Lovin' los libros

A book blog dedicated to young adult and new adult novels

ARC Review: Pretty Dark Nothing by Heather L. Reid

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Pretty Dark Nothing
    by: Heather L. Reid

Publication Date: April 23, 2013
Publisher: Month9Books
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: e-ARC received from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count:  321 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3/5 stars

It’s been twenty three days since Quinn has slept for more than minutes at a time. Demons have invaded her dreams, stalking her, and whispering of her death. The lack of sleep and crippling fear are ruining her life. Energy drinks and caffeine pills don’t make a dent. When Quinn dozes off in the school hallway, Aaron, an amnesiac with a psychic ability, accidentally enters her nightmare. The demons are determined to keep them apart, and Aaron from discovering the secret locked away in his memory. Together, they could banish the darkness back to the underworld for good. That is, unless the demons kill them first.

                                 -goodreads.com description


This was a complicated book for me. I really wanted to like it, but I just had so many conflicting feelings while reading it! This wasn't a very fast-paced book for me. It definitely took some getting into. Reid did do an excellent job describing Quinn's nightmares and I thought her imagery was incredible, so that was a perk for me.

The storyline however, didn't do it for me. Until the end. The whole book just seemed like there was way too much high school drama and it overshadowed the paranormal elements. It wasn't until the end where the puzzles pieces finally started to fit together that we gained an understanding of why Quinn was having these nightmares and hearing voices.

Quinn, the main character, is dealing with horrific nightmares and not getting any sleep because she's too afraid of what will happen. Her boyfriend broke up with her and is now dating a different girl, her grades have plummeted, and she's on probation from the cheer squad. Things are definitely not going her way. I did not like listening to Quinn obssess over her ex-boyfriend, Jeff. Especially when good guy Aaron comes around.

Aaron is drawn to Quinn and has secretly liked her for quite some time. He decides he wants to try and make his move now that Quinn is single. Quinn, still hung up on her ex, doesn't really give Aaron much attention, until he swoops in and 'saves' her from passing out in the hallway.

I hated how Quinn treated Aaron. Here, you have a great guy, who genuinely likes you and wants to be with you, and you're hung up on your dirtbag ex who is dating a girl you don't even like! I realize Quinn is plagued with these nightmares and hears voices, but that doesn't give you the right to jerk the guy around. I did like Aaron's character a bit more than Quinn. He couldn't stay away from Quinn, no matter how hard he tried, and practically just kept asking for his heart to be broken. We do find out the reason why he can't seem to let go of her at the end of the book, however.

I think that is my biggest issue with the book- I just didn't like our protagonist. If I can't find anything relatable to my main character it's usually a no-go for me. And Quinn just got on my nerves.

I saw that Reid is writing a sequel and I will read it because I am curious as to where she is going to go with the book, especially after all the revelations at the end. Hopefully now that Quinn knows the truth and after having a harrowing experience, she'll grow up a bit and will redeem herself in the next book.

*Thank you to Month9Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this book for review. I received this book in return for a fair and honest review.*

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7 comments

  1. Blast. I thought the synopsis sounded wonderful, but I am very particular about my protagonist. If I can't connect with him/her, I don't care about the rest of the book.

    Great review, I'm sorry it didn't work for you!

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    1. Thanks Ashley. I do know of a few other bloggers who loved it, so it could have just been me, lol.

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  2. Darn. Sucks when you don't like the protagonist! I don't think I'm going to be reading this book, because a lot of what you described would just irritate me to no end.

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    1. I was really hoping I would like it more, since some other fellow bloggers really enjoyed it. Guess it just wasn't my cup of tea.

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  3. I don't mind a blend of paranormal with high school drama but like you I don't think I would like that the high school drama overshadows the paranormal aspects. Ohh man and I hope I can relate to the protagonist... it is never great when you don't like them.

    Ashley @ The Quiet Concert

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    1. I hate when I can't connect to my main characters. It takes away so much from the book! I wish that was something I could overlook, but I definitely can't.

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  4. I get what you are saying about being frustrated with Quin being hung up on Jeff because as the reader you KNOW who she needs to be with. But think of a long term relationship you have had; even if it's just really really good friend. Could you imagine just... getting over them? You got dumped by your boyfriend of 4 YEARS and best friend for longer could you just stop caring for them? in that frame of mind I found myself forgiving Quin for being hung up for so long. And then add to that, he dating the girl that you hate.
    I connected a bit more than you did with Quinn, maybe because I'm 17 and watch high school drama ALL the time. You live through it knowing half it is just uder silly crap but you can't help but feel as emotional as you did before thinking it through. A huge part of high school is all the drama, it's the only reason some of the people I know show up. whether the slut in your english class is prego or some one got caught doing drugs. The "dumb" people always out weigh the smart. All the smart people can do is sit and watch. And some times it gets closer to home than you want.
    It's hard to be anything but self centered when "normal" problems arrive in your life. Add Demons and thinking your crazy... The last thing I would be thinking is about somebody else.
    My two pence - Olivia A.

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