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Dark Angel Chronicles #0.5
When Angels Cry
Shartrael Padina is no ordinary Inari. Bound in a symbiosis to the entities of the Starfire crystal, she can access their energy for healing or hurting. That power is sought by the small but growing Shirat Empire seeking control of the homeworld. When the elite Shirukan soldiers attack, her mate is killed protecting her escape through a portal to Earth, where she can hide her wings and blend in with humans.
But Earth is no joyride. After fighting off the Shirukan soldier who follows her, Padina ends up in the hospital. There she meets an immigration worker named Scott Dahlrich, who starts the process for her and her unborn child to become citizens of the U.S., unaware that they truly are aliens. Life is difficult on the primitive world, but in time, Scott’s kindness eases the pain of losing her mate. Fighting the Shirukan determined to fulfill his mission to capture her and the Starfire is another matter; one in which she must weigh her duty to the Starfire against Scott’s love.
But Earth is no joyride. After fighting off the Shirukan soldier who follows her, Padina ends up in the hospital. There she meets an immigration worker named Scott Dahlrich, who starts the process for her and her unborn child to become citizens of the U.S., unaware that they truly are aliens. Life is difficult on the primitive world, but in time, Scott’s kindness eases the pain of losing her mate. Fighting the Shirukan determined to fulfill his mission to capture her and the Starfire is another matter; one in which she must weigh her duty to the Starfire against Scott’s love.
96 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2010
5 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Nilles
38 books241 followersMelanie Nilles (aka M. A. Nilles) is an avid animal lover and resides with her husband, kids, and a clowder of cats who take advantage of their human slaves for food and warm laps. An equestrian of forty years, Melanie has trained and ridden all disciplines from race horses to cow horses and western show and speed events to jumping and dressage.
At the same time, Melanie (Mel to those who know her) has always had a fascination with science fiction and fantasy. Under her full name, her published works include the Starfire Angels: Dark Angel Chronicles series and other YA/New Adult works. As M. A. Nilles, she writes adult SF&F, including the Legend of the White Dragon epic, Demon Age, and Starfire Angels: Forgotten Worlds series.
Melanie has a unique perspective that she notes isn't for every reader. In general, her stories don't follow formulas or fit into any specific category but will offer something different for those who are looking for something meaningful but fun in science fiction and fantasy. For updates, visit her website at www.melanienilles.com or her blog at http://manilles.blogspot.com/ .
At the same time, Melanie (Mel to those who know her) has always had a fascination with science fiction and fantasy. Under her full name, her published works include the Starfire Angels: Dark Angel Chronicles series and other YA/New Adult works. As M. A. Nilles, she writes adult SF&F, including the Legend of the White Dragon epic, Demon Age, and Starfire Angels: Forgotten Worlds series.
Melanie has a unique perspective that she notes isn't for every reader. In general, her stories don't follow formulas or fit into any specific category but will offer something different for those who are looking for something meaningful but fun in science fiction and fantasy. For updates, visit her website at www.melanienilles.com or her blog at http://manilles.blogspot.com/ .
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 18, 2015
Shartrael Padina is an angel, and if that wasn't special enough, she's also one of four keepers of the Starfire crystals.
If that doesn't mean anything to you, welcome to my club. I went into this story with a very limited idea on what angels are, why they'd end up on Earth and I had absolutely no idea what this Starfire crystal was and what it was used for.
This wasn't really an issue though, because Melanie provides plenty of story with background and information thrown in for the reader. The down side to having to provide so much background is that the story slows dramatically. Which, happily, Melanie counteracted by speeding up the plot. The opening chapters were filled with lots of action.
This is both a good and bad thing. It helped to move the story along when you're being given a lot of information, but it also brushed across some pretty serious scenes with minimal impact because of how quickly it occurred. The first chapters see Padina's mate murdered, we find out she's pregnant but she hadn't told her mate, we're introduced to the Shirukan too, but it's all too quick.
Padina is understandably sad that her mate dies, and while there's scenes of her grieving, things in the romance department happen very quickly once she's on Earth. It's over the span of weeks, which is a refreshing timeframe given some of the romance books out there, but still. Weeks after your paired mate dies you fall in love again?! Seems a bit convenient to me.
The pace of the romance aside, the rest of the story is quite well thought out. The alternating POV chapters from the Shirukan add a welcome break from the ho-hum lifestyle of Padina while she's on Earth.
The main reason this only got 3 out of 5 is because there was a lot, and I mean a LOT, of repetition in the story. We're told two or three times in a couple of paragraphs that the house is locked and the trailer is packed. We're told a couple of times in two pages that she put the feathers in the bin. The repetition is not needed. It is annoying and makes the reader feel like the author thinks they're stupid and can't pick up on important points.
An edit would help this book, mostly to curb the repetition and superfluous words. However, I did notice one thing:
16% - track receptacles (should be trash)
This is a brief glimpse into a paranormal world that is new to me, it's easy enough to read and mostly reads well. If you like reading about angels, action and barely contained lust, try this one today, you might love it and fall into the series with gusto.
If that doesn't mean anything to you, welcome to my club. I went into this story with a very limited idea on what angels are, why they'd end up on Earth and I had absolutely no idea what this Starfire crystal was and what it was used for.
This wasn't really an issue though, because Melanie provides plenty of story with background and information thrown in for the reader. The down side to having to provide so much background is that the story slows dramatically. Which, happily, Melanie counteracted by speeding up the plot. The opening chapters were filled with lots of action.
This is both a good and bad thing. It helped to move the story along when you're being given a lot of information, but it also brushed across some pretty serious scenes with minimal impact because of how quickly it occurred. The first chapters see Padina's mate murdered, we find out she's pregnant but she hadn't told her mate, we're introduced to the Shirukan too, but it's all too quick.
Padina is understandably sad that her mate dies, and while there's scenes of her grieving, things in the romance department happen very quickly once she's on Earth. It's over the span of weeks, which is a refreshing timeframe given some of the romance books out there, but still. Weeks after your paired mate dies you fall in love again?! Seems a bit convenient to me.
The pace of the romance aside, the rest of the story is quite well thought out. The alternating POV chapters from the Shirukan add a welcome break from the ho-hum lifestyle of Padina while she's on Earth.
The main reason this only got 3 out of 5 is because there was a lot, and I mean a LOT, of repetition in the story. We're told two or three times in a couple of paragraphs that the house is locked and the trailer is packed. We're told a couple of times in two pages that she put the feathers in the bin. The repetition is not needed. It is annoying and makes the reader feel like the author thinks they're stupid and can't pick up on important points.
An edit would help this book, mostly to curb the repetition and superfluous words. However, I did notice one thing:
16% - track receptacles (should be trash)
This is a brief glimpse into a paranormal world that is new to me, it's easy enough to read and mostly reads well. If you like reading about angels, action and barely contained lust, try this one today, you might love it and fall into the series with gusto.
September 4, 2013
I am conflicted with how I felt about this novel. I was actually planning on reading the next in the series and then I noticed that this one came first however I think it was written afterwards. I feel like I did not have enough context to appreciate it. I will read the next one before laying judgement and once I have I may revisit my thoughts on this.
March 24, 2013
I read this after having read all the others (currently out) in the series. It made a lot more sense that way since I already knew the background story. I feel like it made more sense reading it in that order; I feel that if I would have read it at the beginning, I might not have had the same interest in the story, not to mention that it would have made less sense.
The Inari and Starfire aren't really described in depth in this book. Everything happens very quickly. Obviously it's only a novella, so one can't expect a lot of depth.
I definitely recommend it as a background story to one who has already started reading the Starfire Angels story. I loved getting to know Padina better, Raea's mother. I do wish we had known more about the later years when Raea is born, but I realize that the story wouldn't have been as captivating that way. We already know a little bit of what happens later on, but I was hoping to know more of what happened when she was later recaptured. Maybe Novella #2?
The Inari and Starfire aren't really described in depth in this book. Everything happens very quickly. Obviously it's only a novella, so one can't expect a lot of depth.
I definitely recommend it as a background story to one who has already started reading the Starfire Angels story. I loved getting to know Padina better, Raea's mother. I do wish we had known more about the later years when Raea is born, but I realize that the story wouldn't have been as captivating that way. We already know a little bit of what happens later on, but I was hoping to know more of what happened when she was later recaptured. Maybe Novella #2?
January 20, 2012
This was interesting. It is a chance to see Paddy's beginnings on Earth. I wanted to see more. I still had a few questions about Debbie and the nephews. But the love story between an alien to country and world and her social-worker was beautiful.
Now on to Crystal Tomb.
Now on to Crystal Tomb.
January 5, 2013
This book is about Padima, who is angel from another planet.
She has the ability to heal thru enery, but Shirka's soldiers followed her to earth, now she must save earth and her unborn child.
Nice and exciting read....
She has the ability to heal thru enery, but Shirka's soldiers followed her to earth, now she must save earth and her unborn child.
Nice and exciting read....
December 10, 2012
again great great book I want everyone to read it and all the others what a great book and story. what a great great writer.. Love you girl.
Want to read
October 9, 2012I
October 21, 2012
Wish would have read this one first. It's starts at the very beginning an provides valuable insight into how the story started
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews