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Dead Is #5
Dead Is Not An Option
It’s springtime of senior year, and psychic sleuth Daisy Giordano is preparing to say goodbye to Nightshade High. But no college acceptance letters have arrived yet, and she’s beginning to worry about where she’ll end up come fall—and if it will be anywhere near her boyfriend, Ryan. But that’s not the only uncertainty Daisy’s dealing with. There’s a vamps-versus-shifters war going on in Nightshade, and things are so tense that there is talk of canceling the prom. The conflict is carrying over to the Giordano home, since Rose and Daisy are both dating werewolves and Poppy’s new boyfriend is a vampire.
Can the paranormal community in Nightshade finally find peace? And will Daisy and her friends survive graduation? All of these questions and more are answered in the latest explosive installment in the Dead Is series.
Can the paranormal community in Nightshade finally find peace? And will Daisy and her friends survive graduation? All of these questions and more are answered in the latest explosive installment in the Dead Is series.
240 pages
First published May 2, 2011
111 people are currently reading
3314 people want to read
About the author
Marlene Perez
35 books1,292 followersAuthor of the paranormal teen mystery Dead Is series, the adult urban fantasy Nyx Fortuna series, and the new teen vampire trilogy, which starts with The Afterlife of the Party with Entangled Teen.
One of Ten Books to Pick Up After You've Sunk Your Teeth into "Midnight Sun"
https://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelstroll...
Trilogy order
The Afterlife of the Party, Afterlife #1
I'm with the Banned, Afterlife #2
A Sucker for You, Afterlife #3
Nyx Fortuna series
Strange Fates
Dark Descent
Fortune's Favor
DEAD IS series is as follows:
DEAD IS THE NEW BLACK
DEAD IS A STATE OF MIND
DEAD IS SO LAST YEAR
DEAD IS JUST A RUMOR
DEAD IS NOT AN OPTION
DEAD IS spin-off
DEAD IS A BATTLEFIELD
DEAD IS A KILLER TUNE
DEAD IS JUST A DREAM
ww.marleneperez.com.
Twitter:@MarPerez
Instagram:marperezauthor
Welcome to Nightshade FB page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Welcome...
One of Ten Books to Pick Up After You've Sunk Your Teeth into "Midnight Sun"
https://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelstroll...
Trilogy order
The Afterlife of the Party, Afterlife #1
I'm with the Banned, Afterlife #2
A Sucker for You, Afterlife #3
Nyx Fortuna series
Strange Fates
Dark Descent
Fortune's Favor
DEAD IS series is as follows:
DEAD IS THE NEW BLACK
DEAD IS A STATE OF MIND
DEAD IS SO LAST YEAR
DEAD IS JUST A RUMOR
DEAD IS NOT AN OPTION
DEAD IS spin-off
DEAD IS A BATTLEFIELD
DEAD IS A KILLER TUNE
DEAD IS JUST A DREAM
ww.marleneperez.com.
Twitter:@MarPerez
Instagram:marperezauthor
Welcome to Nightshade FB page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Welcome...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
November 10, 2016
This was a YA paranormal story, featuring werewolves and vampires.
Daisy was an okay character in this, although she did like to put herself in dangerous situations without considering the risk.
The storyline in this was about relations between the shifters and vampires, with people on both sides being attacked. Daisy tied to work out who the attackers were, whilst at the same time working on breaking the curse on the jukebox from the previous books. The pace in this was really slow though, and the book dragged.
The ending to this was quite surprising with an unexpected death. I was also surprised by what Ryan decided at the end.
6 out of 10
Daisy was an okay character in this, although she did like to put herself in dangerous situations without considering the risk.
The storyline in this was about relations between the shifters and vampires, with people on both sides being attacked. Daisy tied to work out who the attackers were, whilst at the same time working on breaking the curse on the jukebox from the previous books. The pace in this was really slow though, and the book dragged.
The ending to this was quite surprising with an unexpected death. I was also surprised by what Ryan decided at the end.
