Book Review: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Rating: 

Genre: Young Adult > Supernatural > Angels

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

*****

Sweet angel theme reminds me of A Need So Beautiful.
Evil sexy theme reminds me of Obsidian.

Yesterday, I was having a major (bad) field day and i needed some distraction. I scanned my Kindle contents and found Sweet Evil. I only meant to read a chapter or two, just to have a feel if it is as intriguing as its blurb. what do you know… i finished reading Sweet Evil 10 minutes before midnight. Wow! a good distraction indeed.

Guardian angels versus demons. battling it out through whispers. whispers to humans. whether they would succumb to the tempting ideas planted by the demon whisperers. or listen to their guardian angels. i like this theme very much.

I was surprised with Sweet Evil. there’s bits and pieces there that showed Ana’s compassion to the poor, Ana reprimanding Kaidan for easily passing judgement to other people, Ana reluctantly telling the truth when lies will hurt less.

Ana is a good girl, yes. But that doesn’t mean she wasn’t tempted to try bad stuff. The pull was strong for drugs and alcohol. Add to that a literal man-sl*t called Kaidan. Kaidan is not as bad as his character suggested (I’d still go for Wesley Rush of The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend for a hot body and sexy mouth), but Kai has his devious, seductive moments.

I will not go in character detail since i’m just vying for an escape on reading. Jay‘s okay (just a little weird). Ana’s demon father was the bomb! So cool, so bad-ass. Also, as long as first impressions go, Kope is a step higher than Kaidan.

I didn’t like that Ana responds to Kope that she did with Kaidan, though. I mean yeah, i see a love triangle brewing, but it felt like Ana gets flattered by any guy who shows interest in her. I thought you’re into Kaidan? So why the face flush with Kope? *indignant*

But those swoon moments and hot scenes between Ana and Kaidan… *fans myself* Ahem! i think there was three major ones. Of course i counted. Duh. i haven’t read any sexy books in a while. I haven’t read any sexy books with solid and good content in a while.

Sweet Evil is an easy and entertaining read. Luscious and smoldering, it is the perfect distraction I craved for.

Book Review: A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley

Rating:

Genre: Young Adult > Contemporary | Realistic Fiction

A summer of friendship, romance, and songs in major chords… 

CHARLIE DUSKIN loves music, and she knows she’s good at it. But she only sings when she’s alone, on the moonlit porch or in the back room at Old Gus’s Secondhand Record and CD Store. Charlie’s mom and grandmother have both died, and this summer she’s visiting her grandpa in the country, surrounded by ghosts and grieving family, and serving burgers to the local kids at the milk bar. She’s got her iPod, her guitar, and all her recording equipment, but she wants more: A friend. A dad who notices her. The chance to show Dave Robbie that she’s not entirely unspectacular.

ROSE BUTLER lives next door to Charlie’s grandfather and spends her days watching cars pass on the freeway and hanging out with her troublemaker boyfriend. She loves Luke but can’t wait to leave their small country town. And she’s figured out a way: she’s won a scholarship to a science school in the city, and now she has to convince her parents to let her go. This is where Charlie comes in. Charlie, who lives in the city, and whom Rose has ignored for years. Charlie, who just might be Rose’s ticket out.

Literary Awards: YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (2011)

*****

First, there’s Graffiti Moon (which i loved). Then there’s A Little Wanting Song. What is it with Crowley’s writing? It is so darn good! Reading her work is like a caress to my eyes. Inviting. Enticing. Soul-baring.

“It’s a different kind of missing. You’re trying to remember, and he’s trying to forget.”

Charlie‘s dad is so far away from her (emotionally speaking) because of grief. Charlie’s mom died years ago, and her dad still mourns on his own, neglecting Charlie. What’s she to do, besides not standing up for herself against the Louises of the world? write songs. play guitars. steal cigarettes out of her Grandpa’s store in little hopes that her dad will notice her. pine over Dave Robbie.

“I looked up from that other place and saw Dave staring through the glass. I thought: That guy is a little gratitude, world peace, a new acoustic guitar, a bass guitar and hands that play like Flea, and the single “Break Your Heart” all at once. He smiled and waved. I’m sick of staring at what I want, I thought. I’d do anything to hold it in my hands.”

Rose wants to get away from her town, to banish the possibility that she’ll end up like her mom. mother at a young age who chose to stay and live a simple life as a caravan manager. She wants to experience the world with her intelligent eyes. She doesn’t want an overbearing mother who keeps her from going into the city. She doesn’t want to do it with Luke and get pregnant at the backseat of a car. She just wants out. Charlie’s her only hope.

Despite the striking differences in their personalities, i both liked their POVs. Charlie’s more on sarcasm. Rose’s more on angst. Similar strengths but different approaches. separate lives but same sufferings. I just love how their POVs collided and softly blended into this one beautiful story. I found hope, warmth, forgiveness all throughout the book. such wonderful feelings!

I have a soft spot for Charlie’s dad and her Grandpa. Both are trying to live and move on even without their better halves.

A Little Wanting Song is a sweet, aching read. Two girls on the cusp of realizing their dreams found friendship in the unlikeliest people and drew unexpected strength… from themselves.