Divinity Blog Tour: Excerpt + Review

Welcome to my stop on the Divinity blog tour! Today I'm sharing my review with you, along with a great excerpt from the book!

Divinity

Author: Michelle L. Johnson

Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy

Release Date: September 23, 2014

Publisher: Spence City

Description:

When Julia climbs into a flaming car to save a trapped child, she's left wondering why either of them survived. Then she learns that her father is the Archangel Gabriel, and that she is half human, half Archangel. With guidance from Michael, the most powerful Archangel, Julia sets out to discover her own history and explore her angelic powers. But her journey is cut short when an evil force, invisible to human and angel alike, tears her world apart. Now Julia must fight through her despair, harness her newfound gifts, and risk her very soul to stop the A'nwel and protect the family she never knew she had. What she doesn't know is that Archangels have secrets too.

 Gabriel stepped up beside Michael, plumes of cloud lifting and swirling away with every footfall. Side by side, they had nearly identical wings and long, flowing white robes, but those were the only things similar about the two. Gabriel's short, straight blond hair made Michael's seem even darker, with soft brown curls resting on his shoulders. And though Gabriel wasn't pale, standing beside Michael's dark-skinned form made him seem so. "Michael."

"Gabriel," Michael greeted him. "Did you witness what she has done?"

The two Archangels peered through the clouds to the Earth below. "You are referring to the accident? The rescue of the baby?" 

"I am."

"Yes, I did, " Gabriel said. "Though I am  not sure how she was able to protect herself in that way."

"She is beginning to find herself, Gabriel. She will need guidance."

Gabriel's wings tensed and a frown creased his face. "Guidance from whom?"

Michael turned to face him. They stood for a moment, gazes locked on one another, Gabriel's steel-blue eyes with their strange brown flecks staring into Michael's deep, dark brown eyes. The tips of their wings disappeared into the clouds at their feet.

"Me?" Gabriel took a step back. "I would think there must be someone more aptly suited to the task."

Michael set one large hand on his broad shoulder. "Who better to guide her than her own father?"

Divinity is a fascinating adult urban fantasy novel that follows Julia, our main character, as she finds out that her father is actually the Archangel Gabriel and she's half-angel herself. Julia must learn to control and explore her powers if she is to have any hope against the darkness that is out to harm her. With the Archangel Michael to guide her along the way, Julia must face unthinkable loss and grief in order to grow stronger and learn how to fight with her very soul on the line to save the family she never thought she had from unspeakable evil.

A lot of books out right now are about angels or some kind of angel-like characters (fallen angels, Nephilim, half-angel humans). I wasn't sure what to expect from this book - if it was going to be just another decent story that would fall into the masses. Luckily, I was proven wrong. The story is written with a highly intense plot line and the amount of detail given to the angels, their history, and their powers - among other things - really set this book apart from others like it. I loved reading all of the information concerning the angels and I found myself enthralled by it all and wanting more. Julia is a great main character for the book. She's endured so much in her life and has managed to survive it all and is now thriving. She's stronger than she thinks, smart, and a loving friend and girlfriend. She definitely has her flaws though - she's unable to completely let go of the past that haunts her, is tormented by feelings of loneliness and having no real family, and sinks into bouts of severe despair. Throughout all of this - and the horrific events that happen in the book - she manages to keep herself together and on the path fate has chosen for her. She was incredibly realistic and I was immediately able to identify with her. I liked the secondary characters as well, especially Gabriel and Michael. They were both well-rounded and intriguing, mostly due to the fact that they're angels. The plot wasn't wholly original, but the author definitely put unique aspects into the story to make it stand out from others like it. I found the book to be fast-paced with an easy flow to it, which made it a quick read for me. As I mentioned, I was enchanted by all the information concerning the angels and everything connected to them - so I flew through the book without stopping. The imagery was very detailed and vivid, to the point where I could envision myself inside the story alongside Julia. I highly recommend this book to fans of urban fantasy, paranormal fiction, fantasies, and those who enjoy reading books with angels in them.

Michelle L. Johnson was born in Ohio and adopted by Canadians. They traveled all over North America, and when they weren't on the road Michelle could be found with her nose buried deeply in the pages of a book. With all of her travels and adventures, she hopes to bring some of her unique perspective to the pages and to entertain others the way all of her heroes have for her. When she's not hanging out with her feathered friends, she's busy being a literary agent with Inklings Literary Agency. She says wherever she hangs her coffee mug is her home, and right now that's a toasty warm Jacksonville, Florida with her happy Cocker Spaniel and her small family.