Darkangel (The Witches of Cleopatra Hill #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Oct 30, 2015 C.J. Anaya rated it liked it

I liked the book and its potential. I really did, but there is one thing crucial to the plot that I feel just wasn't explored enough which I will get to in a minute. First, I want to point out that the character development of the MC and world building were really quite remarkable, and I thought the story began strong with an immediate conflict bombarding the reader. The issue of consort or no consort is made more serious by the lack of protection and power the prima has for her clan. Great star I liked the book and its potential. I really did, but there is one thing crucial to the plot that I feel just wasn't explored enough which I will get to in a minute. First, I want to point out that the character development of the MC and world building were really quite remarkable, and I thought the story began strong with an immediate conflict bombarding the reader. The issue of consort or no consort is made more serious by the lack of protection and power the prima has for her clan. Great starting points because it really ups the stakes for the main character, her clan, and anyone interested in using that power for themselves, giving everyone a strong motive for their actions and reactions to the situation.

Let's talk about how this plot could be tightened just a bit which will involve a few spoilers. Heads up. There are levels of added conflict to the main issue of getting a consort. Marrying a civilian, though an option, really isn't a viable one at this point when she has warlocks to choose from even if they aren't "the one" who she is looking for. The one who will strengthen her power. So when Chris is introduced, I thought to myself, "Yes, this is where that turmoil and decision between making a choice for the good of the clan and following her heart are going to come to blows." But the author really limited Chris' involvement with Angela, and that involvement is what should have been such a huge part of the story.

The author kind of wrote herself into a corner by making Angela's world in which she operated so very tiny. This didn't give Angela or Chris a chance to develop their relationship and spend time together. The middle of the book seemed to wander a bit, never really hitting the target it needed to which was the development between Chris and Angela. Secret meetings could have happened. He could have visited her more often. Anything could have been done to throw these two together more often in the middle of this book so that her decision to choose the clan or a civilian was made that much more difficult. A gut wrenching emotional reaction that would have resonated with anyone. Their bond could have grown so much stronger, while some of his emotional reactions and dialogue could have been colored by the secrets he harbored. So much unexplored potential there.

Instead, the middle is made up of a lot of dead spaces where the inner conflict hits a wall, the tension fizzles instead of sizzles and you're sitting there wondering why Chris was even introduced if he isn't going to play a major role in the story. By developing their relationship, that conflict would have really soared, upping the stakes again and then sucker punching the MC and readers alike with the revelation at the end. It just makes more sense for Chris/Conner and Angela to do what they do in the second book due to that relationship that developed in the first. So while the beginning and the end were really fantastic, the middle needs a serious redirect to make it a stellar five star book. I'm really rooting for this author and these characters. I hope my criticism is taken in the spirit it was given. I want this story to be as great as it has the potential to be.

I loved the nod to Arizona. I've lived in AZ for two decades now and though the heat can be a killer, I find the desert beautiful in its own way. Pope really brought that desert appeal out in this novel. Kudos there. ...more

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