From the Bookshelf of Penryn and the End of Days Re-Read…

I read this the first time back in October 2014. I remember seeing this book being recommended by Sasha (aka abookutopia), I remember thinking it was interesting but never actually intending to read it, I remember lazily clicking random books here and then I found this, and I remember every feeling upon FINALLY picking the book up thinking why the hell have I avoided it in the first place. Reading Angelfall had been a very, very thrilling and heart-breaking ride of my life. It was certainly boo

I read this the first time back in October 2014. I remember seeing this book being recommended by Sasha (aka abookutopia), I remember thinking it was interesting but never actually intending to read it, I remember lazily clicking random books here and then I found this, and I remember every feeling upon FINALLY picking the book up thinking why the hell have I avoided it in the first place. Reading Angelfall had been a very, very thrilling and heart-breaking ride of my life. It was certainly book I have overlooked and I am very upset that I did. Certainly, this took me by surprise. At the time the only books about angels I was ever interested in was the TMI series by Cassie Clare, anything else was nothing to me. Needless to say, after having read this one, that thought changed. There was this long span of endless months when I craved nothing but books merely about paranormal creatures, specifically angels. That was how much this book affected me.




So this is a story of a teenager (duh) in an apocalyptic setting. There were angels that apparently invaded our world and this said event caused a phenomenal world wreckage. By that I meant tsunamis, earthquakes and other natural catastrophic wreck one could think of. Penryn, our protagonist, is stuck in this trying to fend for her sister who was wheelchair bound and her crazy mother. Upon journeying to survive, she finds herself in a situation that involves partnering up with a wingless archangel. I can't tell more since it will be considered as spoilers. There are certainly dark themes unveiled in the book and a lot of blood but a person could stomach such. Susan wrote them in a way that's subtly horrific but not disturbing. The world in this book is a scary world to live in. Only those who are strong enough physically and emotionally could survive. At least that's what I think. This leads me to Penryn. There are times when I just fall deeply in love with a character; deep to the bones admiration-- this was one of them. I don't really want to compare her to the others since the majority of YAs compose of teenage girls (Penryn is 17), knows enough skills about fighting (she knows martial arts), beautiful (it has been clearly implied that Penryn has that 'LOOK' the angels are interested in. Obv, it means gorgeous), and is fearless. In these aspects, Penryn is not considered special. Mostly the YA ladies are like that. I myself could attest to that. Why I liked her? Simple. She's just simple likable. Yeah, right, it justifies everything and wow yeah I'm doing a very good job at describing her. -_- Sorry, but the truth speaks for itself. Penryn is not such a hard girl to like. She has goals and she intends on sticking with them. She's brave and intelligent. She has an insane mother who is very active in demonic communications! She's the one keeping her family stable in a world where everybody is ready to take everybody down! In any world, Penryn is the prefect description of badass.

I would like to lead this review to the romance in the book but if I do, this might become a gush fest. Instead, I'll narrow all my thoughts about RAFFRYN in one sentence: HOLY FREAKING WRATH OF GOD, THIS IS TOO MUCH. Okay this didn't make sense but seriously, this is an exact reaction by how adorable and angsty and amazing these two are. Individually, I really, really like them. Mostly Penryn. But together.. damn. I'll end it with that.

The book is more than the romance in it.

So much of the world unravels as it nears the end. Why the angels were in the earth; why there were abominations roaming and cannibalizing; why has the world turned this way. The way the small truth comes out slowly had me going crazy!

Besides my evident love for Penryn and Raffe, there are some characters which I think was a good addition to the story. DeeDum, the twins who remind me of Fred and George. They added a bit of humor to the whole dark theme. I was glad that they were there, else this book would have to cling into the cute banters of the two. Which, I have to say, is still not enough to lighten up the gloomy aspect of the story. Another personal favorite of mine is Penryn's mother. She's crazy (really) and I'm all about that. Underneath all that talk about the-things-that-chase-us, she cares for her daughters. That is what drives her into doing the things she does, her love for them.


I just really, really loved this book. I wanted it to be longer... and I totally hated the cliffhanger at the end. By now, I've read this book thrice but I still can't control this swirls of emotions in me whenever I get to that part.

A must read. A perfect 5 stars for this book. If you like steamy, cute romance between two bad-ass characters in a world where angels go about and create havoc, well, this is the book for you. It's not all about that cliched YA stuff though, I guarantee that. It will keep you on the edge of your seats and certainly begging for the sequel by the time you finished. ^^