Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

If there is one thing I regret about this book, it's not reading it sooner! This is another book that has been on my shelf since July of 2012 and I am really kicking myself for not getting to it earlier. The whole vampire thing has been done to death but I admit I still like it. There was just something about this book I really enjoyed.

I found the storyline to be intriguing. Girl finds out she's vampire royalty and has been engaged since birth, to a completely gorgeous vampire prince no less. Jessica doesn't automatically fall in love with Lucius either, just because she's supposed to. At first she puts up a huge fight, saying she doesn't love him or want to marry him but she eventually realizes what a great guy he is.

I loved Jessica. She was strong willed and did what was right. If she didn't want to do something nobody was going to be able to change her mind. She's extremely caring and looks out for the people she cares about. Lucius on the other hand, believes himself to be a monster. That is not the case at all, he is sensitive, chivalrous, caring and ridiculously intelligent. He does have a dark side where he can get rather moody and even dangerous, especially when someone messes with Jessica!

I really didn't think I would like this one, especially in the beginning because I kind of thought Lucius was a stalker. I ended up being surprised by Lucius and how deep he actually was. This book definitely exceeded my expectations and I am extremely pleased that it did.

If you are looking for a book that has vampires, action and quite a bit of romance, then this one is definitely for you. The vampires in this novel drink actual blood and can be quite ruthless but they can also be extremely sensitive as well. So if you want a quick, fun read definitely check this one out.

“As impossible as this sounds, I think Ballad was even better than Lament! I thought the plot was a lot more original and I loved that James was the main character, he was my favorite character in Lament and I was glad to get to see more of him in this book. Nuala and him were so cute together that I kept rooting for them the whole way through the book. I was so sad when I thought she might die, and I found myself reading faster and faster and growing more and more worried as the book went on and he still hadn't saved her, and it even crossed my mind for a moment that maybe she wouldn't be able to become human and stay with James. I think that is what made me love this book, was I never was quite sure what would happen in the end, there were so many ways it could go, and many unexpected things happened that I just kept reading and reading, and enjoying it the whole way through. Plus it was funny. Which naturally made it 20 times better.

Reader reviewed by Arianna

 This was a really great read! I found this book with all the OTHER vampire books at Borders... (I believe that craze is still going on now...) but it turned out to be a perfectly unique book/plot, and was written very well. However, I do think that the book was a bit fast pace, which caused it to lack a bit of detail, but not enough to make someone lose interest in the story. The main character doesn't really believe too much in herself or who she is "destined" to be, which becomes a bit annoying as you go farther into the book, but she does gain some courage near the latter quarter of the book. The ending was really great!! Probably my favorite part of the whole book! (not because it meant the book had ended, but because it was a well-written, touching moment between the two main characters) Although it kinda leaves you wondering what happens AFTER that specific moment... its still a good ending though. Definitely read it if you're a fan of vampire novels, or fiction in general!

Reader reviewed by Ruthie

This was a decent vampire novel. I liked the overall story and plot line and the book moved rapidly enough to keep me occupied. I did notice however that towards the end it started getting a little Twilight-ish. Lucius began to fear his dark side and he withdrew himself from Jessica's life in order to protect her. Um, New Moon anyone? However unlike Bella, Jessica was a stronger character which made up for Lucius's Edwardness. I'd like to see more of this book. I'd definitely read a sequel.

Reader reviewed by Nikki aka SpunkiiReader

Jessica's Guide to Dating the Darkside is a great book for readers looking for the relationships that aren't easy. It's not about "they meet, they fall in love, happily ever after." It's a struggle just to like the person, let alone love the person. I really fell in love with Jessica's character, she is strong and independant, but she later learns that she needs to be stronger. She really grows in this book. I love how her past catches up with her and in the beginnng she runs from it but soon learns to embrace it even once its been pushed out of her reach. So in all I reccomend this book to those who want a little drama with their romance.

Reader reviewed by Yan

First things first I have to point out that I love Luciuss character. He had depth, volume, and area! Granted, I just made two of those things up&but really! He actually developed, a lot! I love his original attitude. He had the whole haughty European sex vibe going on; I know Im hot and sexy, so back off commoners, youre breathing my air type of presence. Even after he sheds his arrogance, his character still remains amazing. Jessica, however, fell flat at some points.

The love that grew between them also nicely developed. In the beginning they both couldnt stand each other, and day by day it blossomed until they actually tolerated each other. And of course, fall in love.

The alternating points of views were a nice touch. It gave a deeper connection and a better understanding to their motives. I love how Lucius point of view was through letters to his uncle. It was just plain laugh out loud funny. But within the letters, it gave the true plotline and conflict. Which I have to say was creative and original.

Speaking of original, I thought that there were some vampire characteristics that were unique. The trait that only female vampires can only become full vampires by getting a male vampire to bite you was something that I have never read before. Apparently, never reading a vampire book in your life helps. A lot actually.

The ending, however, left more to be desired. There were some open-ended questions left to me. What happened back in the United States? Her friends? Her parents? Those type of questions.

Overall: Jessicas Guide to Dating on the Dark Side was a funny yet dark tale of love. It was a magnificent read from start to finish!

Reader reviewed by Sensitivemuse

I expected a light read - even a comical one. It was for the first half. You see light bantering between Lucius and Jessica (also known as Antanasia). Jessica finds him annoying and overbearing whereas Lucius does whatever he can to convince Jessica that she's his betrothed and a vampire princess. Suddenly Jessica finds her world turned upside down. Alas I will leave my summary there or I'd give it all away. Through the second half of the novel, it's not so light and happy anymore. The story starts getting darker and more serious. The ending, well you may call it predictable, you might not. I liked it and it made the entire story a rather satisfying read.

I found it odd how I found Jessica so annoying in the first half, and then in the last half Lucius took her place. Perhaps it was meant to be that way? you just wanted to smack both them upside the head and make them see reason it was so frustrating! (but frustrating in a good way). As characters, I like Lucius the most (who wouldn't?) he oozes charm and probably could have easily swept me off my feet and we would have done a rendition of that Red Bull commercial (you know, the one with the vampire). He may have been aggrevating at first as he's as stubborn and has to have his own way but it's all about the vampire charm. He just flips it on like a switch and you're instantly sept away. It was hard to like Jessica at first. I'm not really sure why, I just didn't warm up to her like I did with Lucius. I think it was just the way she acted in the beginning of the book. She was almost like a spoiled child and her constant repeated denial just seemed to get on my nerves. When she was faced with a real bad dilemma, I sort of felt she had brought that on herself. However as you start feeling generally annoyed at Lucius and liking Jessica more, she acts more mature and more accepting of who she is. You just see Jessica "growing up" through the plot.

Overall a good read. It's a short one, so it's something that could be read in a week or so. The plot was good and it flowed perfectly. No loose ends though! I could whine and cry out for a sequel, but I'm not so sure. Somehow this one ends up being perfect as a stand alone novel.

Reader reviewed by Megan Howell

The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .
Marrying a
vampire definitely doesn't fit into Jessica Packwood's senior year
"get-a-life" plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange
student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a
Romanian vampire princess by birth--and he's her long-lost fiance.
Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen
Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a
dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European
vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on
Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince,
stop a global vampire war--and save Lucius's soul from eternal
destruction.

When I first finished this book I was not
impressed - at first. This was a book I had to think back on. After a
few days, I found I really did like the book. Fantaskey created an
original vampire story. Every single character in this story was
amazingly developed.

Jessica is a unique character for me.
Normally you don't find girls in vampire stories like her. Which is
something I love. Yet again, she's such a detailed character that you
feel like she's a real person by the end of the book. Her parents are
hilarious.

This book took me on an emotional roller coaster
ride. Thanks to Lucius, I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't
my book so I wouldn't throw it across my room. This book will make you
mad. So if you just like the books that are simply read for enjoyment
with almost no emotional involvement... don't pick this up. You will
get tied up into it.

Reader reviewed by Natalie

Jessica is an ordinary girl living with her adoptive parents,going to math club and doing house work. then one day an exchange student named lucius comes and tells her she's a romanian princess named Antanasia who is going to be his new wive can she survive this big change?
 This book was diffrent than most books you see the chapters are diffrent mostly being one page or less, the wording is unique going from formal to normal, and the characters are somewhat relateable. The book was overall really good being diffrent and a good read!

Reader reviewed by Sara

From inside cover: Marrying a vampire definitely doesnt fit into Jessicas senior year get-a-life plan. Enter a bizarre new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu who claims Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth and hes her long-lost fiancé. Hes arrogant, officious, embarrassingly protective, and well, incredibly hot. Armed with a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampires Guide to Dating, Heath, and Emotion, Jessica tries to imagine transition from an average American teenager to a glam European vampire princess. But just when things start to heat up with Lucius, a devious cheerleader sets her sights on him. Soon Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war and save Luciuss soul from eternal damnation. All of which leaves her to wonder: Wouldnt life be easier if she could just fall for a nice mortal boy?

Favorite characters, quotes/lines: Jess: sometimes she was annoying, but for the most part I could understand why she was so upset about things& but I think she could have been a bit more understanding toward Lucius (it wasnt his fault after all!)

When I finished This Book I Felt: I had mixed feelings. I liked it, but there were parts I thought unnecessary and drawn out. I didnt think it had anything that required much thinking or inspired any outside thought.

Other Books To Read by this Author or theme: this is her first book

I would recommend this (to): young adult readers, specifically age 13-20ish