Alex Smith (4)

Every now and then I'm presented with a book to read that I really don't know a lot about. It hasn't gotten crazy amounts of buzz, I don't see it plastered all over other blogs, and in fact were it not for it being offered to me I likely would have missed it. These books often turn out to be real hidden gems. Books that I want to sing praises for and share with others. True to form, Calling for Angels definitely fits this bill!

Centering around the life of Em, this book was pure joy to read. show more Em is a character that we can all probably relate with, no matter our age or country of origin. She is lost in the world of "clones" at her school, unwilling to conform to their standards and feeling like she is average in all aspects. What I loved about Em was how clearly not average she was! Alex Smith created a character who has her own pizazz, her own sweetness and snark, and yes this girl likes books which makes her a-ok in my book! Suffice it to say it was easy for me to fall in love with Em. She's my kind of character.

Em's life changes drastically all at once. She finds herself facing the clear reality that we all are thrown into at some point, realizing that the older she gets the more things will change. Her grandparents are getting older, her brother is drifting away, and Em isn't sure where she fits in anymore. Enter Zack and Kai. To say that there are two sweeter boys anywhere else would be tough for me. These two were both so amazing that I had a hard time declaring loyalty to one. Both adorable, both sweet. What's a girl to do with two such amazing guys around?

At the end of the day this book has a little bit of everything. I think younger readers will see themselves in Em and understand what she is going through, while older readers will appreciate the subtle way that familial relationships and the trials of growing up are woven into this book. There wasn't a page I read where I wasn't smiling at some point. Between Em's wit, Zack's adorable awkwardness and Kai's sense of humor this book is one sweet and amazing read. I really couldn't imagine a better way to spend 149 pages. show less

This book was a fun read from the perspective of a fourteen year old girl. The main character was easy to relate to and typical of that age group. While readers with a low tolerance for juvenile literature will want to steer clear, I'd definitely recommend it to the teenage set. I did find some problems with the writing that may not be noticed by a younger crowd, such as too much jumping between characters, lack of development for Kai's character, and some over-dramatized show more interactions.

Overall it was an enjoyable read without a lot of depth. show less

CALLING FOR ANGELS, by Alex Smith, is a charming story about an extraordinary girl. First off, let me just say that I was incredibly impressed that a fourteen year old- Alex Smith wrote and published a book. Em's voice was fresh and unique because of this author being the same age. Typical situations dealing with cliques and peer pressure were prevalent and it brought me back to a time where those things were the biggest issues of each day.

I felt Smith was incredibly insightful in her views show more of angels and death. Her imagination flourished and I found myself captivated in the world she created. Em was definitely older than her years in the way she dealt with her grandmother being sick and her brother's messed up path through life. I rooted for Em the whole time and I think you will too.

I had only a one issue with the book, but it did not hinder my regard for the book at all. My first issue was Kai's POV. The book flipped back and forth between Em and Kai's POV. I felt Kai's voice wasn't as strong as Em's and I wish I could have been left in the dark instead of knowing his thoughts. His attraction to Em was just there without any real reason for it and I found myself wanting to get to the next 'Em' part.

I loved that this book took place in the UK. I did have trouble with some of the slang and the way that the levels in school were situated but I did enjoy the new setting! Overall, Smith wholly encompassed the world from a fourteen year old perspective and I look forward to reading more of her future books. show less

Calling for Angels is about a fourteen-year old girl and the mental struggles she goes through as parts of her life are falling. It's also about a fifteen-year-old boy who ended up in Hell two decades ago and is trying to earn his way into Heaven.

Gemma Hunt, who prefers the name Em, lives with her parents, older brother, Ollie, and grandparents. She's more shy and reserved, but her best friend's the growing-ever-popular Caitlyn. Both girls are in ninth grade at a school where the new and show more seemingly cool kid, Zak Harringway, becomes enrolled. Soon Em's worrying over the health and safety of her family, stressing over Caitlyn, and going through her first real crush.

Kai Grant, an acolyte, was good in life aside from one mysterious act that sent him to Hell. With the help of two archangels, Kai is granted a chance to redeem himself by becoming Em's guardian angel and doing right by her. However, as Kai tries to redeem himself, he fights a wraith represented in the form of a voice in his head and two archdemons trying to cause him to fail. Then there's his feelings for Em.

I got this book from LT's Early Reviewer program. I've had mixed feelings about the book, but they're mostly good. To begin with, I am once again excited to see someone rather young with published work already. (One of my previous ER books, The Branding was written by a teen as well.) Smith was just fourteen. Her story even won a contest with the publisher, Red Telephone, before it was published as an ebook.

Red Telephone's based in England, Smith's country. As such, there are some differences in the book I had to adjust to. Some grammar and punctuation is different there than in the U.S., something I learned in a very funny book, Eats, Shoots & Leaves. I really enjoy English literature, so it wasn't something to adjust to much. What was more difficult, was the switching back and forth of points of view. It would happen up to three times on some pages. I didn't care for it and sometimes got irritated by it. However, I completely feel the story wouldn't be as strong without it. I agree it was something that was necessary.

Smith has shared a warm, touching story. In truth I probably wouldn't have picked it out for myself on my own, but I don't like much non-fantasy or non-historical fiction. I'm also not religious, though am very respectful toward others who are. I think pre-teens and young teens would really love this book. As for those like me who aren't religious, I don't think that matters a bit. Either way, this makes for a nice story. Like Smith, I wrote a story when I was fourteen. Hats off to her for having it published in something that wasn't merely a school newspaper. A real publisher - way to go! show less