Review: World After by Susan Ee

Title: World After (#2)
Author: Susan Ee
Published: November 19, 2013
Pages: 438
Series: Penryn & the End of Days
Source: purchased

Goodreads Summary: In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

**REVIEW**

Since the sequel picked up right where 'Angelfall' left off you got to experience Penryn's off-the-bat feelings about everything.

It was painfully authentic how she struggled to cope with what her sister had been turned into. Despite Paige's horrifying transformation there's still an uncertainty about her and if the little girl could still be there. You're taken on a snaky path of revelations and learn what actually happened to Paige, the deal with the scorpion creatures, and the grand plan of it all.

I enjoyed 'World After' for the same reasons as 'Angelfall'; Ee's compelling way of telling a story and the evenly pounding pacing with bursts of action and unpredictable turns. The courageous, sensible, and likable heroine. We get to experience Penryn's fierce independence, because (besides the momentary company of her bizarre yet tremendously entertaining mother, or so) she's getting in and out of trouble on her own.

Then there's the sword. How I ended up really caring for a sword, is beyond me. I was intrigued by its way of communicating through Penryn's dreams and Raffe's memories - I think more of the latter would've been amazing and might have distracted from his absense, meanwhile opening him up to Penryn and the reader. Seeing the memories with Penryn through his point-of-view, was gold.

Raffe isn't present until late in the book, and boy, I missed him. Although I applaud Ee for a realistic, solid, and aching relationship build-up, I just craved his presence. And banter. That's why I fell in love with the first book. It's funny how I bonded more with the sword than Raffe now.

However, for those who haven't read the book yet, obviously you have to. Because Penryn and Raffe may or may not be in a beach house, in front of a fire, having heart-twisting and witty dialogue that made me want to jump around or squeal into a pillow. There may or may not be a little stripping involved, too.

The ending did leave me hanging a little and I can't imagine where it'll go from here.

(4/5)

Review: Angelfall by Susan Ee

Title: Angelfall (#1)
Author: Susan Ee
Published: May 21, 2011
Pages: 283
Series: Penryn & The End of Days
Source: purchased

Goodreads Summary: It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

**REVIEW**

There are two kinds of amazing books: the ones you can't stop raving about, and the ones that leave you at a loss for words. 'Angelfall was the latter for me. I don't know what to say and I'm sure everything and more has already been said about this phenomenal book.

The post-apocalyptic world by Ee, where angels are the enemies of the people, was fantastically well-written. The world-building was mind-blowing. From the moment I started reading 'Angelfall' I could not tear away. Ee takes you on an insane journey, from start to finish. Perfect pacing, solid writing, crazy storyline. 

Penryn was plain kick-ass, instantly adding to the list of my favorite heroines of all time - fearless, yet vulnerable and relatable. I don't think I've ever read a book with such poignant and interesting characters. Besides strong, sharp, mesmerizing Raffe, I was immensely impressed with Ee's portrayal of Penryn's schizophrenic mother and their relationship.

Back to Raffe. I mean, seriously! Have mercy. He was intriguing, witty, real, and unpredictable. Romance is not a focus and I wouldn't have wanted it to be, because then I wouldn't have been so caught off guard and frantic when a kiss may or may not have occurred. And I wouldn't have been taken aback by what Raffe may or may not have said afterwards. And I wouldn't have realized how much I cared about these characters.

The first half of the book already had my full attention, the second half totally slammed me. There are some pretty graphic, nightmarish, did-I-just-read-that scenes. Utterly shocking twists and turns. If you won't read this book for its action or characters, you'll want to read it for the plot. Really, you'll want to read about these angels. You'll want to know if Penryn finds her little sister. Because it is that intense.

I'll start the sequel in about thirty seconds. 'Angelfall' is action-packed, well-written, and character driven - the recipe for "must read."

(5/5)

Review: Revival (The Variant Series #1) by Jena Leigh

Title: Revival (#1)
Author: Jena Leigh
Published: November 14, 2012
Pages: 282
Series: The Variant
Source: purchased

Goodreads summary: Possessing the uncanny ability to fry a television set from twenty paces can really wreck a girl’s social life.

If you’re looking for proof, just ask sixteen-year-old Alexandra Parker. After catching her boyfriend in the arms of the prettiest girl in school, she made the journey from social elite to social pariah in a haze of electricity and exploding electronics. But finding herself at the bottom of Bay View High’s social hierarchy was nothing compared to the shock of discovering who—and what—she really is.

