Book Review: Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Publisher: Recorded Books
Publication date: January 2012
Length: 8 hrs 55 min
Source: Audiobook from Library
For: YA Audiobook Challenge
Series: Sequel to Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

Summary from goodreads: *Spoilers for the first book are inevitable*

It’s one thing to find out you’re a vampire princess. It’s a whole other thing to actually rule. Newly married Jessica Packwood is having a hard enough time feeling regal with her husband, Lucius, at her side. But when evidence in the murder of a powerful elder points to Lucius, sending him into solitary confinement, Jessica is suddenly on her own. Determined to clear her husband’s name, Jessica launches into a full-scale investigation, but hallucinations and nightmares of betrayal keep getting in her way. Jessica knows that with no blood to drink, Lucius’s time is running out. Can she figure out who the real killer is—and whom she can trust—before it’s too late?

Things I Liked:
I like this series' take on vampires and the vicious world of politics they live in.  I liked Jessica, though I liked Mindy even more.  In fact, the side characters are the ones that shone in this book for me.  Roniero was entertaining.  I thought a lot of the action was very predictable and everyone but Jessica figured out who was behind the murder very early (well, I sure did anyway).  It became painfully obvious after a while too, and she just seemed not to get it.  I was, however, entertained and I really like the audio version with narrators Katherine Kellgren (of course), Jennifer Ikeda, and Jeff Woodman.  They brought the characters to life and had excellent inflections, etc.  Not the most original or clever vampire story, but it was entertaining for the most part.

Things I Didn't Like:
I figured it out way before the end and felt it was very easy to figure out too.  It was also a bit boring in parts, especially when it seemed like people were just sitting around feeling sorry for themselves.

Read-alikes:
Start with Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
Not sure of others, maybe Die For Me by Amy Plum

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor:!@
some, not too many

mrg-factor: X
nothing really happens, but it's implied

v-factor:->->
there are some stake-ings that take place :)

Overall rating: ***

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Retro Friday Review: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Retro Friday is a meme hosted by Angie of Angieville and "focuses on reviewing books from the past. This can be an old favorite, an under-the-radar book you think deserves more attention, something woefully out of print, etc."

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Publisher: Recorded Books
Publication date: February 2009 (HC)
Length: 10 hrs, 47 min
Source: Audiobook from library
For: YA Audiobook Challenge
Series: Jessica series, Book 1

When a mysterious, dark stranger shows up on Jessica's life, claiming to be a vampire and her betrothed, Jessica is annoyed. Lucius Vladescu was not a part of her plan for the future and his annoying persistence is enough to wear anyone down. Will Jessica find a way to accept herself as a Romanian vampire princess or stay exactly where she is, a farm girl from America?

Things I Liked: 
I really enjoyed the humor in this sort-of dark look at vampire teenagers.  I loved Jessica and how realistic she was - nothing was easily believed and she had to have many instances of seeing what Lucius was to actually think it's true.  She was not a dupe and she did not take any crap from any of the guys in her life.  Watching her feelings change was very interesting.  I loved seeing just how much power she had and just how she would use it.  It was a unique and fun vampire story that I actually enjoyed.  I was especially entertained by the narrators in this audiobook.  As always, Katherine Kellgren was perfection, but Jeff Woodman as Lucius was awesome.  He had a great accent but he also managed to infuse the right amount of sarcasm, disbelief, and humor into his letters home.  A really entertaining listen.

Things I Didn't Like: 
There were a few times I remembered that I don't particularly care for vampire stories.  The ending kind of got a bit morbid and dark, but still had some humor.  Overall, though, just entertaining and I enjoyed it very much.

Read-alikes:
Though I haven't read it, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride 
A bit like Die For Me by Amy Plum

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:

s-factor: !@#
regularly, but no f-bombs

mrg-factor: XX
mostly sensuality, but a few nearly-happened scenes

v-factor:->->
well, they are vampires

Overall rating: ****

What's your favorite kind of vampire story - one that is serious or one that laughs at itself?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage