Review: Darkly Pleasant Surprise
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 9, 2012
In addition to well-developed characters and an interesting plot, this book had several intriguing aspects. The prose is remarkably lovely. The author's treatment of Olivia is refreshing. Since everything is from her point of view, you would think it would be easy to sympathize with her. It wasn't for me. Sure, I can give her the monster bit, it's not her fault. But the choices she does make bother me, which is intriguing in itself, and I do care about what happens to her because I can see no good coming of any of it. It's also written in the present tense, so everything's happening right now. These elements combined to make a compelling read, in spite of some slower parts (I am an unusually impatient reader, though). What surprised me was the ending--it was more satisfying than I would have thought possible.