Angel (Angel Trilogy, #1)

by L. A. Weatherly

[Amanda]

Actual rating: 3.5

Original review: http://onabookbender.com/2012/05/23/review-angel-burn-by-l-a-weatherly/

Reading Angel Burn makes me think I must be hitting a wall with YA paranormals. There were so many parts that made me think, “oh, this again?” and had me forcing my eyeballs not to roll up in my head. In some ways, reading Angel Burn reminded me of reading Half-Blood with Ruby with its predictable plot lines and “the one” syndrome. Only Angel Burn had far better world building, no love triangle, and a likable main character. Fair disclosure: I probably would have liked the romance between Alex and Willow better if Alex hadn’t reminded me of my own brother. And, you know, the fact there was the insta-love thing.

Leaving the negativity behind, though, I really enjoyed this world. Angels are evil. Angels want to suck the life out of you. Angels are kind of involved in religion here, but not really, and it’s more of a lie perpetuated for their continued survival. I loved the evilness of it all. I liked that Alex and Willow were basically all alone in the world. Er. Well, I was rather o.O “o rly?” at the missing parents stuff/kids growing up without quality parental supervision, BUT I like that there was no one out there to help them. The utter alone-ness was often as terrifying as the angels are.

I liked Willow. She was tough and I always admire a girl who knows her way around a car. That just says self-sufficient to me. I also liked Alex. He’s got that wise-beyond-his-years thing going for him, and though I don’t know that I approve of his drinking in a YA novel, his character was a multi-faceted one. Beyond the insta-love and awkward exchanges between the two, the romance was sweet. (which, incidentally, is another reason why I don’t want to read a love triangle that sullies it)

The more I think about it, the more I am curious about what happens next. Alex and Willow attempt to stop the angels, and, considering this is a series, I don’t think it’s a spoiler if I say they did not appear to be successful — otherwise, there would be no point in having a series. If you can tolerate the triangle business, I would recommend picking up this series.