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votesforwomen's review
4.0
Updated review: still 4 stars, but gosh, this is darker than I recall. I'm going to listen to the sequels now that they're available to me because JAKE. That is all.
*SYNOPSIS*
Brielle has just returned to her small town of Stratus, Oregon, after a life-changing disaster in Portland rocked her world. Broken-hearted and unable to shake bitter cold, she goes back to high school in an attempt to normalize herself.
Here she meets the new boy, Jake, who's kind and charismatic and has the warmest hands she's ever felt. He tells her of an alternate reality: one with angels and demons and spiritual warfare. And only Brielle can see it.
As the mystery of what happened that night in Portland becomes unraveled, Brielle must question all that she believes - but how is she to judge what is really happening in her life?
WHAT I LIKED
-Brielle. She was a strong female character, but not so overly strong that she came across as unrealistic. Her gifts had good explanations, and she sees what is happening in her life in a way that feels very realistic to what someone in her shoes would feel.
-Jake. He's just so sweet and - not perfect, but pretty close. That's the kind of boyfriend I'd want someday. (Just sayin'.) He understands better than Brielle what is happening, and I liked the way he ran off in the middle of a conversation to go pray.
-The writing was gorgeous! Sure, the dialogue was somewhat unrealistic, but it made sense with the writing style of the story. I'm not complaining.
-The mystery's pacing was great, and the unreliability of Brielle's narration in not knowing what was going on made the twists really come out of nowhere.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
The biggest problem I had with this book was the lack of God. It openly advertises itself as a "Christian book", complete with angels, demons, supernatural signs, and other such things. But God himself (especially Jesus) seems incredibly absent. This was troubling, especially with the premise being what it was.
That was about all I didn't like!
There's my review of this book. It was really a sweet story and I need to get my hands on the rest of the books in the trilogy. I totally recommend it! Just take it with a grain of salt if you're looking for Christian fiction with Jesus all over it.
*SYNOPSIS*
Brielle has just returned to her small town of Stratus, Oregon, after a life-changing disaster in Portland rocked her world. Broken-hearted and unable to shake bitter cold, she goes back to high school in an attempt to normalize herself.
Here she meets the new boy, Jake, who's kind and charismatic and has the warmest hands she's ever felt. He tells her of an alternate reality: one with angels and demons and spiritual warfare. And only Brielle can see it.
As the mystery of what happened that night in Portland becomes unraveled, Brielle must question all that she believes - but how is she to judge what is really happening in her life?
WHAT I LIKED
-Brielle. She was a strong female character, but not so overly strong that she came across as unrealistic. Her gifts had good explanations, and she sees what is happening in her life in a way that feels very realistic to what someone in her shoes would feel.
-Jake. He's just so sweet and - not perfect, but pretty close. That's the kind of boyfriend I'd want someday. (Just sayin'.) He understands better than Brielle what is happening, and I liked the way he ran off in the middle of a conversation to go pray.
-The writing was gorgeous! Sure, the dialogue was somewhat unrealistic, but it made sense with the writing style of the story. I'm not complaining.
-The mystery's pacing was great, and the unreliability of Brielle's narration in not knowing what was going on made the twists really come out of nowhere.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
The biggest problem I had with this book was the lack of God. It openly advertises itself as a "Christian book", complete with angels, demons, supernatural signs, and other such things. But God himself (especially Jesus) seems incredibly absent. This was troubling, especially with the premise being what it was.
That was about all I didn't like!
There's my review of this book. It was really a sweet story and I need to get my hands on the rest of the books in the trilogy. I totally recommend it! Just take it with a grain of salt if you're looking for Christian fiction with Jesus all over it.
heatherliz86's review
4.0
Shannon Dittemore brings you in a world of Angels and Demons, good vs. evil. Where good will win but can't question the evil that happens in the world, just know we can't understand GOD's plan.
