February 23, 2012

Review: Embrace by Jessica Shirvington


Embrace
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: March 6, 2012
Review Source: Sourcebooks (publisher)
Format: ARC paperback

Summary: It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before.

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…
 
Look for the sequels ENTICED in September 2012 and EMBLAZE in March 2013!


Review: Embrace is the first book in a new YA paranormal series. It falls in nicely with the popular teen literature trend of angels and fallen angels, but goes a step above. It is a coming-of-age story that deals with important personal themes like family, friendship, love, trust, fate, and betrayal. Shirvington takes normal teenage problems and adds another layer of paranormal angst as icing on the cake. The characters, especially our heroine Violet, are all well-rounded and accessible. They are dealing with everyday problems that we all have or will have to face, and their reactions are believeable, which makes us identify with them even more. We almost automatically take Violet’s side and understand her confusion and pain at what is happening in her life. Throw in a couple of handsome guys fighting over her and a battle between exiled angels and humans – you have all the ingredients for a hit book. This book is very well written with a great narrative and easy flow to the storyline. The reader is drawn into the world that Shirvington has created and I was disappointed that the book had to end. Needless to say, I am now eagerly awaiting the coming novels, but I wish I didn’t have to wait so long to see what will happen next! I highly recommend that everyone who enjoys YA fiction read Embrace – don’t miss this one!


Disclosure: I received my copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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