Dark Companion

Jun 17, 2012 Giselle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, ebook, paranormal, gothic

After being brought back to life from an accident that killed her, Jane is left with no memory of her childhood, and no parents. A foster child in a run-down town of Helmsdale, Jane can't refuse when a scholarship to an elite all-girl school is offered. She gets living expenses and her own place to live. It all seems so unreal, and it definitely feels… bizarre.

Dark Companion is different from anything I've ever read. It's a Gothic novel with a dark vibe, sweet romance, and original plot twists....more After being brought back to life from an accident that killed her, Jane is left with no memory of her childhood, and no parents. A foster child in a run-down town of Helmsdale, Jane can't refuse when a scholarship to an elite all-girl school is offered. She gets living expenses and her own place to live. It all seems so unreal, and it definitely feels… bizarre.

Dark Companion is different from anything I've ever read. It's a Gothic novel with a dark vibe, sweet romance, and original plot twists. When I met Jane, the protagonist, I found her a bit awkward and strange. She was raised in foster homes in a decrepit town and has only recently learned to speak proper English. I was a bit apprehensive about what kind of character she would be and how it would affect the story. But once she gets to Birch Grove Academy, Jane makes a few friends, starts getting out of her shell, and becomes a very enjoyable, sophisticated character. She is not afraid to speak her mind; she makes her intentions and feelings clear and I admired that about her. Her friend Mary Violet is easily the funnest character in the novel. She is absolutely hilarious with her quirky poetry and sarcastic sense of humor. Lucky and his brother, Jack, are the only guys on campus - the headmistress's sons. I was never sure which one Jane was romantically fond of, but I was glad that I was rooting for the right one. I liked them both. Jack is more arrogant, yet charming, while Lucky is the outgoing, if a bit strange, one.

The blurb of Dark Companion gives out an eerie feeling but without a lot of actual plot details. Although perfect to avoid spoilers and set the right mood, it left me unsure of what to expect. Once inside its pages, I was completely thrown off my game - not in a bad way, it was just so different and unique. Above all else, I was surprised by the dark Gothic mood of the story, which was great because I'm a big fan and loved nearly every Gothic mystery I've had a chance to read. The "Birch Grove secret" is a lot different from what I envisioned. It is undeniably strange, but also very interesting with a touch of realism to it - as in: in our world. (I even Googled!). However, I did find that once the secret is revealed, the story takes a more haphazard course. A lot of plot twists and turns are exposed in a manner than left me a bit overwhelmed. The ending did redeem it a little: It ends sweetly with a resolved feel and a good outlook to the future.

Dark Companion is a book that I don't think will be for everyone; it calls for a certain audience. Be prepared for Gothic-type mysteries, unusual plot elements and an old-world feel. Fortunately, I found myself enthralled by it's eccentricity and fully enjoyed it.

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Jun 13, 2012 Kara added it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, did-not-finish, young-adult

Done. DNF. Bored, bored, bored. I read to page 116 and nothing happened. The story is not strong enough to continue. A girl living in a group home in an urban neighborhood gets a scholarship to a prestigious girls' academy. It takes her two chapters to get to the school, and then we follow her around while she tours the school, meets some obnoxious girls, moves into her cottage, and goes to all her classes. She FINALLY meets the headmaster's two boys, Lucian and Jack, but that takes forever as w...more

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Oct 06, 2012 Kid Robot rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-liked-this-maybe, humorous

Okay. The day I let someone cut me and suck on my bloody wounds is the day I ask someone to please end it all for me.

I’m not sure how I feel about this book. I appreciate a heroine who comes from a grim reality, but it’s always at the back of my mind to wonder at the authenticity of things.

I thought the dialogue was good and THAT’S SAYING SOMETHING. The heroine was well-developed, and there was a reason for every strength and every weakness. She was not useless, but nor was she unrelatably (pr...more

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Sep 25, 2011 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

I got my copy of Dark Companion as a manuscript from Marta Acosta.

From the moment I started reading I was hooked. Dark Companion has a mixture of secrets, mysteries, friendships and romance and of course hot boys.

It tells the story of Jane, who survived an accident that killed her, but was brought back to life with no memories just a left over scar.
Jane is offered a scholarship to attend Birch Grove School, which she accepts to escape the hellhole she lives in. At Birch Grove, weird things are...more I got my copy of Dark Companion as a manuscript from Marta Acosta.

From the moment I started reading I was hooked. Dark Companion has a mixture of secrets, mysteries, friendships and romance and of course hot boys.

It tells the story of Jane, who survived an accident that killed her, but was brought back to life with no memories just a left over scar.
Jane is offered a scholarship to attend Birch Grove School, which she accepts to escape the hellhole she lives in. At Birch Grove, weird things are going on and Jane discovers what is happening, along the way making great friends and falling in love.

I really enjoyed reading Dark Companion. I found it hard to stop reading, and each night stayed up later and later, trying to get more read to see what happens next.

The writing is paced nicely so you don't feel like the story is rushing to get to an important part. I loved the girls that Jane makes friends with and laughed at some of the comments they made.
"You're the creme de la creme. That's French for "all that and a bag of chips".

I really disliked Lucky, I thought he was arrogant, self centred and pretentious and acted like a complete jerk ~~most~~ all of the time. His actions were done to only ensure it was what was best for him alone, and never thought of the consequences of them.
Jack I really liked, although he was a little strange and quirky he made me laugh a lot, especially his nicknames for Jane, but he was more free spirited and did a lot of things for others, and making sure they were safe or ok.

I had some suspicions about what was happening with one of the characters, but didn't expect what was really going on and was blown away with all the twists and turns and was never able to pin point exactly the right answer. The final chapters had me on tenterhooks with what was going to happen and was a complete suprise with the characters involved.

I laughed, cried and cheered for Jane, laughing for the anticts her friends got into to, cried for her loss and her memories and cheered when she stands up for herself and makes the right choice.

Marta certainly knows how to keep her readers interested and I am looking forward to reading more from Marta, from her previous books Happy Hour at Casa Dracula and hopefully future books to come. I will definately be buying an actual copy of this book when its released.

"Life isn't fair, so you have to play the best game you can with the cards you're dealt".(less)

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Mar 31, 2013 Andrea at Reading Lark rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-stars, arc, fantasy, gothic, kindle, netgalley, paranormal, read-in-2012, young-adult

Review Posted on Reading Lark 6/12/12: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2012/...

This book was not at all what I expected, but that isn't a bad thing. It was bizarre in ways that made this novel really stand out. I also found it to be thought provoking. Another Lark, Michele B., was reading this one at the same time and we would exchange lengthy emails about our thoughts and questions. It took me a little time to settle into this one and decide if I liked it or not. In the end, I decided that any...more

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Jun 27, 2012 Kimba (Caffeinated Book Reviewer) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Dark Companion by Marta Acosta caught my attention on Tor’s website and I knew I had to review it. I am pleased to tell you that this creepy, dark and unique novel delivered. It has mystery, romance, interesting characters and a plot filled with twists.

It begins when we meet Jane Williams an emancipated minor who is leaving her foster home to attend an all girl’s school known as Birchwood Grove Academy for Girls. In an attempt to change her life, Jane has studied diligently and has received a fu...more Dark Companion by Marta Acosta caught my attention on Tor’s website and I knew I had to review it. I am pleased to tell you that this creepy, dark and unique novel delivered. It has mystery, romance, interesting characters and a plot filled with twists.

It begins when we meet Jane Williams an emancipated minor who is leaving her foster home to attend an all girl’s school known as Birchwood Grove Academy for Girls. In an attempt to change her life, Jane has studied diligently and has received a full scholarship from this elite academy. She says good-bye to her old life, and friends, in run down Hellsdale. School is set to begin in a few days, and she quickly settles in at the cottage that will be her home. The tale that unfolds is fun, suspenseful and eerily creepy as Jane learns things aren’t quite normal at Birchwood. She meets two brothers. One wants to protect her and the other desperately needs something from her. I quickly became immersed in this world and consumed this novel in the course of two evenings.

The protagonist Jane has had a tough life. She was involved in a horrific event when she was a child and has no memories of it. Growing up in foster care was difficult but another child influenced her, and pushed her to reach for her dreams. She is driven, kind and unique. She is grounded in her belief that she is ordinary. She believes that with hard work anyone can overcome. She is flawed and that becomes apparent in her relationships with both Lucky and Jack. I adored Jack and was unsure of Lucky. They are the only boys living on campus as they are the head mistresses sons. Jane tutors Lucky. He is impossibly good looking, popular and extremely quirky. Jane’s relationship with Lucky was really creepy and at times made me feel downright uncomfortable. Jack has already graduated, plays in a band and teases Jane unmercifully. While he doesn’t have Lucky’s god like looks, he is charming and lovable. I questioned Jane's actions and at one point wanted to slap her and yell are you crazy! I love when a book gets me this involves. My favorite character was Mary Violet and she made me laugh with her poems and comments. This child is an original and I loved that about her. Other characters rounded out the cast and added to the mystery of Birchwood.

The tale Acosta has spun is unique and at times very dark. The whole tale is shrouded in mystery and we learn things as Jane does. This added to the whole creepy factor and I loved every minute of it! The pacing is well done and the author’s writing style brought the tale to life. With a secret society, rituals and lore, this book is sure to keep you spellbound. She even manages to deal with prejudice and social differences. I love that despite the mystery the main characters were well fleshed out. Acosta kept me guessing as to who everyone was and what their intent was. I loved this aspect of it. While the reveal of the secrets at Birchwood was very, very strange it was unique and felt surreal. As I stated in the previous paragraph parts were creepy and kind of made me feel of balance as I read them, but it all came together nicely.

I recommend Dark Companion to fans of dark paranormal mysteries with a splash of romance. I think you will enjoy discovering the secrets within the halls of Birchwood Academy. I am adding Marta Acosta to my author’s to watch list.

I want to thank Tor for providing this finished copy in exchange for my unbiased review.
Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer (less)

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Oct 13, 2011 Julia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs, fiction, fantasy, urban, young-adult, dropbox

A intricate book that mixes a variety of tones and plot lines. The first half sucked me in,giving me confidence in Jane's steady and methodical nature,then making me worry that her past would blind her to joys and dangers right in front of her. The question set up is what view of the world is right,Jane's equations or her friends magic and poetry... and Marta Acosta's answer to that question is the most complicated thing of all.

I loved the first half of this book, Jane Williams was as captivati...more

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Jun 04, 2012 Bodea rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs, netgalley

Great presentation ...check
Great writing ....check
Characters first ..... check
Solid plot .....check

Dark companion was a great read. I have to say, I love the presentation. The way each chapter starts with a quote (a.k.a. food for thought). The story starts on an intriguing note and the writing just pulls you in page by page. The plot is well paced and the characters are wonderful!

The summary of Dark Companion caught my interest, but I wasn't sure what to expect. The story starts of a confusing,...more

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Jul 27, 2012 Kim Smiley rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: couldn-t-finish

I just couldn't finish this book. It was so not interesting to me even though the plot sounded good. But 100+ pages in I just couldn't continue to read. This irritates me as 99.9% of the time I finish every book I start reading. But I just couldn't do it with this one.

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Sep 15, 2011 Yan added it

Note Dark Companion is *not* a paranormal romance novel. Marta Acosta calls it dark Gothic.

When the manuscript for Dark Companion first arrived in my hands, I admit that I was a little scared. It was daunting stack of 200+ pages that would later be printed, bound, and shipped off as a book. While 200 pages might not so scary on screen, when you have it your hands and feel its weight, you worry if you can ever finish it. So I set a goal for myself, a chapter per day while eating breakfast/lunch....more Note Dark Companion is *not* a paranormal romance novel. Marta Acosta calls it dark Gothic.

When the manuscript for Dark Companion first arrived in my hands, I admit that I was a little scared. It was daunting stack of 200+ pages that would later be printed, bound, and shipped off as a book. While 200 pages might not so scary on screen, when you have it your hands and feel its weight, you worry if you can ever finish it. So I set a goal for myself, a chapter per day while eating breakfast/lunch. (The convenience of a lightweight single paper as opposed to a huge book makes that possible.) But for some reason I couldn’t stop at one chapter per day.

Dark Companion is addicting. It immediately drew me in from the very first page and wouldn’t let go until the last. With its combination of sinister secrets and equal parts light and dark romances, Marta Acosta’s debut YA novel will surly captivate new readers. (And have some fans asking for their own Jake; I know I want my own Jack.) With strong, but conflicted heroine Jane Williams leading the charge of a delightful motley crew, Dark Companion really asks what the true worth of free will really is to a person.

The prologue leaves readers wanting to know what happens next, what happened before. Rather than forcing the readers to continue on just to make any sense of the scene, Marta Acosta dangles a carrot to entice the reader. It was a great hook for what I hoped to be a great book.

The characters alone seemed to seal the deal for me. When I say a motley crew, I meant it. From Jack, the epitome of an organic, healthy, silly boy to the melodramatic and amusing Mary Violet, every character is different. However it was Lucian (Lucky) that I suspect will leave readers torn down the middle. He is rather childish, selfish, arrogant and hard to emphasize with. I spent a good 10 minutes ranting to someone how much I disliked him and why Jane liked/pitied him. This is not necessarily a bad thing since polarization creates discussions between readers and what better way to spread a book than through talking.

Jane Williams was a surprising character. On one hand she is constantly praised for her intelligence. She’s book smart, but she’s also street smart. And yet I felt that because she’s never known physical and emotional security she latches onto Lucky (whom you might recall isn’t the most giving and kind boyfriend). He comes from a well-do-to family and definitely shows some sort of attraction towards her, which would later prove dark. He can provide physical security, but emotionally he’s much more immature than her. I could empathize with Jane while at the same time I wanted to shake her. Her development over the course of the novel showed Jane transforming from the little Mousie and just Jane and her taking roots. Her old lifestyle was all that she knew and can’t forget (that results in a charity that made me proud), but this new lifestyle was one she grew accustomed to.

Dark Companion delves into the issue of security that separates the major characters into two separate groups. There is the survival of a population and there is the individual survival. Which is worth more depends on the character’s personality which comes through the dialogue and action. Their actions are far from the norm which makes it hard for me, particularly, to comprehend and swallow. I understood why—for the sake of survival of course—but the motives were evil and dark. Dark Companion is a great title because it gives a sense of the plot and just how “dark” this novel can actually get.

Dark Companion will shock readers with its many twists and turns. While readers might have an inkling of what might come, the finer details will be a complete surprise. Marta Acosta has begun to what I hope will be a long continuation of YA novels. (less)

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Jul 07, 2012 Mary Grace rated it 4 of 5 stars

When you’re a foster kid and you don’t have anybody or anything but your wits, intelligence and street smarts – what have you got to lose when you are offered a scholarship in an elite school offered only to the best of best? In Dark Companion, we meet Jane who accepts an offer to be given everything she ever dreamed off but little does she know that Birch Grove Academy for Girls has its secrets. What will Jane do and how will she deal?

I never did know what to expect with Dark companion, it had...more When you’re a foster kid and you don’t have anybody or anything but your wits, intelligence and street smarts – what have you got to lose when you are offered a scholarship in an elite school offered only to the best of best? In Dark Companion, we meet Jane who accepts an offer to be given everything she ever dreamed off but little does she know that Birch Grove Academy for Girls has its secrets. What will Jane do and how will she deal?

I never did know what to expect with Dark companion, it had that mysterious feel to it which made readers crave for it more as each page turn. It was captivating and it definitely hooks a person’s attention from beginning to end. The story and concept is very intruiging but it started slower than I expected, and as I was deeper into Jane’s world and got acquainted with the other characters I had a very difficult urge to put the book down, as the story picks up you’ll eventually finish it without realizing it.

Here’s one quote that I loved:

“What makes you angry Jane?”

“Pretty much everything.” I said casually, as if it wasn’t true. “Life isn’t fair, so you have to play the best game you can with the card you’re dealt.”

That’s just lovely. Okay, characters.

Let’s start with Jane. She was very simple, a black and white person, you know what to expect from her but she’ll surprise you with how matured and practical she is with life. Her friends in Birch Grove Academy was a mix of seriousness, hilarity and curious teens. Mary Violet is a crowd pleaser from the moment you meet her and her antics are to rad for. It’s all French and poems with her. (READ her poems) those will give you laughs, I can guarantee that. There are only two boys in this story – Lucky and Jake – who are the headmistress’ sons. Lucky was weird right off the bat, next! Haha kidding. He was very self centered and arrogant, had a very low opinion regarding him from the start given that he was the eye candy of every girl and was described handsome. Face value could just go a long way while Jake on the other hand is the one you should be rooting for. You’ll definitely feel the chemistry there ’nuff said.

The plot, twist and how the story ended wasn’t what I was expecting. You may have an idea on what the book is like but if you divulge into the world of Jane Williams you’ll realized that it wasn’t what you thought it was. It was part realistic and part gothic, dialogues and characters were definitely believable and bottom line is that Acosta wrote a very entertaining and great read for every reader to enjoy and recommend. It may not be for everybody to enjoy but what I can guarantee is that it is a read that’s worth your time and opinion.

Leaving this quote here:

There are always things we don’t recognized due to inexperience, as well as those things which we consciously or unconsciously choose not to see because theey don’t fit our expectations and desires.(less)

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Jul 06, 2012 Rose rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-or-galley, young-adult, tbr-challenge, romance, paranormal, supernatural, mystery, netgalley, gothic, characters-of-color, pretty-cover

Initial Thoughts: There were parts of "Dark Companion" I liked enough to see where they went, but I don't think those parts outweighed the many times this book seemed to drop the ball and then some. I have a long review to write on this, so hopefully I can explain why this book didn't work for the kind of story it was going for. Gothic mysteries that tend to push the edge of things are fine, but I think for it to work, it has to have some measure of cohesion - there was very little holding this...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Ems (Ems Reviews Books) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, arc, e-book-edition, contemporary

I'd say probably 1 1/2 stars. There were things I liked (Jack, MV), but far more that I didn't. It was well-written, but really just not for me. I may or may not do a full review on it. I don't know if I can adequately explain my feelings.

Full Review:
Here's one that drew me in with the very creepy cover (which, sadly, I will not be posting because I had an e-book copy of it instead of a hard copy that I could take a picture of) and the premise. I'm sad that it didn't live up to the expectations...more I'd say probably 1 1/2 stars. There were things I liked (Jack, MV), but far more that I didn't. It was well-written, but really just not for me. I may or may not do a full review on it. I don't know if I can adequately explain my feelings.

Full Review:
Here's one that drew me in with the very creepy cover (which, sadly, I will not be posting because I had an e-book copy of it instead of a hard copy that I could take a picture of) and the premise. I'm sad that it didn't live up to the expectations that I had.

Here's why:

First of all, I couldn't stand Jane. I felt like she was flat for most of the book. I was bugged by her constant defensiveness, though I could forgive her that based on her upbringing. It wasn't what killed her for me. No, it was the fact that the boy she wanted put her in danger and SHE LET HIM DO IT. Over and over and over. She sort of tried to stand up for herself at times, but she was so wishy-washy that it didn't really take. Honestly, she was Bella all over for me, and you know how much I despise Bella.

Here's another thing about Jane - her inferiority complex AND superiority complex. How is it possible to feel inferior to someone and superior at the same time? Ask Jane, because she does it through the whole book.

Second, I felt like it took almost 3/4 of the book for anything to actually happen. There was so much buildup and introduction and what color bras are we buying for Jane that I got bored. This is a seriously creepy book and I GOT BORED. Not supposed to happen.
Third, the BIG THING that was supposed to completely blow me out of the water...didn't. Sure, it was creepy and on the disturbing side, but it was mostly cheesy. I was more interested in what Mary Violet was going to come up with next than I was about what would happen to Jane now that the BIG THING was out.

