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Angel Eyes
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Angel Eyes
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Angel Eyes
Audiobook10 hours

Angel Eyes

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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About this audiobook

Once you've seen, you can't unsee. Everything changes when you've looked at the world through... Angel Eyes.

Brielle's a ballerina who went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She's come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can't seem to shake.

Jake's the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.

Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what's going to happen. And a beauty brighter than either Brielle or Jake has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices start.

A realm that only angels and demons-and Brielle-can perceive.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherOasis Audio
Release dateMay 29, 2012
ISBN9781621880165
Author

Shannon Dittemore

Shannon Dittemore is the author of young adult fiction including the Angel Eyes novels, published by Thomas Nelson Fiction, and the forthcoming Winter, White and Wicked, to be published by Abrams Books in the fall of 2020. Since 2013, Shannon has taught mentoring tracks at a local school where she provides junior high and high school students with an introduction to writing and the publishing industry. She makes her home in Northern California with her husband, two children, and a Husky-mix named Leonidas who may or may not be an animagus. She is currently at work on her next novel.

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Reviews for Angel Eyes

Rating: 3.9285713392857144 out of 5 stars
4/5

56 ratings15 reviews

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Originally posted on Lovey Dovey BooksWhen I first began reading Angel Eyes I had no idea what to expect. I had a feeling from the book's blurb that the story would be different from any 'angel' story I've read and Shannon Dittemore certainly delivered.Angel Eyes piqued my interest at the moment I met Brielle. I could feel the tension, anger, and grief in her words, but I couldn't understand why her emotions were so volatile. Brielle is a character that changes in attitude before the story ends, but her change isn't sudden or unrealistic. I felt her struggle and understood her hesitance in believing in God, angels, and demons, and when she came to terms with her new reality it was with gradual understanding.Dittemore enhanced the world in her description of the Celestial and Terrestrial planes. Humans reside on the Terrestrial and normally can't see what happens in the Celestial, which is where the angels and demons hide in plain sight. Understanding the way of life for the demons and angels really shows the story in a clearer light. This is one of the reasons I really enjoyed the chapters dedicated to the angel, Canaan, and the demon, Damien.Angel Eyes ends in a way to let readers know that more is in store for Jake and Brielle. The problem of the story isn't dragged on, or abruptly cut off, but it's impossible for the journey to be over already. There's still so much to learn about Jake and Canaan, and Brielle is only viewing the world through new eyes for the first time. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, Broken Wings, because I'm just not ready to give up Jake and Brielle!*eARC provided for blog tour*
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Originally posted here.

    Yet again, I must preface this review by saying that I myself am not religious. I'm an agnostic that doesn't have any religious background. I've had a lot of really close friends who are very religious, but I still have trouble with Christian fiction, which is mostly tied in to my hatred for proselytizing. Religious views can be conveyed subtly in novels, but usually it feels like I'm being whopped over the head with the Godly gavel, which leaves a rather nasty headache.

    I've read a couple of other Thomas Nelson titles recently, Halflings and Swipe, and neither was too religious for me, even though Halflings was also about angels. Angel Eyes, though, definitely pushed a little too hard. I actually really liked the book until about halfway through, and then it perpetually made me roll my eyes more and more as the religious elements became steadily more heavy-fisted.

    I'm going to start with the good stuff. First off, the writing is excellent. Told from Brielle's perspective, I can feel her pain. At the opening, she is broken, unable to cope with her friend Ali's murder, and the fact that she could possibly have prevented it. The writing conveys her brokenness and you can feel how cut off from others she is. You can also feel her warming up, literally, and recovering as she meets Jake.

    The darkness of the story, not the sugary lightness of the usual inspirational fiction, was definitely a big plus. Dittemore tackles the big issues of death, grief, and why God would allow good people to die. Unfortunately, there's just not really any new ground or new answers she can, or at least does, provide to those issues. Still, I liked that she at least tried.

    What I didn't like was the way the religion worked in the book. Brielle is not a believer at the start, because of her mother's and friend's deaths. Then she meets Jake, who stalks her (this only freaks her out for like five seconds) and he heals a broken bone for her. After that, he promises to tell her everything, but has to go on a trip with his dad, Canaan, so he leaves her a gold 'cuff,' which the girl does not recognize as a halo. Really?

