Review: A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Title: A Beautiful Dark
Author: Jocelyn Davies
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: September 27, 2011
Genre: YA, paranormal
Pages: 390
Series: A Beautiful Dark
1. A Beautiful Dark
2. A Fractured Light (expected pub 2012)
3. Untitled (expected pub unknown)

Synopsis:
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.

From Goodreads

Another great angel story! I actually enjoyed the love triangle in this novel. Asher and Devin are complete opposites, dark and light, and each have their own characteristics that draw Skye in. Throughout the story, it was never obvious whether light or dark was better. Each of them had very good reasons for being who they are and doing what they do. It was evident that Skye was having a very, very difficult time trying to decide what was right and wrong, for her, for the two boys, and for the world.

Skye is a strong main character. She lost her parents when she was six and lives with her mom’s best friend now, her Aunt Jo. She spends a lot of time alone because her aunt is an outdoor guide who often goes on long trips in the mountains. This makes Skye an independent girl, but she also longs for more love because she always feels so alone.

When it came to the boys, it was obvious that Skye fell hardest over Asher. Her falling for Devin was more subtle, but also not as strong. In the end, I think I know who I’m rooting for, but I also feel like there’s more – a lot more – to the story. It’s not your typical love triangle. Nor is it your typical light versus dark. There’s a lot happening under the surface and you may find yourself surprised at who you’re rooting for, and why.

A Beautiful Dark is a novel that will get you thinking about what’s right and what’s wrong, and how you decide these things. Is it because dark is always bad? Or can one side have just as good a reason as the other for doing what they do, for what they feel is right. This isn’t your typical YA and will probably get you thinking by the end. I found myself thinking about the theme in this book after I’d finished, and I’m not a person who analyzes the books I read. I’m definitely looking forward to book 2, A Fractured Light! Especially because of the cliff-hanger...