Here's what I DID like:

Jack. He was great. He was arrogant and kind of absurd, but in such a way that made me want to hang out with him. He was funny and a much-needed breath of fresh air.

Mary Violet. In a word? Hilarious. Her poetry alone makes the time I spent with this book worth it. Also, she makes up words that had me laughing out loud. And her French? Waaaaaaahahahahahahahaha!! Yes, she and I would be friends.

So, there you have it. I tried to like this book, and I did finish it. I'm glad there were two characters that I liked, because they really did save this for me. I still don't like it, but I have at least those fond memories and won't leave it with a completely poor opinion.

Because of MV and Jack, this gets 1.5 Eiffel Towers.(less)

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Jun 21, 2012 Suzanne (Paranormal Pages) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampires

4.5 stars

Dark Companion is a gothic novel, creepy and dark at times but totally thrilling throughout. Shrouded in mystery and suspense, keeping me glued to the pages.

Jane, a foster child in a group home, in a violent neighbourhood, gets a scholarship to an exclusive girls school, Birch Grove Academy. She moves into a cottage on the school grounds, that is surrounded by birch trees. Jane loves it as she's always felt an affinity to the trees. But at night, she sometimes feels nervous as it can b...more 4.5 stars

Dark Companion is a gothic novel, creepy and dark at times but totally thrilling throughout. Shrouded in mystery and suspense, keeping me glued to the pages.

Jane, a foster child in a group home, in a violent neighbourhood, gets a scholarship to an exclusive girls school, Birch Grove Academy. She moves into a cottage on the school grounds, that is surrounded by birch trees. Jane loves it as she's always felt an affinity to the trees. But at night, she sometimes feels nervous as it can be quite creepy surrounded by trees in the dark.

The headmistress of the school and her family also live on the grounds of the school so it's not too long before Jane meets her two sons, Lucky and Jack. Lucky is totally hot and Jane develops an almost instant crush. Of course, she is sure he will never be interested in her as she is just "plain Jane". She develops an odd type of relationship with Jack where she feels that he doesn't like her. She feels that he laughs at her a lot and keeps telling her about his great and beautiful girlfriend Hatti, who becomes one of Jane's close friends. Jane also makes friends with Mary Violet and Constance. The three girls are really nice and make Jane feel very welcome at the school. Mary Violet especially is really great and the interactions with her were always fun.

Jane herself, was a really good character. She has pulled herself up from the bottom of the barrel by knuckling down to hard work and by learning to ask for help when she needed it, even though people would laugh at her. She has led quite a violent life, and actually died when she was six years old but was brought back to life. Her mother is dead and she never knew her father so when her mother died when she was six, she entered the foster care system. She has been shipped around for the last ten years, finally landing in the group home where she has been for the last four years. Her best friend from the home, Wilde, is a prostitute and a drug addict. Jane teaches herself SAT words to expand her vocabulary and changes the way she speaks from something like ghetto slang to that befitting a "young lady". When she first arrives at Birch Grove, she is nervous and unsure, but with the help of the headmistress, Lucky, Jack and her three new girlfriends, she soon finds herself settling in.

Lucky and Jack were both interesting, very different, characters. I really liked Jack from the start and even though Jane feels as though he is always quite mean to her, I didn't see it that way. Lucky starts off seeming like a great guy, but its not long before he is showing his true colours. Someone who is selfish and completely self centred, with a lot of growing up to do. I wasn't crazy about him at times during the book and I didn't like the type of person Jane was around him. He seemed to bring out her weaknesses.

But, Birch Grove is hiding a big secret and when Jane discovers what it is, she's not sure she wants any part of it. Then there is the mystery of the missing student and the teacher who supposedly killed herself. Both of these were, like Jane, scholarship students previously. This makes Jane anxious to get to the bottom of what happened to them, for fear that maybe she's next. The climax of this plays out really well and ties up some loose ends.

I really enjoyed Marta's writing and Dark Companion captured my attention from the off. I couldn't wait to find out Birch Grove's secrets. I did have some idea as to what we were meeting with here, I was right somewhat, it was a different take than I have ever read before.

This book is stand alone which I was disappointed by as I didn't feel I was ready to say goodbye to the awesome characters yet. I know I will still be thinking about them for a while. The book did end really well though and the result was very satisfying. (less)

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Jul 08, 2012 Kim (Sliced Open Reviews) added it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012, arc-i-own, first-reads-win, 2012-release

You may have noticed that I have not given DARK COMPANION a “rating” and I have done this for a number of reasons. I hope that by the end of this review you will come to understand why, as well as after you read DARK COMPANION you will have to let me know if you feel the same way…

I came across DARK COMPANION back in January of this year and yes, I did drool all over myself when I saw the cover. There is something so dark and beautiful about it I was like a two-year old with grabby hands until I...more You may have noticed that I have not given DARK COMPANION a “rating” and I have done this for a number of reasons. I hope that by the end of this review you will come to understand why, as well as after you read DARK COMPANION you will have to let me know if you feel the same way…

I came across DARK COMPANION back in January of this year and yes, I did drool all over myself when I saw the cover. There is something so dark and beautiful about it I was like a two-year old with grabby hands until I snagged a copy via First Reads. I read and re-read the synopsis probably 15 times while I waited for it to arrive in the mail. Each time I read the synop I just couldn’t believe I was so pumped about a Vampire novel (GR had Vampires listed as a Genre, not so much people, kinda, but no). When the mailman finally pulled up with my copy I all put tore the packaging open with my teeth and started reading.

DARK COMPANION starts with a wicked awesome prologue of Jane’s past, which is about the only Paranormal we get for the first half of the book. Then, we read on to learn about Jane now, who has been in foster care and is preparing to leave for the elite Birch Grove Academy. I was hooked solid for the first 150-ish pages – learning about Jane’s time in foster care, a group home, not knowing much about her past and living in a violent neighborhood – yes, I was hooked, but at the same time I was really confused and wondering where my Gothic Paranormal was. Don’t get me wrong, the start to the book was exceptional even without the paranormal aspect and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. But then, Jane gets to Birch Grove and I’m not sure why but the story fell off for me. I actually stopped reading it and read another book because I was so disconnected. Finally, I sat down and finished and I’m glad I didn’t give up hope. The book does pick back up and it kinda ties that middle section together for the readers but even post reading I’m still feeling a bit of something is still missing or rushed. Leaving a couple of pieces of the story a little frayed still. Sorry, I feel like I’m tap dancing a bit around this and I am. It’s the fact that if I tell you some of the things that fell off for me I will give some key reveals of the mystery in the book away and that my friends is not why I’m here, because this read definitely packs some heat in the mystery department which put a smile on this girls face! So, on that note, I’m going to move on and leave you to read and decide where the plot took/takes you - -

One thing this book did deliver on 110% for me was a diverse, amusing set of characters. Again, I loved learning about Jane in the beginning of the book. To me she is a strong, admirable female lead, but I did disconnect with her as I moved through the second half. Which seems odd right? Other odd thing – I don’t really like either of the love interests! NEITHER!? And you still enjoyed it Kimberly? Yes, wanna know why? Of course you do. I’ve got one name for you: Mary Violet. I laughed so freakin’ hard at some points my stomach hurt! She was outstanding and while I didn’t realize it during my reading, but after while I was reviewing notes and pondering my feelings…Mary Violet seems like a supporting character during most of the book, but her character stands for quite a lot, which we will discuss next, but first I have to swing back around to the men! Out of Jack and Lucky, I had more of a connection to Jack. Lucky seemed just a little too odd for me, but again, that may have been the point because he is so strongly tied into the mystery of the plot.

