Although this story is outside my usual genre, I genuinely enjoyed it. Ellie felt very real to me as an ordinary seventeen year old suburban girl thrust into extraordinary circumstances and discovering extraordinary things about herself. She seemed a real teenager, not an adult's idealized concept of what a teenager should be. The creatures she faces in battle each have a distinct personality and motivation, which lends more interest than a world populated by generic bad guys who are defined only by their species' characteristics. And I'm not entirely certain all those she's opposing *are* irredeemably bad guys. While developing the mythology of this world and revealing the challenges Ellie faces, the author has been ambiguous - perhaps even devious - and left us with plenty of mystery to uncover in the remaining two books of this series. I'm looking forward to the journey. ( )

Throughout the course of Angelfire I felt conflicted. There's no doubt that I've been eagerly awaiting this title. Death is kind of an interest of mine such as the various world mythologies and practices; usually its one of the first things I try to learn about when I grow interested in a new culture. And the picture Coulton paints is an interesting one, with the affiliation of the 'Reapers' (Demonic and Angelic) and the the different classes (Ursid, Vir, Lupine).

Here's the thing though, to learn more about all that (the Reapers, Ellie's role, etc) I had to get through some of the angstiest teenage antics this side of Gossip Girl. There is a fine line between a teen character being realistic, and having problems that reflect the plot well and add meaning to the overall tension and that same teen character acting irresponsibly just to act so. Through her own actions and the acts of 'nature' (which more often than not included Reaper involvement) Ellie managed to hit every single teen stereotype in this book alone.

Lying to parents about whereabouts for a weekend? Check.
Having best friend cover for you? Check.
Old school friend confessing to you? Check.
Falling for the older guy? Check.
Underage drinking antics? Check.
Totaling car? Check.
Failing grades? Check.

And if I understood the time frame of the book correctly, this all happened between the start of the school year and just after Thanksgiving break. Its not that I don't doubt this can all happen in such a short amount of time, but all of that plus her father's increasingly crazed behavior, training/hunting/learning about her duties with Will, and somehow finding time to attend one party, throw another one and hang out with her friends...I couldn't get a fix on when Ellie actually slept.

I think, at least as far the plot with her father is concerned, I understand where that's leading. If my hunch turns out correctly than it would better explain why Coulton stressed the vast difference between Ellie's dad now and Ellie's dad pre-high school. Until about halfway through the book its brought up every single time he so much as talks to Ellie, so it was hard to ignore. And I'm sorry but I found it unbelievable that Ellie's mom loved her husband so very much that it doesn't faze her to even joke about the possibility that he would kill Ellie in anger. I can think of at least two instances where he is physical with Ellie; I'm not sure abusive is right since he never hits her, but he does grab her roughly and at one point shoves her away hard.

What my main problems with the book boiled down to is this: Coulton crowded this book with so much innuendo, subterfuge, 'big' revelations and 'epic' battles that I was exhausted while reading. Ellie manages to overcome several nasty Reapers before the end of the novel, one of whom is a pretty major big bad from her past life and the final battle has her at least fighting to a stand still with another big bad. It almost felt like she was leveling up each time she killed or fought a Reaper. 'Uh-oh my power wasn't enough to defeat him this time--I should train and gain more experience!'

This isn't to say I didn't enjoy aspects of the book, or that I won't be reading the next book. I will be. The mythology of the world, the world-building and layers of detail, kept me hooked. It was just that reading the book tired me out quickly. ( )

Look, just go into this book with the right expectations. Set your expectations to 'unoriginal story with cliched hot redhead who turns out to be a "speshul" teenage girl' and then you will enjoy it. There are lots of good action scenes against some gnarly demons. I enjoyed her back story about being the reincarnation of an ancient warrior that helps angels in their battle against evil. That's pretty cool right? So if you want a fun, light read then just sit back, quiet the inner literary critic, and read. If not then I look forward to your long and scathing review. Please add some of the dialogue into your diatribe.
e.g. "And every time you die, a little piece of me dies with you.”

and

“He reached forward to cup my cheek, the touch surprising me. "Please understand that no matter what I am or what has happened in the past, I am yours. I am devoted to you above all else, including my own life."
I exhaled after holding my breath for what felt like forever. "That's pretty heavy, Will."

