KEEP CALM AND LOVE BOOKS: fallen angel

Pages: 400 pages

Publication Date: September 10th 2013

Publishers: Tundra Books

ISBN: 1770495479 (ISBN13: 9781770495470)

It's almost a year since Gaby Winters watched her twin brother die. In the sunshine of a new town her body has healed, but her grief is raw and constant. It doesn't help that every night in her dreams she fights and kills hell-beasts. And then Rafa comes to town. Not only does he look exactly like the guy who's been appearing in Gaby's dreams, he tells her things about her brother and her life that cannot be true, things that are dangerous. Who is Rafa? Who are the Rephaim? And who is Gaby? The truth lies in the shadows of her nightmares.

Now, What I Thought:

So, this book originally intrigued me because it was considered almost as good as, Susan Ee's Penryn and the End of Days trilogy, which is a huge compliment on Paula Weston. I can officially say that even though the storylines are completely different, I do agree with the comparison. This book was actually incredible! I loved how everything played out and the sequence of events were perfect. Everything happened at such a perfect time that it flowed so nicely. It was very well written and deserves a lot more hype. Weston is an Australian author and it was pretty difficult to get her books, considering I was greedy and ended up ordering them straight from Australia, so I could have them a year before they were published in Canada, where I am. LOL I know that's cheating a little but seriously, these books were so addictive and so much fun to read, I needed these books one after the other.

The energy between Gaby and Rafa is incredible. Since the first time she, thought, she met him till the end of the book, was just consistent non-stop electricity between the two. The big drama was that Gaby seemed to have this whole life before, where she can't seem to remember a single thing about it. She learns a lot about her 'true' self and how heartless this Gabe could be. The other mystery is her brother. What exactly happened to her twin brother if she can't trust this new life's memories? Is her brother really dead? Or was that just part of this non truthful life she's been living. So we definitely get to see the journey and trip from both Gaby and Rafa to find out, considering Rafa and Jude are best friends.

I liked how Weston played on the memory aspect in this series because it was interesting when we would hear about the two different, yet same physical person- Gaby and Gabe. I really liked that and it had a bit of a psychology theme to i, which I really enjoyed. It seemed to have brought more to the book then just an average YA angel novel. I really liked this book and I'm really excited to read what happens when Gaby gets her memories back, because it has to happen some day!

angels - 9:27:00 PM

Shadows (The Rephaim #1) by Paula Weston | Review

Pages: 400 pages Publication Date: September 10th 2013 Publishers: Tundra Books ISBN: 1770495479 (ISBN13: 9781770495470 ) ...

Pages: 435

Publication Date: May 12th 2015 by Hodder & Stoughton

ISBN: 1444778552 (ISBN13: 9781444778557)

End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy. After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

Now, What I Thought:

The conclusion to this wonderful series was just..amazing. Honestly, Penryn & the End of Days, was the best series I had read in 2015, by far. This was such a thrilling explosion of action and romance all together and just squashed in 3 books, it was fantastic. I am so glad I read these books, I couldn't imagine not ever reading them because I find myself comparing a lot of new books to these. Susan Ee did an amazing and impeccable job writing this series and she definitely needs way more praise for it. Even though conclusions suck and are the most horrible thing in the world, it was time to say goodbye to Penryn and Raffe and that wonderful post-apocalyptic world.

The last book was definitely literal to the title. The end of days were coming and it was coming fast to Penryn and her group. Sacrifices were made and we really divulged into the life-threatening fights. Seriously, I though a couple of the main characters were going to die at multiple points of the novel. We had a crushing, thrilling and explosive battle at the end and it was so adrenaline-rushing to read. I was feeling worried yet proud of Penryn and Paige, and what they've accomplished and how much they've both been through!

We even get a change of setting! Penryn goes someplace where she finally gets to learn about the angels and even Raffe. It was so damn cool how smoothly the transition between the two worlds were. Ee described it beautifully and there were some pretty close calls for Penryn and Raffe's old angel friends. Yes, expect to see his old pals from long ago in this book, whether they help them or not, you'll have to read and find out ;). The romance escalated as the situations became more life-threatening and I loved every shared moment they had. I will leave you with one, very teasing quote because I just can't help it:

“So am I?” I whisper. “Your Daughter of Man?”

This was such an exiting and so satisfying way to closing the series and I will 100% miss the thrill I got from reading it the first time around. Rest assured I shall be re-reading these books a lot more in the future! Goodbye Penryn. Goodbye Raffe. Goodbye Paige. Goodbye Mom. Goodbye Watchers. Goodbye Pooky Bear and finally, Goodbye Penryn & the End of Days. It has been a pleasure reading Susan Ee's thrilling trilogy.

angel - 2:54:00 AM

End of Days (Penryn & the End of Days #3) by Susan Ee | Review

Pages: 435 Publication Date: May 12th 2015 by Hodder & Stoughton ISBN: 1444778552 (ISBN13: 9781444778557 ) End of Days i...

Pages: 438 pages

Publication Date: November 21st 2013 by Hodder & Stoughton

ISBN: 1444778536 (ISBN13: 9781444778533)

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?

Now, What I Thought:

This is a perfect example of a great sequel to an amazing series. Ee did it again and made a hella great book! Penryn is so bad-ass that she can't even die! Ok, ok I know there were special circumstances and it was just luck but come on! I'm convinced Penryn will and can survive anything. After the whole dying thing, people are still pretty weary of Penryn because it's not everyday you see someone waking up from the dead, no matter the circumstances.

We learn a lot in this book, we learn more about Raffe and his brothers and past, which is nice because he feels more trustworthy and it seems like we really know his motives concerning Penryn are true and meaningful. It's pretty clear when the last book ended, that Raffe feels something for Penryn. Of course, the most anticipated thing in this book, for me at least, was the big reveal to Raffe that Penryn is alive. Which by the way guys, did not disappoint. It was very well written and even though the little love-sick girl in me wanted the reunion faster, it did happen at the perfect time and was well-paced for the plot line to thicken.

Now, the big question of the book is will the need for Raffe's wings overcome the love he has for Penryn? As usual, our protagonist finds herself in a tough and life threatening situation and Raffe's decision is critical. Aside from that, Penryn, as usual, was amazing and bad-ass. She kicked many butts and conquered many accomplishments. I liked her dynamic relationship with Obi. They respect each other which made me in turn respect Obi a lot more than in the first book. He ultimately wants to help his race, his people and it does shows. He trusts Penryn, which is good because he can clearly tell that if anyone can stop the apocalypse it's Penryn or at least her influence on Raffe.

Paige, Penryn's sister, really shone in this book! She came out of her shell, even after the horrific things that had been done to her. I really liked her lines and how empowering she was to everyone, almost like a beacon of hope and light, no matter how she looks. Of course we have problems with the other people who don't agree with keeping her alive, solely because she looks like a monster. That was just so heartbreaking to read and sad to see that her confidence would deflate just a little. But rest assured Paige rises stronger than ever and she really is a huge player in the storyline.

To end this review, I'm just going to share a quote Raffe said to Penryn after finding out his sword's name is called... Pooky Bear..., enjoy:

“He glares at me as if he already hates it. “What is it?” I consider lying but what’s the point? I clear my throat. “Pooky Bear"He’s silent for so long I’m beginning to think he didn’t hear me when he finally says, “Pooky. Bear.” “It was just a little joke. I didn’t know.” “I’ve mentioned that names have power, right? Do you realize that when she fights battles, she’s going to have to announce herself to the opposing sword? She’ll be forced to say something ridiculous like, ‘I am Pooky Bear, from an ancient line of archangel swords.’ Or, ‘Bow down to me, Pooky Bear, who has only two other equals in all the worlds.’ ” He shakes his head."

HAHAHAHAHAHAH GUYS, just read it, please.

angel - 2:32:00 AM

World After (Penryn & the End of Days #2) by Susan Ee | Review

Pages: 438 pages Publication Date: November 21st 2013 by Hodder & Stoughton ISBN: 1444778536 (ISBN13: 9781444778533) In ...

Pages: 400 pages

Publication Date: September 17th 2013 by Entangled: Edge

ISBN: 1473615933 (ISBN13: 9781473615939)

Between the pissed off creatures that want demon-hunter Lily Marks dead and the fallen angel who just...wants her, Lily is about ready to trade in forever for a comfy job in a cubicle farm.

The fact that she and Julian are civil to one another is enough to have her thrown out of the Sanctuary, but she can't shake her not-so-angelic stalker or how he brings her dangerously close to ecstasy.

Her forbidden relationship with Julian provides the perfect fuel for suspicion when a traitor is discovered to be working within the Sanctuary. Lily quickly finds herself hunted by well, everyone.

Her only hope is to discover the real traitor before she loses everything--and she'll need Julian's help. That is, if Julian is really there to help her...and not destroy her.

Yeah, being a Nephilim isn't everything it's cracked up to be.

Now, What I Thought:

This was actually a pretty cool take on Nephilim and fallen angels. The fact that Jennifer L. Armentrout wrote this book made me so anxious to read it, because you knew it was going to be good.

Lily Marks is a demon hunter and is basically a bad-ass fighting machine. She is well known in the demon world and has a good reputation in her Sanctuary. Everything's fine and honky dory except for the fact she has a stalker, a really hot, supposed to be evil stalker! The magnificent fallen angel, Julian, the one thing she is training to fight and kill, happens to take an interest in her. I like the dynamic relationship between Julian and Lily. You can tell he's been around a while because on the first page, she's just sort of used to him there. It also doesn't help that Julian saved her that one day by a very bad fallen angel, that now she bares a scar from. She was 17 when Julian saved her life, and she's 26 now. Right at the beginning Lily hears her call to basically kick ass and gets too slugger happy and ends up knocking out a cop, Michael. Turns out Michael isn't just an ordinary human cop either. His story is also intertwined with the Sanctuary.

Much to Lily's luck, a traitor is discovered in the Sanctuary and it doesn't help that her one consort is a fallen angel. It also doesn't help that one of their own, Anna, was killed by a fallen angel years ago. SO yeah, you can see Lily's dilemma if anyone finds out her little relationship with Julian. With Julian's help, she tries to find out the true traitor and soon uncovers that the Sanctuary isn't all that it seems. Oh yeah, and to clear her name because she's on the top of everyones list.

This was a really good book, it surprised me how much I enjoyed it! I really was hoping for a sequel but I'm pretty sure this is a stand-alone :( Really good guys! Read it!