Book Review: Knight Angels Book of Love by Abra Ebner

SUMMARY:

When seventeen-year-old Jane Taylor witnessed her father's death, something happened to her. Ever since, her thoughts have been consumed by death, going so far as to foresee the ever-changing deaths of those around her. Sixteen-year-old Emily Taylor resented her sister's closeness with their father, who died when she was six. With the strange ability to read minds, she drowns the voices out with drugs, sending Jane over the edge. When seventeen-year-old Wes Green was adopted, he moved in next door to Jane, finding in her a childhood friend turned high-school crush. All summer, the pain in his bones seemed unwarranted. He was done growing long ago. When senior year starts, however, the pain only gets worse. The foreseen changes are not expected, and far too animal for his taste. When Max Gordon found himself standing above the dying body of an innocent seven-year-old girl, he saw in her eyes something he hadn't seen in the century he'd spent roaming Earth. Her father was already dead, but there was hope to save her. Jane was her name, and already she was all he ever wanted. It was his job to bring her back, and it was his job to protect her - the biggest mistake of his life. When these four teens enter Glenwood High their senior year, no one but Max could understand the future ahead of them. Drawn together by blood and friendship, they each hide a dark secret that will soon bind them together. Max has to protect Jane, Jane wants to be normal, Wes wants Jane to love him, and Emily just wants the voices to stop... But their fate just wants them dead.

OPINION: 5 STARS

Incorporating several intriguing elements and seamlessly navigating multiple perspectives, Knight Angels is a fantastic addition to fantasy and supernatural books. With a well balanced mix of romance, action and back story, this book will carve its own niche in an ever advancing genre. All the characters are introduced early, some seen through the eyes of another before the reader is able to see inside their head. Ebner does a fantastic job showing how one person views another is not always right and the assumptions they make- and therefore the reader takes on- can not always be taken at face value.

Jane is a prominent character throughout the book, driving a large part of the action. She is an intriguing mix of self importance, independent and alone. Her family situation is a gloomy one, leaving her to feel as though she has to take care of both her mother and out of control younger sister. Dependent on but also taking advantage of her neighbor’s intense devotion and infatuation with her, Jane is a character the reader will feel mixed emotions for from the start. The access given into her head, however, helps pull her out as sympathetic. She develops smoothly throughout the book, showing skepticism when it’s necessary and even resisting things she has some proof to the truth about.

Emily is Jane’s sister, fitting into the druggie stereotype and enhancing it with her black and revealing clothing styles. She flaunts her seeming lack of chastity, often earning her free pills. Through Jane’s eyes, she is an immediate turn off but as with her sister, the access granted into her mind help twist the reader’s perspective of both her and her reasons for wanting and needing the constant drugs. Emily is a very different personality than her sister but the underlying connections they share is clear. Though they fight and push away more than help and appreciate each other, the love is constant. Her special abilities play a large in both the person she’s become and the way the story plays out and though it isn’t a unique ability, Ebner handles it fantastically.

Wes is the neighbor, in love with Jane and too blinded by it to see past Emily’s rough exterior. Battling his own demons and unknown occurrences, he finds himself in some interesting situations. As the story progresses, he becomes a highly sympathetic character and his abilities are also handled smoothly, fitting into not only the present but a part of the backstory as well. He is loveable and tender but also fiercely protective and loyal.

Max is different from the others but having portions of the story set in his perspective add a fantastic element to the entire story. He’s the supernatural creature yet he isn’t completely shrouded in mystery. His history and reasons for being in Glenwood are known to the reader before the other characters know, adding a bond not often seen in supernatural books. His history is a fantastically developed one, still playing a large role in the present and Ebner unfolds everything at a steady pace.

This book is filled with twists and the romance never washes out the mystery and plot. In some places, it even drives everything. Ebner is certainly skilled at building her characters and world, and the thought and development that went into the entire book is very evident. The writing is strong, crafting vivid and fluid imagery and evoking intense emotions. The switches between character mindsets also comes across smoothly, tying up one before moving on to another or switching at the right moments to a new perspective on the same events. The reader will feel a strong bond to all four characters rather than one.

Intertwining both new and often used supernatural elements, multiple character mindsets, and striking writing make Knight Angels a superb reading experience. Emotional and entertaining, engaging and endearing, this book will hold appeal for a range of readers. The plot is fantastically well developed and the book ends in a way to tie up much of the current events while still leaving things open for the next installation. Strong characters help drive this book more, making it an overall hit and certainly one that comes with high recommendation.

Details:
Source: Received for review from the author free of charge in exchange for this honest review
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Crimson Oak Publishing LLC (April 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982272588
ISBN-13: 978-0982272589

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