A Radiant Sky by Jocelyn Davies

Series: A Beautiful Dark (bk. 3)

Genera(s): Paranormal Romance

Subjects: angels, good vs. evil, magic, abilities, supernatural, love, visions, destiny

Setting: River Springs, Colorado (present day, but River Springs is based off of Boulder, CO)

POV/Tense: 1^st person, past tense, Skye’s POV

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 360 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: HarperTeen

Summary/ product description: “Since the night of her seventeenth birthday, Skye has been torn between two opposites: Light and Dark, the Order and the Rebellion, Devin and Asher.

But her decision shocked both sides—because she chose neither.

With the help of her friends, Skye forges her own path, setting out to gather an uprising of Rogues. The treacherous and elusive half-angels may be the key to maintaining the balance of fate and free will. But completing the mission her parents left unfinished is more difficult—and dangerous—than she could have imagined. And doing so comes at a cost: Her greatest love may now be a lethal enemy. Because it’s not just the Order that sees her as a threat who must be eliminated. The Rebellion does, too.

And both sides will do whatever it takes to win.

Dark days lie ahead, and if Skye is to survive, she’ll need to rely on her extraordinary powers and the strength of her will. Because she has a future—and a love—that’s worth fighting for.

The sweeping, darkly romantic story that began with A Beautiful Dark and gathered intensity in A Fractured Light comes to a thrilling conclusion in A Radiant Sky.

My Review: I love this series so much and I’m so sad that it’s over. It’s pretty much one of the best angel book series I’ve read. I compare this series to Unearthly by Cynthia Hand since they’re both set in such beautiful places and have hot guys. I love Colorado and visited it in 2003. It’s such a beautiful place and I love reading books with setting I’ve been to (although River Springs is not real and based off of Boulder). 

This series is very character driven. Skye’s narration is spot-on and she definitely is unique and realistic. She’s sometime funny and has a lot of heart. I love the part where she comes down stairs and grab a cucumber to de-puff her eyes. I thought that was hilarious. And how she and her friend get along. Cassie and Dan has such a great relationship. They’re so cute together and they tease each other. Cassie joined the prom committee and it was kind of hilarious how Dan and Ian both made fun of prom. Ian is also a great character. I really wanted him to be loved because her seemed left out a lot, but he definitely played a big role in this book.

 I also thought Devin was doing well for just having joined the Rebellion. He wasn’t into creating chaos, but he wanted freedom. I really wish that there was more Asher in this book. Toward the end we get more of him, but I really wanted more romance. Raven, who was an enemy in the previous books, becomes a great asset and friend to Skye. She sarcastic and sometimes mean, but ultimately want to help Skye with her new group that stand between the Order and Rebellion. I also like Aunt Joe and all the new Rogues we get to meet. There’s a character called Earth. She’s likes the sister Skye never has. I really loved her. She’s a smart kid.

In a Radiant Sky, there isn’t as much romance as the previous books, but there’s a lot more action and magic. I really love how Skye has come into her power. She has wings now and can fly. She has control over the elements and has vision of the future. She’s very powerful and she has great friends that support her. I love all the magic in this series. The flying scenes were some of the best parts. Sky changing the weather was also cool. Colorado has such moody weather. Is thunder really just angels bowling, or being angry? Sky can make that rain go away. Seems like an ability I’d want. 

This book has been an epic and thrilling conclusion to one of my favorite series. It was very emotional for me. I cried a few times, both tears of joy and sadness. This book gave me all the feels. (Not as much as Boundless by Cynthia Hand though.) This book was a true The End Is Near kind of read and Sky stop the end of the. She and her groupies, a ragtag teem of teens, angels and Rogue, must save the universe from destruction. The balance between chaos and control, fate and freewill is in her hands. The ending is a battle of epic proportions and a conclusion to remember.

I recommend this series to fans of angel books like: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, Fallen by Lauren Kate, Halo by Alexandra Adornetto, Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly, Embrace by Jessica Shirvington, Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz, Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton, and other paranormal romance stories.

Cover Art Review: I love the cover, by the model’s pose seems a bit unnatural. I like the aurora colors and the silver dress.

