Book Review: Elysium

Elysium

By:  Emma St. John

Publisher:  Imagine That! Studios

Publish Date:  March 23, 2012

Format:  eNovella, 14pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy, YA

Series:  2nd in Chronicles of the  Last Herald; 1st Novella ~ Broken

Recommendation:  Yes!  Quick read, taking us into a world where angels do exist, and a young girl that's to help us, and them.

Book Synopsis:
Jessie is good at everything.  She has to be, since home is so much of a mess.  One night, she and her parents head out to a regular event, but along the way Jessie learns that nothing is regular about any of them, and she is fated to stand between humanity and the divine.

First Sentence:
It was like every other day in my neighborhood, where every house was the identical; same front door, same garage, but inside each was its own private, very different kind of hell.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Jessie is just a normal girl; a cheerleader and on honor roll.  Until you meet her parents, mom is on the crazy side with her finger pattern weavings and some of her talk, her dad is mean and always mad at her mom for being crazy.  But on her way to her ballroom dance competition, Jessica will learn something new mentioned by her parents; talking about being a potential herald, then something that will change Jessie's life will happen.  But she has no idea how so.

Oh oh oh!  I loved!! this short novella.  This is the story of Jessie becoming the Herald.  But so much mystery behind her parents and why.  Oh, I got to meet her parents, which answered some questions and raised so many more!  There is a wonderful build-up around Jessie's mom, making her seem crazy, but then so much more in the end.  There is the question of other family ties, which there are none.

I am always cautious with angel reads, but this feels different.  Not run by religion, but by a character in a common world like us.  A young girl trying to grow up normal, when things around her are difficult.  The author has drawn me in with the words and things going on.  There is enough given that makes you curious about the characters and what is going on in the world, enough to keep you turning the pages and wanting more.

I CAN NOT wait to make this journey with Jessie to learn her way and through the missions she will have.  These novellas are well done, Emma St. John has pulled me into her world of Herald and angel messengers.  I look forward to being lead through this wonderful series of a Herald in the making, and he missions.


I received a copy of this novella for an honest review.
This review is of my personal opinions and thoughts.

Book Review: Broken

Broken

By:  Emma St. John

Publisher:  Imagine That! Studios

Publish Date:  February 2012

Format:  eNovella, 19pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy, YA

Series:  1st in The Chronicles of the Last Herald

Recommendation:  Yes, interesting start to a Heralding world.  Makes me curious and want to see more of this young girl and her blooming abilities.

Book Synopsis:
Jessie used to be the popular girl at school, until she came back from the dead.  Now she's the Herald of the end of the world, and it seems the divine cannot leave her alone.  When an angel turns up at her High School with a mission for her, she knows ignoring him won't help.  It's time to take a chance.

First Sentence:
The angel at least had the decency to wait until I was out of class.

My Thoughts and Summary:
'Zombie Meddigo' is what Jessie is called by some classmates now; ones who thought her popular last year, but now she's a loner after the accident.  What they don't know is; she is the Herald, to help to prepare the people for the end of the world.  Angels come asking her to help, as they now can't meddle in humans lives like they once did, and she tries to ignore them.  This angel needs her help with a young boy, and according to the angels riddled talk this boy is leaning toward the darkness, needing pulled back to play out his part in the future.  Jessie wonders how a broken girl like her can help anyone back from the darkness.

This was a quick novella.  And an enjoyable read as well.  We learn about Jessie Meddigo, what happened to her family, and her.  I'm still curious about a few little tidbits, and hoping they come out in the future of the Chronicles to come.  I want to know more about what happened to Jessie to become a Herald, and the angels too.  There are mention of not blaming her mother, which makes me curious about who or what her mother was.

This novella starts us off.  We are introduced to a strong girl, willing and able to be alone.  She seems to be adjusting to the changes that happened to her rather well and has given up the popular things to be more who she is.  And even though she doesn't want to do the 'Heralding thing' she is learning as she goes.  I like how she mentions of speculation of a darkling trying to use her, pretending to be an angel.  Then the angel tells his name to verify, it's subtle but I like the way she verifies.

Very very nice start to a YA novella series.  I like the hints dropped to potentially expand on in the future.  I do look forward to reading more of Jessie as she learns the ropes with being a Herald.  There are more Chronicles of the Last Herald to come!



I received a copy of this novella for an honest review.
This review is of my personal opinion and thoughts.