Review: A Beautiful Must-Read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 26, 2013
The Chemistry of Fate is Meradeth Houston's second book, although its events occur before those of her first book, Colors Like Memories. Both take place in a world very much like ours, except for the existence of Sary, angel-like beings who are the souls of children who die before taking their first breaths. In their new forms, they are tasked to help those considering suicide. I loved Colors Like Memories, and The Chemistry of Fate did not disappoint.Ari loves being a Sary; Tom, a human, doesn't know Sary exist. That is until he finds a journal written by his grandfather, who drops hints about his life as a Sary who fell in love with a mortal. Ari has been sent to see how much Tom knows, as humans must not find out about her kind. Not being suicidal, Tom is not a typical assignment for Ari. The more she gets to know him, the more concerned she becomes for his safety. Tom's grandfather left far too much information behind in his journal. And more than that, Ari finds herself falling for Tom. But falling in love with a mortal could cost Ari her wings, just as it cost Tom's grandfather his wings. And it could cost Tom his life.The pull and push of Tom and Ari's relationship is so well done in this story. There are so many reasons for them not to be together in a romantic way, but the chemistry is undeniable. Beyond the forbidden love story, Houston's ability to suck a reader into her writing with her sensory details is wonderful. The Chemistry of Fate takes place in winter; Houston made me feel the cold, the quiet, the loneliness of the season, so fitting to the mood of the story. And I loved the flying scenes (in both Colors and Chemistry). I really felt like I was soaring along with the Sary, wings spread wide, wind rushing through my hair. The Chemistry of Fate is a beautiful must-read!