Munira @ In Vogue with Books

It's wonderful! Yes! The book is wonderful! Even though I have given it 4 stars, I must admit that this book, if the few minus points are excluded, deserves to get a full 5!

First let me fangirl about the good things. The cover. Awwww, I got the book from NG. I was first 'just looking at it' and even before I realized I had pressed the 'Request'. The most striking thing about that cover is Myla, with hair flowing and that gear and the most noticing thing, her tail. Seriously, how many times have you seen someone, that too a girl...and that too the goddamn lead of a book with a tail? And yeah, don't forget the devilish-looking pointy part. Hauntingly beautiful cover (I just had to use the word 'hauntingly' here, and I don't even know why!)

From the beginning, I LOVED Myla. She.Is.COOOOL. I've always loved fictional girls with strong personalities. And Myla...she is one of the most kickass heroines I've ever read about. The way she shows her enthusiasm for arena fights, the reckless attitude while fighting even some of the vilest creatures on trial, and loving the all 'risky business' thing made my heart go gooey inside (uh, is that normal?) It's been long time since I've actually fangirled over a heroine for her badass persona, because it's been a real long time since I've read about one. So thanks to the author for having created Myla :D Well, I have complaints but I'll deal with you for that later :p

I loved the whole Purgatory and Quasi-demon theme. Again, do we get to see such ideas very often? I mean there are books on Heaven and Hell, angels and demons- yes, but this seemed to me like a quite unique concept ornamented by some conventional ones. When Myla's first arena fight is described, I was visualizing this whole Gladiator thing..with a huge Colosseum like place where Myla was probably the female version of Russel Crowe, except that she didn't die. Though I was having a little problem to get in the story with suddenly quasi demons with their different tails and ghouls and areana fights, once I've gotten hold of it, it seemed effortless to feel yourself within story. I could seriously feel like seeing Scala with my own eyes (though my version seemed rather funny and weird than scary). For me, when you don't have to squeeze your eyes shut or put an effort to 'see beyond' in order to visualize a story, that is when you know it's a very, very good story. And indeed, it is.

Apart from Myla, I loved Lincoln, though he is described the way ALL the fictional heroes are introduced. But still, I like him and his chemistry with Myla. However, I felt the transition from hate to neutral to love a little fast. I mean, I get that they are the leads and they are supposed to fall in love and everything, but all those things happened a little too fast and to me it seemed a little unreal. 

The ghoul, Walker, was an interesting character to watch. He is different than the other ghouls in the sense that she look after Mila, but not in a way she wouldn't like. He is like a friend, a protector, a brother and company to enjoy. 

I like Myla's mother. The typical overly conscious afraid and hiding-something-about-the-past mother, clearly indicating that her concerns for Myla's safety may not be the mere outcome of over-protectiveness. From the very beginning thought, it was clear that she is special. It is pretty obvious if you ask me. Lead female characters of a book are either a totally average girl or something like the 'Chosen One'. It's not like I'm complaining, I know the story has to start with something, and this is always a good point to start with.

For the first time perhaps, I have actually hated a character. It's Myla's best friend Cissy, or should I say..really sissy :p I hadn't even disliked Voldemort that way, ever. Plus, the conversation and everything about Cissy made me feel like strangling myself to death. On the contrary, even Zeke seemed angelic, though he didn't quite appear as one at the beginning.

The plot development is good overall, though at times I felt the story dragging. There were descriptions that often bored me a little. But still, I liked it because the execution was impressive altogether. Author Christina Bauer has cooked up a story with some familiar ideas but added to it her own spices, making it a delicious read :) I'll definitely be looking forward to reading the next book of the series.