    My issues are twofold. Brielle doesn't have a choice but to believe. When she puts the halo on, she sees the celestial realm. She now knows angels on a first name basis. A big part of Christian faith, as I understand it, and this is even mentioned in the book, is based on faith without proof, but she gets to have proof. That's not fair! Her choice to be a non-believer has been taken away from her. And yet other people aren't told. If faith is the key to Heaven, and some people are shown the truth and others are left to believe in something they see no evidence of, that's a rigged system. Does He really want particular people to fail and some to go to Heaven?

    This book also suffers from another problem I see in a lot of Christian fiction, namely that God and his forces do everything. Brielle, and even Jake, are mostly useless as far as the confrontations with evil go. For all that God isn't supposed to intervene to protect people, his angels sure do all of the defensive work. This is inconsistent and also makes me wonder why we're even following these teens, when they're clearly just being lead around by God's plan. The book says there's a choice, but there's not.

    If I enjoyed Christian fiction, I think I would have liked this. If you agree with the view point being conveyed here, then you'll probably enjoy it, as the novel is well-written. I would have liked to see more of the heroine (particularly, why have her be a ballerina if she only dances once for like two pages?) and I'd like to see her more empowered. I will not be reading the second book, but I do recommend this book to people who aren't turned off by God as a character.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    AMAZING BOOK... you can really get into it!! Keeps you waiting to see what happens next!
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    'Angel Eyes' by Shannon Dittemore is a supernatural, angel themed YA read with religious undertones. While I didn't love this novel, there were some aspects I really did enjoy. Jumping right to the point, I liked that Brielle wasn't your typical heroine. Normally, our female leads are in a 'fish out of water' position. In this case, Brielle was coming back from her 'fish out of water' experience. She had lived and grown before the novel even started. We are introduced to her when she's at a bit of a low point in her life, coming back from this big, life changing event. I loved that.

    Brielle, as a character, was a solid main character. Her reactions and thoughts seemed natural and she was a pretty relatable character. The other characters were also engaging. Jake, the love interest, seemed to have more of a role in the story than most male leads in past angel themed novels.

    The reason I didn't rate this novel higher mostly falls on pacing. The beginning and end were fine, but the middle dragged a bit. I had to push through it, because I didn't want to give up on 'Angel Eyes' when I liked the characters and the overall storyline. That being said, it took some skimming through the middle bits to get back to a point where I felt I should read word for word, page by page.

