Book Review - Dark Heart Forever by Lee Monroe

This book's cover and blurb worked like dangling a carrot in front of a donkey. But did it deliver?

SYNOPSIS:

"Jane Jonas is troubled by unsettling recurring dreams where the same mysterious boy comes to her. Her mother is increasingly anxious about Jane's disruptive sleepwalking episodes, but for Jane her dream world and reality are about to collide...When she develops a friendship with an enigmatic stranger in town - the blond, uber-cool Evan - it's new, exciting, and Jane wants him more than she's ever wanted anybody. Until her mysterious dream boy gets in the way and she is caught between two worlds: one familiar, but tinged with romance and excitement; the other dark, dangerous, full of angels and werewolves, where an irresistible stranger is trying to win her heart..." (Goodreads)

REVIEW:

Dark Heart Forever (published by Hodder Children's Books) sounds amazing. The plot is so intriguing and the cover so beautiful you cannot resist a look. However, I was really disappointed with this book. 

While the central plot idea is great - a girl with dreams so vivid she thinks she sleepwalks; and who's life gets turned upside down when her reality and dream worlds start to mix together - Monroe just does not deliver. 

Eventually, you figure out that Jane met Luca in her vivid dreams, but you never get to find out how that came to be. The beginning was confusing and, dare I say it, a little clumsy. Like someone edited massive chunks out of it and had to resume the introduction.

Character wise... Even thought Luca is supposed to be the hero he lacks some serious hero qualities, like saving his damsel at the end of the book. That for me is a big boo boo. Eventually, even his sweetness becomes tiring. A little like a younger brother - sweetly cute but seriously annoying.

Then you have the villain who plots his revenge for years and goes as far as killing an innocent man only to be talked down (yes, I said talked) by the person he wants to hurt the most. Who, by the way, isn't really one of the main characters. I mean... If you go as far as killing innocents, you will not "see" reason all of a sudden, will you? This make-or-break scene also sees both our hero and heroine (Jane & Luca) sit out of the conflict. So while they are there, none of them is responsible for saving the day. As a matter of fact, it's almost as if the villain just has a change of heart. In short, a very disappointing end. I wish I could explain it better, but I reckon I've already given enough spoilers. There are also other scenes that make you think: "Yeah, right!"

I really don't like to post negative comments about a book, especially since I can appreciate the complexity of writing one in the first place and the determination and drive you need to possess in order to have it published.  However, I honestly read through this book with the feeling that it was in draft stage rather than ready to publish. But there you go! What do I know about publishing?

Not to end in a sour note, this book not only received good reviews on Goodreads, but it is also the first book of a series. So maybe it improves on later books. I have to admit, though, that I don't know if I'll give it a second chance. 

BOOK RATING:

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