Existence (2011) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 5 stars

“Wow! What a cliffhanger! I can't wait for the next book in this series! This was a great read and I had a hard time putting it down.

When I first started reading this book, I was a little put off by the main characters names. Pagan? Dank? I don't know where on Earth the author came up with those. Okay, I could live with Pagan, but Dank? Really? Thank goodness I ended up loving these characters.

Pagan sees the souls of the dead. They pop up everywhere, but never talk to her—until one actually does. Only he's not the typical dead soul. He (Dank) is something far more than just a soul—he's Death and Pagan's number is up, or it's suppose to be anyway.

This book has a way of drawing you in and forces you to keep turning the pages despite the ridiculous names of the main characters. There's romance, mystery, and even a brief stay at a mental institution. Not to mention, what a great book cover! Dank's eyes are just swoon worthy.

Existence is a definite MUST read!”

• Rated 4 stars

“It was a highly entertaining story, and I loved the protagonist. The plot was moving from beginning to end.”

• Rated 3 stars

“Great for a short read and a shocking ending!!!”

• Rated 5 stars

“Excellent!!! I absolutly love it!”

• Rated 4 stars

“great mysterious YA paranormal romance. a new twist on death!”

• Rated 4 stars

“This was a good experience. Characters are good and generally it was ok and quite enjoyable. I have never read this kind of teenage paranormal romance so it was all new to me. I think the author had a lot of imagination. Nothing special, but still better than most of the stuff that's 'hot' nowadays.”

• Rated 5 stars

“Pagan Moore is a normal high school student, well at least as normal as you can get when you see dead souls. This has been going on for most of Pagan's life and for the most part, she has been able to ignore it, until she meets Dank Walker (Dank is short for Dankmar, which actually means "famous for his spirit"). Not only does Dank speak to her, which none of the other souls have ever done, he is smoking hot to boot. The only problem is that Dank is also Death, and Death has come for Pagan. He just didn't expect to fall in love with her.

I really loved this book. Abbi Glines has done an outstanding job writing this paranormal romance. The world that Abbi creates in Existence is totally believable and the paranormal aspect of the story is intriguing and exciting. The supporting characters add comic relief, especially Miranda and Gee, and the book is full of mystery and suspense, keeping you on your toes and keeping you turning the pages to see what happens next. There is a love triangle involving the oh so perfect high school quarterback, who is definitely swoon worthy, but he isn't what he seems to be either. Then, there is the romance.....the catch your breath and fan your face kind. If you have ever read any of Abbi's Glines' books, you will know that she definitely has a way with the romance, and boy does she make it sizzle - I think this is her trademark, because she doesn't disappoint in any of her books. I mean seriously, anyone who can make Death hot (and Abbi makes him as hot at the guy on the cover of the book) has got some serious talent. If you love Romance, especially the paranormal kind, then you will definitely love Existence.

Quote: "You tempt me. I can't be tempted. I'm not made to be tempted, but you, Pagan Moore, you tempt me. From the moment I came for you I was drawn in. Everything about you..."

I can't wait for the second book in the series, Predestined, to come out on April 3, 2012.
”

• Rated 5 stars

“FINISHED IN ONE FRICKIN DAY BECAUSE I COULDNT PUT IT DOWN!!!! LOVED IT!!!!!!”

• Rated 5 stars

“Pagan Moore can see dead people. They can’t/don’t talk to her, but she can see them. One day, there appears to be a spirit outside of school. But he can talk. Which shocks her! The fact that she can see him, shocks him!
This talking ghost seems to be stalking Pagan Moore. Then one day he enrolls in her High School…and turns out to be the lead singer for the rock group “Cold Soul”…his name is Dank Walker (yes, really.). Dank seems to save Pagan from an almost fatal car wreck…which causes other weird things to happen, including other talking ghosts stalking her. Dank can’t or won’t answer Pagan’s questions and her growing feelings for him and starting to affect her relationship with her quarterback boyfriend. Pagan quests for answers and is surprised by what she finds out.

I’ve given Abbi Glines some flak for her choice in names. She did explain that Dank’s whole name is “Dankmar” which means “Famous for his Spirit”. OK, I can see that, but I still think she should have explained that in the book…and maybe not paired it with “Walker” as a last name because the images it conjures for me are of a mostly decomposed zombie walking through a Georgia swamp. LOL, but I’ve totally digressed!

When I read the synopsis for this story I thought it was going to be an homage to the movie “Death Takes a Holiday” or the newer version, “Meet Joe Black”…but as usual I was wrong. Wasn’t even close.

Death is not taking a holiday, he just becomes fascinated by Pagan. Pagan is a good girl…nice, sweet, is brave enough to share her honest thoughts and feelings about something and is quick to apologize and rectify is she is wrong. She is sensitive to others, and roots for the underdog. Glines gives her characters a good balance of characteristics. They are good with a rebellious streak, or “bad” but totally redeemable. And I’m a sucker for a happy ending…although this ending had quite the cliffhanger! Can’t wait for the next installment, “Predestined”! It’s gonna be GOOD!
”

• Rated 4 stars

“I loved this book! Can't wait for the other two in the trilogy. The characters, while having odd names, were amazing. I knew there was a cliff-hanger, so that didn't catch me by surprise.

hope the next book is from Dank's POV. ”