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Ignite #2
Incite
Earth is in ruins, and the war of Heaven and Hell has spilled over into the mortal world. In the frozen wasteland of the apocalypse, Azael and his band of cohorts search for Pen and Michael with orders to kill. Little does he know that his sister has incited a rebel army of her own.
Angels and demons alike stand side by side, ready and willing to fight for a future they didn’t realize they could have. Change doesn't come easy, though. Pen is wary of joining New Genesis's revolution, but when Azael shows his hand and Pen learns all that he holds over them, she chooses to fight back, no matter the risk. She only has to survive, one hour at a time.
Angels and demons alike stand side by side, ready and willing to fight for a future they didn’t realize they could have. Change doesn't come easy, though. Pen is wary of joining New Genesis's revolution, but when Azael shows his hand and Pen learns all that he holds over them, she chooses to fight back, no matter the risk. She only has to survive, one hour at a time.
367 pages, Paperback
First published February 17, 2015
1 person is currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Erica Crouch
24 books241 followersErica Crouch is a fiction writer and genre hopper. She has co-founded two publishing collectives, Patchwork Press and Weapenry, and has produced nine novels and two screenplays. Originally from Ellicott City, Erica has since moved into the heart of Annapolis, Maryland where she continues to write while studying law.
Read more about her online at ericacrouch.com.
Read more about her online at ericacrouch.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 10, 2015
Where to start with this one..hmm... I'll start with saying I was incredibly pleased and surprised by the turn of events in this book. After reading the other books in this series, I kinda set the bar pretty high for this author honestly, so the fact it not only hit that bar but went way above simply rocked.
The alternating point of views between the twins was wonderful, it definitely felt like a yin and yang thing going on. You had Pen desperately trying to be good and make a difference with how she lived her life, compared to her brother Azael who was this destructive being. In the other books, you have a pretty good idea, or at least you think you do, of how screwed up this boy is, but until you get his POV to this degree it really is shocking.
As the synopsis suggests Pen and Michael are being hunted by everyone because they threaten the order of things. Both heavenly and fallen angels do as they're told, they don't question their leaders or their existence, but Pen and Michael do. This in itself is extremely dangerous. Toss in the fact that Michael was once an Archangel and you've got serious problems.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and plan on continuing following Pen and Michael on their journey. The writing was smooth and easily transitioned between characters, each with a unique voice that set them apart from each other. I'd definitely recommend this to older young adults to new adult fans, but also to paranormal lovers as well.
I received this arc in exchange for an honest review from the publishers.
My Rating:4 of 5
The alternating point of views between the twins was wonderful, it definitely felt like a yin and yang thing going on. You had Pen desperately trying to be good and make a difference with how she lived her life, compared to her brother Azael who was this destructive being. In the other books, you have a pretty good idea, or at least you think you do, of how screwed up this boy is, but until you get his POV to this degree it really is shocking.
As the synopsis suggests Pen and Michael are being hunted by everyone because they threaten the order of things. Both heavenly and fallen angels do as they're told, they don't question their leaders or their existence, but Pen and Michael do. This in itself is extremely dangerous. Toss in the fact that Michael was once an Archangel and you've got serious problems.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and plan on continuing following Pen and Michael on their journey. The writing was smooth and easily transitioned between characters, each with a unique voice that set them apart from each other. I'd definitely recommend this to older young adults to new adult fans, but also to paranormal lovers as well.
I received this arc in exchange for an honest review from the publishers.
My Rating:4 of 5
January 27, 2015
(I wrote it, so I sure hope I liked it!)
March 6, 2015
Love love love!
Can't wait for the next book (and novella)!
This book has dual POV of both Azael and Pen.. It was great seeing how Azael's mind works, seeing his reasonings to everything, and just how far he'd go to get to Pen. Also, Pen's struggle in joining the rebels (New Genesis), and dealing with Michael.
Finally, that Lilith's epilogue! OMG cliffhanger! I really can't wait to see what Lilith is hiding!
*This arc was kindly provided by Patchwork Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Can't wait for the next book (and novella)!
This book has dual POV of both Azael and Pen.. It was great seeing how Azael's mind works, seeing his reasonings to everything, and just how far he'd go to get to Pen. Also, Pen's struggle in joining the rebels (New Genesis), and dealing with Michael.
Finally, that Lilith's epilogue! OMG cliffhanger! I really can't wait to see what Lilith is hiding!
*This arc was kindly provided by Patchwork Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
May 1, 2015
A copy of this novel was provided for review via Net Galley on behalf of the publisher.
Alright, I’m just gonna come out and say that I am listening to Miley Cyrus’s Adore You on repeat whilst I am writing this review. Because you guess it … I adored Azael. HA! I bet you thought I was going to say I adored Incite, which I did. But holy cow, Azael completely and totally stole the show.
I mentioned in my review of Ignite and Entice that I liked Azael. A lot. Well. This is a ‘like’ no longer. This is an all consuming love. For a fictional character. I haven’t actually had the pleasure of loving a fictional character as much as I love Azael in a pretty long time. And I’m almost certain he is now my number one. I am seriously in love with everything about him. I loved reading his chapters the most (sorry, Pen), and I love how utterly complex he is. I wanted to run to him, and stroke his hair and cuddle the shit outta him and make him realise that life isn’t all that bad. That it can be good, and that’s all that Pen realised. She still loves you, I promise. I don’t know if he’d even give me the time of day, but still. That’s exactly what I wanted to do.
(Second Adore You starting now)
I loved that we got to see so much more of him in Incite. Reading from his perspective gave his character so much more depth than we had been given from Pen’s second-hand perspective of him. He’s so completely broken, and my heart just freaking aches for him in such a real way. And it’s moments like these that I realise how much of a book fangirl/nerd I really am. Because my love for Azael is pretty real. I mean, there are humans I love less than Azael. Probably because they don’t even come close to the effect he has on me. He craves acceptance, but wants nothing more than to be independent. He loves Pen with the force of a million suns, but won’t accept the fact that it is love he feels. He thinks he is evil incarnate, but I can see his goodness. I can see that he isn’t all blood and gore. I can see it. And I wish he could, as well. I wish he could realise that it isn’t just black and white, and that there are shades of grey. But it’s like he’s gotten it into his head that he is evil, and bad, and there’s nothing he wants to do about it. AZAEL, MY BABY, THAT’S NOT THE CASE.
(Third Adore You starting now. I was legit when I said repeat)
Okay, I realise I’m nearly at five hundred words and I have spoken of nothing but Azael, but Erica has created one of the most beautifully complex characters that I have ever had the extreme pleasure of reading. I will never not love Az, which is why I cannot stop writing about him. Because I want you to fall in love with him, too. But also realise at the same time that HE IS MINE FOREVER. AND EVER. MIIIIIINE.
As for the non-Az aspects of Incite, they were fabulous, as always. Erica is my favourite author, which I have said a few times. She’s my favourite because she can make me care so much (see all my Az-centric paragraphs above), weave an incredible storyline, and the way she writes. Deary me. It’s perfect. The distinctions between Pen and Az were clear as day, and the evolutions of both their storylines in this book were fabulous. We got to see Az for who he really is, and we got to know Pen even more. How much she cares for Michael; how scared she is of losing him; and how she can be a leader when she needs to be. She’s just an all ‘round badass, and I totally love Pen.
(Fourth Adore You. I’m so hardcore)
I loved the new characters we were introduced to – both from Pen and Az’s perspective, because they weren’t just two dimensional characters, but they also didn’t detract from the characters we care about the most (Az, Pen, and Michael). I’m really looking forward to reading Engage, which is a novella about two of these new characters. I cannot wait to read it because it is sexually diverse, too. Yay for Erica being diverse!
Okay. I loved Incite. I loved Azael most of all, but I loved everything else about it, as well. This will no doubt be as firm a favourite as Ignite has been these past (nearly) two years of my reading life.
© 2015, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity . All rights reserved.
Alright, I’m just gonna come out and say that I am listening to Miley Cyrus’s Adore You on repeat whilst I am writing this review. Because you guess it … I adored Azael. HA! I bet you thought I was going to say I adored Incite, which I did. But holy cow, Azael completely and totally stole the show.
I mentioned in my review of Ignite and Entice that I liked Azael. A lot. Well. This is a ‘like’ no longer. This is an all consuming love. For a fictional character. I haven’t actually had the pleasure of loving a fictional character as much as I love Azael in a pretty long time. And I’m almost certain he is now my number one. I am seriously in love with everything about him. I loved reading his chapters the most (sorry, Pen), and I love how utterly complex he is. I wanted to run to him, and stroke his hair and cuddle the shit outta him and make him realise that life isn’t all that bad. That it can be good, and that’s all that Pen realised. She still loves you, I promise. I don’t know if he’d even give me the time of day, but still. That’s exactly what I wanted to do.
(Second Adore You starting now)
I loved that we got to see so much more of him in Incite. Reading from his perspective gave his character so much more depth than we had been given from Pen’s second-hand perspective of him. He’s so completely broken, and my heart just freaking aches for him in such a real way. And it’s moments like these that I realise how much of a book fangirl/nerd I really am. Because my love for Azael is pretty real. I mean, there are humans I love less than Azael. Probably because they don’t even come close to the effect he has on me. He craves acceptance, but wants nothing more than to be independent. He loves Pen with the force of a million suns, but won’t accept the fact that it is love he feels. He thinks he is evil incarnate, but I can see his goodness. I can see that he isn’t all blood and gore. I can see it. And I wish he could, as well. I wish he could realise that it isn’t just black and white, and that there are shades of grey. But it’s like he’s gotten it into his head that he is evil, and bad, and there’s nothing he wants to do about it. AZAEL, MY BABY, THAT’S NOT THE CASE.
(Third Adore You starting now. I was legit when I said repeat)
Okay, I realise I’m nearly at five hundred words and I have spoken of nothing but Azael, but Erica has created one of the most beautifully complex characters that I have ever had the extreme pleasure of reading. I will never not love Az, which is why I cannot stop writing about him. Because I want you to fall in love with him, too. But also realise at the same time that HE IS MINE FOREVER. AND EVER. MIIIIIINE.
As for the non-Az aspects of Incite, they were fabulous, as always. Erica is my favourite author, which I have said a few times. She’s my favourite because she can make me care so much (see all my Az-centric paragraphs above), weave an incredible storyline, and the way she writes. Deary me. It’s perfect. The distinctions between Pen and Az were clear as day, and the evolutions of both their storylines in this book were fabulous. We got to see Az for who he really is, and we got to know Pen even more. How much she cares for Michael; how scared she is of losing him; and how she can be a leader when she needs to be. She’s just an all ‘round badass, and I totally love Pen.
(Fourth Adore You. I’m so hardcore)
I loved the new characters we were introduced to – both from Pen and Az’s perspective, because they weren’t just two dimensional characters, but they also didn’t detract from the characters we care about the most (Az, Pen, and Michael). I’m really looking forward to reading Engage, which is a novella about two of these new characters. I cannot wait to read it because it is sexually diverse, too. Yay for Erica being diverse!
