A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

Published: March 2012

Publisher: Dial Books

Pages: 435

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Review:

I won't lie.  I wasn't a fan of Ms. Zink's previous series - Prophecy of the Sisters.  I just couldn't seem to get into the series or the finish the first book.  This series was intriguing though so I thought I'd give it a try.  I did finish it and it only took me a few days.  Michelle has a beautiful writing style and the first few chapters captured me.  I enjoyed the tension between Helen and Griffin but to be honest, I felt the lack of a timeline.  As the story wore on, I always questioned how things were moving so quickly and yet there was a lack of cohesion.  I can't quite put my finger on it but I felt like they had fallen for one another quite quickly considering the circumstances of Helen's arrival and there was a certain element that was missing.  I also found myself questioning Helen's background and would have liked more detail regarding her history.

Despite this, A Temptation of Angels started well and has piqued my interest to continue to the next book in the series.  I have not yet heard of the title of #2 but I'll put it on my TBR list.  It won't be at the top...but maybe about 1/3 of the way down the pile...

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Published: August 2009

Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers

Pages: 343

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Lia Milthorpe and her twin sister Alice have just become orphans, and, as Lia discovers, they have also become enemies. The twins are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other. To escape from a dark fate and to remain in the arms of her beloved boyfriend James, Lia must end the prophecy before her sister does. Only then will she understand the mysterious circumstances of her parents' deaths, the true meaning of the strange mark branded on her wrist, and the lengths to which her sister will go to defeat her. Debut novelist Michelle Zink takes readers on an unforgettable journey where one sister's fateful decision could have an impact of Biblical proportions. Prophecy of the Sisters is the first of three books.

I have taken this book out of the library at least twice, possibly 3 times and I loved the premise of the story, enjoyed the writing style and even liked the print layout on the page.  However, after reading about 250 pages, I found it to be too slow. I just couldn't get into it and the story seemed to take FOREVER to pick up.  As we have mentioned in the past (Curlypow with Jatta), there are so many great reads out there that if you find something that isn't working, move on.  Someone once told me that if I couldn't get into a book in the first 20-50 pages, to move on because there are just too many good books out there to waste your time on something that isn't working for you.  (Thanks Andrea).  The thing is, it's not necessarily that the book is a poor story or badly written, maybe it just isn't right for you at that moment.  Maybe I'll try again in a couple years but not now.

Prophecy of the Sisters, I'm sorry but I'm just no that into you.  I hope someone else is because you and I just weren't meant to be together....NEXT!!