Book Review: Of Darkness And Light (ROYA #4)

This week I am reviewing Of Darkness and Light (Shadow of the Nephilim) by YA author Lily Crussell. Warning: This is most definitely one for the girls.

Admittedly, I haven't read many angel stories. In fact, the only books I recall having anything to do with angels are Cassandra Clare's urban fantasy The Mortal Instruments and Steampunk The Infernal Devices. Actual angels don't even feature that much in them.They're not really my thing, but Lily Crussel's book has at least taught me that I don't mind them. My belief on the existence of angels is irrelevant. This is Fantasy after all, and I'm not one for dwelling on the mundane.

My Angel

Seventeen year old Elora is discontent, but getting on with things. That is, until something unseen starts attacking her. With her parents away a lot, she feels pretty isolated. It's not helped by that fact that her best friend's mother hates her. Universally sceptic, when a handsome stranger comes into her life she suspects the worse. However, celestial intervention is what's required to save Elora from her vicious, invisible assailant.  But when she discovers she's destined to be the love of  angel Raziel, it's pretty hard to take in. Especially considering she doesn't even believe in angels.

Until about 2/3 through I was ready to give this book 3 out of 5 stars. There are a few typos, but nothing that detracts from the story.   It does drag a bit though, in the build up to the romance. There were aspects that were sweet, but I wasn't particularly interested. It takes more than a "perfectly beautiful" male to capture my interest. If you're into angels I imagine it's quite lovely. However, the pace picks up and the plot thickens when an entertaining new character steps into play.

Dance with the Devil

Before Raziel mysteriously disappears, he tells Elora that it's Nephilim attacking her.  But angels aren't supposed to believe in them, so Elora has difficulty convincing other angels that Nephil has taken her boyfriend. Cue Lucifer (not to be mistaken for Satan), a mischievous, lovable rogue, oozing with hypnotic charm.

As this book made me laugh out loud it definitely gets 4 out of 5 stars. As a rule, anything that makes me laugh or cry automatically gets 4 stars minimum. If it makes me do both, 5 stars. I found myself looking forward to Lucifer's appearances. His arrival brings humour to the story, making it a far more compelling read.  He's completely mischievous and devilishly irresistible. Certainly, as much as I enjoyed Elora's pragmatic, if somewhat paranoid navigation of her plight, I much preferred her impish nature around the fallen angel. More of that, please. There's some really grisly bits which were great. I'll definitely be up for reading more of this series.

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Remember, if you have something that you think would be of interest to ROYA, email me at merrybawz@hotmail.com with ROYA and your name as the subject.

Poetry ~ Winter's Warm

I wasn't inspired enough by this week's Speakeasy prompts to write a poem. However, I had this one going spare. Enjoy.

With Winter’s warm affection feel

The crispness, crystal white,

Kissing cheeks and making rosy;

Cosy, wrapped up tight.

Smelling snow in the air,

Red berries and evergreens.

Birds twitter, scatter, scour for feed

Preparing by any means.

Sparkling frost on branches reach

And dreamlike twinkle wink.

Cold and runny noses

Line up at the outdoor rink.

Grey clouds quilt the sky above

And pass on downy breeze.

It chills, but still, the pleasure thrills

And with the heart agrees.

Then dark arrives apace and early,

Begging for candle flame

To light the night and flicker bright,

And any worries claim.

Peat fires burn away the blues,

Heating bones and souls austere.

Making the very, merry best

Of this wondrous time of year.

Teaser: The Heart Thief

I'd been struggling to think of what to write for my weekend blog post.  I thought a teaser would be fun on Friday. Then I talked myself out of it yesterday. However, come this morning I was convinced it was the right idea again. I am a fickle creature.

As a thank you for your continued support, here is a teaser from The Heart Thief (Devils Light Book 2). In this excerpt from Chapter 3 (unedited) we see the first exchange between the main character Madeline, and her second cousin Gidderoy. As you will see,  they don't  get off to good start.

“Watch where you’re going!”

Gidderoy blocked her path, a sneer curling his thin upper lip. Maddie observed he hadn’t bothered to dress properly, even though it was almost mid-morning.  The loose, cream shirt he wore was undone to the waist, exposing his lean, smooth chest. Ugh, she thought, how inappropriate. His dark breeches, which clung so tightly to his hips, were stuffed carelessly into his boots. There was something about his dishevelled appearance that struck her as odd. Was it possible he hadn’t yet been to bed? His brown eyes fixed on her with disapproval. It was clear he was awaiting some kind of response.

 “Is that how you were taught to treat a lady?”

Resting his hands insolently on his hips, he arched one of his dark blond brows, “That’s you, is it?”

“I beg your par-?”

He cut her off with a taunting laugh.

 “What gives you the right to - ?”  

“Lady? Lady Madeline,” he jeered. “You need to understand who’s in charge here.”

“That’s you, is it?” Maddie bit back, mimicking his words from a moment before.

 “I am the gentleman of the manor.” he returned smugly.

“Gentleman?” she couldn’t help but laugh at this, “You’re no gentleman. Obnoxious little weasel, is more like.”

“Tut-tut!” he drawled, “Name calling? What unladylike behaviour.”

Maddie resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him. Instead she kept it behind her tightly clamped teeth. She scowled at him in the vein hope he might back off. It didn’t work.

“You don’t actually think you have a say in things, do you?” he spoke with a lazy, inflated confidence. It made her blood boil. She watched with increasing irritation as he tipped his head back, shaking his blond waves from his face, muttering: “Silly girl.”

If she’d had any respect for him at all, it was now obliterated. His foppish arrogance was irksome, but his rudeness? Unacceptable! Unable to hide her annoyance, she spoke her mind, “Just because your pompous, drunkard of a father has always been after Hynegarry, doesn’t mean-”

“Daddy” he cut her off sharply, “Is more concerned that you pair of nitwits are running this estate into the ground.”

“Nitwits? I’m sure Aunt Charla would have something to say about your low opinion of us.”

“Auntie Charls knows her place,” he looked her up and down, resting his gaze brazenly on her breasts, “You’d do well to listen to her.”

Angrily, Maddie folded her arms, protecting herself from his intrusive stare. Smirking, he raised his eyes and was met by her blazing blue ones. “If you think I’m going to take orders from a conceited, snot-nosed little boy like you, you’re mistaken.”

“I’m no boy!” Anger coloured his cheeks. “I’m a year older than you. I am of age, and a gentleman!”

Maddie inwardly patted herself on the back for finally having ruffled his feathers. “Then why don’t you act like it.” 

 

 

Excerpt Chapter 3, The Heart Thief. Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved. No part of this post may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written consent from the author.