Okay. I loved Incite. I loved Azael most of all, but I loved everything else about it, as well. This will no doubt be as firm a favourite as Ignite has been these past (nearly) two years of my reading life.
© 2015, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity . All rights reserved.
February 11, 2015
I received an e Arc copy of Incite from Netgalley via Patchwork Press in exchange with an honest review. I am also reviewing it as a part of the Incite Blog Tour.
Incite begins with a prologue from Azael's POV that opens a portal to his mind where I witnessed some emotions I thought he had already buried.
This book was written from both POV of Pen and Azaeal, which is really interesting. The reader gets to learn more about both characters. More about what they are becoming, and not what they were.
The imagery was very impressive; I shuddered every time the author described a torture scene . It was like I was standing there, next to the victim.
New characters are added to the story; each of them add a little of something unique to the story.I definitely want Kala to be my Guardian Angel . I love the way she is always bubbly even if the world is crumbling down. I am also interested in knowing more about Eli because I am sure that he has a great history/back story.
Like the first book, Ignite, Incite is filled with amazing quotes from plays and poetry .These include the works of Shakespeare and Robert Frost. We also get more action and fighting scenes.
The element of darkness is explored in ways that will leave you terrified, breathless,and amazed all at once.
I found myself writing down many quotes from Incite because not only is the story thrilling, but also the writing is absolutely beautiful.
This is one of the books that tortures you because it is really good, but now you have to wait longer than anyone to read the next book. You know, since this is an ARC and the book is not released yet.
I don't know what is driving me mad more, the cliffhanger or the epilogue !!!!
I really enjoyed reading Incite , and I can't wait to read the final book in this epic series.
I give it 5/5 stars and an A according to my own rating scale.
Incite begins with a prologue from Azael's POV that opens a portal to his mind where I witnessed some emotions I thought he had already buried.
This book was written from both POV of Pen and Azaeal, which is really interesting. The reader gets to learn more about both characters. More about what they are becoming, and not what they were.
The imagery was very impressive; I shuddered every time the author described a torture scene . It was like I was standing there, next to the victim.
New characters are added to the story; each of them add a little of something unique to the story.I definitely want Kala to be my Guardian Angel . I love the way she is always bubbly even if the world is crumbling down. I am also interested in knowing more about Eli because I am sure that he has a great history/back story.
Like the first book, Ignite, Incite is filled with amazing quotes from plays and poetry .These include the works of Shakespeare and Robert Frost. We also get more action and fighting scenes.
The element of darkness is explored in ways that will leave you terrified, breathless,and amazed all at once.
I found myself writing down many quotes from Incite because not only is the story thrilling, but also the writing is absolutely beautiful.
This is one of the books that tortures you because it is really good, but now you have to wait longer than anyone to read the next book. You know, since this is an ARC and the book is not released yet.
I don't know what is driving me mad more, the cliffhanger or the epilogue !!!!
I really enjoyed reading Incite , and I can't wait to read the final book in this epic series.
I give it 5/5 stars and an A according to my own rating scale.
February 8, 2015
AZAEL!! How could you!? I thought it was bad in the first one, but the things he does, the things he thinks in this one were so much worse. I had a small shred of hope at the beginning of this book for him. But now....
After what he did I just want to scream at him.
I LOVED the dual POV with Azael and Pen. It was fascinating getting into their minds to see how they saw different situations. What each of them was doing at the same point in time.
This book hurt some of my feels. Az just spiraled further into madness, and Michael started to as well. Now that Michael remembers everything, he is depressed, and getting sick. I feel so bad for him. I love his character and I really hope nothing happens to him.
The ending of this book is killer, it will keep you wanting more...I already want the next one to be out!
You can find the full review at Bookaholic Raves
After what he did I just want to scream at him.
I LOVED the dual POV with Azael and Pen. It was fascinating getting into their minds to see how they saw different situations. What each of them was doing at the same point in time.
This book hurt some of my feels. Az just spiraled further into madness, and Michael started to as well. Now that Michael remembers everything, he is depressed, and getting sick. I feel so bad for him. I love his character and I really hope nothing happens to him.
The ending of this book is killer, it will keep you wanting more...I already want the next one to be out!
You can find the full review at Bookaholic Raves
February 28, 2015
**I received this book for free from (Patchwork Press) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Paranormal Fantasy
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Incite is the sequel to Ignite. This time out, Crouch alternates narratives between Pen (Penemuel) and her brother Azael. I do believe that there's no longer any doubt that Az is a sick, twisted, psychopath who blames Pen for everything, but still intends on winning her back to his side. On the other hand, Pen has fallen, and she can't get up! OK, that's being a bit facetious. The reality is that she isn't the same character we first met in Ignite. Perhaps, in the end, that's a good thing because she's seeing things differently for the first time since she fell from Heaven.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd via NetGalley 01/25/2015* Published: February 17th 2015 by Patchwork Press
*Genre* Paranormal Fantasy
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Incite is the sequel to Ignite. This time out, Crouch alternates narratives between Pen (Penemuel) and her brother Azael. I do believe that there's no longer any doubt that Az is a sick, twisted, psychopath who blames Pen for everything, but still intends on winning her back to his side. On the other hand, Pen has fallen, and she can't get up! OK, that's being a bit facetious. The reality is that she isn't the same character we first met in Ignite. Perhaps, in the end, that's a good thing because she's seeing things differently for the first time since she fell from Heaven.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd via NetGalley 01/25/2015* Published: February 17th 2015 by Patchwork Press
May 9, 2023
Also published in "Tales of a Depresso Witch"
Rating: 4,5 stars!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author, Erica Crouch, in exchange for an honest review.
When I was sort of “invited” to be part of Incite Blog Tour – I received Erica Crouch’s newsletter with the sign-up to it so, yah, I wasn’t directly invited as being invited by the author if you know what I mean – I couldn’t help myself but sign-up immediately. I mean, you all know I’m a fan of Erica Crouch, right? So, of course, I had to be part of the Blog Tour. What kind of a fan would I be if I wasn’t part of it?
There are so many things I want to talk about… I don’t even know where to start!
Incite is told from two different points of view: Pen and Azazel. The fact that both twins are on different poles of the war makes the experience of reading this book much more profound. They live opposite lives, each with their own idea of what is right and wrong. Whereas Pen is trying to absolve her evil deeds and live her life with the love of her life, Michael, Azazel is a dark soul whose solemn desire is to destruct Michael and try to regain his sister back. Being inside Azazel’s mind helped him understand his own feelings. Though in the other books, you get a small glimpse at who he is, in Incite you get the whole picture. And in a way, it’s both terrifying and amazing. He’s a character that despite the fact that he’s almost pure evil, you find yourself sympathizing with him.
The war settled down on earth and both sides – angels and demons – are not safe. Pen and Michael have to run and hide from heaven and hell, not safe anywhere and with fear of being captured. And that is when we meet Kala, an angel that is not quite what you would expect an angel to be. She’s quirky and perky and full of energy it was contagious. She has this foul mouth that is one of her best characteristics – she knows how to throw an F-bomb at the right moment. Her relationship with Ana brought a new light to the story – just because they are angels, it doesn’t mean that the LGBT side of the world should be neglected.
Ana and Kala are members of the rebellion group entitled New Genesis. These rebels are angels and demons alike, both sides trying to fight and defend a world that Pen always envisioned, the world she always wanted and fought for. Thankfully Pen and Michael have allies and friends to rely on.
One of the things that astonished me in Incite was how Erica managed to add both Jack the Ripper and Mulan within the story as a demon and an angel respectively. I mean, how freaking amazing is that?
Lilith is a character I can’t put my finger on. I never fully trusted her but in this book, with everything that we saw/heard through Azazel and then her epilogue at the end, I’m pretty sure that in the next book, we will have a huge surprise. If that surprise will be good or bad, I think we all have to wait and see, right?
As always Erica’s writing is beautiful and intense. I can never get enough of her writing. Even in the most painful moments of the book, her writing captivates and draws you to the story you cannot step out of it without feeling like you severed something. You have this connection to all characters – Azazel included – that is unfathomable and powerful. She hypnotises you with words and that, ladies and gentlemen, is a true and pure gift.
Incite is one of the best sequels I’ve read in a while, a great continuation to an already amazing book. There is romance, gore, pain, death, friendship, and a taste of everything you could ask for in a paranormal book with angels and demons. However, I must warn you that the cliffhanger and Lilith’s epilogue will leave you desperate to get the next book.
Rating: 4,5 stars!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author, Erica Crouch, in exchange for an honest review.
When I was sort of “invited” to be part of Incite Blog Tour – I received Erica Crouch’s newsletter with the sign-up to it so, yah, I wasn’t directly invited as being invited by the author if you know what I mean – I couldn’t help myself but sign-up immediately. I mean, you all know I’m a fan of Erica Crouch, right? So, of course, I had to be part of the Blog Tour. What kind of a fan would I be if I wasn’t part of it?
There are so many things I want to talk about… I don’t even know where to start!
Incite is told from two different points of view: Pen and Azazel. The fact that both twins are on different poles of the war makes the experience of reading this book much more profound. They live opposite lives, each with their own idea of what is right and wrong. Whereas Pen is trying to absolve her evil deeds and live her life with the love of her life, Michael, Azazel is a dark soul whose solemn desire is to destruct Michael and try to regain his sister back. Being inside Azazel’s mind helped him understand his own feelings. Though in the other books, you get a small glimpse at who he is, in Incite you get the whole picture. And in a way, it’s both terrifying and amazing. He’s a character that despite the fact that he’s almost pure evil, you find yourself sympathizing with him.
The war settled down on earth and both sides – angels and demons – are not safe. Pen and Michael have to run and hide from heaven and hell, not safe anywhere and with fear of being captured. And that is when we meet Kala, an angel that is not quite what you would expect an angel to be. She’s quirky and perky and full of energy it was contagious. She has this foul mouth that is one of her best characteristics – she knows how to throw an F-bomb at the right moment. Her relationship with Ana brought a new light to the story – just because they are angels, it doesn’t mean that the LGBT side of the world should be neglected.
Ana and Kala are members of the rebellion group entitled New Genesis. These rebels are angels and demons alike, both sides trying to fight and defend a world that Pen always envisioned, the world she always wanted and fought for. Thankfully Pen and Michael have allies and friends to rely on.
One of the things that astonished me in Incite was how Erica managed to add both Jack the Ripper and Mulan within the story as a demon and an angel respectively. I mean, how freaking amazing is that?
Lilith is a character I can’t put my finger on. I never fully trusted her but in this book, with everything that we saw/heard through Azazel and then her epilogue at the end, I’m pretty sure that in the next book, we will have a huge surprise. If that surprise will be good or bad, I think we all have to wait and see, right?
