Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Second Sign

by Elizabeth Arroyo (Goodreads Author)

4.42 of 5 stars 4.42 · rating details · 31 ratings · 20 reviews

Bred to believe in the war between angels and demons, Gabby has come to the conclusion that love is responsible for war, jealousy, and all the other deadly sins she can think of. So when she’s exiled to the middle of nowhere for getting kicked out of her fifth school for fighting, she doesn't expect to meet Jake. Much less fall in love. But Jake is quickly drawn to the eer...more

Paperback, 232 pages

Published February 7th 2013 by Sapphire Star Publishing

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

COME OUT ALRLEADY!!

146th out of 240 books — 261 voters

Nephilim

154th out of 154 books — 304 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 804)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Feb 10, 2013 Cynthia marked it as to-read

Shelves: reviewed

What would you do if you believed in Heaven and Hell but they didn’t believe in you? And what about if you don’t believe in them, but they believe in you?

Gabby is different in many ways: she’s not all human... her father is an Angel, and so is her twin brother. Also, whenever she touches someone... she can feel their emotions. Oh, did we mention Gabby has the worst luck ever? Her birthdays are not a day you wanna spend near her, bad things happen.

When the summer arrives, Gabby is sent back to t...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 14, 2013 Gabby (What's Beyond Forks?) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Full Review at: What's Beyond Forks?

There is so much of the unexpected within the characters of this book. Are they good? Are they bad? What are they period? Each main character and even some of the supporting characters have layers, and I was lured into their lives completely. You are given so much information within the pages, but there's no feeling of data overload. You are given what you need to know as you need to know it, and most importantly I still wanted to know more. The pacing was fla...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 03, 2013 BookHookup rated it 3 of 5 stars

Gabby is different. She’s not quite human, and, even though her brother and father are angels, she’s not one of those either…she’s somewhere in-between. Bad luck and demons seem to follow her around and she can feel people’s emotions just by touching them. Not your typical teenage girl.

Just like Gabby, this story is different. Yes, it has your typical YA romance. Gabby and Jake are attracted to each other immediately. But, unlike the other stories, this romance comes from a very different place....more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 18, 2013 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks-read-in-2013, paranormal-read-in-2013, read-in-2013

Gabby has always known about angels and demons. After all she and her twin have an angel father. Gabby gets into a lot of trouble and after her fifth fight she is sent to live with her twin Max to a summerhouse. She soon meets Jake and he quickly likes her. She however fights her feelings for him as she believes love is the cause of all things. She soon has to turn to Jake as a demon comes for her saying she is part demon. She has 24 hours to decide which side she is on. The demon begins to kill...more Gabby has always known about angels and demons. After all she and her twin have an angel father. Gabby gets into a lot of trouble and after her fifth fight she is sent to live with her twin Max to a summerhouse. She soon meets Jake and he quickly likes her. She however fights her feelings for him as she believes love is the cause of all things. She soon has to turn to Jake as a demon comes for her saying she is part demon. She has 24 hours to decide which side she is on. The demon begins to kill her friends as a message to her and says she is the second sign. She now must choice between the angels and demons and figure out the second sign. She has help from Jake and now thinks he may be very a important part in her future.

This book is so wonderful. It is not your usually fluff or light book. It is a book that you really can sink your mind into as you read it. Gabby is so strong. Even if she has known about being an angel she still has her moments when something feels off about herself. She also has to deal with being a teen so she has double the problems. Getting thrown into this mess and usually having no one to turn to it is new for her to have someone to talk to like Jake. You can see her struggle with her feelings and see her grow to trust Jake when she doesn't really want to. Jake is what she needs. He hasn't had much a family life something they have somewhat in common. He helps Gabby as much as he can and tries to show her what he feels.

