Lisa M. Basso

“The thing about beliefs? Even the strongest can be shattered by the simplest things.”
4.5 out 5 Stars

Rayna ‘Ray’ Evans has always been able to see angels, or more specifically their giant brightly glowing wings jutting out of their back. The sad part? Ray is the only one who sees them, which lands her in a mental hospital for Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder for nearly three years. Now that Ray has finally been released to her father and sister and settled in a new area she thinks show more life can final get back to normal. Of course, she didn’t account on the other new student at school, who just so happens to be an angel. Or the suicides of her fellow students and the dark and mysterious patron at the diner she just landed a job at that seems to know something about both of these things.

A Shimmer of Angels is a beautiful debut novel from writer Lisa M. Basso that puts a spin on the lately super popular topic in YA of fallen angels. I genuinely enjoyed reading this novel and devoured it in one day. It had some really great twists, lovable characters (*cough*Kade*cough*) and nice writing that allowed me to get into the story fairly quickly. This another novel where the main love interest really didn’t make me want to root for him, but instead I found myself falling for the bad boy who is secretly sweet that kept trying to show Ray he cared. And you may be asking yourself, “Why is it 4.5 stars instead of 5 if you liked it so much?” Well, let’s just say that Rayna might be sensible most of the time, but there were maybe two moments in the book where I wanted to smack her for being stupid.

I recommend this book for fans angel stories/paranormal books. And hey, just look at that cover! I cannot wait until this one comes out to add it to my bookshelf. show less

Ray is an interesting protagonist due to her constantly battling herself. She has spent several years of psychotherapy trying to convince herself that angels aren’t real and she’s only imagining them. So when she starts at a new school and sees a guy with bright wings and shortly after sees another guy with dark wings, she starts to wonder if she really is imagining them. She has a lot of conflicts with her family and yet somehow finds the strength to fight for what she believes. A show more strong protagonist who has spent to long thinking she was crazy and weak! I love it.
Even though it may seem like there is going to be a to-guys-one-girl-triangle, there is a very important thing, that makes it seems less cheesy and boring.

"Cam would probably Fall to protect me. That was an option I could live with. And Kade? He was enten hot or cold, starting trouble or being sweet. I did not even know som he really was. Except damn annoying . "(p. 284)
Cam annoys me throughout the entire story. He is such a do-gooder (yeah, yeah, he’s an angel – it’s his job. But come on, it get old real quick). He always puts his job before Ray and generally I just don’t like him! Kade on the other hand – uh, he is great! He’s a Fallen, unpredictable and always puts himself first. He’s story is very interesting and I would love to know more about him!

There are a few times where the story didn’t work for me, for instant:
'He might look my age, but sometimes, da han said weird things like that, I could not shake the feeling he was much older.' (p. 85)
This thought of Rays happens the first time she talks to Cam – it makes no sense since she hasn’t heard him say weird things earlier.
Despite my few issues A Shimmer of Angels is a really great story. Even if the plot is not the most inventive, I got a few surprises along the way. A great debut from Lisa M. Basso show less

Rayna is struggling to keep her sanity and a normal teen life when her life spirals out of control once again. She's seeing angels, and they see her.
Mystery, intrigue, romance, and Ray's best friend loves Doctor Who and quotes it all throughout? This book was made for me.

I love an angel story, and this one delivers. Sure fallen angels is a topic everyone's heard about. But this one, the concept is unlike anything I've read, especially in YA. No cutesy angels here. They are all very intense show more and brooding. I love me some brooding!

And the emotions in this book pull me from one side to another, and never let go. My heart wrenched for Ray, and I felt myself wanting to comfort her. A character in a book!

My favorite thing in the book is Kade, a mysterious angel with a haunting demeanor. He's the sexy, funny bad boy and I couldn't get enough. I want more Kade!

Overall I loved this book. Original, heart wrenching, mysterious and a great thrill ride from the beginning to the very end.

Can't wait for book 2. More Kade! GIMME! show less

A Shimmer of Angels by Lisa M. Basso is an enthralling story of a girl who is perceived as crazy but really everything that makes her crazy is really real. The story begins with Rayna first experience with angels since her release and this one -- guy -- prefers to be called Cam. Throughout the course of the novel, Rayna is pulled into a war between the Fallen angels and the ones who are still in league with their creator, God. The ending gives enough of a sense of completion to help you keep show more patient but leave you dying for the second book.

Rayna. Oh how I love you. Can we be best friends? Haha, okay, I'm good now. The main character of the story is the definition of a broken person trying to be strong. I found myself wondering if I could handle what she experienced and if I would be as... patient (though I'm not sure I would use that word) with those around her. From the beginning of the book, I felt a connection to her character and it isn't even pity but more I found the broken part of me attach to everything she went through. I felt her joys, her triumphs, her despair, and her losses. She is a well developed character with all of deep entwined backstory that keeps you wanting more. I think that a lot of the story behind what led to her seeing angels is left as a secret. I want to learn more about her and I have a feeling you will too.

I love all the hints toward future or in-the-making romances that don't follow all of the typical love interest pitfalls because let's be honest here, there are a lot of them. I think some of the moments are frustrating between Rayna and Cam but they are equal parts beautiful so that limits my frustration. Well, no, I was still ready to toss my phone against a wall. Of course, that was more directed towards Rayna's reaction to those moments. I like that there wasn't just one guy and that there wasn't some overwhelming rivalry that had to do solely with Rayna.

I loved the characters.
I loved the plot.
I loved the story.

One last thing, isn't the cover epic? I just look at it and fall in love with the visual that it provides for the story. Now, if I had been basing my whole choice of reading this book purely on the cover, I wouldn't have been disappointed. I can tell you that without a shadow of a doubt that this is a well written book with a beautiful plot that will keep you on your toes and your heart pounding till the very last page. show less