6 out of 10
February 24, 2011
In a word, this book was abbreviated. It's like having a bored teenager tell you a story as quickly as possible, and the only two things that interest that teenager are food and clothes. The books reads like: skim skip skim extreme detail of everyone's clothing skim skip skim intricate detail of food preparation. Near the end of the book, I was suprised to discover that the main character is tall. In fact, I really didn't know what anyone looked like nor most of the places they went. The story itself isn't bad, it's just told ridiculously quickly and sans pertinent detail: 2 stars.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley.com in exchange for my review.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley.com in exchange for my review.
May 24, 2018
Why does it has to end? I love the ending (don't get me wrong) just why did he have too die.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2014
Rating: 4/5
This is the big finale to Daisy's story and it's grand, for sure. Daisy is in her last semester in High School and she is anxiously waiting for her acceptance letters but nothing seems to show up. In the mean time, her boyfriend, Ryan, is thinking of leaving Nightshade for college. Also, a huge fight between werewolves and vampires is about to start. Both sides have so casualties but Daisy is beginning to believe that the attacks are not by paranormal but by the Sourge, the organization hunting them. But who is really behind the Sourge? The bad guy could be closer than anyone thinks.
I am so glad that Daisy's story is over. I loved her throughout the first five books but I am ready to see Nightshade through someone else's eyes. This book was a great ending. Terrible things happened, we had some loses, but also some very exciting and happy news. And I was glad that the whole Sourge thing was resolved. I can't wait to see what Marlene Perez will do in the next books.
This is the big finale to Daisy's story and it's grand, for sure. Daisy is in her last semester in High School and she is anxiously waiting for her acceptance letters but nothing seems to show up. In the mean time, her boyfriend, Ryan, is thinking of leaving Nightshade for college. Also, a huge fight between werewolves and vampires is about to start. Both sides have so casualties but Daisy is beginning to believe that the attacks are not by paranormal but by the Sourge, the organization hunting them. But who is really behind the Sourge? The bad guy could be closer than anyone thinks.
I am so glad that Daisy's story is over. I loved her throughout the first five books but I am ready to see Nightshade through someone else's eyes. This book was a great ending. Terrible things happened, we had some loses, but also some very exciting and happy news. And I was glad that the whole Sourge thing was resolved. I can't wait to see what Marlene Perez will do in the next books.
Read
December 17, 2010This is such a cute little series. I've really enjoyed reading all the books. In 'Dead is Not An Option', Daisy the detective is on the trail once again to solve the mysteries of Nightshade, while also getting ready for graduation and college.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick, easy read. It was also the perfect ending for the series. There were quite a few twists that I didn't see coming. Quite a few funny moments also. I enjoyed watching the characters grow over this series, and really came to care for them.
This series is defintiely targeted at the younger YA group. They are something I would defintely let my tween read.
Happy Reading!
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick, easy read. It was also the perfect ending for the series. There were quite a few twists that I didn't see coming. Quite a few funny moments also. I enjoyed watching the characters grow over this series, and really came to care for them.
This series is defintiely targeted at the younger YA group. They are something I would defintely let my tween read.
Happy Reading!
December 18, 2010
Sometimes it's just nice to sink into a quick, sweet book. The 'Dead' series is perfect for that. 'Dead is Not An Option' is the 5th book in the series about a supernatural girl, Daisy, living in the supernatural tow of Nightshade.
Daisy anxiously awaits the arrival of her college acceptance letters while doing all those traditional senior things like prom, graduation parties, and worrying if her boyfriend will forget her when he goes off to college. And, the mystery of Lily and Bathazar's entrapment through the evil magic of Circe Silvertongue still perplexes Daisy. To further complicate matters, several violent attacks on vampires and werewolves ignite a war between the two paranormal groups with the Giordano family caught in the middle.
I would recommend this series to parents of tweens who want sweet, clean paranormal stories acceptable for younger paranormal fiction readers.
Daisy anxiously awaits the arrival of her college acceptance letters while doing all those traditional senior things like prom, graduation parties, and worrying if her boyfriend will forget her when he goes off to college. And, the mystery of Lily and Bathazar's entrapment through the evil magic of Circe Silvertongue still perplexes Daisy. To further complicate matters, several violent attacks on vampires and werewolves ignite a war between the two paranormal groups with the Giordano family caught in the middle.