So after all of the confusion and back and forth on the plot, the characters, the genre-bending, the book comes to a close. I set it aside and start gathering my review together and it dawns on me that while DARK COMPANION does bloom into the promised Gothic Paranormal, there is also quite a bit of social issues brought up. Social and economic issues in inner cities, the effects of foster care on children and teens, constant changes in foster and group homes, women’s rights, abusive and potentially abusive relationships…I can keep going, but you can see, like WOW?

Young-Adult Gothic Paranormal Fiction Real Issues read? Sure was a first for me!

Review by Sliced Open Reviews
Source: Won via GoodReads First Reads giveaway(less)

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Jul 04, 2012 Tammy Cordeiro (devadasi7) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

You can also find my review on my blog: Into the Mystic

Just click there to see the video links in the songs.....

My grade: A+!

MY REVIEW

Initial reaction
This book is si magnifique, which is French for totes awesome!

Title and cover
The title is perfect for the book! Once I finished it, I realized just how great the title is. Plus, it’s sort of mysterious and would immediately attract anyone who likes paranormal reads. The cover is not bad. There are about a billion covers now with girls in dresses, b...more

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Jun 22, 2012 Kara-karina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-the-shelf

4.5/5
Simply put, Dark Companion is an enchanting Gothic read, deliciously reminiscent of Jane Eyre.

There is this young orphan girl, who is given a magic ticket out of a hellhole she is living in to go to a posh privileged all-girl school. She is damaged, desperately in need of being loved and has a very cynical view of life.

It's marvellous to see Jane growing as a character throughout of the book. She meets someone who we, readers, think will be perfect for her, - Jack. Charming, kind, full of w...more

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Nov 21, 2011 Lea rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: dark, gothic, meh, mystery, paranormal-romance, supernatural, unusual

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Jane Williams has just been given a full scholarship to attend Birch Grove Academy, an elite girl's school where she will have a second chance at life, away from the violent city slums of Helmsdale where she's lived her entire life. Once Jane arrives at the school, she starts making friends and falling for a couple of the boys who live near the school-- both who happen to be the sons of the school's headmistress. However, Jane starts realizing that there is something strange about Birch Grove,...more .

Jane Williams has just been given a full scholarship to attend Birch Grove Academy, an elite girl's school where she will have a second chance at life, away from the violent city slums of Helmsdale where she's lived her entire life. Once Jane arrives at the school, she starts making friends and falling for a couple of the boys who live near the school-- both who happen to be the sons of the school's headmistress. However, Jane starts realizing that there is something strange about Birch Grove, and that her reason for being there might not be as simple as she thought it was.

This book was just "OK" for me... I did like reading it, but there were some things about the characters and the plot that I wasn't really a fan of. I'm not even sure I can put my finger on exactly what it was that I disliked, but there were definitely parts about this book that rubbed me the wrong way.

I did like the main character, Jane Williams, who was sort of like a modern-day Eliza Dolittle, who rises up from her slum-life background in order to become an educated and well-spoken student with a chance to succeed in life. I loved how she came from such a dismal background but worked hard to overcome her disadvantages. There were also many similarities between her and Jane Eyre, which were echoed throughout the book.

I also liked the secondary characters, especially Mary Violet and Jack-- they were quirky, strange, and kind of unbelievable, but still managed to give the story somewhat of a dream-like quality, because they were slightly "off." It's sort of hard to explain I guess, but basically I liked them because they were different! The ways they talked and behaved were a bit funny, but still very memorable.

One character I could not stand was Lucian "Lucky" Radcliffe, the headmistress's son. Lucky was your typical, unattainable golden boy, who was also extremely selfish and walked all over everybody to get what he wanted. At the start of the story, Jane has thoughts of "How could someone as awesome as him like someone as average as me?" Not that that's bad necessarily, but she did get a little too fan-girl for my taste at times, and I wish she didn't feel like she had to try so hard. Lucky, on the other hand, was controlling and possessive, and even made Jane promise to keep their abusive relationship a secret, and I really wish she would've taken that as a major warning sign to stay the heck away from him a lot sooner than she did.

The story unfolded a bit slowly, but it was still able to build up the right amount of mystery and suspense-- for the first hundred pages or so, you know that something isn't quite right, but you can't really put your finger on it. I was really impressed by this subtle eeriness that only "hints" at something being off, because it made me really curious to figure out what was going on!

I did like the element of mystery in this plot, trying to figure out what Birch Grove Academy's secret was, and how the scholarship girl that Jane replaced disappeared. However, I did think that the story began to drag a bit, about halfway through the book, and the ending was somewhat anticlimactic, even though there were a few unexpected twists and everything ended up being neatly resolved with all the strings tied up.

Altogether, I think that there will be people who really like this one, and others who may not be huge fans. The dark, Gothic nature of the story and the mysterious mood that surrounded the plot were done really well. However, I wasn't able to connect with the characters quite as much as I would have liked, and I had some trouble keeping my attention going towards the last half of the book. I personally didn't mind reading it, but it was by no means a favorite unfortunately!

Lea @ LC's Adventures in Libraryland (less)

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Apr 10, 2012 Ambur rated it 4 of 5 stars

Dark Companion is not a typical story. Even after just reading the blurb, I had expectations for it, and soon figured out I couldn't have been more wrong. While my assumptions weren't quite right, I actually wasn't disappointed that I was wrong. Instead I found a story that was a blend of mystery, paranormal, with a smidge of romance thrown in. I was also pleasantly surprised with the supporting characters, especially one that seemed to come to life and jump right off the page.

The main character...more Dark Companion is not a typical story. Even after just reading the blurb, I had expectations for it, and soon figured out I couldn't have been more wrong. While my assumptions weren't quite right, I actually wasn't disappointed that I was wrong. Instead I found a story that was a blend of mystery, paranormal, with a smidge of romance thrown in. I was also pleasantly surprised with the supporting characters, especially one that seemed to come to life and jump right off the page.