*wipes tears away* that's the good stuff right there. ( )

Teen fiction; angel action/romance. Ellie isn't the normal 17-year-old girl she appears to be: it turns out (a surprise to her as well) that she is the Preliator, a human warrior with the powers of an angel (I would say godlike but given the biblical context of this book, that would be wrong), reincarnated again and again over the centuries to help the Angels battle demon spawn--horrible reapers who claim human victims to add to Satan's arsenal of souls. Complicating matters is Ellie's centuries-old love for Will, an angelic reaper, one of the good guys and Ellie's sworn protector. Their budding romance (at this point in the trilogy, just kissing) is more than enough to satisfy teen and adult readers, which is accompanied by Ellie's mom's responsible warnings: I can't stop you from being a teenager, but please BE SAFE and you can TALK TO ME about anything. Ellie's rebellion from her parents (and later, God himself when she fails to heeds Archangel Michael's warnings about having feelings for Will) may not go over well with all readers, but for fans of supernatural romances, this will be more than satisfactory fare. ( )

Great start to a new series. I really like the premise of the book and good vs evil feel to it. This has romance, action, angels, and demons and it gives you a little bit at a time to make you continue reading to see what's gonna happen next. ( )

It was all right, but really nothing special in terms of the writing. The premise and the twist at the end was good and pleasing and all that--how the twist was carried out was well-written--but beyond that, I wasn't particularly impressed. At all.

I think what bored me was the waiting in the story. There was the sense that something was about to happen, soon-ish, but couldn't happen yet, not yet, not yet. And yes, it worked with the plot, but it left me with a sense of stalled potential. Furthermore, a lot of the motivations and decisions that drove the characters to do something changed on a dime, which was irritating and difficult to forgive. I don't think I'll read the second book when it comes out, and I certainly won't spend money on it if I do.

Not recommended for advanced readers. Middle-schoolers, and even high schoolers. Fans of Twilight would probably also enjoy Angelfire. ( )

Coming Soon... ( )

A seventeen-year-old girl discovers she has the reincarnated soul of an ancient warrior destined to battle the reapers, monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell.

When I first started reading I was like, Oh great mysterious eye contact just like every single other YA book I have been reading lately. I was pleasantly surprised this book definitely stands on it's own. It took me a little bit to get hooked because I wasn't feeling very genuine about Will yet, he just seemed, MEH. I gave it a few chapters and he started to get his groove and then I started getting into the story.

I like that even though Ellie is this bad-ass fighter she is still totally trying to be just a normal teenager. I also want to know what the hell is up with her dad, he has to have something to do with something, and probably not a good something. I don't like him at all. I did like the chemistry between Ellie and Will, it was gradual not like an immediate OMG I LOVE YOU. I was thankful for that.

I liked the world int his book most of all. I am fascinated by biblical legend and myth, probably because of my own religious affiliations, but I really enjoyed the way Ms. Moulton laid out her lore carefully and constructed it so everyone could understand it. I think the world that Ellie lives in is what will keep this book out of the "every other YA book" category. Will definitely watch for book two. ( )

I loved this book. Its fast paced and action packed! Loved the fact that it has a kick-ass heroine and Ellie is a really easy character to like. I was hooked right up to the last page. Can not wait till the second one comes out.

Update.
This is my third time reading it and I love it more than ever :) ( )

Seventeen-year-old Ellie Monroe learns from a boy named Will that she is actually the reincarnation of an ancient warrior known as the Preliator. Apparently each time she falls in battle against the demons known as the reapers, she is reborn again. Will is actually her protector who has been with her through the ages and looks for her reincarnation each time she is killed.

