Darkness Becomes Her (Gods and Monsters Series Book 1) by Kelly Keaton

Darkness Becomes Her is the Kelly Keaton's YA debut.  This book is the first in her Gods & Monsters Series.  It's an intoxicating mixture of Greek myth and folk legend with a healthy dose of the magic that only New Orleans can provide.

New Orleans and half of the state of Louisiana was destroyed by hurricanes and storms.  The Nine Families of the Novem bought the wasteland that had been their home from the US government and made it a sanctuary for their familes and others like them who fall outside the realm of "normal."  Ariastnae "Ari" Selkirk just wants to find out who her parents were and why she was surrendered at the age of four to Social Services and the Foster Care System.  That mission is what brings her to Covington and the Rocquemore Hospital.  She's on a journey to track down any information on her mom starting at the hospital, her last known location.  Ari knows she was born in New Orleans before the storms and that her journey may take her into the Novem's territory.  What she doesn't know is what she'll find there and what she'll find out about herself along the way.

I loved every moment of this book!  It's so completely original and utterly engrossing.  I could not put it down.  I read straight through to the end and nearly screamed from frustration when the book ended.  Kelly's world building is phenomenal and every moment is so rich and vibrant that you can almost reach out and touch it.  Ari is a great female lead who can kick some butt and who enjoys a nice dress from time to time.  She very much has that Urban Fantasy female lead feel to her character like Mercy Thompson or Anita Blake.  Sebastian is wonderful as well.  Handsome and strong but inside he is unsure of who he is and where he fits in New 2.  He's a really compelling character.  This book was a wonderfully magical read that I'd recommend for readers sixteen and up due to swearing, scenes of violence and discussion of rape.  I highly recommend you try this book.  One of 2011's GREAT YA debuts!

Darkness Becomes Her earns 4 Fairies for a great story with a spooky location.

You can find out more about Kelly Keaton and her books by visiting her website or by following her on Twitter or Facebook!