Unwelcome

Archangel Academy #2

by Michael Griffo

Lesson 2: The people we love most may be the ones we know least. . .

Archangel Academy is more than a school to Michael Howard. Within its majestic buildings and serene English grounds, he's found friends, new love, and a place that feels more like home than Nebraska ever did. But the most important gift of Archangel Academy is immortality. . .

Life as a just-made vampire is challenging for Michael, even with Ronan, an experienced vamp, to guide him. Michael's abilities are still raw and unpredictable. To add to the turmoil, the ancient feud between rival vampire species is sending ripples of discord through the school. And beneath the new headmaster's charismatic front lies a powerful and very personal agenda.

Yet the mysteries lurking around the Academy pale in comparison to the secrets emerging from Michael's past. And choosing the wrong person to trust--or to love--could lead to an eternity of regret. . .

Michael Griffo is an award-winning writer and one of six playwrights whose career will be tracked by WritersInsight.com until 2010. He is a graduate of New York University, has studied at Playwrights Horizons and Gotham Writers Workshop, and has written several screenplays.

Genres: Young Adult, Vampires, LGBT, Fantasy, Paranormal, Angels, Supernatural

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Michael Griffo was born, raised, and has since relocated to New Jersey. He is an award-winning playwright and all of his plays have been produced throughout the country and in London. Two of his plays -- CLOUDY and 5G/10B -- have been published in Smith & Kraus's Best 10 Minute Plays for 2 Actors: 2005 and CLOUDY is licensed by Playscripts, Inc.

His first novel, BETWEEN BOYFRIENDS, was written under a pseudoymn, Michael Salvatore (which is actually the author's middle name) and is a hilarious piece of gay fiction that is best described as Sex & The City meets Will & Grace. He has also written a novella published in REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS, a gay Christmas anthology.

UNNATURAL, written under the author's real name, is the first book of the Archangel Academy series that also include UNWELCOME and UNAFRAID. UNNATURAL is a young adult novel that explores the relationship of two young outcasts who meet at an all boy's boarding school in north western England. Set against a backdrop of vampires and the supernatural, it is a coming of age story that young and old alike will be able to relate to.

Reviews

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Read using Kindle Unlimited)

I quite liked the first book in this series, but this one just bored me.
I’m not sure why but I hardly made it to 10% in this book without feeling bored and wanting to stop reading, so I hoped that it would get better. Unfortunately it didn’t. I didn’t care what happened to the characters; Nakando was dating some French bloke and was a bit OTT about how wonderful he was, Ronan’s mother was up to her usual meddling and blackmailing, and I got sick of Michael whining.
4.5 out of 10

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unwelcome is a wild ride of romance, lust, family politics and a hell of a lot of sexy vampires. With so many plots winding their way around our boys, Archangel Academy has never been more hectically intriguing. It’s hard to know if there’s a betrayal lurking around the corner that you just can’t stop reading.

Like Unnatural, there are so many POV’s that continue switching back and forth between paragraphs. It’s the only book series I’ve seen do this so often that it does take a bit of getting used to. It was probably my one pet peeve, but it’s not that difficult to follow. Michael and Ronan still center the book, but the other characters are very distinctive in their own rights. I’m not sure how the author managed to keep track of everyone’s personalities when writing this but it is interesting to read how each person interprets different situations nonetheless.

While the first book did take a while to get into things, here we’re thrown straight into Ronan and Michael’s lives together. Both water vamps now, a special breed, much more humane than their regular counterparts, Michael is adjusting to his new life, both supernaturally and as an openly gay teenager. They’re very much in love, with plenty of flirting, love declarations and both cheeky and tender situations. I really enjoyed all the aspects of the romance, even the not so perfect moments, which gave the paranormal aspects of their lives some realism to fall back on.