I felt that I was being lectured to throughout which should have been corrected with good editing. Also the main character Ellie was just irritating. Sorry, but this could have been done much better, unfortunately an opportunity lost to make a really strong and believable female character. ( )

Average.

Or maybe “ordinary” is a better descriptor for this book. I wanted to like it, but there just wasn’t enough that was different or special or extraordinary enough to keep my interest. Honestly, it’s a fine paranormal romance and I’m sure there are legions of teen girls/women who will really enjoy it, but for me, the spark wasn’t there.

I’m realizing that I don’t connect with Angelfire, as well as the reason I don’t feel like finishing it, is that I’m more excited to get back to watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which I’m only now watching. If Moulton is not a diehard Joss Whedon fan, I’ll be very surprised because the influence and mirrored tone is obvious.

Sadly, the story never developed its own distinct and distinctive style. It’s too much a watered down Buffy—without the great dialogue and fun but keeping all the teenage romance and angst intact—for me to be interested in the substitute while I’m still discovering the real thing.

So I’m going to finish this review quickly so I can get back to Season 3 Episode 15: Consequences.
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Although this story is outside my usual genre, I genuinely enjoyed it. Ellie felt very real to me as an ordinary seventeen year old suburban girl thrust into extraordinary circumstances and discovering extraordinary things about herself. She seemed a real teenager, not an adult's idealized concept of what a teenager should be. The creatures she faces in battle each have a distinct personality and motivation, which lends more interest than a world populated by generic bad guys who are defined only by their species' characteristics. And I'm not entirely certain all those she's opposing *are* irredeemably bad guys. While developing the mythology of this world and revealing the challenges Ellie faces, the author has been ambiguous - perhaps even devious - and left us with plenty of mystery to uncover in the remaining two books of this series. I'm looking forward to the journey. ( )

Are angels the new vampires, or what? There are parts of this series opener I liked -- several parts of the angel/reaper mythology; the slow way Ellie breaks in her new powers (while she can fight right away, she doesn't like to let herself go, and she doesn't like how her powers make her feel); the fight scenes, mostly, though they were not well integrated -- but overall I wasn't impressed with the amateurish writing (whoa with the adverbs, adjectives, and redundant phrasing) or the romance between Ellie and Will. I thought the entire thing followed Buffy the Vampire Slayer (especially in the first season, only not as funny or meaningful) way too closely, with a little Bleach manga thrown in.

I think it will be popular regardless, and I'll give the second book a chance to see if Ellie ever becomes as independent as she has the potential to be, and if the author improves her prose the more practice she gets.

ETA: By the way, I finally saw the book trailer for this on YouTube, and it's pretty damn good. Go check it out. ( )

I'm torn between a three and a four star rating on this. For now I'll give it four stars. In the first few pages I found the book rather "normal". Apparently normal girl sees mysterious guy, learns she has special powers and you know that normal girl and mysterious guy will end up together and squeeze in a bit world-saving in their free time. No surprises there.

Still I liked the story and couldn't put it down. Ellie is a likable girl and while she has her difficulties and fears she stands her (wo)man in a fight. All the same the fighting scenes were always nagging at me some. Considering both Ellie and Will were usually supposed to be in the fights, I got the distinct impression that one just stood around while the other did the work and some of the confrontations would have been over much quicker if there had been more teamwork.

Will. Not sure yet what to make of him but I suppose I like him. In spite of his being a bit too perfect (his protectiveness is also very cute).

I loved how this book had also "secondary relationships", meaning Ellie's relations with her parents and friends. For once the minor characters had some depth. I loved Kate, felt for Landon and liked Ellie's mum. I hope that the next books deal more with Ellie's father, because I would really like to see more depth in that department and perhaps even learn how he got the way he is.

The ending is satisfying even though this is the first book in a series. Although there is a small cliffhanger to keep one interested, it isn't too bad to make the waiting time for the next book unendurable. I'm pretty sure I'll read the next volume in the series once it comes out next year. ( )

RATING: a solid 4 stars! I really liked this book!

