The Dark WorldAuthor: Cara Lynn Shultz
Series: Dark World #1
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: May 27, 2014
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Paige Kelly is used to weird--in fact, she probably corners the market on weird, considering that her best friend, Dottie, has been dead since the 1950s. But when a fire demon attacks Paige in detention, she has to admit that things have gotten out of her league. Luckily, the cute new boy in school, Logan Bradley, is a practiced demon slayer-and he isn't fazed by Paige's propensity to chat with the dead. Suddenly, Paige is smack in the middle of a centuries-old battle between warlocks and demons, learning to fight with a magic sword so that she can defend herself. And if she makes one wrong move, she'll be pulled into the Dark World, an alternate version of our world that's overrun by demons-and she might never make it home.
I love Cara Lynn Shultz, but not in a creepy stalker way. Promise. I really enjoyed her Spellbound series, and Cara’s Facebook posts always make me laugh. So I was looking forward to The Dark World and knew Cara’s sense of humor would make it a fun read. And it did. There were a couple of issues, but I’ll explain them later. Those aside, this was pretty good book.
The Dark World is set in a high school with teenagers, and I think it’s very realistic in the way they behave and talk. I have a sixteen-year-old, so I’m constantly surrounded by them (help me!). In my opinion, Paige and Logan were very typical teenagers, minus all the paranormal stuff. This is a young adult book with teenage characters, so expect them to act accordingly.
Paige died briefly, and now she can see ghosts. Everyone thinks she’s crazy because she talks to herself. She gets picked on, but I love how she handles it. She is a strong girl who doesn’t give a crap about what other people think and keeps her head held high. Also, she has a great sense of humor, which I love. Unfortunately, there’s a lot more to her ability than just seeing and communicating with ghosts, and it’s putting her in grave danger. Logan is an interesting character; in a good way. He’s a demon slayer who is on a mission to … well, slay demon, of course. I don’t want to say too much about him because his story unfolds throughout the book, but there is a lot more to the guy. Plus, he’s encouraging and teaches her how to protect herself. I love guys like that!
I also enjoyed the secondary characters. Paige’s best friend is, you guessed it, a ghost. Dottie died in the 1950s and is restricted to school grounds. At first I thought Dead Dottie was going to be a Debbie Downer, but she turned into a pretty fun character. Then there is Ajax, the flirtatious demon. He’s so much fun; I hope he’s in the next book a lot more. Paige’s dad annoyed me though. I understand why he’s so overprotective, but that’s not even my issue. He and Paige would be going back-and-forth joking around, and then he’d suddenly be like “watch your smart mouth.” Sheesh, dude, no wonder she talks to her mother so much easier. Dad needs one of Paige’s chill pills.
The word-building is creative. There are Warlocks and demons who are at war for the Dark World. There are all different types of demons; like lust, fire, greed, etc. Then there are the higher up demons who are a whole lot more dangerous. Apparently Paige has an ability that is an asset to winning the war, but it comes at great cost. Here is where I have an issue. I can’t go into details because it might be spoilerish, but I feel like it is way too easy to poke holes in the way things work between worlds. I like everything nice and tight, but parts of this seems to be hanging by a thread. However, it was still an exciting and fun ride.
Something I do have to mention is the cliffhanger. I don’t mind cliffhangers at all. In fact, I’m the type that doesn’t even consider there to be a cliffhanger where others do. With that said, this is a cliffhanger of the worst sort. Why? Because it just abruptly ends in a way that makes you think the last page of the book was ripped out. No Bueno!
*Update* After comparing the ending with Candace, it turns out I am missing over a page at the end. So … I can’t really say how I feel about it now.
*Update x2* I downloaded the book again, but this time to my computer instead of my kindle, and the rest of it is there. Not only is there an ending that isn’t nearly as cliffhangerish as I first experienced, but there’s also a Q&A with Cara.
The romance I like! It’s sweet and innocent, spanning months, so the relationship growth was very realistic for their age. Actually, it moved a lot slower than most of the teen relationships I see around me. Plus, it isn’t all intense and overbearing like some YA books out there, thank goodness. I really like that Paige and Logan could joke around and have fun; that’s an important trait to me.
Overall, I liked The Dark World just as I expected I would. Cara continues to have me as a fan, and I will definitely read the next book in the trilogy!
I don’t really mind cliffy either but well some are really terrible lol. I’m glad you had a great time with this one and it’s nice to see that even the secondary characters are well done here. Thanks for the review!
I updated my review. Turns out I was missing some of the ending, so the cliffhanger wasn’t that bad.
Sounds like a good one. I’m glad the romance worked and you enjoyed most of the characters!
Good characters are important to me, and these were really good for the age group.
You totally had me. I love the sound of the characters and the world. The concept is interesting, but the abrupt ending is a big no-no for me. I HATE those.
Disregard what I said about the cliffhanger. I had to update my review, because it seems I was missing the ending in my copy.
Can’t wait to read this one. I don’t mind a good cliffhanger, especially the ones that make you want the second book so badly. Glad you enjoyed it!
The cliffhanger turned out not to be that bad. Turns out I was missing the ending in my copy.
As if the last page was ripped out? Gah! I want to read this one and I know I will but maybe I will wait until the next book but now you have me so curious and I want to read it anyways.
I had to update my review because it turns out some of my copy was missing at the end.
Well no wonder it felt like it had been ripped out, it had! I remember the Colleen Huck series, the last book was missing two chapters (the ARC) and it seriously sucked. I have never seen an author do that before, and it was on purpose not a mistake.
Whoa, wtf? She did it on purpose? I would seriously rage. What a waste of time.
Yes, it totally pissed me off. I still had to wait until the book released to find out what happened. It seriously sucked.
Screw that. After a stunt like that I wouldn’t even care. LOL
Oh wow. See I had already pretty much decided to see where this series went before starting it, but with the “cliffhanger of the worse sort.” Yeah . . . I hate the ordinary kind of cliffhangers 😉 But seriously, this dying briefly and coming back being able to see ghosts? This isn’t the first time I’ve heard that concept, and it makes want to go around and ask people if they’ve had any near-death experiences, and can they see ghosts now. But that would probably be weird, huh?
I just had to update my review, because it seems as though I was missing the real ending. So disregard the killer cliffhanger. 🙂 lol – I had two near death experiences (but didn’t actually die like Paige did), and don’t see anything. 🙁
Maybe your last chapter was missing? I didn’t think this had a bad cliffhanger at all, it had a last chapter that made it work.
I reviewed this one today too. I liked it pretty well. I had forgot about her dad, yeah- he was annoying. And I loved Ajax too, I’m hoping he’s in the next book more.
I’m going to email you to compare endings.
Oh lord, so glad Candace said something, well that is better. Next time a book cuts off like that, I will double check myself. This sounds cool, and I do like the cover.
No kidding!
Well good thing you got that cliffhanger thing figured out, it seems you like this one a bit more than Candace, I am on the fence, and it probably won’t happen as I am so behind…..
You’re always behind. Need to crack that whip!
I don’t know why I can’t get into YA anymore?! This sounds awesome!
I hear ya. I haven’t read many lately either.
Wow… funny how you downloaded the book and it was missing pages… that would’ve been a pain.
The Darkworld sounds like a great read. It’s interesting that things have fallen into place because Paige dies… I’m lovin the sound of Logan, I love guys like that too! Fab review!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
It only did it when I downloaded it to my kindle though, so I don’t know if that was the issue.
Christy it sounds like you had a bit of a headache dealing with this book—LOL! But i’m glad you got everything figured out. I have to admit i’m curouis about the characters and their world and do want to check this one out!
