A Beautiful Dark
by Jocelyn Davies
Skye never questioned the story of her life. Her Aunt Jo adopted her after the death of her parents when she was just a child, and together they flip through memories the way some people flip through photo albums.
She never questioned if the stories were true.
Until the night of her 17th birthday, when the arrival of two strangers intrudes on her cozy life. Polar opposites, like fire and ice, Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair, cold, and aloof. Skye has no idea what they want—only that their presence coincides with the beginning of some shockingly strange events. Events that Skye, if she dares to think it, might be responsible for causing.
High up in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado, Skye finds herself caught in the middle of an ancient battle, one that began untold millennia ago. Torn between unpredictable Asher, whom she loves, and the infuriating Devin, who she can’t stay away from, her fate is murky as a starless night. And as the secrets of her true identity are revealed, Skye realizes that her destiny may reside in the Heavens—or somewhere darker. (description from the "Elevensies" website)
Angel books can be really hit or miss for me. Jocelyn Davies' debut is a spot on WINNER. I loved it. It has a very similar feel to Lauren Kate's Fallen, but only in the way it reads. A Beautiful Dark has its own unique "angel" mythology.
I loved Skye, Asher, and Devlin. There were sparks amongst them all, both figuratively and in actuality! What I really liked, though, was that there was a reason for the presented romantic triangle. It wasn't just that Skye was so quirky and thereby desirable that no boy could stay away from her. The time was spent on purpose first and the feelings came (well a little bit, anyway) later.
I was thoroughly intrigued by the mythology in this book. While I have heard similar ones before, it was particularly well presented and the follow-through of where the story took the mythology was amazing. I cannot wait for the next book, in what I'm assuming, no...desperately hoping is a series. There was quite a cliffhanger...
2011 Debut Author Challenge title
While some may say this is all cliche YA, it just WORKED in this novel. Skye, Asher, Devin, Aunt Jo, Cassie, Dan, and Ian were all loveable and relatable. Raven was awful and a bit awkward in her hasty entrance and hatred, but hey, we need a villain don¿t we? I got angry at both Asher and Devin, I laughed with Cassie¿s witticisms and her obvious ¿predicament.¿ I felt for Skye when she would remember her parents, her frustration with finding out the truth about herself, and her constant state of flux in regards to her light and dark warriors.
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