    This novel isn't for everyone. If you don't like books with slight religious undertones, 'Angel Eyes' might not be your cup of tea. However, the characters and the overall storyline are worth giving this a looksie otherwise! 'Angel Eyes' gets 2 out of 5 stars and is available wherever books are sold.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I have to admit, I get a little dubious when I pick up something labeled “Christian Fiction.” It’s not that I don’t admire what the authors are trying to do; I do. And I’m firmly planted in their target audience — I’m a Christian, I read a lot, and I like stories where fantastical events take place. But so often, these books come across as cheesy and kind of lame. The writing is sub-par. The dialogue is hokey. The characters are unrealistic. The plots are forced. The reader feels completely steamrolled by the “moral of the story.” And I wind up disappointed.However, I was pleasantly surprised with Angel Eyes. I liked Brielle and Jake. Brielle asked some hard questions. Jake didn’t always have all the answers. There was a wee bit of insta-love lurking around their relationship, but it’s mostly understandable considering the scenario they are in. I liked that Brielle wasn’t able to just bounce back from her friend’s murder, and that she didn’t just blindly accept everything that Jake told her. She struggled throughout the book, and I appreciated that.The way Ms. Dittemore writes about her angels and demons, you can tell she put a lot of thought into their realm and how it functions. It was interesting and exciting and mysterious. I definitely kept in mind that this is a work of fiction, so I didn’t really mind if not everything matched up perfectly with what I believe to be true. She’s allowed some artistic license in how she chooses to portray her world, and the spiritual warfare portrayed in Angel Eyes was very compelling.I did have a few minor complaints with the book. I wasn’t a fan of the perspective changes between Brielle, Canaan, and Damien (one of the demons). Brielle’s perspective was easy to read, natural, and engaging. The other two felt a little forced. I understand that it would have been impossible to completely portray everything that was going on in the Celestial realm without switching from Brielle’s POV, but it just didn’t feel right to me. I’m not sure how it could have been done better; I just know I wasn’t totally satisfied with the way it was. Probably part of the problem was that I just didn’t really connect with any of the Celestial characters. I loved all the human characters, but the supernatural ones fell a little flat to me.There was a tiny bit of cheese. Just a bit, and not enough to overwhelm the book or take me out of the story. But occasionally, cheese reared its ugly head.And there was a bit of a Touched By an Angel steamroller moment. If you already believe in God, it probably wouldn’t bother you. It didn’t bother me. But if you don’t, you may find it a bit much. But then again, if you don’t believe in God, you’re already taking a bit of a gamble in reading Christian Fiction. Only you can know your own tolerance level for that sort of thing.I’d categorize Angel Eyes as kind of a cross between the books of Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker, but for the YA audience. It has likable characters, an intriguing story, beautiful descriptions, and a powerful spiritual message. Ms. Dittemore sets up the ending for a sequel, although the story from this book is wrapped up nicely, and I’ll be very interested to see what happens to Brielle and Jake.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I really wish books like Angel Eyes came with a disclaimer. Warning: This is not your typical YA paranormal novel. Cause it’s not. It’s too “happy” and “safe” for my liking. I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters, particularly Brielle. She felt over-emotional and moody. Like she’d be one to watch Titanic 12 times in a row and still cry when Jack died. I think her over-emotional behavior was intended…meaning it related to the supernatural elements in the story, but it really hurt her likability for me.Jake is super creepy. I don’t know why Brielle liked him so much right off the bat, but if some guy happened to be everywhere I was, I’d call the cops. It was even so ridiculous that she was out in the middle of her woods in pitch black, he finds her before anyone knew she was missing, takes her to her shed, and magically heals her. And she didn’t think any of this was odd. Hmm. Oh, and Brielle is constantly saying how “hot” Jack is. As in, physical body temperature.And then, Brielle finally comes home way way late with Jack. She runs into her father who says that he had filled a missing person report. Brielle tells him where she was and her Dad was completely level-headed. Yeah…teenage girl stays out late, comes home with strange boy, and Dad is all honkey-dorey?What I did like was the detail put into Brielle’s hobby of photographing. I like how it played a role in the plot and wasn’t an afterthought. The plot for me was fairly slow. The story doesn’t start having a purpose until half-way through where we find out that someone is after Brielle. The pace slows down again. More explaining and other stuff. There were a few gems hidden in the novel, parts that I definitely enjoyed, but overall it was either lackluster or non-realistic.Besides the 1st person narration of Brielle, there is also Damian, who is a fallen angel trying to corrupt both Brielle and Jack. I found that his narration was more intriguing to me than hers. I’m always in the mood for a good villain and though I know early on that he probably won’t succeed, I can’t help routing for the guy.This book is completely not my style. It’s suppose to be uplifting and whatnot, but I really don’t enjoy books like that. If I had known, I wouldn’t have bothered picking it up to begin with. The writing style is bland, coherent but bland. I wish there was less emphasis on dialogue and more on action. It seemed like most of the interesting things in the book happened before the book takes place.Also, there are Christian themes that by themselves wouldn’t bother me. There’s a lot of talk about fate and predetermined choices and non-believers. I don’t mind it in a story, but I wish it took up less space in this book. I’d rather be entertained than preached at. Angel Eyes isn’t a bad book and I can see how people will love it, but I think its targeted audience will be disappointed.