From the start you get to see this is going to be an intriguing book. It is one you have to take your time with and really not rush thru it. Not that it reads slow it just has so much going on. It will keep you guessing as it has many twists to the story and it is very well written. Action is always happening and it is really easy to love Gabby and Jake as you learn about each one. I knew it would be hard for Gabby to fall for Jake by that is what makes the story so great. You get a little bit of it all in this fantastic book. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a great angel/demon book that is a great read and not a light book. The author did a fantastic job with this book. The ending left me hanging and wanting more.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Feb 17, 2013 Laura *Little Read Riding Hood* rated it 4 of 5 stars

I must be on an angel kick without realizing it, as this is the second angel/demon book I've read in less than a week! Even though the other one was Adult and this was YA, this one is definitely the darker of the two.

Take your typical YA angst, add in several huge secrets, some difficult powers, lots of death, and angels and demons and you get the gist of The Second Sign. Things change from moment to moment, and I was continually confused as to who the good guys and the bad guys were, and how ev...more I must be on an angel kick without realizing it, as this is the second angel/demon book I've read in less than a week! Even though the other one was Adult and this was YA, this one is definitely the darker of the two.

Take your typical YA angst, add in several huge secrets, some difficult powers, lots of death, and angels and demons and you get the gist of The Second Sign. Things change from moment to moment, and I was continually confused as to who the good guys and the bad guys were, and how everyone fit into the picture. To be honest, I am still a little confused. Which is both good and bad.

I like to be surprised confused, as long as I feel like I know what just happened at the end. It keeps me guessing and one my toes. And while there is some resolution (not a cliffhanger) at the end, I am still left wondering about a LOT of things. There were some secrets kept from the main characters, Gabby and Jake, that I don't understand. Of course I usually disagree with the secrets being kept from ANY character, there is usually some reasoning, no matter how stupid in my opinion, as to why those secrets are being kept. I didn't feel there was enough of an explanation as to why some of the secrets were kept. But they did make for a giant WTF moment at the end!

There were also a few character actions that confused me. I can make assumptions based on what happened later on as to why they acted the way they did, but they do a few 180's during the story that are never really addressed by them or the people around them.

Other than that, this is a very good, very dark book. I mean, people die. In horrible, gruesome, ways. And the author doesn't pull punches. She makes you see it, through the eyes of her characters. There is some good, but man ... the evil makes a serious appearance here.

Let me just say there better be a book two. And sooner rather than later would be nice. That ending, again not a cliffhanger, left me all flustered. I need more closure, and I need to know what happens next! Because, yeah. I can't tell you without ruining the whole story. (less)

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 03, 2013 Simone rated it 5 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Gabby is kicked out of school yet again. Her twin brother Max and guardian Adler has “exiled” her to the dreaded lake house yet again. Apparently Max and Gabby are special. Max turns out to be angelic, literally, while Gabby can see angels, demons, and feel impressions people leave behind. What is she? You’ll have to read and find out. Now, every birthday something bad happens so the twins celebrate together to keep Gabby safe...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 28, 2013 Ashley Byland rated it 5 of 5 stars

When I first started reading this book, it actually took me by surprise how dark it was. I couldn't put it down but part of me was a little scared of what I might read next. What was interesting to me is I had just finished a book where the two main characters were Jake and Gabrielle. The girl was called Brielle in the last book and in this one she was called Gabby. It was hard at first to picture them as different characters, but once I got into this book, it was very simple to do, considering...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 07, 2013 Marni rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've read a few angel and demon books in the past couple of years; Hush Hush, A Beautiful Dark and Rapture come to mind. There have been the stories of good vs evil, light vs dark, fallen angels, demons running amok, etc. This story combines elements of all these if a way that creates a chaotic unique story that can be read in any given time and still holds all its elements in place.

Gabby and her twin brother Max, have been motherless since birth. Their father is nonexistent and their guardian,...more I've read a few angel and demon books in the past couple of years; Hush Hush, A Beautiful Dark and Rapture come to mind. There have been the stories of good vs evil, light vs dark, fallen angels, demons running amok, etc. This story combines elements of all these if a way that creates a chaotic unique story that can be read in any given time and still holds all its elements in place.