Boundless by Cynthia Hand

Series: Unearthly (bk. 3)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Angels, nephilim, love, destiny, visions, Wyoming, California, college

Age/Grade Level: Teen/Upper Teen/New Adult

Length: 436 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: HarperTeen

Summary/ product description: “The past few years held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner ever could have anticipated. Yet through the dizzying high of first love to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she could no longer deny was that she was never meant to have a normal life.
Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seemed like the best option, so she's headed back to California—and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.
As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he's not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won't come without sacrifices and betrayal.
In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must choose her fate once and for all.”

My Rating: êêêêê+

My Review: I hate conclusions, especially to my favorite series. Unearthly is pretty much my favorite, favorite series (besides Maximum Ride). I knew that if I didn’t read it right away, I’d never get to it anytime soon. So I started reading it as soon as I had it. Now that I’m done with it, how do I review the final book to my favorite series? (Towards the end, this may contain SPOILERS) It’s really hard not to spoil stuff. If I knew where to get GIFs, I’d probably review this book using those. Here’s a very unconventional review from mean. Read as far as you dare if you haven’t read Boundless yet.

The Beginning

My feels: excitement, happiness, with a little bit of worry.

I didn’t know what to expect. Didn’t know how it would all end. Clara, Christian and Angela are going to Stanford. I’m missing Jackson Hole and Tucker. I still enjoy the change of scenery. The characters are still themselves. Everything is going pretty well. I’m underlining pretty much any funny or beautifully written quote I can find in metallic pink gel pen. There’s a few new characters and some crazy moment. I like Christian, even though I’m still Team Tucker (cuz he’s a cowboy and sexy). Clara’s taking a class on Happiness.

The Middle

My feels: Thrilled, Surprised. In awe. Not wanting to put the book down even for school work. (procrastination). Angry at my noisy brother because he’s distracting me from getting into it. I want to be really into it. (I even dream that I’m reading the book, strangely enough) In love with Tucker still even if he’s fictional. (I wish I was Clara)

I love the parts where Clara accidently teleports to Tucker’s barn. Yay!!! Tucker is not forgotten and there are some parts in Jackson Hole! Awesome!

OH NO!! REALLY!!!?? ANGELA!!! Why didn’t you tell us? (Seriously, did not expect what happens to Angela). Clara’s dad starts training her and Christian for whatever reason. There’s a creepy crow who turns out to not be a real crow. Also there’s the visions, and Clara and Christian try to figure it out. There’s a really interesting twist. Angela purpose has a very crazy twist.

Towards The End (Last150 pages or so)

My feels:  Extreme surprise. Happiness for being right about stuff. Wariness for how it’s all going to end. OH NO OH NO OH NO!!!!

Did not expect Clara and Christian to be on the run with Angela’s baby Webster. Kind of figured out what Lucy was right away, so no surprise there. Clara sees her mother again, somehow. Hell reminds me of the Netherworld in the Soul Screamers series, but also makes me think of Everneath or even the Wicked Lovely series. There’s a big Christian-related surprise. LOTS OF FREAKIN’ SURPRISES!

The Very End (Last 40 pages)

My Feels: Crying my eyes out, and then eventually relief. (For a while I felt like I was the empathy feeling sorrow. Had to remind myself it’s just a book)

TUCKER NO!!! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! (I A VERY MUCH TEAM TUCKER!)

And let’s just say is all works out in the end. The ending is PERFECT!! *grabs tissue box*

 The Epilogue: Yay they take Web to Chicago! But wouldn’t Tuck’s family notice that Clara and Angela haven’t really aged after 9 years? And how old is Midas?

Other Stuff

Some awesome things mentioned in this book: Vampire Academy (Clara has a copy), Dystopian Books (Clara was reading one), Lincoln, Nebraska (I’ve been there, and Clara and Christian are there for a few weeks), Chicago (Christian thinks they should go there next), Zombieland (Christian’s favorite movie and mine too). Lots of awesome.

Read the acknowledgements! Courtney Allison Moulton feeds her horse Pia jelly beans!  That’s why Midas eats jelly beans!

I love this series. I feel like crying my eyes out because with Unearthly and Maximum Ride and almost all my favorite angel books over, I don’t know what to love next. (I’ll probably have to finish the last books in the Hush, Hush, Fallen, Halo, and other series too). I really want another novella from Jeffery’s perspective! And somebody please make Unearthly into a movie!

