A Temptation of Angels

by Michelle Zink

After seeing her parents murdered, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright learns she is one of three remaining angelic descendents charged with protecting the world, but nothing can save her from being torn between new friend and fellow Keeper Griffin and childhood friend Raum, who has joined forces with her parents' killers.

• ISBN10: 0803737262
• ISBN13: 9780803737266
• Publish Date: 20 March 2012 (first published 1 March 2012)
• Publish Status: Remaindered
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Dial Books for Young Readers,US
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 437
• Language: English

Reviews

[Briana @ Pages Unbound]

The cover makes this story look dark and therefore not necessarily my type of read—but I was pleasantly surprised. That is not to say the story is light—there is murder, pain, distrust, and a host of other truly “dark” things that our protagonist must face, not to mention the fact that the fate of the world is at stake—but the end result is very readable and filled with just enough hope.

The book does not draw as much on the angels as it possibly could. What we see is that there are two forces working against each other, the good angels and the fallen angels. Their powers are obviously superhuman, but not always skills or characteristics that are particularly angelic. This in no way is a flaw, however, as the fight of good vs. evil is always a good story, regardless of the species of the players.

And this fight is wrapped up in a nice standalone package—something that is sometimes a true blessing with all the series that are out there. This means that the action and the romance (which is very sweet) move a little faster than some of us are getting used to (things actually have to happen in a single book!), but it works very well within its own timeline.

The one drawback of the book is the protagonist. Generally, she is a nice blend of someone who is vulnerable because a lot of new and strange things are being revealed to her quickly and someone who is willing to take care of herself. Unfortunately, she is also one of those protagonists who insist on doing things their way and going everywhere they are told not to go. Doing so a couple of times makes her look independent. Doing it all the time makes her look stupid because she never learns to take good advice when she hears it.

A Temptation of Angels is a great read for those who enjoy action, romance, and paranormal that is not cheesy.

This review was also posted at Pages Unbound Book Reviews.

[bookishzelda]

loved Michelle Zink’s writing in A Temptation of Angels. Once I started reading I just couldn’t stop and it was one of those books where I would read over 100 pages without even realizing it. I loved the historical setting for the book. Victorian London lends itself well for things that go bump in the night and Michelle does an excellent job of creating this world around it. I’m not usually that drawn to angel books, I’m not sure why but this one was perfect. There was no spreading of wings (well almost) nobody flying around or that sort of thing. The keepers are trained to be backward assassins. Not necessarily trained to kill but trained to stay alive. I loved the role they hold in the world.
I loved the characters in this book, from the good, bad and sarcastic. I easily connected to Helen as the stubborn butt kicking girl. At the beginning there is a moment of weakness when she really wants to save her parents but she stops herself, she makes herself move forward even though she doesn’t want to. She has lost everything and so she doesn’t let people tell her to do. She wasn’t going to just sit around and let everyone else save the world. She was going to have her own part in it, whatever way she could.
The two brothers Griffin and Darius seemed like polar opposites of each other. Both characters were definitely not one dimensional. You would see them swing back and forth between being kind hearted and vengeful. It was interesting how the girls in their lives almost tamed them. I think if they didn’t have the anchors that they did they would have probably gotten themselves killed already. I was glad that Griffin wasn’t perfect, we see him throw reason to the wind in a couple of instances which made him more human. Of course he was also kind, valiant and strong which made him easy to love.
The love triangle was understandable and actually very toned down. Helen isn’t some wishy washy girl, she looks at the facts straight on. She knows why she has affection for one boy or other and she also knows what can never be and why. I felt like she handled the whole thing well.
Does this book really not have a sequel?? It was wrapped up nicely at the end so there doesn’t need to be another book but please say it isn’t so. I loved it and I would love to read about the continuing adventures of Helen, Griffin and Darius.

[Suz @ Bookish Revelations]

A Temptation of Angels is a beautifully written blend of historical fantasy and paranormal. Its heart-pounding tale of epic romance and betrayal is sure to keep readers enthralled as they continue to flip the pages. Zink masterfully pens such an emotionally powerful and deeply moving novel filled with strength of character, incredible bravery in the face of overwhelming odds, danger, and stunning imagery.

With the Keepers being murdered, it is up to the three remaining angelic decendents to figure out who is comitting them and stop them before the world finds itself in dangerous peril.

Mistakes are made by almost anyone it seems, even angels aren't exempt from them. Zink's spin on this is not only cleverly written, but incredibly intriguing as well. It almost makes them seem a little more human. Her characters are wonderfully developed and deeply engaging to read. Helen is incredibly strong in of the tragedy of losing her parents and gaining the knowledge that she is one of three remain angelic decendants that is tasked to protect the world's past, future, and present. At sixteen, Helen proves herself to be capable of accepting the responsibilities that she's been tasked with far better than than most. She's fiercely independent and incredibly strong-willed, yet flawed in all of the right ways which makes her very likable heroine.

The romance in this novel that slowly begins to grow between Griffin and Helen is beautifully written and incredibly sweet. The hints of a love triangle developing along the way, is what really made it even more real, heartbreaking, and sad. Usually, I don't particularly care for the over-use of love triangles, but in A Temptation of Angels it works and I actually found myself enjoying the push and pull of it.

The mythology Zink introduces to readers in A Temptation of Angels is unique and definitely compelling enough to keep readers interested and turning pages. The scenery is beautiful, as the story takes place mostly in underground London, and has a way of pulling readers right into the story. The perfect balance of paranormal blended with historical fantasy and the unique but interesting characters, make it an enjoyable read. It's fast-paced, filled with a lot of action, danger, and twists and turns that will keep readers on edge and their stomach tied up in knots. The characters are extremely memorable (even the minor ones) and possess wonderful flavors of personality.

A Temptation of Angels is a wildly gripping and beautifully written tempting piece of fiction.