With Ronan as the older vampirically, he’s always acting as the protector in their relationship. Keeping too many secrets with the intention of keeping Michael safe seems to be a character flaw of his. He’s always holding things in, and it annoyed me to no end. I prefer when characters say what they’re thinking, but then of course where would the angst be in that. Ronan’s not just a part-time liar though. He’s also very good at peacekeeping, whether with his boyfriend, his outsider brother or his eccentric mother, Edwige. Ronan comes across a lot older than his years, making the stubbled cover model that portrays him just a bit more believable.

I love whenever I come across Edwige's scenes. She was definitely not built for motherhood. Not that she holds any ultimate malice towards her children, just mild contempt. She just doesn’t embrace the loving finesse needed to deal with them. Reading her can be quite the task. She has so much going on, plotting and scheming, looking for love, looking for beauty, dealing with remnants of her past and trying to half pull off a dinner party for a bunch of people who would rather be drinking blood than trying the dip.

I enjoyed delving deeper into the history of our characters. It linked together with Unnatural in a way that made sense of things, while still leaving more to be discovered. With all of the different threads running together at once like I mentioned earlier, it’s fun when things finally click and you have the ‘that’s why’ moment. The series is forever building, raising the stakes in the interspecies war. The vampires, not the water vamps, are getting even more cunning in their attack. With Brania and Nakano as well as some new vampires lurking, Archangel Academy is once again the center point for secrets, betrayals, lots of blood loss and fog ridden midnight rendezvouses. The lush British boarding school is the epitome of creepiness, but in a weird sense, I wouldn’t mind going there myself. Great friends like Fritz and Phaedra, an enigmatic, but scheming Principal and a live in boyfriend dousing Michael with adorable British idioms made Unwelcome a bloody mouth-watering sequel.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot more action and insight to the past then the first one.

[Jeremiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking love this series, I had read it for the first time in maybe 9th grade and i fell in love with the series i re-read the series every 6 months to a year. I may considered an adult since I’m 21 and the book being a YA novel/series. But i don’t frankly care cause this book is underrated. Ugh the love i have for this book, it was what got me into reading. And I haven’t stopped reading since. I am on book 532 now and that may not seem like a lot but, to me that is. This is a must read book!!!!

[Stephen Singletary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good....can't wait to find out what happens in book 3

[Lydiasky · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 5% I like the of premise of the story but the writing style and switching POV just doesn’t work for me. Got thru book 1 but just can’t again. Too many good books to choose from.

[Chapter by Chapter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alrightie then! The second novel in Michael Griffo’s Archangel Academy series (and I am starting to love all the “UN*insert word here*” titles. Very rememberable if you ask me) which I have been looking forward to reading for the past few months. After the note that Unnatural left off on, I was sure that Griffo would give us something that would top the first novel and become unforgettable. But before I get into what I love love loved about the novel, I want to bring up the one issue I had.

The only thing that I didn’t enjoy about the novel was all of the sexual content between Michael and Ronan. It felt overdone and it made me really uncomfortable really, really fast. It wasn’t like it was descriptive or anything, it was just that there was a lot of: They made out and then they did “it” or he was naked and then Michael got into the shower with him, scenes. That being said, the second Archangel Academy novel might only be for those who don’t mind the repetitive amount of “those” scenes. If you catch my drift.

However, I did find the constant romance found in the novel admirable. Not only did Griffo get into the growing relationship between Fritz and Phaedra, but he also showed that love is in the air for almost all of the characters. Should it be Nakano and his French lover boy or Michael and Ronan, romance definitely played a major role throughout the novel. Which I loved (kind of punny, no?). But not only was there romance but there was also the constant use of the challenges that couples have to go through to become stronger. Hint, hint, I am talking about Ronan and Michael. And it isn’t just romance that is messing around with their relationship, it’s also Michael and his adjustment to being a water vamp/vampire hybrid (which played a key role in the novel as well) and the regular vamps who want to know the secret to walking in the daylight.

