WINGS OF FLESH AND BONE
by Cathrina Constantine
YA Paranormal
An Angel. A Witch. A Demon. And A Choice.
Creatures from outer realms suck, as any gatekeeper worth their salt will tell you. Welcome to Rogan’s life, an orphaned seventeen-year-old who lives and trains with other misfits under her uncle’s roof, keeping Earth safe from non-human realm jumpers. Rogan’s biggest issue concerns her uncle’s short leash with her freedom—that is of course, until she’s taken by a notorious witch, and her life begins to unravel. Soon, the supernatural beauty discovers there’s a reason her uncle kept such a tight lock on her whereabouts, and that she has more than angel blood running through her veins.
Eighteen-year-old Max is an angel, and Rogan’s mentor and guardian. He’s well aware of her tenacious inability to obey orders, though he also knows she’s a fierce fighter. When he’s involved in a scheme that ultimately gets Rogan kidnapped, he must battle his way back to her in an attempt to save her from the darkness threatening to possess her.
MY TIDBITS
With a row of wonderful characters and fantastical world building, this is dramatic and engaging read with tons of delightful surprises.
Rogan is a Gatekeeper, and a 17-year-old orphan, who knows basically nothing about her past. Although curious, she keeps herself more than busy fighting dangerous creatures from the outer realms whose intentions in the human realm are anything but good. When her guardian Max sneaks her out of their home one night to visit a club, she finds herself kidnapped by her own mother—a very powerful woman she didn't know existed. And her mother doesn't only want to nurture maternal instincts—she wants to use Rogan's hidden powers from her own schemes.
After reading the blurb, I was excited to dive into this one. It has a powerful beginning, which shoots off the quick pacing that holds through the entire book. Although I did stumble a little bit during the first chapters (didn't flow as smoothly as I would have liked, which also just could have been due to my mood at the moment), it didn't take long until I was completely drawn in and couldn't put this book down.
Rogan is a character with bite. She's a teenager who wants to prove herself, keeps her emotions pretty locked down, tends to be prickly but is loyal and has a warm heart. Parts of her make her easy to like, while other characteristics make her sometimes difficult to connect with. But this is exactly what makes her easy to growth with as the story unfolds.
The other characters are simply a treat. The author not only makes a great contrast between the good and evil, but adds such funky and alluring traits sprinkle in for each one. The characters are distinct without going overboard, making them simply fun to get to know, and like or hate.
Especially the visits to the other realms draw in with their rich imagination and delightful, fantastical elements. Although this begins in a semi-normal setting (reminded me a little bit of the Mortal Instruments mansion setting) with urban alley fights and clubs. . .but with vivid demon-like monster fights. . .the other realms bring a wave of fantasy pure with pixies, living 'rocks', elves, dragons, magic and so much more. Still, there are demons and angels and witches too. It's a rich mixture, which lets the imagination soar, while offering a action packed read, where each character has their own agendas and secret plans.
In other words, it's a lovely read for YA (and adult) fans of fantasy, romance, paranormal, magic, actions scenes and, lots and lots of hidden layers.
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