As always Erica’s writing is beautiful and intense. I can never get enough of her writing. Even in the most painful moments of the book, her writing captivates and draws you to the story you cannot step out of it without feeling like you severed something. You have this connection to all characters – Azazel included – that is unfathomable and powerful. She hypnotises you with words and that, ladies and gentlemen, is a true and pure gift.
Incite is one of the best sequels I’ve read in a while, a great continuation to an already amazing book. There is romance, gore, pain, death, friendship, and a taste of everything you could ask for in a paranormal book with angels and demons. However, I must warn you that the cliffhanger and Lilith’s epilogue will leave you desperate to get the next book.
May 18, 2015
*I received this Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review*
Why cliffhanger?!?! I'm really wondering about that ending. Is it really Pen..? Sigh, when is book 3 coming out because I kind of need it now. Anyhow, I don't really want to spoil the plot, so I'll just point out a few things I really enjoyed about Incite.
The alternating Pen/Az POV. The book starts out with a prologue from Azael's point of view. This made me squeal with delight because I love Azael and I desperately wanted any insight into his thoughts. He can't be that evil, right? So I'm reading the prologue and it's awesome, and then chapter one comes and we're back to Pen's POV, which is fine because she's awesome, too! But then, chapter two- AZAEL AGAIN! Like, what? Erica Crouch, you are so wonderful!
Erica Crouch's writing. Sigh, so eloquent and descriptive. I see everything she wants me to see so vividly. For example:
Is it completely creepy that I can just imagine this scene and it is so beautiful to me?
Kala. Kala was so cool with her frequent F-bombs! When she entered the story, she gave me hope. I'd been so worried about Pen and Michael spending the rest of their time alone and running from the angels and demons, I never stopped to think they would meet any allies.
Azael's team of fighters. Ok, I'm going to be honest, I love Azael's team! 3 assassins, 2 shapeshifters, a healer, and a spy. How cool does that sound?
Chapter 21. More specifically when Pen and her team find Zophiel. I mean, we had already read Azael's chapter and knew everything he did to Zo, but reading this scene through Pen's eyes really shocked me. My love for Az faded a little because I really felt he had gone too far this time. Sigh, so sad.
Lilith's epilogue. When I read those words, I got the chills. All this time she had been lurking in the background, but now, who knows what she's up to!
Squee!
Read it, guys!
Pearl @ AsteriskPearl's Book Blog
Why cliffhanger?!?! I'm really wondering about that ending. Is it really Pen..? Sigh, when is book 3 coming out because I kind of need it now. Anyhow, I don't really want to spoil the plot, so I'll just point out a few things I really enjoyed about Incite.
The alternating Pen/Az POV. The book starts out with a prologue from Azael's point of view. This made me squeal with delight because I love Azael and I desperately wanted any insight into his thoughts. He can't be that evil, right? So I'm reading the prologue and it's awesome, and then chapter one comes and we're back to Pen's POV, which is fine because she's awesome, too! But then, chapter two- AZAEL AGAIN! Like, what? Erica Crouch, you are so wonderful!
Erica Crouch's writing. Sigh, so eloquent and descriptive. I see everything she wants me to see so vividly. For example:
There is one banquet hall in Heaven, and one is all there needs to be because the room is large enough to fit every angel and demon five times over. There is no ceiling, at least no visible ceiling, but there are several large chandeliers that drip rubies above the heavy, carved table that runs the entire length of the room. The fat stones look like bloody tears suspended in midair.
Is it completely creepy that I can just imagine this scene and it is so beautiful to me?
Kala. Kala was so cool with her frequent F-bombs! When she entered the story, she gave me hope. I'd been so worried about Pen and Michael spending the rest of their time alone and running from the angels and demons, I never stopped to think they would meet any allies.
Azael's team of fighters. Ok, I'm going to be honest, I love Azael's team! 3 assassins, 2 shapeshifters, a healer, and a spy. How cool does that sound?
Chapter 21. More specifically when Pen and her team find Zophiel. I mean, we had already read Azael's chapter and knew everything he did to Zo, but reading this scene through Pen's eyes really shocked me. My love for Az faded a little because I really felt he had gone too far this time. Sigh, so sad.
Lilith's epilogue. When I read those words, I got the chills. All this time she had been lurking in the background, but now, who knows what she's up to!
The trick to getting what you want is to want nothing until you are in a position where you don't have to ask for it any longer. You bide your time, and then, at just the right moment, you take it. The powerful never ask for permission.
Squee!
Read it, guys!
Pearl @ AsteriskPearl's Book Blog
February 17, 2015
*I received a copy of this book for review*
I absolutely love this series. Erica Crouch's writing improves with every book and she has become one of my favorite authors. Incite was an epic sequel to Ignite and picks up almost where it left off with the characters I know and love. There was some new characters introduced and I loved them. This series is dark and breathtakingly beautiful; I just can not get enough of it.
Incite is told in dual point of view and I think Erica Crouch pulled this off wonderfully. In Ignite you fell in love with Pen as your narrator and in Incite you fall in love with Azael. You know an author has talent when you love the villain just as much as the protagonist in the story. When you think, "oh, he is just misunderstood and he has his reasons." Azael was a character that I wasn't too keen on in the first book, but now I feel sympathy for him and that is great writing.
Ignite focused on the beginning of Michael and Pen's romance, where as Incite focuses on the struggles they have in their new found romance. What makes this take on insta-love great is that the characters themselves are fully aware that it was instant and fast, now they are trying to make it work. I love Pen because she does embody that angel and demon on your shoulder mentality. At times she wants to do just be selfish and doesn't care that the world is falling apart but then she has to think about what Michael wants.
There were also some new characters that I am dying over their perfection. First of all we have Kala, a short spit fire one winged angel who just happens to be a lesbian. She saved the day and was a super badass but also has a filthy mouth. I LOVED HER! Then we have Ana her girlfriend, who is a bit of a tight ass but when Kala is in the scene it makes her worth it. Also we were introduced to Eli who reminded me so much of Finnick from The Hunger Games. I need more Eli in my life stat. We did get some more of Lilith, who will be a narrator in the next book as well. I am not really a fan of her and I want a villain I can openly hate.
Incite was darker but also had a lot more action. It also has an overwhelmingly tense atmosphere that you know is leading up to an epic battle. I loved that Erica Crouch isn't afraid to address the absence of a God figure in the book. Pen is really struggling with the idea of God and if he could let all of this happen.
I highly recommend this series. If you are a paranormal romance addict like I am you will love this series. Even if you aren't a huge fan of angel and demon books you should really give this one a try because it is unlike any of that genre that I have read.
(*I am a Patchwork Press intern but that had zero effect on my review. I started this series before I interned there*)
I absolutely love this series. Erica Crouch's writing improves with every book and she has become one of my favorite authors. Incite was an epic sequel to Ignite and picks up almost where it left off with the characters I know and love. There was some new characters introduced and I loved them. This series is dark and breathtakingly beautiful; I just can not get enough of it.
Incite is told in dual point of view and I think Erica Crouch pulled this off wonderfully. In Ignite you fell in love with Pen as your narrator and in Incite you fall in love with Azael. You know an author has talent when you love the villain just as much as the protagonist in the story. When you think, "oh, he is just misunderstood and he has his reasons." Azael was a character that I wasn't too keen on in the first book, but now I feel sympathy for him and that is great writing.
Ignite focused on the beginning of Michael and Pen's romance, where as Incite focuses on the struggles they have in their new found romance. What makes this take on insta-love great is that the characters themselves are fully aware that it was instant and fast, now they are trying to make it work. I love Pen because she does embody that angel and demon on your shoulder mentality. At times she wants to do just be selfish and doesn't care that the world is falling apart but then she has to think about what Michael wants.
There were also some new characters that I am dying over their perfection. First of all we have Kala, a short spit fire one winged angel who just happens to be a lesbian. She saved the day and was a super badass but also has a filthy mouth. I LOVED HER! Then we have Ana her girlfriend, who is a bit of a tight ass but when Kala is in the scene it makes her worth it. Also we were introduced to Eli who reminded me so much of Finnick from The Hunger Games. I need more Eli in my life stat. We did get some more of Lilith, who will be a narrator in the next book as well. I am not really a fan of her and I want a villain I can openly hate.
Incite was darker but also had a lot more action. It also has an overwhelmingly tense atmosphere that you know is leading up to an epic battle. I loved that Erica Crouch isn't afraid to address the absence of a God figure in the book. Pen is really struggling with the idea of God and if he could let all of this happen.
I highly recommend this series. If you are a paranormal romance addict like I am you will love this series. Even if you aren't a huge fan of angel and demon books you should really give this one a try because it is unlike any of that genre that I have read.
(*I am a Patchwork Press intern but that had zero effect on my review. I started this series before I interned there*)
February 25, 2015
I received a free copy of Incite for my honest review.
Earth is in ruins, and the war of Heaven and Hell has spilled over into the mortal world. In the frozen wasteland of the apocalypse, Azael and his band of cohorts search for Pen and Michael with orders to kill. Little does he know that his sister has incited a rebel army of her own.
Angels and demons alike stand side by side, ready and willing to fight for a future they didn’t realize they could have. Change doesn’t come easy, though. Pen is wary of joining New Genesis’s revolution, but when Azael shows his hand and Pen learns all that he holds over them, she chooses to fight back, no matter the risk. She only has to survive, one hour at a time.
When I started Incite, I expected to read a book that was just like Ignite. Incite, however, is a very different book, and it should be. Incite is darker and more intense than the two books that came before it and the way Erica’s write has involved deserves nothing short of a standing ovation. Incite also contains a lot more action, causing me to keep turning page after page. I actually finished most of the book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down.
Unlike Ignite and Entice, Incite is told in dual point of views. It goes back and forth between Pen and Az, twin angels who fell from heaven to become demons. By making this artistic choice, Erica shares more of the story and draws the reader in. At first, I wasn’t sure I liked the dual point of view, but Erica’s writing as both Az and Pen is so believable, after a few chapters I was hooked.
There are a few new characters introduced in Incite as well that I absolutely love. Ignite was centered so much around Pen, Michael, and Az, that I was, again, expecting the same of Incite. It was great to see some new characters that fleshed out the story and drew me in even more.
After finishing Incite, the next two books in the series can’t come soon enough. This is a series worth reading. I have recommended it to a few of my friends and will continue to do so. Erica really has a unique and beautiful talent when it comes to crafting a story that makes the reader crave more. Thank goodness the next two books come out this year!
You can read this and other reviews at www.naptime-writer.com
Earth is in ruins, and the war of Heaven and Hell has spilled over into the mortal world. In the frozen wasteland of the apocalypse, Azael and his band of cohorts search for Pen and Michael with orders to kill. Little does he know that his sister has incited a rebel army of her own.
Angels and demons alike stand side by side, ready and willing to fight for a future they didn’t realize they could have. Change doesn’t come easy, though. Pen is wary of joining New Genesis’s revolution, but when Azael shows his hand and Pen learns all that he holds over them, she chooses to fight back, no matter the risk. She only has to survive, one hour at a time.
