THE LOWDOWN:
Grace Miller has been missing for weeks when she’s found half-dressed and yelling for help, fleeing the estate of rock star Gavin Vault. At the police station, Grace spins an incredible tale of angels, demons, and war intent on saving Gavin from lockup.
The authorities believe that Grace suffers from Stockholm Syndrome, but are these the delusions of an immensely sick girl? Or could Grace’s story actually be true?
FIRST IMPRESSION:
After everything I’d been through, I couldn’t believe this was how it was going to end. The training, the bloodshed, the kisses—oh my God, the kisses—and death, nullified by ten minutes in a police car.
—paperback edition
SNAPSHOT:
The unique premise promised in the synopsis is sure to entice even the most jaded paranormal romance reader. The question of Grace’s sanity and health is hard to resist, especially in a post-Twilight world where supernatural bad boys run rampant on bookshelves without a care for how they negatively affect a heroine’s safety. What could have been a major subversion of the genre is instead background flavor in an otherwise par for the course tale.
There is a strange sense of detachment as Grace never feels fully present. It is unbelievable that a teenager would over-share in a police statement like this—exhaustively detailing her whole history since an early age, her sexual desires, and the secrets of her people like information on supernatural creatures, angel training, and an ancient individualized tome of prophecies. Where are the detectives to urge her towards how she first met Gavin or wound up half-naked on his estate?
In the course of her telling years’ worth of information, she still manages to drop important facts at the last minute. This makes for stunted plot twists and little time to invest emotionally in some of those reveals. This also short changes the secondary characters: Grace talks about her strong relationships but never shows them, and so the audience misses out on building solid connections themselves.
The title means ‘prologue’ and that’s the atmosphere that permeates each page. Readers may find themselves wondering when all the set-up will pay off, step aside, and let the action take center stage.
Ultimately, Grace’s story will appeal to those who enjoy high action and adventure, celestial magic, fancy clothes and cars, rock star lives, and an expansive world and history.
Appropriate for ages 13+. Some mild language, sexual situations, and fantasy violence. Deals with death, trauma, responsibility, and loyalty.
GET IT ON YOUR SHELF:
If you…
– Enjoy angels vs. demons
– Are a fan of complex mythology
– Need a Fallen Angel bad boy to complete your PNR bingo
– Have a thing for prophecies and redheaded Chosen Ones
THE ESSENTIALS:
YA paranormal romance
Paperback & Ebook, 325 pages
Published June 19th, 2013 by Month9Books (ISBN 0988251373)
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16083022-praefatio
(Review copy provided by Georgia McBride at Month9Books.)