solve crimes, enlists Daisy’s older sister to investigate a teenage girl’s mysterious death, Daisy feels utterly useless. But she takes matters into her own hands when she learns the victim has lots of company — teenage girls are being attacked all over town, including at Nightshade High School, where Daisy is a junior. And when she discovers a vampire may be the culprit, Daisy suspects head cheerleader Samantha Devereaux, who returned from summer break with a new “look.” She looks a little . . . well, dead.

Is looking dead just another fashion trend for pretty, popular Samantha, or is there something more sinister afoot? Daisy will stop at nothing to find out — she even joins the cheerleading squad. And with a little sleuthing help from Ryan, an old friend (who may be turning into something more), Daisy not only reveals the identity of the vamp, she also discovers powers that she never knew she had."

This book is so many things. It's fluffy and cute, in addition to containing some seriously funny bits! Okay, so it's also kind of predictable and a tad unrealistic, not to mention the romance being so... expected, but it's one of those fun guilty pleasures you can't get enough of! Come on, you've got the gorgeous best friend-who-may/may not-turn-into-something-more, Ryan Mendez, the totally irritating yet hilarious psychic older sisters, Rose and Poppy, and a plot chockfull of mystery! Seriously, what's not to like?

I really fell for Daisy, that's for sure. Her reactions to certain situations are purely teenage-ish, her personality sprinkled with spunk, natural curiosity, and a good healthy dose of humor. It was pretty awesome to see her start from a norm - a term used to describe non-psychics - and then close out with neat supernatural powers at the end. Her crush on Ryan just added to her appeal. It was cute, seeing her struggle with these fast-forming feelings, her responses to Ryan's sudden reciprocation of those long-suppressed feelings. A big bonus was reading as this seemingly unimportant nobody becomes Miss Popularity by the end. I mean, I couldn't help but smile at this really clichéd development! After all, I think every girl wishes that they landed the gorgeous guy and managed to become Homecoming Queen, too!

And while the big mystery, though intriguing, is a tad easy to figure out, it was still pretty fun to know that I was right. It was cool to see the villain get vanquished and watch Daisy claim the spotlight for a change. Daisy and her sisters become closer over the course of the book, particularly when Daisy's own powers start emerging, and as they become closer, it's evident that these girls are going to become a supernatural crime fighting trio. So, that leaves me anticipating the future books like crazy, wanting to discover what the next few mysteries are going to be!

To read a book that doesn't end in a massive cliffhanger, was a really nice change. Like I said, it's predictable and a little cheesy, but somehow absorbing. I'm a sucker for a heroine who doesn't think much of herself and by the end of the book realizes different. I guess that's why I ended up liking Daisy so much.

The thing I'm most anticipating is meeting the paranormals from future books, and added to that the new mysteries plaguing the town, so I'll definitely be on the look out for the sequel!

"Ryan snorted. 'You, a cheerleader?'
'What's that supposed to mean? You don't think I'm good enough for the cheerleading squad?' My voice was climbing an octave or so.
'It's not that,' he said. 'You just don't seem like the type.'
'But Samantha Devereaux is the type?'
'Well, yeah,' Ryan said, 'but--'
'But nothing. I've got news for you. I'm trying and nothing you say can change my mind...'
I whirled around and stomped outside.
I was going to try out, and I was going to make it. I was going to be the best damn cheerleader Nightshade High had ever seen" (32 | 204).

Gotta love that Daisy! *cracks up*

"'I'd do anything for you, Daisy,' he said softly. 'Just ask.'
The intensity in his eyes unnerved me. My knees were trembling so badly I had to grab on to our picket fence for support.
'This is me,' I said inanely, pushing open the gate. Like Ryan hadn't been to my house a million times. He had, but this time was different.
Very different, I realized, when Ryan reached over and gave me a peck on the lips. Quick, but tasty. The fast food of kisses.
'I'll call you later,' he said, then jogged away.
I practically floated up the walkway to the house. Ryan kissed me. Again. He was going to call me.
Wait. Why was Ryan going to call me? To ask me out or to talk about the case? It was a mystery to me" (38 | 204).

:DDD

Thanks for reading! And happy blogging!