Review: Angelfall by Susan Ee

It's been six weeks since the angels of the apocalypse destroyed the world as we know it. Only pockets of humanity remain. 

Savage street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. 

When angels fly away with a helpless girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back...

I have a soft spot for stories about angels, fallen or otherwise. Maybe it's because the topic of them can be somewhat controversial or heated. Or that the possibility of them truly existing is far greater (to me) than any other kind of supernatural being. Also, it could be that the term "angel" shouldn't exactly be synonymous with sweet and innocent. 

Whatever the reason, I love the complexity that comes with angels. They are expected to be full of faith and duty, to follow the laws set before them without the leisure of free-will. But the possibilities of what would happen if they were to demand and take that free-will are endless and somewhat terrifying. Humanity could be completely obliterated, but...

Humanity has a way of surviving doesn't it? I think it has something to do with its ability to make those around it fall completely in love with it - the good, the bad... everything about it. It's endearing and addicting and it provokes a sense of protectiveness in those who come to know it. 

Maybe I'm going off the deep end with this review, but books that explore "what-ifs" tend to do that to me. Specifically dystopian novels that have a touch of the biblical.

What's my point? I love this book. There's so much unexpected that it seriously blows your mind.

The world of angels vs. humans... It's epic, and Penryn is the kick-ass character at the center of it all. She just wants to take care of her family, but finds herself, begrudgingly, playing the hero. She is courageous and determined, but has an attitude and a strong will. She has her priorities straight despite the difficulties she's faced with, and I admire her for that. 

Penryn's relationship with Raffe is hilarious and a bit tense. They build this gradual trust and bond that gets stronger with every situation they bail each other out of. It's awesome to watch these two undeniably different people become close in a way that is realistic and believable. Nothing about their relationship is forced or rushed, and with the epidemic of insta-connections, I found it refreshing. 

The world-building is incredible. From the intricate and political society of the angels to the rebellious and growing group of humans ready and willing to fight for their home... It's madness. Then there's the little things like Penryn's nearly broken family and Raffe's longing to be whole again. It's emotionally taxing... but fulfilling at the same time. It really is one of those stories that has it all.

Read it. 

5/5 STARS

Cheers!  

Tour Stop! Review: Fall For Me by K.A. Last

“Angels aren’t supposed to fall in love, especially with each other. But for the record, you were worth it.”

Grace Tate is a Protection Angel and Vampire Hunter, and she has always followed the rules. But some rules are made to be broken…

Until now the fight against evil has been simple, and falling in love was never part of the plan. So what happens when it’s beyond Grace’s control, and when she least expects it she falls for the wrong person?

All hell breaks loose, that’s what.

At Hopetown Valley High, not everything is as it seems, and the one person Grace thought was her enemy becomes her most important ally.

Blood will be shed, lives will be lost and friendships will be tested. It all comes down to one decision, and when Grace tries to save all those dear to her, she realises not everyone can be—or wants to be—saved.

Angels and vampires? When I found out about this interesting combination, I really couldn't resist.

I was struck by the unique and completely underdone dynamic in this novel. Usually we've got the vulnerable girl needing to be rescued by the strong, supernatural guy. Grace is anything but a damsel in distress, and while I felt that her connection with Josh was sudden and overwhelming (something that is overdone), I still think she kicks some major butt. She doesn't need to be saved and she's not afraid to do what's in her heart.

I loved Grace's relationship with her twin brother, Archer. His snark and ego only made him more lovable in my eyes, and I really enjoyed the connection, secrets, and legacies they shared. It's strange but unique, and their family's story really needs its own novel.

Seth is, by far, my favorite. He's the bad boy with the dark, mysterious personality, so it's no wonder. The love triangle between Seth, Josh, and Grace is pretty tug-of-war, but I'm leaning toward Seth, if I have to choose a side.

The characters in this story stand out with their own personalities. They each have a face and a voice, but there was something about them that lacked that "umph." I was wrapped up in the story, but I didn't feel a strong connection with them. Their emotions and point-of-views sometimes felt pretty out-of-nowhere, kind like the attraction between Grace and Josh. There were times that they just didn't feel genuine.

I liked the writing style and the dual point-of-view, but the story did feel to progress slowly. When jumping from one character's view to another, the story would step back a few paces and go through a scene we just experienced again from the other side of the spectrum. It felt like the whole "one-step forward-two-steps-back" kind of thing. However, K.A. Last has a definite talent for storytelling and description. The fight scenes were awesome and I could always envision what was happening as if I were watching a movie instead of reading a book.

The combo of vampires and angels, the storyline, and the complexity of the relationships between the characters will have me recommending this novel. While I did feel a few negatives, the positives far outweigh anything critical I could have to say. I look forward to reading the prequel, Sacrifice, and the sequel, Fight for Me soon!

K. A. Last was born in Subiaco, Western Australia, and moved to Sydney with her parents and older brother when she was eight. Artistic and creative by nature, she studied Graphic Design and graduated with an Advanced Diploma. After marrying her high school sweetheart, she concentrated on her career before settling into family life. Blessed with a vivid imagination, she began writing to let off creative steam, and fell in love with it. She now resides in a peaceful leafy suburb north of Sydney with her husband, their two children and a rabbit named Twitch.

Website ~ GoodReads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter 

Happy Reading Everyone :)

Blog Tour Stop: Review ~ Inescapable by Amy Bartol

My name is Evie Claremont and this was to be the making of me--my freshman year of college. I had been hoping that once I had arrived on Crestwood's campus, the nightmare that I've been having would go away. It hasn't.

I may be an inexperienced seventeen-year-old, but I'm grounded...sane. Since meeting sophomore Reed Wellington, however, nothing makes any sense. Whenever he is near, I feel an attraction to him--a magnetic kind of force pulling me towards him. I know what you're thinking...that sounds fairly awesome. Yeah, it would--if he liked me, but Reed acts as if I'm the worst thing that's ever happened to Crestwood...or him. But, get this, for some reason every time I turn around he's there, barging into my life.

What is the secret he is keeping from me? I'm hoping that it is anything but what I expect: that he is not exactly normal...and neither am I. So maybe Crestwood won't be the making of me, but it could be the breaking of me. I have been left to wonder if the dark future my dream is foretelling is...inescapable.

Don't stress, I tell myself while taking a deep breath. This will be the making of you. Everything will be fine. 

 Oh, Evie. If you only you knew how right you were. The story opens up with Evie moving in to her new dorm at Crestwood, away from everything and everyone she knows ~ her parental Uncle Jim in particular. She's a little anxious, and it's no wonder with the nightmares that keep her up at night. Will this be a fresh start? Will this next chapter in her life put the dark dreams behind her?

Meeting Reed Wellington kind of puts a damper on those hopes. He's a bit controlling, definitely pushy, and there's something about Evie that gets his panties in a twist to the point that he wants her gone ~ as in leaving school and throwing away her scholarship. What on earth did she ever do to Mr. Perfect to make him treat her like some kind of plague?

What's up with hotness? I wonder. He looks like someone definitely broke his crayons.

Evie's pretty stubborn though, and her charisma allows her to make friends easily. Even, eventually, when it comes to Reed. I love Evie. She's smart, witty, strong, hilarious, and she always wants to do the right thing. She's not perfect and she gets confused with the battle between her mind and heart, but her intentions tend to lean on the side of good. She knows there's something different about her, and after spending time with Reed, she begins to suspect that he might have some answers.

If she wants to experience what it would be like to pull some teeth, that is. Reed is a vague creature, unwilling to simply hand over everything Evie wants to know. Most of what he does tell her comes without much explanation. Vague at best. Which is probably the only problem that I had with the novel. Evie just falls into the little information that Reed tells her, believing him without any real objections or skepticism. I don't know about you, but I would be freaking out if I knew I was in imminent and fatal danger, and I would be demanding to know what the heck it was about me that would cause such a situation to arise. Evie just kinda goes with the flow; worrying, fearing, but never really asking why or how this has begun to happen to her.

On the other hand, maybe she never really wanted to know. She says herself that she was in denial, and maybe that's what it was all about ~ ignore it and maybe it'll go away. She's afraid, but even in her rocky relationship with Reed, she knows he'll keep her safe.

Evie and Reed's relationship is... interesting. It's like two magnets of opposing poles being drawn together. There attraction is sudden and consistent, like they have no control, even when they aren't together. Poor Russell, the enigmatic football player who befriends Evie from day one. He never stood a chance. Or did he? Time will tell. I know love triangles are overdone, for the most part, but I don't feel like this one follows the rules of the typical tug-of-war. It's different, and while I'm quite certain Evie knows what's in her heart, I'm really not sure what's going to happen.

"Red, I know ya don't know much about men, but seein' ya there like that, it just hits ya and ya start thankin' God that there is such beauty in the world and that yer lucky enough to have seen it." ~ Russell

Russell's my favorite by the way ~ southern boy charm mixed together with the biggest heart you've ever seen. Love him to pieces.

Another little side note: I love the way Amy Bartol wrote each character. They are all so distinct and believable in their personalities. The angels, who's lives have spanned for eternity, are obviously a little old fashioned in their dialogue and sense of humor. Buns and Brownie had their own little quirks when they speak and Russell... well, you could just hear the southern twang in your head as you read him. As a character-driven reader, I couldn't ask for more than the depth and dynamic attributes of these characters.

The story itself is freakin' awesome. So many different elements are brought together to create a very unique story that includes angels, reapers, demons, wars, hybrids, soul-mates, ghosts... It's incredible and just flows effortlessly. And the twists? Usually I can predict or at least have a suspicion of what might happen, but not in Inescapable. I didn't see that one coming.

All in all ~ Fabulous book that would highly recommend :) Four out of five stars!!!

****

Visit Amy Bartol via

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ GoodReads ~ Website

Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's teaser hails from Requiem by Jamie McGuire:

"Jared and Bex stood next to the bed with terror in their eyes. "She was at least four feet above the bed!" Bex said, his eyes wide. "Has that happened before?"






Enjoy!

Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~