As if things couldn’t get any worse for the water vamps at Archangel Academy, there’s a new headmaster with dark secrets of his own. And he isn’t human. Not one bit. He’s David Zachary a.k.a. Brania’s father a.k.a. the big bad head vampire in charge of the normal vampires a.k.a. the guy who wants nothing more than to see all of the water vamps dead. I feel like I’ve forgotten to mention that he’s a total creeper. Yeah, there’s that too.

As the novel progressed, I found that the novel would begin to go into backstories of most of the vampire characters like Brania and David. Personally, my favorite is Ronan’s flashbacks of the night that his father was burned. And throughout the novel Edwige would also bring up the subject of her being raped as the reason behind Ciaran’s existence (this felt like a really deep part of the novel).

Secrets were unveiled, characters true intentions were established and I was finding myself falling deeper into the world of Archangel Academy. If you loved the first novel in the series you won’t be disappointed with the sequel. I know that I can’t wait for the third novel (which I am reading as we speak *la winky face*). Oh and “go team water vamps”!!!

[Avry15 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One drop
Two drops
Three drops
Four
Water is mixed
With blood once more

Shadows and light
on a crimson stain

will the sun prevail?
Or will darkness reign

As expected, :), this is the poem symbolizing the story of Unwelcome, the 2nd Archangel Academy Novel by Mr. Griffo.

In this book, Michael is now a water-vamp and he will experience changes both physically and emotionally, that most of the time, he and Ronan argued. He discovered the dark past of his mother’s death and the true identity of his father.

Saiorse, Ronan’s sister is another character added to the already complicated family-line of Ronan. She is special in her own way and an important figure in the lives of the water-vamps. The story itself would unravel her true identity.

In the first book, Ciaran’s identity and past was a mystery to me, and although some of it was explained or we’re given glimpses to what happened in the second, I guess it’s not really that clear, and of course, there comes Edwige’s past, which is not clear also. But maybe it was just a tease, and these parts will be explained in the third book.

Of all the characters, I love Ronan the most, he is an ideal figure of a boyfriend, though I hate the fact that he keeps things to himself, thinking that he’s protecting others, but they would later find out and lead to complications. He is handsome, caring, thoughtful, gentleman, wise, and understanding. No matter what Michael does, he still cares for him and understands. He isn’t perfect, there are a lot of flaws in his characteristics, but that makes him human ,..lol, and therefore easy to comprehend.

This book is filled with lots of revelations from the past, identities, character’s significance in the story and shocking outcomes. A lot of characters from the first book had landed to different situations in the second, it is unimaginable, as well as maybe the right thing for them. And of course, new characters emerge, and new answers are given so that new questions may arise.
I just hope that the love story between Imogene and Penry, Phaedra and Frits could have ended differently.. :(. They were 2 cute couple.

The book may look too long to read, but the events in the story are continuous and short. There was never a dull part in the story, right amounts of twist and turns make it hard to put the book down. Mr. Griffo writes with vivid descriptions and well-chosen words to better emphasize the feelings and thoughts of the characters.

I will be forever twined in the love story of Michael and Ronan, the First and the Other, whom despite everything, stays strong.

“Forever Beautiful, Forever Mine”

A really great book!


More reviews on: Bookshelf Confessions

[CorLostForWords · Rating 3 out of 5]

Source: Received from publicist. Many thanks goes to Kensington Books, and Teen Book Scene for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

My rating: 3.5/5

Unwelcome picks up right where Unnatural left off. Michael is at Archangel Academy, and he is at the start of a new semester. After the events of the previous semester, he is hoping to just relax and enjoy the company of his new boyfriend. However, evil still lurks and is not done with Michael and Archangel Academy yet. The vampire factions are at the precipice of a war, and immortality may be cut short at any time. Danger and intrigue abound at Archangel Academy. Will Michael and Ronan survive, and will they still be united together?
Unwelcome was an engrossing read. Many new characters were thrown at the reader, however they were a welcome addition to the Archangel Academy crew. New villains rose to the challenge, and previously reliable friends are unwittingly crossing into enemy territory. There is still a lot of head jumping in the book as the point of view switches between several characters per page. Once you are used to the narrative style, and know the characters, it is easy to follow along with the different perspectives. I did find that in Unwelcome the head jumping was more refined and fluid as it would follow a set train of thought with a few characters. Michael would be going to confront his father, and Brania would be going to confront hers and it would switch back and forth between both of their conversations, much like a tv show of sorts.
Several new characters were added to the already large cast, and they brought both humour and suspense with them. We glean more insight into some of the new characters, and more tidbits are revealed about the different vampire factions, however there are still some aspects that are cloaked in secrecy yet. Hopefully they will be revealed within the next book as they will let us know more about the different factions and how they came to be.
Many intriguing twists are revealed in Unwelcome and it kept the story moving. Griffo is not afraid of killing characters once he is done with them, so be warned, some of your favourites could end up on the chopping block.
All in all, a solid follow-up to Unnatural. Relationships evolve to give us a new perspective on situations that we hadn't previously seen before. New family members entering the picture add another dimension as well as we get to see more of the vampire world and the inner workings of set family dynamics. I'm intrigued to know what will happen next for Michael, Ronan and their friends.

[Anthares · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not easy to critique both book and author in cases like this. The author has undeniable knowledge of synthax, grammar, vocabulary. And yet the storytelling has some faults. He leads the plot toward one direction and then suddenly steers it toward some other direction. Some time even in matter of paragraphs.

I lost count how many times the author declares something happened around a character but this was too busy, to distraught, too bored, too happy, too whatever, to notice it. You can get away with using this a couple of times in the book, but here it happens constantly.

Also, countless times the main characters withold important pieces of information for no other reason than further the plot or "unwittingly" ignite explosive reactions in some other character.

Another example of lack of consistency in the plot, hundred years old vampires get almost beaten up by fledglings (of course when it suits the plot). I also recommend the author to draw a profile of the characters and then stick to it: a vampire would stop growing old when he/she is turned, and yet we have memories of a now-and-forever teen character when she was a child vampire. Or once it's hinted she was born in then XVII century, and yet in another chapter, she is said to be about 200 years old.

And then, coming to the characters, the author makes it difficult for the readers to like any of them: Drama queens, egotistical, selfish, whiney.

It's a shame because Mr. Griffo has all the numbers to write a good book: the universe he created is enticing, the general plot is interesting, and 'cause I want to know where he is going with the story, I will read the third installment of the story.

[St. Gerard Expectant Mothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again I'm rating this quite high on the cheese factor scale because we know this is gay Twilight and falls along the same lines of Stephanie Meyers and her writing style. However this is a guy writing a thinly veiled Twilight fanfic with male characters so, naturally, I'm going to take it for what it is: a guilty pleasure.

Let's begin. If you read the first one, you know the teen angsty soap opera elements are going to be there along with more cheesy lines of like "I like you. You like me. Let's be boyfriends." so you can't expect anything less than badly written material and unrealistic plot points but I digress.





In our AA Part 2, our newly made vampire gay teen protagonist and his similar teenage lover/soulmate have to go through another round of bad soapy telenovela plotlines such as an upcoming vampire civil war, racial politics and conflicts, and more unnecessary characters added that really do nothing but simply fill in space for the story. Once again, I'm referring more "borrowed" Twilight plot points like evil vampires, relationship complications, and made up situations such as a civil war and we're waiting for some vampire/hybrid baby to pop out anytime soon so can call it Archangel Academy: Breaking Dawn.

Unfortunately, I'm still waiting. Once again if you like bad writing and bland cheesiness to make your mind numb, then AA #2 is for you. Though it should be better titled Archangel Academy #2: Dropping a Deuce.