I would recommend this series to parents of tweens who want sweet, clean paranormal stories acceptable for younger paranormal fiction readers.
August 20, 2020
I wish this story line continued!!
July 29, 2024
This was a good wrap up to the series. All the questions and mysteries were answered. This did have some higher stakes and outcomes which I liked, but at the same time didn’t.
September 16, 2022
REVIEW: Dead Is Not An Option (Dead Is, #5), Marlene Perez
RATING: 4.25/5 stars
The final book of the Dead Is series is quite the blowout, if I do say so myself.
Where to begin? The story takes place at the end of Daisy's senior year: a time swathed in goodbyes and anxiety at the prospect of college. The chaos of adulthood and future schooling is only exemplified by the werewolves versus shifter brawl across their corner of California. With the Scourge as active as ever, it's only a matter of time before they strike Nightshade's paranormal population with force and fury.
Like all of the Dead Is books, I did have some minor problems with exposition levels and punny names. The pacing toward the end was a little fast, too, although I did not find that unreasonable given the circumstances at hand. When you're experiencing trauma and trying to finish high school simultaneously, time can be perceived as either much faster or slower. I just wish there had been some additional focus on processing time, whether that be for the Lily/Bam duo or for Ryan grieving his father. On the bright side, I was glad that all the series' loose ends were tied up with happy endings. Everyone more or less ended up in prison or surrounded by love of all sorts. The creatures in this universe aren't always pure evil or pure good. There's a lot of chaotic energy that goes both ways depending on circumstance, particularly when reflecting on Circe and Wolfie.
I think that this novel holds a slightly different tone than the other four, as it's quite melancholy. But I think, too, that this works to Perez's advantage. Her choppiest work usually comes from introducing new figures with punny names who are almost certainly the villain from the first day. This book expresses the endings for existing characters instead of introducing lots of new ones, which creates some fluidity outside of minor rushed portions.
I do recommend this series but would recommend it more strongly to an audience of middle school/early high school girls in particular. If you don't like the content, you have to at least admit that the covers rock!
(2022 reread note: I've noted repetitive exposition before, but the actual repeated word choices in this one are pretty significant. I noticed in one chapter that the term "giggled" is used three times over less than three pages, and I know this is not the only incident. I felt that the pacing disparity was even more noticeable this time around, and I have to wonder if some of the endearment I had toward the last installment was heightened last time unintentionally from being in college myself.)
RATING: 4.25/5 stars
The final book of the Dead Is series is quite the blowout, if I do say so myself.
Where to begin? The story takes place at the end of Daisy's senior year: a time swathed in goodbyes and anxiety at the prospect of college. The chaos of adulthood and future schooling is only exemplified by the werewolves versus shifter brawl across their corner of California. With the Scourge as active as ever, it's only a matter of time before they strike Nightshade's paranormal population with force and fury.
Like all of the Dead Is books, I did have some minor problems with exposition levels and punny names. The pacing toward the end was a little fast, too, although I did not find that unreasonable given the circumstances at hand. When you're experiencing trauma and trying to finish high school simultaneously, time can be perceived as either much faster or slower. I just wish there had been some additional focus on processing time, whether that be for the Lily/Bam duo or for Ryan grieving his father. On the bright side, I was glad that all the series' loose ends were tied up with happy endings. Everyone more or less ended up in prison or surrounded by love of all sorts. The creatures in this universe aren't always pure evil or pure good. There's a lot of chaotic energy that goes both ways depending on circumstance, particularly when reflecting on Circe and Wolfie.
I think that this novel holds a slightly different tone than the other four, as it's quite melancholy. But I think, too, that this works to Perez's advantage. Her choppiest work usually comes from introducing new figures with punny names who are almost certainly the villain from the first day. This book expresses the endings for existing characters instead of introducing lots of new ones, which creates some fluidity outside of minor rushed portions.
I do recommend this series but would recommend it more strongly to an audience of middle school/early high school girls in particular. If you don't like the content, you have to at least admit that the covers rock!
