Blog Tour and Giveaway: Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes

Welcome to the blog tour for Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes! As many of you know, this fabulous novel was published yesterday! In this post, Paula will be sharing official recorded suspect interrogations!

Read my review of Liars, Inc.!

WED MARCH 25. FBI INTERVIEW WITH JONAS JACOBSEN

Paula: Welcome to Day 8 of the #CatchAKiller Blog Tour. The first week was background profiles on the victim and suspects. The second week is FBI subject interview transcripts. Follow along to win fun swag and test your detective skills. Nothing in the content is directly spoilery for the book, but the info presented here might get you thinking about who's lying and who's telling the truth. Can you follow the clues and sniff out a killer? Make your guess and then read LIARS, INC. to see if you’re right!

CASE CA4153-228

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

LEAD INVESTIGATOR: McGhee, James, Special Agent

SECONDARY INVESTIGATOR: Gonzalez, Alex, Special Agent

PERSON OF INTEREST: Jacobsen, Jonas

Agent McGhee: Thanks for coming in to talk to us, Jonas.

Jonas Jacobsen: Did I have a choice?

Agent McGhee: Fair enough. How well do you know Preston?

Jonas Jacobsen: He surfs a little. I surf a lot. Our paths cross occasionally out in the lineup.

Agent McGhee: But that’s the only way you know him? The two of you aren’t friends off the beach?

Jonas Jacobsen: We’re not even friends on the beach. Richie Rich always acts too good to hang out with real surfers.

Agent McGhee: So then why did you call his phone three times last month?

Jonas Jacobsen: Jesus. You guys are ridic. I called him because the little kook owed me some money.

Agent McGhee: Mind if I ask what for?

Jonas Jacobsen: I customized his board.

Agent McGhee: And gave it back to him before he paid?

Jonas Jacobsen: What can I say? The groundswell set up some nice sets that day and I didn’t want him to miss out. And Preston is made of green. I figured he was good for it.

Agent McGhee: Did he ever pay you? Would you say he was having money problems?

Jonas Jacobsen: He paid me. I don’t know if he was having problems or not. Probably makes more in allowance than I do in a month.

Agent Gonzalez: When’s the last time you saw Preston?

Jonas Jacobsen: Like a week ago? He came into the Shrimp Shack with some of his douchebag football friends while I was working.

Agent Gonzalez: Where were you on Saturday December 3rd?

Jonas Jacobsen: Surfing.

Agent McGhee: All day and night?

Jonas Jacobsen: All day. And then at night my brothers and I camped on the beach. We surfed most of Sunday too. And then I went to work at two p.m.

Agent McGhee: Did you see Preston at the beach on Saturday or Sunday?

Jonas Jacobsen: No. Like I said. I haven’t seen Preston for about a week.

Agent McGhee: Did you see Max Cantrell at the beach?

Jonas Jacobsen: Yeah. He was there on Saturday. Rode a few ankle busters. Went for a walk.

Agent McGhee: But Preston wasn’t with him?

Jonas Jacobsen: Not that I saw.

Agent Gonzalez: Do you know where Max Cantrell is right now?

Jonas Jacobsen: No, brah. We’re not tight or nothing. I just see him in the waves from time to time.

Agent McGhee: Okay, well thanks for coming in. And give us a call if you think of anything that could be helpful.

Jonas Jacobsen: Sure thing.

About the Book:

Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: March 24, 2015

Official Summary:

For fans of Gone Girl, I Hunt Killers, and TV's How to Get Away with Murder.

Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell forged permission slips and cover stories to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts Liars, Inc. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?

When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer.

Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit? In a story that Kirkus Reviews called "Captivating to the very end," Paula Stokes starts with one single white lie and weaves a twisted tale that will have readers guessing until the explosive final chapters.

