Series: Penryn & the End of Days (Page 1 of 2)

Synopsis:

End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy. After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

Review:

I laughed, cried, fell madly in love, become utterly terrified and was even beyond ecstatic.  I loved these characters.  I loved how the story evolved throughout the series.  BUT I hated how I was left with SO many unanswered questions.  On top of that, I hated how it ended abruptly in the middle of a scene.  Both of those aspects pained my heart.  So I found myself closing the book and just staring at the wall wandering through my thoughts.  Because one on hand, I loved everything else about this story, yet that epilogue left so much to be desired for.  Ultimately my love for Penryn, Raffe, and so many of the other characters allowed me to place this series on my favorites list, which I don’t take lightly.   But I know that years down the road I will still wish that I was given more after that breathtaking journey.

So here’s what I struggled with (a little reiterating here lol):

✮Happily For Now – While HFNs are okay, I will always prefer a HEA over them.  The end of the book stops right in the middle of a scene, so I was left wishing that there were still a few more chapters to read.

✮Too Many Unanswered Questions – This could have easily been a 5 Star book.  But that ending left so much to be desired for.  I was crushed that I had so many unanswered questions, even  questions that I’ve had since the first book.  I listed all my unanswered questions in the spoiler below.  I’m sure I’ll eventually think of more, since these are the ones that easily rolled off of the top of my head.  Btw don‘t click this spoiler if you haven’t read the final book, there are HUGE spoilers:

See, that’s a TON of unanswered questions.  That’s why I docked what should have easily been a 5 Star book.  Too much was left unanswered, or was left not mentioned.  Was it an easy way out?  I don’t know.

But here’s what I loved:

“Since when did you become so protective?”
“Since my enemies have determined that you’re my Daughter of Man.”
I swallow. My throat is dry.

✮Sexual tension – This whole trilogy was laced with sexual tension, but the of End of Days gave me exactly what I wanted!  My heart was racing and happy and you couldn’t knock the smile off of my face.  THIS was exactly what I was hoping would happen, even if some of the scenes went a little too fast……..I went back and already re-read them a few times.  They were sooooo good!

The invasion. My mom. My sister. The massacres. They all come rushing back. He’s right.
We’re at war.
On the verge of an apocalypse filled with monsters and torture in a nightmare world.
And I’m standing here, a moonstruck teenager pining for an enemy soldier. What am I, crazy?
This time, I’m the first to turn away.

✮An outstanding heroine – I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, Penryn deserves to be standing next to Raffe.  She is rational, logical, brave and fierce.  She is a force to be reckoned with and takes bad-ass to a whole new level.  I loved being in her head, she is one of my favorite Heroines ever!

He looks down at me with sincere eyes. “If I were human, I would have been the first in line for you . . .” He looks away. “But I’m not. I’m an archangel, and my people are in trouble. I have no choice but to try to set things straight. I can’t get distracted by a Daughter of Man.”
He nods a little to himself. “I can’t.”

✮A breathtaking hero – Not only was Raffe exactly what Penryn was – rational, logical, brave and fierce – but his loyalty and protection towards Penryn was utter perfection.  He made my heart soar with how he saw her and tried to protect her.  He made my heart melt as he fought back to back with Penryn and trusted her with his life.

✮Amazing supporting side characters – Whether it was her sister, mom, the twins or some other Angels that I don’t want to mention, I loved them all.  They were fleshed out and felt as real as Penryn and Raffe.  They made me laugh and cry and I became invested in each and every one of them!

“We can all go our separate ways and die alone.” My voice becomes firm, and I try to inject steel into it. “Or we can stay together and make our final stand.”

✮Heart stopping action – Battle scenes, horrific situations, insanely difficult decisions, this book was filled with moments that left me breathless and utterly captivated.

“Just this once,” he says almost more to himself than to me. “Just one moment.”
Then he leans down and kisses me.

✮An outcome that was perfection – I desperately want to talk about this BUT I can’t without giving away an enormous spoiler.  So just know that I cried, laughed and my heart soared with something that happened.

Now do you see my struggle?  Because this series and book was almost perfect, except for all of the unanswered questions and HFN ending.  I still want everyone to discover this fabulous series, but I wanted to spell out clearly what I struggled with since you may or may not also struggle in those areas too.  But regardless of whether you agree or disagree with me, just know that I will always love Penryn, Raffe and their outstanding journey!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Angelfall #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea Laura Anna	World After #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	End of Days #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

Synopsis:

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world. When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans, where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

Review:

*Spoilers for Angelfall*

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh.  World After definitely pushed me outside of my comfort zone, yet this book was beyond addicting.  Here were my favorite aspects, along with one thing I struggled with, while this story unfolded –

She glances over at me, her eyes shining in the dark. “You’re a hero, Penryn, whether you like it or not.”

✮Penryn – Penryn has become one of my favorite Heroines.  On top of being fierce, brave and kickass, she has such a huge heart.  She wants nothing more than to keep her family safe, and a few others she has come to care about along the way.  But at the base of it all, she has been realistic with her expectations.  Even when it comes to Raffe.  He has found a way into her heart, and yet in her heart she knows it can’t be.  Well, we’ll see.  You know I’m still holding out hope!

✮Pooky Bear – Penryn was left with Raffe’s sword, since it rejected him with his new wings.  And she named her Pooky Bear.  An archangel sword was given that name lol.  While I was at first devastated that Penryn and Raffe were apart, I loved that the sword showed Penryn moments from the past.  Those flashbacks were gripping and we learned so much about Raffe that he himself didn’t share with Penryn.  

October winds seep through my blouse and I can’t help looking up at the overcast sky for a particular angel with bat-shaped wings and a corny sense of humor. I swipe my foot at the overgrown grass and make myself look away.

✮Raffe – Raffe has enchanted my heart and soul.  Moments that included his ridiculous humor, his strong presence, his anger and his fierce protectiveness of Penryn brought me to my knees.  I loved every single tiny detail of him.  

So this is how it all ends.
The world destroyed, humans imprisoned, my family scattered.
The thought makes me angry. I hope the anger burns up all other feelings because it’s probably the only thing keeping me on my feet and moving right now.

✮Horror – If you know me, then you know I’m a total baby.  When I was in my teens, I adored everything Horror, now I don’t want to touch it with a ten foot pole.  Yet with Penryn and Raffe, I do.  The middle of this book pushed me way, way past what I can handle.  It made me uncomfortable and I was sickened with what unfolded.  This book even gave me nightmares.  If it was any other book, I would have walked away.  Yet, I loved this story and the characters.  I highly doubt that you’ll ever hear me reading another series that has moments of horror.  Only for Penryn and Raffe, that’s it.

Sometimes, I just have to let go and let my inner Mom out.
I slash repeatedly like a madwoman.

✮Family – With Penryn reunited with her mother and sister, I loved that we got to see their flaws and all.  Even during one of the hardest times of their lives, when they should be pulling together, we got to witness how easy it was for them to fall apart.  It felt real and honest.  And it left me rooting for them to find a way to make it work and stick together.  I’m starting to have some theories about Penryn’s mom, and I hope they pan out!

I feel sick.
Sick from fear. Sick from anger. Sick from the stupidity of what I’ve done.

✮Epic Peril – I love when books have me on the edge of my seat, with my heart racing and palms sweaty because I am equally terrified and excited for what is going to unfold.  World After has some of the most epic peril scenes.  They were emotional, memorable and I couldn’t always guess what was going to happen next.

I am just a girl. I am no match for these monsters. They may have looked weak compared to Raffe, and I may have felt like an equal in some ways during my journey with him, but after seeing what I just saw, reality sinks in.

I can’t wait to see how this trilogy ends!  I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the final book to be just as amazing as the first two books were!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Angelfall #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea Laura Anna	World After #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	End of Days #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

Synopsis:

It’s been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back. Anything, including making a deal with Raffe, an injured enemy angel. Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they journey toward the angels’ stronghold in San Francisco, where Penryn will risk everything to rescue her sister and Raffe will put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

Review:

I was addicted to Angelfall by the first page.  The story-line was vivid and always left me with that desperate feeling of having to know what was going to happen next!  The characters were full of life, even the secondary ones, and I became deeply immersed in what happened to them.  And the peril and slight moments of horror that were intricately laced throughout the story made my emotions flail into overdrive.  How could I not fall for this book?  Add in the fact that every single tiny detail in this story called for my absolute attention, especially that ending *clutches heart*, and I was a goner!

“Where are we?” Raffe asks from the shadows behind me.
“In Hell,” I say.

I loved Penryn from the moment that I met her!  She is a teenage girl who lived with her mom and sister.  In hopes of finding somewhere safer to live, they left their home at twilight since the angels wreaked havoc at night, and the gangs ruled the days.  In those first few chapters, when they’re trying to get to safety, my heart was in my throat.  And what unfolded was utter horror.  While Penryn was fierce and brave, she ended up being left with an Angel who was injured.  And he was her best bet for finding her little sister, who was taken by the other Angels.

When you’re small enough to have to look up at everyone around you, there’s no such thing as a dirty fight. That’s a new motto for me. I think I’ll keep it.

Penryn’s decision making twisted my gut at times, yet her decisions were sound and made me cheer for her.  You’ll get what I mean within those first few chapters lol.  I loved that I quickly connected to Penryn and felt every single thing she did.  Especially her fear, her bravery, and her struggle over choices she made.  She definitely soared right to the top of my list for favorite kick-butt heroines!  Which made her interactions with Raffe, the injured Angel, that much better.  He is a creature who could decimate her in a second, yet Penryn stood up to him.  What she did, to try to convince him to take her to find her sister, wow, her loyalty and bravery were amazingly impressive.

“Sometimes, as we’re stumbling along in the dark, we hit something good.”

Raffe, awwwwww *flails around*.  He would leave the craziest smiles on my face.  With his ridiculous sense of humor, his bantering and no-nonsense ways, I adored him.  But one of my favorite things about Raffe was the ability to find clues in his actions or words.  Because while he tried to come off as indifferent, I just didn’t want to buy it.  Because some of the things he did and said, while I may be reading way into them, had me jumping for joy.  I have HUGE hopes for Raffe, and what is going to unfold!

I nearly stumble over a fallen branch. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“I never kid about my warrior demigod status.”
“Oh. My. God.” I lower my voice, having forgotten to whisper. “You are nothing but a bird with an attitude.Okay, so you have a few muscles, I’ll grant you that. But you know, a bird is nothing but a barely evolved lizard. That’s what you are.”
He chuckles. “Evolution.” He leans over as if telling me a secret. “I’ll have you know that I’ve been this perfect since the beginning of time.” He is so close that his breath caresses my ear.
“Oh, please. Your giant head is getting too big for this forest. Pretty soon, you’re going to get stuck trying to walk between two trees. And then, I’ll have to rescue you.” I give him a weary look. “Again.”

If you haven’t read this series yet, it’s a must!  The story was ALL consuming!  The pace had me flipping through the pages trying to see what was going to happen next.  And I quickly connected to Penryn, fell madly in love for Raffe and loved the moments where her mom and other characters graced the pages.  I honestly loved every single thing in this book and I hope you will too!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Angelfall #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea Laura Anna	World After #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	End of Days #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea