Edit: I did a re-read of this book as it came out with a new cover, artwork and edits from a new publishing house. I enjoyed reading the story the first time around and I believe I liked it even more the second time! The cover is stunning and I believe it ranks up as one of my all time favorites. As you read about the Creator and the story the cover becomes more than just beautiful, but also fitting. The artwork in the book and the map are quite fun and very Talented. I still had a hard time keeping all the characters straight in my mind but this is a great read and a brilliant job of building a new world.
Original review:
From the cover (gorgeous), to story (captivating), to author interaction(so nice!).. this book, the first in a series, is out of this world good (literally:)-!!) I received this book, as well as the other two, via an Instagram giveaway. When they arrived at my house I was immediately impressed with the quality of the cover, but more importantly I was excited to begin reading them because the pictures on Instagram and captured my curiosity and I had not come across a book that had the premise of Lucifer's diary.
If you enjoy descriptive language that takes you into a new world you will love to experience the world of Elysium. From the beginning of this story until the end I was swept through the travels of the book-keepers, the Nephilins, the Fallen Stars and other mystical beings. The imagery of the Creator and Lucifer was very creative and caused very graphic images of my head (hello the image of the Creator while Isaac first made his decision). This would be an amazing book to have illustrated or if the proper visual effects could be implemented to become a movie. The battle scenes played out in my head with the gore, the despair and for some the triumph. There were twists and turns in the story that stumped the darkness and showed minute victories for the light or goodness. What I enjoyed a great deal was that while the book obviously has these aspects of good, evil, light, darkness, etc. it does not try to preach or become a religious dialogue. By the end of the book I knew I would quickly proceed to book two to see how the different factions continued to rally and wage battle.
I have labeled this book with my Halloween tag solely because of the play on darkness, evil and the different creatures that appear. The actual story does not revolve around or interact with the concept of Halloween:) This book shows the relationship between good and evil, dives deep into the ideas and thoughts friendships, loyalty, doubt, fear, peace and more. If you like stories that suck you into the story line and will make you think I would recommend this story!