The Collector (Dante Walker #1) by Victoria Scott

Title: The Collector (Dante Walker #1)

Author: Victoria Scott
Release date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 400
Source: Publisher
Reading level: YA

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence has made him one of Hell’s best–a soul collector. His 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 he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal opportunity collector and doesn’t want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within 10 days.

Dante doesn’t know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of Hell. But after Dante meets the quirky, Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect–he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector, and uncover emotions deeply buried.

The Collector has been very high on my to-read list ever since I first heard about it.  When review copies started popping up and fabulous reviews followed, I moved it even higher on the list.  While I didn’t adore the book as much as I had hoped to, I was still greatly impressed with Victoria Scott’s debut novel.
The best and worst thing about The Collector was Dante Walker himself.  I was a little disappointed with him as a character.  Sure he was hot (or as hot as any fictional character can be) but I didn’t really consider him someone that I would fall in love with.  He was quite a bit of a jerk to be completely honest.  Charlie was not an attractive girl but Dante literally tore her apart and brought to light every single flaw she had.  And he didn’t just do it in his head.  He actually told Charlie everything wrong with her and made her believe that she needed to change so that someone like Dante could love her.  I did not approve of that at all and it made me sad to see someone like Dante being considered this awesome love interest.  Sure he kind of shows some redeeming qualities towards the end of the book but I still didn’t really like him.  I hope his good qualities (if he has them) show through in the next book.
The rest of the characters made up for Dante though.  Charlie was by far the best.  She was so free-spirited and kind.  She was a truly good person who didn’t have to be.  Her life was very messed up but instead of feeling sorry for herself she helped other people so they never had to feel like she did.  She was very innocent and naive though which got to be a little annoying.  Her friends and family were awesome.  Grams cracked me up.  Seriously, she was amazing.  I dare you not to love her.  The same goes for Charlie’s friends.  They were so funny and kind and they both truly loved Charlie.  They looked out for her and they were always there for her.  They were true friends to Charlie.  Even Dante had a friend who was pretty awesome.  Max was a little odd at first and I wasn’t sure about him but he grew on me throughout the book.
The story was a little unbelievable at times but otherwise I have to say that it impressed me.  It’s a unique story even though the angels and demons thing has been done so many times in the past.  Honestly, I think it only became unbelievable at times because Victoria Scott was trying to steer away from the mainstream angels and demons story.  I’m glad to say that it ended up being unlike anything I’ve read and it had me thoroughly hooked and completely shocked by the end.  The Collector is one book you won’t be able to put down once you start it.
Overall, The Collector certainly had it’s flaws but I’d say the good outweighed the bad.  Victoria Scott has me intrigued enough to check out the next book and to recommend this one for fans of the paranormal and a truly bad boy.
Looking for more reviews of The Collector by Victoria Scott?
Series:
The Collector (#1)
The Liberator (#2) – September 3, 2013
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11 comments

  1. I loved this book! I agree sometimes it was a bit over the top, but it never bothered me at all, I guess it just fit for this one. Glad you enjoyed it!

  2. I really liked this one too but I also had a few of the same issues with Dante. He wasn’t quite as ‘swoony’ as I was hoping. I like a bad boy, but he didn’t personally appeal to me like I hoped. Still loved the turnaround we did see though! 🙂

  3. I’ve been debating reading this one for quite some time now! I’ve heard such great things but it never really interested me. Dante really doesn’t sound like my type of character and I’m on a break with angels and demons at the moment. The author is signing here though so I just might end up reading it at some point! Fantastic review Katie <3

    Jasmine

  4. Ewww. Dante seems like an absolute asshole. I absolutely hate it when jerky male leads are portrayed in a positive light because they’re attractive and cocky. It’s one of my big pet peeves. Hmm, this is good to know now! I admit to being a little seduced by all the hype surrounding this book, but it’s definitely going to be a library book.

  5. This book is one of my favorites! I LOVE Dante! His attitude and tone was so much fun, but I’m also happy he grew kinder and more open-minded throughout the book.

    I loved all the characters and the world!

    Lovely review 🙂