(2022 reread note: I've noted repetitive exposition before, but the actual repeated word choices in this one are pretty significant. I noticed in one chapter that the term "giggled" is used three times over less than three pages, and I know this is not the only incident. I felt that the pacing disparity was even more noticeable this time around, and I have to wonder if some of the endearment I had toward the last installment was heightened last time unintentionally from being in college myself.)
March 3, 2011
The town of Nightshade is like no other - populated by paranormals such as vampires, werewolves, psychics, and ghosts as well as humans. Mostly, the citizens get along, and for more than 50 years a truce has been formed between the Weres and the Vamps and has held up. However, the Scourge seek to rid the town of all paranormals and are up to their old tricks.
Psychic part-time sleuth Daisy Giordano is finishing up her senior year at Nightshade High. She is fretting over her lack of college acceptance letters, but doing her best to put on a cheerful face as she works her part-time job at Slim's diner and hangs out with her Were boyfriend Ryan Mendez, son of Nightshade's chief of police. Ryan has announced his intentions of going away to college, and Daisy is bummed at prospect of their relationship perishing because of distance but tries her best to make the most of the time remaining. She has intentions to work on breaking the enchantment that has trapped her friend Lily Varcol in a jukebox and turned her fiance Balthazar into a pig.
Out of the blue, however, Elise Wilder, a Were is attacked and left for dead. As chance would have it, Daisy is the person to find her and call for help. Later, a Vamp is left in the beach in the sun and badly burned. Suddenly, it's Weres versus Vamps and the town's truce seems a thing of the past. Daisy is sure it isn't Weres or Vamps behind the unease but the Scourge only she is not sure how to prove it.
This was a light read, and obviously a play on the whole Twilight series. I don't know if I'd read another book in the series. The story-line was so-so, and I could spot the obvious bad guy before the big reveal towards the end. The undying teenage love theme throughout did get a bit sappy and unbelievable for my taste, and much was alluded to the earlier books in this series, which I hadn't read and which left me feeling at lost ends. Probably, if you desire to read this series, you should start at the being and not with this book.
Not a bad read, but not one that stands out either.
Psychic part-time sleuth Daisy Giordano is finishing up her senior year at Nightshade High. She is fretting over her lack of college acceptance letters, but doing her best to put on a cheerful face as she works her part-time job at Slim's diner and hangs out with her Were boyfriend Ryan Mendez, son of Nightshade's chief of police. Ryan has announced his intentions of going away to college, and Daisy is bummed at prospect of their relationship perishing because of distance but tries her best to make the most of the time remaining. She has intentions to work on breaking the enchantment that has trapped her friend Lily Varcol in a jukebox and turned her fiance Balthazar into a pig.
Out of the blue, however, Elise Wilder, a Were is attacked and left for dead. As chance would have it, Daisy is the person to find her and call for help. Later, a Vamp is left in the beach in the sun and badly burned. Suddenly, it's Weres versus Vamps and the town's truce seems a thing of the past. Daisy is sure it isn't Weres or Vamps behind the unease but the Scourge only she is not sure how to prove it.
This was a light read, and obviously a play on the whole Twilight series. I don't know if I'd read another book in the series. The story-line was so-so, and I could spot the obvious bad guy before the big reveal towards the end. The undying teenage love theme throughout did get a bit sappy and unbelievable for my taste, and much was alluded to the earlier books in this series, which I hadn't read and which left me feeling at lost ends. Probably, if you desire to read this series, you should start at the being and not with this book.
Not a bad read, but not one that stands out either.
June 3, 2011
Graduation is about all Daisy can think about; friends are going through all their “lasts” this senior year, Ryan isn’t quite telling her the truth, and she still hasn’t heard back from UC Nightshade about her admissions. I thought Perez did a wonderful job capturing how it feels to be moving from one stage of your life to the next; just because this is a “special” community doesn’t make Daisy and her friends any less human, and college and life are scary – and she wrote that well.
But that’s not all. Tensions are rising due to brutal attacks and shifters and vampires are starting to rise against one another, with Daisy and her family stuck in the middle. With each group blaming the other, they can’t see what is right in front of them. Her sisters’ relationships put added strain on Daisy as her parents try to create harmony with both sides now a part of the family with the addition of Poppy’s boyfriend, a vampire.
