Happy Book Birthday, Spark of Ash by Molly Lee!

Today's read gives way to a strong heroine and a mission to save life. I did read the first book in the series but skipped over the second, which probably means I'm going to have a few holes when tackling this last book in the series. It should hold quite a bit of action, tons of snark, demons, angels, magic, and...well, romance, I guess. It definitely should be a lot of fun if it's anything like book one was.

 

SPARK OF ASH

Ember of Night, #3

by Molly Lee

Entangled Teen

Young Adult Fantasy

400 pages

The Seven―the Divine beings meant to protect the world―just declared war. On me. They took Ray, my baby sister, and now they’re using my boyfriend to do their dirty work.

Well, screw that.

I may not be able to wipe them off the face of the earth now, but I know what can.

Thanks to an Ather connection, I know about the Seven Scrolls. An ancient incantation made by the Creator to counteract the Seven’s great power, scattered into pieces across the world.

With the help of my new crew, we’re on the hunt. And with each located scroll, I face new battles, bloodier and harder than I’ve ever known before. But now the stakes are even higher, because Ray has always been my bright light in the darkness, and Draven is my hope when all seems lost, and if I don’t get them back?

Well, then I might just become the scariest legend the world has ever known.

GOODREADS  /   AMAZON   /   BOOK DEPOSITORY    /   B&N

MY TIDBITS

This book takes off where book two left off. While I did read book one of the series, I didn't read the second one, and that did cause more than a few holes when I picked up book three. So, these do need to be read in order.

Harley is just enjoying a few days calm with her soul mate, when he's suddenly pulled away by the Seven. With his memories removed, he kidnaps her younger sister to train her as a seer to serve the most powerful of the Seven. Harley is given a chance to save her sister, but must find the seven scrolls and give them to head of the Seven. But Harley has already accepted her destiny, unleashing not only her own unknown powers, but reviving her father's, the Devil's as well. Together with her friends, she mush find a way to stop the Seven, figure out if she can trust her father, and discover what her place in destiny truly is.

This is a quick-paced and easy read, which has something happening on every page. There is action, fight scenes, secrets, betrayal, family issues, romance, and much more. Harley is a no-nonsense character with amazing powers, who has grown into her position and is ready to take anyone on...even if it means she'll die trying. She protects those she loves fiercely and is holds life of anyone and anything dearly. She's a character to root for...may not have tons of depth, but she doesn't need it.

Romance is present but only in the beginning and grows again toward the end. This leaves Harley more than enough space to tackle the evil and learn to find her own place in things. So, action fans will enjoy this one as well as those who like a golden-romance, which by no means overpowers the tale. 

Friendship is golden as is family. Despite Harley's immense powers, she can't go it alone and does incorporate the help of those around her. The relationships are inspiring and make the entire time fun to follow. But then, there is always a wonderful back and forth in the dialogue to keep humor and snark as high as the action and tension. Even when a couple holes appear in the plot or something comes across as a bit to easily solved, the read is simply enjoyable and entertaining. And that's more than enough.

Happy Book Birthday, Shadow of Light by Molly E. Lee!

We're starting out the month with a bit of paranormal and fantasy fun. A brand new title appeared yesterday, which is also the 2nd book in the young adult fantasy series, Ember of Night. It promises demons, angels, supernatural beings, and much more. 

SHADOW OF LIGHT

Ember of Night, Book Two

by Molly E. Lee

Entangled Teen

YA Fantasy

400 pages

Perfect for fans of Brigid Kemmerer and Tracy Wolff, the second novel in Molly E. Lee’s angels-and-demons YA series will keep readers turning pages until the very end.

I just saved the boy I’m falling for from a gruesome death by a demon. And what does he have to say? I’m the key to opening the gates of Hell. I mean, a thank-you would’ve been nice. Or another scorching-hot, forbidden kiss. Either way, destiny will have to find someone else to torment, because I’m so done.

Or I was, until my little sister starts cackling exorcist-style and stares at me with eyes that aren’t hers. They’re Marid’s, the Greater Demon I just kicked back to the dark realm he came from. Possessing Ray whenever he wants is his ultimate revenge.

The only way to break the tether between them includes a road trip through Hell, aka the Ather. I quickly discover nothing is as it seems in this place. Yeah, there are realms of terror, greed, and desire, but there’s also peace, and a beauty I never knew existed...and it’s eerily familiar.

With each obstacle we encounter, I slip a little further into the chaotic energy of my growing dark powers. And when an unexpected betrayal hits me square in the chest, I freefall into them.

Fate painted me as the monster of nightmares, and after this? Destiny is about to learn just how monstrous I can be.

GOODREADS   /   AMAZON   /   B&N    /    KOBO    /    BOOK DEPOSITORY

MY TIDBITS

Tense moments mix with action pure to create a heroine, who will go to any length to fight for those she cares about and do what she believes needs to be done.

First off, this book cannot really be read as a stand-alone, since it picks off where book one left off. So, this should be read as a series. This one also holds some 'spicier' scenes. So, readers concerned with that area should be aware.

Hayley is determined to destroy the demon, who possessed her sister, and travels to Hell with her friends. There she must not only pass the circles of Hell but must overcome impossible dangers and deadly creatures. Every turn is more dangerous than the last, and success is definitely not guaranteed.

This book holds even more tension and action than the first. Hayley enters the stomach of Hell. The author has let her imagination take free flight and has created a very vivid and deadly realm. The world building captures with every scene and gives the tale the need darkness and grit. The reader sinks right in with Hayley as she crosses from one deadly situation into the next. Not only is this a quick-paced read, but the plot twists and turns, promising surprises and secrets in all the right places. In other words, it's not a read, which is easily put down.

The characters, especially Hayley, come across well. Often times, I find that personalities suffer as the action increases, but the author has managed to build in a lovely character arc for the heroine. She has a hard journey ahead of her and a lot to learn along the way. Her determination makes her easy to root for. But then, her friends...as well as the romance...aren't to be overlooked, either. It creates a rounded read with heart behind the adventure.

The ending of this book is a cliff-hanger, and while I'd love to know how things will continue, a little patience is required since book three isn't due out until this coming Spring.

DON'T FORGET BOOK ONE IN THE SERIES

EMBER OF NIGHT

Book One

by Molly E. Lee

I’ve never been a stranger to the darkness. But when darkness comes knocking and looks that good, who wouldn’t invite him in?

Draven is mysterious, evasive, and hot as sin. The only thing more infuriating than how much he won’t say is how obnoxious he is every time he does open his mouth. But when a group of strangers attacks me and he fights back, causing them to vanish into a cloud of black dust, I know Draven is more than he seems.

He finally shows me there’s a veil separating the world I know from a world of demons living all around us. Turns out, good and evil are just words. Some of the demons don’t fall into either category. And I’m realizing just how easily I fit in among the ancient warlocks, the divine soldiers, and the twisted supernaturals...

There’s so much more to me. To my past. And to what I am truly capable of than I ever thought possible. So when all signs point to me having the ability to unleash Hell on earth? I’ll have to decide if I want to do the world a solid and save it, or give it one hell of a makeover.

GOODREADS   /   AMAZON    /   B&N   /    KOBO

MY TIDBITS

Demons and angels clash in this quick-paced novel, where a teen battles against the threat of Hell on Earth.

This is the first book in a new series, which features demons and angels. The main character is a teen with a gritty past. Abuse, stronger language, and spicier scenes make this one for the upper end of the young adult group. Hayley is a strong heroine, who has a lot to figure out, especially when the paranormal end rolls in. Her reactions are understandable, and her hopes and determination make her easy to root for. She's fun to follow the whole way through.

The book did have a slower beginning and I did find myself skipping over a paragraph now and then, but still, I didn't really want to give up on it either. Which was a good choice. The pace quickly gains as the tale goes on until it's action pure by the end. As the last chapters hit, it was impossible to put the book down. So much is happening, and Hayley has more than her hands full. Add the journey of her figuring out herself and the new world opening up around her...along with the very deadly dangers, and there's simply a lot to enjoy.

It does end with a cliff-hanger, and I'd definitely recommend grabbing up book two, since that one is even better than this first one.