Review: Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez

Title: Dead is the New Black

Author:  Marlene Perez
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Publishing Date: September 1st, 2008

Pages: 190
Genre: YA Paranormal Mystery

Series:  Dead Is #1
Source: Audio

 

Welcome to Nightshade, California—a small town full of secrets. It’s home to the pyschic Giordano sisters, who have a way of getting mixed up in mysteries. During their investigations, they run across everything from pom-pom-shaking vampires to shape-shifting boyfriends to a clue-spewing jukebox. With their psychic powers and some sisterly support, they can crack any case!

Teenage girls are being mysteriously attacked all over town, including at Nightshade High School, where Daisy Giordano is a junior. When Daisy discovers that a vampire may be the culprit, she can’t help but suspect head cheerleader Samantha Devereaux, who returned from summer break with a new “look.” Samantha appears a little . . . well, dead, and all the most popular kids at school are copying her style.

Is looking dead just another fashion trend for Samantha, or is there something more sinister going on? To find out, Daisy joins the cheerleading squad.

This was a re-read for me. I read this book oh way back when before I started blogging. I read the entire series and loved it. It’s a short cute fast read and I enjoyed it just as much this time as I did the first time. I am glad to see they are all on audio and plan to re-read the entire series.

Daisy is from a small town where strange things happen. Daisy is from a family that all have psychic powers of some kind. All but her. She is anxious to get her powers in but hasn’t seemed to happen yet. Something strange starts to happen in her town and it starts with a murder… that leads to a town of paranormals… which leads to investigation… which leads to a possible vampire. Daisy and longtime friend Ryan decide to go out on there own and figure this thing out. They see that something has a hold of their town and they want it to end and possibly begin a romantic relationship.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a really simple read and fun read. Even though the book is a fast read the mystery felt complete. I didn't take long to figure out the culprit for me or for Daisy but the fun was in watching Daisy uncover all the secrets of the town and follow the leads through the suspect lists.

There wasn't a lot of dept to the mystery or the story but there were plenty of relationships to focus on to really get to know the characters. There is Daisy and her sisters, Daisy and her mother, Daisy and her ex-best friend Samantha, and Daisy and Ryan. So the book had some family drama, friend and school drama, and of course a bit of romance. 

I love daisy. She is one of my favorite characters of all time. I think she is smart and sweet and funny. She is a little naïve at times but she is young yet. She just found out her town is full of paranormal residents. Takes a bit to get used to. Not as much time as some knowing the family she is from but werewolves witches and ghosts oh my.

Ryan is a real sweetheart too. He is sweet and kind and considerate and a real gentleman. I loved their interactions with each other and the romance. Just so cute. Really so so cute. Friendship to more… my favorite kind.

There were so many characters to really love and enjoy in this book. One thing I really appreciated for such a short book is the individuality of every character. They each had some layers and weren't who they appeared to be at first sight. 

The book is quite short and really fast so not much to review. The mystyery was good. I mean I figured out as they figured out. It was nothing real in depth but it was fun. The story is good, the family relationships were great, all around it was just fun.

I enjoyed this read just as much the second time around. I think I will just love re-reading this entire series since it's on audio now. 

Marlene Perez is the author of paranormal and urban fantasy books, including the best-selling DEAD IS series for teens. The first book in the series, DEAD IS THE NEW BLACK, was named an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers as well as an ALA Popular Paperback. DEAD IS JUST A RUMOR was on VOYA’s 2011 Best Science Fiction, Horror, & Fantasy List. 
Her novels have been featured in Girl’s Life, Seventeen, and Cosmopolitan. The Disney Channel has optioned the first three books in the DEAD IS series for television.
She grew up in Story City, Iowa and is the youngest of twelve children. She lives in Orange County, California with her husband and children. Visit Marlene at www.marleneperez.com.