Release Date: February 24, 2014
Shattering Halos
by Sunniva Dee
3.5 stars
Wow, this book really did surprise me! Story-wise, I really liked it. It had the same alluring mystery that the Twilight series had (come on, admit it... you were drawn to that series too once upon a time!). There are elements of angel lore, of course. It was exciting. The characters were engaging, and I'd say there were two secondary characters I am particularly fond of and hope that the author will eventually write something for them.
To begin with, this story is about a young girl, Gaia, who at the beginning of the story is involved in a tragic accident. She cheats death though... or at least, someone else does. The person, or rather being, who allowed it was Gabriel. He is described as this basically perfect, immensely handsome.. man, for lack of a better word, who immediately captures Gaia's undivided interest. At the beginning he does a lot of strange things. He appears at the strangest places and the most unexpected moments, you as the reader would quickly get that he is not an ordinary young man.
He introduces himself as Gaia's guardian angel from birth. And no, he's not that Gabriel. He's just an ordinary rank and file employee, if you may. And he has just done a punishable offense. Thing is, he can't help but stand by that decision and then continually make mistake after mistake after mistake... all of them concerning or because of Gaia.
It is so easy to believe that Gabriel is who he says he is, what with his perfect looks, soothing presence, awesome supernatural abilities and the glow that emanates naturally from his being. However, there are a few who refute that he is a Celestial. They say he is in fact, a demon. But what is he really? Why is it that he suddenly shows himself to Gaia if he truly is her guardian angel from birth? Why now? Are there really angels and demons? What is that brewing catastrophe that is supposedly caused by Gaia's very existence? All these questions and more will be answered if you read the book.
The opening chapter of the book was very well done! I love how Sunniva Dee staged the event that would become the catalyst for the major events that would shake both heaven and earth. It was wonderful to see Gabriel for the first time through Gaia's eyes. Although I'm not a huge fan of instant-love or quick-love, I was nevertheless able to understand the emotions of the main characters and sympathize with their conflicting emotions. On one hand is the human desire to love and express that love. On the other is the respect for the divine, the knowledge that doing what's right is what's going to save the world and the heavens.
The secondary characters were likable as well. Gaia's sister Luna was a dear. Her best friend Marina is very protective and supportive. Marina's cousin Lucio had so much potential! I honestly thought he was quite underutilized; but then again, his character had little involvement in the main events of this book. The twins Cody and Kyle provided a little comic relief. My favorite character though is Cassiel. I don't want to spoil you, but here goes: he's not nice, but he is loyal. He is debauched, but he never forced himself on anyone. He is arresting and sometimes menacing, but he is also very charming. At the beginning he comes across as the antagonist, but you'll find that he is just full of surprises. I enjoyed every scene with him in it, and I'm glad at how things worked out for him in the end.
Sunniva Dee weaves a very good story. She can be better though, especially with transitioning from one event or scene to another. There were also several moments in the story where a thought or outcome is merely implied. What actually went through the character's head or what happens afterward isn't mentioned at all. Those parts are not really clear though, so I'd end up thinking, She said what, again? What was that? Oh, never mind. There were two or three instances of that that was very confusing for me. They were minor details though, so I just proceeded with the story.
It honestly took me way longer than usual to finish this book, but that's because I'm really not in the mood for paranormals right now. I recommend SHATTERING HALOS to those who do enjoy them. Ms. Dee did very good with this debut book of hers!
Buy Link: Amazon
Synopsis:
I traded my death for love. I wasn’t given a choice. His decision has caught up with us, so now I am a living, breathing catalyst to war between Heaven and Hell.
The violations he committed saved my life. Since the collision, he’s appeared everywhere. In my hospital room, my school, even my house. He shows up in my paintings, my drawings, in all of my art projects. I can’t stop thinking about him.
He says his name is Gabriel, and he doesn’t understand what’s happening to him. He doesn’t know how I can see him or why he wants me in ways that should be impossible for a Celestial.
My obsession grows. I need him to hold me, kiss me—give all of himself. For every day he protects me, the consequences loom darker and taller. Soon, they’ll crash down on us.
The war is about to begin.
Excerpt:
So far, he had suffused the night with bliss, dread, anger, and attraction. It struck me that my cocktail of emotions must be tied to the mixed signals he sent. No wonder I was going stir-crazy. He was hot and cold, in one out-of-this-world package. He pulled me in and held me back. Why?
My thoughts reflected in his eyes as if he were watching them sprawled out on a screen. Then he fixed me with his stare, leaning closer over the table.
“Gaia, this,” he rotated an index finger between the two of us, “is an anomaly.”
About the Author:
I write New Adult fiction, mostly with a paranormal twist, and don’t shy away from romance and heart-wrenching passion when necessary.
I moved from Norway to the United States in 2001, and the first awesome five years I spent in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles. Then I read “The Book”, aka, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which prompted me to drag my family and our menagerie of animals cross country to beautiful Savannah, Georgia. I'm currently on my seventh year in the Deep South, where I enjoy the heat and the humidity. Besides writing, I spend time with the “petting zoo,” as in an opinionated parrot, cats that are experts on keyboard shortcuts, and puppies that … uh, bark.
I hold a Master's degree in languages, with concentrations within literature and linguistics. For ten years, I taught at university level, before settling in as a graduate adviser at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Writing is my passion, my joy—my addiction. SHATTERING HALOS is my debut novel, released by The Wild Rose Press, and when I'm not writing, I read. Tons.
Blog tour organized by Holly's Red Hot Reviews.
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