Review: Breathtaking!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 24, 2014
Originally seen at: The Bookish Owl [...]It’s not everyday that I love a novella more than the original novel from which it was based on but behold, Entice; one of the best indie books and one of my favorite reads of 2013.I fell in love with Pen in Ignite but I fell for her character even more in Entice. Her passion for words was infectious and her individuality, her independence and her own sense of self in Hell – where everyone tripped over their tails to please Lucifer – was refreshing. This ferocity of her was juxtaposed well with her complete reliance on Azael, her brother, emphasizing the strength of their bond and devotion to each other, which just made the conclusion of Ignite all the more mindblowing.Entice was wholly different from Ignite in terms of the antagonist. In the previous book, he was a name, revered and feared but never actually seen in person. Lucifer was more or less the same in Entice but this time, he was an omnipresent antagonist. You could feel him in every single surface of Hell – lurking, listening and watching. Combine Lord Voldemort with Big Brother and you get Lucifer as he is in the world of Ignite. Of course, we do get a few glances of him here and there but these sporadic instances were enough to establish the fact that yes, he was a horrifying villain who made promises and not idle threats.The most excellent aspect of Entice, however, was how it was able to stress on the theme Ignite had subtly incorporated as well as the overall essence of the entire series. The absoluteness of nothing was evident throughout the entire story, personified by Pen herself. Pen wasn’t absolutely good nor was she entirely evil. She was an active participant in the fight against Heaven and again a forerunner in Hell’s plan to corrupt Adam and Eve. Despite that, she still had doubts and little acts of rebellion, testament to the rays of sunshine in her. I loved how she always tried to suppress the wickedness in her but was overpowered nearly every time by Azael’s dominant evilness.The depth of the characterization Entice offers is absolutely stunning. Although she was an angel, a mere mortal like me was still able to empathize with Pen’s internal struggle. Even Azael’s lust for power and his blindness to everything but ambition resonated with me.What makes Entice [and Ignite too, as a matter of fact] so astonishing is Erica Crouch’s spectacular writing. Words run so smoothly that even Azael’s hash threats seem gracious and suave. It’s amazing how various combinations of 26 letters or less could perfectly encapsulate a range of emotions; fear, guilt, anger, confusion, and more. Moreover, Erica’s beautiful writing style is engaging, witty and humorous yet totally thought-provoking. It is superb how she manages to bleed out the theme and core of her books in every single word.Entice had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It is a dazzling piece of work with amazing characters, droll dialogue and a writing style so flawless and breathtaking, it could have only come from Erica Crouch herself.