Book of the Month: Sequels and Three-quels

Continuing on with the book of the month, here’s a review of the other two additions in the series. Book three isn’t out yet but is expected late this year. Warning, there may be spoilers, so read at your own risk.

This is a novella published between Hidden Wings and Broken Wings. However, it actually tells the story of Alaine and Samuel and manages to clean up the mythology very well. There are some subtle mysteries hinted at that I’m hoping will enrich the rest of the series, as well.

The novella takes place from the Fall to Emma arriving to live with Alaine, but it is told sporadically, almost like a cliff note version. We see nearly all of Samuel and Alaine’s lives, both before they met and also after. It shows how Alaine grew up, how they met, how Emma was born, how Samuel “died”, how the guardians came to live with Alaine, and so on. It was a pleasant read and I would definitely recommend it if you want to have the full experience of the series.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

The second book in the series, Hidden Wings, felt a little more rushed then the first one.  I liked how they condensed the character's to a select few, but I was mad that Kade left so early on.  I feel like the author changes her mind while in the middle of writing things and the book has an unpolished air to it.  Honestly, at some points I felt like I was reading a rough draft.  This really got on my nerves but didn't detract from the story, which is still very good.

I don't want to give too much away, but most of the novel takes place in Hell.  I really liked this.  Hell made it a "dangerous" story and brought the stakes up.  Plus, it helps that pesky problem of time lapse.  Again, this story only took place over several "days" but whereas the first one felt like it was much longer this one fit into that time frame nicely.

There weren't as many Darkling in this one which I appreciated and the "villains" were actual monsters who didn't have any sort of conscious.  Always love a good monster and these were pretty unique for the most part.  The "quest" in this story brings the characters down to Emma, Kade (who leaves early), Danyel, and Samuel.  At one point Malachi and Dom help out, but besides that we really don't see anyone else from the last book.  There's a new character introduced at the end and he's pretty important so I won't say anything.  Let me just say, though, I was a little disappointed with what he brings to the picture.  Oh, yeah, and Kade now being human (not too much of a spoiler, I promise) totally made me go "awww" in a good way.  Heart melting.

I am excited for what the next book brings, so finger's crossed it comes soon.

Rating: ***3 Stars***
Series Rating (so far): ****4 Stars****

Book of the Month: Hidden Wings

Continuing with my book of the month project, this month I'm going to be showing Hidden Wings by Cameo Renae. 

This book makes me want to move to Alaska.

In Hidden Wings Emma Wise is suddenly orphaned when her parents are killed in a car crash.  She finds out she has an aunt she didn't know about living in Alaska and goes to live with her and her rather strange family.  Emma learns fast that she's not who or what she thought she was and that there really are monsters in the dark.

This is one of those books that everyone should be talking about.  A book where generally everyone has read/owns/or at least heard about.  It's good writing, is about angels, and has a bunch of hot guys in it.  Seriously, paranormal romance fans, why isn't this book getting more of a spot light?

Let me start with the characters.  I already mentioned the hot guys and (besides Kade) I have a hard time picking a favorite.  They're all awesome and each has their own, well-defined, personality.  Seeing them in action is awesome and the scenes fly off the pages.  Kade is a very dreamy book crush, but he's also more then that.  There is this aura about him that makes you wonder what exactly is going on in his head.  Emma, herself, is a decent character when you get to know her, but she does come off a bit rude.  She's a little harsh to her friend Jeremy and, honestly, I wasn't sold on the fact that she would be hanging with the "geeky-loner-group".  Emma's aunt Alaine is tough but she isn't keen on keeping secrets, which is a nice break from the general idea in YA that there should be secrets kept from main characters by the annoying adult figure.

The mythology in this story was pretty cool.  A little complicated but easy to grasp.  There are angels, fallen angels, darkling, and nephilim that make up the general group of paranormals here.  The villain didn't strike me as very evil, though, and a good (and by good I mean bad and cruel and cold and hard and complicated) villain is something that really makes a book something great in my opinion.

Overall, I can't wait to read the next book in this series (be warned: major cliffhanger at the end and you won't see it coming) and I hope that you seriously consider picking this one up.

Rating: 4 stars