Customer Reviews

Dead Girl Walking

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Amber has never been known for her sense of direction, but her capacity for error jumps to new heights when, after a near death experience, her soul takes a wrong turn and she ends up in the body of popular girl Leah. Desperate to get back to her own body, Amber sets in motion a series of hilarious, horrifying, and touching events as she attempts to navigate life in Leah's body while trying to reclaim her own.

Dead Girl Walking is the first in a series, though it can easily be read as a stand-alone story. The body switching routine has been done before, and while it is done well this time, what really sets this book apart is Amber. Amber is the stereotypical quirky, klutzy, not-popular-but-not-unpopular girl. Despite filling these stereotypes (which really are starting to get a little worn), Amber is impossible not to love. Her wry commentary runs throughout the book, adding levity and thoughtfulness in all the right places. She's a person I can totally see myself befriending and laughing hysterically with every time we get together.

The secondary characters were equally endearing, though not as fleshed out as Amber. While we don't really get to meet Leah, we do take an intimate tour through her dark secrets, and they are frightening. Leah's situation is awful and I found myself feeling really sorry for her. After spending so much time in Leah's life, I wish the author had given the reader some closure or idea of how Leah's life is after the main events of the story have ended. This loose end and the abrupt ending are my only complaints about the story. Despite these two minor complaints, I fully enjoyed the book and recommend it. I will be checking out the sequels.

I am not a teen or young adult but still loved this book. Until the ending, which turned out to be just a setup for the next book. It was frustrating to be close to the resolution the book was heading for, and needed, then to be left completely hanging. Books in good series also work as stand-alones, this one doesn't. It's a free book that's just there to get you to buy the next books in the series. And they are pricey at $8-not worth it to me for this kind of quick, light read in eBook format. And the risk that they will be equally unfinished. Too bad- the story line was good, the characters likeable, and the concepts entertaining (loved the ghost dog.)

An addition to this review based on the comment from the author (thanks) and if you don't read comments-this is the first of a trilogy, not a series, so it wasn't meant to end at this book. That's fair, but I didn't get that from the description of the book. So, consider this a 4 star review if you plan to purchase the 2 subsequent books.

Gold Star Award Winner!

Directly after eavesdropping, learning how the populars view her, and finding out that she's received a collegiate scholarship, an out-of-control mail truck hits Amber.

Despite her severe injuries, she doesn't die. Exactly.

Instead, her soul ends up in the body of a fellow classmate: Queen B Leah. Leah just attempted suicide and Amber's desperately trying to adapt to this new life. She's dying to know why the most popular girl in school hates life. Slowly, Amber uncovers layers of Leah's life and realizes that things aren't always wonderful for the school's golden girl.

When Amber realizes that she might never escape Leah's body, she attempts to make some major adjustments.

Linda Joy Singleton starts up a new series with DEAD GIRL WALKING, where she perfectly combines the hardship of teen life with a paranormal aspect, immediately hooking readers.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel

...with an enticing bit of paranormal thrown in for good measure! Amber is exactly the kind of protagonist I enjoy--flawed and a bit fumbling, but her imperfections and insecurities are part of what make her so endearing. You'll root for her as she faces the task of living another's life while simultaneously trying to make her way back to her own body after an accident inexplicably leaves her inhabiting the body of a classmate with major problems of her own. The plot moves along at an exciting pace, and there are always plenty of twists to keep you on your toes. The bad guys--human and otherwise--will send shivers down your spine. I was guessing about Amber's fate until the very end, which left me eager to read the next after this highly enjoyable start to a series.

I loved this book for it's likeable characters and constant flow of quirky humor. Although I wasn't fond of my teenager years, this definitely reminds me that during those years you have a lot of "oh god, kill me now" moments. There aren't enough novels out there for young adults that stress that being yourself is a good thing, rather than being a follower. I think this author did a decent job of portraying that without boring the teenage mind.

BUT... and this is a rather large "but"... I really don't think this book is appropriate for young adults. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I don't think teenage breast implants, liposuction, botox, promiscuity, suicide, alcoholism, theft and inappropriate fatherly touching makes for a good book in the YA section. I know society is becoming really lax when it comes to classifying these things, but that doesn't mean I want my son or daughter reading this stuff in a novel - especially in the context it was in.

There's a lot of sad, harsh reality in this one - which was why this was a tough one to classify, I'm sure. Despite this book being about teenagers, I'd save it for the adults with a young taste in books.

Great hook, fast pace and lots of twists kept me reading this book straight through. I liked how so much was at stake and I liked the different characters. My only criticism is that Amber switched bodies with the beautiful popular girl whose life wasn't quite perfect. It seemed too stereotypical. Other than that, I truly enjoyed reading this book and will read the next one in the series!

I recommend. Portrays the realities of teenagerhood without going into morbid detail. I remember two or three instances of foul language. A fun read - the book doesn't take itself too seriously.

DEAD GIRL WALKING
LINDA JOY SINGLETON
YA paranormal

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

Amber has a terrible sense of direction but that doesn't stop her from going to Jessica Bradley's party. Jessica is friends with Leah Montgomery, who just happens to be one of the most popular kids at school. Taking a tip from one of her many self-help books, Amber hopes to meet Mr. Mongomery, who's in the music business.

After overhearing what the girls really think of her, she takes off realizing she was foolish to even think Leah and her friends would want to be around her. Later, after a freaky accident, she has an out of body experience. To her surprise she ends up in none other than Leah Montgomery's body.

Now it's up to Amber to figure out how to get back into her own body. Maybe being the most popular in school isn't what it's all cracked up to be. When she tries to tell her `new' family the truth, the father threatens to send her to a mental institution. Her real family is back at the hospital waiting to donate her organs. Time is ticking away. She has to get back to her own body or she will forever be AmberLeah.

I really loved this teen-like Quantum Leap tale. This fast-paced and suspense filled novel will have the reader following Amber as she tries to figure out how to get back into her own body while dealing with sudden popularity. Singleton does a great job of showing a paranormal world with some twists and surprises. I especially loved the role a beloved pet plays in comforting the soon to be deceased.

Amber's struggles feel real especially as she tries to communicate with her friends and family on what has happened. I couldn't help but think this would make a wonderful teen TV series. Each chapter ends with a hook, pulling you in to read more.

Linda Joy Singleton is the author of the 2007 YALSA Quick book Witch Ball, the third book in the The Seer series. Check out more on Linda on her website: www.ljsingleton.com and her book trailer at: www.youtube.com/watch?V=8VUQmV2C2I

Kim
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
September 2008

I couldn't stop reading! Ms. Singleton kept me in suspense the whole book. About the time I thought I knew what was going to happen, she threw in a new curve. But just as often she let me win on the guessing game of "What Will Amber Have To Endure Next?"

Amber is an endearing character. As an adult reading this (and many would question the adult part), I worried about her and felt deep empathy with her family and friends. But it is her spirit, her caring for others that triumphs and/or fails her in painful ways. I can hardly wait to see what happens to Amber in the next book, Dead Girl Dancing!

I really enjoyed this book. The protagonist was very likeable and the plot was a fun, page turner. I couldn't put it down and have now ordered the second book in the series. It reminds me of the tv series "Quantum Leap."