Book Review: Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Hardcover, 309 pages

Published January 10th 2012 by Harcourt Children's Books 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s one thing to find out you’re a vampire princess. It’s a whole other thing to actually rule. Newly married Jessica Packwood is having a hard enough time feeling regal with her husband, Lucius, at her side. But when evidence in the murder of a powerful elder points to Lucius, sending him into solitary confinement, Jessica is suddenly on her own. Determined to clear her husband’s name, Jessica launches into a full-scale investigation, but hallucinations and nightmares of betrayal keep getting in her way. Jessica knows that with no blood to drink, Lucius’s time is running out. Can she figure out who the real killer is—and whom she can trust—before it’s too late?


My Thoughts:


Beth Fantaskey didn’t fail to amaze me with Jessica rules the Dark Side. I don’t know if there’s another book next to this but anyway, I think this is a really fantastic sequel to Jessica’s guide to dating on the dark side. And there’s so much to say! Betrayal, anger, mystery, death, romance, pasts, jealousy, and chivalry...

The story begins with Jessica and Lucian already married for a few months, and they have to prove themselves worthy to be voted King & Queen of the vamps. It’s really weird thinking a whole kingdom devoted to those creatures, but oh well, since their population are millions, that probably should be good enough reason. It started kinda slowly, and I have to admit I really didn’t like Jessica’s attitude in the beginning. She’s like a scared little kitten cowering behind her husband’s shadow all the time. It’s understandable, really, what’s a girl to do in a large, dark and intimidating castle when she grew up with a Vegan family and teetering over the barn? She has no experience, and she honestly admits she didn’t know exactly what she signed up for when she married Lucian. She knows the basics: vampire, eternity, and being a princess. BUT, she has no idea how to rule. Then suddenly a murder of an Elder points Lucian as the suspect, and this leaves Jessica to take charge of everything from now on. Everything picked up from then on.

The format of switching POV’s between Jess, Mindy and Lucian & Raniero’s emails was really a great idea since in this book, everything doesn’t revolve around Jess alone, and that’s another thing I liked about this sequel. The turning point of the story (Lucius’ incarceration) actually turned out to be good for Jess. She realized a lot of things she’s been running from, and things she must face. And the Jess I knew, who is strong-willed with a very strong character is up and about! What a relief when Jess rose from her cowering position, and to the Queen that she really is. Independent woman coming up!

I don’t know if the plot’s twist was predictable or not, but I sure predicted it right! lol. The innocent narration of Mindy is like a rest between the kinda serious and depressing thoughts of Jessica. The writing is spectacular, and I just like the fact that this sequel is not just some light novel just for the sake of making a sequel to the book, but it also features another love story which involves Mindy & Raniero. The diversity of the book made me read on.

Overall, even with the slow and dragging start, as soon as the turning point of the story started, it was great from there. Ooh, and btw, let me just say how catchy the titles of the books are, and at the same time they fit real well. A really Great, great read, not to mention a meaningful sequel! :)

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