'Enticed' The Violet Eden Chapters #2 by Jessica SHIRVINGTON

Received from the Publisher

From the BLURB:

Violet Eden is Grigori - part angel, part human. Her destiny is to protect humans from the vengeance of exiled angels.

Knowing who to trust is key but, when Grigori reinforcements arrive, it becomes clear everyone is hiding something. Even Lincoln. The only thing Violet does know: Phoenix's hold over her is more dangerous than ever.

The race to find the one thing that could tilt the balance of power brings them all to the sacred mountains of Jordan, where Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme. And the ultimate betrayal exposed.

When we left her, seventeen-year-old Violet Eden was struggling with all the typical teen problems. She had a crush on a guy who thought of her only as a friend. She was struggling to connect with her distant father, who was never the same after Violet’s mother died. And Violet herself was trying to figure out her place in the world and why she always felt so out of touch . . . and then secrets began falling into place for Violet. A long-ago message from her mother in a wooden box exposed Violet for what she really is: Grigori - part angel, part human.

Grigori are charged with protecting the human race from the threat of bitter and exiled Fallen Angels. One such angel is Phoenix, the bad boy who breezed into town and turned Violet’s world upside down, and her heart inside out.

Violet thought she was half in love with her best friend, Lincoln. But once Violet’s angelic heritage was exposed, Linc had a few secrets of his own to shed. He is a ‘watcher’, like Violet, he is charged with watching and protecting the human race. And in his quest to help steer Violet on the path to Angeldom, Linc had to lie to her for two years.

Linc’s lies and Phoenix’s magnetism has drawn Violet into a devastating triangle of the heart. Lincoln on one side, the boy she has grown to love but whose deceit run deep. And Phoenix, the renegade angel who is drawn to Violet, but is also the sworn enemy of the Grigori.

Now Violet finds herself in the middle of a bloody war between Grigori and the Exiles. She and Lincoln have to stop the Exiled Angels from discovering the key to destroying all Grigori and plunging the human race into imminent destruction. But will Violet be able to trust Linc, after what his lies have put her through? And exactly how much of a hold does Phoenix have over Violet, and will he use it against her and the Grigori?

Violet Eden thought she was a typical teenager, until she discovered her life was intricately linked to heaven, hell and the fate of humanity.

‘Enticed’ is the second book in Jessica Shirvington’s young adult paranormal trilogy, ‘The Violet Eden Chapters’.

‘Enticed’ is set one month after the events of ‘Embrace’. Violet is deep into her battle training with Lincoln

I have to applaud Shirvington for focusing on Violet’s moral compass in this book. It doesn’t happen often in YA paranormal/fantasy novels that the young characters take the time to have a meaningful introspection of their violent actions. But in ‘Enticed’ Violet actually takes the time to question Linc’s training and how God’s teaching of ‘thou shalt not kill’ factors into fighting the Exiled. So often in this genre it’s the case of heightened reality replacing moral conundrums. Characters kill without thought and readers can become equally anesthetized to violence and think it’s just the norm for the universe. Very few paranormal books take the time to pause and question the status quo of violence. And it especially makes sense, in this Biblical-bent series, that Violet would wonder as to the merits of a part-angel having to drench herself in such bloodshed.

There were three of me: the now me, watching this vision; the killer me, holding the dagger; and the dead me, dropping to the ground in a pool of blood, lifeless and . . . gone.

I didn’t particularly rate Lincoln as a character in ‘Embrace’. I felt that the first book was definitely more the Violet and Phoenix show, and Linc was a fairly poor contender for Violet’s affections. He came across as a cardboard cut-out, cookie-cutter hero and a little boring when compared to the enigmatic rebel, Phoenix. Well, Shirvington definitely adds to Linc’s appeal in ‘Enticed’. He comes across as being much older and wiser than he was in ‘Embrace’ (maybe because he has shaken off the shackles of his lies and revealed his true ‘watcher’ self to Violet?). In ‘Enticed’ Linc is battle-weary and ferocious, and Violet once again feels drawn to him (and really, I can’t blame her!).

But I do still have a soft spot for Phoenix. His appeal and mysticism grows in ‘Enticed’, as Shirvington weaves his character history with Biblical mythology to become utterly enigmatic and fascinating;

Griffin nodded. “You’re right. But Phoenix has capabilities we are not fully aware of yet.” He turned to everyone else. “For the benefit of those who do not know, Phoenix is something of an anomaly. He is the son of an ancient dark exile, Lilith, and also . . .” he looked down, worried, “he is the son of man.”