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I have some really mixed feelings about “Angel Eyes” by Shannon Dittemore, so it was REALLY hard to rate and review it. So, I think I’ll just share what I liked and disliked about the book and try to explain why I felt so conflicted about reading it.What I Liked:“Angel Eyes” is a really well written book. Shannon Dittemore’s writing was beautiful and often poetic. This in no way seems like a debut novel, but more like a book crafted by an author who has honed their writing skills for years. It honestly is surprising that this is her first novel. I enjoyed her writing style a lot and would like to read more from the author in the future.The plot is very interesting and imaginative. I really enjoyed the basic story line. The story of the conflict between Angels and Demons that takes place in the earthly realm and spiritual realm is an interesting idea. It puts me a bit in mind of This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti, another book in the same vein that I actually really enjoyed.I like that the book has a Christian slant and is not just a secular book about Angels with an overly generalized idea of God and Angels.What I Didn’t LikeOkay, I’ve never actually read any of the “Twilight” books, but even I can see the resemblance in the underlying “romance” thread in the book. I can certainly see that this book is geared toward the “Twilight” crowd, just with a Christian slant.The book is geared towards young adult readers. Specifically, young ladies. But, I honestly do not think I would recommend it for that age level, for the same reason I wouldn’t recommend “Twilight” to them. So much of the story hinges on the main characters “connection” to each other.Why I’m ConflictedI really did enjoy the writing and the story tremendously, but as I read, I never felt “right” about reading it. I can’t quite put my finger on just why though. But, I was definitely in conflict about reading it. Maybe it was just the romantic, supernatural bent of the story and the immediate comparison in my mind to “Twilight”. Whatever it was, I never quite felt comfortable reading it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Angel Eyes was a fascinating story. The premise that angels live among us - and also demons - wasn't anything new but the way Dittemore "twisted" it made it not just another "good vs. evil" novel. It was captivating right from the beginning. As we're brought into the story we know that something tragic has happened, but it takes a but for Brielle to let us in on what's going on. As her story unveils itself we're also introduced to Jake who keeps showing up when Brielle least expects it. As the story gets more involved things really start to heat up and it becomes a fast-paced, intriguing, action packed story. What starts as a saddened girl going home to bury her anger and her guilt turns into a powerful heroine who helps fight in a battle against the evil forces at work. This was such a fresh perspective on angels and their roles in our lives. I loved the whole premise. Although it did take a bit for me to figure out what everyone's roles were going to be it was worth the wait. I can't say enough how much I liked this idea of Angel's and how they can be a part of our world and still be a part of the celestial world.The writing was amazing. When Brielle looks into the celestial realm what she sees was described so well that I could picture every bit of it. And it was amazing. I could feel the power that surges through Brielle when she is looking at our world in a whole different light. And when Jake's touch warms Brielle I got goose bumps because I swore I could feel it too. Even with all the seriousness and intensity of the story there was a lighter side. There were so many great humorous references to pop culture that really made me giggle. They were interspersed throughout the whole story and really added to the book. It was lightening an otherwise very intense book. This is the first book of a trilogy and I can not wait for the other two books. I think this is one that I will be able to read over and over again.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Brielle has lived a charmed life until recently. Receiving the chance to move to a bigger city to live out her dreams seemed like an amazing prospect. Then tragedy struck, and Brielle will never be the same. When she moves back to her small hometown, she meets a new boy. Jake will open Brielle's eyes to a world she never knew existed. As Brielle learns the truth about her present and her past, she will be forced to make some hard decisions and live with some difficult truths. Luckily, she has way more help then she ever imagined.Angels and demons may not be a unique concept, but they are handled in a very fun and different way in this book. I loved Brielle. She was really a good person, she just doesn't always know it. Dealing with her guilt about the cards she had been thrown was so sad, so I was very happy when Jake could step in and help her begin the healing process. Of course Jake was the kind of guy readers will swoon over. The rest of the "good guys" really helped show how many ways people could be put into Brielle's life to help them. Who doesn't want to have a celestial support system looking after them?I really enjoyed this book. I've read a few angel books, but this one was a bit different in good ways. There were even some surprises that truly shocked me. I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen next. There are a lot of interesting issues touched on as well. This was a really good read that many people will enjoy!Galley provided for review.