Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Sep 22, 2011 D.G. rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audiobook, reviewed, favorites, post-apocalyptic

Re-read in audio Nov 9, 2013 - Bumped rating to 5 stars. It really deserves it!

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This is a thought-provoking book, wrapped in an end the world setting. It may seem weird to mix a post apocalyptic world with heavenly beings but now that I think about it, I’m surprised this is the first “Apocalypses brought by Angels” story I’ve read, given that anybody who’s vaguely familiar with the Book of Revelation knows that angels and the end Re-read in audio Nov 9, 2013 - Bumped rating to 5 stars. It really deserves it!

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This is a thought-provoking book, wrapped in an end the world setting. It may seem weird to mix a post apocalyptic world with heavenly beings but now that I think about it, I’m surprised this is the first “Apocalypses brought by Angels” story I’ve read, given that anybody who’s vaguely familiar with the Book of Revelation knows that angels and the end of world go hand in hand. The Apocalypse (as it’s also called) forms the base for some of the action in this book, including the way Angels attacked the Earth (peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake) or the appearance of scorpion-tailed creatures with human appearance and wings.

At the beginning, this book reminded of The Hunger Games (young tough heroine rescuing sister, with no father and a mother who’s “out there”) and Daughter of Smoke and Bone (angel and heroine are enemies.) These similarities faded quickly though and the story stood on its own.

Penryn is definitely my kind of gal. She doesn’t whine or puts her head in the sand. Instead, she makes the tough decisions and lives with the consequences. She doesn’t dwell in the past or the way the world used to be, she knows there’s no point in wishful thinking. She doesn’t berate herself if she fails and just keeps going. Also, she doesn’t let her feelings get in the way of what she needs to do. At one point, Raffe thoroughly humiliates her (I really felt for her) but she composes herself and puts it out of her mind. She doesn’t forget it but she realizes that saving her sister is more important than anything else.

With this description, I don’t mean to imply that Penryn is a robot or unfeeling but the contrary. She's loyal, loves her sister dearly and resents her parents because she’s had to make all the hard decisions and can’t count on them. At the same time, she feels guilty about those feelings and tries to do the best for her mother. She’s tough, but sometimes the façade collapses and we can see her vulnerability and realize that she’s just a really young woman in an untenable situation.

As I was reading about the destruction of cities we love, the deaths of millions of people under the might of an army stronger than the humans could conjure, it dawned on me that this is how some countries in the Middle East must feel after the onslaught of American forces. I know they think we are the bad guys but it’s more difficult when you really understand why you are cast in that light. And I couldn’t help but feel a terrible sadness at the futility of war. When? When will this stop?

Although Penryn is only 17-years old, this is really grown-up book. The author doesn’t gloss over the terrible consequences of war, the realities of sexual desire or the question about the existence of God. They all have a place within the story and they are very well handled.

All I can say is that this book was terrific and that I cannot wait until book 2. I’m sure I’ll be pre-ordering it as soon as it’s available! ...more

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Jun 08, 2013 Thenia rated it really liked it

Shelves: r-ab, reviewed, paranormal, series, dystopia, 2013

A very original take on angels!

Fast paced, realistic and full of suspense, this is an excellent start to the series. Penryn is a solid, well built character, and so is Raffe, who is the tortured, mysterious hero. The two become unlikely allies, when circumstances force them to work together to achieve their goals.

Really enjoyable story and well done audiobook that leaves the reader wanting for more.

Looking forward to the sequel, World After, and the continuation of their story. ...more

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Dec 31, 2013 Logan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: recommended, fantasy, young-adult, 2014-books-read

That was intense! This book started with a bang and never let up. I was completely engrossed in Penryn and Raffe's adventures. I am a huge fan of all the "evil angel" books out there, and this one mixed with a touch of post-apocalyptic/Walking Dead was just spectacular. I was so anxious to find out whether Penryn would find her sister that au could barely read fast enough! Terrific, captivating story with believable characters and a fully developed setting. Highly recommend! ...more

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Jan 13, 2012 Marla rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, series, dystopia, girl-power, paranormal, young-adult, recommended-to-me, romance, angels, wait

3.5 stars. In full disclosure, I should tell you that I'm not a fan of fallen angel stories. I think most of it stems from, fallen angels being heroes offends my religious beliefs. Also, why would a divine being get involved with us lowly humans romantically? Knowing this, some GR friends suggested that I read this series, so after dragging my feet, here I am.

I definitely liked this better than Fallen and Hush, Hush and I think it was faster than Daughter of Smoke & Bone, but the world building ...more

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Nov 29, 2015 Nancy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: on-kindle, paranormal

I loved the whole premise of the book, to the extent that for several years I have wondered whether there would be mileage in writing a book where the archangels came to earth. Well, this has proved that yes, there is definitely mileage and this is a brilliant example of it. I really loved the characters, I loved how Raffe was an agnostic angel (that made me laugh, it was brilliant), I loved Penryn and I really enjoyed the way that the world was only explained piece by piece. I think this was a ...more

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Sep 29, 2011 Samantha rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook-own, 2011, ya

This was such an unexpected gem. To describe the basic plot wouldn't do it justice. This author takes risks and I for one appreciated that fact. This is not your typical YA and I mean that in the best of ways. Penryn, our heroine, is everything you'd want in an upside down dystopian: brave, practical, courageous along with a bunch of other little flaws that make her realistic. Raffe, our angel in need of assistance doesn't change his characterization when it would be convenient to make this a so ...more

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Nov 20, 2011 Netanella rated it it was amazing

Shelves: urban-fantasy, angels, 2015-dangerous-heroes, 2015-december-reading-challenge

An incredibly talented voice in the field of speculative fiction, this tale is equal parts fantasy, horror, post-apocalyptic, and some would say young fantasy, as our heroine protagonist is not old enough to drink. Ms. Ee blends these elements into a unique world, set almost two weeks after angels of the apocalypse appeared on earth and started the End of Days - floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, flying angels of death.

Penryn's story begins as the head of her household - she is caretaker to a wheel ...more

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Jan 20, 2012 Christal rated it really liked it

Shelves: female-lead, angels, dystopian-post-apocalyptic, ya-and-na, magical-or-paranormal

I don't read a lot of YA novels, so I wasn't super excited about this. It had gotten a lot of good reviews and was on sale for $.99 so I figured what the heck. Well, I am glad I bought it because it was a great book.

Penryn had a pretty authentic voice for a 17-year old. She was savy and resourceful, very Katniss. Raffe was pretty much an enigma. He didn't really answer Penryn's questions so we don't end up learning a lot about him. Their relationship was very much "two survivors thrown together ...more

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