Review: Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

Title: Wings of the Wicked

Author: Courtney Allison Moulton

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: January 31, 2012

Genre: YA

Main Themes: Angels, Guardians, Reapers, Death, & Romance

Pages: 516

Plot: (From the Dust Jacket)

“Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.  Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven’s warrior is a challenge for Ellie.  Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other.  And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell’s strongest reapers.  Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.

She’s been warned.  Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian’s new plan to destroy Ellie’s soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity.  As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian’s schemes, the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything- including herself.

She’ll be betrayed.  Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war.  Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will.  If she fails, there will be Hell to pay.”

I started Wings of the Wicked the day that it was released and I really tried to finish it before the launch event the next day at Schuler’s Books and Music in Lansing, but this is a real monster of a book.  Even though I tried… I only completed about 325 pages, out of the 516, before the reading and signing. 

Wings of the Wicked proved to be brutally deceitful, gravely perilous, and distressingly tormenting!  This marvelous novel is truly all consuming as there is a fast paced plot, fierce characters, and a wondrous writing style that will literally paint a vibrant picture. 

Courtney did it again!  She created another dark, mysterious, and perilous world and really took to the next level as Ellie’s world grew even more hazardous, sinister, and secretive.   This story twists and turns, then I swear it does a couple of back flips that will make your mouth drop!  Again the fight scenes are definitely a high point for Courtney as you can visualize each and every move without being confused.

In Wings of the Wicked Ellie still remains to be feminine, bold, fierce, witty, persistent, and unrelenting as she continues the fight against Hell as Gabriel; but she has a hard time accepting her past and molding it with her future.  Ellie is struggling to uphold two identities, one where she is Gabriel and one where she is Ellie.  If that is not enough, there is still the kindling romance between her and Will.  Torn between love and righteous duties Will proves to be proud, resolute, adamant, respectful, enduring, and relentless. There is so much revealed about Will and you only grow to adore him more as he continues being Ellie’s guardian. 

Wings of the Wicked earned an A+, as this gripping tale will ensnare you and leave you entranced until the very last sentence.  If you liked Angelfire than you will love Wings of the Wicked!!!!

My Rating: 20/20

Originality: 5

Plot: 5

Characters: 5

Writing Style: 5

Wings of the Wicked Trailer

Teaser Tuesday (12)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should be Reading

• Grab the book your currently reading
• Open to a random page
• Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Be sure to include the title and author

Dearly Departed by Lia Habel

It was like an Old West showdown.  We both sprang into motion in the same second- her running for the door, me running for my blades.

Teaser Tuesday (11)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should be Reading

• Grab the book your currently reading
• Open to a random page
• Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Be sure to include the title and author

 

Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel

Only they weren't people anymore.  I saw the horsey faces and huge eyes made up of a million shining facets, waving antennae, hard black skins, and delicate legs with saw-sharp ridges. 

Teaser Tuesday (10)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should be Reading

• Grab the book your currently reading
• Open to a random page
• Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Be sure to include the title and author

A Stiff Kiss by Avery Olive

I can't believe the words I'm hearing, what I'm seeing.  They don't say my name, but I know - that kid who died was me.

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Title: Hallowed

Author: Cynthia Hand

Publisher: Harper Teen

Publication Date: January, 2012

Genre: YA

Main Themes: Angels, Romance, Family-ties, Fallen, Destiny

Pages: 403

Plot: (From the Dust Jacket)

“For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn’t prepared for the choice she had to make that day.  And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months.  With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure if that the fire was just the beginning.”

I felt in love with Unearthly when it was released last year, it was a straight through read for me as I couldn’t get enough.  So when Hallowed finally came out this year, I couldn’t wait.  All too excited and I flew through this book! 

You really couldn’t have come up with a better title for this novel; it will leave you truly Hallowed.  This story is overwhelmingly heartbreaking, intensely distressing, and yet still invitingly tender.  There is this warmth that shines through the despair that you can’t help but want to push on.  It doesn’t help that Cynthia Hand has a free flowing writing style that when read, it seems so easy and gushes out into a stunning tale.

Cynthia Hand has done it again!  She continued to build up this beautiful world, exposing so many dark secrets that details that magnify this captivating world to reveal that there is still so much goodness out there.  Of course danger lurks around every corner but when the right choices are made, however how difficult they maybe, you still can fulfill your purpose and discover something glorious.