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Brielle moved to the city to chase after her dreams and returned to the small town of Stratus, Oregon cold and numb and drowning in her own guilt and sorrow. is cold and numb, living inside her own grief and guilt after tragedy strikes Brielle does not know how to continue back at her old high school in her old town she is searching for a way to get warm again.There is a new kid in school and he radiates the heat that Brielle has been searching for, there is something about Jake that draws Brielle to him; however, there is something lurking in the shadows and it has its eyes on Jake and Brielle.Shannon Dittemore's new book Angel Eyes will be the next big Young Adult story! Once you start this book you will not want to put it down and wait in anticipation for the release of book 2. Dittemore has created strong characters that you can connect with and that invest you into the storyline. Brielle's story of self discovery is relatable to those of all ages. We've all seen the books about Angels and Demons but this story is nothing like them! I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it, I love seeing a book that Young Adults can enjoy that is well thought out and not just another love story. Angel Eyes is a story of good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, a reminder of the choices we make on a daily basis and that following Christ is a choice each of us will have to make.I received this book complimentary from Thomas Nelson Publishing through Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Brielle Matthews has returned home after the Murder of her best friend Ali. She and Ali studied ballet in Portland. After Ali's death, Brielle is consumed with guilt, fear, and loss. She has returned to her hometown to finish school. She ends up meeting the new guy at school Jake, and she feels drawn to him, even though she tries to deny it. They become friends, and then more. Brielle warms at Jake's touch, literally, especially after she injures herself in a fall. Jake touch not only heals her ankle, he helps to heal her heart. Little does she know that there is a lot more to Jake, and his guardian than she ever imagined. With all that has happened, Brielle questions her faith and her belief in God. Jake gives her a gift, and suddenly her eyes are opened to a realm that she wasn't aware of, where both angels and demons exist, and she is able to see things she never dreamed of. Brielle and Jake take part in this age-old battle between good and evil, light and darkness, which not only affects her life, but the lives of others hang in the balance also. She must not only face the truth surrounding Ali's death, but she also has to make a choice about her beliefs. I thought this was a very good book and I enjoyed it. I have read books about angels before, but there is something about this book that sets it apart from the others. That something different is the reality in which Shannon Dittemore has portrayed the world of angels and demons, which is both imaginative, intricate, and at the same time seems realistic. The angels that she describes sound like the real deal, and so do the demons. The angelic world that Dittemore has created is unbelievable (and I mean that in a good way), yet believable at at the same time. As far as romance, the relationship between Jake and Brielle develops gradually and is very sweet. There is a lot of action, mystery and suspense, especially towards the ending. The book is Christian fiction, so naturally there are going to be religious overtones. This was not overbearing in a preachy sort of way, but well done in a way that causes you think about your own beliefs......I think most everyone believes in something, we all just have to decide what that something is. If you enjoy books about angels, then this book is one you probably will want to check out.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Just how far would you go for the ones that you love? Would you be willing to lay down your life for theirs? How about if you just met? How long would it take and just what is the value of a life?Brielle Matthews is about to find out when she returns home after the death of her best friend, Ali and the ongoing investigation into her death in which Brielle feels personally responsible for. She feels this is a death she could have prevented. She had seen the signs, the fear, the long-moments in between visits and phone calls and of course the bruises all over her body. Not to mention the fact that her new boyfriend, Marco seemed to like to keep her all for himself lately. Now it's too late but how can Brielle expect to find a way to move forward in her life when fear and despair are keeping her captive.Jake is the new kid in school this year and Brielle finds every single girl in school wants to meet him. Fortunately she has him in two of her classes and he seems to have a special interest in Brielle. Maybe it's that smoldering look in his eyes or perhaps it the incredible heat that comes off him whenever they are near one another especially in the middle of winter and somehow she is drawn to him in a way she can't explain. She soon finds herself confiding in him with her issues and spends her free time getting to know him. It turns out he is an only child and is being raised by his guardian, Canaan after a tragic childhood himself. It seems that Jake and Brielle are destined to be together and soon he will tell her just why he has come into her life.In the darkness, evil waits in the town of Stratus, Oregon. An evil that wants nothing more than to control and rule, but since humans are hard to find with special gifts, Damien searches for a way to satisfy his hunger. When he learns that Jake has the gift of healing, he soon plots for a way to kidnap him and lure him away from God and into what he has been planning. Only his guardian angel stands guard to protect him at all costs and soon the battle lines will be drawn and both human and angels will be called to war.In the debut novel, Angel Eyes, by Shannon Dittmore, the reader is immersed in the story of two different worlds, one seen and one not seen. The world of humans and how angels and demons can work between them. In this story we are given a rare glimpse into the roles angels play in the lives of Brielle and Jake and how the demons will stop at nothing to kill either of them. What purpose Jake and Brielle have in coming together is explained in this wonderful new series that enables them to use a special gift from God to help battle against the enemy. For those of you that love This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness, then I know you will love this new series of books.I received Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittmore compliments of Litfuse Publicity for my honest review and can't wait to read the sequel Broken Wings coming out soon. I love stories that combine spiritual warfare in the unseen world parallel with our own human world and this one does an outstanding job at drawing the reader in. This is both a love story and an action adventure from a Christian perspective. The writing is astounding, poetic and lyrical in how she describes the unseen world from God's eyes. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and now have another new favorite Christian author whose writing speaks to my parched soul.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Angel Eyes really surprised me, and in a completely good way. When I think about angel stories I tend to think of the watered down versions, such as Hush, Hush or Halo which are really focused on the romance of an angel with a human and little to do with what the purpose of an angel truly is. So I was prepared for something similar here. Angel Eyes, thankfully, does not skirt around its religious center.Brielle is dealing with the belief that her own inaction caused the death of her best friend. Moving back home with her dad, to finish out high school is supposed to be a time to recover and get back to a semblance of normal. When she meets Jake everything starts to change. Angel Eyes is told from multiple points of view, with Brielle being the main character. I loved how Brielle didn't just accept what Jake tells her. She doubts, even after proof, even after witnessing a battle between an angel and a demon, she has doubts, and she voices them. Brielle is not a weak character, waiting for a hero to rescue her. She is strong and independent, and she doesn't want to accept that her destiny may already be decided. There were points that I felt her unwillingness to believe completely in everything happening around her was a bit forced, but Dittemore manged to bring it back to why Brielle couldn't simply believe. I do wish we'd heard more from Jake's perspective. About halfway through the story we really start to learn about his life, and I wanted to experience what he'd been thinking and feeling when he first meet Brielle. The supernatural part of the story was really well done. We get to see the beauty that comes with angels, but also the darker side of their role when the battle for Jake and Brielle begins. I wish I could go more into details, but it would give away too much of the story. I will say that the golden ring Brielle is holding on the cover is very important :)Angel Eyes is ultimately a battle of good versus evil, of angels verses demons, and Dittemore wrote it without coming across as preachy. This is clearly Christian fiction, but it's written in a way that doesn't exclude non-Christians from reading or enjoying. The action and romance are both strong, the story is fast paced, and the ending is action packed. I would definitely recommend anyone looking for a love story.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is such an excellent book! Full of action, biblical facts, its no wonder I was intrigued right away. What I loved most about this book is how greatly is is intertwined with real biblical facts. Most of the time when I read books, some times biblical aspects are not what I excepted but this book, YES! There is enough in the story to capture the reader but not too much to push them away. The action of the book is very well written.I loved watching Brielle come into her destiny. Chosen for something greater, Brielle pushes aside all what she ever know and took a leap of faith. Brielle is my type of gal. She's smart and fun with a loud mind. I loved reading her though cause I was thinking the same thing! LOLThe characters of the book were wonderfully written. I enjoyed watching each new door open and collapse with great new possibilities. The world building and how they got there powers really caught my eye. I'm excited to see what happens in the next installment.Angel Eyes is a powerful debut with amazing heroic characters. Nonstop action with loads of secrets, destiny has more in store for you than what you think. Excellent and witty, Angel Eyes is impressive!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This story really didn't go where I thought it would go. It is a very religious story about faith. The angels are the pretty traditional sort. Brielle is back home after a tragedy. Her best friend was murdered. She feels that she should have been able to do something to stop it. What she doesn't realize is that her friend's death came because a demon got involved with her. The story switches viewpoints with the chapters. Most of the chapters are from Brielle or Damien's point of view. Damien is the villain of the piece being a fallen angel who is trying to gain favor with Lucifer by corrupting humans. He feeds on fear. Brielle meets Jake when she comes home. He is about the only thing that can bring warmth back into her life. He offers her comfort. But Jake isn't your ordinary teenage boy. He is able to heal with his hands and has an angel for a guardian. He knows about the battle between the angels and demons and has a strong religious faith.Brielle lost her mother at age three and doesn't remember her at all. Her father lost his faith in God after his wife's death and has raised Brielle without religion. Now Brielle is confronted with the fact that God exists and that angels and demons are battling here on earth. She has a hard time understanding a God who can let bad things happen to good people.The book had some thrilling adventures as Brielle, Jake and his guardian angel Canaan battle evil demons including Damien to save the lives of children who are being sold. It also had some romance as Jake and Brielle get to know each other. But the strongest part of the book for me was the religious themes of faith and belief. This one would go well in a Christian school and will appeal to my religious students.