Novel Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author:

Paula Stokes writes stories about flawed characters with good hearts who sometimes make bad decisions. She’s the author of several YA novels, most recently Liars, Inc. and The Art of Lainey. Her writing has been translated into nine foreign languages. Paula loves kayaking, hiking, reading, and seeking out new adventures in faraway lands She also loves interacting with readers. Find her online at authorpaulastokes.com or on twitter as @pstokesbooks.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The Giveaway:

--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

1 Deluxe Swag Pack. Includes (1 Black or White T-shirt, 1 Notebook, 1 Signed Postcard, 1 Magnet, 2 Signed Bookmarks, 1 Signed Bookplate, and a Mini Shark's Tooth Pendant) all wrapped in crime scene tape and packaged in an official evidence bag.

2 Mini Swag Packs. Includes (2 Signed Bookmarks, 1 Magnet, 1 Signed Bookplate).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday (#117): Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, I'm featuring:

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Book One of The Great Library series

Publisher: NAL

Publication Date: July 7, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time.…

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.…

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble


I have yet to read a book by this author... but there's no time like the present! Or, future, in this case. July, wooaaahhh. Two days after my birthday! Also, fantasy!

Review: The Girl At Midnight by Melissa Grey

The Girl At Midnight by Melissa Grey

Book One of The Girl At Midnight series

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Publication Date: April 28, 2015

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

For readers of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones and Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone, The Girl at Midnight is the story of a modern girl caught in an ancient war.

Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.

Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.

Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, but if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.

But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.

What I Liked:

This book was BEAUTIFUL. Inside and out. I loved the feel of this story, the amazing world-building, the likable characters, the story itself. So many things worked in this book. So many things worked for me, and I really, really enjoyed this one.

Echo is human, but she lives with the Avicen, creatures with feathers for hair, basically humans with bird-like qualities. They can do magic easily, whereas it takes a lot out of Echo to do magic (she's human). Echo is a thief, and she enjoys thieving. One day, Echo is sent to steal something that will help lead to the Firebird, a mythical thing that contains great power, and could lead to the end of the war between the Avicen and the Drakharin (dragon-like creatures that appear to look like humans; they can't fly, but they are skilled warriors and magic-wielders). She succeeds in obtaining the object, only to be thrown into the path of a powerful Drakharin who is unwelcome in Drakharin lands. Echo, Caius (a Drakharin; the Dragon Prince), Dorian (a Drakharin; Caius's loyal guard), Ivy (Echo's best friend; healer apprentice), and Jasper (a peacock Avicen; a guy who owes Echo a favor) must find the Firebird before the Drakharin - or the Avicen - find it first.

For the most part, I liked Echo. She's snarky and a bit sarcastic, and turns everything into a joke. I like her humor. I'm not like that, but I could definitely be around her in small or large doses, and enjoy her company. Echo is hilarious, but she's also dedicated and pretty clever.

Caius is extremely intelligent, astute, hardworking, selfless, loyal, fierce... and sweet. He's the Dragon Prince, recently usurped by his twin sister, Tanith. She's cruel and heartless, and doesn't want the war to end. Caius wants the war to end. When Tanith takes his seat of power from under him, he flees, and works with Echo to find the Firebird. An unlikely team of two Avicen, two Drakharin, and a human. Caius is my favorite character of the book, because of his strength of character and personality. He is hundreds of years old, but unlike some people (*cough* Edward Cullen *cough*), Caius possesses a timeless quality, maturity and intelligence that I respected and liked a lot.

The secondary characters were a joy to follow. Seriously, the secondary characters add additional humor to the book. Jasper is always teasing Dorian, making him blush or look away gruffly. Dorian is very conflicted about a lot of things, including how he treated Ivy, who was a prisoner of the Drakharin, under Tanith's orders. Ivy is a sweet character, a healer in training, which coming in handy several times throughout the book.

The story definitely has a Daughter of Smoke and Bone vibe to it. I've seen some people complain about this, and others praise it. I personally think it's great; the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series is so distinctive, and I don't think anything could come close to it, in terms of story and style. This book has the same feel to it, which I think is a very good thing.

The world-building is wonderful! This book is fantasy set in the modern world. There are bird people! There are dragons who can no longer fly! There is a war that has been going on for centuries! There is a mythical thing that could end it all (I was thinking "the one ring to rule them all", and Echo took the words out of my mouth at one point! Maybe we're more similar than I previously thought). Bits and pieces aren't super original, but put together, the entire story is really imaginative and fun and exhilarating. 

I loved the story - there are many layers to it, with many characters and many subplots. But not so many that you get lost, or certain subplots get underdeveloped. The story is told in third person, usually from Echo's point-of-view, but also at times from Caius's, Ivy's, Dorian's, and I think Jasper's too (though I'm not certain). I like third person, so I didn't mind so many points-of-view at all. It wasn't overwhelming, because most of the time, it was limited to Echo, anyway.

There IS romance in this book! I actually wasn't expecting that, so I was pleasantly surprised. Not sure why I wasn't expecting romance. I've seen some people complain about a love triangle. Personally, I don't see one. There is one guy, and one girl, and one guy who is sort of there but has no chance. Echo never wavers, in terms of who she feels for, in her soul and heart. One is like, a long-time infatuation. The other is a mature, deep desire and emotion and affection. If that makes sense. There's also a twisted part to the romance, which I'm wary of, but it doesn't necessarily have to do with the pair that I want to end up together. IT'S COMPLICATED, OKAY? But no love triangle. Also, no insta-love. I LOVE the romance. The banter and chemistry is slow-burn and lovely.

There is a ton of action in this book, and it doesn't stop until the very end, when the whole story is over. So much fighting and killing and escaping and swords and maps and fun things like that! The ending is satisfying, and not quite a cliffhanger, but it will leave you wanting more. Especially in terms of the romance (not in a bad way). Good thing there are two books to follow!

What I Did Not Like:

There is something about the romance that is bothering me a bit, and it's bothering Echo too (and the love interest, though I must say - he is MUCH more than a love interest). I can't say what it is without giving things away, but I really want to be sure of Echo and the guy. I want to know 100% that it's the two of them, in a budding relationship, with no past, present, or future weighing them down. It's kind of complicated, but if you read this book, you'll know what I mean. It's nothing terrible or bad, per say, but it's something that's in the back of mind, tickling my subconsciousness.

In any case, The Thing is why this book is getting 4 stars, versus 5 stars. Not the worst Thing in the world, but I'd prefer otherwise. Of course, I'm not writing the book, so I have no say in Things, but it's a preference, you know?

Would I Recommend It:

I would sooooo recommend this book, so much! Fantasy fans, fantasy non-fans, basically anyone, give this book a chance! It's got a gorgeous cover, so, if anything, at least your bookshelf will look great! But in all seriousness, this book is awesome. I don't think you'd regret reading this book, even if you absolutely hated it (which you won't, hopefully). It's worth the read, and even if this book gets super popular and over-hyped, I'd still recommend it!

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars. It will still probably be a year-end favorite, because it was so good! Like, reread-worthy good. I can't wait to read the sequel! 

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Review: Love in the Time of Scandal by Caroline Linden

Love in the Time of Scandal by Caroline Linden

Book Three of the Scandalous series

Publisher: Avon Books

Publication Date: May 26, 2015

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from Edelweiss

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

Penelope Weston does not like Benedict Lennox, Lord Atherton. He may be the suave and charming heir to an earl, as well as the most handsome man on earth, but she can't forget how he abandoned a friend in need—nor how he once courted her sister, Abigail. He's the last man she would ever marry. If only she didn't feel so attracted to the arrogant scoundrel...

Once upon a time, Benedict thought he and Penelope got along rather well. Though he needs a wealthy bride to escape his cruel father's control, spirited Penelope just doesn't suit his plans for a model marriage—until a good deed goes awry, and scandalous rumors link his name to Penelope's. She might not be the quiet, sensible wife he thought he wanted, but she is beautiful . . . beguiling . . . and far more passionate than he ever imagined. Can a marriage begun in scandal become a love match, too?