When I first heard about this book, it's story and it's main character one thing came immediately to mind: Buffy. And frankly I wasn't very interested in reading it, not only because it sounded so Buffy-esque (lol) but also because I'd read a few negative reviews. But... I ended up with the book in my bookshelves after one of my shopping-sprees (ahah) and a fellow Portuguese blogger read it and liked it and next thing I knew I was opening the book.

Ellie Monroe is your typical 17 year old girl... or is she? After an encounter with the mysterious Will, her life changes dramatically as she learns her true identity and her mission: she is a warrior born time and again with the sole purpose of slaying reapers - demonic monsters who kill humans and drag their souls to Hell. Ellie must remember her fighting skills fast or she may just end up dying... again.

I'm so happy I bought this! I am surprised at how much I liked it since it is in fact a little like Buffy (and that series is so 90's) and it has, of course, a few character and plot related flaws.

The thing is that if this book has a little of Buffy, it reminded me a lot more of Blood , a Japanese animated TV series I love. A lot. Ellie and Will reminded me so much of Saya and Haji and I couldn't help but go all "aaaw" at their interactions, even of most of the dialogue felt a bit forced and even somewhat nonsensical sometimes.

The story of this book is clearly introductory. There is a mystery subplot about an ancient creature, but it doesn't get much spotlight... which would have annoyed me greatly if the author hadn't made it clear that she will go back to this particular storyline later in the trilogy. So I wasn't annoyed and was able to properly enjoy the fantastic world building: Moulton's mythology is solid if creative and very interesting to read about. Ellie's growth throughout the book is more or less realistic and even the sort of insta-romance makes sense in this particular case.

Will and Ellie stand out as characters although Ellie is the only one that actually has some development. Will is typically brooding and mysterious, although he also had a sense of humor that kind of balanced that stereotypical side of him. Ellie's friends are pretty much what you'd expect, just a random group with little to no distinctive characteristics. I kind of disliked Kate, the best friend. Don't know if that was intentional.

Overall: "Angelfire" was a great introduction to a new series/ trilogy. The pacing was mostly good, the action scenes were well written and there was also some romance to balance it all. The dialogue seems to need some work (at least in my opinion), but the characters were likable and the book had some great moments. A good read for urban fantasy lovers. ( )

Angelfire is one of the latest YA books that features angels and demons, and a mysterious boy and a heroine that are thrust into this strange and dangerous world. Unlike most books, which focuses mainly on a core romance, Angelfire combines action and a strong mythos that really is Buffyesque and I had a great time with reading this book.
Ellie Monroe is haunted with vivid and terrifying dreams of demonic creatures attacking her which soon begins to affect her schoolwork and her home life. Her home life is is no better with her parent’s constant fighting and the increasing emotional detachment of her father. But her life changes when she encounters a strange boy called Will who soon tells her they have known each other for centuries and that he is her guardian and that she has a power and the knowledge to fight against demons. Of course she finds this totally preposterous, but soon realises that she is a warrior of mysterious origins who reincarnates again and again throughout the centuries with the same body and memories and a gift of Angelfire that only harms reapers (demons).
However the gap of time since her last death and resurrection is the longest yet, and Ellie can only recall snatches here and there. With the help of Will she must regain her lost memories because they hold knowledge on how to fight the demons threatening an Armageddon on Earth.
Angelfire is a fun and an engaging read, and was refreshing to read because it focused more on the action with a well thought out mythology and a strong heroine. There was a lot similarities with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with a heroine who has to balance high-school, a social life and fighting demons. There is also a core romance with a mysterious boy, but fortunately he doesn’t sparkle in the sunlight but sports some nifty tatts instead, and provides support and guidance with fighting against reapers who are demons who are determined to bring on the Armageddon.
Elle’s rediscovery of her past and skills were some of my favourite scenes from the book. I especially liked the flashbacks which featured different historical periods and settings and reflected a much darker and almost inhuman Ellie which compared to her current incarnation of a more vulnerable and ordinary scared girl, and who is definitely more human confronted with this new knowledge which was an interesting juxtaposition. I suspect that this will be explored further in future books about Ellie’s evolution which I will definitely look out for.
I think Moulton’s grasp of Reapers and Archangels was well thought out and imagined. However, I wished we got more of their backstory instead of the brief glimpses. I also did find at times that Ellie’s torn feelings of trying to maintain a normal teen life was a bit frustrating, not because she has to, but she seems to dismiss and ignore the danger she was in. She definitely seem to verge on too stupid to live moments once or twice.
I also found that her father’s anger and growing outbursts throughout the book hints at something more but I wished this was explained more because it was too vague and the subplot was ignored later in the second half of the book, when Ellie and Will go off on a trip to stop the reapers gaining advantage.
The romance, however was a highlight of the book. It never overpowers the book and like Ellie’s regaining her knowledge and memories of her past, the love story compliments the action and adds to the emotional growth. I do have to say the twist at the end of the book especially the repercussion it has to Will and Ellie’s future relationship was great! And I did not expect to see that.
Angelfire is a great start to a series. It has a lot of potential that focuses a lot more on adventure and action instead of a angsty romance, although it does provide a great love story. I know there is a slew of books right now that feature angels and demons but if you fancy something that is more action packed with a capable and likable heroine then Angelfire is definitely one I would recommend. ( )

