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Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
Author(s)
Publisher
Genre(s)
Age Range
14+
Release Date
February 01, 2009
ISBN
0152063846
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Editor reviews
2 reviews
From Missy's Reads & Reviews
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Jessica Packwood is waiting on the bus for school when she spots him - the mysterious stranger leaning up against a tree with a long, black coat on. The part that bothered her? He was staring at her. Avoiding contact with him by climbing into the school bus, Jessica heads for school with more questions about the stranger - like how he knew her name from her past that no one knew about. Her crazy encounters don't stop there. Suddenly, this guy is everywhere in her life - from being in her class, to talking to her mom, to being invited to her house for supper! How could things get any worse? Finding out that Lucius, the stranger, believes that she is a vampire princess and she has been decreed as his fiance since birth to save their rival clans from war. Oh, and he's a vampire too, obviously. Convinced that the guy is off of his rocker, Jessica goes out of her way to try to avoid him - only to have her own parents turn on her and make her be courteous to him, in and out of school. Throughout the story, Lucius tries to court Jessica, but finds it completely impossible - especially with a farmhand courting her as well and Jessica accepting his advances. Realizing that Jessica was not raised to handle her vampire life, Lucius begins to distance himself from Jessica - only to have Jessica start accepting her heritage. During this time, Lucius figures out some dark secrets of his own family and decides to break their contract of marriage in order to save Jessica's own life. However, he puts his own life in jeopardy. The ball is in Jessica's court - does she continue to live out her normal life, or does she embrace her fate ... even if there is a chance she has lost her vampire fiance?
This story ... was pretty awesome. There are so many cliches in this story ... yet their are also so many original twists to the story, it makes my head spin to keep up with the two. What I love about this story is that you can really see the character development happen right before your eyes with the two main characters, as well as a few others. Jessica actually develops feelings for Lucius over the course of the story, she doesn't just automatically fall in love with him as soon as she sees him or as soon as he shows chivalry. Lucius is hard at first, set on bringing Jessica back to marry her as part of his duty - but her ways charms him into actually feeling something for her. Both characters I find very endearing. The story is told from Jessica's point of view (in 1st person pov), but you get breaks and a peek in Lucius' mind through his letters to his uncle scattered throughout the book. The story was wrapped up really well and everything just seemed to flow seamlessly. My favorite part? Lucius' banter. He reminded me a lot of Stewie Griffin - and that's a very good thing!
This story ... was pretty awesome. There are so many cliches in this story ... yet their are also so many original twists to the story, it makes my head spin to keep up with the two. What I love about this story is that you can really see the character development happen right before your eyes with the two main characters, as well as a few others. Jessica actually develops feelings for Lucius over the course of the story, she doesn't just automatically fall in love with him as soon as she sees him or as soon as he shows chivalry. Lucius is hard at first, set on bringing Jessica back to marry her as part of his duty - but her ways charms him into actually feeling something for her. Both characters I find very endearing. The story is told from Jessica's point of view (in 1st person pov), but you get breaks and a peek in Lucius' mind through his letters to his uncle scattered throughout the book. The story was wrapped up really well and everything just seemed to flow seamlessly. My favorite part? Lucius' banter. He reminded me a lot of Stewie Griffin - and that's a very good thing!
User reviews
24 reviews
Overall rating
4.3
Plot
4.5(24)
Characters
4.3(3)
Writing Style
4.0(3)
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A(0)
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Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
Overall rating
3.7
Plot
4.0
Characters
3.0
Writing Style
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
If there is one thing I regret about this book, it's not reading it sooner! This is another book that has been on my shelf since July of 2012 and I am really kicking myself for not getting to it earlier. The whole vampire thing has been done to death but I admit I still like it. There was just something about this book I really enjoyed.
I found the storyline to be intriguing. Girl finds out she's vampire royalty and has been engaged since birth, to a completely gorgeous vampire prince no less. Jessica doesn't automatically fall in love with Lucius either, just because she's supposed to. At first she puts up a huge fight, saying she doesn't love him or want to marry him but she eventually realizes what a great guy he is.
I loved Jessica. She was strong willed and did what was right. If she didn't want to do something nobody was going to be able to change her mind. She's extremely caring and looks out for the people she cares about. Lucius on the other hand, believes himself to be a monster. That is not the case at all, he is sensitive, chivalrous, caring and ridiculously intelligent. He does have a dark side where he can get rather moody and even dangerous, especially when someone messes with Jessica!
I really didn't think I would like this one, especially in the beginning because I kind of thought Lucius was a stalker. I ended up being surprised by Lucius and how deep he actually was. This book definitely exceeded my expectations and I am extremely pleased that it did.
If you are looking for a book that has vampires, action and quite a bit of romance, then this one is definitely for you. The vampires in this novel drink actual blood and can be quite ruthless but they can also be extremely sensitive as well. So if you want a quick, fun read definitely check this one out.
I found the storyline to be intriguing. Girl finds out she's vampire royalty and has been engaged since birth, to a completely gorgeous vampire prince no less. Jessica doesn't automatically fall in love with Lucius either, just because she's supposed to. At first she puts up a huge fight, saying she doesn't love him or want to marry him but she eventually realizes what a great guy he is.