What I Liked:

Gosh this series is amazing. Quite possibly in my top five historical romance series of all time! I love Caroline Linden and her books - she's definitely on my "auto-read" list. I admit, I've only read this Scandalous series by her, but I've read all three books and I've given all three book very high praise. You know you love the series when you can't even decide which book is your favorite! All three got the same rating from me!

I admit, I was a bit surprised when I saw that this would be Penelope and Benedict's book. I can't remember specifically Benedict or Penelope in book one, Love and Other Scandals, but it's been a year and a half since I read the book - I remember the primary couple's story (Tristan and Joan), and I LOVED it. I do remember Penelope very well in It Takes a Scandal - she's Abigail's sister, and she encourages Abigail to read the 50 Ways to Sin pamphlets, and to go in the forest with Mr. Vane (I looooooove Sebastian Vane, let it be known). While I liked Penelope, I didn't like Benedict in book two (It Takes a Scandal)! Hence my surprise when I saw the synopsis of this book months ago. However, this book was magical, and Linden did an EXCELLENT job of changing my opinion of Benedict completely. 

Benedict needs to marry an heiress or a noblewoman with a significant dowry. His father is a cruel, hard man, and he is very particular. Benedict wants the money to distance himself from his father and his tight rein of control. Benedict has his sights set on a young lady Frances, but then a huge scandal occurs, and he finds himself offering marriage to none other than Penelope Weston. Penelope has despised Benedict ever since he treated Sebastian (his former best friend) so poorly. But she needs him in order to avert the scandal, and the more she's around him, the more she's reminded of the Benedict she first met, before she found out about what he did to Sebastian (remember, that was all in book two, It Takes a Scandal).

The big scandal is quite heartbreaking, in my opinion. Penelope is unmarried, not promised to anyone, and is very spirited in nature... and so when she is found in a bit of a compromising situation, and Benedict happens to be there as well, rumors go around that Penelope is a whore and a girl with loose morals. This will destroy her marriage prospects, even if she has a huge dowry. Benedict offers to marry her... but we both know that Benedict didn't have to offer, and Penelope didn't have to accept. Fate has a way to pushing two people towards each other.

When they met, earlier in the series, they got along quite well. I believe it was in It Takes a Scandal - Benedict seemed very suited for Penelope, and vice versa. But then Benedict didn't defend Sebastian, and Penelope cannot forgive him for that. But back to their relationship. It's obvious that they enjoy each other's company, before. In this book, they appear to despise each other, but there's a lot of buried passion and emotion wrap up in that hostility. 

I love both of these characters. Penelope is more than feisty and spirited - she speaks her mind and asks too many questions and often doesn't know when to stop. This definitely leads to trouble at times, but it's also a quality that Benedict finds he really likes. He thought he wanted someone like Abigail - sweet and respectful and thoughtful - but he slowly realizes that he wants someone passionate and quick-witted and fierce.

I like Benedict. I think I like Sebastian better, but I understand Benedict more. He certainly has his own charm, and while he has a dark attitude to him, I like him. It definitely helps to know his past, his current situation with his father, and the way he protects everyone, especially his sisters. He's like an antihero, now redeemed.

The romance is lovely! Benedict and Penelope need time to grow to love each other, and to trust each other. The chemistry, on the other hand, has never been misplaced. Penelope is very, um, curious about things, especially given those pamphlets she's been reading (sooo glad those pamphlets are a part of this series). And Benedict is, well, Benedict.

There is an interesting story to this one, besides the scandal. It's tied with the scandal, and isn't resolved in this book (not quite), which makes me think there will be at least one more companion novel in the series? Penelope is protecting someone, and the person gets away from the blackmailer, but we don't know where Penelope's friend disappears to, so I'm thinking there has to be a book about Penelope's friend. At least, I hope.

