google-site-verification: google935433b691795853.html .: Book Review: Become (Desolation #1) by Ali Cross

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Book Review: Become (Desolation #1) by Ali Cross

Do you want to know why I picked up this novel? Yes, the front cover is pretty enticing and yes it appears to have the makings of a great YA supernatural fiction based on the synopsis but what really pulled me in, believe it or not, was the author's short biography:


Ali Cross is the sensei of the Writer's Dojo where she holds a black belt in awesome. She lives in Utah with her kickin' husband, two sparring sons, one ninja cat, two sumo dogs and four zen turtles.

I decided to read Become because I thought to myself if the author is witty enough to bring a smile to my face before I even turn the first page, then I might as well take a peak beneath the cover and I'm glad that I did.
Become is a refreshing YA paranormal novel, holding all the makings of a great little series. Exploring the dark side through the cynical and emotionally crippled Desolation Black, we come to understand that being the daughter of the prince of darkness is no easy task. Couple her black blood with that of a great angelic warrior, and Desolation - Desi for short - isn't sure where she belongs.
Haunted by the destruction that her own touch brings, Desi refuses to see the light within her. She pushes aside friendships and endeavours to ever harden her heart, terrified that the roiling darkness within may one day break free, causing irreparable damage. The goal is to find balance, to accept both the good and evil within and choose a path befitting the burning ache of love that burns brightly at depths of her forgotten soul.
Become is a swift moving novel packed with plenty of action scenes and enough angst and desperation to leave the reader feeling rather solemn and somehow sympathetic. Desolation is riddled with turmoil and unexplored emotion, taking the reader on a journey through the darkness that leaves you clawing at the pages in an effort to rediscover the light.
Characters are consistent in their portrayal and often engage in dialogue that is purposeful in explaining the back story in further detail. Small highlights include the modern day referencing of angels and demons versus the Gods of mythology - Odin, Loki and of course the Valkyries. I was surprised to see how well the two were combined and enjoyed this fresh retelling with an aside story that left the ending quite the cliffhanger.
Well written and surprisingly poignant, I am happy to rate this book three and a half fangs out of five and will probably read the next installment.

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared.
When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend.

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