Gabby and her twin brother Max, have been motherless since birth. Their father is nonexistent and their guardian, who only seems to be around for Max, is more a background presence than a nurturing figure. This seems to leave Gabby getting into trouble more times than not. For the summer she is basically on her own at the summerhouse in a small community. An outsider and his sister end up there for the summer too, again without supervision and this is where the story plays out.

From the beginning I found myself rooting for Gabby, with all her problems and nobody to turn to. Going through the changes she has dealt with in her family and their heritage would not be easy for anyone, and for someone also going through the natural confusions of the teen years this amplified things ten fold. She needed someone there for her, she needed someone to confide in, someone to protect her, someone to just be there for her and she was left to her own devices. Jake, strong willed, compassionate, and also dealing with an unusual home life, was the perfect match for her.

The story had many twists in the story, and sometimes I had to reread paragraphs to get the full picture, as it should be, in focus. There were a few times that things could have been resolved by just telling someone what they saw or just by picking up the phone that just didn't seem to fit right. Characters were brought in than quickly brought out that could have just stayed out entirely and made things flow a bit more. There were also times that things were explained all over again, just a paragraph or two later that seemed to distract me from what was actually happening in the story.

As I had said earlier, this story resonates to the point that I could have read this twenty years ago or come back and read again twenty years from now and the characters, scenery, story would not be futuristic nor outdated. The story itself combines romance, personal conflicts, theological beings, action, regrets and wraps itself into a package that is hard to peel oneself away from. It makes you think about things but not in a bible thumping sort of way and paves the way into a possible next phase of the story while also leaving you content if the story ends here.

Do I recommend this book? Yes, but not for just anybody. This book is not for someone looking for a light read. This book has some very dark moments in it and some very deep issues being dealt with. Fans of The Exorcist, or any scary movie like that, this book is right up your alley. Fans of The Left Behind series, again, this would satisfy you.

For those of you wondering, I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Receiving a book this way does not hinder me from being totally honest.
(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 03, 2013 Ana rated it 3 of 5 stars

1 like · like · see review

Feb 28, 2013 S.M. Blooding rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book had my attention from the word GO! Okay, so that word technically wasn’t anywhere on the first page, however, it had my attention from the very first page. Ms. Arroyo has a very clean, clear and crisp writing style that brings all the right story elements shooting off the page. The plot was instantly recognizable and instantly hooked me.

I loved Gabby. She was easy to relate to. She had just enough of the angsty teenager mixed with the right amount of non-whininess. I thought she was we...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 07, 2013 Step Into Fiction rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ashley

1 like · like · see review

Mar 06, 2013 Laurie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2013

After finishing The Second Sign, all I can say is "Wow!" Author Elizabeth Arroyo has created a page-turning paranormal. Refreshingly different, evil is evil, good is good and there is a place in between. That is where Gabby is. Her father, whom she's never seen, is an angel, as is her twin brother, Max. The story begins with Gabby getting into trouble at school, again, and subsequently told not to come back in the fall. Max tells her at home that they will be spending the summer at their vacatio...more

like · see review

Feb 07, 2013 Trini rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Second Sign is an intriguing story with fascinating characters and epic plot. Angels and demons exist and live amongst us in this story. As the plot unfolds you find that the power of persuasion and free will decide ones future. And most importantly that love can set you free.

Free will is a major factor throughout this book. Even though you would think that angels and demons have a genetic disposition to be good or bad they still have free will. That is how fallen angels are declared. But Ga...more

3 likes · like · see review

May 05, 2013 Maghon Thomas rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, paranormal, review-4-author, young-adult

You’re going to laugh at me when I say I’m not really an “angels” reader but I like demons. And all I can say right now is “ooooooh this is getting good!!” I mean this one twisted me! At first I thought angels were bad, then good, then bad, now good… I’m very pleased with this book. It’s quite different from the outlook of angels vs demons but not only that but the story surrounding Gabby! I’m just heartbroken I think.

Gabby was a very unique character. Her and her twin, Max are halflings- human...more You’re going to laugh at me when I say I’m not really an “angels” reader but I like demons. And all I can say right now is “ooooooh this is getting good!!” I mean this one twisted me! At first I thought angels were bad, then good, then bad, now good… I’m very pleased with this book. It’s quite different from the outlook of angels vs demons but not only that but the story surrounding Gabby! I’m just heartbroken I think.

Gabby was a very unique character. Her and her twin, Max are halflings- human and angel… Except Gabby doesn’t think herself an angel because Max gets wings and leads a life complete different from her. She has these abilities that she thinks of as a curse. She’s pushed everyone away to keep herself and them safe. She is constantly lied to or left out. At first I felt sorry for her am then I felt empowered by her. I think she’s endured so many bad things that she will now know the good. And boy does she have a heap load ahead.

Jake is a very complicated situation. As well as his father and sister. And then Pat. Man we should be playing Clue with how much all the characters twist and it’s only king to get more complicated. I’m wondering if this will be a series because I’m really hoping the end was not the actual end. It’s not a cliff hanger but there’s an opening that I hope the author runs with.

I’m going to say that there’s enough mystery going on that could have any mystery fan salivating. The paranormal romance part is also a big player. I’m so hoping this continues. And it’ll hook you, just like it hooked me. I was thinking it would be another angels fighting the big bad demons, but that’s not the only case here. There’s so much that happened but so much more to come. I need to know what will happen with Jake and I’m glad with everything in the open with Max and I’m dying to know what Gabby will do with her new “ability”! So, if the author reads this- please tell me you’re going to continue and when can I get my paws on book two!! 5 MYSTERIOUSLY DEVIOUSLY BEAUTIFUL PAWS!!(less)

1 like · like · see review

Feb 27, 2013 Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-tour, feb-tours, to-read-own-it, owned-e-books, new-2-me-authors, new-to-me-series, paranormal-romance-challange, urban-fantasy-challenge, challenge-urban-fantasy

See the book tour with a giveaway at my blog, plus read an excerpt too.

I really enjoyed this book, it was an interesting take on good vs. eveil, and free will and all that.

Free will is a major factor throughout this book. Even though you would think that angels and demons have a genetic disposition to be good or bad they still have free will. Unlike many other books with angels and demons, some of them do not have free will. These do and that is how fallen angels are declared. But Gabby is not...more

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 06, 2013 Sheri rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Sheri by: I want to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of the book for review.

A dark, twisted tale that will keep you yearning for more.

Gabby appears to be the average troubled high school student with too much energy to burn. Such a characteristic often leads her astray. But there is more to Gabby than just being a student and simply mischievous. And more about herself than even she knows.

The opening pages immerse the reader in a facade of religious references and icons, seemingly the darker side of faith. This could have been a risky subject in a young adult novel; howe...more A dark, twisted tale that will keep you yearning for more.

Gabby appears to be the average troubled high school student with too much energy to burn. Such a characteristic often leads her astray. But there is more to Gabby than just being a student and simply mischievous. And more about herself than even she knows.

The opening pages immerse the reader in a facade of religious references and icons, seemingly the darker side of faith. This could have been a risky subject in a young adult novel; however, as the first few pages turn, the story shows neither praise nor condemnation, but uses the characters and their inner motivations as the focal point. I found myself pondering along with the characters about beliefs and one's own soul. And that is when the story really began. This technique was clever because it not only gave valuable information the reader will need to know, but it also set the tone and mood for the entire story.

Arroyo has a beautiful writing style, ease of flow and imagination. The story is structured in multiple point-of-views, but mainly from the two main characters, Gabby and Jake. It works, as does the surprises that satisfy the appetite of any adventurous, mystery-twist loving reader.