The main character, Jane, is actually pretty plain, or at least she seems to be. She also has a mysterious past, one that's unknown even to her. I liked her, but sometimes she got on my nerves. Then there are Jack and Lucky, the headmistress's sons...right away, I was instantly drawn to Jack. He was awesome, but Jane constantly was thinking about how gorgeous Lucky was, and Lucky this and all that. I never really saw the attraction towards him, he was kind of a douche, but to be honest, I think that's how you're supposed to feel. You're told Lucky's all that, then Jack's always popping up, being awesome, sweet and funny, and Jane never really notices, or at least doesn't acknowledge that she's noticing it. Jane seems to be blinded by Lucky, and is lured into the mysteries of Birch Grove...blinded by the things that she is offered.

I'm trying to be aloof about most of the story so that I don't ruin anything, but I will say that when you read it, you will love Mary Violet, or at least I hope you do because I sure did. She was such a character, so hilarious, and so over-the-top! She contrasted excellently with Jane, and helped bring Jane out of her shell. :) Once Jane opened herself up to her friends she became so much more likeable, and once she started listening to her instincts and trusting herself, she was even better. :)

Overall, I really enjoyed Dark Companion. It kept me on my toes, and I loved trying to uncover the secrets of Birch Grove...it's always fun to try and figure things out before the big reveal, and Dark Companion keeps you guessing. I'd recommend it to those who like to see characters develop, and for people who enjoy their stories with a dash of everything, from humour, to paranormal, to romance, and finally, to mystery. Dark Companion has a little bit of them all, and will keep you intrigued until the very last word.(less)

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Jun 27, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cover-love, read-in-2012, newly-released, won, own

3.5
Jane has no memories after being in an accident. She grew up in foster care until the age of 16 when she is granted a scholarship for Birch Grove, a private school for girls complete with it's own cottage! Jane settles in well at Birch Grove, she has made friends and everything seems good. She meets the handsome Lucian or Lucky and his slacker brother Jacob aka Jack. But things are not quite what they appear at Birch Grove.

I loved the characters, Jane was a strong character, I liked how she g...more

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May 17, 2013 Anna Marie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Before anything else... THIS BOOK IS *NOT* FOR TEENS. No, I'm serious - it is SO not for teens. It's marketed as a teen book, but unless you're looking for something along the lines of Poe or Shelly, don't pick this one up for your daughter.

Having said, I gave it two stars because it *was* well written. The characterizations and descriptive writing was spot-on. The language was... for our times, very well done. The author has a charm to her, and it came thru in the book.

But I'll be honest with y...more

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Mar 31, 2013 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars

I think this is the first book I've read this year-2013. To be honest, I was very surprised- both in a good and bad way. I will admit that I had NO clue that this was a vampire-type novel! I guess I should have figured that out from the title... O.o

"Dark Companion" takes on a unique twist concerning vampirism. It's not a type of species, but a disorder. This is one of the few books that I've read that views vampirism this way. It was very interesting for me to be looking from another perspect...more I think this is the first book I've read this year-2013. To be honest, I was very surprised- both in a good and bad way. I will admit that I had NO clue that this was a vampire-type novel! I guess I should have figured that out from the title... O.o

"Dark Companion" takes on a unique twist concerning vampirism. It's not a type of species, but a disorder. This is one of the few books that I've read that views vampirism this way. It was very interesting for me to be looking from another perspective on this topic, since so many books out there take on a stereotypical version of vampires.

In addition to that, I also enjoyed the mean bantering between Jane and Jack. It's just like what people say- if a boy's mean to you, it means he likes you! (Maybe) It's really a shame that, for the majority of the book, Jack wasn't involved. I think I would have given this book a higher rating if Jack had shown up more, considering that he's the leading male of "Dark Companion".

There are so many things that I wished Mrs.Acosta had fixed with the novel. For example, it felt like everything was happening too fast! Specifically the moments where Jane discovers something new. It always bugs me when Jane suddenly knows something that wasn't even implied or spoken in a paragraph before. This made the novel a bit confusing for me, as well as rushed.

Speaking of rushed, I was also bugged by the fact that Lucian(aka Lucky) and Jane were being intimate after only a meeting! I mean, on their second meeting and the ones after, it's very obvious that all Lucky talks about is becoming closer than friends with Jane. *and the meetings are usually only a page worth!* It made everything awkward for me, but I decided to give "Dark Companion" a chance.

Something else that also bothered me was Jane herself. I loved her from the moment Mrs. Acosta introduced her at the beginning of the novel. I perceived her as this strong, independent, smart girl. However, this image was shattered when she started getting involved with the Birch Grove's headmistress' family. Specifically, Lucky. This strong, independent girl started becoming a dependent, naive, worrisome person. For who, you might ask? For Lucky. I understand that sometimes you can get desperate for love, but this was ridiculous! I felt, and still feel, the urge to jump into the book and shake Jane out of the little, desperate, and oblivious bubble she created for herself. Jane was in said bubble for the majority of the book, which took most of the good experience from the book itself. It's a bad thing when you don't like an important character in a novel, or series. Especially the main character herself/himself.

Now that I got the negatives over with, I want to say that, although the stuff that I mentioned sounds like it should have killed the novel alone, there were a lot of good things that saved the book. For one thing, I loved Jane's new friends- Mary Violet, Hattie, Constance, and even her old ones! Mary Violet and her family always lightened the mood of the book, which I thought was very important. I typically lean towards more funny books, and so I enjoyed MV! Her poems, however stupid they may sound, are amazing, her family is so unique, and her personality is one I'd love to have (: as for Hattie and Constance, they were both great as well. Hattie was the one who understood what Jane was going through, while Constance was the one who kept everything going. All three of Jane's friends added a balance to "Dark Companion"' enhancing the story further.

Overall, "Dark Companion" had an interesting plot, characters, and background stories. There were some things that needed a little tweaking, and other things that detracted from the book in a significant way. However, despite that, the wonderful characters, the sparkling romance between Jack and Jane, and curiousity kept the novel from being put into the 'unfinished books' pile for me (: I don't regret picking up this book, but I do hope to see improvements in further novels from this author in the future.
(less)

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Mar 30, 2013 Savannah Ma rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was oddly good. I really liked it, the ideas that were put into this book were very intriguing. The plot was very twisted but I liked it that way.

In this book we have Jane who was an orphan living in the hood in a horrible foster system. She is broken inside from her past, and she doesn't know what it's like to be loved. When all of a sudden she is put into a very caring community.

There is the Radcliffe family with the 2 sons, Jack and Lucian (Lucky). Lucky seems to have this fling w...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Kris Sheets rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thought the premise of the book was an interesting one when I chose to read it. I found the beginning to be slow but midway, it picked up momentum and became engrossing to the point that I had difficulty putting it down. Marta Acosta’s prose was poetic and filled with wonderful imagery that moved the story along nicely.