After being zapped out of a burning bookstore by the mysterious Declan—a hero nearly as handsome as he is infuriating—Alex finds herself under the protection of the powerful Grayson family. It’s through them that she learns the truth: that the world she’s always known is nothing like it appears to be... and that she has far more in common with them than she might want to believe.

Now, on the run from a fire-wielding hit man and a secretive government organization, Alex must navigate a strange and treacherous new world filled with superhuman mutants known as Variants. As she begins to unravel the many secrets of her family’s past, she uncovers the real reason for her parents’ death twelve years earlier—and finds out that the threat to her family, and to everyone she cares about, is still dangerously real.

**REVIEW**

The first thing about 'Revival' that got my attention was the quality writing - Leigh has a smooth and natural writing style. I liked it a lot. Her point came across easily and the writing just felt very thought-out and uncluttered. The storyline flowed, having the perfect mixture of intrigue, banter, and the supernatural.

I enjoyed the fun parts as much as the serious ones and how Leigh kept the story balanced between the two. 

'Revival' was shortly narrated from different character's third-person point-of-view (but mostly the main character, Alexandra) and I loved it, which I rarely, if ever, do. It gave the story so many layers and I cared to get to know the other characters because they were all so darn likable!

There are many character involved and they're all interesting and substantial in their own way. I was curious of John Grayson's story and enjoyed reading about the Grayson family in general. I even liked the villain because he was so solid.

Although Alexandra and Declan spend some time together and are clearly attracted to each other, there wasn't really more than sweet or suggesting moments, and a pinch of jealousy involving Nathan. It was all innocent and subtle.

As mentioned, I found all characters likable, however, when it came to a potential romance I'm glad Leigh didn't pursue it. The entire book is set over a period of a week. A single week. So it wasn't realistic for any characters to develop feelings for each other.

There were some unexpected twists in the story and intriguing revelations. My only problem was that there wasn't a climax. The whole story just goes evenly. I was sure that no matter how late in the book, something shocking would occur (well, it had to?), but it never did.

The awfully small and short conflict at the very end (regarding the secret government organization) was disappointing, consisting of a conversation, easily resolved by a little talking back and forth. Yes, talking - not exactly what I'd expected.

There are also a lot of unanswered questions when the book ends, threads that's been pulled throughout the story but that still hang loose. I hope the sequel will catch you up and give you more of a conclusive experience when you finish it.

Other than that, 'Revival' was entertaining and enjoyable. Definitely look out for this author.

3.9/5

Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Title: Unearthly (#1)

Author: Cynthia Hand

Published: January 4, 2011

Pages: 464

Series: Trilogy - 'Hallowed' (published January 17, 2012) and 'Boundless' follow

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: When Clara Gardner learns she’s part angel, her entire life changes. She now has a purpose, a specific task she was put on this earth to accomplish, except she doesn’t know what it is. Her visions of a raging forest fire and a mysterious boy lead her to a new high school in a new town but provide no clear instruction. As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she’d have to make—between the boy in her vision and the boy in her life, between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. . . . When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

**REVIEW**

I ended up reading 'Unearthly' in one sitting - skipping right over dinner. At first I wasn't sure I was going to like it; the beginning moved quickly (one moment Carla has her vision and the next she and her family have moved to a new state to fulfill her purpose), and the angel front was a little too blunt and direct for my taste.

Even though I thought it was interesting that young angels got visions about their purpose on earth, a mission they were meant to complete, there wasn't particularly a new and refreshing take on them otherwise.

I think the mystery revolving the boy Carla sees in her vision (and appears to be meant to save) could've built up for much longer. Carla finds him almost immediately, and so simply, and the whole thing just feels less exciting. Although, the vision remains an enigma throughout the book and will still have you wondering what it is that's going to happen.

Readers will have different opinions on the high school parts of 'Unearthly.' Carla being an angel (well, half) and having this vision she's trying to figure out is never forgotten but there is a good chunk of just being a teenager and I actually found those parts very charming and enjoyable.

The classroom scenes were so funny and I loved Carla's friends, they were just really great and well-written, the kind of characters you'd like as your own friends because they were that awesome.

Carla was a likable, enjoyable protagonist and narrator. I have to say the whole deal with the orange hair was a little distracting (I know, it's silly. But really, all I thought about was this weird girl with dye-damaged orange hair.)

