Review Detail

Reader reviewed by kim

Torn from her native New York City, nickname-loving Candice (or Dice) is resigned to accept her fate when her family moves to Swoon Connecticut, a place where nothing ever happens. That is until spoiled cousin Penelope, better known as Pen, has a near fatal fall from an ancient ash tree. Pen's body is infiltrated by the vengeful spirit of an eighteenth century man bent on revenge against the descendants of those who unjustly murdered him. In an attempt to save Pen from the possession, Dice accidentally frees the spirit of Sinclair Youngblood Powers (aptly nicknamed Sin), and installs him into the body of a real flesh-and-blood man. Now more dangerous than ever, Sin awakens the quiet, cookie cutter small town to their darkest, most suppressed desires and subsequently leaves a path of destruction in his wake. Dice is the only person who can save her friends and family from Sin. But theres just one problem- shes inexplicably, utterly in love with him. In setting Sin free, she knows shell lose him forever.

Swoon was a dark, edgy and sensual read. The starkly beautiful prose in which Malkin constructs her sentences was like a breath of fresh air, and I found myself wanting to savor each delicious turn of the page. By far, my favorite character was Dice. Told in the first person narrative, her observations were so wry and so honest, I felt like I was transported into the book and literally sitting right next to her while she told me her story. I understood why she was so conflicted in her feelings, especially when it came to Sin. And lets talk about Sin, shall we? Sin was so witty, so ruthless and so insanely passionate. Not to mention gorgeous and a gentleman (in his own warped way). There were times when I knew I should hate him, but I simply could not. It was easy to see how Dice could fall for him, who wouldn't?

The following is a really great moment between Sin and Dice after she realizes she was tricked into releasing Sin into a body of his own, and illustrates how mischievous and conniving Sin could be-

It was impossible. I believed in the big bang theory, in evolution. Besides, I was no god, or goddess, witch, whatever. Except Sin was there, in flesh and ...what, mud? Leaves? That extra special ingredient of my own tears? Only he couldnt be! I did those things, yes but for the opposite reason. What I did each word was a sharp pebble from a quarry below my lungs- was supposed to bring you peace.

Sin smiled. A dissolute, ferocious thing in his face.

Its a lovely night, my belly is full, and Im in the presence of a beautiful woman. I couldnt be more at peace. (Page 152)

There are a lot of conflicting reviews I have read about this book. Though I agree with other reviewers that the writing could meander a bit, the characters were so well developed and the atmosphere so hauntingly decadent, I was able to overlook it with no problem. Many people also objected to the parade of lust left behind as Sin ran rampant through the former mild mannered town. While I can understand that, I personally did not think it was portrayed in an overtly explicit manner. However, with that being said, Swoon is not a book that everyone will love, and it's definitely geared toward older, more mature teens.

BOTTOM LINE: Swoon is a novel that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. Its a smartly written, achingly beautiful novel about improbable love and unimaginable loss.