Embrace (The Violet Eden Chapters, #1) in Addicted to YA

Jan 13, 2012 Tressa (Wishful Endings) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-debut-author-challenge

This was a different take on the whole angel theme and it was a believable story. I liked the characters for the most part, although I wish Violet would have made different choices in some ways. The thing that bothered me the most in this book was all the swearing and sexual content. I'm tired of seeing so much of this stuff in YA books (I choose YA because they are supposed to be cleaner) and it has become a major turn-off for me. I've chosen not to follow this series. ...more

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Mar 02, 2012 Melissa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I've always been fascinated by all mythology. I remember a poster a friend of mine had that broke down the ranking and hierarchy of the Hebrew angel mythology. I remember how complex and beautiful it looked. This book takes a small portion of that mythology and weaves it into a world where all exiled angels are dangerous and corrupt. It doesn't matter if they come from the light or the dark. In fact the book tries to put those assumptions into question. This I liked immensely. Also, for those th I've always been fascinated by all mythology. I remember a poster a friend of mine had that broke down the ranking and hierarchy of the Hebrew angel mythology. I remember how complex and beautiful it looked. This book takes a small portion of that mythology and weaves it into a world where all exiled angels are dangerous and corrupt. It doesn't matter if they come from the light or the dark. In fact the book tries to put those assumptions into question. This I liked immensely. Also, for those that shy away from books like this because you fear it may be preachy, do not worry. It does not come across that way at all even though some chapters start with a bible quote. It is only to set the stage for the chapter, not the religion.

Now although I enjoyed some of the myth play, I have to admit it also felt incomplete. Answers eluded me and I would have liked it fleshed out more. Those things may be solved in the coming books, but might frustrate some of us in this first book. Also, you are left to question some of the actions of the ordinary folk. I didn't understand her father who was absent throughout most of the book, but turns up later very interested in her life. I did love her best friend but she also confused me a bit. She seemed to have less trouble about the whole suddenly an angel thing than Violet.

Oh, I do have to mention the suitors that Violet has. One is Lincoln. He was a nice guy. Great guy, but I honestly didn't connect with him well in this story, but then he wasn't in much of the book. However, Phoenix. *sigh* Bad, bad, bad angel in such a good way. LOL Although you knew he was bad for Violet, you knew he was playing her somehow... and yet I cheered for him. I wanted him to win. He had so much more depth and layers to his character than Lincoln that I think I'll be cheering for him in the next book. :D

I give this angel book 3 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed the mythology despite my questions but I am aware this is part of a series. I'm hoping those lingering questions will be better answered in the next 2 books. I also enjoyed the Violet's adventure to learning who she is... and Phoenix. ;) I think, though, I would have liked her "normal" relationships to have been stronger. More fleshed out. I think it would have made her character stand out more. It would have made Violet more believable to me. ...more

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Jul 09, 2013 Courtney rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: teens

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this and look forward to continuing the series. It was well paced and filled with characters I found rather enjoyable. There is just enough mystery to keep you turning the page. I just wanted to know more about the secret world Violet found herself suddenly a part of. On her 17th birthday, Violet learns that she is part angel, imbued with an angel's essence at birth. She spends the entire book trying to deal with this knowledge and the changes it brings to her life. She must 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this and look forward to continuing the series. It was well paced and filled with characters I found rather enjoyable. There is just enough mystery to keep you turning the page. I just wanted to know more about the secret world Violet found herself suddenly a part of. On her 17th birthday, Violet learns that she is part angel, imbued with an angel's essence at birth. She spends the entire book trying to deal with this knowledge and the changes it brings to her life. She must decide if she will embrace her destiny and all the power that comes with it, or turn her back and take her chances at surviving the exiled angels that can now sense her presence. She feels betrayed by Lincoln, the man who she has been training with and falling in love with for the last two years. He has known all along what she was and never told her. Instead he did all he could to prepare her. Lincoln is her chosen partner, and Grigori partners can never be together. They both love each other, but being together will weaken them and put them in danger. Instead she turns to the dark and dangerous exiled angel, Phoenix. He is powerful and secretive. She never bothers to find out more about him, just decides to trust him. (view spoiler). As the war between the exiled and the Grigori intensifies, Violet is forced to make her decision, embrace or walk away. Lincoln's very life depends on it. ...more

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Nov 30, 2015 YinYangReader rated it liked it

Shelves: about-angels-demons-immortals

Although I have mixed feelings about this book, it did pique my curiosity enough to move on to book 2 even with its issues. I will hide all the spoilers.
Lets start off by seeing how much the author stuck to the YA Paranormal check list.

16/17 year old clueless girl who finds out she is special. CHECK
Dead or absentee parent CHECK ( although convoluted).
Clueless parent who is away/busy a lot. CHECK
Perky best friend who is not one of the "special" people. CHECK
Good boy. CHECK
Bad boy. CHECK ( althou ...more

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