Review: A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies 
Published: September 27th, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 320
Source: ARC via Netgalley
Challenge: Debut Author Challenge 2011, 100+ Reading Challenge
Other: First book in a planned trilogy
Buy the book: Bookdepository


On the night of Skye’s seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites—like fire and ice—Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye’s life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move—only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.


In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can’t help falling for, and Devin, who she can’t stay away from, the consequences of Skye’s choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.

I was eagerly anticipating the release of A Beautiful Dark and I was ridiculously excited when I got the chance to read it via Netgalley. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to my expectations (which were, admittedly, very high).

Skye is a talented young girl, who is eager to learn and an unbeatable skier. When two new guys arrive in town and enroll in the same school as Skye, her world is rocked. Devin, calm and cool, and Asher, hot and enfuriating, are both trying to get her attention. But for what?

The reason that this book didn't live up to my expectations is the following. Even though we meet Skye, discover she has certain powers and see two supernatural guys battling for her attention, the plot isn't revealed until we're only 2 or 3 chapters from the end. Up until that point, the main focus is on Skye's feelings towards the two guys and even though I liked seeing her trying to decide between 'good' and 'bad', the entire plot wasn't apparent in the story, only a slight buildup. I have to admit, the book got pretty exciting in said last chapters, and the ending was something I really didn't see coming (well done!). But there's a catch; this book has a rather open ending and I was quite confused by that, until I read that this is the first book in a planned trilogy - which I wish I had known before reading.

Davies has delivered a well written story that surely will have readers hooked - but it wasn't the high I expected it to be. I will, however, be eagerly awaiting the sequel.

My overall rating:




Three plus for Jocelyn's debut A Beautiful Dark and me counting the days until book 2 will be available.