I loved Jessica. She was strong willed and did what was right. If she didn't want to do something nobody was going to be able to change her mind. She's extremely caring and looks out for the people she cares about. Lucius on the other hand, believes himself to be a monster. That is not the case at all, he is sensitive, chivalrous, caring and ridiculously intelligent. He does have a dark side where he can get rather moody and even dangerous, especially when someone messes with Jessica!
I really didn't think I would like this one, especially in the beginning because I kind of thought Lucius was a stalker. I ended up being surprised by Lucius and how deep he actually was. This book definitely exceeded my expectations and I am extremely pleased that it did.
If you are looking for a book that has vampires, action and quite a bit of romance, then this one is definitely for you. The vampires in this novel drink actual blood and can be quite ruthless but they can also be extremely sensitive as well. So if you want a quick, fun read definitely check this one out.
Cheesy Title Great Book
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
4.0
Characters
5.0
Writing Style
3.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
“As impossible as this sounds, I think Ballad was even better than Lament! I thought the plot was a lot more original and I loved that James was the main character, he was my favorite character in Lament and I was glad to get to see more of him in this book. Nuala and him were so cute together that I kept rooting for them the whole way through the book. I was so sad when I thought she might die, and I found myself reading faster and faster and growing more and more worried as the book went on and he still hadn't saved her, and it even crossed my mind for a moment that maybe she wouldn't be able to become human and stay with James. I think that is what made me love this book, was I never was quite sure what would happen in the end, there were so many ways it could go, and many unexpected things happened that I just kept reading and reading, and enjoying it the whole way through. Plus it was funny. Which naturally made it 20 times better.
Good Points
Characters
The Romance
Humor
The Romance
Humor
Awesome Book!
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
5.0
Characters
5.0
Writing Style
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
This is by far one of my favorite YA books of all time! I found it in the used section of our local book store and thought I'd give it a shot. Once I picked it up I didn't stop reading, and finished it in a matter of hours. The characters are perfectly matched and you aren't loaded down with tons of needless detail. It's a new take on vampires that I hadn't read before, which I always love! The story flows from start to finish and when I reached the end I wanted so much more. I've waited more than a year to get my hands on the second book.
Good Points
New twist on a vampire tale.
A really good read! Though it could use a few improvements...
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
4.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by Arianna
This was a really great read! I found this book with all the OTHER vampire books at Borders... (I believe that craze is still going on now...) but it turned out to be a perfectly unique book/plot, and was written very well. However, I do think that the book was a bit fast pace, which caused it to lack a bit of detail, but not enough to make someone lose interest in the story. The main character doesn't really believe too much in herself or who she is "destined" to be, which becomes a bit annoying as you go farther into the book, but she does gain some courage near the latter quarter of the book. The ending was really great!! Probably my favorite part of the whole book! (not because it meant the book had ended, but because it was a well-written, touching moment between the two main characters) Although it kinda leaves you wondering what happens AFTER that specific moment... its still a good ending though. Definitely read it if you're a fan of vampire novels, or fiction in general!
A better book than Twilight
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
4.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by Ruthie
This was a decent vampire novel. I liked the overall story and plot line and the book moved rapidly enough to keep me occupied. I did notice however that towards the end it started getting a little Twilight-ish. Lucius began to fear his dark side and he withdrew himself from Jessica's life in order to protect her. Um, New Moon anyone? However unlike Bella, Jessica was a stronger character which made up for Lucius's Edwardness. I'd like to see more of this book. I'd definitely read a sequel.
This was a decent vampire novel. I liked the overall story and plot line and the book moved rapidly enough to keep me occupied. I did notice however that towards the end it started getting a little Twilight-ish. Lucius began to fear his dark side and he withdrew himself from Jessica's life in order to protect her. Um, New Moon anyone? However unlike Bella, Jessica was a stronger character which made up for Lucius's Edwardness. I'd like to see more of this book. I'd definitely read a sequel.
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side By Beth Fantaskey
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
5.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by KeturCullen1340
Book Review: Awesome! This was one of the first books vampire books I
ever read after I read Twilight. I basically only picked it up because
of the pretty cover and because the summary said something about
vampires. Jessica is sort of my half twin. She is mostly all about logic
and seeing is believing. This is why she can't accept the truth when
her parents tell her that she is a betrothed vampire. She meets
beautiful Lucius and acts like she actually doesn't like it that she has
a hot vampire following her around. Lucius is kind of stuck up from the
beginning and is appalled that Jessica is outside mucking the stalls.
He gets better at the end because Jessica humbles him. She denies her
love for him until it almost gets them killed. She finally proves to
Lucius that she loves him by offering the only thing she has, herself.
This book was a whole new breath of air since Lucius and Jessica can be
killed by stakes and they even drink from each other. I love this book
and Beth kept me entertained with little pieces of Lucissica when I
least expected it. Beth is a fabulous author and proves it in this book
and her new one coming out this year, Jekyll and Hyde. Go check it
out!!!