OVERVIEW
Once you’ve seen, you can’t unsee. Everything changes when you’ve looked at the world through . . . Angel eyes. Brielle's a ballerina who went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She comes home to grief and has overwhelming guilt. She learns she can't shake the incredible, numbing cold .
Jake's the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption. Both of them will have to survive their journey together to save humans from the evil that has set upon them. Brielle's will have a choice, what will she chose?
MY THOUGHTS
Angel eyes did start out kinda of slow for me but it did hold my interest to keep going to see the outcome of this story. Brielle's
character was solid but depressing at the same time. She’s afraid of everything, she no longer trusts her emotions or her instincts and she slowly goes back to her daily routine. She is a talented ballerina and does not believe in God, but she’s about to discover her role in spiritual warfare taking place in her small town of Stratus. I think people can relate to her grief and guilt. I loved Jake Character when he was first introduced in the book. Brielle needed a friend that would listen and be there for her . I did like that their was not a instant- love connection between Brielle and Jake. They had to build into a relationship first then right out I LOVE YOU feelings.
This book takes place from three point-of-views: Brielle, Canaan the Shield/Angel, and Damien the Demon/Fallen Angel. It was not a problem for me for three POV. Shannon Dittemore did a great job not making it confusing.
The ending of the book was worth the read for me. I want more of Bri and Jake's journey when they discover more of each other. All in all Angel Eyes was a beautiful and touching story with a heroine that grew and changed along her journey. I recommend this book for YA and adult readers.
OVERVIEW
Once you’ve seen, you can’t unsee. Everything changes when you’ve looked at the world through . . . Angel eyes. Brielle's a ballerina who went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She comes home to grief and has overwhelming guilt. She learns she can't shake the incredible, numbing cold .
Jake's the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption. Both of them will have to survive their journey together to save humans from the evil that has set upon them. Brielle's will have a choice, what will she chose?
MY THOUGHTS
Angel eyes did start out kinda of slow for me but it did hold my interest to keep going to see the outcome of this story. Brielle's
character was solid but depressing at the same time. She’s afraid of everything, she no longer trusts her emotions or her instincts and she slowly goes back to her daily routine. She is a talented ballerina and does not believe in God, but she’s about to discover her role in spiritual warfare taking place in her small town of Stratus. I think people can relate to her grief and guilt. I loved Jake Character when he was first introduced in the book. Brielle needed a friend that would listen and be there for her . I did like that their was not a instant- love connection between Brielle and Jake. They had to build into a relationship first then right out I LOVE YOU feelings.
This book takes place from three point-of-views: Brielle, Canaan the Shield/Angel, and Damien the Demon/Fallen Angel. It was not a problem for me for three POV. Shannon Dittemore did a great job not making it confusing.
The ending of the book was worth the read for me. I want more of Bri and Jake's journey when they discover more of each other. All in all Angel Eyes was a beautiful and touching story with a heroine that grew and changed along her journey. I recommend this book for YA and adult readers.
bookishmadness's review
4.0
This book had me intrigued from the start. If you know me, you should know I love Angel books. They are in fact my favourite "paranormal being". This book was no different. The cover is gorgeous - simple, yet effective!
Brielle is a dancer, returned home from boarding school in the city after tragedy strikes. Jake is the new kid, with an angel for a guardian. The plot line wasn't overly original, but the twist's involved in the story gave it a new life and made it completely enjoyable.
My feelings for Brielle's character were off/on. I couldn't figure out whether I liked her, but in the end I decided that I did. Jake was a fantastic character. I didn't find him to be exactly swoon-worthy, their romance is more quiet than passionate, but I still found it lovely none-the-less.
The only problem I have with this book is the massive religious undertones. Yes, I know it is a book about angels. I have read plenty of books about angels with almost no religious undertones, but this one had it. In some places, it felt right, in other's it didn't.
I recommend this book to lovers of anything paranormal! I will be definitely be reading the sequel once it arrives!
