Okay. Let me start off with the things I did like. And there were a fair amount. I really liked the author’s writing style--it was easy to read and flowed well and was totally engaging. And writing style is pretty much the number one most important thing to me in a book. If I don’t connect to the writing style, there’s pretty much no hope.For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.
I also thought the plot was really well done: the pacing was really good and the story was intriguing. This is my first angel book, so the whole mythos was new to me and it felt fresh (it probably wouldn’t feel fresh to any of you who’ve already read the gazillion other angel books, but for me it was). I also liked the whole mystery/thriller/suspense aspect it had going on. It had my adrenaline pumping and me unable to put the book down.
Now let me introduce you to the thing that ruined the book for me: Patch. What the heck is up with that dude? He’s overbearing and aggressive and a total bully, and I’m supposed to find that attractive? Heck no. He was such a major jerk. He doesn’t respect Nora at all--she tells him “no” constantly and yet he keeps pushing her. Plus, he’s a total stalker. Ug. I do NOT get the appeal of Patch.
And Nora’s no better. She’s all, “He scares me and I don’t feel comfortable around him, but I’m still attracted to him . . .” Man, I just wanted to slap some sense into her. If a guy scares you, you don’t pursue a relationship with him. It’s called commonsense. Yeesh.
Overall, I would’ve been really into this book if it hadn’t been for the jerk otherwise known as Patch. I’m curious about the other books in the series, but I won’t be reading them because I know I’ll just get too frustrated with the characters.
We are so on the same wavelength Karen! I really enjoyed the writing style too and that was the only thing which kept me from closing this one early. Patch is the epitome of stalker boy but what annoyed me more was Nora's reaction to him. I can't stand heroines who do that. Human beings have instincts for a reason and a guy being hot doesn't cancel out those reasons. What did you think of Vee? I wanted to decapitate her.
ReplyDeleteWhen Vee first came in, I liked her because I was like, "Hey, a best friend who actually plays a role in the story. Cool." But then the more scenes she was in, the more annoyed I got with her--is it possible for someone to actually be that shallow and stupid? Decapitation is not out of the question :)
DeleteGlad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I really enjoyed her at the beginning but then halfway through she turned into the typical shallow sidekick. There was one with with Elliot where Nora tells her something horrible and she just dismisses it. From then on, it was all downhill.
DeleteThis series-- I totally get the APPEAL of it, but I'm with you: I read the 1st one to see what the hype was about, but I don't have any plans to pick up the 2nd.
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