Title: Hidden
Author: Marianne Curley
Series: Avena Book 1
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Date of Publication: 14th of March 2013
Synopsis
This book was brought to my attention by the lovely Caz at BigBookLittleBook, and once it was on my radar I was itching to start reading.
Admittedly the concept of a stolen angel, now found and desperately attempted to be returned before Hell can get its evil spreading claws into her, isn't a complete novelty. This said the spin that Marianne Curley put on it was quite intriguing and left me wondering for quite a while. Truth be told I'm still doubting a few things.
Ebony is an angel that was stolen from heaven at birth and raised by humans unsuspecting of her true heritage, until one fateful night she's drawn to Jordan. A cataclysmic event that sets things in motion and puts Ebony on Hell and Heaven's radar.
Marianne Curley however very cleverly doesn't make this start to the series about the search for Ebony. The focus is for the most part set on the crucial question of: where will she return to? Will Hell unknowingly break her free will and twist her arm to reign over the dark side, or will Heaven make her see reason, sacrifice that which she holds dear and take the higher and more difficult road?
If you liked this and wish to remain on an angelic theme then I would most definitely check out Inescapable by Amy Bartol, Hush Hush by Rebecca Fitzpatrick and the Fallen series by Lauren Kate. If on the other hand you're tired of angels and wish to read about the other side, well you should definitely take a look at Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins. Although Existence by Abbi Glines strays from angels and demons, it is still a very good read I would recommend.
Author: Marianne Curley
Series: Avena Book 1
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Date of Publication: 14th of March 2013
Synopsis
For as long as Ebony can remember, she's been sheltered. Confined to her home in a secluded valley, home-schooled by her protective parents, and limited to a small circle of close friends. It's as if she's being hidden. But something is changing in Ebony. Something that can't be concealed. She's growing more beautiful by the day, she's freakishly strong, and then there's the fact that she's glowing.
On one fateful night, Ebony meets Jordan and she's intensely drawn to him. It's as if something explodes inside of her--something that can be seen from the heavens. Ebony still doesn't know that she's a stolen angel, but now that the heavens have found her, they want her back.
Review
This book was brought to my attention by the lovely Caz at BigBookLittleBook, and once it was on my radar I was itching to start reading.
Admittedly the concept of a stolen angel, now found and desperately attempted to be returned before Hell can get its evil spreading claws into her, isn't a complete novelty. This said the spin that Marianne Curley put on it was quite intriguing and left me wondering for quite a while. Truth be told I'm still doubting a few things.
Ebony is an angel that was stolen from heaven at birth and raised by humans unsuspecting of her true heritage, until one fateful night she's drawn to Jordan. A cataclysmic event that sets things in motion and puts Ebony on Hell and Heaven's radar.
Marianne Curley however very cleverly doesn't make this start to the series about the search for Ebony. The focus is for the most part set on the crucial question of: where will she return to? Will Hell unknowingly break her free will and twist her arm to reign over the dark side, or will Heaven make her see reason, sacrifice that which she holds dear and take the higher and more difficult road?
Written alternatively from Ebony and Jordan's point of view, Hidden started with a good steady pace that definitely got my immediate attention. Then just as things got interesting it all seemed to settle and slow down. Picking up speed quickly as the end of the book approached and events escalated rapidly.
The use of alternate point of view was something I very much enjoyed, especially seeing as it was used in a rather unorthodox situation and most certainly not what I expected. From Ebony and Jordan's perspective I thought I had pretty much figured out how things were going to evolve between them. But Marianne Curley had other plans and her use of the alternate points of view well and truly served its purpose, whilst also shedding more light and insight into both characters, particularly Jordan's.
I will confess however that I found the plot a little predictable and could easily foresee the twists. This said I expect that this was possible because as the pacing slowed I was able to pick up on subtle events and then think and reflect on them.
Overall although the pacing slowed and some aspects of the plot could be anticipated, the double point of view was refreshing and interesting. I am somewhat curious as to what the sequel will have in store for us.
The use of alternate point of view was something I very much enjoyed, especially seeing as it was used in a rather unorthodox situation and most certainly not what I expected. From Ebony and Jordan's perspective I thought I had pretty much figured out how things were going to evolve between them. But Marianne Curley had other plans and her use of the alternate points of view well and truly served its purpose, whilst also shedding more light and insight into both characters, particularly Jordan's.
I will confess however that I found the plot a little predictable and could easily foresee the twists. This said I expect that this was possible because as the pacing slowed I was able to pick up on subtle events and then think and reflect on them.
Overall although the pacing slowed and some aspects of the plot could be anticipated, the double point of view was refreshing and interesting. I am somewhat curious as to what the sequel will have in store for us.
A big thank you to Bloomsbury for providing me with a copy of this novel to read and review.
If you liked this and wish to remain on an angelic theme then I would most definitely check out Inescapable by Amy Bartol, Hush Hush by Rebecca Fitzpatrick and the Fallen series by Lauren Kate. If on the other hand you're tired of angels and wish to read about the other side, well you should definitely take a look at Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins. Although Existence by Abbi Glines strays from angels and demons, it is still a very good read I would recommend.