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Redemption #1
Until Darkness Comes
A guardian angel… A forbidden love… Eternal consequences… Olivia Norton was born with a gift—a gift heaven has sworn to protect, and hell is bound to destroy. Her perfect world is turned upside-down when two handsome strangers, Max and Liam, step into her life. Olivia soon discovers that her ‘Mr. Perfect’ is actually a perfect nightmare.
The rules of engagement have changed and Liam, Olivia’s guardian angel, is forced to cross dimensional borders or risk losing the woman he’s sworn to protect. Suddenly, thrust into a world unlike anything he’s never known, Liam isn’t prepared to come face to face with the young woman whose life he holds in his hands.
But nothing is as it seems, and secrets abound that will ultimately force him to choose between two impossibilities. Max will stop at nothing to finish what he’s started, and Olivia is soon plunged into a battle between good and evil. Her very life hangs in the balance as two forces fight to win her heart.
The rules of engagement have changed and Liam, Olivia’s guardian angel, is forced to cross dimensional borders or risk losing the woman he’s sworn to protect. Suddenly, thrust into a world unlike anything he’s never known, Liam isn’t prepared to come face to face with the young woman whose life he holds in his hands.
But nothing is as it seems, and secrets abound that will ultimately force him to choose between two impossibilities. Max will stop at nothing to finish what he’s started, and Olivia is soon plunged into a battle between good and evil. Her very life hangs in the balance as two forces fight to win her heart.
384 pages, Nook
First published March 20, 2012
12 people are currently reading
885 people want to read
About the author
Melynda Price
19 books609 followersMelynda Price is a bestselling and award-winning author of contemporary romance. Her Against the Cage series has finaled in many awards such as the RONE, USA Today BBA, Golden Quill, National Readers’ Choice, and New England Readers’ Choice, and won the 2017 Write Touch award.
What Price enjoys most about writing is the chance to make her readers fall in love, over and over again. She cites the greatest challenge of writing is making the unbelievable believable, while taking her characters to the limit with stories full of passion and unique twists and turns. Salting stories with undertones of history whenever possible, Price adds immeasurable depth to her well-crafted books. She currently lives in Northern Minnesota with her husband and two children where she has plenty of snow-filled days to curl up in front of the fireplace with her Chihuahua and a hot cup of coffee to write.
What Price enjoys most about writing is the chance to make her readers fall in love, over and over again. She cites the greatest challenge of writing is making the unbelievable believable, while taking her characters to the limit with stories full of passion and unique twists and turns. Salting stories with undertones of history whenever possible, Price adds immeasurable depth to her well-crafted books. She currently lives in Northern Minnesota with her husband and two children where she has plenty of snow-filled days to curl up in front of the fireplace with her Chihuahua and a hot cup of coffee to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 20, 2013
I loved this book! It took me a little bit to get into it, but had me hooked eventually! now i just wanna keep reading the next one! I love the chemistry between the two couples and my heart is just breaking for their unfulfilled love!
July 14, 2012
I honestly loved this book! The writing was excellent, the plot was insanely interesting, and the characters were well defined.
Everything happens really fast in a way because there is one thing happening right after the next, which is a slight problem at the end because by the time you get to the actual climax of the book, it's not quite as exciting since the whole book has been extremely exciting. However, in a way it can feel slow because all of this stuff is happening over a really short period of time, there is a lot of detail (good in a way), but all the excitement of things happening makes it feel like a real drag in those little moments when there isn't much of anything happening.
You go into it knowing some really bad stuff is going to happen since all of Hell wants Olivia dead, so for that first part you want to slap Olivia for not seeing how evil Max really is (not that it's her fault since he's manipulating her, after all). Olivia is still an awesome protagonist. She's not stupid and she figures things out for herself in time. She's totally relate-able most of the time (a few moments I was like, why on earth would she do that??).
Liam is the perfect hero (he is an angel after all!), and I adore the connection and consequences of Liam and Olivia's (and later Ashley and Balen's) relationship. Why can't I have my own Ronnin Warrior??
Max...ugh. You're pretty much going to say "WHY WON'T YOU JUST DIE ALREADY?" time after time.
You really feel a range of emotions through every character and every scene. It's so well thought out and beautifully described you feel like you're in the moment with all of them. I was sooo sad when I reached the final page just because I know I'm going to have to wait for Shades of Darkness.