This plot ties in nicely with the resolution of Jukebox Lil and her fiancé, Balthasar, who is still suck in pig form. Lil has been stuck in a funk, and Daisy knows that now is the time to bring resolution and help them get back their real forms, so that they can have their happily-ever-after (HEA).…even if Daisy’s HEA is uncertain.
This is a series that you would really want to start from book one through the end (no hardship, believe me). The way Perez was able to tie the books together with a larger plot speaks well of her writing skills, and kept me hooked and wanting the next. At the same time, she does a great job of ending each book as if it stood alone. Dead is not an option wrapped up the series so neatly that it’s hard to imagine that she’ll find any reason to continue Daisy’s story (but one can hope)!
But that’s not all. Tensions are rising due to brutal attacks and shifters and vampires are starting to rise against one another, with Daisy and her family stuck in the middle. With each group blaming the other, they can’t see what is right in front of them. Her sisters’ relationships put added strain on Daisy as her parents try to create harmony with both sides now a part of the family with the addition of Poppy’s boyfriend, a vampire.
This plot ties in nicely with the resolution of Jukebox Lil and her fiancé, Balthasar, who is still suck in pig form. Lil has been stuck in a funk, and Daisy knows that now is the time to bring resolution and help them get back their real forms, so that they can have their happily-ever-after (HEA).…even if Daisy’s HEA is uncertain.
This is a series that you would really want to start from book one through the end (no hardship, believe me). The way Perez was able to tie the books together with a larger plot speaks well of her writing skills, and kept me hooked and wanting the next. At the same time, she does a great job of ending each book as if it stood alone. Dead is not an option wrapped up the series so neatly that it’s hard to imagine that she’ll find any reason to continue Daisy’s story (but one can hope)!
January 18, 2011
Daisy Giordano is ready to graduate high school, but several issues interfere with the joyous time. Without any of her college acceptance letters arriving, Daisy starts to get nervous about her future plans. However, a distraction shows up. A war is starting between the vampires and the shifters, but the reasons for the conflicts don’t sit well with Daisy. Plus, the war is spilling into the Giordano home, since Rose and Daisy are dating shifters, while Poppy is dating a vampire. Daisy sets out to discover what’s really going on, so that Nightshade can find peace. But, along with the stresses of finishing school, college acceptance letters, and a potential war, Daisy is also trying to find a spell that will release Lil and Balthazar from their current forms. Will Daisy succeed in all her endeavors?
I’ve really liked this series since the beginning. It’s a quick, easy read, that’s great for those who like paranormal romance/mysteries, but also for reluctant readers. So, when I saw this come up, I was very excited. However, I was a bit disappointed in this one. While I liked the twists, I wished that time would have been spent discussing/exploring what had happened. I would have also liked to have a bit more of the Daisy and Ryan dynamic, and the Daisy and her sisters dynamic.
I felt like this was definitely the end of the series, which I wasn’t totally prepared for. However, I hope she might be setting up a series of Daisy in college (that would be great). Things were resolved too quickly and without much explanation or build up. While Dead is Not an Option was a satisfying conclusion to the series, it wasn’t the best in the series.
I’ve really liked this series since the beginning. It’s a quick, easy read, that’s great for those who like paranormal romance/mysteries, but also for reluctant readers. So, when I saw this come up, I was very excited. However, I was a bit disappointed in this one. While I liked the twists, I wished that time would have been spent discussing/exploring what had happened. I would have also liked to have a bit more of the Daisy and Ryan dynamic, and the Daisy and her sisters dynamic.
I felt like this was definitely the end of the series, which I wasn’t totally prepared for. However, I hope she might be setting up a series of Daisy in college (that would be great). Things were resolved too quickly and without much explanation or build up. While Dead is Not an Option was a satisfying conclusion to the series, it wasn’t the best in the series.
May 10, 2011
This is my first foray into the series and, as with series that I enjoy you don't have to read the other books to get what's going on, but I definitely am going to after this one. I've been wanting to read the series for a long time and own two others already, so when I saw that I could get this one as a review at Netgalley, I jumped at the chance.
If you are looking for a book that's adult and in-depth than this series is not for you, however, this book beats the Twilight series any day. It's the kind of book that I wish was around when I was in junior high and high school. The kind of book I don't mind recommending to anyone. And, the main reason is the main character, Daisy Giordano. Daisy is this lovely teenage (not weepy, whiny) girl who, when she's not working at the diner with an invisible boss in the town of Nightshade (a town full of ghosts and werewolves and vampires and psychics etc.) or hanging with her werewolf boyfriend, uses her psychic mind reading abilities and intution to fight crime--like a kick butt modernized Nancy Drew. And, in this book there's a war raging between the vamps and the weres, but the reasons are not what you think and go deeper than you'd imagine.
I like that this book has all the fun things that a YA novel should have, you know easy plot line, a bit of predictable romance, worries over things like graduation and dances, and more, like clever and true teenager dialogue and supernatural occurrences like a soul cast in a jukebox and paranormals up the ying-yang.
A fun time and just the type of reading I need to get through this week.
If you are looking for a book that's adult and in-depth than this series is not for you, however, this book beats the Twilight series any day. It's the kind of book that I wish was around when I was in junior high and high school. The kind of book I don't mind recommending to anyone. And, the main reason is the main character, Daisy Giordano. Daisy is this lovely teenage (not weepy, whiny) girl who, when she's not working at the diner with an invisible boss in the town of Nightshade (a town full of ghosts and werewolves and vampires and psychics etc.) or hanging with her werewolf boyfriend, uses her psychic mind reading abilities and intution to fight crime--like a kick butt modernized Nancy Drew. And, in this book there's a war raging between the vamps and the weres, but the reasons are not what you think and go deeper than you'd imagine.
I like that this book has all the fun things that a YA novel should have, you know easy plot line, a bit of predictable romance, worries over things like graduation and dances, and more, like clever and true teenager dialogue and supernatural occurrences like a soul cast in a jukebox and paranormals up the ying-yang.
A fun time and just the type of reading I need to get through this week.
December 7, 2010
I absolutely love this series and jumped at the chance to read it. I was expecting tonnes of mystery and excitement, in this, the final book in the Dead is series. I was not disappointed that’s for sure.
Dead is not an Option was just as good as the other books in the series and for that I’m glad. I love how the mysteries are always there and I can usually guess what’s going on about halfway into the story. I could do that with Dead is not an Option as well but there were still some surprises.
There’s not a lot to say about Dead is not an Option, I see where the title comes from though. I did enjoy it, and it’s a super fast read, I read it in one sitting and I’m quite a slow reader.
There is one thing I have to say though, at the end, almost everything was tied up. There was just one thing that they hinted at but didn’t explain and so I’m really annoyed and disappointed at that. Although, it could possibly be intentional. I’m not too sure.
Overall, Dead is not an Option was a good ending to the series, full of surprises and fun times. If you haven’t read this series yet then I suggest you do if you like mysteries with a paranormal setting.
Dead is not an Option was just as good as the other books in the series and for that I’m glad. I love how the mysteries are always there and I can usually guess what’s going on about halfway into the story. I could do that with Dead is not an Option as well but there were still some surprises.
There’s not a lot to say about Dead is not an Option, I see where the title comes from though. I did enjoy it, and it’s a super fast read, I read it in one sitting and I’m quite a slow reader.
There is one thing I have to say though, at the end, almost everything was tied up. There was just one thing that they hinted at but didn’t explain and so I’m really annoyed and disappointed at that. Although, it could possibly be intentional. I’m not too sure.
Overall, Dead is not an Option was a good ending to the series, full of surprises and fun times. If you haven’t read this series yet then I suggest you do if you like mysteries with a paranormal setting.
May 1, 2011
This is book 5 in the "Dead is... series.
1. Dead is the New Black
2. Dead is a State of Mind
3. Dead is So Last Year
4. Dead is Just a Rumor
My thoughts:
Although this book easily stands alone, I would suggest reading the whole series - in order. I enjoyed the story, but there were some references to previous happenings that left me feeling, not that I was lost but that I wished I had read the first four books before this one.