Hand did a good job of including Carla's mom and brother in the storyline, especially Jeffrey who wasn't a necessary character but who would've been missed if he'd been removed.

A love triangle was not expected, but wait.. it was sort of a non-love triangle love triangle, done with taste 

and reason.

I was totally caught off guard by Tucker. Hand really succeeded with a believable "hate turned love relationship." I made a total one-eighty - finding him rude and obnoxious to funny and charming. I did in fact like Christian and his subtle ways, as well, but he was held at a distance where you didn't really know where you had him. Tucker had such charisma, he had me smiling like an idiot.

I was intrigued by the concept of the Black Wings (totally adored the idea that Black Wings oozed this painful sorrow about them) but the one big encounter with a Black Wing left me unsatisfied, and frankly, a little weirded out. I'd hoped there'd be more exposure to them, something I'm sure will be presented more in the second installment.

As 'Unearthly' got to its climax and everything that'd been built up regarding Carla's purpose started to unfold I found myself in an awfully tense state. There's most definitely a pleasing, interesting twist and I'm curious to see how Hand takes it from here.

(4/5)

Review: A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Title: A Beautiful Dark (#1)

Author: Jocelyn Davies

Published: September 27, 2011

Pages: 405

Series: yes (second installment 'A Fractured Light' published September 25, 2012)

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: On the night of Skye’s seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites—like fire and ice—Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye’s life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move—only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events.
Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.

In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can’t help falling for, and Devin, who she can’t stay away from, the consequences of Skye’s choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.

**REVIEW**

I went into 'A Beautiful Dark' with ease and fair interest. It was definitely fast-paced, things came about quickly in the beginning and characters were introduced right away.

My first thought was that Asher and Devin were everywhere. There they were from chapter one and then just.. everywhere. I found there was no time to really get to know them and have them grow on you before they were all in your face.

The boys, without a proper get-to-know-each-other conversation whatsoever, spoke to Skye and made constant comments to her as if they knew her after only one day at their new school. Although Asher and Devin were supposed to be complete strangers to Skye, she'd respond in the same manner. It just wasn't natural and felt manufactured.

Asher and Devin seemed to appear every nanosecond, wherever Skye turned, and I didn't understand why she immediately got so incredibly hung up on them.

At first I found that Asher and Devin's differing characteristics were very forced. We have the good guy and the bad boy and it was especially forced how they were clearly pushed to be total opposites with everything that they did.

Later on, you'll be enlightened why this was the case, but despite the gained understanding of it, it was just one of those things that were pretty typical.

Unfortunately both characters were just too obvious. They felt very head-on and decided. Rather than being charming it was as if they were told to be charming, if that makes sense.

I hate it when I don't have anything to say about the protagonist other than that they were all right. Though I think Skye needed to get her reactions checked. When Asher showed Skye his power (way before she knew anything about him or Devin) she hardly had any reaction to it, like what he could do wasn't strange at all. It was the same when she found out about her parents, she isn't bewildered or upset, instead she takes it all very smoothly.

The plot line in 'A Beautiful Dark' wasn't unheard of. Sadly, little made it original or fresh.

The big portion of the book when Skye's trying to find her powers didn't really go anywhere. I didn't get to the point of feeling it was boring but it was repetitive and refrained the story from moving forward.

I was pretty surprised to be closing in on the ending without having anything significant and conflicting occur. And then suddenly the storyline that had been somewhat uneventful until then, stirred up and there was excitement, action, and shock.

I was pleasantly shocked by the twist at the end, and I freaking loved it. Honestly, I didn't think 'A Beautiful Dark' had it in it. Up until then I didn't think I'd read the second installment (which is ironic since it was the description of the sequel that had me read the first book) but I might all because of the ending.

(3.5/5)

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Title: Everneath (#1)

Author: Brodi Ashton

Published: January 24, 2012

Pages: 384

Series: yes (second installment, 'Everbound' out January 22, 2013)

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. 

Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.

**REVIEW**

Why why why did I wait so long to read Everneath?!

I've come across this book so many times and considered it so many times, but for SOME reason (one I cannot recall as of today) I kept on going, "Nah, I don't think I'll read that." I'd read many reviews pointing out the mythological aspects of the book and perhaps that made me uncertain.

But man have I been missing out.

'Everneath' was a poignant, emotion-driven story. I could not put it down. I loved Ashton's lucid writing style and the way scenes started, finished, and followed each other - everything flowed without any dull moments or any choppiness and I was never lost in the storyline.

