The Collector by Victoria Scott Review

"I am The Collector. It's not as bad as it sounds. I'm kinda like Santa Claus. We're both jolly guys with a passion for frosted cookies, the color red... and sorting souls. 

My job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and I get the fun ones." - Dante Walker

My Rating: 

Book: The Collector (Dante Walker #1)
Author: Victoria Scott
Page Numbers: 352 pages
Publication date: March 25th, 2013
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My Review:

It is so fun and refreshing to realize while you are reading a book that you know you are going to absolutely love it. Lately I have been reading such 'heavy' (but good!) novels, that I didn't realize how much in need I was for something a bit more 'nonchalant' (not meant in a negative way), hilarious, exciting, original, and an entertaining read. My desire was met through The Collector by Victoria Scott. I had read some other book reviewers rave about this book, so when I received The Collector through NetGalley, I was more than thrilled!

I really loved everything about this book from the diverse characters, to the snide, sarcastic and hilarious narration and writing style, to the non stop action happening throughout.  

Let's get into the details.

Our main character, Dante Walker is a collector of souls for the underworld (a.k.a. hell). He is a cocky, arrogant, confident, humorous and uber sarcastic character. He is considered the best collector to roam around hell and earth and is therefore considered the right hand man for Boss Man (aka Lucifer). He is sent on a mission by Boss Man, to collect the soul of a 'puberistic' teenager named Charlie Cooper within ten days, and as a reward he will receive a promotion to Director (which means he will never have to go back to hell again).

When he meets Charlie, his first impression is superficial. He only looks at her physicality and construes her as ugly, unpopular and unworthy. It is therefore no surprise that he initially has no problem with collecting such an innocent soul. Throughout his mission, he starts becoming more paranoid about the motives as to why Boss Man wants to have her soul, and he can't shake the feeling that he is consistently being watched by another collector.

Dante goes through an amazing transitional journey where he not only discovers his deepest and dearest emotions which still sparks within him, but that he realizes he will soon will need to face the hardest choices of his life between what is truly right and wrong.

With full determination I can say hands down that Dante is thus far my favorite male fictional character. He is so much more than just 'another paranormal hunk'. He has so much spunk and personality to him that I could not refrain from consistently giggling, laughing out loud, and feel compassion for the nature of his character. He really does create the story and I truly believe that if Dante's character did not exist that this book would not have been half as fantastic as it is.

All the other characters, Charlie Cooper and her friends, Annabelle and Blue, and even Charlie's grandmother, make the entire novel complete. Each represents a significant piece of the story which makes the book as a whole such a great read. I connected with all the characters, even the evil popular high school girls and boys. Victoria Scott really knows the mind of a teenager and she is not afraid to add a bit of feistiness to the mix.

The writing style is just hilarious! Because the point of view and narration goes through Dante's eyes and thoughts, I was consistently entertained. The story has a great flow to it and it is such a fast paced book that I was trying to pace myself to not finish it too quickly!

I definitely recommend this book to any reader who is up for a great adventure laced with an abundance of romance, super natural hotness, non stop humor, and thrilling and unpredictable twists. If you want to read the next hottest paranormal book, then look no further and get The Collector now in your hands (or on your kindle).

I know most of you have probably by now already heard or read The Collector, so I would love to know what your thoughts are! Let me know in the comments below!