"To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said,

'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader."


- SNOW & ROSE by Emily Winfield Martin


Monday, September 29, 2014

Review: DIVINITY by Michelle L. Johnson (A)


A Divine Novel
by Michelle L. Johnson
Release date: September 23rd, 2014
Published by: Spence City
Genre: Adult Supernatural Urban Fantasy
Format: Paperback, eBook
Format read: ARC from the publisher.


SUMMARY

When Julia climbs into a flaming car to save a trapped child, she's left wondering why either of them survived. Then she learns that her father is the Archangel Gabriel, and that she is half human, half Archangel. 

With guidance from Michael, the most powerful Archangel, Julia sets out to discover her own history and explore her angelic powers. But her journey is cut short when an evil force, invisible to human and angel alike, tears her world apart. 

Now Julia must fight through her despair, harness her newfound gifts, and risk her very soul to stop the A'nwel and protect the family she never knew she had. 

What she doesn't know is that Archangels have secrets too.






MY REVIEW

The author has created a unique angelic storyline combining the good and evil amongst us with strong character building and a necessary detailed plot.

Julia has struggled and has experienced a lot of pain in her life. At her weakest moment, the unimaginable happens and things in her life start to take a turn for the good. Julia is now the proud owner of an up and coming restaurant, owns her own home and has found love like no other...
Things come to a halt when she discovers who her father is, the Archangel, Gabriel. 
The confusion and anger Julia goes through is just the beginning to a new chapter in her life that she has no choice but to face head on without having the time to grieve... a new life that she cannot ignore and must learn to navigate quickly - it isn't easy being half-human and half-angel. 
As she is trying to work out what this means and how to deal with it, going through the everyday motions takes much effort, but worth the effort since she is dedicated to her employees, and, her beloved boyfriend... But when tragedies strike again and again - heartbreaking moments that brought tears to my own eyes - how can we expect Julia to let her human losses go? But the cause of these tragedies are bigger than everything that has ever existed before. Not even the Archangels know what this evil is, and they are heavily depending on Julia and her new strengths to pull it together and help them not only figure it out, but destroy it too.  

What was amazing about Julia's story is how the author was able to give us so many minute details and information without going overboard and making it boring - every single piece of information is vital in learning about Julia's destiny, finding this evil presence and in witnessing Julia's progress and transformation. 
The story is not religion-heavy, however, there is much talk about spirits and faith since we are dealing with Archangels and evil spirits, which is to be expected. Also, the author touches upon some very hard topics, such as child and spousal abuse and suicide. 
One of the things I loved about this book is the strong importance of family. Julia never had a family and finds one with her boyfriend Alex and his mother. And then later learns that the Archangels have always been there for her. It is quite endearing to see this mentioned over and over again.
My one and only quirk is: the ending felt a bit rushed and I wish I would have learned more about this evil 'thing'. But then, if that was done, there probably wouldn't be a huge need for a sequel...

This is the perfect read for those of us that have been clamoring to get back into supernatural/paranormal kind of books. 


*An ARC was sent to me by the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Michelle L. Johnson

Michelle L. Johnson was born in Ohio and adopted by Canadians. They traveled all over North America, and when they weren't on the road Michelle could be found with her nose buried deeply in the pages of a book. With all of her travels and adventures, she hopes to bring some of her unique perspective to the pages and to entertain others the way all of her heroes have for her. When she's not hanging out with her feathered friends, she's busy being a literary agent with Inklings Literary Agency. She says wherever she hangs her coffee mug is her home, and right now that's a toasty warm Jacksonville, Florida with her happy Cocker Spaniel and her small family.


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