Review: Definitely surpassed book one.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 1, 2013
4.5 Stars!Angelstone picks up right where Angelfall left us - Alyx, Israel, Jordan & Mini have all escaped with their lives but not to safety, not yet - for their battle is just beginning. As they journey to the rogue community, Jordan becomes a teacher to both Alyx & Israel separately as Alyx tries to master the dreamscape in order to be less vulnerable to Michael and Israel attempts to block the magic that left him feeling weak & vulnerable. Alyx is struggling with her feelings for Israel and even though she ended it at the end of the last book, she finds it hard to shut her emotions down and whilst Israel's heart and attention seem to be solely on Adere - he can never truly be hers - plus there's also a couple of secret issues to consider, tangling her thoughts and emotions. Jordan further complicates matters when he reveals he wants Alyx for himself. The trio seem to be at a stalemate, not able to move here nor there for complications. When they finally reach the rogue stronghold that Jordan calls home, Alyx, Israel & Mini are introduced to the rebellion. Using magic on Mini, we finally find out what Michael's plans for the youngster were, how she was treat and how they want her but in uncovering Mini's secrets, someone else's secrets are in turn revealed.... So now Michael's plans are found, so are Samyaras - to find the Black Stone and turn it into weapons against the Seraphim - so it's up to the rogues/free thinkers to thwart their plan by beating them to the punch but will things run smoothly because just as much as the rogues hold information, so too does their enemy.This was a great sequel, the action and plot really got moving for me and kept my interest all the way through. I really liked Alyx & Israel's progression as characters both as a pair and alone. Alyx, whilst still kick ass, showed a softer more vulnerable side as her warring emotions came to the forefront, she is realising the depth of her feelings for Israel, comparing those with Jordan and she even took on a maternal role towards Mini. I loved to read this happen because she always seemed to be ever the warrior and I think it softens her and endears her more to the reader. Same with Israel, although I had never viewed him as weak we get an insight to the fact that he never thinks he is good enough and even makes attempts to rectify it which actually makes him seem braver in some ways, like he's becoming more dominant and making people sit up and notice him. As a pair they could be unstoppable, they gel, they fit together like puzzle pieces but that doesn't mean they will just do it, they have a lot more upheaval in their futures and their `relationship' in whatever form it comes must be worked out as much as their own selves.The plot was a lot more exciting for me and the pacing was spot on. I struggled with the first book for a while because there was a lot to get across but I knew that once that was over ,that things would pick up and Angelstone was solid all of the way through. I love it when a book keeps me on my toes and this did. I liked the introduction of the new characters and also the appearance of some old friends, each had something to give to the story whilst not distracting from the main characters. There are a good few questions from book one answered in this which was satisfying but also lead onto more questions about what's to come. I think the whole storyline & the world that has been created are great, I love the diverse collection of people, I love the way they use magic. I even like how the bad guys roam the earth... it's all quite unique, intriguing & exciting! I can't wait to see where things will go now, especially following the ending we got in this - I suppose it can only get better because this definitely surpassed book one.