The characters are wonderful! I have to say that Lil (the jukebox) is my favorite supporting character! You can see that the characters have been well-developed during the series because they are so cohesive and their relationships are solid. The new relationship in the book is Poppy and her vampire boyfriend. The addition of Count Dracule is great.
The story line keeps you interested and wanting to know more. The author keeps you in the dark and guessing about the identity of the "bad guy" until virtually the end.
This is a great YA paranormal read! I would recommend it to anyone grade 8 and above.
1. Dead is the New Black
2. Dead is a State of Mind
3. Dead is So Last Year
4. Dead is Just a Rumor
My thoughts:
Although this book easily stands alone, I would suggest reading the whole series - in order. I enjoyed the story, but there were some references to previous happenings that left me feeling, not that I was lost but that I wished I had read the first four books before this one.
The characters are wonderful! I have to say that Lil (the jukebox) is my favorite supporting character! You can see that the characters have been well-developed during the series because they are so cohesive and their relationships are solid. The new relationship in the book is Poppy and her vampire boyfriend. The addition of Count Dracule is great.
The story line keeps you interested and wanting to know more. The author keeps you in the dark and guessing about the identity of the "bad guy" until virtually the end.
This is a great YA paranormal read! I would recommend it to anyone grade 8 and above.
December 30, 2010
This is the first of this series that I have read. I received a copy of this from the publisher, and I can not wait to get the four books that proceeded it! I am very curious about many things, such as where the Scourge (I think of them as the monsters who hide in your closet) came from, and the story behind Slim (Mr. Invisibility). I wish there was a bit more description about some of these fun characters (and a bit less with the kissing).
But, I really enjoyed reading this story. There is action in it, suspense, a major twist, a bit of kissing, true and lasting friends, families who stick by each other and a bit more kissing. I think this is a wonderful book for an older child or YA to read, and I enjoyed reading it (and I'm WAY older than that! :P)
It took me just a little while to get into the story, but once I started piecing things together, I couldn't stop myself. I just had to finish it.
But, I really enjoyed reading this story. There is action in it, suspense, a major twist, a bit of kissing, true and lasting friends, families who stick by each other and a bit more kissing. I think this is a wonderful book for an older child or YA to read, and I enjoyed reading it (and I'm WAY older than that! :P)
It took me just a little while to get into the story, but once I started piecing things together, I couldn't stop myself. I just had to finish it.
December 6, 2010
Something is happening in Nightshade. Well, when is something NOT happening in Nightshade? Daisy is at the forefront to solve the mystery of why the shifters and vampires are attacking each other.
I enjoyed this book. It was fun, and even had me guessing at what was really going on! One of my biggest complaints about this series is the repetitiveness of the books. Example-Daisy will explain that her boyfriend is always hungry because he is a werewolf. Okay, well, Daisy just told us this 10 pages ago, I don't think the readers will forget. But, I was able to push that back and get on with the book!
I'm not sure if this is the final book in the series or not. It felt final to me. And wow. Did it have quite an ending! If it is the final, it makes a good ending to a fun and quick series.
I enjoyed this book. It was fun, and even had me guessing at what was really going on! One of my biggest complaints about this series is the repetitiveness of the books. Example-Daisy will explain that her boyfriend is always hungry because he is a werewolf. Okay, well, Daisy just told us this 10 pages ago, I don't think the readers will forget. But, I was able to push that back and get on with the book!
I'm not sure if this is the final book in the series or not. It felt final to me. And wow. Did it have quite an ending! If it is the final, it makes a good ending to a fun and quick series.
February 27, 2023
This is the last one in the series that follows Daisy, and it’s a tense and emotional one. There’s a lot of tension between Daisy and her sisters, the Weres and the Vamps, and I think it adds to the story really well. The tension filled moments are balanced with normal end of senior year moments like prom, graduation, college acceptances, and the overwhelming decisions of the future.
I love this series, and I love these characters. The ending of this one always leaves me with tears in my eyes and a smile because it’s bittersweet. It’s happy and sad and hopeful all at once.
