Angelfall, #1 of 3

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Book: Angelfall, #1 of 3
Series: Penryn & the End of Days
Author: Susan Ee
Publisher and Publication Date: Skyscape, 8/28/12
Pages: 288
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fallen Angels, Dystopian
Rating:

My Review in a Nutshell:

All hail the queen of dystopia! It’s been a few years since I read Susan Ee’s debut novel, and it still remains the number one book I suggest to every type of reader. Take sci-fi, paranormal romance, mystery, dystopian, even horror, roll it up into a trilogy and wah-lah, you have the best thing that’s ever going to happen to you- Angelfall.

What’s It All About?

Six weeks has passed since Archangel Gabriel came to earth with a message, which was never heard due to someone literally “shooting the messenger”. In response, the angels have gone on a murdering spree all across the world. Sixteen year old Penryn must keep her wheel-chair bound sister safe, as well as her schizophrenic mother. And hopefully survive the apocalypse. Through a series of unfortunate events, Penryn’s sister is kidnapped by an angel, and her only hope to rescue her is to make a deal with a bitter, injured (and totally hot) angel. Together, they embark across Los Angeles on a dangerous journey to the angels’ nest- AKA: the absolute worst place to be.

My Thoughts?

Forget the whole “rise-climax-fall” cliché, Angelfall hits the ground running and never slows down. The twists and turns will make you dizzy, the good kind of dizzy, not the ‘six shots of tequila’ dizzy. I was consumed by the crumbling city and horrific aftermath gore they encountered on their expedition. NOTHING is sugar-coated, so if you’re squeamish, grab a barf bag, it’ll be worth it. With the setting and high stakes being on the gloom and doom side, Penryn and Raffe’s characters managed to bring comedic relief with their witty banter and corny jokes, case in point:

Raffe: “I never kid about my warrior demigod status.”

Penryn: “Oh. My. God.” I lower my voice, having forgotten to whisper. “You are nothing but a bird with an attitude. Okay, so you have a few muscles, I’ll grant you that. But you know, a bird is nothing but a barely evolved lizard. That’s what you are.”

Penryn is my idol, she’s got a set of balls on her to match that feisty attitude. Heaven is literally attacking, and she has me laughing…like…how is that possible? LOL!

I loved the confusing relationship of Penryn and Raffe, we are supposed to hate him, yet I don’t, and Penryn doesn’t entirely hate him either. Both are three-dimensional characters with loads of back-story. They are enemies, but have managed to form a like/hate comradery, it’s a really fun match-up! Angelfall is the perfect mixture of fun and suspense; why is Raffe being attacked by his own kind, why are Angels attacking humans, and will Penryn be able to save her sister!? There is SO much going on!

I’ve never been so in love with every inch of a book. I do not have one critiquing word to say. Angelfall is one of the most beautiful books about human resiliency and bravery; and the dark-side of humanity. I will always hold this trilogy near and dear to my heart.

My Favorite Quotes:

“It is painful to see that people prefer a bad guy who looks like an angel to a good guy who looks like a demon.”

“We now play a permanent game of I-am-crazier-and-scarier-than-you, And in that game, my mother is our secret weapon.”

“My friends call me Wrath,” says Raffe. “My enemies call me Please Have Mercy. What’s your name, soldier boy?”