Highborn (Dark Redemption, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Sep 16, 2012 Kelly (Maybedog) rated it liked it

Shelves: what-modern-fantasy, what-dogs, what-demons, what-angels

This was a slightly different take on a fallen angel needing redemption. The book starts just before the fallen angel, demon, left hell. We are shown a tiny bit about what it was like in a prologue then the book jumps right in at Chapter One within a few minutes of her arriving on Earth. The action begins there, too, as she is running for her life. We never quite find out how she got to the mortal plane, but Navarro does a great job of presenting this nonhuman's first few days in Western Society ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 06, 2011 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it

Despite the torments of eons serving the Devil, fallen angel Brynna, holds on to a hope of redemption. She is determined to deserve the forgiveness of her Maker, and escapes her Hellish existence taking on the guise of a mortal with vague plans to earn her Grace. It is difficult for Brynna to assimilate in modern day America, she struggles to empathise with the concerns of humanity and understand everyday tasks. When a man is killed by a sniper in front of her, Brynna becomes involved in the inv Despite the torments of eons serving the Devil, fallen angel Brynna, holds on to a hope of redemption. She is determined to deserve the forgiveness of her Maker, and escapes her Hellish existence taking on the guise of a mortal with vague plans to earn her Grace. It is difficult for Brynna to assimilate in modern day America, she struggles to empathise with the concerns of humanity and understand everyday tasks. When a man is killed by a sniper in front of her, Brynna becomes involved in the investigation by Detective Eran Redmond for someone who is targeting Nephilim, those born of a human mother and angelic father, all the while hunted by the Devils minions, because He wants her back.
Highborn is a strong start to this new urban fantasy series with interesting elements and characters. The fallen angel trope is becoming increasingly popular in the genre but Navarro gives it an original twist. Once an angel, and now a demon, Brynna is now hiding from Hell disguised as a human. It has been hundreds of years since she has spent any time on Earth and even though she finds astonishing beauty in the simplest of things, she is essentially removed from human emotions. She has to work to develop compassion and mercy given her natural inclination to violence. Brynna provides an unique perspective with her detached curiosity and I enjoyed the growth of her character as she becomes involved with different people and situations.
There is the beginning of a relationship for Brynna and Eran, though it is not a dominant theme The pair face unusual challenges given Brynna's background and I will be interested to see how it develops.
The storyline provides fast paced action and flows well. Navarro has firmly established the rules for her world without heavy handed tracts of text and combines the paranormal with the mundane seamlessly. The mystery surrounding the identity and purpose of the sniper is a little weak, but the author neatly weaves several disparate events together into a solid well written storyline.
Highborn heralds an intriguing new urban fantasy series with a dark edge. I really enjoyed the strong characters and storyline and I'm looking forward to the second book,Concrete Savior,due for release early next month. ...more

Like · see review