Beautiful Dead (2) - Arizona by Eden Maguire (October 2009, Hodder Children's Books, ISBN: 0340988622)
First Line:
Prologue
Phoenix Rohr changed me.Review:
Arizona is the second part in a four-book series which began earlier this year with
Jonas. Four teenagers have died in mysterious circumstances: Jonas, Arizona, Summer and Phoenix and they have become the
Beautiful Dead. They have been sent back to the 'far side' ie the land of the living to resolve what happened to them so that they can successfully pass to the other side. They have a year from the day of their death, to resolve their issues but must remain in hiding. When the year's coming to an end and they are getting nowhere, they call in Darina, Phoenix's girlfriend who'll do anything to spend time with her (dead) boyfriend.
It's Arizona's turn this time. She drowned in a lake but cannot believe she committed suicide and she cannot remember why she would have been at the lake at all, especially in the winter. Arizona appears to be the typical stuck-up fashion plate with few close friends but she is hiding some big secrets. Darina is called in to investigate and her nosing around Arizona's family and boyfriend gets her into plenty of trouble and not a little danger. Meanwhile keeping secrets from her own family and friends makes her life more difficult and stressful.
I enjoyed
Jonas very much and was eager for
Arizona and I wasn't disappointed. It's a very smooth read which holds the interest completely; the who or what is behind Arizona's death keeps changing as more information is revealed. The author gives more of a reason for the strong bond between Phoenix and Darina, even though they had only been together for a short while before his death. Darina's current situation puts a great strain on her which is reflected in the off-hand way she treats those around her, with the exception of Phoenix. Her relationship with him, though completely understandable, is not in her best interests really - I do wonder how it will be resolved. The setting is well evoked and I can really visualise the town and especially the open country where much of the action takes place.
Arizona follows a similar format to
Jonas and if you enjoyed
Jonas then you'll enjoy
Arizona. This series has a pleasing combination of crime, romance and the supernatural.
Cover: The cover is a very accurate depiction of a scene in the book and I love the look this series has. Very spooky.
My review of
Jonas is
here.
Win a copy of
Arizona,
here (ends 30 November 2009, UK only)
Six months have passed sine the last Ellerton teenager died, but Darina is still traumatized by the stabbing of her own beloved Phoenix. But there's work to be done as Darina must now turn her attention to the shooting of Summer Madison -- the beautiful and gifted, singer-song-writer with a heart of gold. It's been nearly a year since the random shooting in a shopping mall caused Summer's meaningless death. Summer left behind recordings of her wonderful songs and a deep sadness amongst high school friends. Now Darina must act as Summer's agent to track down the psychotic killer in a clear search for justice. With the sound of Summer's music constantly playing inside Darina's head, recalling the wonderful months when she was alive and performing her first gigs, Darina, Phoenix and the Beautiful Dead are determined to catch the crazed killer. And all the while Darina's love for Phoenix continues to beat ...
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