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When Marley wakes up to a phone call from a pair of terrified children, she doesn't expect to be pulled into a secret war. She rescues them from an empty house and promises to find their missing uncle. She even manages to feed them dinner. But she barely feels competent to manage her own life, let alone care for small children with strange, ominous powers...
And when a mysterious angelic figure shows up and tries to claim the girls, it all falls apart...
Plagued by visions of disaster, Marley has no idea what she's gotten herself into, but she knows one thing: magical or not, the kids need her.
GlindaHarrison
Posted March 20, 2012
Fantastic start to new series!
First, let me say that this is an AWESOME read! It stands out as a finely crafted urban fantasy that's very definitely not your typical fare.
A very well-told story that unfolds organically, this is one of those books that draws you in from the first frantic phone call and keeps you riveted until the very end. The story is smart and thoughtful. The world building and metaphysics behind it are amazingly solid...
The characters are captivating -- characters that are interesting, believable and, at the same time, totally compelling. It even has magical cats and dogs (who can resist those?) and a few angels, demons and other assorted celestial beings besides. It has two of the cutest little tykes you've ever seen for Very Important Characters. The fact that they happen to be stuck smack in the middle of a celestial war (as well as packing some serious magic of their own), just makes things really interesting.
The protagonist, Marley, is one of the most satisfying characters I've encountered in a long time. She's flawed but she's not predictable. She manages to rise to the challenges she encounters yet not in a way that is forced and fake. She is the real deal.
And what a discovery in author Chrysoula Tzavelas ! She writes with a lovely voice and there is a beautiful flow to both the narrative and the dialogue. I definitely want to read more from this author!
Luckily, then, it appears that there is more of this story to come.... While the story wrapped up nicely, there are just enough unanswered questions to warrant a sequel (or two).
And just in case anybody out there is listening: This would make a great movie!
All in all, a great start to a very promising new series!
Chrysoula Tzavelas has a very accessible writing style, which makes this book just fly by as you read it. I loved the characters, they were so unique and well-developed that you felt instantly connected to them. I loved the story as it was just different enough to be unlike anything that I had previously read. The author gives you just enough clues throughout to make you think you know what's happening and then she sucks you in with the unknown. Great book!
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Posted May 5, 2012
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Overview
When Marley wakes up to a phone call from a pair of terrified children, she doesn't expect to be pulled into a secret war. She rescues them from an empty house and promises to find their missing uncle. She even manages to feed them dinner. But she barely feels competent to manage her ...