I’ve said it over and over: I love Angels. They are my favorite paranormal creature. But that doesn’t mean I’ll necessarily love any storyline involving them . . . I’ve just gotten extremely lucky.
My latest angel adventure is ANGELFIRE by Courtney Allison Moulton, which comes out February 2011. This is Ms. Moulton’s debut, a novel written for 2008’s NaNoWriMo. As a writer myself, the fact that she crafted this intricate story in only thirty days is something I madly respect.
ANGELFIRE weaves together tales of mythology, biblical creatures, past lives, romance, suspense and danger. Seventeen-year-old Ellie finds herself thrust in the middle of an epic battle between Heaven and Hell and the war over human souls. Believing herself to be an average teenage girl, she questions why her horrific nightmares are becoming more frequent and vivid, and why a mysterious—and hot—older guy begins following her around.
The mysterious guy turns out to be Will, Ellie’s Guardian, who has been waiting sixty years for her reincarnation so they can begin again the battle against the reapers—demonic creatures obsessed with devouring human souls for Satan’s army. After awakening Ellie, Will helps her regain her past lives knowledge and instructs her in how to fight the demons with the one weapon only she can wield—angelfire.
Despite these revelations, in Ellie’s heart she’s just a normal teenage girl attempting to balance school, Daddy issues, friends, unwanted male advances and forbidden love. For those looking for romance, you get plenty of it here. We have Landon, the hot best friend who wants to be more. Will, the guitar-playing Guardian protector who keeps his distance. And Caden, the sexy bad boy on the wrong side of the battle but with obvious hidden depths yet to explore.
There is a lot to praise in this debut offering, and only a few minor criticisms. Some of the flashback scenes of Ellie’s past lives dragged down the pacing and a few I found a little boring and unnecessary, but these are minor issues. It did take me a little while to get into the plot of the story, but once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. I was pleasantly surprised throughout the novel by little plot points and moments that were unexpected. The author kept me guessing for half the book on the exact relationship between Ellie and Will, as well as her relationship with her father and her best friend Landon. And I can say that I did not expect the revelation in regards to Ellie’s true identity.
ANGELFIRE is the first in the trilogy, with WINGS OF THE WICKED expected in 2012 and HYMN TO THE FALLEN in 2013.
This installment ends with a hint of the adventure to come, and plenty of questions unanswered. Can Will and Ellie stop the apocalypse? Will their enemies unleash the weapon that can destroy Ellie’s soul forever? Will they ever kiss again?
I know I will be looking forward to the next in this series to find out!
ANGELFIRE won’t hit stores until February 15,2011, but is already available for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other bookstores.
I received ANGLEFIRE via NetGalley, courtesy of Harper Collins, in exchange for a review. I was beyond grateful to accept.