What can I say about Angelfire that isn’t going to sound like I am just garbling out a litany of adjectives!? If you follow my Twitter account you may know that this first half of February has been a funk of reading for me but Angelfire has been the one book I keep going back to and the only book I have finished this month so far. That in itself should say a lot.

As someone who is not religious in nature I immensely enjoyed the way Moulton employed not only Christian Bible religion but other Eastern traditions as well. I enjoyed her mythology and I thought it was very well done. I have read most of the Angel Lit (as I have dubbed it) out there and I truly only feel comfortable recommending this book and one other (Unearthly) as those you should read. This book is begging to be read!

Some of the mythology:

“Do you mean that real angels exist? The Fallen are demons, aren’t they? Does that mean that God exists? Satan too?”
He took a breath. “Yes. Lucifer rebelled against God and lost the First War, as you have probably learned at some point in your life. God banished Lucifer from Heaven, and he fell into Hell, but his war fell to Earth. The angels who joined Lucifer’s cause fell with him and became demons – the Fallen. Two of the Fallen bore horrible children, whose decedents are the creatures we know today as the demonic reapers. In desperation for more soldiers to fuel his army of the damned, Lucifer uses the reapers to collect human souls.” Pg 123 ARC

Moulton writes action scenes that are big screen worthy. The characters are well fleshed out and fabulous. Ellie is reluctant but not whiny. I had no problems with the writing, and generally nothing to to complain about at all, except maybe for the shady way her father acts but my instincts tell me that is going to play a part in books to come.

Ellie has a fantastic Mom which is something I love seeing in YA fiction, while her Dad leaves a lot to be desired, like I said I think this is going to play a part later to come. Will is a fantastic love interest but we meet a dashing young man closer to the end of the novel and I find myself wondering a lot about him.

I give it a 4.5 out of 5 only because the fantastic action scenes felt a bit repetitive at times and amnesia is a personal problem for me I want my characters all knowing and even though Moulton does a fantastic job with Ellie not remembering everything and it didn’t annoy me in the slightest, I had I’m on a boat syndrome.

Ragnuk at times seemed that he was going to utter Wizard of Oz lines his evilness was tinge over the top but I am telling you people. That is what makes Ragnuk so bad-ass. You really must read Angelfire. ( )

Recommended

Angelfire is the first book in the Angelfire trilogy. The main character, Ellie, is portrayed as a normal teenage girl, with average grades and a group of close friends. Soon, she meets Will who she feels that she has known for a very long time. As the story unfolds, Ellie’s powers begin to get stronger. The reader finds out that Will is Ellie’s guardian angel and that Ellie has been reincarnated in many bodies since ancient times. Ellie and Will are very close and hints of romance are sprinkled throughout the story. They have to fight evil in order to prevent Satan from building up an army to destroy humanity. Characters such as the Vir, Enshi, Ragnuk, Lucien and Bastien are part of Satan’s plan to bring human souls into the Grim.

