Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

Book Summery:

After Renee Winters discovers her parents lying dead in California’s Redwood Forest in what appears to be a strange double murder, her grandfather sends her off to Gottfried Academy in Maine, a remote and mysterious high school dedicated to philosophy, “crude sciences,” and Latin: the Language of the Dead. It’s here she meets Dante, a dark and elusive student to whom she feels inexplicably drawn.
As they get to know each other better, Dante can’t seem to control his attraction either, and their desires gradually deepen into a complex and dangerous romance. Dangerous because Dante is hiding a frightening secret. A secret so terrible, it has him fearing for Renee’s life.
Dante’s not the only one with secrets, though. Turns out Gottfried Academy has a few of its own... Like, how come students keep disappearing? Why are the prefect-like Monitors creeping around campus during the night? And what exactly are the Headmistress and Professors really up to? Renee is determined to find out why. -goodreads.com

Book Review:

*Let me forewarn you. No review I can write does this story justice.*

A romantic, haunting tale of forbidden love, death, and tragedy. I randomly noticed this book on my list trip to the bookstore. I had neither heard of the title or the author. On a whim, I picked it up and began to flip through the pages. I fell in love after page one. Yvonne Woon has created an original tale that is captivating, dark, and original. The characters are intelligent, dimensional, and flawed. It was extremely difficult to set this book down. Woon has combined romance, existentialism, mystery, transcendentalism, and yes, even zombies, in an unforgettable tale of discovery and intrigue. Despite it's complexities, I devoured this book in large gulps, craving more with every swallow. Woon writes with passion and fluidity that creates a vivid, unique story, with a rather dark, yet beautiful tone. I highly recommend Dead Beautiful to readers everywhere. Also, be sure to check out the author's website. It is just as creative and imaginative as her writing.

Favorite Quote:

"By the middle of October, the last of the trees had changed colors and the entire campus was blushing red and orange leaves. Every morning while I walked to class, the breeze would pluck them from their branches and carry them around campus, making them swirl around my feet like a flutter of monarch butterflies." (p. 152)

Cover Art Commentary:
I'll be honest. The very first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. Dark, subtle, and mysterious. I craved to know what lie beyond its pages.

Overall Rating: