Scan barcode
gunnu_aulakh's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Did not expect it to get so gruesome at end with the scorpion monsters and children on the wall, but it was that twist of horror it needed.
lizziebeex3's review against another edition
4.0
If I were to rate this solely on how much it sucked me in, it would be a 5 star rating.
I think what knocks it down for me is the same thing that will make the sequels amazing…making me wait. The painfully abrupt shift with Raffe and ending with both the dissatisfaction of not successfully making himself whole by the end and not knowing Penryn’s actual situation frustrated me after marathon reading instead of getting the sleep I needed. After dedicating that time, I wanted satisfaction. I couldn’t connect to the human cause as much as I’d have liked, but Obi was awesome and can do no wrong. I think my current frustrations will be soothed after I inevitably marathon through the rest of the series…this book was certainly able to keep me firmly in its grasp and I never wanted to put it down.
I loved how the author was able to present the manifestation of the mother’s illness, but never casted doubt on her love for her children. She actually has power and autonomy despite her unmedicated condition. In my eyes, this was an understated, subtle strength of the book that I appreciate.
Along with other reviewers, I enthusiastically appreciate the slow burn of the romance where they bond through adversity but strategically do not speak their feelings. They don’t ignore the state of the world to fulfill their emotional fixes because they aren’t that reckless. In a fight for survival, feelings are naturally going to take a backseat to more pressing issues, but new love wouldn’t necessarily be rendered impossible, either. This book showed restraint, and while that was frustrating (had to tab that scene that precedes “I don’t even like you”
I think what knocks it down for me is the same thing that will make the sequels amazing…making me wait. The painfully abrupt shift with Raffe and ending with both the dissatisfaction of not successfully making himself whole by the end and not knowing Penryn’s actual situation frustrated me after marathon reading instead of getting the sleep I needed. After dedicating that time, I wanted satisfaction. I couldn’t connect to the human cause as much as I’d have liked, but Obi was awesome and can do no wrong. I think my current frustrations will be soothed after I inevitably marathon through the rest of the series…this book was certainly able to keep me firmly in its grasp and I never wanted to put it down.
I loved how the author was able to present the manifestation of the mother’s illness, but never casted doubt on her love for her children. She actually has power and autonomy despite her unmedicated condition. In my eyes, this was an understated, subtle strength of the book that I appreciate.
Along with other reviewers, I enthusiastically appreciate the slow burn of the romance where they bond through adversity but strategically do not speak their feelings. They don’t ignore the state of the world to fulfill their emotional fixes because they aren’t that reckless. In a fight for survival, feelings are naturally going to take a backseat to more pressing issues, but new love wouldn’t necessarily be rendered impossible, either. This book showed restraint, and while that was frustrating (had to tab that scene that precedes “I don’t even like you”
fatimareadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Unputdownable book. This story's the perfect mixture of scary, intense, and thrilling. Very fast-paced. 4.5 stars
mandala_e's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence and Cannibalism
readwithkiekie's review against another edition
5.0
“We now play a permanent game of I-am-crazier-and-scarier-than-you. And in that game, my mother is our secret weapon.”
4.5 STARS!
Yeah.....this book wasn't just crazy, it was INSANE!
I'm not sure why it took me so many times to read this book to actually get into the story, but I really am happy I gave it that last chance because it was such a freaking epic, yet hilarious read. Penryn and Raffe aren't the best characters ever, but they're enjoyable enough to continue reading on.
My one thought while reading this book was that I wished we could have a Novella in Penryn's mother POV. She's tactful crazy, in a way she has no idea of it. But I will and can say that I want more!
“He runs his finger tips along my cheek, caressing my face. “Hush. I’m right here.” He looks at me with deep anguish in his eyes. Like there’s so much he wants to tell me but feels it’s too late now. I want to stroke his face and tell him that it will be okay. That everything will be all right. And I wish so badly that it would be.”
4.5 STARS!
Yeah.....this book wasn't just crazy, it was INSANE!
I'm not sure why it took me so many times to read this book to actually get into the story, but I really am happy I gave it that last chance because it was such a freaking epic, yet hilarious read. Penryn and Raffe aren't the best characters ever, but they're enjoyable enough to continue reading on.
My one thought while reading this book was that I wished we could have a Novella in Penryn's mother POV. She's tactful crazy, in a way she has no idea of it. But I will and can say that I want more!
