Review - A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

Title: A Temptation of Angels

Author: Michelle Zink

Series:  I hope!

Pages: 400

Published: March 20th 2012 by Dial Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9780803737266

Source: Around The World Tours

Description: When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel. 

I Give This ...

 

I've only read the first in Michelle's previous series.  But, since I enjoyed it, I was willing to give this one a shot.  I didn't set my expectation too high, because I often feel the angel books fall short of their marks.  I ended up being pleasantly surprised by this book.

I found Helen to be an interesting character.  She knows nothing of who she really is.  Everything that has been taught to her has been secretly done.  Her father tried to teach her skills by turning them into games.  I liked learning about the games he use to play with such as finding the two quickest exits out of places and how to go unnoticed in a group.  When it came time to use these skills, I think she was surprised at how much she remembered.  I admired how much she kept her head despite all she has gone through.  I also liked that she didn't readily believe what everybody told her.  It sometimes feels like characters are willing to accept that paranormal without batting an eye.  

The brother's Quinn and Darius rounded out the story nicely.   I had a feeling one of them would turn out to be a love interest and I really enjoyed the tension between them.  I also liked how the other brother liked to call their feelings out.  I'm not sure what he's deal is exactly.  I get the sense there might be more to that story as well.  I also liked how there's almost a love triangle.  It played a pivotal role in the story, but not how one might think.  And, I loved how Helen made a definite choice!

I actually enjoyed the mythology behind the angels, the decedents, and their demon counterparts.  It's explained enough that you understand what's going on.  But, I also liked that there's plenty of room for more books.  I don't think we've learned enough about the Dictata.  I'm also curious to see what the descendents actual duties might be.  Most of this book is about finding who is hunting them and putting everything right.

The book also has a very Victorian feel to it.  But, it also has some modern tendencies. I found that I enjoyed it very much!

Prophecy of the Sisters (Prophecy of the Sisters, #1) by Michelle Zink

Title: Prophecy of the Sisters

Series: 1st in series

Author: Michelle Zink

Published: August 2009 by Brown for Young Readers

Pages: 343

ISBN: 9780316027427

Source: traded copy

Description: Sixteen-year-old Lia Milthorpe and her twin sister Alice have just become orphans, and, as Lia discovers, they have also become enemies. The twins are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other. To escape from a dark fate and to remain in the arms of her beloved boyfriend James, Lia must end the prophecy before her sister does. Only then will she understand the mysterious circumstances of her parents' deaths, the true meaning of the strange mark branded on her wrist, and the lengths to which her sister will go to defeat her. Debut novelist Michelle Zink takes readers on an unforgettable journey where one sister's fateful decision could have an impact of Biblical proportions. Prophecy of the Sisters is the first of three books. 

 I Give This ...

  

 

  The description of this one really had me intrigued.  I was happy I finally decided to read it.  It has a very dark and Gothic feel.  The relationship between is Alice and Lia is so odd.  It's hard to imagine twins being as distant as they are.  It really makes the story feel foreboding.  It makes me wonder how the household functioned before the parents died.  I liked how the prophecy developed.  It's not all laid out, but explained a little at a time.  I especially enjoyed the twist in the story.   It completely crosses the lines of what one would consider good and evil.   I was surprised at the drastic actions Alice was willing to take.  Since the story is told from Lia's point of view, we never see how evil Alice has become until it is to late.  The only real fault I felt the story does not have a real conclusion.  I know it's part of a series, but I like to feel that a chapter is ending and another beginning.  In this story, I don't think I got that.  It feels like the book just ends at a convenient break in the story.  I will continue with the next book in the series.  I would love to get more from Alice's point of view.  But, since she is the evil one, I can see why it might not happen.