I will warn you that Phoenix isn’t the same man he was in ‘Embrace’ . . . yes, his history and character have become even more interesting, but it is at a price to Violet. Be warned!

Another minor complaint I had about ‘Embrace’ was the lack of definitive-setting. Shirvington deliberately kept the locations ambiguous (in order to appeal to the overseas market?) and I couldn’t tell if the story was set in Australia, USA, UK or an imaginary amalgamation? Well, in ‘Enticed’ setting is key, and the book is all the more vibrant for it!

Violet and Lincoln jet off to ‘The Academy’ in New York, where she meets other Grigori and watchers in training. We meet a new cast of characters who add fullness and energy to the universe Shirvington has created; Spence, Rudyard and Zoe were amongst my favourites (Spence in particular for a little dance floor interlude with Violet!).

A particularly climactic part of the book also takes place in Jordan. This is a great location, rich in history and conflict and the perfect setting for the scene that takes place there. Shirvington does such a wonderful job of writing Jordan in all its dusky beauty; it just reiterates how important location, location, location is (even in novels!).

I am proud to bursting that ‘The Violet Eden Chapters’ are a slice of Australian YA brilliance. Jessica Shirvington really comes into her own and stretches her imagination in this second book – the cast is increased, settings are majestic and the characters are spiralling towards a fantastic hell-bent finale. I cannot wait for the final book, ‘Emblaze’ to come out in October this year, capping off Violet Eden’s wonderful adventures. Bring it on!

5/5

'Embrace' The Violet Eden Chapters #1 by Jessica SHIRVINGTON

Received from the Publisher

From the BLURB:

Violet Eden is dreading her seventeenth birthday dinner. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. The one bright spot is that Lincoln will be there. Sexy, mature and aloof, he is Violet’s idea of perfection. But why does he seem so reluctant to be anything more than a friend?

After he gives her the world’s most incredible kiss – and then abandons her on her front doorstep – Violet is determined to get some answers. But nothing could have prepared her for Lincoln’s explanation: he is Grigori – part angel and part human – and Violet is his eternal partner.

Without warning, Violet’s world is turned upside down. She never believed in God, let alone angels. But there’s no denying the strange changes in her body ... and her feelings for Lincoln. Suddenly, she can’t stand to be around him. Luckily, Phoenix, an exiled angel, has come into her life. He’s intense and enigmatic, but at least he never lied to her.

As Violet gets caught up in an ancient battle between dark and light, she must choose her path. The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity...

‘Embrace’ is the first book in a new paranormal romance series called ‘The Violet Eden Chapters’ by debut author Jessica Shirvington.

Violet Eden is celebrating her 17th birthday, much to her chagrin. For most people birthdays are all about celebration with friends, family and loved ones. But for Violet, it’s just an ugly reminder of her mother’s death. But this birthday is different because her father has a present for her - from her mother. A hand-crafted wooden box with a note inside, warning about trials to come and sides to be chosen. . .

Violent thinks little of the cryptic words, until a chance encounter with a handsome stranger sets things in motion. Phoenix is tall, dark and dangerous, and Violet’s best friend (and unattainable crush) Lincoln is wary of the new-comer. In fact, Lincoln has been acting strange ever since Violet’s birthday. . . because Lincoln has a secret. . . A secret that will change the course of Violet’s life, forever.

I will say I’m not a *HUGE* fan of the angel storyline. Books like Becca Fitzpatrick’s ‘Hush, Hush’ and JR Ward’s ‘Covet’ left a bad taste in my mouth. But because of Sarwat Chadda’s ‘Devil’s Kiss’ I am willing to give this new paranormal craze a chance.

Jessica Shirvington’s book is stand-out for the detail to mythology and religion. Shirvington has really delved deep into the angel legend and built a cryptic and charming world around these messengers of God. Everything is covered from Cherubim to Seraphim and thoughtfully explained via old biblical stories of Adam, Eve and Lilith. Fascinating. I especially loved the angel storyline in this book because Violet is in the thick of it. She is an angel-in-the-making and at the centre of a Holy war. Most YA paranormal romance’s cast female leads as regular humans and damsels in distress, proffering their male romantic counterparts as the more interesting supernatural characters. That’s not the case in ‘embrace’.

“Get away from me,” I said.
He laughed a high-pitched cackle. It caught me by surprise; it was not the deep laugh I’d expect him to have. “You have clout, girl, I’ll give you that. But you’re unfinished. Look at me.” His last words resonated through my mind. My eyes flicked up towards him without my permission. “You are still moulding,” he said ruminatively. “Your clay is still wet.”

Secondly, I loved the romance in ‘embrace’. An author will always have me hooked if they offer up a good old-fashioned love triangle. . . even more so if one member of said triangle is a bad-boy. That is the case with ‘embrace’ as Violet is caught between two very different angels. Lincoln is a Grigori, a ‘watcher’ like her. Violet has known Lincoln for two years and had a crush on him from the moment of meeting – but ‘Linc’ was always determined to keep things platonic. Violet soon discovers why Linc never reciprocated her feelings when he reveals his true, angelic-self. Lincoln is a Grigori, a ‘watcher’ of humanity, and he’s been sent to Violet to help guide her on the path to Angeldom;

“That doesn’t explain how you know about me!”
He looked back at Griffin as if seeking support. Griffin did not move from the shelter of the doorframe. Lincoln turned back to me, arms wide. “I know because an angel told me. I know because we all have a destined partner, someone who is already a Grigori. . . or will become one. I know because. . . you’re my partner, Violet.”

Thus the love of Violet’s life has been lying to her for two years – pretending to be human and keeping Violet’s legacy a secret from her.

Then there’s tall, dark and handsome Phoenix – an exiled angel and enemy to the Grigori. Phoenix is drawn to Violet and her untapped angelic potential. The two form an unlikely friendship, but Violet soon discovers that Phoenix is hoping for so much more that she’s not entirely ready to give.

Between Lincoln and Phoenix, Violet definitely had her hands full. . .
I will say that I was never really rooting for Lincoln. Shirvington makes a lot of the fact that he and Violet have been friends for two years – but that was more of a hindrance than a help for their chemistry. It felt like a lot of their romantic ‘spark’ was based around that two-year friendship, but when ‘embrace’ starts Violet is learning about the angel secret and angry with Lincoln for keeping it from her. We never really get many scenes between them, and have to rely on Violet *telling* us that she’s loved Lincoln for two years rather than reading their tenderness for ourselves. Then there’s the fact that Lincoln was the squeaky-clean cookie-cutter choice. Now Phoenix – he was the yummy bad-boy option and infinitely more interesting.

I loooooved Phoenix (possibly because I kept picturing him as Ian Somerhalder). He was the more fascinating love-interest because Shirvington keeps reader’s guessing about him throughout the book.

Phoenix constantly walks a fine-line with Violet; between obsessive and sweet, creepy and affectionate. Maybe that sounds odd, but it worked for him. Phoenix is very up-front about not being human; he revels in his angelic powers and exiled nature. It’s almost like Phoenix is caught off-guard by his feelings for Violet, so he’s constantly swinging between extremes and trying to stay on guard with his violent emotions.
Then there’s the fact that he was just plain cheeky-fun, and had real spark with our girl Violet;

“You’ll come back, and you’ll be Grigori.” He spoke with such certainty it made me smile. “I doubt very greatly, however, that you’ll kick my ass. But me and my ass will enjoy your efforts.”

I did have a few problems with the book; some big, but mostly small.

For starters - the setting. The book seemed to take place in Nowheresville – I couldn’t even confidently tell you if it was set in Australia, UK or USA. I leant more towards an Australian setting, but only because Jessica Shirvington is based in Sydney. . . but there’s no real attention to landscape and the book felt a little bit loose and anonymous because of the lacking scenery.

Secondly the inciting incident takes a while to happen. For the first-half of the book the story is all about Violet discovering her Angelic roots and having to decide whether to accept or refuse her destiny. Interesting in itself, but not a particularly substantial plot. . . more of a character arc. It’s not until half-way through the book that a real plot-trigger is pulled and it’s revealed that a holy war is being waged between the Grigori and exiled angels. But it is not until page 203 of this 382-page book that the kick-off starts. It’s just lucky that I was caught up in the Angel hierarchy and mythology enough to keep reading up to that trigger-point.

On a very minor note the front-cover kind of threw me. It’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong, and the model on the cover is exactly how I’d picture Violet to look. But the cover screams ‘Jodi Picoult’ rather than ‘paranormal romance’ to me. If you hold the book away from you, you will notice that the purple shading behind Violet looks a little like sprouting wings - but if I was to see this on the shelf I wouldn’t instantly assume it was a paranormal-anything. Like I said, a small observation and nothing at all to do with the author. . .

‘embrace’ is the first book in what promises to be a compelling new YA paranormal series. A novel of light and dark, good and evil and one girl caught between two male personifications of that age-old battle. I look forward to second book ‘Enticed’, to be released in the second-half of 2011.

3/5