Review: Embrace & Entice
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Title: Embrace
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Format: Hardcover, 369 pages
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Angels
Publication Date: March 6, 2012
Published by: Sourcebooks Fire
Rating: 4/5
Purchase
Amazon | Chapters.Indigo | Book Depository
Synopsis
It starts with a whisper: "It's time for you to know who you are..."
On her 17th birthday, everything will change for Violet Eden. The boy she loves will betray her. Her enemy will save her. She will have to decide just how much she's willing to sacrifice.
Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, EMBRACE is a compelling novel of good and evil, seductive desires and impossible choices. A centuries old war between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity chooses a new fighter. It's a battle Violet doesn't want, but she lives her life by two rules: don't run and don't quit. If angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden.
LINCOLN: He's been Violet's one anchor, her running partner and kickboxing trainer. Only he never told her he's Grigori--part human, part angel--and that he was training her for an ancient battle between Angels and Exiles.
PHOENIX: No one knows where his loyalties lie, yet he's the only one there to pick up the pieces and protect her after Lincoln's lies. In a world of dark and light, he is all shades of gray.
Two sides: Angel or Exile.
Two guys: Lincoln or Phoenix.
The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity...
My Thoughts
I can admit that it took me a long time to pick up this book. Maybe it was because I was getting tired of the angel plot line, or maybe it was because I had too many other books on my radar. I really don't know. But when I saw that Embrace was our in paperback I knew this was my shot, and I am so glad I did.
From the very beginning I was hooked. Not only was violet a great protagonist--she was strong, independent and extremely emotional--but she was also the one that introduces us to the secondary characters, who in my opinion are just as important. All of the Secondary characters were written very well, one of my favorites was Steph, because of her relationship with Violet. From the very beginning their relationship seems real and genuine, which is hard to write, especially when there is a paranormal element thrown into the mix. I thought Steph brought a realistic element to Violets character and the crazy world she lives in, especially near the end.
Violet and Lincoln's complicated relationship began right from the beginning and I will say that I started out as Team Lincoln, only because I loved the way her looked at Violet and the fact that her whole body would react accordingly. I felt it through the words for christ sake, and it added a very good element to the story. They were steamy and sexy and I loved their relarionship.
When I read a book I always like to feel the emotions along with each character and Embrace did exactly that. The inclusion of the love triangle was the subject of a lot of those emotions. Adding it in this early could have been disastrous, especially when you are trying to link two characters to together very fact at the beginning of the books, but I liked it. Phoenix was a very interesting character. I really didn't know what to think of him throughout the novel. He was cocky, and a little bit conceded, but it seemed to work for him. At times I loved him and then hated him at the same time because I knew how Violet felt about Lincoln, but his adition added an extra layer to an already amazing story.
Overall I thought Embrace was an amazing start to a series, it was suspenseful, emotional and fast paced. Its story line was extremely original and I loved everything about it. I gave it 4 Stars because I think the series has room to grow and get even better than it already is.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Entice
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Format: Hardcover, 369 pages
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Angels
Publication Date: March 6, 2012
Published by: Sourcebooks Fire
Rating: 4/5
Purchase
Amazon | Chapters.Indigo | Book Depository
Synopsis
Violet Eden is Grigori - part angel, part human. Her destiny is to protect humans from the vengeance of exiled angels.
Knowing who to trust is key but, when Grigori reinforcements arrive, it becomes clear everyone is hiding something. Even Lincoln. The only thing Violet does know: Phoenix's hold over her is more dangerous than ever.
The race to find the one thing that could tilt the balance of power brings them all to the sacred mountains of Jordan, where Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme. And the ultimate betrayal exposed.
Enticed is the second compelling book in The Violet Eden Chapters.
My Thoughts
I was lucky enough to read Entice right after I finished Embrace, so the story was very fresh in my mind. The way Embrace ended made me extremely interested in the direction of the series and Entice did not disapoint.
We start off with Violet trying to come to grips with Phoenix's betrayal and what it means for Violet and her realtionship with Lincoln. Add in the mystery of the Grigori List that must be found in order to save all Grigori, and you have a very action pact novel.
My favorite part of the book was Violet and Lincoln's relationship, especially when Magda was put into the mix. I felt everything that Violet felt, and I wanted to scream at Lincoln to open his eyes and pay attention to what he was doing to her. The further Lincoln pushed her away, the more emotion I feltcoming from Violet. And that made me read even faster because I wanted to see the outcome.
I loved that Phoenix made a recurring appearance in this sequel, he added to the misery as well as a catalyst for Violets pent up emotions. In this book it was very clear that the two of them would always have a connection and yet I loved that Violet tried everything to break that bond but ultimately ended up making things worse.
The change in scenery was a wlcome change for me. The trip to Jordan added a Biblical element that I really enjoyed. I am not one for relgion, and I really dislike when a book pushes a relgion onto the reader, but this was different. It added a sense of mystery and intrugue. It was never overpowering and was done very tastefully.
Overall I loved Entice more than Embrace, partially because all pf the characters grew over time and I saw a different side of each of them. I thought the content was more mature and it dealt with more emotions that you don't normally see in Young Adult novels. The suspense was palpitating at times and I felt my emotions go into overdrive, especially at the end of the novel. I know for sure that I cannot wait for the next installment of Violets journey and I just hope Lincoln continues to tear at my heartstrings because I will always be Team Lincoln.
3 comments
For Embrace I wonder how many books have you read that had an angel theme? I've only read four. I guess there are a lot of angel books out there that I don't know about.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds really good but also it sounds like there isn't really a love triangle there unless it's just you preferring Lincoln.
http://shesgotbooksonhermind.blogspot.com/
It is just me preferring Lincoln. Trust me there is a triangle lol and as for the amount of Angel books out there, I would say I have read a lot more a couple of years ago with the whole Hush Hush series and the Fallen series, but in the last year of so there hasn't been as many.
ReplyDeletegreat riview,,,poor for me, i haven't read embrace,,but i really interesting for reading..
ReplyDeletethanks ^^