Cover Art Review: Beautiful as always. I love the metallic pink. I knew it would be pink. I love the title typography. The girl in the dress is nice. I love the dress.

 

~Haley G

A Fractured Light by Jocelyn Davies

Series: A Beautiful Dark (bk. 2)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Angels, supernatural, good vs. evil, Colorado, winter, destiny, fate vs. freewill

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 337 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: HarperTeen

Summary/ product description: “When she wakes up in unfamiliar surroundings, Skye knows something terrible has happened to her. It's not until she hears Asher, the dark, rebellious angel she fell in love with, that the memories come flooding back. She tries to put the past behind her, but she knows she'll be forever haunted by the ruthless betrayal that almost took her life.
Skye returns home, but with the knowledge of who she really is, nothing can ever be the same. As she tests the limits of her newfound powers, Skye discovers that she's capable of far more than anyone could have imagined. Both the Order and the Rebellion want her for their side as war between the factions looms. She can't forget the terrifying truth she now knows about the Order, but something holds her back from embracing the Rebellion.
A Fractured Light picks up right after A Beautiful Dark's shocking cliffhanger ending and is perfect for fans of Lauren Kate's Fallen and Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush saga.”

My Rating: êêêêê

My Review: Awesome sequel. Very good. Romantic and amazing. I said that I loved A Beautiful Dark because it had angels and was set in Colorado. Still true. I love the setting and the paranormal subject. Unearthly is very similar in that it’s about angels (angel bloods) and is set in a beautiful, mountainous area. River Springs may not be a real city, but it was based off the Boulder area, which I’ve been too and loved. There’s skiing! I never been skiing. This book makes me want to try skiing.

And I love the unique take on the angel mythology. It makes the angels you usually think as being good, look bad. And the Rebels look good. But I agree there has to be a balance between fate and freewill/control and chaos.

Asher, charming as ever. I love him! He reminds me of Patch. He’s not really all bad-boy, but really, he’s just awesome. I feel so sorry for Devin! He’s being controlled by the order. And there’s still Ian, who may eventually stand a chance. We find out something about him at the end. Really, the end was kind of crazy.

I love the humorous dialogue between Skye, Cassie and Dan. Cassie acting all invalid-like and dramatic. Really, there’s an awesome friendship here! Even if they were mad at her for being away. And Skye has a lot going on, but can’t tell them. She actually discovers some important things about herself, and develops her abilities further. I really think the weather control stuff is cool. All the Dark elemental abilities would be awesome to have.

New characters: Giddeon. He’s pretty cool, and Ardith, which we meet at the beginning on this book. They’re both Rebels.

I’m afraid if I go any further with this review I might spoil everything. I kind of guessed 3…maybe 4 important things that actually did end up happening/were discovered in this book. I’m just so perceptive when it comes to YA PNR plots. Predictable not a bad thing, but I enjoyed this book no matter what. Can’t wait for the 3^rd book. (I also can’t wait for Boundless, so that’s why I read this. It’s almost as good as Unearthly!!!!)

If you like YA Angel Paranormal Romances, read this series! It may not be as popular as Hush, Hush, Fallen, Unearthly or Embrace, or even Angelfire, but it’s not one you want to miss. It’s very unique in some ways.

It’s a great wintery read, and since it’s wintertime, I suggest reading this series on a snowy day, or with a picture of a wintery, mountainous landscape in front of you (like I did…some of the time).

Cover Art Review: Beautiful cover, but sadly the title’s not metallic and rainbowy. And they cut off her elbow or made it too dark. They were less careful when designing. This was a really dumb mistake. People do notice, so why did they not fix it?

 

~Haley G

Sweet Shadows by Tera Lynn Childs

Series: Medusa Girls (bk. 2)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Greek mythology, Medusa, sisters, triplets, magic, supernatural, San Francisco, monsters, destiny

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 328 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: HarperTeen: Katherine Teagan

Summary/ product description: “Teen triplets Gretchen, Grace, and Greer, descendants of Medusa, continue to battle the monsters who walk the streets of San Francisco, unseen by humans, but realize they must enter the abyss if they are to protect their loved ones--and their world.

