I can't take full credit for the concept of breaking up with a book -- I read it somewhere in the blogosphere and thought it was just a perfect analogy. Because we've all done it. We've all started to read a book and just couldn't make it through. For whatever reason, we had to break up with it.
Angelfire trailer from the author's website.
Even though Angelfire was just released a couple of weeks ago, it was a book I had hearing a lot about for quite awhile. I received an ARC from netGalley and HarperCollins and was eager to jump right in.
I *love* the concept of Angelfire. Monstrous creatures called reapers devour humans and send their souls to Hell. (Yep, like Grim Reaper.) Ellie is the reincarnation of the only human warrior who can stop these reapers because she can conjure swords of angelfire to defeat them. When we start the book, Ellie is rediscovering her powers with the help of her immortal protector Will.
While the concept is wonderful, the writing was lacking delivery for me. I found it quite shifty -- it read to me like a series of scenes as opposed to a story. I felt there was a lack of detail in many areas and no build up to the plot, no sense of anticipation of what was coming. All the talk about the fancy cars and the shopping and the clothes seemed unnecessary to me.
But I think the straw that broke the camel's back for me was the relationship. While I found myself feeling a little bad for Landon, I was not buying Will as the sexy, mysterious boy. I could see the tension between Will and Ellie, but I couldn't feel it.
It's a shame. I really wanted to like this one. Has something similar ever happened to you?
This Advance Reader's E-Proof was provided to me by HarperCollins and netGalley.
I have "issues" with Angel books and haven't picked this one up because of it. I have read mixed reviews.... It's okay to not finish a book. Eragon was the first book I couldn't finish. Oy!
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