Title: World After
Author: Susan Ee
Series: Penryn and the End of Days, book #2
Publisher: Skyscape/Amazon Children's Publishing
Publication Date: November 19, 2013
Source: ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon |
Barnes & Noble
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?
"Everyone thinks I'm dead."
And so begins the sequel to one of the best angel books I've ever read. I knew
World After would be good. I mean, how could the follow-up to
Angelfall be anything
but good? This sequel has been a long time coming, though some have been waiting longer than others. (I only discovered
Angelfall last year, but it quickly became a favorite.) To put all of your dear minds at rest, I'll just say that this book was
well worth the wait.
Penryn
"My dad once told me life would get complicated when I grew up. I'm guessing this isn't what he meant. My mom, on the other hand, agreed with him, and I'm guessing this kind of thing is exactly what she meant."
I am ridiculously happy that after everything Penryn Young has suffered, she came through it all with her snark intact. I probably flagged a hundred passages in my ARC, including those highlighting her quick wit, her sharp-tounged quips, and her banter with Raffe. But I also loved her inner monologues, where she pondered how best to escape an inescapable situation, how to protect her family, and what to make of her feelings for Raffe.
I voted Penryn to the top of my "favorite heroines ever" list the very first time I read
Angelfall, but I've come to appreciate her character even more with this sequel. Not only is she a skilled fighter who would do anything and risk anything to keep her family safe, but she's also very smart and calculating, and she has a remarkable talent for keeping cool in situations that would find anyone else running for the hills with their tail between their legs. Penryn is the epitome of what I want in a protagonist because even though she is all these things, she is still just a girl, emotional and vulnerable and just trying to make it to the next day.
The Sword
"I've mentioned that names have power, right? Do you realize that when she fights battles, she's going to have to announce herself to the opposing sword? She'll be forced to say something ridiculous like, 'I am Pooky Bear, from an ancient line of archangel swords.' Or, 'Bow down to me, Pooky Bear, who has only two other equals in all the worlds.'" He shakes his head. "How is she going to get any respect?"
Yes, the Sword of Light gets its own section in my review because it is
that badass. This thing is sentient, can tell who's got a hold of it and what their intentions are, and it. Is. Badass. Okay, I said that already, but I just need to convey
how awesome this sword is. And Penryn has to hide her.
The disguise Penryn comes up with is, well, degrading and demoralizing to the sword and anyone who knows exactly what it is. As is the name Penryn accidentally gives it. Those were some of my favorite parts in the story because not only did they show how connected to the sword Penryn already was, they also added some much-needed levity to an otherwise disheartening story.
Raffe
"Something catches his eye and he walks to the window. A formation of angels flies past the moon. He leans toward the glass, almost pressing his face to it as he looks up at the angels. Every line of him tells me he longs to fly with them."
Raffe is, for better or worse, absent from a good chunk of the book. BUT, through the sentient power of that awesome, badass sword, we get glimpses of him in the past, sort of like his perspective through the sword's eyes. So, even though he's not
there, he's still with us. I think it's because of this -- and her fear for her family -- that Penryn is able to continue, to keep going when it all seems pointless.
"Raffe looks over at the bloody knife in my hand. "If I still had any doubts that it was you, that would do it." He gestures toward my opponent rolling on the ground with his hands cradling his package."
When Raffe does resurface, he is every bit the Raffe we met before. He still wants his wings back, and now he's fighting with a rage that only comes from grief. He believed Penryn to be dead, and so he undertook his previous mission with single-minded intensity. Raffe can be hard and cruel and unforgiving, but he is not wholly unfeeling. In fact, I believe there's more emotion locked up in his angel heart than we're ready to see yet, which is why we've only been given glimpses so far.
The Romance
"The candlelight flickers a soft glow along his jawline, along his lips. "I hated losing her." His voice is a low growl. "I hadn't realized just how attached I'd gotten." He reaches and moves a strand of wet hair out of my face. "How dangerously addictive she could be."
Le sigh. I'll tell you what's addictive: everything about Raffe. Between his quips about Penryn being a lowly human to the condescending way he berates her every action, you'd think he can't stand her. But quite to the contrary, this is a defense mechanism. Push her away so that he's not tempted to make the same mistakes his Watchers did. I get it. And it's kind of hot to watch the tension between these two, even knowing it won't amount to anything...yet. That's the thing...all those long looks and all of that banter, they're leading up to something big. I can feel it. Raffe can feel it. Even Penryn, who thinks Raffe has no feelings for her, feels it...she just doesn't quite grasp what it means yet. The sword helps her along that path, though. ;0)
Penryn's Family
"He sighs. "I miss the days when females could be ordered around and they'd have no choice."
"Sure that wasn't just a myth? I'm pretty sure nobody ever ordered my mom around -- ever."
"You're probably right. The unruliness of the women in your family must go back for generations. You're like a plague upon the land."
For those of you wondering, yes, Penryn's mother is
just as crazy, dare I say EVEN crazier than she was in the first book. That woman gives
new meaning to the word crazy. And yet, this series just would not be the same without her. Far from being a detriment to all of Penryn's well-laid plans, she actually makes things easier for Penryn...more often than not, anyway. Her antics tend to keep everyone occupied while Penryn does all the heavy lifting.
Paige is more feared than even their mother now, though, and so Penryn spends a good chunk of time battling her feelings toward her sister and also clashing with others, all in an effort to keep little Paige safe. But the changes inflicted on Paige in the first book have left her stronger and more capable, and it's time Penryn gave her the benefit of the doubt.
Everything else in this novel is just icing on the cake. Beliel, Obi, and Dee Dum are all present and accounted for, and causing the kind of trouble you'd expect from all of them. Penryn gets herself into a jam a time or two...or ten. Plans are being cemented for the evil angels to fully possess our world and everything it has to offer. And all the while I'm screaming at Raffe to give us some hope.
If you enjoyed
Angelfall, I have no doubt you'll love this sequel equally as much. The writing, the characters, the world...everything you fell in love with in the first book is present and accounted for, only it plucks an even more emotional response from the reader this time around because you already know and love these characters. You've seen what they've survived, what they're willing to do for each other, and you just want them to be okay in the end. And you also know that it's going to be a long, long wait for the next book.
Bring on the
Angelfall movie already!!!
*
All quotes were taken from an ARC and are subject to change.

About the author:

Susan Ee has eaten mezze in the old city of Jerusalem, surfed the warm waters of Costa Rica, and played her short film at a major festival. She has a life-long love of science fiction, fantasy and horror, especially if there's a touch of romance. She used to be a lawyer but loves being a writer because it allows her souped-up imagination to bust out and go feral.
Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, Book 1) is her debut novel.
Find Susan:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Monday, May 4, 2015
Review: End of Days by Susan Ee
Author: Susan Ee
Series: Penryn & the End of Days, book #3
Publisher: Skyscape
Publication Date: May 12, 2015
Source: ARC and FC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Penryn and the End of Days is by far one of my favorite series, and I am so glad that it ended on such a spectacular note. My expectations for this series finale were high, and not only were they met, but the author far exceeded what I had hoped for in this final installment. I loved this book -- and series! -- so much that I already pre-ordered the audio of End of Days so that I can listen to all three books back-to-back.
Everything that I loved about the previous books is still intact, but Susan Ee has done us a solid and kicked it all up a notch. Penryn is still her fabulous, angel-killer self, still coming to terms with her sister's situation and her mother's delusions and everything else the angels have unleashed upon the world. But she never turns her back on humanity, even though she's fallen for an angel of the highest order. Even though some humans are responsible for her sister's plight. Penryn has always made the hard choices, and they don't get any easier for her when the end of days arrives.
Truths about the angels' plans here on Earth finally come to light, and Raffe finds himself with some difficult decisions, as well. Don't expect him to take it easy on Penryn, though. The banter and tough love are still very much a part of this story. Both characters have shown tremendous growth, over the course of the series but most especially in this book: Penryn as a leader of her people and Raffe as a more forgiving hero.
There is so much working against them in this story that I was concerned I might not get the ending I was hoping for, at least where these two are concerned. But there are more tender scenes than I expected. Stolen kisses. Moments fraught with sexual tension. Steaminess that's unrivaled up to this point in the series, even if it left one or more parties feeling guilty, unsure, and completely angst-ridden. Not only do Penryn and Raffe have to come to terms with their feelings for each other, but they have to do it in a world where nothing is certain and there is little to no chance that their pairing will be accepted...by humans or by angels.
Getting the romance right, and having it come to fruition in just the right way, was key for this final book...at least for me. But I had faith that the author would do it justice, and she so did. She always manages to surprise me with her unusual plot lines, like that near-sentient sword and the humans-turned-locusts. So, it really shouldn't have caught me off guard that she coerced me into actually feeling sympathy toward one of the more vile characters in this series. More than sympathy, actually, but you'll see. And the method in which she makes this happens..it was incredibly unique, even for a fantasy novel.
Humans and angels battle it out in this finale -- and that is one epic last stand, let me tell you -- and I couldn't be more ecstatic about the outcome if I were to discover that Susan Ee still planned to write more in the series. I would be over the moon with that announcement, but alas, it is not to be. So I guess it's a good thing that End of Days was more than a satisfying conclusion to the series. If you haven't started this series yet, you absolutely must. And if you're already a fan, I don't think you'll be disappointed by this final book...it's everything we've been waiting for and more.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Waiting on Wednesday: Immaculate & End of Days
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selections are...
's Pick:
Author: Katelyn Detweirler
Series: n/a
Publisher: Viking Childrens
Publication Date: May 26th, 2015
I am fascinated by the description of this book, and I'm not sure why. Everything about that last sentence screams that it will be preachy. I don't do preachy. Religion is not a part of my life. I do not believe in God. However, I do not believe in Vampires either, butI like books about them! From what I've seen through goodread status's, readers believe Immaculate will be a retelling of The Virgin Mary. I'm completely cool with that, as long as it doesn't turn into a sermon. Crossing my fingers, because otherwise, this one sounds pretty good. :)
's Pick:
Author: Susan Ee
Series: Penryn and the End of Days, book #3
Publisher: Skyscape
Publication Date: May 12, 2015
Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh! I can't believe it's almost here! And that it's the end! What will I do with myself when this series is over?!? It's the best, most kickass angel series EVAR!!!! BUT, I heard that she's working on something new! Eeeek!!! I can only imagine how kickass it will be after this series! =D
What are you desperately waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comments or share a link to your own WoW post!
Friday, November 8, 2013
Giveaway: World After by Susan Ee
Author: Susan Ee
Series: Penryn and the End of Days, book #2
Publisher: Skyscape/Amazon Children's Publishing
Publication Date: November 19, 2013
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck & happy reading!
Friday, November 1, 2013
Review: World After by Susan Ee
Author: Susan Ee
Series: Penryn and the End of Days, book #2
Publisher: Skyscape/Amazon Children's Publishing
Publication Date: November 19, 2013
Source: ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
And so begins the sequel to one of the best angel books I've ever read. I knew World After would be good. I mean, how could the follow-up to Angelfall be anything but good? This sequel has been a long time coming, though some have been waiting longer than others. (I only discovered Angelfall last year, but it quickly became a favorite.) To put all of your dear minds at rest, I'll just say that this book was well worth the wait.
Penryn
I am ridiculously happy that after everything Penryn Young has suffered, she came through it all with her snark intact. I probably flagged a hundred passages in my ARC, including those highlighting her quick wit, her sharp-tounged quips, and her banter with Raffe. But I also loved her inner monologues, where she pondered how best to escape an inescapable situation, how to protect her family, and what to make of her feelings for Raffe.
I voted Penryn to the top of my "favorite heroines ever" list the very first time I read Angelfall, but I've come to appreciate her character even more with this sequel. Not only is she a skilled fighter who would do anything and risk anything to keep her family safe, but she's also very smart and calculating, and she has a remarkable talent for keeping cool in situations that would find anyone else running for the hills with their tail between their legs. Penryn is the epitome of what I want in a protagonist because even though she is all these things, she is still just a girl, emotional and vulnerable and just trying to make it to the next day.
The Sword
Yes, the Sword of Light gets its own section in my review because it is that badass. This thing is sentient, can tell who's got a hold of it and what their intentions are, and it. Is. Badass. Okay, I said that already, but I just need to convey how awesome this sword is. And Penryn has to hide her.
The disguise Penryn comes up with is, well, degrading and demoralizing to the sword and anyone who knows exactly what it is. As is the name Penryn accidentally gives it. Those were some of my favorite parts in the story because not only did they show how connected to the sword Penryn already was, they also added some much-needed levity to an otherwise disheartening story.
Raffe
Raffe is, for better or worse, absent from a good chunk of the book. BUT, through the sentient power of that awesome, badass sword, we get glimpses of him in the past, sort of like his perspective through the sword's eyes. So, even though he's not there, he's still with us. I think it's because of this -- and her fear for her family -- that Penryn is able to continue, to keep going when it all seems pointless.
