You have got to read this book, OMG!

It has been a long time since I have read such an awesome vampire story. And vampire books are my favorite genre. But by far this is the best book about vampires that I have read in years. Please don't pass this book by, put it on your to read list, you will be glad you did trust me. ( )

What Kills Me encompasses everything we loved about vampire books in the mid-2000s, and everything we are now super embarrassed about. Is it enjoyable? Sure, if you’re here for the instalove and a protagonist of incredible power that never wanted this to begin with. What Kills Me is all tropes and no substance. It’s good for a certain kind of read, but it’s not a book you’re going to remember after you’re done reading.

I know that sounds a bit harsh, but it’s the genre. Teenage vampire love story in the style of Stephanie Meyer – you can only expect a certain amount of greatness. It fills that hole where you want something ridiculous but tempting and exciting, I guess. As a reader, I have a very difficult time with books that completely bypass any attempt to remain realistic in favor of creating what the author considers an exciting story. So, for me, What Kills Me was not a great read.

If I’m being honest, the title is even frustrating me as I’m trying to write this review. I just want to keep saying “what kills me about this book“, but that’s the actual title. What kills me about What Kills Me is that there’s no substance to it, the characters are flat as pancakes, and just for once can we try to do a well-rounded vampire story that’s not all about falling madly in love and being converted, not necessarily in that order? If you enjoy the style of book, in the rush of Twilight wannabes from a decade ago, then you’ll like What Kills Me just fine. It entertains enough for lovers of the genre.

Three things that I can’t get past: Axelia, Lucas, and the author’s research. Let’s start with our protagonist. Axelia’s journey is one too many coincidences. The way her progression is set up is so uncomfortably regimented that she feels less like a character in this world, and more like a puppet at the author’s fingertips. The magic of a good book is that we can’t tell the characters are puppets – they feel so real. Her demeanor really irked me as well. Call me jaded, but I have pretty limited tolerance for a “chosen one” protagonist who gets all of the breaks and none of the struggles. If anything, I start to root against them.

Now let’s talk about Lucas. It would’ve been awfully nice for Channing to have given the love interest just a little bit of personality. It’s a bit like watching those old Disney animated films, where Prince Charming comes in to save the day, but he has about as much personality as an old sock. Disney’s princes got better, and I expect the same from my books, thank you very much. The progression of his relationship with Axelia makes absolutely no sense, as everything that happens between them should really drive them apart instead of together. Once again, an instance of fitting a genre rather than writing a good book.

Finally, the research.

Listen, I know if you’re trying just to write a semi-decent paranormal romance, you’re probably not thinking about researching your setting too much. Still, I’ve never even been to Italy, and even I could tell some of the details were completely invented. This may be a bit unfair, but all of the settings in the book felt like they were plucked from sappy romance films or romcoms. Distances didn’t make any sense, food choices didn’t fit in with the setting, behavior of strangers and people around the protagonist wasn’t culturally accurate… it’s a classic silhouette of an author who goes “I have a great idea, I’m going to write a book” and then sits down to write out the entire book without using any frame of reference outside their own imagination. I know it’s the historian me that gets agitated by this, but it really bothers me to find this sort of situation when I read a book.

I have to give Channing a little bit of credit though. As much as I think What Kills Me is not a quality read, nor was it something that I couldn’t get through. Believe me, if the writing was too unpolished to read, I would’ve DNF’d it. At a very technical level, the writing is fine. I hate to say this, but that’s not something you always find in self-published books, so it was nice to see.

I also have to be honest and say that the paranormal vampire romances have never really been my jam. I can see where in 2004, this would’ve been a great read for folks impatient between Twilight and whatever the next book is. Eclipse? Sarah, if you are reading this, I’m sorry for not knowing these things. What I’m saying is: some people really love this kind of story, and others don’t understand the hype. I’m one of the latter.

Nostalgic for a quick, completely unrealistic teenage vampire love story where danger lurks around every corner? Sure, give What Kills Me a try. Personally, I am all set with this trilogy. ( )

4 ½ Stars ( )

4 ½ Stars ( )

Will do the review on Saturday or something. I need to sleep early now cause I'll go out tomorrow by 4am. :o

UPDATE: 12.09.12 Got an exclusive interview with Wynne Channing. It's up in my blog: Ramblings of a YA Reader.

I don't know what to say! OMG. This book doesn't have any boring moments, in my opinion! From the start, What Kills Me, surprised me with how the story progressed, the twists were really exciting and unexpected. One moment, it was like this and then, bam the story would go the other way you thought of. And it was really freakin' good! It was a fun read and brilliantly made.

I thought at the first chapters, it would suck and because I thought it was Paolo who's her partner. So I was shocked when Paolo said and did that to Zee. The author gave my mind some teasing! LOL. I really, really didn't expect that one! From then on, I was hooked. I was craving to know more. So when Axelia or Zee met new people and those people especially Noel wants to protect her, I feel like crying when they need to go now because the Aramatta (am I right about this one's spelling?) was coming for Zee. :(

And oh, that Obaia? I think I got that one right. Cause I don't feel really comfortable when they talk to her. I feel like she's too good to be true. And damn it, I was right. oh yeah, I thought I like the Empress. Then I don't. :p Then I think I'm gonna start liking her once again. :)

I like Lucas. Well, who doesn't like him? He's a bit of a jerk. But jerk guys when they started to like you, they are sweet. It's just an outer shell, their mask to hide their emotions. So yeah, love him.

My only problem with it was that there're lots of fade out scenes. I mean, not sex scenes, cause there's no sex scene as of yet. I want to see how they practice, like with Lucas' Obaia, or how Lucas trained Zee. I want to see how they would DO it. But it was not included and just treated like they already finished the training.

What Kills Me is a fast-paced book that I thought that it was not a series and just a stand alone. But the author confirmed to me that it will be a series and that she's currently doing the second book! Hurray!!! More Lucas! So I was wondering what would happen next? What will be Channing's new tricks for our mind now? ;)

Also, I love the fighting scenes! Zee's an awesome, kick-ass character! ( )