When I saw this book available through Amazon's Vine Program, I ordered it right away because it sounded like a fantastic read. I liked the idea of "darker" fairies as described in the book's description. The human world and fairy world have been ripped asunder, with magical creatures forced underground, and in this magic dystopia a half-fairy assassin named Ayla is stalked by an angel of death? WHOA! Sounds cool! I've always kinda wondered how the mythology of angels and fairies could be tied together, and if the writer tosses in every other supernatural creature out there we're surely in for a fun time.

When I had received the book and started reading it, I ran into trouble. I just couldn't get into the story. In fact, it was so bad that I couldn't even finish the book. I feel bad about that, but after making it through 150 pages and realizing that I wasn't enjoying myself at all, I gave up.

To begin with, the writing is pretty bad. The dialogue is very stiff and unnatural, and the characters themselves are wooden and dull. Whenever I would start to feel intrigued by someone - why is Queen Mabb so afraid of Ayla? - the scene would cut to an awkward fight or one of Malachi's (the romantic lead) painful 'adjustments' in which he tries and fails to understand something in the human/fairy world. The book claims to be a 'paranormal romance' but Malachi is so stiff (hee hee!) and lacking in personality that it's an absolute mystery why anyone, let alone Ayla, would find him interesting.

The worlds that these characters run around in are never adequately described for me, although I get the impression that the Darkworld is grungy and it sucks. But I was never convinced that the world could exist as a potential 'near future' for humanity, and for me to consider a fantasy a success it has to at least leave me wondering "What if there really is a wizard world and we're all just Muggles?" (Harry Potter) or "Is there really a secret shadow world called London Below somehow tied to London's tube stations?" (Neverwhere) But the plausibility of Lightworld/Darkworld never even crossed my mind. ( )

Ayla is a half human half fairy assassin, who fails to complete her mission. Falls in love, and becomes queen of the exiled fairy kingdom. You see, this is a modern fantasy and the whole fae world has been banished from their world, and now live in catacombs beneath the modern human world. Unlike many other modern fantasy books available today, the human world is only on the edge of this story.

It's a good story, and well written. It's a quick light read which holds your interest.

I need to pick up the next two.

Faeries Stuck in the Muck ( )

This book caught me by surprise. I haven't read a lot of books with faeries and such, except Wicked Lovely, but this one was pretty damn good. It starts off with Ayla stalking her prey and then happens upon a Dark Angel. But there is something more to Ayla then meets the eye, she is a half-breed and when the Dark Angel touches her, he turned to a human.

The story follows Ayla through her trials and turmoils with the other faeries and with the fact that she is a half-breed. In the fae world, that is considered to be bad if you are a hafl-breed, but because her mentor took a liking to her, she was able to join the LightWorld. But what she doesn't expect is for her to fall for the Dark Angel, who seems to just pop into her life at every turn. She receives an offer that she can't refuse from her mentor to be his mate, she isn't ready for all that is to follow.

The plot was fantastic, with the fact that Ayla comes to an understanding what is expected from her, from the vision of an old healer. Now with child, she must stand against an evil so old, that she's not sure if she will be able to see her destiny through.

Jennifer Armintrout wrote about vampires before and I read all of the Blood Ties series and now I am hooked on the LightWorld/ Darkworld series! I can't wait ti get my hands on Child of Darkness. If you haven't read this one, then you better grab it soon, because you have no idea what you're missing! ( )

Summary: An unimagined destiny an undeniable passion. In a time not long from now, the veil between fantasy and reality is ripped asunder creatures of myth and fairytale spill into the mortal world. Enchanted yet horrified, humans force the magical beings Underground, to colonize the sewers and abandoned subway tunnels beneath their glittering cities. But even magic folk cannot dwell in harmony and soon two Worlds emerge: the Lightworld, home to faeries, dragons and dwarves; and the Darkworld, where vampires, werewolves, angels and demons lurk. Now, in the dank and shadowy place between Lightworld and Darkworld, a transformation is about to begin....

Ayla, a half-faery, half-human assassin is stalked by Malachi, a Death Angel tasked with harvesting mortal souls. They clash. Immortality evaporates, forging a bond neither may survive. And in the face of unbridled ambitions and untested loyalties, an ominous prophecy is revealed that will shake the Worlds.

Wow, was exactly what I was thinking after I closed the cover of this book. I wasn't expecting much; I honestly admit, because I heard some so-so reviews, they were completely wrong. I dived into this book head first and it gave me the literary oxygen my body needed...there are twists and turns, a few bumps-but easily handled-and it was smooth gliding until the end. I did get a bit of Gothic feel from this book, just like Jennifer Armintrout's Turning series...there is some Gothic feel to that series as well, but I didn't mind at all. Ms. Armintrout took this series to a whole level about her Turning series...completely, there was some stumbling at the beginning, I had to take time to let my brain process the new world, there was a bit too much fact pushed on the brain to start, but once I got the world's "condition", everything just clicked. I love her characters as well, it's truly like they are completely disgusted by one another yet they are driven by a force they don't comprehend, and they fight a bit for it and then everything works out. Ayla's character is a strong one as well...she is a warrior and knows what she wants for herself and isn't afraid to go after it. This book was a truly enjoyable read, I already have Child of Darkness in my TBR pile. Can't wait.

For more information or for purchasing visit Jennifer Armintrout's webpage.

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