I'm really pleased with this novel! This book is a companion novel in this series - remember, this entire series is a companion series, and each novel can be read by itself. But you should read all of this series (if you're interested), because it's an excellent series!

What I Did Not Like:

I can't think of anything off the top of my head - except maybe that last part I mentioned. If there ARE NOT any more novels in this series, then I kind of wanted more of a concrete ending to that subplot involving Penelope's friend. If there ARE more novels in this series (one, or more), then never mind. The thing is, I don't know, so I don't necessarily want this to be a dislike or a deal-breaker.

Would I Recommend It:

I totally would recommend this book! And series! Again, it's a companion novel, part of a series that can be read in any order, or one by itself. However, you would benefit by reading all of the novels, in order, not just because the series is amazing (it is!), but also because information builds as the series goes. Like, with this novel - secondary characters become protagonists. Information from the last book is used in this novel - though Linden does refresh quite a bit from the last novel when necessary. So either way, you can read this book and be fine! But I'd recommend reading the other ones too. They are definitely worth the time (and money)!

Rating:

4 stars. An excellent addition to a wonderful series! I do hope there will be at least one more novel, featuring a certain character from this book - if only to know what happened to her after she fled! But also so she can get her own happy ending. I do love happy endings!

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

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Science in Fiction (#2): Forged by Erin Bowman

Welcome to this month's Science in Fiction feature! Science in Fiction is a meme I created to showcase the wonderful aspects of science in Young Adult fiction novels. For more information and previous feature, check out the "Science in Fiction" tag!

This month, I'm featuring Forged by Erin Bowman!

Taken review | Frozen review | Forged review

This is the sequel to Taken and Frozen, and the conclusion to the trilogy. The Taken series is built on a world of experimentation, cloning, and resource control. A huge problem, mostly explained in Taken, is available freshwater resources. Water rationing is common in this world.

So today, I'm going to talk about water stress, water scarcity, and a case study!

And, it is a bit of coincidence (okay, not really) that today is World Water Day! You can CHECK if you don't believe me :D

Water is actually my area of interest (and hopefully, expertise). Aquatic chemistry and science is my focus area of my environmental engineering major. Water is everything - with no water, there is no life. You ever hear the phrase "the third world war will be fought over water"? Personally, I'm very inclined to believe that theory.

Facts about water:

- About 97% of the Earth's water is salt water, leaving about 3% as fresh water.

- Of that 3%, 70% is ice (icecaps, glaciers, etc.)

- Less than 1% of the freshwater can be used for drinking water

- Agriculture/irrigation and electric power are the two highest uses of water, followed by consumer use

- Water withdrawals have tripled in the last 50 years

- Freshwater availability is often tied up with politics, unbalanced power, and poverty

(See HERE for the source, and for more facts.)

Water stress and water scarcity are two different things. According to the UN, "an area is experiencing water stress when annual water supplies drop below 1,700 m3 per person". Water scarcity is occurring when annual water supplies drop below 1,000 m3 per person. Absolute scarcity is occurring when annual water supplies drop below 500 m3 (source HERE). Globally, we're experiencing water stress.

The cast study:

Last week, it was announced that California has one year of water left (super hot topic in the environmental and political world right). I actually planned this post weeks ago, but it's morbidly convenient that this announcement was made last week and coincided with my post, just like it's oddly convenient that World Water Day happened to be within weeks of me planning this post.

California has been relying on sources of surface water, and will have to turn to ground water to meet the demand in water. Groundwater is very precious, and not easy to replace. Politicians are claiming that California will not run out of water in a year, because so much groundwater is available, but using the state's ground water supply is not smart at all. California's supply of groundwater has been decreasing rapidly. Jay Famiglietti, a water scientist, believes that water rationing might need to be employed in California. In fact, restaurants and bars are no longer allowed to serve water automatically.

One thing I personally found interesting, being an engineer and expecting the interconnections of all environmental issues - if there is less water available, there will be less power generated from hydroelectric sources. This could mean two things - California (and other states) will turn to renewable sources of energy, such as wind or solar; or, the states will turn to non-renewable sources of energy, like natural gas through hydraulic fracturing (which is totally evil, the nightmare of environmental engineers). THIS article talks about this dilemma briefly.


Scary, no? This winter has been very dry for California and the West Coast, and the ground water levels have been dropping for years. Emergency relief plans may possibly alleviate some problems temporarily, but a long-term plan has yet to surface. This is not just a problem California is/will face. Will water rationing be part of the state's future? Part of the world's future?

What do you all think?

Stacking the Shelves (#117)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, in which bloggers share the books and swag they've received in the past week!

So, what did I get in the week of Sunday, March 15th to Saturday, March 21st?

(all links to Goodreads are provided!)

In the mail:

A hardcover copy of First There Was Forever by Juliana Romano

Thank you, Penguin!

A hardcover copy of Harrison Squared by Daryl Gregory

I've never heard of this one... does anyone want to read it?

A hardcover copy of To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

I LOVED this book! I've read it, I have the ARC, and I got this via trade to have a matching set!

From NetGalley:

Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jensen

Whoop whoop! I loved Stolen Songbird!

From Edelweiss:

Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

A new series by McGarry... hopefully it's good!

From Amazon:

I Kissed An Earl by Julie Anne Long

$0.99 sale! I loved It Started With A Scandal.

It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long

Errr... well... sale?

Between the Devil and Ian Eversea by Julie Anne Long

Wellllll... this is one of Racquel's favorites, and it was on sale... hehe

Avon has a bajillion romance novels on sale! Some of my favorites of all time. Go check it out! And for a list of historical romance novels on sale - HERE!

So I had the surgery on Monday! Everything went well, and the recovery has been successful, so far. I had the followup appointment on Friday, and my surgeon says I'm healing well, despite still being in a lot of pain. 

This week has been rough, but hey, it's just spring break, right? -_- In any case, I'm so thankful for no infections. But I miss FOOD! Chocolate! I won't be back to solid foods for a while. BUT. Everything has been going well, and I'll be back in school on Monday!

Review: Angelfall by Susan Ee

Angelfall by Susan Ee

Book One of the Penryn & the End of Days series

Publisher: Skyscape

Publication Date: August 28, 2012

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

It's been six weeks since the angels of the apocalypse destroyed the world as we know it. Only pockets of humanity remain. 

Savage street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. 

When angels fly away with a helpless girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back...

What I Liked:

I FINALLY caved and read this one. It's been around for years, and I've been seeing so many trusted bloggers and friends love this book (and series in general), and I never bothered to pick it up. It involves angels, I told myself. I don't like angel books. Why bother? Well, Angelfall is February's Pili-Pushed novel (I know, I'm a month late), and it appeared on NetGalley (along with World After), so I figured those must be signs. And guess what - this one is probably my favorite Pili-Pushed novel, along with Stolen Songbird (January's recommendation)!

There has been an apocalypse, and angels have destroyed the world. Six weeks after the apocalypse, Penryn, her crippled sister, and her mentally bizarre mother are setting out to hopefully find a better place to live. But this doesn't work out; a group of angels are attacking one angel, and Penryn decides to distract the angels will her mother and sister hopefully run to freedom. Penryn and the attacked angel are left by the group of angels, but one of the angels takes Paige (Penryn's sister). Penryn is determined to get her back. She takes the beaten angel and all but forces him to tell her where to find the angels. Together, Penryn and Raffe (the angel) travel to the aerie to find Paige. Raffe is going to the aerie in hopes of finding a surgeon to stitch his wings back (the group of angels sliced them off).

Right from the start, I liked Penryn. She reminds me a bit of Lela from the Guards of the Shadowlands series by Sarah Fine. Penryn is fiercely loyal, tough, and unafraid of fighting for what she wants. She's skilled in martial arts and combat - her mother had her taking lessons since she was four or five (or some young age). She's no match for angels physically but she is quite a fighter. Penryn is definitely a heroine girls should look up to. She never falls for the angels' pretty faces, never loses her resolve.

