Book Review: Dark Song by Gail Giles

Dark Song by Gail Giles

Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 304
Source: Received from publicist/author for honest review

Summary: Marc said he heard the dark song when he creeped houses. The song the predator's heart sings when it hears the heart of the prey. I heard it now. Marc said it had always been in me. Lurking. Waiting for me to hear. Ames is not the person she was a few months ago. Her father lost his job, and her family is crumbling apart. Now, all she has is Marc. Marc, who loves her more than anything. Marc, who owns a gun collection. And he'll stop at nothing--even using his guns--to get what he wants. Ames feels her parents have betrayed her with their lies and self-absorption, but is she prepared to make the ultimate betrayal against them?

My Review: After I finished Dark Song, I had mixed feelings. It was dark and edgy, but not as much as I'd liked. Gail introduced a delightful, rich, and happy family in the first couple of chapters. A bond between parents and children that was respected and envied. Despite that, there is always a crack of imperfection behind closed doors, which proved correct in Ames's household. In a blink of an eye, they went from riches to rags. There super dad sold out his family and caused them to move to Texas. Everything she once knew didn't exist anymore. Her parents continually argued and treated the children like crap. I felt like each person in this novel had something wrong with them, except for Ames's little sister, Chrissy. Ames went from being a flawless daughter to a spoiled, lost girl who sought attention from all the wrong places. The father turned into a belligerent, alcoholic and the mother shut down and became a self-centered person who didn't have time to console her kids. They definitely made my family look like saints.

Ames was an interesting character. I didn't know if I should like or hate her. At times, she was sarcastic and funny while sometimes, I wanted to slap her. On the other hand, Chrissy was the most adorable little girl. She might of been too young to understand, but she was the only sane one. While trying to get their lives straight, Marc a guy from the neighborhood started helping Ames's family out with renovations. This was when my blood started boiling. His aura was shady and dangerous. From carrying guns to violent outbursts, I knew he was bad news. Ames and Marc started hanging out and that's when the story turned for the worst. I didn't really understand Ames anymore and was shocked to see the secrets that unraveled at the end. It left me stunned and horrified. However, I wish Gail would of built their relationship more instead of rushing it. Overall, the plot held my attention throughout and piqued my interest in the characters. I always wanted to know what was going to happen next which was a great quality in Dark Song.

My Rating:
Author's Info:
Gail Giles is the author of four young adult novels, including her debut novel, Shattering Glass, which was an ALA Best of the Best Book, a Book Sense 76 selection and a Booklist Top 10 Mystery for Youth selection. What Happened to Cass McBride? was an ALA Best of the Best Book, a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers and a Top Ten Quick Pick. A former high school teacher, Giles grew up in Texas and now lives there with her husband.

For more info on Gail, visit her site(s):
-Website
-Blog
-Facebook

Other books by Gail:
Shattering Glass
Right Behind You

What Happened to Cass McBride?
Dead Girls Don't Write Letters
Playing in Traffic