#75 Book Review: Jessica Rules the Dark Side

Jessica Rules the Dark Side (Jessica #2)
Release Date: January 10th 2012
Author: Beth Fantaskey
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Amazon & The Book Depository
More Info: Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads:

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 review:

Cover: 
The girl in the cover looks so pretty with her dress! She looks like how I imagined Jessica would be like when reading the book! I also love how she holds the stake with her other hand, showing how Jessica finally becomes a stronger character who takes hold of her powers and royalty!

4 Forget-me-not flowers for the cover!

Story:


Ruling a kingdom should be easy....right?

Jessica is finally living in Romania. And of course she is living with Lucius! Lucius is no longer just Lucius. He's her husband! Jessica's life should be perfect, right? But ruling a kingdom is really difficult. Not only does Jess can't order a food to her chef because she can't speak Romanian, but she's having nightmares and hallucinations. Plus, when Lucius is blamed to kill a royalty and has to be imprisoned, Jess has to take Lucius' role and rule the kingdom. Being a vampire princess is never easy...

It's SO GOOD to have both Jess and Lucius back again! I absolutely love the fact that there is a sequel to Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side! I personally think that the sequel is even better than the first book. Written from alternating POV of Jessica, Lucius, Mindy and Raniero, Jessica Rules the Dark Side's story is very interesting, fun and full of mysteries. Throughout the book, I had to put on my detective cap and tried to figure out who tried to frame Lucius but I couldn't guess it until the end! I had my suspicions but I wasn't sure until it was actually revealed in the book! I am so glad that by the time the book ends, all the problems were solved but I am still craving for another sequel!

Characters:
Jess and Lucius, how I adore these two! I still remembered how cute their relationship was in the first book but in the second book, their relationships is even deeper and more romantic. I loved how Jess grows as a character, where she begins as a quite weak character who have yet to grasp her power in the royalty but ends up becoming a powerful princess who can support her husband. Lucius is as always, very sweet, romantic, strong and regal! I also love Mindy and Raniero's relationship. They are so adorable! I am so glad that Beth wrote the story from Jess, Lucius, Mindy and Raniero's POV so readers get to read what's going on in their head!

Overall:
Jessica Rules the Dark Side is a fun, light and awesome sequel to Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. As you get to read Jess' life in Romania, you also get to put your detective caps on and try to figure out who is the person behind all the problems in the book. If you've read book one but haven't read book two, I suggest you run to your nearest bookshop and get this book because the sequel is even better!

5 Forget-me-not flowers for Jessica Rules the Dark Side!

Thank you Penguin Australia for the review copy!

Side note:

I wished that Jess and Lucius' wedding story was written in this book. I know that Beth puts the wedding story in her blog so we can read it online but it still feels nicer if it's included in this book so we can read it in hardcopy!