Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Days, #1)

by Susan Ee

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This is one of those books that you can’t put down, even when you aren’t reading. You feel so much for the characters and the situation, that you find yourself looking up to see if the sky is clear.

The first thing that drew me into this book was the fact that the Angels were the bad guys. It makes sense if you really think about it, but in our culture they have been, well, Angels for so long, it is hard to think of them as bringers of the apocalypse. They are exactly as you would picture them; beautiful, strong, and they think humans, or “monkeys” are below them.

Of course the “monkeys” have other thoughts. Penryn, the MC, is a little more than your average teenager. She doesn’t have special powers or anything like that. She just has a lot of self-defense training. And that isn’t random either, it is explained pretty early on why. I don’t want to ruin it for you, but she had an interesting childhood. She does love her family with a fierceness that is heartwarming, so when her wheelchair-bound sister, Paige, is taken by a group of Angels, you feel her anguish along with her. She will do anything to find her. The only thing I have to say that could have been improved upon was her sense of urgency. Days pass, and while Paige is mentioned, that rush to find her doesn’t seem to be there.

Raffe, the Angel Penryn pairs up with, is written wonderfully. He is such a cocky bastard yet so caring all at the same time. You never hate him, but sometimes you want to punch him in his face. Their partnership is obviously delicate, as Angels and Humans are enemy’s. There are a few situations they get themselves into that make you hold your breath, and you aren’t sure how they will get out of it.

And the ending … oh buddy am I glad there is supposed to be a sequel. Again, I don’t want to ruin it for you, but it is tough. On one side you are cheering on Penryn (and Raffe too), but their goals do seem to conflict with the overall fight with Angels. You really want everyone to live happily ever after, and the way this book ends, you have no idea if that is even possible, but dammit they have to try!

Overall, this book held me in it’s sway both times I have read it. I would have to give it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Susan Ee has a link on her page that will send you an email when there is more information on the release of book two. You better believe I am already signed up for that!