REVIEW: If I Should Die (Revenants #3)

If I Should Die (Revenants #3), by Amy Plum
To Be Published May 7, 2013
Publisher:  Harper Teen
Format:  Paperback ARC - provided by Harper Teen
Genre:  Paranormal Romance, YA

Rating:  5 STARS

(From Goodreads) I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

What a heart-stopping, action-packed, swoon-worthy end to this amazing series. If I Should Die starts mere minutes after the conclusion of Until I Die. (I have to thank the amazing Amy Plum for this. I hate when we lose so much time between books!) If I had had time, I would've re-read Die For Me and Until I Die before starting this book. But, when the ARC for If I Should Die appeared on my doorstep, I started in on it immediately. And, thankfully, Plum's storytelling helped me remember the small bits I had forgotten, which weren't many. So, never fear if you don't have the time for a re-read either. Unlike with some books, I didn't find that I needed it to fall right into the story.
 
Vincent and Kate's future together were left in limbo when Vincent was, for all intents and purposes, killed. Like, for good. The beginning of If I Should Die was very emotional as we see Kate and the rest of the Paris Revenants trying to come to grips with this fact. Vincent is still with them after a fashion, and those scenes between he and Kate were so heartbreaking. 

But, it is through this situation that we see how Kate has grown since the beginning of Die For Me. Then, her grief nearly paralyzed her, keeping her from living her life to its fullest. Now, in If I Should Die, Kate's grief fuels a fire in her that demands answers and retribution, to some extent. She is spurred to action and doesn't accept what everyone else says is inevitable. 

And, Vincent? Well, he's always been amazing. Hell, even without a body, this guy is one of the most romantic ones ever. His love, protection and dominance over situations has been constant. 

We had a chance to see some of the supporting characters shine in If I Should Die. Ambrose, Aurthur, Jules, Georgia, Gerhard - even Mamie and Papy - added so much depth to this story. So many times, all the life is given to the main two characters and the supporting cast are so cardboard. Flat. If I Should Die is not just the story of Kate and Vincent. It's all these people and how they work together to fix a problem. Well, several problems, really. But they all have so much life. Which is awesome, because I have come to love all these characters so much.  

All of the problems and questions that we had at the end of Until I Die are resolved in one way or another. And, they are resolved in epic, ass kicking fashion. New relationships form. Old ones are stripped apart. I am telling you - it does not disappoint.

While you're waiting for If I Should Die to come out, check out my reviews for Die For Me and Until I Die. Trust me when I tell you to add this book to your TBR pile. Pre-order it. You won't be sorry.