Angel, Book 1
Synopsis: Angels are all around us: beautiful, awe-inspiring, irresistible. Ordinary mortals yearn to catch a glimpse of one of these stunning beings and thousands flock to The Church of Angels to feel their healing touch. But what if their potent magnetism isn’t what it seems? Willow knows she’s different from other girls. And not just because she loves tinkering around with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into people’s futures, know their dreams, their hopes and their regrets, just by touching them. But she has no idea where she gets this power from. Until she meets Alex… Alex is one of the few who know the truth about angels. He knows Willow’s secret and is on a mission to stop her. The dark forces within Willow make her dangerous – and irresistible. In spite of himself, Alex finds he is falling in love with his sworn enemy.
Review: I must admit that among all these books about angels, there aren’t a lot I have really enjoyed so I was pretty reluctant to start this saga. What a mistake! This book is great! It’s still a book about angels, but it’s so different from other novels … Once started, I couldn’t stop reading it and as it has a little over 500 pages, I can tell you that I spent two nights on it!
I loved the world created by L.A. Weatherly. The main originality of this novel is the fact that angels aren’t as angelic as they seem to be, far from it. Here on the contrary, angels are evil creatures. Following a huge crisis that has ravaged their world, angels arrived in great numbers in the human world. It begins with the first wave but other ones are planned. They feed on humans to survive. And the worst is that humans don’t even realize what’s happening because the Angel Burn not only absorbs their life force, it also makes them believe that angels are kind and caring beings. Consequently the number of disease and insane issues has increased, as the churches of angels and their worshipers. The atmosphere is heavy, religious fanatics are growing across the country and around the world. It’s a real invasion. The human race is threatened. Their only hope, a teenager girl like no other who knows nothing about her powers.
I loved the two main characters. We’re dealing with teenagers mature enough and brave what is really a very good thing. In this first volume, there’s no annoying heroin, on the contrary, Willow is sweet, kind and brave. She uses her gifts of clairvoyance in order to help others. She took an early habit of taking care of herself and her mother. She loves mechanics and doesn’t hesitate to get her hands dirty to help her friends. Her life is turned upside down when she agrees to look into Beth’s future. Alex is an Angel Killer (AK) who takes his job very seriously and he’s not the kind of man to question himself about the legitimacy of it. He didn’t have a childhood; he was raised and trained for the sole purpose of killing angels and he’s very determined. He has always performed his contracts without complaining. However, when he’s assigned the mission of eliminating Willow, he hesitates. I loved the interaction between these two characters. They’re both really touching and their romance is really beautiful.
The story is not only told from Willow and Alex’s point of view, but also from the perspective of other characters. This multitude of POVs is also something that I appreciated. We can see everything that is happening from both sides. The passages with Raziel’s point of view were particularly interesting, we see how his thirst for power is insatiable, we understand what the real goals of the angels are, and everything is gradually unveiled. I couldn’t help but compare it all to an alien invasion, and it even made me think of several television series except that here it is not aliens but angels.
Another element that I really liked: this little “road movie” side. Our two heroes are on the run and travel over the country to escape a horde of fanatics and angels that are on their heels. I’ve always been a great fan of “road movies” and I was pleasantly surprised to find some of that in this book. It was a real pleasure to follow them through this little trip and see all these landscapes. At no time I get bored. The end promises a second book just as exciting as the first one and full of surprises. I can’t wait to read it!
Blodeuedd
Different you say, I guess I have a hard time believing it. Kind of like you when you started reading. Cos most are just so alike. But good to know that there are other books
Inessa
Yes I was disappointed by a lot of books about angels. You’re right, they’re so alike ! I was really scared to start this one but fortunately, it’s different. I loved it. 😀
Mel
I really liked the different take on Angels in this books as well – It was cool to see them almost vampire like and evil. However, I never really liked the romance – I guess I’m just too cynical! Great review. 🙂
Inessa
Yes! I also liked the way angels are described, like evil creatures.
I loved the romance too, although I found it a little bit too soft! 😀
Melissa (Books and Things)
Sometimes multiple POV can really work… and sometimes not. I’m glad it was the former. It’s always a good sign when you have a hard time putting down a book. Hm… I have this one on my wishlist. I think I may move it up quite a bit. 😀
Inessa
Oh yes, you really should read it Melissa! I don’t understand why I waited all this time to read it! I regret not having done it before! lol
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Wow! Really!?! Wonderful. I’ve liked the sounds of this one, but always afraid as well. Sounds like a homerun win here. 😀 Thank you!
Inessa
Yes, it was a great read ! I can’t wait to read the second volume ! I hope I have nothing important to do this weekend, so that I can start reading it ! *fingers crossed*
Ashley @ Book Labyrinth
Glad you enjoyed it! I’ve heard that is one is pretty original, and from your description it definitely seems like it.
Inessa
Yes, it is !! 😀