Aaron Patterson
Chris White
Airel
Airel Saga, Book #1

Review brought to you by OBS staff member Autumn

Synopsis – 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? (Goodreads)

Review – This turned out to be one of those books that you can judge by the cover. Beautifully done, inside and out.  It starts with two stories from the beginning – the history of the war between the angels and those that would destroy them through the eyes of an ancient warrior by the name of Kreios and the modern day story of an everyday teenage girl, Airel.  Both stories weave like threads interchangeably and culminate in an ending that literally had me on the edge of my seat.

The characters were well developed and I found Airel to be quite funny and awkward at times.  It made her genuine.  Kreios was the fighter with a heart.  His pain was palpable and keeps you engaged.  The wild card in this for me was Michael.  Who and what he is plays a key role in the story and the reveal is both maddening and tragic.

I would recommend this book to readers of Young Adult as well fans of angels, in general.  According to the Epilogue, the next book in the series is “Michael” and it will most definitely be on my reading list.