If you love the paranormal, deep-connection romances, a great good vs evil battle, or just a well written book, then you're honestly going to fall right into this book and devour it.
*Received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads*
Everything happens really fast in a way because there is one thing happening right after the next, which is a slight problem at the end because by the time you get to the actual climax of the book, it's not quite as exciting since the whole book has been extremely exciting. However, in a way it can feel slow because all of this stuff is happening over a really short period of time, there is a lot of detail (good in a way), but all the excitement of things happening makes it feel like a real drag in those little moments when there isn't much of anything happening.
You go into it knowing some really bad stuff is going to happen since all of Hell wants Olivia dead, so for that first part you want to slap Olivia for not seeing how evil Max really is (not that it's her fault since he's manipulating her, after all). Olivia is still an awesome protagonist. She's not stupid and she figures things out for herself in time. She's totally relate-able most of the time (a few moments I was like, why on earth would she do that??).
Liam is the perfect hero (he is an angel after all!), and I adore the connection and consequences of Liam and Olivia's (and later Ashley and Balen's) relationship. Why can't I have my own Ronnin Warrior??
Max...ugh. You're pretty much going to say "WHY WON'T YOU JUST DIE ALREADY?" time after time.
You really feel a range of emotions through every character and every scene. It's so well thought out and beautifully described you feel like you're in the moment with all of them. I was sooo sad when I reached the final page just because I know I'm going to have to wait for Shades of Darkness.
If you love the paranormal, deep-connection romances, a great good vs evil battle, or just a well written book, then you're honestly going to fall right into this book and devour it.
*Received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads*
June 26, 2012
I have to say, I am absolutely in love with this book. It's fantastically writen, the characters are well developed, and by the end, all I wanted to do was read more. Melynda had me actually emotionally invested into Until Darkness Comes. At times I would legitimately be angry at people in the book. I ended up crying at work during one part.
I've read a lot of the whole paranormal kinda vampire and angel stuff, and this has quite honestly been my favorite one by far. The only thing I can see possibly toping this is her book Bonded in Exile that she has an excerpt from on her website. Now that, I'm looking forward too.
Not only is the story line amazing, but Melynda has a great writting style, I think. I hate to say it, but I'm an extremely picky reader when it comes to people's wording and grammar, but I love the way she writes. She doesn't spoon-feed you everything and repeat herself, which irritates me. No, I have to say, she's a fantastic writer.
She pulls you in and keeps your attention right from page one and I would definately recommed this book to anyone who likes a hot angel and a good story.
I've read a lot of the whole paranormal kinda vampire and angel stuff, and this has quite honestly been my favorite one by far. The only thing I can see possibly toping this is her book Bonded in Exile that she has an excerpt from on her website. Now that, I'm looking forward too.
Not only is the story line amazing, but Melynda has a great writting style, I think. I hate to say it, but I'm an extremely picky reader when it comes to people's wording and grammar, but I love the way she writes. She doesn't spoon-feed you everything and repeat herself, which irritates me. No, I have to say, she's a fantastic writer.
She pulls you in and keeps your attention right from page one and I would definately recommed this book to anyone who likes a hot angel and a good story.
March 14, 2013
WOW! This book really took me by surprise! I was hooked from the beginning and it held my interest the entire time. I fell in love with Liam and Balen and I can't wait to continue on and see where things lead! I really enjoy the kinds of books where it seems impossible for the couple to be together and you're wondering how it will ever happen. At this point, I still have NO idea how this can happen for them but I'm enjoying the struggle! Great start to a series!
December 1, 2014
This book had so much potential that was wasted on useless characters. The story was meant to be about Olivia and her ability to see angels and the fallen. Instead at 50% it bored me to tears with Ashley - her bff who had zero character building and introduction was thrown into the plot and her irrelevant love life to the centre stage. Hardly anything happened, the characters were bleak and boring and the plot was watered down in favour of a stupid love triangle.
February 8, 2013
This has been a phenomenal reading experience. I loved this book from the first page - and when it comes to Paranormal stories I usually tend to be really picky. The characters are so vivid, it's almost as if they were standing right by my side!
I absolutely can't wait for the next one to come.
This is a completely new take on angels. It seems like "angels" are a topic that has been used so many times already that everything I read just sounds the same. But Melynda Price is different - her story draws you in from page 1 and doesn't let you go until you have finished reading. It's fresh and new and so exciting in its own way. Whenever I had to put down the book I caught myself thinking about the story.
This rarely happens to me and I'm glad to have discovered one of my new favorite authors!
This is honestly the best book I have read in a long time! By now I must have read it about 10 times.
Thank you, Melynda, for this exciting and wonderful story.
I absolutely can't wait for the next one to come.
This is a completely new take on angels. It seems like "angels" are a topic that has been used so many times already that everything I read just sounds the same. But Melynda Price is different - her story draws you in from page 1 and doesn't let you go until you have finished reading. It's fresh and new and so exciting in its own way. Whenever I had to put down the book I caught myself thinking about the story.
This rarely happens to me and I'm glad to have discovered one of my new favorite authors!
This is honestly the best book I have read in a long time! By now I must have read it about 10 times.
Thank you, Melynda, for this exciting and wonderful story.
May 28, 2013
I was drawn right into this story from the beginning, and each turn of the page drew me in deeper.
Melynda Price's attention to detail and ability to paint such vivid pictures with her words is what brought this story to life - from descriptions of places and people, to the depths of emotions, to the realistic reactions by the characters. There wasn't a point in this story where I didn't feel something for each character - love, hate, disappointment, sorrow, hope, etc.
A well-written debut novel and an amazing introduction to the Redemption series. A recommendation for anyone looking for a fresh take on the intricate balance that takes place between the natural and supernatural worlds!
Melynda Price's attention to detail and ability to paint such vivid pictures with her words is what brought this story to life - from descriptions of places and people, to the depths of emotions, to the realistic reactions by the characters. There wasn't a point in this story where I didn't feel something for each character - love, hate, disappointment, sorrow, hope, etc.
A well-written debut novel and an amazing introduction to the Redemption series. A recommendation for anyone looking for a fresh take on the intricate balance that takes place between the natural and supernatural worlds!
May 24, 2012
A really incredible book. Olivia is a high school senior who falls in with a devil - literally! Max is a fallen angel intent on turning her to the dark side because of her unique gift. Liam is a very manly angel who risks everything to save her. Their love is forbidden but inevitable, and the story ends on a bittersweet note. The next book in the series, though, brings them back together and I can't wait to read it! This is a book for older teen girls all the way through great-grandmothers. You'll love it. Melynda Price has a lot of talent.
August 6, 2012
This is the first book in the Redemption Series, I original thought this was a stand alone book. How glad was I to find it's the beginning to more to come.
I loved the characters in this book, they are well defined and you can't help but want more of them. The story is interesting and flows very well. I was never sitting bored.
At the end of the book we get a little look of the next book, It starts three years later. I read this and just couldn't believe I have to wait. PLEASE get the next book out soon. :)
I loved the characters in this book, they are well defined and you can't help but want more of them. The story is interesting and flows very well. I was never sitting bored.
At the end of the book we get a little look of the next book, It starts three years later. I read this and just couldn't believe I have to wait. PLEASE get the next book out soon. :)
March 13, 2013
I have to admit that in the beginning of the book I was bit put off because I didn't know it was a YA book and I couldn't help thinking "Oh, boy here we go again with the teenage drama," and it also reminded me of another YA book with angels. Boy was I wrong, as I kept on reading I couldn't help falling in love with Olivia and Liam. I thought the plot was amazing and the ending was great not what I expected. Looking forward to more of this authors work I absolutely loved her work.
September 10, 2013
I loved this book. It not only has romance, it has a compelling good vs. evil story line. The writer has a gift for drawing the readers into her characters. I found myself thinking about them long after I'd finished the book. Kudos to Melynda Price for an excellent story. Keep them coming!
April 11, 2012
This book is wonderful. Angels good/bad. Olivia never knew what hit her. This book will keep you glued to your seat until the last page.
July 3, 2012
look's and sounds stunning can't wait to read it!!!!
I wouldn't mind winning it either LOL!!
I wouldn't mind winning it either LOL!!
March 13, 2013
On to the next one... NOW!! This was so well written and I really love the characters!
March 23, 2013
Simply amazing. Can't wait to read the next book!
March 7, 2013
I loved this book.
March 15, 2013
What a tear jerking ending! I have to read the next one, because things can't be left like this! Wonderful story! Great characters, great plot... Just WOW!
April 8, 2013
Absolutely LOVED this! Couldn't put it down even though I haven't really read much paranormal romance. This books has made me think differently about the genre and I will be reading more!
September 7, 2013
...... OH MY GOD!! I completely loved this book!!! This deserves more than five stars! Mark it as a to-read! You won't regret it!!
January 23, 2015
AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME!!!! Loved every tortures minute of it... I hope Liam and Olivia get there HEA!!!!
April 5, 2014
This book had me hooked from the beginning. Melynda Price did a great job with the characters I loved them, all well part from one. Liam and Balen you got to love them both.
August 29, 2014
one of my favorite Angel vs. demon books ever read.
October 13, 2019
Was this story about Olivia and Liam or Ashley and Balen? I felt like Ashley had terrible character building and seemed ridiculously cheap and easy. She was just sexually assaulted and right after started getting the hots for Balen. Why bother this parallel love story? Obviously author needs a lesson in psychology to understand that's not how people work. Plus this story just reached young girls around the world that it is okay to just have random sex with anyone. And after being practically raped, to just have some more random sex.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2012
Review originally posted at my blog
Olivia is one of the few people on Earth gifted with the Sight, the ability to see angels and demons. The Underworld is determined to kill her, as she is a threat to their kind, and they send Max to do the job. Luckily for her, she has her own guardian angel Liam to protect her. But Max will not give up so easily, and he will take down everything she loves to get to her.
This novel was really hard for me to rate, and as such this review may contain light spoilers. On the one hand, the story was really good and I enjoyed it completely, but some things didn't sit as well with me, leaving me liking it less. Perhaps, it has to do with my personal bias against angel/demon stories, but I am confident it was the story or the writing itself.
The story is nothing spectacular. It's actually really simple. Max wants Olivia dead. Liam is a warrior, not a real guardian, and will make sure she lives. Liam and Olivia fall for one another. Max gets more and more desperate with each attack. You are really left wondering why, if Liam is such a skilled warrior, does he not just swipe in, kill Max, and be done with it. Why Max lives as long as he does is really unexplainable.
The story focuses a lot on the relationships between the characters. The whole story is really the relationships with the angels vs demons in the background. The story opens with Olivia dating Max and you are left wondering why she stays with him, or why she got with him to begin with. It is obvious he is a short-tempered abusive type. All of her friends consider him to be a "douche", and she acts like she is unaware of their feelings. How can anyone not feel that way about him? How does this girl who is painted to be a sensible type not see it herself? I can understand her wanting to indulge in a bit of rebellion, but it just made no sense. They kept toting off about not effecting her free will and yet there is no other reason why I can see this sensible girl get with a guy like him. A desire for rebellion and a handsome face are not enough of a good cause to attract her to him. I might understand better if she were too afraid to get out of the relationship because she didn't know what he was like until they were together, but she is too strong of a person to let that happen. So it really doesn't make sense and considering that it is the beginning of the story it leaves you with a bit of a bad taste in your mouth about her. You want to like her otherwise.
The writing also bothered me a bit. There was a lot of cursing that I didn't feel was needed. That's a bit of a personal preference, but I have to say that I don't think it is really needed for angels to be running around with such language coming out of their mouths. Then there would be slang words like "cuz" following by paragraphs where the writing was classy and proper. It felt inconsistent. Then, the references to the desire of the angels seemed a bit off. The love in the story felt more like desire only and less like love. It didn't seem very angelic to me. Sure, it's more entertaining than a prude of an angel, but it was brought up so often that the angels were left being depicted as men who think only with their physical needs. A lot of the writing felt self-indulgent. I know a writer should write for themselves first because it will make your story so much better if you love and believe in it, but when it comes out to your audience, the self-indulgence shouldn't be so noticable in my opinion.
Regardless of it's faults, I did enjoy the entire story. There were many moments when things were predictable, but I still found myself hastening to get through to the next scene. The ending was horribly bittersweet. The teaser chapters for the second novel in the series just scream predictability and leave you frustrated. If you enjoy angel/demon stories, this really is a read that is worth it.
Olivia is one of the few people on Earth gifted with the Sight, the ability to see angels and demons. The Underworld is determined to kill her, as she is a threat to their kind, and they send Max to do the job. Luckily for her, she has her own guardian angel Liam to protect her. But Max will not give up so easily, and he will take down everything she loves to get to her.
This novel was really hard for me to rate, and as such this review may contain light spoilers. On the one hand, the story was really good and I enjoyed it completely, but some things didn't sit as well with me, leaving me liking it less. Perhaps, it has to do with my personal bias against angel/demon stories, but I am confident it was the story or the writing itself.
The story is nothing spectacular. It's actually really simple. Max wants Olivia dead. Liam is a warrior, not a real guardian, and will make sure she lives. Liam and Olivia fall for one another. Max gets more and more desperate with each attack. You are really left wondering why, if Liam is such a skilled warrior, does he not just swipe in, kill Max, and be done with it. Why Max lives as long as he does is really unexplainable.
The story focuses a lot on the relationships between the characters. The whole story is really the relationships with the angels vs demons in the background. The story opens with Olivia dating Max and you are left wondering why she stays with him, or why she got with him to begin with. It is obvious he is a short-tempered abusive type. All of her friends consider him to be a "douche", and she acts like she is unaware of their feelings. How can anyone not feel that way about him? How does this girl who is painted to be a sensible type not see it herself? I can understand her wanting to indulge in a bit of rebellion, but it just made no sense. They kept toting off about not effecting her free will and yet there is no other reason why I can see this sensible girl get with a guy like him. A desire for rebellion and a handsome face are not enough of a good cause to attract her to him. I might understand better if she were too afraid to get out of the relationship because she didn't know what he was like until they were together, but she is too strong of a person to let that happen. So it really doesn't make sense and considering that it is the beginning of the story it leaves you with a bit of a bad taste in your mouth about her. You want to like her otherwise.
The writing also bothered me a bit. There was a lot of cursing that I didn't feel was needed. That's a bit of a personal preference, but I have to say that I don't think it is really needed for angels to be running around with such language coming out of their mouths. Then there would be slang words like "cuz" following by paragraphs where the writing was classy and proper. It felt inconsistent. Then, the references to the desire of the angels seemed a bit off. The love in the story felt more like desire only and less like love. It didn't seem very angelic to me. Sure, it's more entertaining than a prude of an angel, but it was brought up so often that the angels were left being depicted as men who think only with their physical needs. A lot of the writing felt self-indulgent. I know a writer should write for themselves first because it will make your story so much better if you love and believe in it, but when it comes out to your audience, the self-indulgence shouldn't be so noticable in my opinion.
Regardless of it's faults, I did enjoy the entire story. There were many moments when things were predictable, but I still found myself hastening to get through to the next scene. The ending was horribly bittersweet. The teaser chapters for the second novel in the series just scream predictability and leave you frustrated. If you enjoy angel/demon stories, this really is a read that is worth it.
July 5, 2016
DNF
I only finished until the end of Chapter 16, then I had to throw in the towel. This book gave me migraines.
The powers that be are in a tug of war for this slip of a girl, two guys, good vs evil yadda yadda. The characters and execution are lacking. Both guys are positively douche canoes and its hard to like the girl. Yes, shes 18 but can she be more self centered and shallow?
Anyways, I definitely wont be continuing with the series even tho I got the whole bunch. Tsk.
I only finished until the end of Chapter 16, then I had to throw in the towel. This book gave me migraines.
The powers that be are in a tug of war for this slip of a girl, two guys, good vs evil yadda yadda. The characters and execution are lacking. Both guys are positively douche canoes and its hard to like the girl. Yes, shes 18 but can she be more self centered and shallow?
Anyways, I definitely wont be continuing with the series even tho I got the whole bunch. Tsk.
August 24, 2013
I originally discovered this book through a giveaway on Goodreads. Though I didn't win that contest, I'm glad that I went back and purchased the book. I really enjoyed it, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
tbr-first-reads
September 5, 2012*** I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads ***
** The Giveaway was Listed By Melynda (the author) **
* I received my copy on Wed, Sep 05 2012 *
THANK YOU GOODREADS FIRST READS AND MELYNDA!
I will follow with a full review after reading.
** The Giveaway was Listed By Melynda (the author) **
* I received my copy on Wed, Sep 05 2012 *
THANK YOU GOODREADS FIRST READS AND MELYNDA!
I will follow with a full review after reading.
July 10, 2016
WOW! This definitely goes in my top 5. At first, I thought it would be too long for me, but now I wish it was longer! I don't know if I can wait until Insurgent comes out.
August 18, 2022
Excellent book!!!
March 5, 2013
This book is wonderful. Angels good/bad. Olivia never knew what hit her. This book will keep you glued to your seat until the last page.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews