Scala

While it became clear that the world-building was somewhat spotty I fell in love with the MC right from the start. I loved the disgustingly cute romance. The book never seems to take itself entirely seriously so it was easy to overlook the many minor flaws for most of the book.
Sadly when things come to a head in the last 10% the holes in plot and world-building, as well as just outright contradictions, keep piling up higher and higher where I couldn't help but be smothered by them. The willing suspension of disbelief became impossible.
The humor went from mildly entertaining and goofy to non-stop over-the-top slapstick even in intense life or death situations.
I would've liked it much more if, instead of doubling down on the goofy show more shallowness, the story would've actually had the balls to be serious for the serious part.
It feels kind of like Mr. Bean being silly at the beach on D-Day at Normandy while people with missing limbs cry for their mother in the background. Well, that is a little crass, it's not all that bad. But it came across as similar to me. show less

Well, this story is a fantasy paranormal angels-demons high school story, set in a very interesting world-build, gladiators in purgatory, yeah it's interesting and original. Myla is a character that you either like or not, for me it was a bit of a miss, the idea was good, and the construction was in a good way but in the end, it felt flat for me. The story pot is interesting, definitely kept me reading all the different elements and characters. The audiobook narrated by the author herself had me a little bit worried, however, I really think she did a good job doing it, some of her voices were a little high pitched, but the character's main voice narrative and the other characters were done in good pacing and clear pronunciation.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Nineteen-year-old Myla Lewis has transformed into Great Scala, the only being with the power to move souls out of Purgatory and into Heaven or Hell. Trouble is, a magical object called Lucifer’s Orb is limiting Myla’s abilities. If she tries to move a soul, the Orb’s forcing her to send that spirit straight to Hell.

So, what’s a girl to do? Send innocents to the fiery down-under?

No way. Myla’s gone on a supernatural strike. No souls go anywhere until the Orb’s history. It’s the right thing to do, but Purgatory’s Soul Storage buildings are turning into time bombs. No spirits are moving out, while millions keep coming in. Myla’s determined to find the Orb and send the innocent to Heaven, but she’s show more running out of time. Soon, the containment fields will burst, releasing a mob of homicidal ghosts.

With Soul Storage ready to explode, Myla’s got enough on her plate without her old enemy, Lady Adair, causing problems. Adair is launching an ingenious campaign to take away everything that Myla holds dear, including Myla’s Angelbound love, Prince Lincoln.

Between their clever ideas and toe-curling kisses, Myla and Lincoln are fighting back. But will they beat the clock or lose everything to Adair’s devious schemes?

My Review:
I received a copy from the author and previously netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The story begins with Myla working on a code red failure in one of the ghost towers. Now that she's the Great Scala, she has a lot more responsibilities, and it stresses her out. Not only if everyone super annoying to her with kissing her ass, but she's the only person in her entire world that can do this work, or so she thinks, so that tends to create some stressful days. She gets to choose who goes to heaven, and who goes to hell. I like the transition between books, it doesn't feel like I missed out on anything between them and the characters are just continuing on with their lives.

It doesn't feel like it's been that long since Myla saved Purgatory from Armageddon. But something old and strong has been left there by the people who last ran the world, a magic orb that only lets her send souls to hell. They've been trying to find it without luck, and Myla isn't about to send innocent souls to somewhere they may not end up. Adair is up to her tricks again and creates a lot of trouble for her in this book.

When I was reading this, it was a lot easier to get into than the first book, but mostly because I remembered the characters and the setting. You'd probably be lost if you read them out of order. The story is exciting, and the characters develop nicely. Overall I liked reading this book, and although it was a lot shorter than the first, I enjoyed it just as much. I can't wait to see what's in store for the next book.

Here's a link to the authors twitter, and the book on amazon.

https://www.amazon.ca/Scala-Angelbound-Origins-Christina-Bauer-ebook/dp/B00FZYG7...

https://twitter.com/CB_Bauer

Thanks for reading! Check out this review and more at my blog.
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ANGELBOUND wrapped up the current storyline really well with only a slight conflict with the distance between Myla and Lincoln going into book 2 (as in where they lived) so I was excited to see what could possibly happen. The new conflict didn't surprise me at all but I enjoyed the buildup and wrap up as the story went along.

I wasn't aware of this when I started reading SCALA but it is the last book of the series (which is made clear when it ends). I wish we could get more from the series but it did a good job of closing all the loose ends and giving the characters a great ending. I enjoyed the overall storyline and character development from the whole series. Nice fast paced read.

* This book was provided free of charge from the show more publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less

Same characters but with all new roles since Myla has become The Great Scala. Still loving this series. The characters are starting to really get their feet under them. There is something about having a title that makes a person feel that they have worth.

Scala is the continuing book of the Angelbound Origin series, thrusting you back into the eventful life of Myla Lewis, the newly announced Great Scala. Upon finishing Angelbound, I really wanted to immediately read Scala, but alas, at that time, it was a ways away from release. I have to admit, I remember dreading the wait.

As a reader, I didn't really like Adair. Obviously, Ms. Bauer did a wonderful job making you absolutely despise the "innocent" psychopath who makes possibly the worst ideas possibly throughout both books... (More via website)

They are a team.

Yeah, tell it to the man, Myla