Book review: Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

I'll let the author, Courtney Allison Moulton, tell you what her debut novel Angelfire is all about:

My thoughts:

I was so exited when I found out that my request for Angelfire was approved on NetGalley, I mean Angelfire you guys! The plot sounded so good, the trailer was great and other readers raving on about how excellent this book was. It's one of those books that every YA reader seems to fall in love with.

As always I'll be honest with you guys; I really struggled to finish this novel and I had several issues with the story. The main character, Ellie, was over a thousand years old but stories of her past lives were almost non existent. I would have loved to get to know much more about her past. I guess it will be revealed bit by bit throughout the series but the novel could have been so much better if some more tidbits about Ellie's past had been told. I understand the concept that she was to remember the past by herself but her guardian, Will, answered 99 % of her questions with something like "you'll remember it in time". To be honest that annoyed me.

The fight scenes seemed to unrealistic and I couldn't feel the chemistry between Will and Ellie. That being said I felt the hatred in the character that was Ellie's father, it felt so real and I disliked him instantly.

I don't doubt that Moulton is a gifted writer but to me it seems like the novel could have been so, so much better. But then again we can't love them all and this is only my personal opinion.

Book trailer:

The cover:

Love it! Ellie looks like such a though kick-ass heroine.

My rating of this book:

2.5 stars out of 5

Want a second opinion? Check out these reviews written by some of my book blogging friends:

sophistikatied reviews

Supernatural Snark

BookHounds

Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf

Miss Page-Turner's City of Books

Want to know more?
Add Angelfire to your Goodreads wish list.
Visit Courtney Allison Moulton's homepage
Read Courtney's blog
Follow Courtney on Twitter

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Published: February 2011
Pages(hardcover): 464
Publisher: HarperTeen/Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins

ISBN: 9780062002327
Full disclosure: Review copy from HarperTeen via Netgalley.

This book can be purchased from a number of local retailers and on-line book stores such as Amazon or The Book Depository (I'm not an affiliate of either). The latter store does by the way have free shipping to about 100 countries.

6 comments:

BlodeueddMarch 8, 2011 at 9:33 PM
I will go...meh. Nope, not the book for me. Too bad cos it did sound good
ChelMarch 9, 2011 at 4:05 AM
I feel you! I was also excited to read the book, but I found it hard to finish. I think Ellie's father has a much a bigger role in the series. I was rather disappointed with the plot and the characters too. Anyway, thanks for the review.

The Procrastinator's Corner
serendipity_vivMarch 9, 2011 at 5:31 PM
You said what you thought and this is the right thing to do. I didn't see this on Net galley. Where the hell was I when they were dishing this one out.
BokelskerinnenMarch 10, 2011 at 4:00 PM
Thank you for the honest review. I also have a Netgalley E-Arc of this, but I am not sure if it will be my priority right now, there are so many other books I would like to read, Delirium f.ex.
Audrey (holes In My brain)March 20, 2011 at 5:08 AM
thanks for the honest review! those nitpicks are definitely ones I'm looking out for because a unrealistic fight scenes are just BLAH :p
Amber StultsApril 13, 2011 at 2:03 AM
It does sound like a promising novel. I loved the video of Allison Moulton discussing the novel and showing off the swords. Maybe her next one won't be so disappointing for you.