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A brainy, shy high school outcast interning at a Chicago hotel discovers that the hotel staff has an evil agenda planned for her classmates on prom night.
This was a 511 page book of "wait, but there's more" with very few answers and too many unknowns. You spend like 500 pages of the book confused and in the dark about what is going on and you never really do get the why even though a few things get explained. ( )
It wouldn't be fair to say that I disliked this book, because I didn't. The characters are what got to me more often then not. Agresti's writing shone when describing, in vivid detail, the historical past of the Lexington hotel and the gorgeous outfits the 'Glamazons' wore or the pretty trifles Dante would dress Haven up in. Her attention to detail and ability to invoke a response is undisputed by me.
Her ability to conjure complex or even likeable characters fell flat.
For instance Haven's friend Dante never really breaks out of the mold of 'the gay best friend'--he's not effeminate so much as just very...girly. He likes dressing Haven up and dishing about gossip and looking at the pretty people. Hidden layers he does not have. Don't get me wrong, I've known guys like that--gay or straight for that matter, but Agresti doesn't given him any hidden depths or flaws. Almost a Stepford Wife honestly--he could do hair, clean, go shopping and still have time to chat with his friends at the local shop before going home to make a perfect three course meal.
It got annoying.
Then there's Haven herself. Honestly the predominant need of 'shy, brainy' girls who just need to unleash their hidden beauty is getting tiring. Shy has become the new name for girls (or guys) who are merely not 'socially sophisticated' enough. 'Brainy' is the by word for anyone who has high grades and an interest in something artsy (like photography). And every single girl who is shy and brainy is undoubtedly a diamond in the rough just panting for the chance to be beautiful and noticed. Sorry that isn't how 'shy' works. You don't become insta-prom queen and suddenly get over the fact you dislike crowds, or can't stand obnoxious people or god forbid lose all your common sense.
The other characters are kind of..uber-creepy. Even given the explanation for the uber-creepiness (lost their souls blah blah) they still managed to be a cut above normal creepy. This book also manages to take adult negligence, parental absenteeism and 'grown-ups are bad' tropes to a whole new level.
And lest you think otherwise this is another paranormal Angel book. Though Agresti at least doesn't ram it down our throats as liberally as Jessica Shirvington did in EMBRACE.
In the end I kept reading this book mainly for the lush detail work Agresti put into Haven's photography and the grand past of the hotel and very little else. ( )
I was a bit uneasy when it turned out that the evil creatures in this book are not vampires (they act a heck of a lot like most fiction vampires, but no, they are not, in this book, vampires.) I was concerned that this book might turn into some sort of Christian 'inspirational' fantasy (a subgenre I have absolutely no interest in). I suppose one could include this in Christian fantasy, but I doubt most of my more devout Christian family members would enjoy this book much. On the flipside, I (an atheist) actually didn't mind the magic and mythology in this book that draws from Christianity and Christian tradition. In fact, I may check out the rest of this series later this month. It was a fun read. The heroine is a bit dense and lacks curiosity, so I was annoyed at her a lot that she was so content to accept things at face value, and that she had so narrow a perspective as to let a crush distract her from figuring out more about how to stop what seems to be a threat to all of mankind. But, I suppose a 16 year old has limited perspective, so it kinda worked. ( )
This is one of my favorite angel books, it is intriguing, creepy, scary, and even funny at times. I love the descriptions of scenes and the characters. Lucian and the way he acts is awesome. ( )
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I trust you have found the pathway. You will learn that it will do no good to cover things over and pretend they aren't there, just as this doesn't work for the markings on your body.(You call them scars, but that is only because you don't yet know the distinction that comes with them.) You will learn to break the rules: your life depends on it. You will learn the art of trespassing, finding your way into places others don't wish for you to find. You will learn inner strength-ti a degree far greater than you have ever known-and physical strength. None of this will be easy; all of it will be necessary. You are in training now. And you shall answer first and foremost to me, to these words. You will save your questions about where these directives are coming from. You will receive answers only when it is appropriate for you to receive them. You will see that your purpose here is greater than you could have imagined. Trust in these words, trust in yourself, and you will not falter.
Naturally, you want to doubt this. Yours is an analytical mind. You wonder why you should follow there words. Take heart, winged one-
There is so much you don't know, that you need to discover for yourself. There is considerable interpretation to be drawn from every thought in this book. Remember this much: never count yourself out, no matter what you are told.
Your assignments for tomorrow: In the morning, you must forgo any engagements and instead venture out to amass emergency supplies. These items may one day save your life. Think of items to nourish, protect, heal, strengthen your senses. At night, look for your next set of instructions. Continue to keep this quiet. One never knows whom one can trust. One last parting admonition: your necklace has deeper meaning. It defines you and is one of a kind. It is meant to be with you. Treasure it and let it remind you how strong you are.
Perhaps today proved that it behooves you to follow closely what is asked of you in these pages, when it is asked. There is a reason behind every task you will be required to perform; you need to trust implicitly in this book. If you fail to adhere to each task, you will only hurt yourself. There are opportunities every day to be killed.
But if you heed these words, you won't be. There is much you don't know. Be patient and it will be revealed to you due time.
Consider evening engagements canceled for tonight.
Tonight please explore what's beyond the opening you found in the closet floor. Descend until you hit solid ground. There will be one direction to go in for quite some time. When it opens up, pursue all paths until you begin to understand the layout. Get comfortable, for you will be spending a good deal of time there. Before the end of the day tomorrow, repair the closet light. Then return here for further instruction.
You are tired from the exertion of last night. Rest, winged one. But don't get too comfortable. Shore up your strength for what's to come. Your training must begin in earnest tomorrow. Tomorrow night, you will steal away dow the passageway you discovered and run from the starting point at the bottom of the ladder to the farthest point you found-
And then you will run back. Go to your fullest potential for an hour, every other day until further notice. You will eventually need to make this distance lightening fast; this skill may one day save your life.
This will be your primary interest for the next week or so.Otherwise, simply do as others tell you. Do your best to not draw attention to yourself. Whatever discoveries you may make over the course of these next several days, tuck them away. You will be told when it's time to investigate them. And steel yourself. You will soon be tested in a manner you have never known.
Your night is only just beginning, weary winged one. Proceed up the ladder. Yes, upward. Follow the corridor until you hear voices and walk toward them. Listen carefully. Pay attention.
We mustn't let fear keep us from seeking answers. Go searching. You know where to go. Trust what you see and hear. When something doesn't add up to a sensible answer, it simply means you're missing some key pieces. Be careful, be smart, but be daring.
What you have heard of Metamorfosi and what you have witnessed is only part of the story. There is much more. What you can count as fact: the realm of Metamorfosi is where apprentice devils learn their trade, dabbling in death and destruction under the watchful eyes of their Master. For you though, it is a training ground of a different sort. You can't expect to find all the answers written out for you. But you have been given enough tools to know how to discover things on your own. Continue your search for understanding; continue your physical trials. Be confident in your powers of deductiion. And a final warning: be careful whom you trust. Be strong. Now more than ever.
You found me. But I'm no longer who I was. I did love you then. Forgive me now.
You are to be commended for your fire today, for your aggressiveness, and for your fearlessness in the face of horror. don't be afraid of your rage. It is a safer feeling than that of fear right now; it is a greater motivator. But you would do even better to convert fear to shrewd, calculated action - that will serve you best of all. To be daring is good, but you need to be stealthy now as well. You need to filter all emotion down to an essence that can be tucked away, undetectable by others.
You must maintain the general illusion that you know nothing of what is going on there and that you are oblivious to anything and everything that seems even the least bit out of the ordinary. To those watching you, you should appear to work hard, take orders, and complete assignments with your usual care and quality. Secretly, you will continue your physical training with virgo and your information gathering with a sharp eye. When the time is right, you will assume a role of action, no longer concerned with maintaining appearances. You will know when that time has come and you will rise to battle and aim to conquer.
You have reached a turning point on your evolution. You cannot go back, which is to say, most simply, that you cannot escape. Your duties and responsibilities would only follow you now, but along with them comes the opportunity for greatness in your ascension. I tell you this now as I deliver a harsh fact, but one are entitled to know and must guard with supreme secrecy: Haven you will breathe your last mortal breath on ******* 27.
You are no doubt wondering more than ever who I am and why I am telling you this yet not giving you any tangible help. I won't hide myself forever but I will tell you this much now: i am not present in body but there with you. I am not someone you pass in the hallways or spend your days with. I am with you only in spirit and through these words. But you and I will meet at some point, and in many ways, we already have. I will offer you the guidance you need to battle these demons, though I cannot take up arms beside you. But take heart, I know you better than anyone does. And I know you are acquiring the skills you need.
But for the time being, keep your head down, blend in, and give them no reason to question you. Many lives are at stake, with you as their hope. Be strong, winged one.
Haven and Lance, Kindly report to the ballroom to decorate for Saturday's festivities. Yours, Aurelia.
Fear nothing. And, above all else, never fear failure. Don't let that feeling hold you back from anything. Attack the possibility of it head-on so that you know you have done everything in your power to stave it off. Proceed as though it is not an option, trust in yourself no matter the odds. Trust in those dearest to you. Trust in your instincts and don't second-guess yourself. Be comforted by the knowledge that you have come a long way and if you keep looking ahead, you will keep moving ahead, no matter what stands in your way.
Dedicatòria
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For Brian
Primeres paraules
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Up until that point, English class had been unremarkable.
Citacions
Informació del coneixement compartit en anglès.Modifica-la per localitzar-la a la teva llengua.
The soul is a terrible reality. It can be bought and sold or bartered away. It can be poisoned or made more perfect. There is a soul in each one of us. I know it. - Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Darreres paraules
Informació del coneixement compartit en anglès.Modifica-la per localitzar-la a la teva llengua.
A brainy, shy high school outcast interning at a Chicago hotel discovers that the hotel staff has an evil agenda planned for her classmates on prom night.
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