Review: "Dark Companion" by Marta Acosta

Dark Companion

Marta Acosta

Expected Publication Date: July 3, 2012

Publisher: Tor Teen

ARC 356 pgs

Summary:

     Jane Williams has spent the majority of her life in foster homes after the death of her mother. When she gets the chance to attend the prestigious Birch Grove Academy she accepts, more than willing to leave her desoulte life behind. While at the academy Jane makes friends who help her navigate her way through a world she's never experienced. Jane also meets the incrediably attractive Lucian, the headmistress's son, as well as his infruiting brother, Jacob. She soon comes to realize that life at Birch Grove is not what it seems. What is really going on at the academy and what does it have to do with Jane?

Review:

     Dark Companion is dark and gritty. The main character, Jane's life has been about surviving in a harsh environment. Many of those around her have succumbed to doing whatever it takes to survive, including dealing drugs and prostitution. After a tragic incident Jane decides to turn her life around through pure determination. She studies hard gets good grades which allow her to get accepted into the prominent Birch Grove Academy. Life at Birch Grove is as different from her former life as one can expect.

     Jane is a very determined girl who is both street and book smart but a little socially awkward. She's cautious because of the way that she grew up, though she does come out of her shell as she begins to get comfortable at life at the academy. At times I was annoyed by some of her choices. She seemed too easily swayed by a pretty face. One of my favorie characters is one of the girls Jane meets at the academy, Mary Violet (MV). She's funny, caring, and totally dramatic. I looked forward to her scenes wondering what she would say next. She made the book really enjoyable for me.  Lucian (Lucky) and Jacob (Jack)  are brothers who are very different from one another. Lucky is the guy that every girl wants and he definitely knows it. Jack on the other hand is sarcastic and does whatever he wants which happens to include annoying Jane. Each boy plays a part in Jane's new life. There are a ton of other characters that inhabit the world created by Marta Acosta.

     Everything wrapped up nicely but I could see another book about Jane and Birch Grove Academy. I loved that it took awhile for me to figure out what was going on at the academy. There were several plot twists that made this book exciting. I don't like it when a book is too predictable and you know what's going to happen before it does. I also like there is a mystery that the main character ends up trying to solve. Overall, Dark Companion is a pretty good book and if there was another book about these characters I would definitely read it. 

Cover:

     I love that the girl is only shown from the back. She's facing an eerie forest which makes me wonder if she's going in to face the danger that may be waiting there. Very pretty!