I just finished reading Angela Brown's Neverlove and wow what a story. I wasn't sure what to expect for this YA paranormal romance so when I read the jacket flap I thought, cool. Before I get into the review, I thought I'd post the synopsis.
For seventeen-year-old Abigail, one rash decision leads to an unexpected chance for redemption. At V'Salicus Academy, a unique institute where she trains to become an agent of heaven, she struggles with the pain of her past, the changes of the present and accepts a loveless future until her path – and heart – crosses with Basil’s.
Basil's off-chance slip of the tongue binds him to a life of servitude to the Devourer, the master of hell. His existence has no upside until a chance meeting with Abigail brings new perspective.
Keeping the truth of their present lives from each other brings disaster when secrets are brought to light and the life of Abigail’s mentor is put on the line.
Can Abigail and Basil save her mentor and salvage their love amid the chaos? Or will they lose it all, destined forever to NEVERLOVE?
My thoughts:
When I began reading the first part I thought WOW...that's some powerful stuff. However disturbing it set the tone for the main character, Abigail (Abby). She's been marred by her father (of all people) and in return attempts to end her life. Fate intervenes, prompting her mother to save Abby and enrolling her in V'Salicus Academy. Like Abby, the Academy was an equally intense organization.
Since Abby is new, Father Quanon agrees to mentor her through the academy and many of his colleagues and superiors start to doubt his motives. The book at first weaves in and out, describing the lives of first Abby and then her love interest, Basil. I liked the dark worlds that Brown created, depicting the depth of hell with the sinister dealings of Devourer and then the intricate faculties of heaven. There were many times when I wondered how the MC's persevere. I want to tell you in the end love trumps all, but eh, eh, eh...that wouldn't be right, now would it?
If you like books with wicked characters, a ton of twists and a fine dose of romance, then NeverLove is just the book for you. Find out more about the author, Angela Brown, by visiting her website. And...I just saw on Angela's website that she offering the e-book FREE for a limited time via Amazon! Go get it today!
So, are you a fan of Angela Brown? I am. Have you read NeverLove?
Mina B.
H.A. Goodman’s debut novel, Logic of Demons: The Quest for Nadine’s Soul
, is a fictional tale about the pivotal decisions you make in your life that may effect your afterlife. What would happen if your pregnant wife was raped and murdered and you knew who the killer was? Would you seek justice and kill the culprit? It’s a logic “what if” question; one that we all ponder from time to time. If that scenario happened to you…what would you do?
The book opens with our hero faced with that conflict. Devin Schwartz's wife is brutally murdered and he’s knows the killer. With little hesitation, Devin slaughters the man responsible for his wife & unborn child’s death and winds up dead himself, suspending in a bizarre afterlife. Since his vengeance, he’s now deemed a “demon” and is recruited to work for The Company, selling something called “The Formula” to unsuspecting living humans. With all the conviction that Devin started out with in this book, he certainly lost his bravado when it came to the afterlife.
The bulk of this book was about Devin fumbling through afterlife, attempting to reunite with his wife and child. There were many times were I wanted to smack Devin. Between The Company, the Angels, the Paladins and Satan herself, there was a point in the book where I didn’t know who was telling the truth. Devin acted – often to his detriment – too impulsively, causing more problems for our demonic hero.
The Company (aka Hell), ultimately tasks Devin with selling The Formula to a troubled teenage girl, Nadine. Using The Formula, Devin must convince Nadine to do something heinous. And who is Nadine anyway? In the story, Nadine is this talented anime artist whose parents are dead and she lives with her holy-rolling Uncle. But why her? There’s a billion depressed, self-loathing teenagers out there so what makes her so special? With all the tragedy bestowed on this chick, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. While reading this, I often thought that personal tragedy was the common thread between Devin and Nadine. Could it be that Devin is the key to save or condemn Nadine’s soul? I won’t tell you…you’ll have to find out.
Overall, I liked H.A. Goodman’s novel, Logic of Demons:The Quest for Nadine’s Soul. To be honest, the last 50 pages did it for me. During Devin's quest, I found there was too much back and forth between afterlife characters/scenes that I didn’t appreciate. But the ending….ah, the ending…redeemed the book for me. On my KilloMeter, I give H.A. Goodman’s novel, Logic of Demons: The Quest for Nadine’s Soul a 3.5.
Until next time…looking for a killer plot twist, try this book.
Mina B.