When Raffe does resurface, he is every bit the Raffe we met before. He still wants his wings back, and now he's fighting with a rage that only comes from grief. He believed Penryn to be dead, and so he undertook his previous mission with single-minded intensity. Raffe can be hard and cruel and unforgiving, but he is not wholly unfeeling. In fact, I believe there's more emotion locked up in his angel heart than we're ready to see yet, which is why we've only been given glimpses so far.
The Romance
Le sigh. I'll tell you what's addictive: everything about Raffe. Between his quips about Penryn being a lowly human to the condescending way he berates her every action, you'd think he can't stand her. But quite to the contrary, this is a defense mechanism. Push her away so that he's not tempted to make the same mistakes his Watchers did. I get it. And it's kind of hot to watch the tension between these two, even knowing it won't amount to anything...yet. That's the thing...all those long looks and all of that banter, they're leading up to something big. I can feel it. Raffe can feel it. Even Penryn, who thinks Raffe has no feelings for her, feels it...she just doesn't quite grasp what it means yet. The sword helps her along that path, though. ;0)
Penryn's Family
For those of you wondering, yes, Penryn's mother is
just as crazy,dare I say EVEN crazier than she was in the first book. That woman gives new meaning to the word crazy. And yet, this series just would not be the same without her. Far from being a detriment to all of Penryn's well-laid plans, she actually makes things easier for Penryn...more often than not, anyway. Her antics tend to keep everyone occupied while Penryn does all the heavy lifting.Paige is more feared than even their mother now, though, and so Penryn spends a good chunk of time battling her feelings toward her sister and also clashing with others, all in an effort to keep little Paige safe. But the changes inflicted on Paige in the first book have left her stronger and more capable, and it's time Penryn gave her the benefit of the doubt.
Everything else in this novel is just icing on the cake. Beliel, Obi, and Dee Dum are all present and accounted for, and causing the kind of trouble you'd expect from all of them. Penryn gets herself into a jam a time or two...or ten. Plans are being cemented for the evil angels to fully possess our world and everything it has to offer. And all the while I'm screaming at Raffe to give us some hope.
If you enjoyed Angelfall, I have no doubt you'll love this sequel equally as much. The writing, the characters, the world...everything you fell in love with in the first book is present and accounted for, only it plucks an even more emotional response from the reader this time around because you already know and love these characters. You've seen what they've survived, what they're willing to do for each other, and you just want them to be okay in the end. And you also know that it's going to be a long, long wait for the next book.
Bring on the Angelfall movie already!!!
*All quotes were taken from an ARC and are subject to change.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Waiting on Wednesday: World After by Susan Ee
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
Author: Susan Ee
Series: Penryn & the End of Days, book #2
Publisher: Skyscape/Amazon Children's Publishing
Publication Date: November 19, 2013
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?
Ermahgerd...it feels like I've been waiting for this sequel for ages! And I didn't even read Angelfall when it first came out. But I have read it at least five times now -- it's seriously that good -- and now I'm ready to see what becomes of Penryn, Raffe, and poor little Paige. Especially after that excerpt that was just posted with the cover reveal! Speaking of which, you like? I really, really do. =)
Friday, January 11, 2013
{Audiobook} Review: Angelfall by Susan Ee
Author: Susan Ee
Narrator: Caitlin Davies
Series: Penryn & the End of Days, book #1
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.
Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.
Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels’ stronghold in San Francisco where she’ll risk everything to rescue her sister and he’ll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.
I need a time machine so I can travel to the future and read all of the books in this series right now. Trouble is, the author isn't even sure how many books there will be altogether, so I wouldn't know what year to stop in. I suppose I could just jump forward ten years...that should be enough time to release all the books, right?
But I digress.
This review actually comes after my second listening of Angelfall. I previously listened to the audiobook over the summer, and I was so bummed that it was over that I immediately started a new book and didn't look back. Which means I also didn't review it the first time around, even though my thoughts kept returning to the world of Angelfall. I don't know how some of you have been waiting, what, nearly two years now for the sequel? Since commencing my re-listen, I've also taken to stalking the author's online presence again for any word on the next book. A novel this good demands a follow-up. Stat.
I'll be honest. I kept hearing about this book, and I read several fantastic reviews around the internets, but I wouldn't allow myself to be swayed. Indie novels are so hit or miss for me, and despite the relative affordability of this novel, my time is still valuable. No one, myself included, wants to read a book and end up hating it. There are so many books to spend time with, and my shelf hasn't been lacking in unread books for awhile now. And yet I kept finding myself drawn to this one. I finally purchased it for my Nook at a whopping $0.99...and there it sat unread for months.
