ARC Review: The Dark World (Dark World #1) by Cara Lynn Shultz

The Dark World by Cara Lynn Shultz

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Expected publication: May 27th 2014 by Harlequin Teen

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Synopsis:

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

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Review:

Paige sees ghosts. A side affect from a car accident three years ago. She is also the school Pariah and considered a loon and unstable by her school mates who often see her talking to herself. Her best friend is Dottie, a girl who died in the '50's and occupies the 3rd floor bathroom at school.

Logan is the school emo boy who keeps to himself. He only ever talks to Paige when he's asking to borrow a pen.

One day something drastic happens and their worlds collide.

This is a story about Demons and Warlocks.

There is a parallel universe with theirs called Dark World (theirs is Light World to the non-ordinary people)

This book is a character driven romance book which gets very deep and emotional at times, but action packed fighting scenes remind you of the bigger picture.

Pro's

Paige and Logan are young but their romance isn't forced or 'insta'. Their coming together happens naturally over time. Paige is an amazing character, full of quirks and flaws but a naturally honest person.

Paige has a great relationship with her overbearing parents. Even though they almost keep her swaddled in a safety blanket, Paige is very understanding why they do this.

Logan! Much of this book is dialogue between Logan and Paige. A lot of this book is about fighting demons which Logan does very well. He is a 'dreamboat! (a Dottie-ism)'.

Little twists and turns with the characters i.e. if Dottie isn't nearby Paige and Logan know a demon must be in the vicinity. Very clever author work.

Con's

While reading, it's very easy to make comparisons with other demon/warlock/paranormal books.

Parts of the book are slow although the action makes up for it.

Disappointed with the introduction of Ajax and Rego. I almost put the book down fearing a love triangle. Happily, it wasn't so. However, I was disappointed with the drabness of Rego. I was expecting a little more fire or oomph from him.

This isn't a book packed with descriptions. Sometimes the world building could have done with elaboration.

Note: There is a cliffhanger for the next book.


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CB Note to readers: This is a new type of review I'm starting aimed to get to the point and exclude waffle. Points are easier to read. If you prefer this than the usual review please let me know!

Available from Amazon