isbe

I loved this book! There were so many elements and angles and moments that made this book brilliant to me. Now, I should state I will be a little biased regarding this book, the story line and premise appealed to me so much. 

The base of this story line, and possibly the reason I liked it so much, was the telling of fanfiction and being in a fandom. This is what I'd give to all my friends if I was trying to explain my love of shows and so on. A couple of years ago I would have killed for this book, certainly as I felt isolated from my friends and I shrank back into this 'fan' world this book would have been a great comfort to me, and I'm sure many people would have felt the same way. 

I like the dynamics between the characters. I think Cath was truly a relatable character - at least for me, and I can see several of my friends have elements of Cath's personality, as well as Wren and Reagan. I can relate, especially with a few of my friends and Cath's outsider look on her sister, with Wren's story line. It's a sensitive issue and I feel that the author handled it well and made it really quite convincing. I naturally loved Levi too, he seemed like a sweetheart and I could have happily had multiple more scenes and books with him. Nick can just... yeah.

I felt that the story line's included in the book were handled well, and as maturely as possible. And I have to say, this author is too talented. Like seriously. STOP MAKING ME CARE ABOUT FICTIONAL CHARACTERS! THEY'RE FICTIONAL. But back to the point, the book itself did touch on several issues, which I think were well handled. The issue of Cath's social anxiety was a little brushed over, but she does start to make friend's in class - which is basically what happens at uni in my own experience. I felt that the parental issue (I DON'T WANT TO SPOILER ANYONE) was really well handled and addressed all the issues that I'd want it to. As well as several other issues that I won't go into because I think you should all read this book (and if you're reading this then you are clearly quite serious!)

So I shall summarise this with a GO READ THIS BOOK!!!!

I WILL TRY AND KEEP THIS REVIEW AS SPOILER FREE AS POSSIBLE. IF IT'S HIDDEN BEHIND A SPOILER THEN I THINK OF IT AS A SPOILER...

This whole book series makes me ridiculously excited and happy. And just having the chance to read this made me giggle and bounce around the house like mad, in fact the only downside I can see was that I was so excited I found it hard to concentrate. However, it was still super amazing and I had the most wonderful time reading this book. Although I think my housemates will be glad I've finished this!

The book, from chapter one, literally couldn't pick up any closer to the end of angelfall if it tried. I'm not kidding, it really couldn't, I've seen more disjointed chapter flows (not in this book series of course). The flow between the first book and this sequel is seamless and if you read them one straight after the other I doubt you'd even notice the change over. AND I REALLY HOPE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS IN THE NEXT BOOK TOO!!! I have high hopes susan ee. The overall story line once again focuses on Penryn and her love of her family, specifically her sister Paige. Which was nice, a young adult novel where two books of a series are not primarily focused on romance... wow. We also learn more about the "low demons" as well as the angel world, and more about the weird scorpion things from the basement of the aerie. It's like susan ee had a checklist going I've left this open and I should explain it, and then systematically went through and checked off everything she could. She fitted in the explanations so they felt natural and easy, there was nothing forced about them. Have I mentioned how brilliant this book is? Probably not, but it really is. I should say that I do still have some questions regarding events from the first book, but realistically I don't think they would have fitted into this book as naturally, however, I do hope the questions I have (which I'm not going to talk about because that would totally be spoilers) are answered in the future. However, the questions that were answered were so BRILLIANTLY DONE!!! <I'm not sure I made that clear enough earlier...

Penryn's mother remained a constant crazy force, but it was nice to see Penryn interacting with Clara (the woman she 'saved' from the scorpions in the previous book) who appears to regard Penryn as a hero and at the same time reminds Penryn of the fact that her mother isn't the norm. But it was also nice to see Penryn's mother getting along with others at times, I have to say the idea she had helped others without even realising it was touching. Paige also appears and seeing the transformation of her character through Penryn's eyes is heartbreaking, but when all is said and done she is still Penryn's sister and that does seem to triumph all and there are some sweet scenes here. Raffe's appearances although few and far between, almost too few... are always welcome and there were most definitely (WHY IS THAT WORD SO HARD TO SPELL!?!) scenes that had me squealing in joy - okay it was more like falling off my bed, but still. AND THAT ENDING!?! WHAT HAPPENS NEXT, pls I need to know...

There are many elements of this book that are somewhat darker than its predecessor, but in my humble opinion, that works in favour of the book. As Penryn learns more about the angels, and also humanity, her view of the world becomes much darker. However, at the same time she's totally able to make spunky jokes and kick ass - who doesn't love that? Also, as with the first book, she never takes on an unrealistic situation and walks away, she's bad ass but she understands that in many situations she needs help to get out (except for one small moment at the end which was so cool I'm gonna let it slide) and that in itself is a major selling point for me.

I am really struggling to explain how and why I like this book so much. But I really did, I found myself hanging on every word, reading the book in all and every situation - cooking with it did prove a bit tricky but that's between you and me. The book was fast paced and plenty happened, but at the same time it wasn't too fast paced, nothing felt forced or unnatural (unlike several other books that shall remain unnamed), the romance was not the main focus (I can think of books I've had this issue with before...) basically it was everything I could have hoped for and so much more. I have never been so happy with a sequel that I can remember. Kudos to susan ee for doing the seemingly impossible and making it look easy. I have insanely high hopes and expectations for the next book.

I think I should start this review by stating that this book practically writes glowing reviews for itself. If for no other reason than without a doubt it is an incredible young adult novel, as well as, what I am sure will be a defining book in the genre of urban fantasy. There is no dependence on stereotypes, least of all the dystopian genre stereotypes that it could have easily fallen into the trappings off.

Certainly I started this book with a great deal of cynicism - after all writing about angels can go very wrong very quickly. However, Susan Ee takes what could easily be a sensitive topic and handles it maturely - although if you are a fundamentalist Christian please do avoid this book and any others about angels (this is very solid advice from me to you).

Although the protagonist fits in with the generation of female "bad-asses" that are rising especially in the dystopian worlds that are so expertly crafted there is no magical realisation, she is not some prodigy, not magically amazing at it. Nope, she has received extensive martial arts training, including practicing fighting off multiple attackers. At no point does she do anything that doesn't seem overly realistic, she does not charge a super fortress alone and walk away unscathed with everything she wants, she makes mistakes and learns from them. And perhaps that is what is most shocking about it. But Penryn (our lovely protagonist) is a pramatist, she doesn't bite of more than she can chew (for lack of a better phrase) and she isn't unrealistic - with one exception - she wants to save her younger sister who she views as helpless and in many aspects weak where Penryn isn't. However, later in the book it is revealed that Penryn might believe her sister is physically weaker than her but that she, Penryn, believes her sister has an inner strength and an ability to bring people together and make them feel better. Something that Penryn views as important and a strength. How is that not the greatest thing ever? 

Then there is the world of the angels. Something that we learn about in fragments and pieces. Certainly we have only scratched the surface of Susan Ee's angels, and that makes for exciting reading. When we initially meet the angels they are conceived by humans as evil, bad, bringing about the end of the world. However, as Penryn's views change, so to does the readers.

This world is so easy to get lost in. There lines are pure brilliance and every word feels like it matters, like it counts for something. Everything you learn comes back and means something, even if you discounted it initially. This review barely scratches the surface of this book and Susan Ee cannot receive enough praise for this book in my opinion, I would happily recommend it to anyone looking for something truly exceptional to read.