The idea for 'Everneath' was intriguing and perfectly well-crafted. Usually when it comes to fantasy it can easily get stuffy but 'Everneath' was kept so... clear - simple enough the readers won't have a problem following the story and complex enough to be exciting. And I appreciated Ashton didn't overwhelm the story with mythology, it was kept nice and neat.

I enjoyed the little flashbacks of Nikki's past and what led up to her, willingly, choose to follow Cole to 'Everneath.' I could easily put myself in Nikki's shoes, I emphasized with her. She was so likable and real and it was painful to experience her emptiness, regrets, and acceptance of her fate.

I didn't expect to find a strong connection to Jack, mostly because of the thought of him being some old boyfriend Nikki might pine for back. However, that wasn't the case at all. Nikki kept her distance and hers and Jack's re-connection came incredibly naturally and simply made sense - they just fit together.

Jack ended up having a special place in my heart - he was so believable and realistic and... good. Nothing about him was forced, he was such a completed character.

Though there was definitely something about Cole, as well. Despite having unclear intentions, there was something attractive and intriguing about him and I look forward to learning more and feeling more towards him.

I was captured by 'Everneath' and Ashton may just be a new favorite author. This book is simply a must-read!

(5/5)

Review: Flightless Bird by Paulina Ulrich

Title: Flightless Bird (#1)

Author: Paulina Ulrich

Published: May 27, 2011

Pages: 379

Series: yes (second installment is 'Broken Wings')

Source: received

Amazon Summary: The summer of her seventeenth birthday Livy Eckels was faced with something she wasn't ready for. In the the midst of a crumbling family, devastated, she grabs her bicycle and heads out of town to escape the heavy atmosphere at home. Livy unexpectedly crashes into the lives of two mysterious people living on the outskirts of town. As she prepares to start her final exhaustive year of high school, she already has enough on her plate. Then with the entrance of Gregory Mason, her life becomes even more complicated. Tall, handsome, and ever so annoying, Livy can't stand being around him until she finds herself being pulled closer and closer to things she cannot explain. She was determined to understand why Gregory Mason was so interested in her until she discovered something that may put her curiosity to an end. Before she knows what is happening Livy becomes entangled in the mystifying plots of a secret society, a vengeful ex lover, and a situation she never expected to find herself in: falling in love with a boy whose secret she should have never known.

**REVIEW**

It took me a while to get into 'Flightless Bird' - the book felt very long to me and I do think I would've enjoyed it more had it been more compact.

However, it featured what we see quite rarely of in YA fiction nowadays which is a realistically and carefully growing relationship between hero and heroine.

The slow pace of the book gave more than enough time for Livy and Gregory to find each other - as people, as friends, and emotionally. 

Ulrich put so much time into building a strong foundation and authentic connection between the two of them and she succeeded, by far. Their relationship was neither obvious nor forced, it wasn't anything but natural and you got to experience it step-by-step and see it taking shape before your eyes.

I wasn't exactly sure where to place Livy between the person she was when falling apart due to her parents divorce, the supposed dork at school, or the girl growing close and falling for Gregory - a part of me feel like I didn't get to know her well enough.

As for Gregory, I liked that he wasn't just this perfect gentleman (which he was) but that he had a pained past, that there was something else there.

There were a couple of really sweet supporting characters such as Livy's best friend Gracie, the hip Grandma Jean, and Gregory's older sister Cecelia, whom I couldn't but adore.

Cece was just the kindest, with such a warm persona. I could absolutely not believe that she was nineteen being so incredibly motherly - always taking care of others and never asking for anything in return.

"The secret" is kept subtle throughout the story, not taking action until the latter parts of the book. It isn't necessarily predictable but after a few good hints are dropped you kind of get an idea of what it might be regarding and even though it may not come as a shock, it is different and interesting.

There will be a big conflict at the end of the book and some serious fighting-sequences will break lose. Although, for some reason I'd expected something more, or something else. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but I'd hoped to have seen a bigger change or impact in the storyline or character.

There's a slight mysterious and classic vibe about 'Flightless Bird' and even though it wasn't entirely my cup of tea, I do recognize the work behind it. There's no denying Ulrich has put a lot of heart into this story and it's the kind of book I would say is timeless.