The character of Jane was complex and her flaws kept the story interesting, although I found myself being irritated at her infatuation with Lucky. Her clueless doting of such a...more

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Mar 02, 2013 Owlcat Mountain added it

I don't use star ratings, so please read my review!

(Description nicked from B&N.com.)

“Orphaned at the age of six, Jane Williams has grown up in a series of foster homes, learning to survive in the shadows of life. Through hard work and determination, she manages to win a scholarship to the exclusive Birch Grove Academy. There, for the first time, Jane finds herself accepted by a group of friends. She even starts tutoring the headmistress’s gorgeous son, Lucien. Things seem too good to be tru...more I don't use star ratings, so please read my review!

(Description nicked from B&N.com.)

“Orphaned at the age of six, Jane Williams has grown up in a series of foster homes, learning to survive in the shadows of life. Through hard work and determination, she manages to win a scholarship to the exclusive Birch Grove Academy. There, for the first time, Jane finds herself accepted by a group of friends. She even starts tutoring the headmistress’s gorgeous son, Lucien. Things seem too good to be true.

They are.

The more she learns about Birch Grove’s recent past, the more Jane comes to suspect that there is something sinister going on. Why did the wife of a popular teacher kill herself? What happened to the former scholarship student, whose place Jane took? Why does Lucien’s brother, Jack, seem to dislike her so much?

As Jane begins to piece together the answers to the puzzle, she must find out why she was brought to Birch Grove—and what she would risk to stay there….”

There is much to enjoy in this novel. Acosta’s writing is evocative and often quite beautiful. From the prologue’s storm and blood to the brooding grounds of Birch Grove, readers will have no trouble visualizing the scene and being pulled into the tale. The author’s writing style also meshes well with the mystery woven through the story. The dark, insular setting complements Jane’s explorations of the events that led her to Birch Grove and its odd happenings.

There are some supernatural elements in this book, but they are not what I expected. The good news is, this is definitely not your typical teen vampire/ghost/what-have-you novel. Much of the story is rooted more firmly in the real world than most other tales on the shelves today. However, the author spends so much time building the mystery and the portions of the story that are not supernatural that when the supernatural does show up, it doesn’t fit into the plot as well as it might have. I almost wanted the plot to be entirely mundane, because I found that part to be more fleshed out.

The author falters the most when it comes to the characters. Jane’s friend Mary Violet loves poetry and being flamboyant, but at times it comes off as being almost a caricature. This is especially true when she’s first introduced, but I’m happy to say that she does grow on you. Lucien and Jack are not really all that likeable, as they spend a good chunk of time being jerks to Jane and then trying to make up for their actions.

Jane is the character with the most dichotomies in her actions. She comes from the streets and seems to have a side to her that is hard and fierce; and yet, she moons over Lucien and Jack and lets them treat her with little to no respect for much of the novel. It’s like two entirely different characters, and frankly, I like street-smart Jane better. She’s daring enough to approach the local gang leader for help, and her interactions with her friend Wilde and her history with another friend named Hosea are gritty and realistic. I guess I wanted to see that tough Jane more during the Birch Grove sequences.

On the one hand, I did enjoy this novel; on the other hand, I had mixed feelings about the way the story was presented. I do still recommend it, but do be aware that it has some rough patches. Dark Companion is lovely and disturbing by turns, and if you like teen supernatural tales, this might be one that you’ll enjoy.

This review originally appeared on Owlcat Mountain on March 2, 2013.(less)

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Feb 21, 2013 Laura rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: too-much-romance, whatever, urban-paranormal

At first, I was psyched. It seemed like a good book. The prologue was a bit off, but whatever. It was the book's first offence. Then I read more. I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting, but that's not unusual for me. I didn't really like this book.
I kinda totally hate the whole mythology of the supernatural behind this. Sure. it made sense, but it was just enough off. Like the comment about Dacian being all consonants (yeah, everyone else probably just skipped over this, but I actuall...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Kylara Jensen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: do-not-base-your-lovelife-on-this, vampires

Sometimes I think I'm reading all these probably not as good as I think they will be YA books, just so I can review them for you.

Dark Companion started out good and fun, quick read, but then in the middle it got really weird... and I mean REALLY weird, then it never quite recovered, but I liked the ending ok.

So the good things: I guess the author kind of considers this book some kind of modern Gothic novel. Each chapter started with an interesting paragraph quote from gothic poem or novel like J...more Sometimes I think I'm reading all these probably not as good as I think they will be YA books, just so I can review them for you.

Dark Companion started out good and fun, quick read, but then in the middle it got really weird... and I mean REALLY weird, then it never quite recovered, but I liked the ending ok.

So the good things: I guess the author kind of considers this book some kind of modern Gothic novel. Each chapter started with an interesting paragraph quote from gothic poem or novel like Jane Eyre, Dracula or Picture of Dorian Grey. I liked that a lot actually. Usually I ignore chapter quotes, but these really helped set the tone. Then there's Jane. I liked her. Unlike most YA female protagonists, she was strong and smart and best of all calm. I loved her calm and practical nature. She knew how to fake a smile to get ahead. I liked this compared to most YA books where the lead jsut blunders ahead with her passionate feelings. And she had a tortured spirit and broken past. It was interesting- an interesting change. Unfortunately she ended up doing stupid crap and justifying it in stupid ways. Which brings me right to the bad stuff.

So Bad Stuff: (I will try to hide spoilers under cuts but might get a tad spoilery from here on.
So in the middle of the book and kind of out of nowhere, Jane gets into this abusive relationship. He is manipulative and more than a little unhinged. She keeps justifying that it's ok because he's so handsome and everything was so consensual etc etc. Frankly it was disgusting/disturbing. I don't care if he was different (view spoiler) which was frankly really weird and barely made sense to the plot. And even though it was pretty obvious she wasn't going to end up with him, and she got smart in the end, it was very hard to read that part or get back into the book after it died down.

And then the weirdness/supernatural element, the paranormal aspect was explained away by science, but there was a real paranormal aspect that was kind of incongruous to the plot, even though it fit the tone of the book just fine.

Overall, it was just entertaining enough and the mystery kept me into it , reading to the end, but I really could have done without reading this book. I do not recommend this one, and I won't be reading any sequels if there are any.(less)

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Jan 26, 2013 Hylary Locsin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!

Orphaned when she was six, Jane Williams has spent the last ten years bouncing around from foster home to foster home in the shady neighborhood of Helmsdale (or Hellsdale as the residents call it.) Her closest friend, Hosea, died several years earlier, and Jane used his death as motivation to transform herself from a foul-mouthed brat to a smart, articulate, straight-A student despite her unfortun...more Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!