Gabby and Jake's relationship is intense, yet an underlying pulse of sweetness and genuineness draws them closer - a need somewhat teen, but also new and never felt by either. Jake has that typical teen male attitude, attributing some of his worth to the number of girls he's dated and/or more. But he only holds slight arrogance, which is teasing and attractive.

Although otherworldly and even horror elements soon surface, threatening Gabby and all she's known, she still struggles with most of the same issues the average teenage girl does: Who am I? Where do I fit in? She's never felt at ease in her own skin or with anyone, not even her brother Max or her guardian Alder. The time would soon come when that must change, when she'd need to drop her barriers and let Jake in to she what she's made of.

As the tale unfolds and Gabby faces each new danger, Jake is drawn in deeper, stepping over the threshold of her walls, sensing a need for each other - a purpose larger than themselves.The climactic ending shocks and explodes, executing the power of friendship, love, and sacrifice. (less)

4 likes · like · see review

Mar 07, 2013 Leti rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: yes

I really enjoyed reading The Second Sign @ first I was not sure if I wanted to read it because I am not into paranormal stories but as I began to read this book I was hooked. I couldn't put the book down !! Just wanting to know what happens next was a thrill in itself. Gabby is such a lonely girl trying to find herself and where she belongs. Her father and her twin brother are angels. Confused by things she feels she has no control over. Decisions, choices, love, confusion. What is Gabby going t...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 27, 2013 Tia rated it 4 of 5 stars

This novel was effed up but really great to read. I didn't want it to end. It had it's confusing moments but I was pretty enthralled with everything happening in the novel.

1 like · like · see review

Feb 16, 2013 Bianca rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just finished it and I am really shocked. Review to come on March 1st.

1 like · like · see review

Feb 16, 2013 Bianca rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Just finished it and I am really shocked.Review to come on 1st March.

like · see review

Feb 06, 2013 J.A. Huss added it

Review tomorrow

like · see review

Feb 09, 2013 Fern (whirlwindbooks) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Review to come soon!

like · see review

May 24, 2013 Kat marked it as to-read

May 24, 2013 Selina marked it as to-read

May 24, 2013 Jennifer marked it as to-read

May 24, 2013 Dulce marked it as to-read

May 24, 2013 Irena marked it as to-read · review of another edition

May 24, 2013 Victoria Braithwaite marked it as to-read

May 23, 2013 Kristina marked it as to-read

May 23, 2013 Sara marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: read-and-review-13june, read4review-nevertoooldforyabooks, to-read-on-kindle

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 26 27 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Never Too Old For...: * Read 4 Review #43 - The Second Sign	28	75	10 hours, 58 min ago
Horror Aficionados : My book is out!	7	32	Mar 22, 2013 05:44am
Q/A with Elizabet...: Questions about THE SECOND SIGN Anything goes--Spoilers okay	1	4	Mar 10, 2013 01:56pm
Q/A with Elizabet...: Questions about THE SECOND SIGN For those currently reading--No Spoilers	1	1	Mar 10, 2013 01:54pm

combine
Other Editions (1)

Videos About This Book

Add a comment

Genres

Young Adult

4 users

Paranormal > Demons

4 users

Fantasy

3 users

Paranormal > Angels

3 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

2 users

See top shelves...

About Elizabeth Arroyo

Elizabeth spent most of her younger years as an avid reader with a wild imagination which led her to write her first manuscript at the age of fourteen. Her fascination with the paranormal was influenced by the vivid ghost and demon stories her father told her as a child, scaring the crap out of her. It also led her to ask the "what if" question that propelled her down the path of the fantastical....more

More about Elizabeth Arroyo...

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Second Sign

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: The Second Sign
avg rating	preview: The Second Sign Goodreads rating: 4.42 (31 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16089573-the-second-sign?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350339892l/16089573.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16089573-the-second-sign?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Second Sign by Elizabeth Arroyo[/url]

The Second Sign

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (1)

Videos About This Book

Genres

About Elizabeth Arroyo

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Second Sign

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (1)