(3/5)

Review: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Title: Sweet Evil (Sweet #1)

Author: Wendy Higgins

Published: May 1, 2012

Pages: 464

Series: Trilogy (second installment called 'Sweet Hope')

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: Embrace the Forbidden. What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences? This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels. Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna. Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

**REVIEW**

Oh my goodness. If possible, I would've put my life on a giant hold for 'Sweet Evil.'

Excellent, highly enjoyable read.

I was dead-on sold from page one. It was something about the easiness in Higgins writing - everything sailed on tremendously smooth and natural. I was seized by an instant reaction of interest and intrigue.

It was so smooth-sailing (can't stress it enough.) I had no reluctance towards the storyline, plot, or characters whatsoever. I was captivated and immersed in all of. All of it. This was actually the kind of book I wanted to read slowly, consciously saving chapters to "read later." The kind of book you're dreading the page number of; I didn't want it to end.

A round of applause for the freshness of this angel storyline - it was utterly ingenious, uncluttered, and well executed. No unnecessary fuss or historical background that will zone you out, but enough to fill you in and have you believe it. Everything came to place so smoothly. Here I go again with all the smoothness.

Every character - protagonist as well as secondary, were simply superb. I don't think I've ever cared for this many characters at once before. Anna, Jay, Patti, Kaiden, Belial..

Anna wasn't a challenge to connect with, she was kind, genuine, and determined. Very likable. Although she was in great success presented as Miss Goody-Goody, that is gradually and naturally interfered with.

Jay is the close guy friend you never had, seriously! And, well, Patti is the adoptive mother you never had - she had such a beautiful persona. I feel so much love and warmth for these two.

I found Patti's reactions and emotions towards Anna and her newfound knowledge of who she is to be realistic without being over- or underwhelming. It was clear how loving and protective she was of Anna, simultaneously having reasons for trusting Anna with her own independence and responsibility.

I was all giddy during unlikely phases of the book. It was Kaiden, it was all Kaiden. Though he was to portray bad, untrustworthy, offending - he was just so.. so.. basically he had this intense, alluring quality about him. He's the guy you should stay away from but have hopelessly fallen for.

Describing him as a bad boy doesn't sound right. He is what he was born into, he's not capable of anything else (er, yet). Behind the lustful lure of his persona, I saw that he was honest and protective of Anna. These two need tension, uncertainty, as much as the back-and-forth.

Something struck me about the ending, especially the scene of Anna and the postcard. My heart wept. It was such a tranquil, beautiful, moving ending. I loved it. 

'Sweet Evil' was awesomeness - easy to follow, so easy to enjoy. It set the perfect pace for what will hopefully be a trilogy and I'm ridiculously excited for it.

 (5/5)

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone (#1)

Author: Laini Taylor

Published: September 27, 2011

Pages: 433

Series: yes (second installment 'Days of Blood and Starlight' published November 6, 2012)

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

**REVIEW**

This was some real fantasy. I didn't get a clear picture of what I was going to read about at all. The summary is rather confusing, actually. Fortunately 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' happened to be rightly mysterious.

Basically Karou, our blue-haired, otherworldly-language speaking protagonist is part of two entirely different worlds. One of them - the very much less human one - she knows little about, but it's been with her for as long as she can remember, originating in a shop with portals that easily lets her travel the world but that also hides a second door to the place known simply as "Elsewhere" where she's never been allowed.

When Karou's not in school she's going around the globe collecting teeth for he who raised her. Though, she's never known what the teeth are for, only that they are traded for different degrees of wishes in return, and she's not supposed to ask many questions. However, things start to unravel when she meets an enemy, an angel.

It was never clear to me this book was about angels and devils or demons, Taylor has crafted the story with such a refreshing, complex, and utterly original take, without a strict sense of the good or evil sides. I loved how convincing Taylor was when describing the angels, their cold front was very believable.

There was a ton of depth, background, and culture to the story. And there is a major twist, worthy, but definitely causing mixed opinions from my side of it.

Taylor's writing has a nice lyrical quality. The story kept me interested enough, though I would've wished for every important encounter to have occurred earlier.

I found quite a liking in Karou, Issa, and Brimstone (somewhat in that order.) Akiva succeeding with his impenetrable exterior and therefore kept me at a distance. I was uncertain of his motives.

I enjoyed the few times you got to experience things from Akiva's point-of-view but when it came to Madrigal, it was as if someone had chopped off the interest-cord in my brain. It was tedious reading so much about her story, even if it was essential, when you wanted to be reading about Karou.

