Personal Demons {Yours and Mine}
I would like to apologize for this harsh review, because it really is not the fault of the writer as a whole. Her book is just another notch on my annoyance towards Angel/Demon young adult fiction as a whole. If I had not read Once Dead, Twice Shy and that abysmal book Fallen, I might not find this book so repulsive. For a debut novel is not bad in terms of writing. However, the plot leaves a lot to be desired.
First of all, the portrayal of demons and angels in this book is just pathetic. The main male lead of Luc Cain (what a name right? who would have guess he was a demon *head-desk*) whose name is short for Lucifer. He does not live up to the power of his name at all, by page 20 he is already melting into Frannie's "charm" and loosing his demon instincts and falling into the wangst of love. Nothing about him screams "bad-ass". So he wears black and has a piercing *woo-doggie*. He spends most of the novel talking about these "new feelings" he develops for Frannie that somehow turn a seven millennia old demon into a lovesick douche bag, who pisses himself in front of demons he's supposedly known his whole existence.
Satan is in this book and he just comes of a drama-queen. I am a big fan of Paradise Lost and while I know that not every book can develop the devil into a complex character, I would like some effort. He's not unique and in the few seconds we see him, he not only lacks the charisma of a man capable of waging war on God. In addition he doesn't inspire fear to have people think of him as the ultimate evil.
As for the angels. Ugh. First of all they lack any depth because the writer obviously wants you to route for Luc. Also, the character of Gabe aka Gabriel is just an irritating shade of an angel. He just asks like a goodie-goodie lovesick boy. Hard to believe that this is the same guy who is supposed to be a messenger for God. We also have no real insight to the way angels work or act, except they are good guys.
Our main character Frannie has the makings of a good lead. She is a fairly strong lead, with judo skills that give her an edge that a lot of other leads do not possess. However, she is giving a senseless ability that makes her the target of Heaven and Hell. Unfortunately, her personality is irritating. I don't have any problem with her having feelings for two guys (Luc and Gabe), my problem is the way the situation is handled. In addition, when discovered that she has this immense power she becomes selfish. I'm sorry, but when you discover you have the ability to become the next Hitler, there must be a sense of personal responsibility. No, not for Frannie.
For those who might claim I am being too hard on Frannie, let me compare her to the character of Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender. At twelve he discovered that he had to become the Jesus of his people. While he did angst slightly in the beginning, he realized that you have a responsibility to other people not just yourself. Hopefully Frannie will learn that, but I do not care to read further to find out.
Final Grade: D-
My problem with book like this is that they are not trying to do anything deep. This a story of Heaven and Hell fighting for the soul of a girl who could be the next Hitler and the hook is a love triangle. The romance isn't moving and the characters aren't that complex or compelling.
First of all, the portrayal of demons and angels in this book is just pathetic. The main male lead of Luc Cain (what a name right? who would have guess he was a demon *head-desk*) whose name is short for Lucifer. He does not live up to the power of his name at all, by page 20 he is already melting into Frannie's "charm" and loosing his demon instincts and falling into the wangst of love. Nothing about him screams "bad-ass". So he wears black and has a piercing *woo-doggie*. He spends most of the novel talking about these "new feelings" he develops for Frannie that somehow turn a seven millennia old demon into a lovesick douche bag, who pisses himself in front of demons he's supposedly known his whole existence.
Satan is in this book and he just comes of a drama-queen. I am a big fan of Paradise Lost and while I know that not every book can develop the devil into a complex character, I would like some effort. He's not unique and in the few seconds we see him, he not only lacks the charisma of a man capable of waging war on God. In addition he doesn't inspire fear to have people think of him as the ultimate evil.
As for the angels. Ugh. First of all they lack any depth because the writer obviously wants you to route for Luc. Also, the character of Gabe aka Gabriel is just an irritating shade of an angel. He just asks like a goodie-goodie lovesick boy. Hard to believe that this is the same guy who is supposed to be a messenger for God. We also have no real insight to the way angels work or act, except they are good guys.
Our main character Frannie has the makings of a good lead. She is a fairly strong lead, with judo skills that give her an edge that a lot of other leads do not possess. However, she is giving a senseless ability that makes her the target of Heaven and Hell. Unfortunately, her personality is irritating. I don't have any problem with her having feelings for two guys (Luc and Gabe), my problem is the way the situation is handled. In addition, when discovered that she has this immense power she becomes selfish. I'm sorry, but when you discover you have the ability to become the next Hitler, there must be a sense of personal responsibility. No, not for Frannie.
For those who might claim I am being too hard on Frannie, let me compare her to the character of Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender. At twelve he discovered that he had to become the Jesus of his people. While he did angst slightly in the beginning, he realized that you have a responsibility to other people not just yourself. Hopefully Frannie will learn that, but I do not care to read further to find out.
Final Grade: D-
My problem with book like this is that they are not trying to do anything deep. This a story of Heaven and Hell fighting for the soul of a girl who could be the next Hitler and the hook is a love triangle. The romance isn't moving and the characters aren't that complex or compelling.