[Myka · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was such a letdown after liking the first book so much. And the story itself is not bad, it's the way it's presented. The book drags and drags and drags that when you get to the end and the climax you don't care and just want it to end!

It was also full of inconsistencies. I don't remember once in book 1 them saying Vaughan was a vampire and suddenly it's like this is known info. And laser beams from their eyes? Really?

The book could have easily done with 150 pages less. Everything is so flourished and I really do not need or want descriptions of how Ronan's footsteps on the snow where like volcanoes or that Brania's fangs were as long as stilettos. Michael is sometimes an asshole in this book, then he's good again, then his ego goes back on hyper drive. I need continuity at least with the characters and less internal monologues. Sometimes it's nice to see what people are thinking, specially when they are evilly plotting, but I wanted to tear my hair out every time Michael or Ronan or anyone starts moping and they keep it all to themselves. Say it goddammit. Misunderstandings are cliche.

TLDR Everything boring is drawn out and tediously detailed. Everything entertaining is rushed and unsatisfying.

I don't even know if I want to read the last book. Some part of me wants to give the series closure, but the other one doesn't want to go through this again.

[Lori S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really was hoping this series would get better, but I'm stuck halfway through this book and still have absolutely no idea what's going on (or what's supposed to be going on). Motives and goals should be clear by now, but the author seems to have no idea of what his characters want either.

Just why is Michael acting like a jealous housewife? Why does Ronan's mother insist on using Imogene to show Michael his mother's suicide and her blaming Vaughn? That scene was so out of place and clumsily written it felt totally flat and unrealistic. Why, for that matter, is poor Imogene being kept around in the first place? At this point, I'm so confused and unhappy with the writing, I've given up on the books.

I also really don't buy into Michael and Ronan's relationship. Neither one of them have the true maturity for the kind of relationship they think they have (witness Michael's over reaction to the letters under Ronan's bed).

I was hoping for something magical and interesting, but Griffo really needs a good editor to help him spruce up his writing and bring some genuine magic into his story.

[Charlie' (MyBooksAreCorrupted) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am really quite disappointed in this book because the first one was amazing. I mean, I loved it and I couldn't put it down. But I got sick after the first 1/4 where Ronan and Michael couldn't stop fighting! And it just continued throughout the book! Ronan would lie or hide something to/from Michael, and then Michael would get super pissed off at him. They would ignore each other before someone else would step in and tell them that they are meant for each other, and they would both apologise. Then it would happen all over again -.-

I ju- I was so looking forward to this series. It's so different from my usual books, but so far it has gone up hill and then crashed and burned. I have the next book, Unafraid, already. So I am going to take a break from this series for a while since I have other library books to read first. And then come back and HOPE that the 3 books is much better than this one.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of my favorites. Even though it starts off kinda slow it starts to get interesting later on with unexpected arrivals. For example in the first book Imogene disappeared after Penry died but half way through this book she comes back and is a a water vampire thanks to Edwige. This book had a really interesting turn of events when the previous principal died and is replaced by a vampire named David Zachary. Everyone soon loves David and is willing to do anything for him without question all because they don't know him. Ronan however knows him and knows who powerful he really is and is worried for him and Michael safety. The setting of the book was held in modern day England at a academy called archangel. The plot of the story is the same as before with the never ending battle of vampire against water vampires.

[Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unwelcome was a good book, I find that it shows not only the evilness in people that hate you but also the evilness in people closes to you. In this story you are able to see that even people who love you can betray you without even knowing or do it unwilling.

It shows that even as you shower someone with hatefulness they can still find love and even with secrets there love can grow.
I think this book was a little slow to come in, also that the main character is not really learning anything that is need. I also believe that the father of the main character is a little uneven, I hoping that these books gets better over time.

If people would learn from there problems they would be able fine each other and love each other better.

[Damian Serbu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the first, Griffo has written a compelling novel. I found this one a little more complicated to follow and not quite as mesmerizing. Still, that's a minor complaint in what is a terrific series. Book II does a lot to push the story forward. I especially like the complication of Michael struggling with his identity as he becomes a young adult; he's no longer a perfect little teenage angel - he's a complex individual struggling with the world around him. And of course he and Ronan are still completely sexy as a couple.

[Melia Melia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I still do not honestly understand the humans mind these days. This book is wonderful. All the way. I am almost done reading it and will be happy still. I love everything about these books. They make me smile, cry, laugh, they make me feel happy and sad. Even sometimes I feel angry or other emotions and feelings towards other characters just because of their feelings and emotions. I am always able to keep up with everyone. I am sure there are little mistakes here and there, but honestly? Even the most talented people in the world make mistakes. People aren't perfect.

[Step Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished Unwelcome and bought Unafraid. I loved the series.The only criticism I have is that the last novel in the series was priced a lot more than the previous books in the series. I guess this may be an industry practice, but I 'm new to this. If I ever write a series, I will certainly avoid raising the price of the last book in the series.

Yeah,the last book jumped around a lot like the first two books, but that kept it from being boring.
I would recommend the series to anybody who likes o read about gay vampires.
Step

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one as much as the first book in the series. It had a lot of the same things I enjoyed from the first book and a lot of the things that annoyed me, the most prevalent being the constantly switching POVs.

I also had a slight issue with Michael and Ronan's relationship, the trouble they kept having with one another throughout the book seemed force and, at times, it made Michael seem like a whiney teenaged-girl.

[Samuel Capri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I enjoyed:
-The character development of Michael throughout the novel
-Michael and Ronan's relationship, and how it expanded--definitely a favorite couple of mine
-Ronan's family, especially his sister and brother
-The constant secrets and suspense that kept me on edge
-The further expansion of the vampire lore Griffo has created (Love the riff on Atlantis!)
-David and Brania
-Jean-Paul
-Phaedra
-The cliffhanger ending

Other then that this novel rocks

[Lawrence Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. At first I was concerned because it is noticeably shorter than Unnatural, but every page was incredible. Filled with suspense, plot twists, answered questions, and new ones, Unwelcome is a great continuation of the Archangel Academy trilogy and makes me excited to continue it in the third book. The last quarter of the book had me on edge the entire time and made me excited to see what was on the next page. This is definitely one of my all-time favorite series.

[Hermione · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was not well written. it kept changing points of view without a indicator and the plot was not always consistent. There was no build up to the romance it was just stuck in. The one thing I did like was the romance itself I applaud the author for using a gay couple in a book with plot in it. Most teen novels with gay characters have the character coming out or struggling. in this book it had strong gay characters who did not fit the norm.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book! If i didn't have school to side track me from my reading, i would have finished it must faster, however this one keeps me wanting to read on and on. I enjoy the romance along with the plot line, working hand in hand, it creates hour upon hour for me to get lost in the world that Michael Griffo so wonderful paints for his readers.

[Val Andre · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting ending....I'm undecided if I should even read Unafraid...I feel like the only reason I might is to see if Michael grows up and realizes Ronan is in love with him and wants him forever. Michael is very insecure. To the point where he's annoying. Ronan was over protective in this book....i don't think it deserves more than 2 stars...

[Kayla Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a little longer to read then normal but it was defiantly worth it! I absolutely adored this book. It was sexy! It was funny! It was perfect! Going to get the third one tomorrow, I wonder what's going to happen?!?!

[Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten)]

aug 30th

[Kim Yu · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the first book in this series thrilling and page turning. The 2nd installment was Blah!! I just couldn't get into it. All the different perspectives. It just didn't thrill me.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prtty decent story, though the POV jumping gets hard to follow at some points. Hope there is more back story in the next one.

[Cristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm still lost with worlds.. but I think I may just have to get book 3 when it comes out in march 2012.. this is the fist time I buy a book that I'm so lost ......