When I started Incite, I expected to read a book that was just like Ignite. Incite, however, is a very different book, and it should be. Incite is darker and more intense than the two books that came before it and the way Erica’s write has involved deserves nothing short of a standing ovation. Incite also contains a lot more action, causing me to keep turning page after page. I actually finished most of the book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down.
Unlike Ignite and Entice, Incite is told in dual point of views. It goes back and forth between Pen and Az, twin angels who fell from heaven to become demons. By making this artistic choice, Erica shares more of the story and draws the reader in. At first, I wasn’t sure I liked the dual point of view, but Erica’s writing as both Az and Pen is so believable, after a few chapters I was hooked.
There are a few new characters introduced in Incite as well that I absolutely love. Ignite was centered so much around Pen, Michael, and Az, that I was, again, expecting the same of Incite. It was great to see some new characters that fleshed out the story and drew me in even more.
After finishing Incite, the next two books in the series can’t come soon enough. This is a series worth reading. I have recommended it to a few of my friends and will continue to do so. Erica really has a unique and beautiful talent when it comes to crafting a story that makes the reader crave more. Thank goodness the next two books come out this year!
You can read this and other reviews at www.naptime-writer.com
January 29, 2015
ARC provided for honest review, thank you! :)
You can find my reviews at: The Titan's Tomb
This series feels more like reading poetry than a novel, I have never read a series that has touched my soul like Ignite has. As soon as I started reading I felt as though I was completely immersed into not only Pen's, but Azael's lives. The juxtaposition between the two characters is monumental, one calling out to the light side in each of us, and the other almost howling for the part of us where chaos and madness lays in wait. But if there is one thing that this book has taught me, it's that light can be dark and dark can be light. Pen has her selfish side, whilst Azael desperately grasps at the love for his sister. I love absolutely everything about this book, but my favourite aspect is definitely the writing, even the battle scenes move like poetry, and I could almost feel the biting cold of the earth it was described so beautifully. I just can't believe it ended like that! Cliffhangers are going to be the death of me. But especially this one because the lead up to the action was breath taking and heart stopping but then ArE you KidInG mE!? But I really could go for a few more books and beg for each and every one of them without shame. Another beautiful book in a series quickly working its way into my heart, filled with love, betrayal and redemption.
"Surviving is so different than being alive"~Pen
You can find my reviews at: The Titan's Tomb
This series feels more like reading poetry than a novel, I have never read a series that has touched my soul like Ignite has. As soon as I started reading I felt as though I was completely immersed into not only Pen's, but Azael's lives. The juxtaposition between the two characters is monumental, one calling out to the light side in each of us, and the other almost howling for the part of us where chaos and madness lays in wait. But if there is one thing that this book has taught me, it's that light can be dark and dark can be light. Pen has her selfish side, whilst Azael desperately grasps at the love for his sister. I love absolutely everything about this book, but my favourite aspect is definitely the writing, even the battle scenes move like poetry, and I could almost feel the biting cold of the earth it was described so beautifully. I just can't believe it ended like that! Cliffhangers are going to be the death of me. But especially this one because the lead up to the action was breath taking and heart stopping but then ArE you KidInG mE!? But I really could go for a few more books and beg for each and every one of them without shame. Another beautiful book in a series quickly working its way into my heart, filled with love, betrayal and redemption.
"Surviving is so different than being alive"~Pen
February 7, 2015
You can also find more reviews at my blog Lii's Adventures in Bookland
*This Book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for a honest review*
It was a pleasure to once again read about Pen, Azael and Michael. But this time I kind of stood by Azael's side... Now let me explain why.
Something changed in Azael on this book. He became more aware of his need for his sister whilst struggling with the obligation to kill her and I enjoyed that very much. Pen on the other side, to me, she seemed to still remain herself with not much to had to her personality, now keep in mind that this is not a bad thing.
So the reason I stood by Azael's side is because I want him to face both his fears and beliefs and see what choice he will take.
The plot for this book was very interesting, I was always expecting Azael to snap at someone because of what he was dealing with inside his head but he kept himself together quite well. Pen and Michael, it was always a sweet read whenever they were together because you could feel their love as if it was real.
Now there is something I need to talk about... How awesome is the fact that the author managed to insert jack the ripper and freaking mulan as if they were a demon or angel?? I found it quite amazing! I loved the twist on these characters as they were portrayed as a demon\ angel.
All in all this book was awesome and I can't wait to read the last book on this trilogy.
P.S.: something tells me that Lilith will be a pain in the butt.
*This Book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for a honest review*
It was a pleasure to once again read about Pen, Azael and Michael. But this time I kind of stood by Azael's side... Now let me explain why.
Something changed in Azael on this book. He became more aware of his need for his sister whilst struggling with the obligation to kill her and I enjoyed that very much. Pen on the other side, to me, she seemed to still remain herself with not much to had to her personality, now keep in mind that this is not a bad thing.
So the reason I stood by Azael's side is because I want him to face both his fears and beliefs and see what choice he will take.
The plot for this book was very interesting, I was always expecting Azael to snap at someone because of what he was dealing with inside his head but he kept himself together quite well. Pen and Michael, it was always a sweet read whenever they were together because you could feel their love as if it was real.
Now there is something I need to talk about... How awesome is the fact that the author managed to insert jack the ripper and freaking mulan as if they were a demon or angel?? I found it quite amazing! I loved the twist on these characters as they were portrayed as a demon\ angel.
All in all this book was awesome and I can't wait to read the last book on this trilogy.
P.S.: something tells me that Lilith will be a pain in the butt.
June 3, 2015
Told from the points of view of Azael and Pen this is a great addition to the series and leaves readers just wanting more! Telling the story in this way deepens the readers understanding of both characters, making it easy to empathise with them both as we journey with them as they discover more about themselves and what they are becoming. The imagery created by the author is, at times, all encompassing, making the reader feel like a participant in the scenes, her use of language superb and enthralling. As for the cliffhanger and epilogues - you’ll just have to read it to understand!
I love this author’s use of language and imagery. As the plot continues to unfold the story remains irresistibly engaging and the ending leaves you desperate for the next events to be revealed in this darkening yet breathtaking saga. Highly recommended.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too,
for letting me read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love this author’s use of language and imagery. As the plot continues to unfold the story remains irresistibly engaging and the ending leaves you desperate for the next events to be revealed in this darkening yet breathtaking saga. Highly recommended.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too,
for letting me read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2015
review to come soon. around Feb 17, I loved it and and wanting the next in series now.
June 29, 2018
Pen and Michael have chosen a life separate from heaven and hell and now there’s a bounty on their heads. Both angels and demons are hunting them and Azael is leading hell.
Incite is written in first person alternating between Pen and Azael. Crouch takes opportunity to add the depth to the characters and content that was lacking in the first book, Ignite. The added stress of leadership on Azael gives him more of a real personality and Michael’s weakness forces Pen to stand a little stronger. I really enjoyed the new Azael, Lilith, and Kala, the foul-mouthed angel. However, the author does a disservice to the story by making this a series and drawing it out with far too much filler.
Book three, Infinite, next.
www.joviinunderland.wordpress.com
Incite is written in first person alternating between Pen and Azael. Crouch takes opportunity to add the depth to the characters and content that was lacking in the first book, Ignite. The added stress of leadership on Azael gives him more of a real personality and Michael’s weakness forces Pen to stand a little stronger. I really enjoyed the new Azael, Lilith, and Kala, the foul-mouthed angel. However, the author does a disservice to the story by making this a series and drawing it out with far too much filler.
Book three, Infinite, next.
www.joviinunderland.wordpress.com
March 13, 2015
(I received an ARC copy of INCITE in exchange for a fair review. I intern with Patchwork Press, but this has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.)
I couldn't wait to get my hands on Incite. I'm a big fan of Erica Crouch's writing and the story of Pen and Michael is no exception. Following the end of Ignite, I was eager to find out where our young star-crossed lovers were going to end up and Incite had me on the edge of my seat.
Incite starts with Pen and Michael running for their lives across Earth, which is in the grips of another Ice Age thanks to the war between Heaven and Hell. Azael is King of Hell, but still nursing his wounds after the betrayal of his sister. There's a bounty on Pen and Michael's heads, from both Heaven and Hell, and with everyone out to kill them, hope seems lost. That is, until they encounter Kala (who I will come to later), who tells them that their romance has inspired a rebellion - angels and demons are fighting with one another for a better future.
I'll start by saying that I absolutely adore Crouch's prose. It's fluid and evoking, like good poetry, but she also excels at easy and realistic dialogue. Some of the lines in this book are whip-smart, and I laughed out loud at times. It's told through the dual narrative perspectives of Pen and her brother Azael. As we all know, dual POV can either be done reeeeeally well or reeeeeally badly, and thankfully Crouch pulls off the former. Pen and Az's narratives are distinct and at this point in the story, it works perfectly to have Az's perspective on the hunt as well as his sister's.
I loved reading from Az's point of view. He's a character I loved from the first two books, but having that extra insight into his head goes a long way for a reader to understanding him and his motives. He's still completely brutal, and believes in Hell's cause through and through, but his love for his sister has always redeemed him. After her betrayal, being able to see the conflict he feels was really interesting. He's also so different to Pen; his voice reads differently, his comebacks are sharper somehow. I think it's really clever how Crouch has translated the character we only knew through dialogue and through Pen's eyes in the other books, into his own consciousness in Incite. It was risky but she's succeeded in making the antagonist as endearing as the protagonist. I remember Crouch saying in the early stages that she was having trouble getting into his head, but it doesn't show at all in Incite.
I love the romance between Pen and Michael and Incite didn't disappoint. I am a huge sucker for forbidden romances (as I mentioned recently in a Patchwork Press blog), and this one is about as forbidden as it gets. Crouch teases us a lot in the early chapters of this book with the physical aspect of their relationship. If Michael were real, I'm sure he's have something to say about the amount of times Crouch c**k blocked him! However, the tension between the two of them worked really well. One of my favourite parts was probably when they discussed his memories from when they were both angels. Pen herself has always been a character I can identify with; she knows what is right but sometimes struggles with selfish wants. Her instinct is to keep what she loves safe and screw everyone else - and that's the mastery of it all. Despite the fact that we're reading about angels and demons, the characters in Incite have never felt more human in their passions, their fears, and what drives them. I think that's what distinguishes this paranormal YA from a lot of others I've read.
There's a whole cast of new characters along with the old and I know that I'm not the only one who is a huge fan of the New Genesis additions. My absolute favourite has to be Kala simply because she's unlike anything I've ever read before. One-winged, foul mouthed but somehow still angelic, she rocked every scene she was in. We also saw the return of Gus who I LOVE and I'm hugely excited to see what he's up to with Lilith. And Lilith, well. She's that character you love to hate, and hate to love. Every movement she made on the page, every word of that epilogue, had my skin on edge. She's a deliciously good villain, and her motives are always so mysterious. I know she's going to have her own POV in the final book of the series, so that'll be interesting!
On a whole the plot was really good, and Crouch avoids one of the greatest pitfalls of an 'on-the-run' book - feeling like the characters are just moving from one spot to another without any real purpose. Every scene feels poignant, not stagnant. In tone, Incite is even darker than its predecessor; if you're squeamish, there are a few really bloodthirsty moments, but then again, what can you expect from a book series that opened with the words 'warm, slick and rusty red. I should be used to being covered in blood now...'? The characters are fighting a war, and nothing about war is sunshine and flowers. I'm a fast reader, but there were moments where I just had to put the book aside, sit back and process what had happened. I don't consider that a bad thing, but the content is dense at times, and provoking; it raises arguments about religion, ethics, humanity. However, there are so many beautiful moments in Incite, funny moments too, that keep the book from being too dark or too grim.
I cannot wait to read the final installments in the series, especially as Crouch leaves Incite on a cliffhanger! I fully anticipate the final book being full of anguish and it's going to be hard to say goodbye to the characters I've come to love so much, but I know without a doubt, Crouch will do it justice.
I couldn't wait to get my hands on Incite. I'm a big fan of Erica Crouch's writing and the story of Pen and Michael is no exception. Following the end of Ignite, I was eager to find out where our young star-crossed lovers were going to end up and Incite had me on the edge of my seat.
Incite starts with Pen and Michael running for their lives across Earth, which is in the grips of another Ice Age thanks to the war between Heaven and Hell. Azael is King of Hell, but still nursing his wounds after the betrayal of his sister. There's a bounty on Pen and Michael's heads, from both Heaven and Hell, and with everyone out to kill them, hope seems lost. That is, until they encounter Kala (who I will come to later), who tells them that their romance has inspired a rebellion - angels and demons are fighting with one another for a better future.
I'll start by saying that I absolutely adore Crouch's prose. It's fluid and evoking, like good poetry, but she also excels at easy and realistic dialogue. Some of the lines in this book are whip-smart, and I laughed out loud at times. It's told through the dual narrative perspectives of Pen and her brother Azael. As we all know, dual POV can either be done reeeeeally well or reeeeeally badly, and thankfully Crouch pulls off the former. Pen and Az's narratives are distinct and at this point in the story, it works perfectly to have Az's perspective on the hunt as well as his sister's.
I loved reading from Az's point of view. He's a character I loved from the first two books, but having that extra insight into his head goes a long way for a reader to understanding him and his motives. He's still completely brutal, and believes in Hell's cause through and through, but his love for his sister has always redeemed him. After her betrayal, being able to see the conflict he feels was really interesting. He's also so different to Pen; his voice reads differently, his comebacks are sharper somehow. I think it's really clever how Crouch has translated the character we only knew through dialogue and through Pen's eyes in the other books, into his own consciousness in Incite. It was risky but she's succeeded in making the antagonist as endearing as the protagonist. I remember Crouch saying in the early stages that she was having trouble getting into his head, but it doesn't show at all in Incite.
I love the romance between Pen and Michael and Incite didn't disappoint. I am a huge sucker for forbidden romances (as I mentioned recently in a Patchwork Press blog), and this one is about as forbidden as it gets. Crouch teases us a lot in the early chapters of this book with the physical aspect of their relationship. If Michael were real, I'm sure he's have something to say about the amount of times Crouch c**k blocked him! However, the tension between the two of them worked really well. One of my favourite parts was probably when they discussed his memories from when they were both angels. Pen herself has always been a character I can identify with; she knows what is right but sometimes struggles with selfish wants. Her instinct is to keep what she loves safe and screw everyone else - and that's the mastery of it all. Despite the fact that we're reading about angels and demons, the characters in Incite have never felt more human in their passions, their fears, and what drives them. I think that's what distinguishes this paranormal YA from a lot of others I've read.
There's a whole cast of new characters along with the old and I know that I'm not the only one who is a huge fan of the New Genesis additions. My absolute favourite has to be Kala simply because she's unlike anything I've ever read before. One-winged, foul mouthed but somehow still angelic, she rocked every scene she was in. We also saw the return of Gus who I LOVE and I'm hugely excited to see what he's up to with Lilith. And Lilith, well. She's that character you love to hate, and hate to love. Every movement she made on the page, every word of that epilogue, had my skin on edge. She's a deliciously good villain, and her motives are always so mysterious. I know she's going to have her own POV in the final book of the series, so that'll be interesting!
On a whole the plot was really good, and Crouch avoids one of the greatest pitfalls of an 'on-the-run' book - feeling like the characters are just moving from one spot to another without any real purpose. Every scene feels poignant, not stagnant. In tone, Incite is even darker than its predecessor; if you're squeamish, there are a few really bloodthirsty moments, but then again, what can you expect from a book series that opened with the words 'warm, slick and rusty red. I should be used to being covered in blood now...'? The characters are fighting a war, and nothing about war is sunshine and flowers. I'm a fast reader, but there were moments where I just had to put the book aside, sit back and process what had happened. I don't consider that a bad thing, but the content is dense at times, and provoking; it raises arguments about religion, ethics, humanity. However, there are so many beautiful moments in Incite, funny moments too, that keep the book from being too dark or too grim.
I cannot wait to read the final installments in the series, especially as Crouch leaves Incite on a cliffhanger! I fully anticipate the final book being full of anguish and it's going to be hard to say goodbye to the characters I've come to love so much, but I know without a doubt, Crouch will do it justice.
November 3, 2018
Full review to come!
April 21, 2016
A free digital copy of this book was provided by the author as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
Incite was originally supposed to be the thrilling conclusion to Erica Crouch’s Ignite series. However, Erica announced some pretty big changes, rendering Incite the third book in a five-book series composed of two novellas and three full-length novels.
Incite follows Pen and Michael as they lead a rebel group called New Genesis against the dogma of Hell and Heaven. Out for their blood is Azael, Pen’s brother who she betrayed back in Ignite. Azael leads a faction of his own, one that is intent on annihilating Pen, Michael, and everything that they stand for.
We won’t even see any compassion from his Father. Sometimes, this thought makes me so angry that it burns a hole in my stomach. He created us, created man, and now, He’s leaving us all to die. To self-destruct.
Once again, Erica Crouch proves herself to be a word wizard. Incite shows her skill in weaving together words to create a beautiful story that pulses with life. It was difficult to put down down Incite.
A new cast of characters was introduced in this book yet not a single one was a cheap imitation or a repeat of Ignite’s original cast. Kala was one of the new characters and I especially loved her funky, unapologetic attitude. Moreover, Crouch did a wonderful job representing the LGBT community. That’s how you manage diversity, people!
Moments between us, though – when Michael and I are lost with one another, lost inside one another – I don’t have to think. The world doesn’t have to be ending for just a while.
Another character that stood out was Zepar. I won’t go into much detail about him for fear of spoilers but it was interesting how Erica could switch back and forth from Kala’s cheery vibe to Zepar’s dark and twisted mind, all the while keeping true to the original characters’ different dispositions. So much character development took place in Incite and all of it was brilliantly written and executed by the author.
The beginning of Incite was too lengthy and slow-paced for my taste, though. A lot of the character development and world building occurred during the first half but it did so at the expense of the plot. The action picks up somewhere around the middle but I could have done without half of the narrative surrounding Pen and Michael’s make-out sessions.
We can’t always protect the people we love. We can’t save everyone who deserves saving. Besides, no one wants to help us; everyone wants us dead. We are fighting against the world, and in the end, I’m afraid we won’t be able to save each other.
I met Pen and Michael back in Ignite and I was pleased to see that their characters were explored even further in this book. They were like fire and ice; complete opposites whose relationship worked out because of this same reason. Pen’s hesitance and Michael’s sense of duty added an interesting dynamic to the story and I watched it unfold with both eager eyes and trepidation. They sought to drown themselves in each other but Crouch made them undergo so much development that who they were by the time the book ended was very far from who they were at the beginning.
In A Nutshell:
Incite was perfection; a compelling read that kept me on the edge of my seat. Erica Crouch’s decision to extend the series was completely reasonable for it gave her characters and her story more depth, and more room to grow. The next book, a novella from Kala’s point of view, is entitled Engage and I will be the first to reach out with my grabby, greedy hands the minute that it is released.
Incite was originally supposed to be the thrilling conclusion to Erica Crouch’s Ignite series. However, Erica announced some pretty big changes, rendering Incite the third book in a five-book series composed of two novellas and three full-length novels.
Incite follows Pen and Michael as they lead a rebel group called New Genesis against the dogma of Hell and Heaven. Out for their blood is Azael, Pen’s brother who she betrayed back in Ignite. Azael leads a faction of his own, one that is intent on annihilating Pen, Michael, and everything that they stand for.
We won’t even see any compassion from his Father. Sometimes, this thought makes me so angry that it burns a hole in my stomach. He created us, created man, and now, He’s leaving us all to die. To self-destruct.
Once again, Erica Crouch proves herself to be a word wizard. Incite shows her skill in weaving together words to create a beautiful story that pulses with life. It was difficult to put down down Incite.
A new cast of characters was introduced in this book yet not a single one was a cheap imitation or a repeat of Ignite’s original cast. Kala was one of the new characters and I especially loved her funky, unapologetic attitude. Moreover, Crouch did a wonderful job representing the LGBT community. That’s how you manage diversity, people!
Moments between us, though – when Michael and I are lost with one another, lost inside one another – I don’t have to think. The world doesn’t have to be ending for just a while.
Another character that stood out was Zepar. I won’t go into much detail about him for fear of spoilers but it was interesting how Erica could switch back and forth from Kala’s cheery vibe to Zepar’s dark and twisted mind, all the while keeping true to the original characters’ different dispositions. So much character development took place in Incite and all of it was brilliantly written and executed by the author.
The beginning of Incite was too lengthy and slow-paced for my taste, though. A lot of the character development and world building occurred during the first half but it did so at the expense of the plot. The action picks up somewhere around the middle but I could have done without half of the narrative surrounding Pen and Michael’s make-out sessions.
We can’t always protect the people we love. We can’t save everyone who deserves saving. Besides, no one wants to help us; everyone wants us dead. We are fighting against the world, and in the end, I’m afraid we won’t be able to save each other.
I met Pen and Michael back in Ignite and I was pleased to see that their characters were explored even further in this book. They were like fire and ice; complete opposites whose relationship worked out because of this same reason. Pen’s hesitance and Michael’s sense of duty added an interesting dynamic to the story and I watched it unfold with both eager eyes and trepidation. They sought to drown themselves in each other but Crouch made them undergo so much development that who they were by the time the book ended was very far from who they were at the beginning.
In A Nutshell:
Incite was perfection; a compelling read that kept me on the edge of my seat. Erica Crouch’s decision to extend the series was completely reasonable for it gave her characters and her story more depth, and more room to grow. The next book, a novella from Kala’s point of view, is entitled Engage and I will be the first to reach out with my grabby, greedy hands the minute that it is released.
February 28, 2015
Erica Crouch has some serious mad writing skillz. I say this because we have heaven and hell. Hell has crashed into Heaven and Azael Pen’s brother is now the King of Hell. I should not like Azael. I should not even think anything nice about Azael and yet I am drawn to him like a moth to a flame. With how she writes Azael and the insight we get into his thoughts and world, you feel for him. You truly want to see something good for him. Especially in the end you just want to wrap him in your arms and tell him everything will be okay. It’s like Island of Dr. Moreau freaky. The character though to watch out for is Lilith. There is a reason she helped bring down eden. She reminds me of Senator Palpitine. She is quietly behind the scenes manipulating. She is the master and Azael is her puppet. She controls him without him realizing it. She is darth sidious in all her glory. Wanting to master someone and make them think they have power and control when they really don’t. These quotes from Darth sidious are her thoughts to a tee:
Except she doesn’t see him as a successor but as a stepping stone. She is more cunning and devious than people give her credit for dang.
Meanwhile, Michael and Pen are running from all sides. This is sad but also shows how resolved they are. They don’t see black or white only love. Love and faith in each other. Pen is a little less trusting than Michael but he is what keeps her strong. Michael does love Pen with everything he is but he is wrong in trying to shield her. Azael can harm him and Luther gives Azael the tools to do it too.
This is a powerful book that draws out the ideas and idealogy of what we see as good and bad. Black or white but no grey. Here the grey is the freedom of choice to live life and make mistakes. This is Michael and Pen. Others want this and are willing to fight for this. That was the most fascinating part of this story. The coming together of demons and angels to work towards choice. to live not under any rule of thumb that is absolute but to be able to make decisions and allow the consequences to occur and learn by them. This is the symbol of what Michael and Pen are. We are coming to the final battle and what a battle that will be.
We see the lines drawn here as Azael does something that shows Pen there is no going back and that her brother is lost in his desire for power. So sad to he genuinely is nice under neath okay way way underneath all that snarky love to kill thing. Too bad he is surrounded by master manipulators only out for power as well. Heck who is a guy to trust in hell, Lilith is a liar and Gus is truly just as masterful as Lilith but not quite there.
The plot is riveting and the writing just draws you in and keeps you in its web to the very last page. The love and faith that Michael and Pen have in each other no matter what happens to them and around them is a light of sunshine in an otherwise dark book. The hope you get from Kala is much needed as you get opened up to a whole new element and side of the book. Now there is something to fight for and wish for. Poor Michael though I hope they can help him as well for he is too wonderful to have hurt.
A cleverly written book that turns the whole good vs. evil into a different plane when a third choice is seen. Where not all evil is as it seems for even evil can have a weakness and some good. You will be enticed, ensnared and never want out of the spell that is cast from the book from its plot to its characters and the emotions they draw out from you and the love story of Michael and Pen. I cannot wait for that final battle.
Except she doesn’t see him as a successor but as a stepping stone. She is more cunning and devious than people give her credit for dang.
Meanwhile, Michael and Pen are running from all sides. This is sad but also shows how resolved they are. They don’t see black or white only love. Love and faith in each other. Pen is a little less trusting than Michael but he is what keeps her strong. Michael does love Pen with everything he is but he is wrong in trying to shield her. Azael can harm him and Luther gives Azael the tools to do it too.
This is a powerful book that draws out the ideas and idealogy of what we see as good and bad. Black or white but no grey. Here the grey is the freedom of choice to live life and make mistakes. This is Michael and Pen. Others want this and are willing to fight for this. That was the most fascinating part of this story. The coming together of demons and angels to work towards choice. to live not under any rule of thumb that is absolute but to be able to make decisions and allow the consequences to occur and learn by them. This is the symbol of what Michael and Pen are. We are coming to the final battle and what a battle that will be.
We see the lines drawn here as Azael does something that shows Pen there is no going back and that her brother is lost in his desire for power. So sad to he genuinely is nice under neath okay way way underneath all that snarky love to kill thing. Too bad he is surrounded by master manipulators only out for power as well. Heck who is a guy to trust in hell, Lilith is a liar and Gus is truly just as masterful as Lilith but not quite there.
The plot is riveting and the writing just draws you in and keeps you in its web to the very last page. The love and faith that Michael and Pen have in each other no matter what happens to them and around them is a light of sunshine in an otherwise dark book. The hope you get from Kala is much needed as you get opened up to a whole new element and side of the book. Now there is something to fight for and wish for. Poor Michael though I hope they can help him as well for he is too wonderful to have hurt.
A cleverly written book that turns the whole good vs. evil into a different plane when a third choice is seen. Where not all evil is as it seems for even evil can have a weakness and some good. You will be enticed, ensnared and never want out of the spell that is cast from the book from its plot to its characters and the emotions they draw out from you and the love story of Michael and Pen. I cannot wait for that final battle.
May 20, 2015
Hell has invaded Heaven and won. Azael is the king of hell, Lucifer sits on the golden throne and the Earth is in ruins
Among these ruins the demon Pen and Archangel Michael try to survive the forces of heaven and hell both of which are hunting them.
While they are running, seemingly doomed, they do find one thing to give them hope: New Genesis, angels and demons who are no longer willing to align with Heaven or Hell. Maybe there’s space for a third way.
I am glad that we got on to the rebellion in this book about half way through because for a large part of this book (and, to be honest, the first book) we didn’t seem to have much to rest on. Azael hates Pen because she betrayed him and how terribad awful is that. Meanwhile Pen and Michael love each other forever and ever because… reasons. Yes, reasons, because they have only been together for such a very short period of time.
It’s rather lacking as a plot line. It’s not even a plot line, it’s just a list of emotions. I’m not even sure of the actions it pushes them into. Why are Lucifer and Azael so invested in hunting down Pen? Why are the angels so invested in gunning for Michael given everything else is going on? It doesn’t help that these heavy emotion doesn’t help these characters. These characters are supposed to be thousands of years old, they’re supposed to be older than humanity itself. And I just don’t see it. They’re so emotional, they’re so over-dramatic, they’re so out of control, they’re so inclined to monologue and angst and… they feel like teenagers.
So all of that wasn’t sold to me - but the rebellion? This I like and I hope it is developed a lot more in future books because it badly needs it. The Rebellion and the whole idea that both Heaven and Hell have lost their way and that the rigid black and white thinking simple doesn’t work in this shades-of-grey world. It adds context to Pen and Michael defecting because it wasn’t just about true love, it was about being deeply disillusioned with their own side.
The rebellion brings a number of demons and angels who are inspired to follow them because they have equally seen the flaws of Heaven and Hell. And it’s well done - it’s not just done for the rebellion as well, it’s also shown through generally unaffiliated angels and demons as well, breaking their traditional loyalties or clearly having no loyalties at all - just doing what they want because neither Heaven nor Hell serves them.
This is an excellent new angle and does a lot to widen the world and the story of the main characters. I just wish there was more focus on it, on the rebellion, on the motives of it, on the state of the world and the humanity who are being caught up in the cross fire of the apocalypse.
But there isn’t a huge amount of focus on it. They join the rebellion but even then nearly all the focus is on Michael being menaced by Azael. The rebellion is, if anything, treated like a tool by Pen. Not only am I not convinced he is swayed by their chosen goals, but I’m not sure she even cares - because MICHAEL TWU LUB.
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Among these ruins the demon Pen and Archangel Michael try to survive the forces of heaven and hell both of which are hunting them.
While they are running, seemingly doomed, they do find one thing to give them hope: New Genesis, angels and demons who are no longer willing to align with Heaven or Hell. Maybe there’s space for a third way.
I am glad that we got on to the rebellion in this book about half way through because for a large part of this book (and, to be honest, the first book) we didn’t seem to have much to rest on. Azael hates Pen because she betrayed him and how terribad awful is that. Meanwhile Pen and Michael love each other forever and ever because… reasons. Yes, reasons, because they have only been together for such a very short period of time.
It’s rather lacking as a plot line. It’s not even a plot line, it’s just a list of emotions. I’m not even sure of the actions it pushes them into. Why are Lucifer and Azael so invested in hunting down Pen? Why are the angels so invested in gunning for Michael given everything else is going on? It doesn’t help that these heavy emotion doesn’t help these characters. These characters are supposed to be thousands of years old, they’re supposed to be older than humanity itself. And I just don’t see it. They’re so emotional, they’re so over-dramatic, they’re so out of control, they’re so inclined to monologue and angst and… they feel like teenagers.
So all of that wasn’t sold to me - but the rebellion? This I like and I hope it is developed a lot more in future books because it badly needs it. The Rebellion and the whole idea that both Heaven and Hell have lost their way and that the rigid black and white thinking simple doesn’t work in this shades-of-grey world. It adds context to Pen and Michael defecting because it wasn’t just about true love, it was about being deeply disillusioned with their own side.
The rebellion brings a number of demons and angels who are inspired to follow them because they have equally seen the flaws of Heaven and Hell. And it’s well done - it’s not just done for the rebellion as well, it’s also shown through generally unaffiliated angels and demons as well, breaking their traditional loyalties or clearly having no loyalties at all - just doing what they want because neither Heaven nor Hell serves them.
This is an excellent new angle and does a lot to widen the world and the story of the main characters. I just wish there was more focus on it, on the rebellion, on the motives of it, on the state of the world and the humanity who are being caught up in the cross fire of the apocalypse.
But there isn’t a huge amount of focus on it. They join the rebellion but even then nearly all the focus is on Michael being menaced by Azael. The rebellion is, if anything, treated like a tool by Pen. Not only am I not convinced he is swayed by their chosen goals, but I’m not sure she even cares - because MICHAEL TWU LUB.
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February 26, 2015
When I read Ignite I said “the climatic ending . . had me looking for the sequel but, unfortunately, there is a wait :-(“. 18 months later, Incite is released and the story of Pen, Azael and Michael continues. As I read Entice immediately before Incite, I admit that I had to skim through the first novel to refresh my memory a little, but once I had done this I was ready to dive right into the story.
Azael and Pen are changed characters. In part, because they have lost each other and also because of the consequences of the War between Heaven and Hell have impacted upon their lives. Azael is now referred to as the “King of Hell”, having earned his place at Lucifer’s side during the battle. Yet, there are moments Erica Crouch allows us to see a vulnerability in Azael, particularly when it comes to the fate of his sister. This is often manifested in raw anger and the need for vengeance, which is usually directed at Michael.
For the most of Incite, Pen appears a fragmented version of herself; she is cynical, jaded and in an almost depressed state. Despite the fact that Pen confesses her love for Michael on several occasions, it seems a though it is this relationship which has weakened her. I missed the tenacity and attitude she showed in Ignite and Entice, although there are glimpses of this in the latter part of the novel. Erica Crouch is able to fully communicate this change in Pen through the character’s relationship with language. Pen was a Scribe in Heaven, before her Fall and we have always felt her infinity for words. Yet on the freezing Earth, running from Lucifer, Azael and bounty hunters Pen needs to be reminded of who she was,
“It’s been so long since you’ve shared poetry. Michael’s voice is sad. Don’t lose yourself trying to save others. I don’t want you to forget the things you loved.”
It is not long after this that Pen discovers her resolve and accepts her new role, making her longest and most eloquent public speech.
The previous battles in the series have been fought between Heaven and Hell; Angels and Demons; Good and Evil and siblings, but with the emergence of New Genesis, Erica Crouch shows us a community working together for a common goal. In New Genesis, there is a policy of acceptance, not witnessed when Heaven was in charge and the interesting thing, for me, is that Erica Crouch uses this to create her first same-sex relationship between Ana and Kala.
Kala is my favourite character in the book. She is everything an angel shouldn’t be; she only has one wing, her lover is female, she is aggressive, reckless and she continuously uses the ‘F’ word! Kala is not only responsible for saving Ren and Michael’s lives, but she injects some much-needed humour and relief into Incite’s plot.
Incite is an intense story in which we are offered a valuable insight into the psyche of its main character. Erica Crouch’s style of writing is mature, but absorbing, and I know the series finale will be worth the wait!
Azael and Pen are changed characters. In part, because they have lost each other and also because of the consequences of the War between Heaven and Hell have impacted upon their lives. Azael is now referred to as the “King of Hell”, having earned his place at Lucifer’s side during the battle. Yet, there are moments Erica Crouch allows us to see a vulnerability in Azael, particularly when it comes to the fate of his sister. This is often manifested in raw anger and the need for vengeance, which is usually directed at Michael.
For the most of Incite, Pen appears a fragmented version of herself; she is cynical, jaded and in an almost depressed state. Despite the fact that Pen confesses her love for Michael on several occasions, it seems a though it is this relationship which has weakened her. I missed the tenacity and attitude she showed in Ignite and Entice, although there are glimpses of this in the latter part of the novel. Erica Crouch is able to fully communicate this change in Pen through the character’s relationship with language. Pen was a Scribe in Heaven, before her Fall and we have always felt her infinity for words. Yet on the freezing Earth, running from Lucifer, Azael and bounty hunters Pen needs to be reminded of who she was,
“It’s been so long since you’ve shared poetry. Michael’s voice is sad. Don’t lose yourself trying to save others. I don’t want you to forget the things you loved.”
It is not long after this that Pen discovers her resolve and accepts her new role, making her longest and most eloquent public speech.
The previous battles in the series have been fought between Heaven and Hell; Angels and Demons; Good and Evil and siblings, but with the emergence of New Genesis, Erica Crouch shows us a community working together for a common goal. In New Genesis, there is a policy of acceptance, not witnessed when Heaven was in charge and the interesting thing, for me, is that Erica Crouch uses this to create her first same-sex relationship between Ana and Kala.
Kala is my favourite character in the book. She is everything an angel shouldn’t be; she only has one wing, her lover is female, she is aggressive, reckless and she continuously uses the ‘F’ word! Kala is not only responsible for saving Ren and Michael’s lives, but she injects some much-needed humour and relief into Incite’s plot.
Incite is an intense story in which we are offered a valuable insight into the psyche of its main character. Erica Crouch’s style of writing is mature, but absorbing, and I know the series finale will be worth the wait!
March 4, 2015
I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever finished reading a book and then had a hard time figuring out which of the books you've been so eager to get to you're going to read next because what you REALLY want to do is spend more time with the characters from that book in which you've just turned the last page? Well, that's the dilemma "Incite" currently has me in.
I've sung the praises of the first two installments in Erica Crouch's "Ignite" series ("Entice" and "Ignite" - and I strongly recommend reading them in that order as "Entice" really sets the stage for the series!) and "Incite" lives up to its predecessors.
In "Ignite" twin demons Azael and Penemuel (but call her Pen) find themselves on opposite sides for the first time, and in this latest installment, we see how the loss is affecting each of them differently. Azael has been promoted to King of Hell, but is finding it difficult to take joy in achieving a level of power he'd only dreamed of. Even the companionship of the wicked Lilith is lessened by his confused feelings over Pen's departure. But while he swings from being confident all he needs to do is talk to her and she'll come back to him and raging at her betrayal, Pen is far more saddened than anything.
Michael does what he can to help her, but there are other urgent matters that need attention - such as the fact that both Heaven and Hell have put bounties on their heads, Michael's heart seems to be weakening, and there's a feisty little angel who keeps showing up trying to convince the pair that they've really started something. She tells them that other angels and demons who have come to believe there had to be something other than the stark black and white of Heaven and Hell have formed a community dubbed New Genesis, and she wants them to join up.
We meet several new characters in this book, and they all fit nicely into the story. Pen and Michael have their new friends, and Azael has a band of assassins and other useful sorts helping him track down his wayward sister and her beau. And even though Azael and his companions definitely represent the evilest of evil, they are not so far out there that they serve only to repulse. Azael is far from being an unsympathetic character, and that helps keep the tension high and the ultimate resolution unclear.
As with the previous books, there's some intriguing philosophical discussions that elevate the story, which I happen to love, but there's enough action and romance to satisfy those interests as well.
The next book will be a novella focusing on Ana and Kala, two of the new characters introduced in "Incite." It will go into more about their history before we meet them. That will be followed by "Infinite," the (sob!!) final book in the series. They can't get here soon enough for me!
Have you ever finished reading a book and then had a hard time figuring out which of the books you've been so eager to get to you're going to read next because what you REALLY want to do is spend more time with the characters from that book in which you've just turned the last page? Well, that's the dilemma "Incite" currently has me in.
I've sung the praises of the first two installments in Erica Crouch's "Ignite" series ("Entice" and "Ignite" - and I strongly recommend reading them in that order as "Entice" really sets the stage for the series!) and "Incite" lives up to its predecessors.
In "Ignite" twin demons Azael and Penemuel (but call her Pen) find themselves on opposite sides for the first time, and in this latest installment, we see how the loss is affecting each of them differently. Azael has been promoted to King of Hell, but is finding it difficult to take joy in achieving a level of power he'd only dreamed of. Even the companionship of the wicked Lilith is lessened by his confused feelings over Pen's departure. But while he swings from being confident all he needs to do is talk to her and she'll come back to him and raging at her betrayal, Pen is far more saddened than anything.
Michael does what he can to help her, but there are other urgent matters that need attention - such as the fact that both Heaven and Hell have put bounties on their heads, Michael's heart seems to be weakening, and there's a feisty little angel who keeps showing up trying to convince the pair that they've really started something. She tells them that other angels and demons who have come to believe there had to be something other than the stark black and white of Heaven and Hell have formed a community dubbed New Genesis, and she wants them to join up.
We meet several new characters in this book, and they all fit nicely into the story. Pen and Michael have their new friends, and Azael has a band of assassins and other useful sorts helping him track down his wayward sister and her beau. And even though Azael and his companions definitely represent the evilest of evil, they are not so far out there that they serve only to repulse. Azael is far from being an unsympathetic character, and that helps keep the tension high and the ultimate resolution unclear.
As with the previous books, there's some intriguing philosophical discussions that elevate the story, which I happen to love, but there's enough action and romance to satisfy those interests as well.
The next book will be a novella focusing on Ana and Kala, two of the new characters introduced in "Incite." It will go into more about their history before we meet them. That will be followed by "Infinite," the (sob!!) final book in the series. They can't get here soon enough for me!
February 22, 2015
Hell now rules in Heaven. Earth is turning into a frigid wasteland where humans are dying at the hands of demons, if not the cold. Pen and Michael are on the run with angels and demons both on their heels. And a little band of rebels, inspired by Pen and Michael's choosing something different, are asking them to join forces against Heaven and Hell. Azael, the King of Hell, is determined to find Pen and Michael before anyone else -- in hopes of being the one to end Michael and save Pen.
I marveled at the dichotomy between Azael and Pen. One reveling in his evil but missing the one who saw goodness in him, the other so bent on being good and yet believing she might be beyond redemption. Az wanted to see the bad in Pen - I think it made him feel better about his choices. Pen wanted to see the good in Az.
Crouch creates such beautiful prose. Her descriptions are so vivid and paint gorgeous images -- even in a post-apocalyptic world. The version of Hell she's created -- blue, cold, and icy -- is so unique, as is the rest of her mythology. Crouch also quotes classic literature such as Milton's Paradise Lost, and poetry such as James Joyce and Robert Frost. Not only did this complement the story but it warmed this English Lit major's heart.
Incite is full of thought-provoking suppositions. Watching as angels and demons realize they have free will - seeing them question their ideas and beliefs, question even the existence of God, was fascinating. That angels and demons would band together, fight for a common goal seems ironic. Along with the grim landscape of an Earth encased in ice and the gore and violence perpetrated against everyone made for a visceral and exciting read. The only reason I'm not rating this higher is that the story dragged a bit in the middle. It was necessary setup but I felt it could have been shortened so as to move the story along to the action sooner. I'm very eager to see what comes next, who will rise and who will fall, in the epic battle I feel certain is coming.
**I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**
I marveled at the dichotomy between Azael and Pen. One reveling in his evil but missing the one who saw goodness in him, the other so bent on being good and yet believing she might be beyond redemption. Az wanted to see the bad in Pen - I think it made him feel better about his choices. Pen wanted to see the good in Az.
Crouch creates such beautiful prose. Her descriptions are so vivid and paint gorgeous images -- even in a post-apocalyptic world. The version of Hell she's created -- blue, cold, and icy -- is so unique, as is the rest of her mythology. Crouch also quotes classic literature such as Milton's Paradise Lost, and poetry such as James Joyce and Robert Frost. Not only did this complement the story but it warmed this English Lit major's heart.
Incite is full of thought-provoking suppositions. Watching as angels and demons realize they have free will - seeing them question their ideas and beliefs, question even the existence of God, was fascinating. That angels and demons would band together, fight for a common goal seems ironic. Along with the grim landscape of an Earth encased in ice and the gore and violence perpetrated against everyone made for a visceral and exciting read. The only reason I'm not rating this higher is that the story dragged a bit in the middle. It was necessary setup but I felt it could have been shortened so as to move the story along to the action sooner. I'm very eager to see what comes next, who will rise and who will fall, in the epic battle I feel certain is coming.
**I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**
February 14, 2015
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Check my blog: http://banosaur.blogspot.pt/2015/02/i...
If you read my Ignite's review, you know that, to me, the best part of the book was Azael. I am one of those readers who can't not love an evil-sassy-character!
Well, I did love Az a lot without even really knowing him - as everything we knew was what Pen thought about him. But now I don't just love him - now I want one Azael to myself!
There were way too many good things about Incite.
The first one is that we get more than Pen's POV, we also get Az's! It was great to read something thought on the "evil" side. Secondly - we get to know new characters (and who doesn't love new characters?!). Kala and Eli were a great addition to the book, I don't think having too many characters is a good thing, but on Ignite we had only a few characters of interest so I believe adding characters to the story was a great thing.
Incite focused a little (lot) more on the Pen/Michael's relationship and that wasn't a problem to me, as I really liked their relationship but Incite HAS WHAT I WANT ON A PARANORMAL FICTION BOOK! It has got action, character development, description and fights!
But not everything about Incite was perfect, there is one little thing I didn't like - Michael. For some reason, I just stopped caring about him. Was it because I started loving Az so much I had no more space for liking another male character? It could be, but I really liked Eli. Was it because I found him annoying? Maybe, I really don't know if I started disliking him because I found him annoying or if I found him annoying because I started disliking him (this is a bit confusing ).
(I'm not even going to talk about the cliffhanger as I am probably going to scream and die)
Overall, I rated this book 5/5 stars because it deserved it, and I WANT MORE!
Check my blog: http://banosaur.blogspot.pt/2015/02/i...
If you read my Ignite's review, you know that, to me, the best part of the book was Azael. I am one of those readers who can't not love an evil-sassy-character!
Well, I did love Az a lot without even really knowing him - as everything we knew was what Pen thought about him. But now I don't just love him - now I want one Azael to myself!
There were way too many good things about Incite.
The first one is that we get more than Pen's POV, we also get Az's! It was great to read something thought on the "evil" side. Secondly - we get to know new characters (and who doesn't love new characters?!). Kala and Eli were a great addition to the book, I don't think having too many characters is a good thing, but on Ignite we had only a few characters of interest so I believe adding characters to the story was a great thing.
Incite focused a little (lot) more on the Pen/Michael's relationship and that wasn't a problem to me, as I really liked their relationship but Incite HAS WHAT I WANT ON A PARANORMAL FICTION BOOK! It has got action, character development, description and fights!
But not everything about Incite was perfect, there is one little thing I didn't like - Michael. For some reason, I just stopped caring about him. Was it because I started loving Az so much I had no more space for liking another male character? It could be, but I really liked Eli. Was it because I found him annoying? Maybe, I really don't know if I started disliking him because I found him annoying or if I found him annoying because I started disliking him (this is a bit confusing ).
(I'm not even going to talk about the cliffhanger as I am probably going to scream and die)
Overall, I rated this book 5/5 stars because it deserved it, and I WANT MORE!
March 2, 2015
The Cover: The cover to Ignite is absolutely kick ass!! Totally fitting for a kick ass heroine and an equally kick ass series!! Our beautiful dark winged cover model is exactly how I would imagine our protagonist to look, right down to the leather jacket.
The Plot: Erica Crouch crafts a story that draws you in and makes you pick a side. With an intense plot, dialogue that flows well and moves the story and detailed settings, I was litterally feeling ice cold as I read this Incite. Without revealing any spoilers, I loved the setting for Azael's demon crew. In one of my favorite cities, I felt like I was actually in the setting overlooking some of my favorite landmarks.
Characters: All of our characters are well written. I have enjoyed reading about Pen and Azael's metamorphises. Pen's second guessing of herself made her seem more human than angel or demon, which I guess was kinda the point. Her and Michael are only looking for a normal life, free from manipulation, free to do as they like where they want. I did not like how much Michael seemed so lost during this book, like he was being led by Pen and she had to really take care of him. Not at all what I would imagine an Archangel to be like.
I really did not like Lilith at first. I felt that Azael was using her as a subsitute for his sister, and a poor one at that. But I am so looking forward to see what will become of her in upcoming books.
Is it Worth Reading?: Ah hell yeah!! Do not wait for Hell to freeze over to read this one!! But in all seriousness, I am thoroughly addicted to this series. It has romance, betrayal, slaughter, good vs. evil, angels vs. demons. And a good story thrown in for good measure. I highly recommend the Ignite series to readers of Fantasy and Paranormal and give it 5 out of 5 crossbows.
Check out more of my reviews at http://beccasbookaffair.blogspot.ca/
The Plot: Erica Crouch crafts a story that draws you in and makes you pick a side. With an intense plot, dialogue that flows well and moves the story and detailed settings, I was litterally feeling ice cold as I read this Incite. Without revealing any spoilers, I loved the setting for Azael's demon crew. In one of my favorite cities, I felt like I was actually in the setting overlooking some of my favorite landmarks.
Characters: All of our characters are well written. I have enjoyed reading about Pen and Azael's metamorphises. Pen's second guessing of herself made her seem more human than angel or demon, which I guess was kinda the point. Her and Michael are only looking for a normal life, free from manipulation, free to do as they like where they want. I did not like how much Michael seemed so lost during this book, like he was being led by Pen and she had to really take care of him. Not at all what I would imagine an Archangel to be like.
I really did not like Lilith at first. I felt that Azael was using her as a subsitute for his sister, and a poor one at that. But I am so looking forward to see what will become of her in upcoming books.
Is it Worth Reading?: Ah hell yeah!! Do not wait for Hell to freeze over to read this one!! But in all seriousness, I am thoroughly addicted to this series. It has romance, betrayal, slaughter, good vs. evil, angels vs. demons. And a good story thrown in for good measure. I highly recommend the Ignite series to readers of Fantasy and Paranormal and give it 5 out of 5 crossbows.
Check out more of my reviews at http://beccasbookaffair.blogspot.ca/
April 14, 2016
First off, I need to say a massive thank you to Patchwork Press for accepting my request to review this title on NetGalley, and to NetGalley for the service they provide.
After struggling to get into the first novel in this series, I flew through the novella and couldn't wait to get through the second book, because I thought I was going to absolutely devour it. However, I was suffering from a terrible migraine earlier on in this week, so it's taken me a bit longer to read it than I was hoping.
However, I still really enjoyed it when I eventually got through it. It wasn't as good as the novella, but that's probably all due to my personal preference of preferring back story over current developments. In this second installation, Pen and Michael are still on the run, with both the angels and demons tracking them down to get revenge for their desertion and to receive a bounty for killing them. Instead of the singular narrative that we experience in this first novel, in this second novel we get a dual narrative featuring Azael's viewpoint, which is one of the things I wanted more of in the first book. Azael is the newly instated King of Hell, Lucifer's second-in-command, and following the prologue of the first book (in which Lucifer demanded the deaths of Michael and Pen) he's on a mission to capture the couple, even though he still hopes that he can convince Pen to go back to his side.
Read the rest of my review here!
After struggling to get into the first novel in this series, I flew through the novella and couldn't wait to get through the second book, because I thought I was going to absolutely devour it. However, I was suffering from a terrible migraine earlier on in this week, so it's taken me a bit longer to read it than I was hoping.
However, I still really enjoyed it when I eventually got through it. It wasn't as good as the novella, but that's probably all due to my personal preference of preferring back story over current developments. In this second installation, Pen and Michael are still on the run, with both the angels and demons tracking them down to get revenge for their desertion and to receive a bounty for killing them. Instead of the singular narrative that we experience in this first novel, in this second novel we get a dual narrative featuring Azael's viewpoint, which is one of the things I wanted more of in the first book. Azael is the newly instated King of Hell, Lucifer's second-in-command, and following the prologue of the first book (in which Lucifer demanded the deaths of Michael and Pen) he's on a mission to capture the couple, even though he still hopes that he can convince Pen to go back to his side.
Read the rest of my review here!
May 21, 2015
I received a copy from Netgalley.
Unfortunately this is DNF for me at 15%. I'm just not enjoying it at all. I remember I really liked the first book and the prequel novella I read in this series, but I think its been well over a year since I read either of them, and to be perfectly honest, I simply just can not remember at all what happened in the first book. I haven't got a clue what's going on in this one, and I think that is a big factor in the fact that I'm not liking this book much.
I was hoping I might get a refresher once I started the second, but I'm not. I'm finding it overwritten. I don't care about hearing that the the sky is moody and the sun won't show for three or four paragraphs and then be mentioned again a chapter later. The characters over dramatic and annoying, I don't need to hear the bad guy say I'm bad and evil and in charge and you answer to me now over and over. And anyone who was a bad enough leader in Hell shouldn't really have to keep asserting that they're the one in charge (at least in this reader's opinion).
The whole plot idea has been done before I'm just not interested anymore really.
Thank you to Netgalley and Patchwork Press for approving my request to view the title, even though this book was not for me.
Unfortunately this is DNF for me at 15%. I'm just not enjoying it at all. I remember I really liked the first book and the prequel novella I read in this series, but I think its been well over a year since I read either of them, and to be perfectly honest, I simply just can not remember at all what happened in the first book. I haven't got a clue what's going on in this one, and I think that is a big factor in the fact that I'm not liking this book much.
I was hoping I might get a refresher once I started the second, but I'm not. I'm finding it overwritten. I don't care about hearing that the the sky is moody and the sun won't show for three or four paragraphs and then be mentioned again a chapter later. The characters over dramatic and annoying, I don't need to hear the bad guy say I'm bad and evil and in charge and you answer to me now over and over. And anyone who was a bad enough leader in Hell shouldn't really have to keep asserting that they're the one in charge (at least in this reader's opinion).
The whole plot idea has been done before I'm just not interested anymore really.
Thank you to Netgalley and Patchwork Press for approving my request to view the title, even though this book was not for me.
September 6, 2015
I went a good week or so between reading the first one and reading this one and I was worried that my commitment wasn't going to be as strong with this one since I had waited and the story was already seeping out of my head. And then I started Incite and was instantly back into the world excited and dying to know what happened next.
Pen is the kind of character that I love to read about...there is just something about her that is wonderful. She is sassy and way more down to earth than most main characters could ever be, yet confident and so many things.
I loved reading from Azael's point of view in this book- his character deepens so much in the second book and he is just as fascinating. Watching his emotional roller coaster was just as interesting as watching Pen's, but in a totally different way.
I really love this series! I'm going to have to go buy the 3rd one as soon as I can.
Pen is the kind of character that I love to read about...there is just something about her that is wonderful. She is sassy and way more down to earth than most main characters could ever be, yet confident and so many things.
I loved reading from Azael's point of view in this book- his character deepens so much in the second book and he is just as fascinating. Watching his emotional roller coaster was just as interesting as watching Pen's, but in a totally different way.
I really love this series! I'm going to have to go buy the 3rd one as soon as I can.
March 1, 2015
I received this ebook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the first book of the series so I was really looking forward to reading this one. As much as I didn’t like Azael in the first book, he started to grow on me. Being able to read through his POV through half of the book and see him grow as a person, well, demon actually. The introduction of new characters and the New Genesis group only added more intrigue to the story. There is so much excitement and action in this book. I will be very interested to see where the author takes this story in the next book!
I really enjoyed the first book of the series so I was really looking forward to reading this one. As much as I didn’t like Azael in the first book, he started to grow on me. Being able to read through his POV through half of the book and see him grow as a person, well, demon actually. The introduction of new characters and the New Genesis group only added more intrigue to the story. There is so much excitement and action in this book. I will be very interested to see where the author takes this story in the next book!
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