The Musings of a Book Addict: Airel – Aaron Patterson and Chris White

Publisher: Stone House Ink

Pages: 425

Source: e-book for review from publisher

Genre: YA/Adult Fantasy

Production Description:

All Airel ever wanted was to be normal, to disappear into the crowd. But bloodlines can produce surprises, like an incredible ability to heal. Then there’s Michael Alexander, the new guy in school, who is impossibly gorgeous…and captivated by her. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she can hear the sound of pages turning, and another, older story being written. It is the story of an ancient family, of great warriors, of the Sword of Light, and the struggle against an evil so terrible, so far-reaching, that it threatens everything. Airel knew change would be an inevitable part of life. But can she hold on when murder and darkness begin to close in and take away everything she loves? Will she have what it takes when the truth is finally revealed?

My Thoughts:

Airel is the type of character I would have loved to have as a high school friend. The thing I loved most about her was her quirky sense of humor. I was shy and backward in high school and someone like Airel would have helped me out of my shell. Why do I say this? As a teacher, I have two very close friends I work with. Both of them are quite a bit like Airel in the humor department. Since working with them, I have come out of my shell quite a bit. Airel has a typical teen life along with her best friend Kim, until… Yes you knew there had to be an “until” in there. Michael Alexander is the new boy at school. Airel has already had one “run in” with him. It is obvious as you read that these two will become a couple. You would think that he would choose the most popular girl in school instead of Airel. His reasons for choosing her becomes clear as the story progresses.

The setting to this story is unique. The reason is that it is actually two stories in one. The first setting is the modern day setting in Boise, Idaho with Airel. Then we venture into 1250 B.C. Arabia and meet Kreios, a fallen angel. Although there are two stories told here they flow together smoothly and all connections are made as needed. The reader doesn’t get lost along the way. The suspense is heightened because of this type of story line.

I was surprised by how much I really, really liked this book. I have not jumped on the whole “fallen angel” bandwagon, just as I didn’t jump on all of the vampire stories that came out after Twilight. This is not your typical fallen angel story. It is one that has left me breathlessly waiting for the next one in the series. Hurry up please!!! It is also one that I will purchase in physical form as I was sent an e-book from the publisher. I am so glad they contacted me so that I can recommend this to my friends and my students. I have been hearing through the blogosphere that people are in love with the cover so they can’t wait to read the book. I actually read the description and accepted the review copy before I saw the gorgeous cover. I am glad that it happened this way. I was doubly blessed with finding a book that was as beautiful on the inside as it was on the outside. This is a must read if you are going to read any book this coming year. I have to say, the two “male” authors captured the essence of a teenage girl quite believably. This is what will sell it not only to teens, but also to adults who love to read YA. Well done!

About the Authors:

Aaron Patterson is the author of the bestselling WJA series, as well as two Digital Shorts: 19 and The Craigslist Killer. He was home-schooled and grew up in the west. Aaron love to read as a small child and would often be found behind a book, reading one to three a day on average. This love drove him to want to write, but he never thought he had the talent. His wife Karissa prodded him to try it, and with this encouragement, he wrote Sweet Dreams, the first book in the WJA series, in 2008. Airel is his first teen series, and plans for more to come are already in the works. He lives in Boise, Idaho with his family, Soleil, Kale and Klayton.

Chris White has an award for reading 750 books in one school year - from the 3rd grade. So yes, he's more of a nerd than Aaron. Chris loves history, Sherlock Holmes, and anything that's not virtual, like old motorcycles and mechanical typewriters. he also doesn't get why we have these things called "smart phones" when all they do is make people dumber. Chris recently celebrated 10 years of marriage with his wife, April, and has two boys: Noah, age 8 and Jaden, age 3, who inspired the Great Jammy Adventure series; the OK-to-color-in picture books. Chris is working on a short story called The Marsburg Diary that will further explore the prologue to Airel