I’m just glad I figured it out with Candace, because I’m much happier with the ending now. lol
I like that you point out that the characters act like teens. I find a lot of readers read YA, then get frustrated with the teens making bad choices or mistakes, which I find the most basic part of actually being a teen.
But anyway….I get a little frustrated when world-building is thin, so I get what you’re saying. I’m glad you generally liked The Dark World. Thanks for yen review!
I know, right? That’s why many times when reading YA, I separate myself and read it as “is this a good book for the age group it’s intended for?” I’ve read a few where I didn’t feel it that much, but knew younger boys and/or girls would love it. I can’t fault an author for writing a good book for the age group it was intended for, and me not liking it because I not in it.
It’s actually pretty cool world-building, it’s just that … there are a couple of things that are a little iffy.
Well, I’m sold girl! This sounds right up my alley, the only bad thing is how long I have to wait for the audiobook…I just hope is not too long.
Thank you Christy 🙂
lol – that does suck. Do they usually take awhile to get the audiobooks out after the book release?
I’m also a big fan of Cara and her hilarity in her writing (and social media) and I think I’m going to love this! I’m glad that there isn’t a cliffie after all, that’s always a huge relief to have more closure, even in book one of a series. Great review!
It is a cliffy, but not early as bad as I originally read. It’s a tame cliffy. lol
I’m intrigued with The Dark World and the ghosts and everything and I’m glad you enjoyed it! But wow, can’t believe you were actually missing some pages at the end, I’m glad you finally read it. That would have been a surprise realisation lol!
I know, right? lol
I’ve seen this book around the blogosphere a lot, and although I hadn’t planned on reading it originally, all of the buzz is slowly persuading me. Paige and Logan sound like great characters too you creepy stalker, you. 😉
*snort* Creepy stalker, that’s me. 😀
My co-blogger reviewed this and she really liked the love interest and the romance as well! I was scared of that cliffhanger you mentioned, so I’m glad you got that sorted out and that there isn’t one! 😛
There is a cliffhanger, but it’s mild. Not like the epic one I originally thought there was. lol
Yes, characters that are actually realistic. I know I do love my “mature” characters, but it’s fun to read ones that you could actually think, yeah, that’s about right It wasn’t that long ago since I was sixteen anyway, but it feels like it, haha. Ohh, but a guy lead that’s actually encouraging and not all but, I will save you! And a good gradual romance that’s not insta-love/lust and not obsessive stalkerish, kudos to the author! Ha, I was going to say, shame about the abrupt ending (because I really hate it when it does that) but then saw the update, haha. It’s weird that it just chopped off a page and Q&A on the kindle. Makes me wonder about one I read a few weeks back now, oops.
And I think there’s a difference between the overly annoying teen and the ones that are realistic in fiction. These were great characters that acted their age. The guy is protective, but it’s not stifling and annoying, ya know? He’s just right. lol.
OMG, is it me, or is it hilarious and wonderfully ironic that you were actually missing a page?!?! I love that!
So now I totally want to know more about Ajax, and he isn’t even a main character lol. The book sounds awesome, I’m totally (that’s twice I said that) going to TBR it. 🙂
lol – I know. Serves me right for talking shit.
He isn’t in this book a whole lot, but he makes a damn good impression. lol. I think he’ll be in the next one more, though.
So I was reading review and found myself nodding, saying “Hmmm, interesting, interesting, interesting…” then I got the romance part and I’m like huwhat?! A YA romance that’s actually slow, not overwhelming, and realistically sweet? Me likey. Me likey very indeedy. <3 <3
Great review, Christy!
Sounds like a great read, and the blurb & cover have me all interested, but high-school and teenagers… gah. Why can’t these characters be NA instead, lol? The whole high-school teens flies so over my head, sigh 🙁
Sounds like a fun urban fantasy type of book. Tnx for the review Christy
oh I love a good book with ghosts in it, glad to hear you enjoyed this one!
I so need to read this book cant wait to buy it this month!