Then Audible listed the audiobook for a mere $7.99. I could listen to it without feeling like I was wasting my precious time, for the price of a paperback. And I'd finally know what everyone was talking about. Oh, and they were soooo right. I should've read this book sooner. I shouldn't have been so skeptical. I should've trusted that my friends wouldn't lead me astray.
Angelfall is not your typical angel book. It's not even your typical post-apocalyptic fare. No, when these forces combine, you're left with a story about angels as the harbingers of evil, hell-bent on destroying the human race. And it is glorious...in an I-hope-this-never-happens sort of way.
Penryn Young may just have risen above the scores of protagonists vying for a spot as my favorite YA heroine ever. Because she's so unbelievably real. And normal. And feisty. She knows self-defense, so she can protect herself, but she still has this vulnerability about her that just makes you ache to give her a hug, especially knowing what all she's already been through prior to the angel apocalypse. And now the evil angels have stolen her sister away, and her mother has officially gone off the deep-end, but she perseveres and even teams up with an angel in order to find her sister and get her back.
As unlikely an ally as Raffe initially appears to be, he does come in handy. Penryn's rescue mission is never lacking in obstacles, and although Raffe is sarcastic and reluctant, his presence is necessary and encouraging. Maybe all angels aren't evil after all. And really, isn't it better to have an angel whose friends call him Wrath on your side rather than as your opponent? It probably doesn't hurt that he's gorgeous, either. I mean, his angelic beauty serves as a good distraction for Penryn so that she's not constantly dwelling on what the [evil] angels are doing to her sister. (And trust me, this is a very valid worry...those angels are not playing around.)
The characters, the story...it's all so profound. Even the more minor characters are laced with hidden depths, and as intriguing as Penryn and Raffe's stories were, I still found myself wanting to know more about Obi, DeeDum, and even the Politician. Great characters make for great storytelling, and neither department is lacking in Angelfall.
Since this is a post-apocalyptic novel, not much world-building is necessary. More like world-tearing-down. I'm sure with future novels, we'll learn the why's and how's of the angel apocalypse, but that doesn't mean I'm not curious about it now.
This novel was incredibly well-written and it kept me riveted. The narrator for the audio is so perfectly cast...she truly brings this story to life. I've never listened to another book performed by Caitlin Davies, but I have faith that if I ever do, that audiobook will also be perfection. People had to literally snap in my face to get my attention while I was listening, and though I usually try to multi-task while listening to an audiobook, I found that such a feat was nearly impossible while listening to Angelfall. This book demanded my full attention, and when I wasn't listening, it was calling to me to return to it. The darn thing simply wouldn't relent until I heeded it's siren call. And even though I've just finished listening for a second time, it's already calling to me again.
Suffice it to say, I want more. I want a time machine and/or access to Susan Ee's brain. And I want the movie to be a real thing.
Favorite Quotes:
“I'm not moping," I whisper back.
"Of course you're not. A girl like you, spending time with a warrior demigod like me. What's to mope about? Leaving a wheelchair behind couldn't possibly show up on the radar compared to that."
"You've 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.”
“My friends call me Wrath,” says Raffe. “My enemies call me Please Have Mercy. What’s your name, soldier boy?”
“Here, I’ll show you how to use it. Let me see your foot.”
“That’s a pretty intimate demand in the angel world. It usually takes dinner, some wine, and sparkling conversation for me to give up my feet.”
“What if they don’t let us go through?” I ask, trying not to move my lips.
“They will,” he answers from the dark recesses of the backseat footwell.
“How do you know?”
“Because you have the look they’re looking for.”
“What look is that?”
“Beautiful.” His voice is like a caress from the shadows.”
“Anybody that ties you to a chair at gunpoint is a bad guy. Do I really need to explain this?”
“Why were the other angels attacking you?"
"It's impolite to ask the victim of violence what they did to be attacked.”
“She? You’re not one of those people who name their cars and coffee mugs, are you? It’s an inanimate object. Get over it.”
“It is not the gentle kiss of a couple on a first date, nor is it the kiss of a man driven by simple lust. He kisses me with the desperation of a dying man who believes the magic of eternal life is in this kiss.”
Okay, okay...I went a little overboard with the quotes. Sue me. =)
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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