Review: Captivating!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 28, 2013
Entice is the prequel to Ignite. Here we see Pen and Azael in Hell, after their fall but prior to the events in Ignite. We see the events which led to their being on Earth.I've said it before, but I love words. Ms. Crouch's use of words is captivating. She lyrically draws images and her prose is exquisite and delightful to read. I also love her literary references and quotes. :) I somehow managed to miss the significance of Pen's name in Ignite. Pen was a scribe in Heaven - and the importance of that really hit me in Entice. I adore Pen's love of language and stories and her indelible belief in the power of words. I'm curious to see if 'the pen is mightier than the sword' holds true for Pen."...Words are never enough; results take action......I agree, not willing to fight over the magic words hold again..." Loc 1437-1441I loved this look at Pen. In Entice, we see that Pen, despite her fall from Heaven, hasn't lost her humanity. Seeing her compassion in Hell made the transformation Pen experiences in Ignite more meaningful. We are also made privy to the reasons behind her decision to fall with Azael. We witness her struggle with that decision. Pen longs for the acceptance and sense of belonging she once had with Azael. Thought the course of Entice, she realizes that is something she may never have again. But now that she's fallen, Azael is all she has.Azael isn't much different in Entice than he is in Ignite. He's angry and arrogant. He believes his place is at Lucifer's side - that he deserves that place following his role in Michael's demise. He believes his actions swung the tide of the war between Heaven and Hell.In Entice, the action revolves around Pen and Azael's mission in Eden. Following the battle which brought about Michael's death, Azael and Pen are give rank as top-tier demons. They are then tasked with bringing about the downfall of man - a race against two other minions of Hell. The tale Ms. Crouch weaves around this well-known story was fascinating.Ms Crouch's description of Hell is interesting. Hell, in her imaginings, is cold, icy and blue. I rather like this portrayal. It naturally follows that her Heaven is fiery - angels wielding swords of flame. I also appreciated Pen's reasons for being disgruntled with Heaven - not that it meant she wanted to choose Hell."I don't believe in censorship," I smirk back at him. "It leads to arroganze, corruption, and secrets." Loc 518"Secrets and pride corrupt even the so-called incorruptible." Loc 1458I truly reveled in getting this backstory for Pen. It helped in my understanding of why Pen chose to follow Azael out of Heaven and why she continued following him. It also provided the foundation to explain her actions in Ignite. And it was gorgeously written."I tie my tongue around the unwanted gift I've burdened myself with - caring - and bury it in the pit of my stomach." Loc 788"I think I'll be walking the line between Heaven and Hell forever - swaying toward the darkness but always reaching to the light." Loc 1754