Clara, Clara, Clara… She was so bold and fierce in the first novel.  This one she is more distraught, desperate, confused, saddened, and broken.  With everything that has been thrown on this angel-blood, I can’t say that I blame her.  She endures so much in this novel and discovers so many truths.  Stress definitely takes its toll on her.  Of course you still see Christian and Tucker in this story, the love triangle presses on!   This one will leave you torn, after the first book I was Team Tucker all the way.  But I wavered between them both throughout this compelling novel.

Hallowed earn itself an A+, as it broke my heart and strung out so many emotions that only a great novel can do.  If you were a fan of Unearthly than be prepared for Hallowed as it will pull on all your heart strings and you will be left in tears waiting for the next novel.

My Rating: 20/20

Originality: 5

Plot: 5

Characters: 5

Writing Style: 5

Hallowed Book Trailer:

Review: Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Title: Angelfire

Author: Courtney  Allison Moulton

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: February, 2011

Genre: YA

Main Themes: Angels, Reapers, Guardians, Death, & Romance

Pages: 453

Plot: (From the Dust Jacket)

“First there are nightmares.  Every night Ellie is haunted by terrifying dreams of monstrous creatures that are hunting her, killing her.

Then come the memories. When Ellie meets Will, she feels on the verge of remembering something just beyond her grasp.  His attention is intense and romantic, and Ellie feels like her soul has known him for centuries.  On her seventeenth birthday, on a dark street at midnight, Will awakens Ellie’s power, and she knows that she can fight the creature that stalks her in the grim darkness. Only Will holds the key to Ellie’s memories, whole lifetimes of them, and when she looks at him, she can no longer pretend anything was just a dream.

Now she must hunt. Ellie has power that no one can match, and her role is to hunt and kill the reapers that prey on human souls.  But in order to survive the dangerous and ancient battle of the angels and the Fallen, she must also hunt for the secrets of her past lives and the truths that may also be too frightening to remember.”

I have been eyeing this book for a long time. When I learned that there was a book signing coming up for the second book, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer!   I had to prepare myself for the second book that was about to be released.  It was absolutely amazing and I’m glad I didn’t have to wait for the second book to come out!

Angelfire was suspiciously tantalizing, viciously engaging, and forcefully vigorous!  I felt compelled to stay awake all night to finish this book and then longingly pine over the next one.  This was a novel that will keep you guessing, I never knew what was going to happen until it smacked me in the face!

Courtney created a dark, mysterious, and perilous world that is nothing like I have ever heard.  This imaginative tale is one that truly stands on its own as it’s a refreshingly modern and very bloody.  I would also like to add that there are some astoundingly descriptive fight scenes; I really mean it when I say that that it was completely remarkable, they create a vivid picture that flows perfectly!

Ellie was by far my favorite character!  She is a picture perfect heroine; I found that she was witty, crazy strong, fierce, persevering, feminine, and clever.  Plus she has a pair of very cool swords.  Once she accepted her duty and learned to cope with the responsibilities, she always entered the fight with her swords blazing (literally)!  We can’t forget about Ellie’s faithful Guardian, Will, who loyally protects Ellie in all their battles and helps her recover her lost memories.  Will is the genuine nice guy as he carries out his guardian duties ensuring that Ellie is always as close to happy as possible!

I felt that Angelfire earned an A+, as it was a richly compelling read.  I really couldn’t stop myself once I started reading it.  It is definitely a brilliant read and I feel that there is going to be a lot more to come from Courtney Allison Moulton in the future.

My Rating: 20/20

Originality: 5

Plot: 5

Characters: 5

Writing Style: 5

Angelfire Trailer



GIVEAWAY: Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Enter here to win a Signed copy of Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton! This Giveaway does follow all of my giveaway policies.  It is open to the US and Canada.  This giveaway ends on the 21 at 12:01 am.  You must be 13 or older to enter.  I will announce the winner on this blog post once the giveaway concludes, I will email the winner and the winner will have 72 hours to reply or another winner will be choosen at random.  Good  luck to everyone!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teaser Tuesday (9)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should be Reading

• Grab the book your currently reading
• Open to a random page
• Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Be sure to include the title and author

Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

I leaped over the edge of the roof as Ava reached out to me and yelled to stop.  The wind rushed against my body so wildly that I heard nothing but thunderous screams.

February Bookshelf

 

1. A Kiss for Emily by JP Galuska

2. Dearly Departed by Lia Habel

 3. Angel Burn by LA Weatherly




4. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

 5. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor




 6. Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

 

 
 7. Lenobia's Vow by PC Cast & Kristin Cast




 8. Hades by Alexandra Adornetto



   
           
9. Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel




10. A Stiff Kiss by Avery Olive