“He runs his finger tips along my cheek, caressing my face. “Hush. I’m right here.” He looks at me with deep anguish in his eyes. Like there’s so much he wants to tell me but feels it’s too late now. I want to stroke his face and tell him that it will be okay. That everything will be all right. And I wish so badly that it would be.”
courtney_saba's review against another edition
5.0
So, angel books have a bad rep, with SO MANY being shit books and horribly rated (don't get me started on Hush, Hush or Fallen, ugh), but this is absolutely one of my fave trilogies of all time. It's a shame that this book doesn't have as much hype as those hideous books I wrote above. I love the characters in this so much. I've read the whole trilogy at least 6 times. Raf is my lover forever. He is divine (ha, get it, angels...)
magikspells's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, it was pretty good. Dytopian-angels. Its like an episode of Supernatural, though taking the angles in a slightly more twisted directions. I liked it a lot, though I am admittedly not really attached to any of the characters at this point. I'll probably hit up the next book and see how that goes.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
3.0
Ik hou van boeken over Engelen. Ik hou van de duizenden richtingen waarop die verhalen kunnen gaan en ik hou van het ontdekken van nieuwe invalshoeken en manieren van kijken naar de mythologie van Engelen, wat ze nu eigenlijk zijn en wie ze nu eigenlijk zijn. En op dat vlak stelt dit boek eigenlijk helemaal nergens teleur.
De world building in dit boek is erg sterk. Er wordt een heel duidelijk beeld geschapen van de wereld en hoe deze eruit ziet nadat de Engelen naar de aarde gekomen zijn. Het doet allemaal heel apocalyptisch aan en ook de mensen reageren erop alsof het een apocalyps betreft. Verlaten auto's, rondtrekkende bendes, plunderingen, schuilen in oude gebouwen en zoeken naar het laatste beetje eten dat er nog is.
Daarnaast zijn ook de gruwelijkheden die de Engelen elkaar aandoen, en de mensen aandoen, heel huiveringwekkend omschreven. Daardoor wordt een duidelijk beeld geschapen van wat er aan de hand is, hoewel ik wel de indruk krijg dat we nog niet half weten wat er precies aan de hand is.
Maar waar dit boek wel tekort schiet, is op emotioneel vlak. Omdat alle karakters in overlevingsstand staan en continue op hun hoede zijn, leer je ze niet echt goed kennen. Er wordt weinig van hun echte emoties vrijgegeven en prijsgegeven en ook de chemie tussen de twee hoofdrolspelers, Penryn en Raffe, is voor mij niet voelbaar omdat ik ze geen van beiden echt lijkt te kennen. Ik snap dat we spreken over een apocalyps en mensen om hun leven vechten, maar daardoor bleef het allemaal een heel erg ver van mijn bed show.
Ik ben benieuwd of dit in de volgende twee delen anders gaat zijn. Ik hoop het persoonlijk wel.
De world building in dit boek is erg sterk. Er wordt een heel duidelijk beeld geschapen van de wereld en hoe deze eruit ziet nadat de Engelen naar de aarde gekomen zijn. Het doet allemaal heel apocalyptisch aan en ook de mensen reageren erop alsof het een apocalyps betreft. Verlaten auto's, rondtrekkende bendes, plunderingen, schuilen in oude gebouwen en zoeken naar het laatste beetje eten dat er nog is.
Daarnaast zijn ook de gruwelijkheden die de Engelen elkaar aandoen, en de mensen aandoen, heel huiveringwekkend omschreven. Daardoor wordt een duidelijk beeld geschapen van wat er aan de hand is, hoewel ik wel de indruk krijg dat we nog niet half weten wat er precies aan de hand is.
Maar waar dit boek wel tekort schiet, is op emotioneel vlak. Omdat alle karakters in overlevingsstand staan en continue op hun hoede zijn, leer je ze niet echt goed kennen. Er wordt weinig van hun echte emoties vrijgegeven en prijsgegeven en ook de chemie tussen de twee hoofdrolspelers, Penryn en Raffe, is voor mij niet voelbaar omdat ik ze geen van beiden echt lijkt te kennen. Ik snap dat we spreken over een apocalyps en mensen om hun leven vechten, maar daardoor bleef het allemaal een heel erg ver van mijn bed show.
Ik ben benieuwd of dit in de volgende twee delen anders gaat zijn. Ik hoop het persoonlijk wel.
lilymeibean's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
mmm it sped up a lot at the end which kept me invested but i'm still not sure if i'm willing to continue the series based on where it left off -- i found some of the characters and the world-building interesting, but not too significantly -- and the amount of gore was a lil "ew" at times which left me wondering what the purpose of the gore was and if they'll show the reasoning for it in upcoming books. but enough on the gritty, i thought it was really well written for a YA book, the descriptions were very illustrative (for better and for worse sometimes :D) but a smooth read overall!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Gore, and Cannibalism