Embrace (The Embrace Series, #1) in And So It Begins Reading Challenge

May 10, 2012 Paula Phillips rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Violet has never been one for celebrating her birthdays as it happened to not only be the day that she came into the world but also the day her mother died. This year, Violet wishes it would just pass like the years before but unfortunately Destiny has finally come to claim Violet and set her onto the path of what will become her real reason of being on earth. They say that if a parent dies in childbirth it leaves the portal open for angels to imprint a part of themselves into the baby making th ...more

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Jan 29, 2012 Carrie Ardoin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: posted-on-blog, tour, i-own-this, favorites, angels

Violet Eden lives with her workaholic father in London. Her mother died in childbirth. She trains with an extremely hot guy, Lincoln, because of things that happened to her in her past. She's determined never to let herself be in a position of weakness again.

Vi's feelings for Lincoln are more than just friendly, though. And right when she's getting ready to tell him how she feels, the mysterious and smolderingly seductive Phoenix walks into her life. Phoenix tells her that Lincoln is hiding some Violet Eden lives with her workaholic father in London. Her mother died in childbirth. She trains with an extremely hot guy, Lincoln, because of things that happened to her in her past. She's determined never to let herself be in a position of weakness again.

Vi's feelings for Lincoln are more than just friendly, though. And right when she's getting ready to tell him how she feels, the mysterious and smolderingly seductive Phoenix walks into her life. Phoenix tells her that Lincoln is hiding something from her, and Violet demands to know what. That's when Lincoln tells her something unimaginable--he and Violet are both part of a world that contains angels, both light and dark. Who want to take over mankind. And Violet is to become an angelic protector who ensures that never happens.

While Violet struggles with the truth, she learns more about the dark world she never knew existed. And finds herself becoming closer to Phoenix. But what will happen when everyone's secrets are finally exposed?

I liked this book quite a bit! As I was reading it, I kind of waffled between giving it 3 or 4 stars. There were some parts that confused me. But as I got to the end, most of what I was confused about became clear, and the book had an awesome finish, deserving of 4 stars.

I really enjoyed Violet as a heroine and narrator. Unlike many YA heroines, she does not instantly fall apart once she meets a guy, and her strength and vulnerability are believable. She is kick-ass even before she embraces what she is, and I love her motto: "I don't run." She is actually one of the coolest main characters I've had in a book in a while.

The other characters in the book are just as cool, though. Lincoln clearly has some kind of fondness for Vi even before she tells him of her feelings. I liked the two of them together, and I liked that neither of them were absolutely perfect. On the other hand, I also enjoyed Phoenix and Vi together. He makes her feel explosive, and as much as she gives in, she also fights it. Their dynamic together just heated up the pages!

The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was because of the angel lore in the book. While it was original and imaginative, it was also, for me, at times a bit confusing. But as the book went on, it became a bit more clear to me.

As for villains and plot conflict, I liked what I read, but sometimes didn't understand the reasons behind why the villains did what they did. Maybe I will find out more in the next book, as I'm sure the conflict is not yet over.

The way Violet handled the action in the book was awesome, and I can't wait to see what she does once she gets a feel for what she is. I will definitely be reading the next book in this series! ...more

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