Gretchen may have known she was a descendant of Medusa long before her sisters—after all, she's spent her life fighting the monsters that escape the abyss—but that doesn't mean it will be easy to teach the other girls the ropes. Can she rely on Grace and Greer, or even trust herself to keep them safe? Greer has pressing social commitments on her plate and precious little time to train in her newfound powers. But that wretched second sight won't leave her alone, and her fabled heritage seems to be creeping into her fashionable life.

Grace has worries closer to home—like why her brother, Thane, has disappeared. He's hiding something. Could it possibly be related to the secret heritage the triplets share?

With the warring factions among the gods of Olympus coming for them, the creatures of the abyss pushing into their world, and the boys in their lives keeping secrets at every turn, the three girls must figure out where their fate will take them and how to embrace the shadows of their legacy.”

My Rating: êêêêê

My Review: I only read Sweet Venom a little over a month ago and really enjoyed it. Reading the second book I have even more to enjoy. Some of my predictions from the first book came true in the sequel. And I still think that this series is very similar to Charmed, the TV show (because of 3 sisters with powers and it’s set in San Francisco). I wanna go comparing each sister to a Charmed one. It bet the author loves Charmed. But it’s also very different because it’s Greek Mythology, not witches. My favorite of the sisters in this series is Grace. She’s the most relatable personality wise, but I’m not an eco-geek computer genius, just an art geek. And now Greer is learning to deal with all this monster stuff. She still wants to do her normal stuff. She changes a lot from the first book. I like how Nick and Gretchen are. They’re relationship is crazy funny. She always threatens him. She starts to trust him, though.

And, not to spoil anything, it was interesting what kind of creatures Gretchen found in the abyss. You’ll have to read to see it, but now she sees the reason why the door should be unsealed.  There’s 3 sides to this war, and 2 want the sisters dead. I really like how the plot’s coming along. There are still some questions not answered, so I will be eagerly anticipating Sweet Legacy. Like, who is Thane? (Is he a demi-god or something?)

If you liked the Charmed show, Percy Jackson series, or just love funny mythology stories in general, that I recommend this series. It’s both girly and tough at the same time. There’s humor, action, romance and monsters! Kick-butt triplet heroines with magic powers. Sounds awesome, right? It is. Also check out Tera Lynn Child other series: Oh.My.Gods. and Forgive My Fins.

Cover Art Review: Similar to the first, no braid, girl facing forward. Looks like Greer, while the first book looked like Gretchen. Unless it’s Grace. I still like the title type face. I wish the cover was matte/dull and not glossy and flat. The inside cover is embossed with the title.

 

~Haley G

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Publisher: HarperTeen

Series: Unearthly (bk. 2)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Angels, nephilim, love, destiny, visions, Wyoming

Length: 403 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “or months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.”

My Rating: ê ê ê ê ê +++!!!!!!! <3

My Review: This is definitely my favorite series still (Along with Maximum Ride). It was exciting, romantic, fast paced, had an awesome setting, had angels, flying…wow. It’s 1^st person, present tense and the writing style is beautiful, poetic and often funny. I love it. Now this is the best sequel ever. The only disappointments where cause by me having that Fan Girl Syndrome that another reviewer mentioned. I absolutely love Tucker. He’s amazing…a modern cowboy, funny, nice…at some parts I wished I was Clara because I liked Tucker. This series focuses on all of the characters, and I’ve come to like Clara Mom, Clara’s friend Angela, and even Christian. This book had surprises that I would never expect, and one I did because I knew the author would never let us down like that! (Oops…ignore that). I’m so glad I got to read this right when it came out. I actually bought it a few days before the official release date…and I kept looking up Jackson Hole on Google Earth so I could fully immerse myself in the setting. Wyoming and angels. Awesome.

I don’t know what to say…maybe that every paranormal romance fan out there should read this series, especially girls who like angels and cowboys and such? You will laugh and cry and swoon. I swear. I’m itching to read more and there’s still 12 months until the next book unless it’s released before that or I get an ARC. But I want the final copy because these covers are amazing!

Cover Art Review: Gorgeous as the 1^st book’s!!! I love the silver swirls, feather and title especially. This time they had the Teton in the background.

~Haley G