Ellie has been indestructible throughout time and as she grows older she begins to remember snippets of her previous life. However, Satan is getting stronger and if the Enshi are released, Ellie may be destroyed and her soul will forever be lost. One part of Ellie are her action packed adventures, and the other side of Ellie is the struggle to remain normal and hang out with her friends. There is a lot to keep track of in this first book. Many characters are introduced, with several story lines going on. There are a lot of biblical references like the archangels Gabriel and Michael, the Nephilim who were on earth but were wiped out of existence by God (when Noah built his ark). For the reader that can keep up, the plotline is rather exciting. The reader is hoping for a romantic connection between Ellie and Will. As they get to know each other better, some complications arise and the reader has to wait for the next book to see what happens.

This is a Michigan author, so it was exciting that the story was set in Bloomfield Hills. The girls drove to Detroit, Pontiac, West Bloomfield and Commerce Township. I think that local connection will appeal to readers at our Bloomfield Hills school ☺ Even better, they go shopping at Somerset! I think this book will appeal to girls who enjoy other paranormal novels. There are references to drinking, sex and some profanity. But nothing really inappropriate for maybe 7th (?) – 12th grade. I would promote this with a Michigan authors display, a paranormal display. The references to angels and the bible are well researched and seem accurate. There were some reader reviews that were not very positive because of the writing. This is the authors first book, and most people would read this for entertainment value (not literary value). But I found it to be very readable. The action was gripping and the romantic element made it exciting. So overall, I enjoyed it and I would recommend it to public and school libraries as additional purchases. ( )

My fingers squeezed the cool, familiar helves as the scents of silver and old blood flooded my heightened senses.The swords felt right in my grasp, like hugging an old friend.The monster began to circle me, growling low and releasing an unearthly hiss. Its eyes were bottomless pits of blackness set deep into its deformed, terrible skull. I stared right back into those eyes without fear or hesitation.I moved with the creature so that it was never at my back, and in a voice that did not seem my own I challenged the beast: “Come for me.”


Plagued with nightmares of monsters and death, Ellie finds herself face to face with Will, who claims that he has been her Guardian for five-hundred years and that she is the Preliator, the only one keeping the balance in favor of good and away from the evil determined to bring on the next Apocalypse. Together they must stop the reapers before they find the key to destroying Eliie, forever.



I am on the fence about this book, I am unable to decide if liked or disliked it. This series has the potential to be really intriguing, and it is nice to see more female leads that are strong. Ellie is still growing as a character, so she has not completely reached her strength yet and I look forward to seeing how she develops. Will, her guardian and love interest, sometimes put me in the mind of Edward from the Twilight series. I also thought that some of the male characters are just creepy. The most compelling thing about this book was the action scenes, and the creativity that Moulton put into creating such kick-ass sequences was incredible. I could have done without a few things, such as Will repeatedly saying, "I'm your Guardian" and such. However, overall this book would appeal more to the teen audience.





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What a good read! I truly enjoyed 'Angelfire' by Courtney Allison Moulton! This book is a good example of how to write great YA fiction. You read the description and think, "well, that sounds like every other book on the market". But the thing is-- this is a step above most YA supernatural romance! What makes 'Angelfire' so good? So many things!


Let's start with the characters, shall we? If I had to compare main character Ellie to another fictional character, it would be Buffy Summers from Buffy: The Vampire Slayer. Ellie's witty disposition and overall girl power are a big reason that this book is a step above the rest. Ellie has the power to take care of herself and while it takes her time to figure that out, once she does, she is not someone you'd want to mess with! Ellie isn't an infallible character-- she makes some mistakes and has to learn about them, while dealing with an unstable family and changing feelings towards her guardian, Will.


