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ANGEL STAR: Book Reviews
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I really love books that have angels in them, no idea why, but there’s something about their celestial manner and
heavenly heiarchy that just makes them so good, or so bad.
Brought to you by Open Books Society staff member, Katlyn
Review
Jennifer Murgia’s debut young adult novel, ‘Angel Star’, was a marvelous, fast-paced adventure of a young girl faced with a new awareness of non-human beings and the danger surrounding her knowledge. Murgia explores symbolism and the existence of ‘guardian angels’ that will take you on a journey of a lifetime.
One aspect of ‘Angel Star’ that I highly enjoyed was the picture that Murgia painted with her words. The details that she illustrated were very concise and specific without being overdone. I appreciated the world that she created and I felt welcome to jump right in for the ride.
Along with being in the young adult genre, ‘Angel Star’ explored teenage issues, such as insecurities, bullies, best friends, and first love. All Teagan wanted was a regular high school experience, since growing up without a father made her home-life not so normal. She lacked an outward confidence that her best friend, Claire, made up for during the constant harassment by most popular girl in school. And first love, le sigh, in walks in Garreth, her Guardian Angel (literally). But with light comes the dark to balance it out, and Garreth opens Teagan’s eyes to a frightening truth and dilemma that only she can undertake.
I adored the characters that were portrayed in this book. Teagan was so easily identifiable as the normal girl that just tried to survive adolescence unscathed. Claire was so likable as the fun-loving partner in crime that challenged Teagan’s boundaries each day. And I was absolutely smitten with Garreth. He was the most perfect angelic love interest. His unwavering love for Teagan was sweet and charming.
On the other spectrum was the mysterious and provocative dark side that threatened to tear Teagan from her world and her new-found love. She had to learn to use what she has buried inside of her to save what matters most in her life. But the dark side explores passion and the excitement of danger that overwhelms and confuses her during this momentous situation.
The fight between light and dark consumed me while reading, I was not sure at any point what would happen. As a whole, I really enjoyed this book. The concepts that Murgia introduced were so creative and fresh that I was on my toes the whole time. This story had so many twists and surprises I was completely mesmerized and never wanted the story to end! This story left a big cliffhanger and I cannot wait to read the next installment called ‘Lemniscate’.
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Source: Posted on openbooksociety.com, 5 March 2010
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Review
My obsessions with vampires are over. Replaced by angels. I have read three YA books that were angel related. Only one of them actually piqued my curiosity but that one was vampire-angel crossbreed. It was not solid but it was better than the other two. My problem with the other two ranges from lack of info about its angels, excruciating and long snore inducing story line and a disappointing turn of events. I was crossing my fingers on this new one, I had high hopes for it. After months of waiting I finally got it, an advance copy, I put all the other books aside and started reading it. The prologue captures you right away... Welcome to Angel Star.
Teagan has been seeing things. Shadows, darkness so consuming that every time she see it the world disappears. There she was minding her own business, coping with the Bitch squad, being mousy, hanging out with her best friend, when Garreth and Hadrian came into her life. A myth older than all myths has been revealed to her. Angels are real. She can see them, she can feel them and two of them are interested in her. One because of love and one because he wants power. One is her Guardian Angel and the other one... let me just say that his identity will stun you. I remember my reaction when I read that part. Bewilderment and awe. After the secrets was relayed to her, Teagan found herself leading a battle that turned her world upside down. She was forced into this mission, one that she only got fresh knowledge of and some she still couldn't understand. No pressure. The fate of mankind only rest in her hands. Nothing to worry about. The ordinary girl she knew days ago was gone. A new Teagan has been born.
I like Teagan both when she was mousy and being pushed around by Brynn and I liked her more when she started gaining the confidence that she is indeed stronger. Both mentally and spiritually. She has a lot of faith in herself that was both impressive and comforting. She did not waste time whining or questioning why she was placed in that situation. She has a very open mind. That was so refreshing. Another thing I like about her is the love she have for Garreth. The faith and the belief that connects them was so cute and tender. I find myself smiling the first time she told him she love him. Garreth and Hadrian created a perfect supporting character for her. Both were described as handsome and strong. One is dark, dangerous and provocative while the other one was simply lovable and perfect.
Guardian Angels? What do I really know about them? Nothing much. I grew up taking catecism classes as part of the catholic school curriculum but I don't remember learning anything about angels or maybe I missed the lecture either way I think it is a shame that all I know about them is the basic, they are there to watch over us. What does that even mean? I could enumerate tons of hypothetical answers but I never thought about Jennifer Murgia's concept before. Her angels can make of break their human charge. I wouldn't want to spoil it so that is all I can say at the moment.
I know I don't have to say it since it pretty much written on my review. But I want to say it. I LOVE THE BOOK!!! There are sufficient background about the characters, angels and the octagram that made the story plausible. The emotions are heavy, romance and action wise. Suspense and mystery is a part of it too. There was one scene wherein I felt really sad (even this is not a bad thing) and I kind of question why?! Not because I think it was unnecessary or cruel but I kind of felt Teagan's pain. It was a brilliant move, it served its purpose well. As far as the covers. The haters can say all they want to say. I couldn't think of a better cover for this book. It is perfect. It is simple, meaningful and it targeted the content of the book. Remember, do not judge the book by its cover.
Jennifer Murgia did a really good job on writing the first book of this series. It has in depth exploration of symbolism, delicious prose, well thought, sweet & beautiful love story and a great aspect about light and dark. If you are still searching for a great YA angel related book, this is a book to start and end your search.
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Source: Peace, Love and Pat book reviews
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Wonderful review! Glad she touched on the characters and how the plot interlocks with the darkness and light theme. Really reaaaally looking forward to the book now :)
How cool is it when someone borrows your book cover for their own twitter icon???
I believed in my work, it was what everyone else thought of it that made me cringe.
Thanks Pat!! I just love this review!
maddi ~*aka ADDI- the cunning VAMPIRE!*~ wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I believed in my work, it was what everyone else thought of it that made me cringe."yeah, that's what I meant. That you're starting to relax about whether people like it or not..."
You're right, I am becoming a bit more relaxed. I'm not fully relaxed so... still anxious, still anticipating and I think I'll feel that way with each and every book I write! But I have reached a comfort level and I think I owe it to the mindset that this is what I've always wanted and it is what it is. I wrote the book for myself. I took an extra step and got it out there and no matter what, I'm satisfied because that's just what is has to be right now.
Oh my gosh, well first of all, I don't ever think that would be a reality. Too crazy! And if they did, I would scream, jump and down and then be in denial for about a week. Then I would scream and jump and down some more!! And pray the special effects scenes wouldn't come out cheesy!
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you just keep praying that the studio i am working with doesn't get the special effects job!! lolllz! cos i will be the one with the secret info and all the updates and you guys will have to wait for the movies official release to see it!! lollllz
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I'm trying to get the book in time. So please wait patiently.
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O_O?????
Yeah, I ordered it on Amazon, and I am now waiting for it to come in.
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lolllz! keep waiting, cos you willl have to shout, "AMY IS COMINGG!!" all day when you get up!!
..............? I don't understand....
uh Tom? do you mean May is coming? Not Amy?
That makes more sense, thank you Jennifer.
Yeah, they keep me around for moments like this.
I just wanted to mention that both of these reviews have been posted to Barnes & Nobel!
Another positive review!Jennifer, congratulations - seems like people are already gushing over it! I can't wait to get my hands on it! <3
RAVEN!!! OMG!! YAY!! YOU JOIN!!! HIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!
HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's amazing how this year May is all about the book for me and not a single thought of turning 21. :))I want it NOW!
*Stomps food*
OMG!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Olivia ^^The Awesome Mushroom^^ wrote: "OMG!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY"Thank you! ^_^ I will have one angel of a present ;)
Caitlyn - that was a beautiful review you gave me. Thank you so much! Guys, she made me teary!
There is a new review up today! It's 4 stars and on Goodreads as well as the Reading Addict blog. Here's the link: http://addicted2reading4evr.blogspot....Stay tuned to that blog later today, there will be an interview posted!
Jennifer wrote: "There is a new review up today! It's 4 stars and on Goodreads as well as the Reading Addict blog. Here's the link: http://addicted2reading4evr.blogspot.......""But I'm going to give you a fair warning: the ending will leave you begging for a sequel. Jennifer, HOW could you do this to me???"
SEE? SHE AGREES WITH ME!!! ;D
Well. Kind of. ;)
WELLL IT'S TRUE!! :D
Well I just had the honor of reading Angel Star - got it this afternoon and it's now midnight and I am done...There's so much I want to say, but alas I am tired - but I can tell you it's amazing - AMAZING...the world, the story, the characters - Jennifer, I was SURE it was going to be great but honestly it blew me out of the water.
I love your use of details, the little tiny things that most everyone forgets about or that in some books end up just being TOO MUCH - in Angel Star were perfect...just enough - that I could picture the world, just like I was looking into a picture.
At one point I was reading outside and I looked up and honestly felt like I was looking at the same sky that Teagan looks at...
Garreth has the perfect amount of bad boy mixed with a vehement protector...
There's so much to say, but I dont want to say to much - it's an amazing read, it's one of the only ARCs I have gotten via ARC tours that I am physically sad to see leave on one hand and so glad it's going on the other - sad because I want it to say so I can read it again NOW and happy because it means someone else will get to read it...it's that beautiful.
I am just glad I have it preordered so as soon as it's out I can place it on my "most loved" shelf with other books I have loved like The Pace, Fallen and Seers of Light - Jen you rocked it out of the park!
OMG Jenn!! I am so tremendously grateful for your compliments!I had just copied your initial thoughts from the book page and was just about to copy it here when I saw this post! I think I'm going to cry (happy tears).
anyway- without further ado, here's Jenn's take on Angel Star (and mind you, this is not even the review. These are just pre-review thoughts.)
My first thoughts after having just finished it -
Sadly it's not mine to read again - sadly I must send it on it's marry way tomorrow or Wed. to the next lucky reader....
But thankfully it's preordered, thankfully I will have the ability sometime soon, to enter the world of Angel Star again - to greet Teagan again and to vist with Garreth....it's official release is only a month away, right?
Angel Star is amazing - the story telling was brilliant, it's a book that I will feel honored to own, so that when I am feeling the need I can pick it up again and reenter the amazing world.
How do authors do it, create worlds where you feel like you have completely lost yourself and are LIVING inside the book? I dont know...but today, sitting outside reading Angel Star, I took a minute to look up at the sky and for just a minute I could have sworn that it was the same sky that Teagan looks up to - gosh that seems silly...
It's someone with such passion for what they do that can create something like what I found in Angel Star...
Honestly from the minute I read the Prologue, to the minute the last page was read - was about 10 hours - I pulled myself away to make sure the kids did homework, ate and got to bed - then I was back into the world. It's the kind of book the draws you in not letting you go...the fresh prospective on the whole "angel" story was so original – yet I must confess half way in I was NOT very happy with Jennifer....but then, well I can't say what happened....
But anyway – from the painstakingly, original details, to the down to earth yet kick ass characters – Angel Star is a book that's risen to the top of my pile of beloved books – it's right up there with titles like The Pace, Seers of Light and Fallen....
Move over Vampires, demons and Werewolves – there's a new sheriff in town and Garreth is one kick ass Angel that I cant wait to read more about!
Full review to come SOON!
:) Glad you liked the pre thoughts - I was thinking about my review all night and what I wanted to include... ;) I will have to send you a preview since it will not go up officially until the end of the month!
I would love a preview! And I can't believe you added a quote from my book! That's so touching:)
Jennifer wrote: "Well I just had the honor of reading Angel Star - got it this afternoon and it's now midnight and I am done...There's so much I want to say, but alas I am tired - but I can tell you it's amazin..."
Oh, not again. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL, MAY, JENNIFER!!! >.<
Olivia, I will say this it's worth the wait...it really is...heck I cant wait till May so I can OWN MY OWN COPY LOL!
P.S. Some of the people who did the reviews posted here are actually in this group, so feel free to ask questions, Not anything relating to the story. Just ask anything that will not pressure them to reveal spoilers or any part of the storyline.