Raffe, the male protagonist, is equally as likable. He's an angel with his wings cut off, a warrior, a calculating and quiet creature. He agrees to help Penryn in order to get his wings sewed back on, but he grows to become loyal to her, and looks out for her. He is very intelligent, and very good at seeing things holistically. He is haunted by the loss of his wings, but determined to get them back.

I like the flow of this story. At first I thought, here we go, cliche story of someone trying to save someone from the bad guys. This has the Guards of the Shadowlands series written all over it. Or vice versa (I read Sarah Fine's books first, but chronologically, I think it's the opposite). Whatever. HOWEVER. I didn't find this book full of cliches at all. There are many plot twists and unexpected road bumps and turns that I did not see coming - like the Resistance camp. And when Penryn and Raffe finally get to the aerie, well, I definitely wasn't expecting any of that.

The world-building and imagery is really well-written. This is a post-apocalyptic world, and the author does an excellent job with the setting, the apocalypse, the feel of doom and gloom. And the paranormal aspect is pretty cool too. I mentioned above that I hate angel books. I've enjoyed Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, as well as Samantha Shannon's The Bone Season series, but in general, I really don't like angel-related books. So I was really wary about the angel aspect. But I'm surprised and quite pleased that I really enjoyed this paranormal aspect! The angels are harbingers of doom, and they are very pretty, but very deadly. I think I like these angels so much because they're like Taylor's angels, or Shannon's angels. As opposed to Lauren Kate's angels, or Becca Fitzpatrick's angels. Less teenage-boy-ish, more immortal, timeless, male (or female).

So, I loved the story. I loved the world-building. I love the protagonists. The supporting characters were also characters I enjoyed reading about, love them or hate them. I wasn't a fan of Penryn's mother, but that was to be expected. I didn't necessary like any at the Resistance camp - again, to be expected. I'm interested in seeing more secondary characters, because there weren't too many at the forefront (secondary characters at the forefront. Hehe). This book goes by very quickly - you won't feel the pages slipping, the percentage going by. I was never bored, and I always wanted to know what would happen next!

Okay okay, let's talk romance. There is no love triangle, no insta-love, none of that mess. In fact, the romance is barely there - which is a wonderful thing! As in, it's THERE, but it's a slow, progressive build. Penryn and Raffe don't just see each other and fall in love, or lust. It takes the whole book, nearly dying, saving each other, being separated at short intervals, etc., for them to develop feelings for each other. It's more about building trust and loyalty - but they also care about each other, and there is definitely an attraction between them. But it's all very subtle, very slow burn, very delicious to read. I can't wait to read the next book - for so many reasons, but especially the romance.

This book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, though it does end on an uneasy note. It's okay, because we know there are two books to follow, and I've waited forever to read this book, and am now completely prepared to binge-read the series. I've got World After to read next week, and End of Days comes out in May, so I am ready!

What I Did Not Like:

There's just one thing, and it's probably just me, but I thought the climax and ending were a tad bit too fast and perhaps a bit confusing. I was confused as to what I was supposed to be seeing, in terms of all things revealed and bad guys and the Resistance striking - it just felt like everything was thrown together at once, and it was a bit much to wade through. Perhaps I just need to reread the ending. Anyway, it's a small thing, because I certainly got the gist of everything.

Would I Recommend It:

YES! I totally recommend this one! I loved it a lot! I don't regret waiting so long to read it (it was almost inevitable that I would read it, with literally everyone else reading, raving about, and LOVING it). Even if you don't like angel-related novels, give this book a chance! I don't like angel content, but I really enjoyed that aspect, and this book in general.

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars (only because it doesn't quite feel like a 5-star read to me. Those are few and far between, from me). I'll be reviewing World After on Friday, March 27th (next week)!

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