I love this series, and I love these characters. The ending of this one always leaves me with tears in my eyes and a smile because it’s bittersweet. It’s happy and sad and hopeful all at once.
December 17, 2011
Lets say I didnt give it a shot...
February 19, 2024
2nd Read: Yes these eyes are moist. Part of me wants to give it another star but let’s just say this was a glowing four star YA book.
Completely surprised at how good this book was; it had everything: romance, mystery, intrigue, war, death, explosions - hell, I actually cried at the end! I didn't think this teen puff series had a four star book in it but color me happy!
Completely surprised at how good this book was; it had everything: romance, mystery, intrigue, war, death, explosions - hell, I actually cried at the end! I didn't think this teen puff series had a four star book in it but color me happy!
November 8, 2010
cant wait!
May 3, 2011
OMG i loved it. It had so many twists and turns and I had no idea what would happen next. I cant wait for the next book. I love this series so much! Keep on writing Marlene!
February 15, 2023
Dead Is Not An Option is a good read, definitely for middle school audiences. I feel as book 5 in the series you know what you are getting into, something supernatural threatens the town and Daisy is mixed into it. The wolves vs vamps thing is a classic and I am happy with the outcome of all the conflict. I am glad that we wrapped up some mysteries being solved it felt kind of final though. Most of the main characters being worried about college and leaving feels like this is a final book rather than 5 out of 8. ***spoiler for the next book*** It does wind up making sense that this seems final since in the next book they switch perspectives to Jessica Walsh (Sean's little sister).
May 11, 2017
I'm really hoping this is the last book. It's not that they're bad books; I'm just tired of the series. It was getting a little bit too Nancy Drew-ish. (Have you ever noticed that all of the Nancy Drew mysteries involve cookies or lemonade?) I was a bit off-put that the characters were able to come home from school, bake a bunch of cookies or a frosted cake, then head off to some meeting. I realize teenagers have a lot of energy (and they eat a lot, too!) but I was seriously doubting the timing.
In any case. I still think this is a good series for middle schoolers with a paranormal bent.
In any case. I still think this is a good series for middle schoolers with a paranormal bent.
November 30, 2022
I forgot how good this book was, and the sad part near the ending. But I loved it, I loved how they were able to bring Lilly and Balthazar back to themselves! It made me love the characters all the more and dislike the villains that where through it. Although, I also loved when they had mentioned Pleasantville in the book, I always love when a book I’m reading mentions one of my favorite tv shows or movie in the book. Despite how I loved the book, I did dislike when Ryan’s dad was killed, I felt sorry for him and totally forgot about that part in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2016
This was another book in the series that I wasn't a huge fan of, but it wasn't awful.
The characters irritated me, so I can't say I liked them.
This dragged quite badly in areas for me, and it just couldn't keep my interest very well at all. This one felt pretty long too.
Overall, Not the best one in the series.
The characters irritated me, so I can't say I liked them.
This dragged quite badly in areas for me, and it just couldn't keep my interest very well at all. This one felt pretty long too.
Overall, Not the best one in the series.
April 6, 2021
Loved Daisy and reading about her adventures, the conclusions of the side characters wrapped up in this book. You can definitely tell this marks an end to Daisy Giordano's stories as they introduce a new character. Part of me wishes the stories had continued with Daisy in college but still a great page-turner ending. Fast read!
October 11, 2018
It was good but not as good as the others considering the fact that her story is now ending and it's time for another one to start as main character in the newer books. I'm not so sure how I feel about that.
September 8, 2021
I loved this book and i love the series but i got bored of it for some reason and read like 4 other books before picking this one up again…and can i say im so happy bam and lilly are back and im so sad that ryan’s dad passed away like why did sams dad have to do that it made no sense..AND I CANT BE THE ONLY ONE WHO HATES DAISYS DAD RIGHT? he just makes me angry i liked it better when ur was her sisters, her and her mom. anyway overall a good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2025
Daisy is back to her usual investigating. Her psychic ability as a sleuth is something I think we all wish we had. It always gives her a serious advantage and makes the story fun. The same narrator produced this gem and really like her voice. Great audiobook and original story.
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