Book Review: Fallen Angel by Heather Terrell
Fallen Angel (Fallen Angel, #1) by Heather Terrell. © 2011 HarperTeen. ISBN 9780061965708. Trade Paperback. Young Adult/Urban Fantasy. 310 pages. Source: Book It Forward ARC Tours
Synopsis: Ellie was never particularly good at talking to boys—or anyone other than her best friend and fellow outcast, Ruth. Then she met Michael. Michael is handsome, charming, sweet. And totally into Ellie. It’s no wonder she is instantly drawn to him. But Michael has a secret. And he knows Ellie is hiding something, too. They’ve both discovered they have powers beyond their imagining. Powers that are otherworldly.
Ellie and Michael are determined to uncover what they are, and how they got this way … together. But the truth has repercussions neither could have imagined. Soon they find themselves center stage in an ancient conflict that threatens to destroy everything they love. And it is no longer clear whether Ellie and Michael will choose the same side.
Review: Ellie is a humble but serious girl. Her humanitarian parents have always made sure to make her feel loved and cared for, but that she also always be aware of her place in the world. Her life is pretty uneventful, save for the trips to other countries to help bring sustainable living to third-world nations. At school, she goes unnoticed and has but one close friend, Ruth. However, one day at school she notices a boy—a gorgeous, athletic boy—and he is actually talking to her. Soon the two form a bond and realize they are more alike than they could have ever imagined.
Fallen Angel, while harboring a semi fast-paced plot and good writing, felt very clichéd to me. I know this is Heather Terrell’s YA debut so perhaps that’s why. I haven’t read her adult fiction (though I do own her Brigid of Kildare novel) so I can’t really compare the two genres. Michael entrance was very jarring to me and he comes over a bit pushy, and while my radar was flashing “creeper stalker dude”, Ellie seemed un-phased. Also, I have always had a problem with girls who find a boy and then suddenly forget they have friends, preferring to ditch plans with those who have always been there. So, I immediately disliked Ellie for doing such to Ruth.
What I did really like about the novel, was Heather’s blending of vampire lore into angel lore. It was certainly interesting, and while the book title certainly gives away what sort of creature Ellie and Michael are, you are still kind of left wondering as you read. The revelations discovered at end of the book are quite exciting just wish the beginning and middle were as thrilling.
Overall, an okay story but it wasn’t enough to make me long for the sequel (Eternity will be released this July). 3/5.
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Synopsis: It’s the beginning of senior year and Yuki’s psychic awareness of ghostly spirits is threatening to ruin her life. Her ability to sense spirits of the dead isn’t glamorous like the ghost hunting on television. SHE SMELLS THE DEAD. The smell impressions are becoming stronger. Yuki is being visited in her dreams, and she suspects that her friend Calvin is involved in something strange. To make matters worse her crush on Garrett is going unrequited, Yuki’s friend Emma is on a rampage against bee oppression, and annoying Calvin Miller mysteriously disappears. Will Yuki be able to focus her powers in time to save the lost soul who is haunting her? Meanwhile, who will save Yuki from following the spirits into the light?
Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove. But everything changes when three angels are sent from heaven to protect the town against the gathering forces of darkness: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. They work hard to conceal their true identity and, most of all, their wings. But the mission is threatened when the youngest angel, Bethany, is sent to high school and falls in love with the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods. Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him?
