Review: Angelfall by Susan Ee

Title: Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, #1)
Author: Susan Ee
Pages: 254
Publisher: Feral Dream
Release Date: May 21, 2011

It’s been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels’ stronghold in San Francisco where she’ll risk everything to rescue her sister and he’ll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

My Thoughts: Jesus. Christ. For months I had heard about how good of a read Angelfall was, and I had no doubt that I would like it once I got around to reading it. But hearing all the praise is different from actually experiencing the book. Because man... It wasn't just good. It was INSANELY good. At some points while I was reading, the pages were flying by so quickly that I had to force myself to put it down so that I wouldn't get closer to the last page. I didn't want it to ever end.

I loved every single thing about this book, especially the main characters Penryn and Raffe. Penryn was one of those rare teenage girls in young adult novels who is vulnerable yet mature, smart, resourceful, and kickass! She knows how to take charge and how to take care of herself and others. She does all this without having a personality and attitude that's loud, frustrating, or annoying. She also doesn't allow herself to get distracted by Raffe, no matter how attractive he is. Raffe was a bit of a mystery at times, but what we did see of him revealed how much of a quiet badass he is and how, for an angel, he actually has a caring and protective side. At least for Penryn. He's the type of male character I love to root for. Honestly, how could I not adore these two characters? They're amazing! And when they're together? Whoa. The connection they shared left me breathless. It's something I look forward to seeing more of in the next book.

Another aspect I loved about Angelfall was that it was a book about survival. Surviving a world that has been damaged and overtaken by angels, angels that aren't nice and cute. Before I started reading, I didn't realize how dark the book was going to be. It had non-stop action, and there were many terrifying and disturbing scenes throughout. It made the book more heart-pounding and exciting, and I really appreciate books that can manage to put some fear in me. Not only that, the story was addicting! Susan Ee's writing was wonderful, and I loved how easy it was to visualize the world she created. (I also loved that her fight scenes weren't cheesy. They were solid and fluid!) Angelfall didn't feel like the typical read about angels at all. It's a definite stand-out that I found quite impressive and refreshing.

I seriously need the next book in my life. I WISH it were out already. Angelfall has taken its place in a top position of my favorite 2012 reads. It definitely deserves and lives up to all the hype. It's the type of book I always hope to come across, and I'm so happy I finally got around to reading it. If you have not yet read Angelfall, what are you waiting for? You won't be disappointed. It's such a stunning and badass read that I can't recommend enough.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars