Book Review and Q&A with Yvonne Woon: Life Eternal

Name: Life Eternal
Author: Yvonne Woon
UK publisher: Usborne
Release Date: OUT NOW
Summary: Renée Winters has changed. When she looks in the mirror, a beautiful girl with an older, sadder face stares back. Her condition has doctors mystified, but Renée can never reveal the truth: she died last May, and was brought back to life by the kiss of her Undead soul mate, Dante Berlin.

Review: Going back to Renees story I was so apprehensive, excited, nervous and emotionally drained from the first novel. But of course Yvonne has done it again first page had me hooked it brought back so many awesome memories when I first started DB. So atmospheric and totally sets the tone of the book and brings you back into the dead beautiful world of Dante and Renee.

From the ending of Dead Beautiful I had no idea what to expect or predict when it came to opening this book but once again Yvonne has brought me back into this scary, beautiful, unpredictable roller-coaster of a ride.

There is quite a few new characters in this novel. There is Anya who's Renees new friend in the novel. I thought she might be comparing her to Eleanor a lot but far from it. Anya is a kind girl who you grow to love through out this novel. Then we have Clementine. Who is not a nice girl at all who you grow to dislike even more through out the novel but she is a good read. Then there's Noah... Oh Noah another lead guy you can defiantly fall in love with. He's such a awesome characters he's defiantly one of my favourites. He's a very trust worthy guy and I can see why Renee took a liking to him.

One thing I didn't think id come close enjoying was Dustin and Renees relationship. Its closer than ever and as much as I do think Renees Grandfather loves her I think Dustin is more of a one. I love how Yvonne has made him such a loveable character who you wish you had in your life.

The plot. Oh the plot. I know I cant say much because I don't want to spoil it for you but I will say this. You like Shocking, crazy, unbelievable, jaw dropping, Head wrenching, cry out lout, NO moments and beautiful scenes? Then this is for you. Renee has to go on with her life knowing she's a Monitor and she's not very happy about it. Renee and Dante as just as lovely as ever and there is defiantly some hard times but the happy scenes between them you can actually close you eyes and Imagen yourself being Renee and being in that moment with him. That's how amazing Yvonnes writing is. Also the ending. Just as amazing as the first one it has your heart melting and just praying that the next book will be just as amazing

Once again I should comment on how much detail Yvonne has put into this book. Just as much as in Dead Beautiful. I really love the fact that in this book previous events that have happened in Dead Beautiful are explained and expanded for example why Renees parents were killed. (and its a shocker as to why).

So much is going on and without giving any spoilers all I can say is if you want to go back to Renees world and expect it all to be okay then I would suggest holding onto your seat because your about to fly off. Amazing.

Q&A With Yvonne Woon 

If Dante and Renee were stuck on a desert island together what 3 things each do you think they would bring?

Renée, being well trained in the art of Monitoring and survival, would bring 1) a shovel (just in case they encounter anything . . . suspicious), 2) the entirety of Descartes’s writings, which will prove to be especially important in book three, and which she would rationalize as being able to both read and use as kindling if necessary, and 3) a guide to foraging for wild fruit and mushrooms. She’s very practical.

 

Dante travels light. He would bring a knife, a down comforter (for Renée), and a water desalter (also for Renée).

 If Dead Beautiful was made into a movie what actor/actress would you love to see play Dante and Renee?

I love Carey Mulligan, and think she would make a great Renée. And Dante… that’s hard. He’s sort of this nebulous, larger-than-life male in my head. Maybe Ed Westwick?

Carey Mulligan

Ed Westwick

 If you could go to dinner with any of your novels characters who would it be and where would you go to eat?

Other than Dante, (who doesn’t eat!), I’d go with Anya to one of those Russian bathhouses with a restaurant attached. I’d probably let her order, though I bet caviar and some sort of preserved fish would be involved. And borscht!

What one song would suit Dante and Renee's relationship right now?
The suite from Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66, pas des caractère. It really captures the feeling of tiptoeing through the woods, trying to hold on to something that keeps slipping through your fingers.

What is next for Dante and Renee? Are you planning another Dead Beautiful book at the moment?
I am! I’m working on the third and final book now. It follows Renée and Dante as they piece together the strange contents in the chest from the lake, which end up leading them somewhere they do not expect. I don’t have a final title or publication date yet, though I’m guessing it will be out sometime in fall/winter of 2013.

Thanks Yvonne! cant wait for the third! :)