Book Review: Awesome! This was one of the first books vampire books I
ever read after I read Twilight. I basically only picked it up because
of the pretty cover and because the summary said something about
vampires. Jessica is sort of my half twin. She is mostly all about logic
and seeing is believing. This is why she can't accept the truth when
her parents tell her that she is a betrothed vampire. She meets
beautiful Lucius and acts like she actually doesn't like it that she has
a hot vampire following her around. Lucius is kind of stuck up from the
beginning and is appalled that Jessica is outside mucking the stalls.
He gets better at the end because Jessica humbles him. She denies her
love for him until it almost gets them killed. She finally proves to
Lucius that she loves him by offering the only thing she has, herself.
This book was a whole new breath of air since Lucius and Jessica can be
killed by stakes and they even drink from each other. I love this book
and Beth kept me entertained with little pieces of Lucissica when I
least expected it. Beth is a fabulous author and proves it in this book
and her new one coming out this year, Jekyll and Hyde. Go check it
out!!!
5 out of 5!
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
5.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by Julie
This book is absolutely a 5 star book!!!
Lucius was great! I love how he acted threatening and scary (or tried) but you could really see that he cared for Jessica the whole book! I could completely understand Jessica's feelings when she finds out she is a European Vampire Princess! Instead of being a normal teenager, she is meant to stop a Vampire war. It turns her life around and she has to learn to deal with everything that is thrown at her.
I loved reading about Jessica's problems and about her interactions with Lucius (love him!). :D
Dark and Romantic
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
4.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by Nikki aka SpunkiiReader
Jessica's Guide to Dating the Darkside is a great book for readers looking for the relationships that aren't easy. It's not about "they meet, they fall in love, happily ever after." It's a struggle just to like the person, let alone love the person. I really fell in love with Jessica's character, she is strong and independant, but she later learns that she needs to be stronger. She really grows in this book. I love how her past catches up with her and in the beginnng she runs from it but soon learns to embrace it even once its been pushed out of her reach. So in all I reccomend this book to those who want a little drama with their romance.
Don't be fooled by the title
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
5.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by Mimi
At first, because of the title, I thought it was going to be really fluffy and light. Boy, was I wrong! It was actually a pleasant surprise!
There was much more depth than I thought there would be. This book's uniqueness also impressed me very much. I absolutely loved the romance between Lucius and Jessica because it was totally believable. It's not one of those love at first sight books. Their relationship took more time to develop and that's what made it really believable.
Bottom line, this is definitely a book to be read by all!
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
5.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by Erica
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
Beth Fantaskey
Release Date: February 1, 2009
Publisher: Harcourt
Pages: 351
Rating: 5 stars
The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .
Marrying a vampire definitely doesn't fit into Jessica Packwood's senior year "get-a-life" plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birthand he's her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess.
But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire warand save Lucius's soul from eternal destruction.
Debut author, Beth Fantaskey, delivers a spectacular book with a twist on dating a vampire. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side is a book to keep you reading late into the night - I read straight through it!
The characters were fantastic! I loved Lucuis, right off the bat he gives a vibe that you shouldn't like him, but you cannot help yourself. Jess was your typical American girl. When she first saw Lucuis, she didn't just throw herself at Lucuis like a majority of girls would do.
Jess and Lucuis's relationship developed nicely. At first, there was resentment on both parts, but more with Jess. As time went on you saw both shed that resentment, and day by day grow closer and eventually fall in love.
Lucuis writes letter to his uncle throughout the book, and every one had me laughing. The letters also allow you to see Lucuis grow as a character, and grow away from the duty he was entrusted and turn it to love for Jess.
The ending was adorable, and left me wanting more (though it's totally satisfying as a stand-alone novel too)! I cannot wait for more from Beth Fantaskey.
Beth Fantaskey
Release Date: February 1, 2009
Publisher: Harcourt
Pages: 351
Rating: 5 stars
The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .
Marrying a vampire definitely doesn't fit into Jessica Packwood's senior year "get-a-life" plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birthand he's her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess.
But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire warand save Lucius's soul from eternal destruction.
Debut author, Beth Fantaskey, delivers a spectacular book with a twist on dating a vampire. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side is a book to keep you reading late into the night - I read straight through it!
The characters were fantastic! I loved Lucuis, right off the bat he gives a vibe that you shouldn't like him, but you cannot help yourself. Jess was your typical American girl. When she first saw Lucuis, she didn't just throw herself at Lucuis like a majority of girls would do.
Jess and Lucuis's relationship developed nicely. At first, there was resentment on both parts, but more with Jess. As time went on you saw both shed that resentment, and day by day grow closer and eventually fall in love.
Lucuis writes letter to his uncle throughout the book, and every one had me laughing. The letters also allow you to see Lucuis grow as a character, and grow away from the duty he was entrusted and turn it to love for Jess.
The ending was adorable, and left me wanting more (though it's totally satisfying as a stand-alone novel too)! I cannot wait for more from Beth Fantaskey.
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