Speaking of Will, I really adore him. There is a fine line between male characters that come off as, well, a bit girly, for lack of a better term, and male characters that hold their own. Will holds his own in this novel much like Archer does in the 'Hex Hall' series. And even more important to his character, I think, is that there are clearly different angles to his characterization. He is fleshed out really.


Something all great YA novels have are really good secondary characters and I think 'Angelfire' delivers this really well. Nathaniel and Caden, for example, are some interesting characters. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them! And Ellie's best friend, Kate? She's not as annoying as most YA novels 'best friend' characters.


When it comes to action, this story has it. It's packed full of fighting. Actually, this book reads a lot like an episode of Buffy or Supernatural. Courtney Allison Moulton mixes the different elements of 'Angelfire' very well. There isn't too much of anything. Just as in the story of 'The Three Bears', everything from the action, to the romance, to the quirky dialogue, to the revelations are done just right.


The only thing that I wonder about? Why, oh, why did it take so long to introduce Caden? He seems like he'll be an important player in the series, but he's not introduced until the last third of the novel and even then you really don't know who he is. I'm hoping he's a key player in the next book!


Quite honestly, I think you should read this book. It's such a fun good vs. evil supernatural adventure. It gets 4 out of 5 stars!

More reviews on my blog: http://brookesboxofbooks.blogspot.com ( )

She is the only one who can kill the forces of evil. With the help of her guardian, she, a teenage girl with amazing strength, will protect humans from Hell's efforts on earth. Her name is Buffy. Oh wait, no, it's not. Ellie, her name is Ellie. The vampire slayer. Wait, wrong again. She is the Preliator and slays reapers. Whatever, same difference.

There is no way this book would exist without Buffy; even I (who does not gamble ever) would pretty much be willing to lay down money that Moulton was a fan of the show. The main difference between the two stories is that Ellie reincarnates, rather than the powers being reborn in different girls. Also, her guardian is young-looking and hot. And her friends do not help her in her battle or know anything about it.

On the other hand, Ellie, like Buffy, dates the 'good' version of the creatures she kills. Without any other really important character, the book feels like what Buffy would be with just Buffy, Angel and the "I love you, but we can't be together" thing. Oy. Ellie also seems to experience a ridiculous amount of trouble in her battles before winning no matter the difficulty of the enemy being fought (which always seemed to be the case on Buffy too). Gotta keep the battles interesting right? Only, it's not so cool when the supposedly bad ass heroine drops her sword in EVERY SINGLE FIGHT.

I also had trouble taking a heroine seriously when she chooses to dress like a skanky nurse for Halloween. She's really one of those girls? You want to dress slutty on Halloween, fine, but at least use some creativity! Don't just buy a package from a costume labeled sexy nurse, cop, devil, witch, etc. Ellie also will delay practice for battle to put makeup on. A girl like this just is not going to survive very long in this gig. Additionally in the not a smart fighter category is that she continually talks her guardian into not standing watch. Bad plan. In the real world, this would backfire so hard.

While somewhat entertaining, Angelfire does not stand out for me. Buffy fans will find it a weak copy and lament the loss of the excellent ensemble cast which made Buffy so fabulous. Nevertheless, expect this to be pretty popular with teens. ( )