Orphaned when she was six, Jane Williams has spent the last ten years bouncing around from foster home to foster home in the shady neighborhood of Helmsdale (or Hellsdale as the residents call it.) Her closest friend, Hosea, died several years earlier, and Jane used his death as motivation to transform herself from a foul-mouthed brat to a smart, articulate, straight-A student despite her unfortunate surroundings. Now she has been offered a full scholarship to the exclusive Birch Grove Academy: a boarding school in a wealthy town. She is provided her own small cottage to live in, an allowance for living expenses, clothes, and everything else she could want by Mrs. Radcliffe, the headmistress. Jane can’t believe her good fortune at escaping Hellsdale, and soon finds herself with a new set of friends who don’t seem to mind that she was raised in poverty amongst drug dealers and prostitutes. Especially surprising is that Lucian “Lucky” Radcliffe, the headmistress’ handsome son, seems to be interested in her. As Jane begins to learn more about Birch Grove Academy, however, she discovers that everything isn’t as ideal as it seems. The previous scholarship recipient, a girl named BB who was also from Hellsdale, recently disappeared, supposedly moving away with a rich uncle. The wife of one of Birch Grove’s teachers, also a former Hellsdale resident, seems to have committed suicide under mysterious circumstances. Jane is reluctant to leave her new life of luxury and security, but can she survive the truth of the Birch Grove Academy?

Written by veteran author Marta Acosta, this multi-layered tale with undertones of Jane Eyre proves to be an interesting combination of realistic fiction and paranormal romance that many readers are likely to find enjoyable. The bulk of the story is centered on Jane. Jane is a likable but flawed character with a difficult past who grows as a person as the story progresses. She makes mistakes throughout the story, allowing herself to be used on her quest for love and acceptance, but she is well-written and believable, a character that many young adults will find something to identify with. The supporting characters are also interesting, from the wealthy and handsome Lucky Radcliffe to his offbeat older brother Jack to Jane’s new dramatic Birch Grove BFF Mary Violet, but none are as explored or flushed out as Jane. The paranormal and romantic aspects of the plot are present, but really the novel is about Jane surviving an abusive childhood and learning to open up and trust others. Readers who are seeking something with paranormal components that make up the bulk of the story will be disappointed, but those who like to delve into character driven novels will enjoy Dark Companion. Although a sequel has not been announced, the author could easily continue Jane’s story in another novel. For now, Dark Companion is a quiet but entertaining book that a thoughtful young adult audience can enjoy.

I hadn’t heard much of anything about this book, but the plot sounded intriguing so I decided to give it a try. It’s one of those novels that I wish would get more attention, but I can see why hordes of teens aren’t rushing to pick it up. It’s quiet and very much about Jane. Although it has some paranormal elements that readers can latch onto, I found watching Jane grow as a character to be far more interesting. I would easily recommend this book to readers who like books that are well-written but not as dramatic as Twilight or other popular paranormal romances. I’m looking forward to seeing if Marta Acosta writes a sequel and what other novels she produces in the future. (less)

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Dec 31, 2012 drey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, ya, urban-fantasy

Jane Williams is excited – she’s worked long and hard and managed to win a scholarship to the prestigious Birch Grove Academy, on a beautiful campus far away from the foster homes she grew up in. The headmistress is nice and welcoming. She gets her very own cottage, and makes friends. And there are boys – cute boys – around.

Then Jane notices a few things that don’t seem quite right. And finds a few topics nobody wants to talk about. And develops a crush on the headmistress’ gorgeous son Lucian,...more

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Oct 15, 2012 Merrie Haskell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: jane-eyre-retellings

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'm a Jane Eyre junkie, and any Jane Eyre allusion is bound to absolutely thrill my socks off. (That makes it hard to give star-level ratings to these books, because it's like I'm rating Jane Eyre retellings on a completely different level--so one must filter my JE books through that.)

This book had some fascinating twists. Jane Eyre with... vampires? Only, they're more scientific vampires than anything--barely supernatural, more genetically afflicted plus or minus some crazy rituals and some gen...more I'm a Jane Eyre junkie, and any Jane Eyre allusion is bound to absolutely thrill my socks off. (That makes it hard to give star-level ratings to these books, because it's like I'm rating Jane Eyre retellings on a completely different level--so one must filter my JE books through that.)

This book had some fascinating twists. Jane Eyre with... vampires? Only, they're more scientific vampires than anything--barely supernatural, more genetically afflicted plus or minus some crazy rituals and some general narcissism. These vamps owe more, I think, to Octavia Butler than Anne Rice or even Stephenie Meyer. And that's in their favor. (I would go so far as to say this is a non-paranormal book; this is Gothic in the Gothic tradition, and that is hinted at from the beginning by the epigraphs at the chapter headings, all taken from Gothic novels.)

Acosta does a genuinely wonderful job pulling out the essential Jane-ness of the main character. She paints a portrait of a very convincing multi-racial Jane who grew up in foster care, and endured things far more in keeping with the horrors of Gateshead and early Lowood as they were meant to be read, rather than how we interpret them through a modern lens. Spinal meningitis fills in nicely for killing off the Helen Burns character, and Acosta captures the simmering but channeled rage of Jane.

Interesting twist: Rochester is divided into two characters, which neatly assists the modern reader in solving the dilemma of what to think of Rochester. We root for Jack the way we want to root for Rochester, and despise Lucky for the way he and Rochester use their Janes. Potentially, we are actually meant to read Lucky as St. John Rivers instead of another facet of Rochester, but I like my interpretation. I would go so far as to suggest there is no St. John Rivers in this book.

Many female characters are reworked or conflated, excised or replaced, and it is a fine book with regard to those characters. The best friend, Mary Violet, is a gorgeous character, hilarious and kind, and perhaps she is meant to represent Mary and Diana Rivers--but equally, perhaps not. Hattie could well be an amalgam of Blanche Ingram and Rosamond Oliver, or maybe she's just one--or both. In any case, she works; she is not actually a mean girl (though there are a few of those), and it's nice to have a romantic rival that actually doesn't suck as a human being in a book for girls. The madwoman in the attic is the dad's mistress who faked her death--and that's all fine, too. (There are points where it deviates clearly from JE, perhaps into originality, perhaps into Other Gothics, but I'm not widely enough read in Gothics to know.) It doesn't matter; the female characters are good as well as bad; no one gender is vilified over the other; and complexity of characterization is deeply appreciated by all.

Very much enjoyed as a Jane Eyre fanatic from way back.(less)

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Uggg...Does this book ever get good?	5	37	Aug 01, 2012 11:26am
Romance Readers R...: AC: Marta Acosta of Dark Companion (June 26-28)	45	128	Jun 29, 2012 06:45pm
Just out of curiosity...	7	37	Jun 02, 2012 11:46am

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