Entice (Embrace Book 2)

★★★½Violet.Entice finds Violet Eden still shaken from her experiences in the desert - the trials that turned her from being merely human to accepting her destiny as a Grigori, the part-angel protectors of humans and hunters of exiled angels. However, though she's accepted what she is, it quickly becomes clear that Violet hasn't wholeheartedly embraced the Grigori side of her nature yet, and she fears the lost part of herself that she was forced to kill in order to become what she was created to be. She's trying to understand herself now that her whole world has been completely turned on its head. What part of herself did she lose? Her humanity? And who made her? Why is she different from other Grigori? For what purpose was she made?Boys! Ugh...On top of this identity crisis she's silently battling Vi must also deal with the tatters of her love life. Moving past her mistake with a guy who used and manipulated her, moving past her mistake that hurt the guy she truly loves but can never have. After Phoenix's loyalties were revealed in the last book, Violet is angry and hurt from the deception, feeling foolish and naïve, and tries to focus on just being Lincoln's platonic Grigori partner. Which is harder than she thought it'd be, especially since he seems more distant than ever, hanging out a ton with Griffin's gorgeous partner Magda, and purposefully keeping Vi in the dark. Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, Phoenix is back with his own agenda, and unfortunately Vi's got to admit that they still have some kind of strange connection. Her relationships with both Phoenix and Lincoln were the big draw for me in the first book - both have very interesting dynamics. It's kind of a love triangle, but... not. It's terribly dramatic and all kinds of interesting.Hello. You're new.One of my favorite things about Entice is that Jessica introduces several new characters... the main ones being Salvatore, Zoe and Spence. Part of the contingent from the Academy in New York, these three are Violet's peers - fellow trainees. All outfitted with their own cool angelic powers, these three have scene-stealing personalities that lend a lot of color to the story. From the quiet, sweet Salvatore who only speaks Italian, to the spitfire Zoe who's perpetually annoyed with practically everyone, to the impetuous, fun-loving Spence whose biggest fear is being left out of a good fight. The characterization of these three is just done very well.She's got your back.Steph = I love her. Can she be my best friend? I'd love to see her take an even larger role later on in the series. She keeps Vi grounded. She knows Vi the best. She helps Vi put things into perspective. She dispenses advice or space as needed. She rocks.The dealio.So why's Phoenix back? Oh... only to get his hands on the legendary Scriptures. And if Phoenix gets his hands on the Scriptures, he'll have a distinct advantage with which to carry on the exiles' plan to wipe out all Grigori... and Violet and her friends aren't about to let that happen.The story was extremely fast-paced, but a bit weirdly paced at the same time - it lagged a little in the middle, felt a little muddled in spots, and went places I wasn't expecting (i.e. - in a "Oh-ok-I-guess-this-is-happening-now" type of way). Despite that though, I still sped through the book, Entice definitely holding my interest.Hmm.There were a few other minor things I just can't shake, like once in awhile feeling a little emotionally distanced from Violet or events of the story. I think just more emotional development would've been nice, perhaps, because I felt in a couple instances that I just wasn't feeling the depth of emotion I should be feeling. Maybe I have a heart of stone... but I get embarrassingly teary-eyed during Hallmark commercials, so probably not. Also, Griffin, Nyla & Rudy are slighly cardboard-ish parental stand-ins, and certain minor plot points feeling a tad contrived.Despite this, it's still a novel I enjoyed, still a very interesting take on angels, still a highly compelling romance, still raises very interesting questions that I'd love to know the answer to.Overall.On to Emblaze!

I clearly haven't fangirled enough this year because the book gods have descended and presented me with Jessica Shirvington's Entice.Okay, the book gods AND the lovely people over at Sourcebooks.Now as you may already know, I tend to be a bit hesitant with angel books. Yes, the mythology is fascinating and there's so much that can be done with it, but let's be real. Not everyone can pull it off. I've read my fair share of not-so-great angel books and I am here to tell you the Jessica Shirvington is the obvious exception. She manages to stay true to the mythos while keeping the real heart of the story grounded in reality. Not to mention she's still able to keep her characters exciting and fresh!Violet, for example, is still a fantastic female heroine. Yeah, she's made bad choices *cough* Phoenix *cough*, some she may regret for a lifetime *cough* still Phoenix *cough*, but she's so determined make the most of it, no matter how difficult that may be. And trust, it is very difficult. Especially considering she has to deal with Lincoln who can be incredibly frustrating at times. I had to keep reminding myself that there was more to him than the hard shell he uses to distance himself from the world.Look hard enough and you'll find a boy, head over heels in love with the one person he can't have. That kinda sucks, doesn't it? So no, I didn't agree with his actions but I learned to understand them as the book progressed. He even made up for it about halfway through the novel. Everything comes to light as the story unravels...Oh, but let's not forget to mention the other boy/demon angel with a claim to Violet's heart, Phoenix. Forget my lust-filled obsession! That's all in the past and this is post-Embrace Kristin talking! The sexy mood-swings that attracted me to Phoenix in the first novel have made way for some really heavy feeling. Some really heavy feelings of dislike.I hate him, I hate him, I hate him!...but I won't spoil why.Despite my distaste for Phoenix, I was completely enthralled by the novel's romance which was definitely upped a bit. Um...more alike A LOT! *wipes drool* While this is the part of my review when I start gushing and flailing hysterically, I am going to take a (mature) step back and admire what Shirvington did with the novel's love story because it's not your typical triangle. There's quite obviously a good and a bad choice, but Shirvington explores that feeling of indescribable attraction to the bad boy. You know he's not good for you, yet there's this spark, this endless supply of chemistry that you just can't seem to get out of your system. There came a point where I all but made-out with this book.Wait.I take that back. *blushes* There was that one scene...*regains composure*Er...so yes. As I lay there in my bed, finished book clutched to my chest, contemplating whether to ever leave my home again, I thought to myself, "Hm...I wonder if the tears and anguish of readers keep their authors young!?" If so, Jessica Shirvington will live FOREVER because I don't know what I am going to do until Emblaze is released here in the States! The next installment promises to be anything but boring or repetitive and I. CAN. NOT. WAIT.Maybe a certain blogger BFF *cough* Sarah *cough*can hook a sistah up?! Pleeeaaasseeee?

I've been making predictions while I read and I was right about Magda and Phoenix. I was right about Lincoln and Violet. I wrong about Violet being Nepholim. This is an exciting series, filled with action, mystery, fantasy, romance, and an onslaught of suspense.

Violet is the rainbow bridge. She saved Lincoln and dismissed Phoenix. But he won't go without a fight. She is now a warrior and trains with Link. She told her best friend the entire story and it actually went well. Things change when they run into Onyx. He is human and a drunk. But Vi can't stop blaming herself for not giving him an option. He turns out to be something else.Vi and Lincoln discuss being a couple, but it is impossible for partners to mix. Then they meet Rudyard and Nyla. Not only are the partners but soulmates. Maybe....just maybe. A bit of education shows them all that Phoenix has a part of Vi and he can kill her at will. If he dies, so does she. What next?? A long plane ride to the holy land to the place Moses was buried.There is just too much in this story to get to the highlights. I really like it. The characters are interesting and I couldn't put it down.Read on my friends

Being Enticed sure sounds like fun but dangerous at the same time. Healing by making out with someone to transfer your power sounds like a fun way to heal.The story was better but I also felt that Violet thought way too much about everything she did. It annoyed me to no end that she would even question Lincoln's feelings for her when it was rather obvious in the beginning. I can't help but giggle when Violet describes how Lincoln fights. In a way I get how in love she is, yet I can't help but find humor in it because it's so darn cheesy. I do love how confident she is in his abilities and I truly enjoy Lincoln and all of his sweet and kind remarks. Oh Phoenix sure knows how to stir the kettle. I wish we could find out more about his past. The bad-boy image is just so attractive don't you think?The twists and turns this novel had to offer far succeeded the first book and I rather enjoyed this one more. The plot does develop but not as fast as I would have liked. I thought the middle could have been shortened and have the characters doing something other than trying to find the Scriptures. Violet was indeed distracted by him but I'm guessing Phoenix planned it that way.The villain in the end didn't end surprising me because I was gunning it was that person after all. I felt rather smug that it was said person. Yet I also love it when an author spins another character a different way and it also takes me by surprise.I can't wait until the next book in this series. I hope it's just as good as this one.

I was looking forward to reading the second book in the Violet Eden Chapters. I'd very much enjoyed the first part. I needed a few chapters to get back into the story. Phoenix is on the run and nothing much has changed between Violet and Lincoln, other that they are Grigori partners now. First, I thought how incredibly convenient and even a bit cheesy it is that they need to kiss in order for her powers to focus on a bigger healing. But then, page by page I became engrossed in the story and soon, I simply flew through the book.The Violet Eden Chapters just have everything a good YA paranormal romance book needs. The plot is full of action and has a strong drive forward. The characters are unique, likeable, and develop smoothly. I was afraid that things wouldn't develop at all between Linc and Violet and I would have to listen to their constant whining and explanations why they can't be together. But things actually do develop which surprised and satisfied me. There's still so much in store for them, I have high hopes for the next book. I can't say that I was ever in favor with Phoenix. It's so hard to tell with him what are real feelings and what is just induced by his power of seduction.A few new characters are introduced as she gets three young people as new training partners, Zoe, Salvatore and Spence. They're accompanied by their academy teachers: Rudyard and Nyla. It really is an accomplishment to thoroughly introduce so many new characters and make the reader feel connected with all of them. But the author achieves this in an effortless way with her endearing writing. The only person I can't get a grasp on is Violet's dad. Nobody can be that stupid and not see what's going on in the life of one's only child.Shirvington also adds a new setting to her list: Jordan. I loved the foreignness of this place and I certainly fit the religious context. By the way, considering that this is a book about angels it's a bit confusing that the main characters can relate so little to the topic religion. Not that I require it in a book, it just seemed a bit off to me. It should at least be a topic somehow, but the tone of the description of more religious characters in Jordan seemed even a bit ironic, if not mocking.If you haven't started with this series yet but are into this genre, don't hesitate and dive into it. There are even more books to discover and I've read that the series only becomes better and better!

Great novel in this great series. Ive read it in times in 2 years and even recommended it to my daughters who also love it

I loved this series.