When I originally heard of this book, I had saw a fan's rendition of the way they thought Will would look. I was immediately drawn to his green illuminated eyes and before reading anything else I decided I HAD to read this book because I wanted to know who this character was. And low and behold, I wasn't disappointed. All the characters in this book were easy to connect with and made me keep wanting to know about everything they were doing.
Overall, this was a great debut from Moulton. She has a great writing style that allowed for easy reading and a clear understanding of all the information in the story. Her writing also allows for the easy connection to all the characters.
I also enjoyed the fact that the stereotypical things you see in YA books were nonexistent. There was no love triangle (she handled Landon the RIGHT way) and there was no "insta-love." It took awhile before Will and Ellie kissed. The only thing that was close to the YA stereotype was the forbidden love, but the fact that Will actually was willing to take heed on it and didn't just say "Oh forget it," like in many of the others, it made me happy. Another thing I loved about her writing was the fact that it was action packed. I was hooked to the book because of the non-stop action throughout the story. I mean there was a reaper fight in almost every scene. (The boat scene and her birthday party scene.......OMG I was wide eyed the entire time!)
The only thing I did not like about the book, was the fact that Ellie seemed sooooo naiive. All these things were happening to her yet she still couldn't believe what she was. And then all these things were happening to her yet she still wasn't trying her hardest to fight. She was relying on memories to help guide her to fight. I would've been trying to practice alllllll the time. Especially if I had things like reapers big as minivans coming after me. I just found it awkward that she didn't care as much.
But overall, this book was amazing. Now I'm on the hunt to find the next book in the series, "Wings of the Wicked," because my library doesn't have it. I recommend this to anyone that may have a love for angel books but cannot find a good one. ( )

Ellie has nightmares of fighting strange creatures. As it turns out Ellie is a reincarnated soul that battles demons. When she dies in one life she is reborn in new one. She is allowed to come to the age of 17 where she should “reawaken” and remember her purpose as well as her previous lives.

Ellie was away longer than usual before being born. She also isn’t reawakening. Her “guardian angel” Will, is able to “wake her up”, but her memory of previous lives is very slow to return…as are her demon hunting killing skills. Ellie is also fighting her purpose…after so many human lives she is reticent to give up her humanity to fight demons full time. Then, there are the feelings she is developing for Will. UGH! Why does life have to be so hard?

I’ve had this book since it came out and for the life of me I can’t figure out what took me so long to read it! It’s one of those “sit down and hold on” roller coaster rides that I read in one glorious sitting. Lots of action (demon killing), lots of unrequited love, and lots of new angel mythology.

I loved the idea of Ellie being reincarnated and allowed to come of age before her past was reawakened in her. What a neat concept. It reminded me of “Incarnate” by Jodi Meadows, except that Jodi’s characters remembered their previous lives from birth. I also can appreciate a strong female lead character, even though Ellie is so torn between her human side and her “purpose”. I think she tries to do a good job of balancing, even though some people around her think her human side is a weakness.

Then there is Will and his being bound to protect and serve Ellie even when he totally disagrees with her choices. He manages to compromise and create balance as well. And it’s that balance that allows them to work so well together. But then after working together for like 600 years, I would think they would have the whole thing down pat.

I look forward to see where Moulton goes with the next installment. Still lots of questions about why Ellie took so long to reincarnate and she still isn’t remembering everything. Also…what do the demons have planned and what the hell is up with Ellie’s Dad?!?!? ( )

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton is an incredible debut novel that sets up what is sure to be an exciting series. Ellie, our heroine, is a well-adjusted, financially well-off teenager... or so she thinks. Once her power is awakened, strange things begin happening to Ellie, and poor Marshmallow (her car) always seems to catch the crap end of her battles with the reapers. Her mother is incredibly supportive and very rational. She's the kind of mother that every teenager wants, but no teenager has. Her father, however, is a nightmare.

Ellie's friends are believable and funny, and even though they have no idea what is going on with her, they still try to be supportive. Kate and Ellie's friendship is displayed wonderfully throughout the novel, but even though Kate has been Ellie's best friend since Ellie was born, Will is the only person who really knows her. Will is her protector, and he has been with her for thousands of years. He knows Ellie better than she knows herself, and because of him, she is able to continue her fight to protect humanity.

Angelfire is one of those novels that I lost myself in. I could not put it down either time that I read it. Ellie grows as a character, and by the end of the book, I felt that she was actually comfortable in her own skin. Her relationships with her friends, family, and Will also change over the course of the story, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with them next. While the novel ends nicely, and there are no obvious cliffhangers, there are still some questions left unanswered. Throughout the whole book, there were hints that something is amiss with Ellie's father, but that question wasn't answered in Angelfire. I hope that it's answered in Wings of the Wicked, which is due out on January 31, 2012. ( )