Brielle is a dancer, returned home from boarding school in the city after tragedy strikes. Jake is the new kid, with an angel for a guardian. The plot line wasn't overly original, but the twist's involved in the story gave it a new life and made it completely enjoyable.
My feelings for Brielle's character were off/on. I couldn't figure out whether I liked her, but in the end I decided that I did. Jake was a fantastic character. I didn't find him to be exactly swoon-worthy, their romance is more quiet than passionate, but I still found it lovely none-the-less.
The only problem I have with this book is the massive religious undertones. Yes, I know it is a book about angels. I have read plenty of books about angels with almost no religious undertones, but this one had it. In some places, it felt right, in other's it didn't.
I recommend this book to lovers of anything paranormal! I will be definitely be reading the sequel once it arrives!
shelbyday's review
2.0
First, I'd like to say that I think Shannon Dittemore has great potential as an author and the story line for Angel Eyes had some amazing ideas. Unfortunately, they didn't always mesh together as needed. Dittemore included grief, guilt, abusive relationships, good vs. evil, human trafficking, and trust into her mix. The religious content and symbolism didn't always seem cohesive with the rest of the story. I felt that it was thrown in as an after thought in some areas of the book and the end of the novel became very evangelistic. I think it might not appeal to more secular fans. I also had issues with some of the dialogue. Having worked with teens for over ten years, it just didn't seem realistic at times. Fans of YA lit will be reminded of Twilight and Hush, Hush albeit with a more muddled storyline. I think Dittemore could have taken the story lines and split them into two or three separate novels. There were two many subplots to focus and be engaged on any one in particular.
serenitylive's review
5.0
My first book of 2013. And the first book I've read about the celestial. (I know - I can't believe I've never read Peretti - not to mention some of the new books in this genre.) This story was so well-told. The thing I love about fantasy is that a world filled with demons and goblins and elves and orcs :) seems like the only true representation of what's really going on in life - i.e., there is so much more than flesh and blood happening all around us. In this book we see both realms at once - the terrestrial and the celestial. It was fascinating. The ending was fantastic. And I felt like the spiritual element made no assumptions about the reader (a tricky achievement with Christian themes). It was simply the truth of this story.
wild_avalon_lass's review
5.0
I've grown to really love the Angel genre that seems to be growing in popularity. As soon as I saw this book, I knew I had to have it. As I got into it, I was slightly confused, since it kinda starts out in the middle of something. I checked to be sure it wasn't a sequel, and then pushed on. The confusion quickly dropped. While Brielle's emotional struggle couldn've annoyed me, seeing how it really wasn't her fault Abi died, it didn't. For some reason, Brielle hit a spot on my heart, and I was glad when Jake popped up into the story. Jake. Oh, oh Jake. For once, I've found a hero I actually like (Sorry. I wasn't even going to attempt to like Damien. I detested him to begin with. Which is a good, healthy, Christian thing). But Jake is lovely, and awesome, and I loved everything about him. If only I can find myself a Jake....
I think the reason I like this genre so much, is it causes your eyes to open. Angels aren't just little bedtime stories, they are so real, and there, and they aren't gentle, Precious Moments sweeties. They wield swords, and are messengers. They battle the evil around us, and I cant help but be drawn to what I can't see. The fact that I know God and his Angels are always near, it comforts me. Another thing I liked, was the way it shows Fear. I can't really explain it, but it solidifies the 'The Lord Looks At The Heart' saying.
See full review: http://theepicreader.blogspot.com/2012/07/angel-eyes.html
I think the reason I like this genre so much, is it causes your eyes to open. Angels aren't just little bedtime stories, they are so real, and there, and they aren't gentle, Precious Moments sweeties. They wield swords, and are messengers. They battle the evil around us, and I cant help but be drawn to what I can't see. The fact that I know God and his Angels are always near, it comforts me. Another thing I liked, was the way it shows Fear. I can't really explain it, but it solidifies the 'The Lord Looks At The Heart' saying.
See full review: http://theepicreader.blogspot.com/2012/07/angel-eyes.html
mrskendallreads's review
3.0
Read this book for the library. YA--Fantasy, pretty much my least favorite genre and category. The things I do for these kids.
shelvesofsecrets's review against another edition
4.0
When I first downloaded this book from Netgalley, I was apprehensive because it was categorized as religious. I'm always wary of religious books, but Angel Eyes was definitely worth the read. I thought it was a little preachy at the end, but for the most part, I enjoyed it, despite not being religious.
Brielle is extremely damaged after the murder of her best friend Ali and who can blame her? Angel Eyes is the story of her putting the pieces of her life back together, with help from a cute boy and some divine intervention. Jake was amazing (see more in the favourite character section). The secondary, celestial characters were well done as well. I felt safe with Canaan; he was the perfect Shield, or guardian angel. I help pity for Damien, despite his bad decision long ago, while still hoping for him to get what he deserved.
I enjoyed the growth Brielle exhibits through the course of the book. As she gradually begins to live again, she begins to take more action and control of her life. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys angel and demon stories and don't let the religious vibe throw you off.
Brielle is extremely damaged after the murder of her best friend Ali and who can blame her? Angel Eyes is the story of her putting the pieces of her life back together, with help from a cute boy and some divine intervention. Jake was amazing (see more in the favourite character section). The secondary, celestial characters were well done as well. I felt safe with Canaan; he was the perfect Shield, or guardian angel. I help pity for Damien, despite his bad decision long ago, while still hoping for him to get what he deserved.
I enjoyed the growth Brielle exhibits through the course of the book. As she gradually begins to live again, she begins to take more action and control of her life. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys angel and demon stories and don't let the religious vibe throw you off.
amber04's review
3.0
Angel Eyes was a unique story paced for savoring. I rather enjoyed the fact that this wasn't a book chock full of crazy action and mud-slinging. Once in a while you come across a book that you can set down, later pick back up and fall back into the world the writer has created without going back through to refresh your memory. The characters were memorable and quite fascinating. I've read a handful of books with Angels etc, but non that were comparable to Angel Eyes. Of course, there's slight religious undertones, hence the word Angel. It was not forceful nor was it overbearing. It was paced with precision. With every day, there is a night. With every good, there is a bad. It's balance, it's what makes the world go round. In this case, the dark menacing Damien, was sent back to the front lines to redeem himself, and follow the the scent of despair and prove himself to the Syrian King.
The characters in Angel Eyes, were very interesting. There's the protagonist, Brielle, which I seemed to really like. I felt she was relateable and given her circumstances, felt very real. Conveniently, living next door to Brielle, is Jake. Wow, loved this character. He was written with a good personality and very likeable. Of course the secondary characters played a vital role, but they were written well.
The story was written in multiple POV's. It was okay, but the tense changed between the characters which threw me off a little. I thought this was very crafty and original with many twists throughout. I found that the celestial and terrestrial planes were interesting (I'm not going to spoil it for you, so that's all your getting out of me)
Overall, I found Angel Eyes, to be a smooth paced, fascinating read. It's content is worthy of applause. A well written story of Angels, good vs evil, and a slow budding romance.
The characters in Angel Eyes, were very interesting. There's the protagonist, Brielle, which I seemed to really like. I felt she was relateable and given her circumstances, felt very real. Conveniently, living next door to Brielle, is Jake. Wow, loved this character. He was written with a good personality and very likeable. Of course the secondary characters played a vital role, but they were written well.
The story was written in multiple POV's. It was okay, but the tense changed between the characters which threw me off a little. I thought this was very crafty and original with many twists throughout. I found that the celestial and terrestrial planes were interesting (I'm not going to spoil it for you, so that's all your getting out of me)
Overall, I found Angel Eyes, to be a smooth paced, fascinating read. It's content is worthy of applause. A well written story of Angels, good vs evil, and a slow budding romance.