Something strange is happening in Ellerton High. Phoenix is the fourth teenager to die within a year. His street fight stabbing follows the deaths of Jonas, Summer and Arizona in equally strange and sudden circumstances. Rumours of ghosts and strange happenings rip through the small community as it comes to terms with shock and loss. Darina, Phoenix’s grief-stricken girlfriend, is on the verge. She can’t escape her intense heartache, or the impossible apparitions of those that are meant to be dead. And all the while the sound of beating wings echo inside her head…And then one day Phoenix appears to Darina. Ecstatic to be reunited, he tells her about the Beautiful Dead. Souls in limbo, they have been chosen to return to the world to set right a wrong linked to their deaths and bring about justice. Beautiful, superhuman and powerful, they are marked by a ‘death mark’ — a small tattoo of angel’s wings. Phoenix tells her that the sound of invisible wings beating are the millions of souls in limbo, desperate to return to earth. Darina’s mission is clear: she must help Jonas, Summer, Arizona, and impossibly, her beloved Phoenix, right the wrong linked to their deaths to set them free from limbo so that they can finally rest in peace. Will love conquer death? And if it does, can Darina set it free?
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I loved the cover of this book and I love the synopsis. This was one of those books that for me, I had trouble sticking to my reading plan and leaving it on the shelf…. I wanted to know what was in the pages. Had to know. Must know.
Darina is our main character and her boyfriend, Phoenix has been the latest teen to die. What Darina soon discovers in an old farm-house is about to turn her world upside down and cause her to question whatever she has known in the past to be true.
I guess in an odd “zombie like” way – this is a love story. You can tell Darina and Phoenix’s love for one another and this also makes it – in a way – a sad story too. I liked the “angel” type feel to the dead teens (I cant believe I just said that – it sounds creepy!). This made the book more likable for me to see them in this light. I also liked the tattoo of the wings that each of the “undead” characters received. I thought that was unique.
Once I was able to familiarize myself with the characters and the plot I found the book to progress nicely leaving a sense of mystery and intrigue to make people want to read the next book to continue the story.
The Author
Eden Maguire lives in both Colorado and the UK. Her admiration for Emily Bronte’s classic, Wuthering Heights, ties in with her fascination for the dark side of life and informs her portrayal of the restless, romantic souls in The Beautiful Dead.
I received my review copy from Sourcebooks
Book Journey 
I’ve heard mixed reviews on this one. So it’s nice to see yours! Thanks.
I struggled a bit with it Heather and it did take me awhile to get into the book. I really had to focus on what the author was trying to get across and that really helped me to get into it.
I’m not much into zombies, etc., so I think I’ll pass on this one.
It was a bit of a stretch for me Hannah and different than I thought it would be.
Different how?
Hannah, I guess I was thinking it would be more “Twilighty” (probably much like I had hoped that Lightning Thief would be more “Harry Pottery”.
I tend to sometimes hope I can bring back some of the greats – and occasionally you find one,. but this one fell short for me – it was an ok read but was not the magical feeling I was hoping for and not the direction I thought the book would take.
OK, that makes sense.
Great review Sheila, I enjoyed this one & the second book in the series which is Arizona’s story.
I’ve added your link to my review:
http://bookreviewsbysarah.blogspot.com/2010/01/beautiful-dead-book-1-jonas-eden.html
Sarah – I like that the author is telling the story from different perspectives in each book. That interests me.
Oh, your review piques my interest in this one!
It was different Laurel and I did end up liking the book but I wasnt sure where I was going to wind up with my opinion at first.
Have seen this book mentioned on several sites. It sounds intriguing. Our library won’t get it, so I’ll have to check around to see which of the others does.
The cover would definitely attract teen readers. The premise for this story is very different. It sounds like a book that would be hard to put down once you get into it.
It would attract teens Pat. I think teens would probably get into it more than I did. 🙂
This sounds like a good one. I was also very intrigued by the cover.
That’s what got me Michelle! The cover! I am so shallow! LOL
sounds creepy but a bit “twilighty” too.
thanks for the great review!
leahelmerich, I was hoping for a bit more” twilighty” but this book just didnt have the chemistry that Twilight did, at least not for me. Still a good read – and the author does come up with original ideas which I do like.
This sounds like an interesting book. I have not heard of this book till here at your blog. I may have to look into this book more. Thanks for a great review!
Thanks Melissa! 🙂
This one sounds really good Sheila!! I always have to add another to the pile every time I visit!! 🙂
Julie J – that happens to me at other blogs so I think it is only fair that it happens here as well. 🙂 LOL
Sounds like a really interesting read to me. Nice review. I’m glad that you liked the book.
Jennifer, I did like the book and it is kind of funny because there was a point that I wasn’t sure I would. I think I set me expectations before I opened the first page and had to “tweak” them along the way 🙂
I didn’t get much reading done last week! I’ve visited 10 blogs and will hopefully visit more tomorrow. Have a great week!
HI Alaine – I had a crazy busy week as well. Enjoy yours and lets hope we both find more time to relax and read this week 🙂
Great review! I enjoyed this book and thought it was a very quick read, for me.
I whipped through it pretty quickly as well April
Fantastic review. I hope to read this soon.
I hope so too Vivienne, I would like to read other thoughts on this book.