The latter parts of the book was a bit hard for me to finish but it's evident Taylor has a knack for this, for fantasy, creatures, and story-developing.

I hadn't known this was a series and as of right now I'm not locked in on following it but the end left off perfectly fine and I'd guess most readers will want to know what comes next.

(3.5/5)

Review: Smokeless Fire by Samantha Young

Title: Smokeless Fire (Fire Spirits #1)

Author: Samantha Young

Published: October 21, 2011

Pages: 357

Series: Fire Spirits (second installment, 'Scorched Skies' published March 9, 2012)

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: For the last two years Ari’s life has been anything but normal and on her 18th birthday, when her friends surprise her with a gimmick genie claiming to grant wishes, Ari discovers the truth. The tragic and strange occurrences surrounding her 16th birthday were not coincidental and her life is never going to be the same again.

Ari’s real parents are not normal. They are not loving. They are not human.

They are myth.

They are Smokeless Fire.

They are Jinn.

**REVIEW**

I need to officially stop yapping about how I don’t read supernatural novels because here I go again with another one.

Before ‘Smokeless Fire’ I had no knowledge about the Jinn mythology so this was all extremely new to me. Getting to learn about the story and the history of the Jinn very much from scratch has been interesting as well as exhausting. I experienced the first half of ’Smokeless Fire’ to be jam-packed with information and explanation. At some point I felt like I was practically studying about Jinn, and that just gets tiring and boring. I was relieved once I got past all the explanations and whys.

I appreciated the original storyline and the maze-like plot with surprises along the way, but it wasn’t believable. It didn’t feel real or likely in the slightest, imaginable way - all coming down to how free of emotional conflict the story was.

A lot happens in ‘Smokeless Fire’ - threads were pulled and then left hanging without a purpose which made me wonder if the story would’ve turned out more intricate and personal if Young had solely stuck to the main plotline.

As for the characters (which there were several interesting of):

The Red King was truly hilarious at times. I liked him for his sarcasm and shockingly up-too-date way of speaking, but that was also the things that didn’t fit in with the almighty Jinn King. For what he was supposed to be he wasn’t authenthic and I failed to perceive him as powerful and intimidating.

Charlie was like a sidetrack but being there all the time to distract and put a barrier between Ari and Jai. I expected him to have much more depth since in the beginning Young hinted that Charlie was a big deal, but he turned fainter as the story went. As soon as the Jinn issue kicks in Charlie ends up beng a third-friend-who-just-won’t-give-up-and-go-home type of character.

My favorite of them all was Jai - mysterious and level-headed. He was the most real one. I appreciated (the few times) you got Jai’s point-of-view because what he was really thinking and feeling would clash with how Ari interpreted it. Also, for Young to have Jai be a few years older was refreshing and suiting (I don’t really understand why many authors make only a year or two sound so 

much older it’s pratically impossible in the world of YA).

Finally, Ari, our protagonist. I didn’t gather much from her other than being mentally strong and solid. It’s a nice change from the many protagonists who are on a merry crying-go-round; when Ari did finally give in and cry, it was for something real.

Though, to what mainly bothered me with ‘Smokeless Fire’: the lack of reactions. Nada, nothing. Ari’s literally thrust into a world of Jinn, supernatural powers, strange creatures,

another existing world.. and she takes it VERY WELL. She finds out she’s not

human.. and takes it VERY WELL. She’s so accepting and understanding - zero emotional battle. It’s time to be in a total, full-on freak out mode. Her reaction wasn’t believable at all. Even how easily it was for Charlie to take it all in was ridiculous.

[Slight spoilers!] How Ari went from referring to The White King as her father so out of the blue and the only father she’d known as her dad for 18 years, as Derek, was very bothersome and unlikely; as well as how she so very cooperatively agrees that it’s for the best if she disconnects herself from family and friends and just leaves. I’d wished for it to be more overwhelming but it was barely significant to acknowledge. [Spoilers ended!]

‘Smokeless Fire’ is supposedly a YA Urban Fantasy Romance but truthfully, had I purchased the book expecting romance I would’ve been very disappointed. It’s not a romance, I’m sure the relationships are further inspected in the later installments but this first book just didn’t have any of it. Young would regularly hint on romance but it never came to that.

On a last note, the ending just left me hanging. Like, huh? It ended in such an unsatisfactory and abruptly manner. I won’t be purchasing the second installment but I recommend anyone reading this if you’re looking for a non-mainstream, fantasy read.

(3/5)