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Avena #2
Broken
Ebony is not quite human. She's descended from Avena, an otherworldly realm caught between warring light and dark forces. But she doesn't feel like she's in danger...until her boyfriend Nathaneal almost dies protecting her. Now Nathaneal is in jail for revealing his powers to the enemy, and Ebony's only ally is jealous Jordan, who'd love to break her and Nathaneal up.
Then Jordan's machinations lead Ebony into the treacherous heart of Avena itself. She has no choice but to navigate this perilous world-or die trying.
Fantastical and emotionally powerful, this epic inter-world romance series will appeal to fans of Laini Taylor and Cynthia Hand.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2014
25 people are currently reading
1809 people want to read
About the author
Marianne Curley
26 books1,238 followersI loved reading from a young age and scoured my school libraries during my younger years, but I never thought I would become a writer. It was not until my mid-thirties, while teaching office studies and computers to adults at the Coffs Harbour Education Campus that I began to think seriously about writing. I took several courses and experimented with different styles and genres. With two teenage daughters at the time I fell into writing young adult paranormal and knew I'd found something I loved.
My first four novels, Old Magic, The Named, The Dark and The Key, were published by Bloomsbury Publishing in Australia, the UK, and the USA, with translations into more than a dozen foreign languages.
In 2004, just as The Key was being prepared for printing, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone marrow cancer called Myelofibrosis. With only a short time to live, I was given a stem-cell bone marrow transplant using my sister’s stem cells, which saved my life. I have now been cancer free for more than twenty years and have written a total of ten books. The Avena Series - Hidden, Broken and Fearless were published in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
In March 2018, I was finally able to publish the long-awaited fourth book to the Guardians of Time Series, called The Shadow. To unite the series, I brought out a new edition of the entire series with matching fantasy covers tying the four books together.
Website: http://mariannecurley7.com
Email: marianne.curley7@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marianne.cur...
Facebook Author: https://www.facebook.com/MarianneCurl...
Insta: @marianne_curley
My first four novels, Old Magic, The Named, The Dark and The Key, were published by Bloomsbury Publishing in Australia, the UK, and the USA, with translations into more than a dozen foreign languages.
In 2004, just as The Key was being prepared for printing, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone marrow cancer called Myelofibrosis. With only a short time to live, I was given a stem-cell bone marrow transplant using my sister’s stem cells, which saved my life. I have now been cancer free for more than twenty years and have written a total of ten books. The Avena Series - Hidden, Broken and Fearless were published in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
In March 2018, I was finally able to publish the long-awaited fourth book to the Guardians of Time Series, called The Shadow. To unite the series, I brought out a new edition of the entire series with matching fantasy covers tying the four books together.
Website: http://mariannecurley7.com
Email: marianne.curley7@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marianne.cur...
Facebook Author: https://www.facebook.com/MarianneCurl...
Insta: @marianne_curley
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
December 21, 2015
This review was originally posted on The Moonlight Library
SUMMARY
While Nathaniel is charged with the crime of revealing his power to his enemies and is sent on a mission to redeem himself, Jordan gets to work breaking up Thane and Ebony, only to find that his time has been cut short when the evil Prince Luca, surprise surprise, kidnaps Ebony early to claim her as his bride.
WORLDBUILDING
I don’t get this worldbuilding. There, I said it. I don’t get it. I don’t understand why Thane was in trouble in the first place. Everyone kept saying what he did was a crime, and I couldn’t figure out why saving his life, the lives of his friends and colleagues, Ebony’s life, Jordan’s life, and almost destroying the one enemy who is determined to ruin everything was a crime. Something about Thane revealing his powers – why is that a crime when no one but other angels saw it? No one ever told me why. Something about destroying the earth’s environment – OK, I get it, but CONTEXT, PEOPLE. He was saving the lives of several angels and defeating the foe. Something about a non-king not allowed to kill a king? Who the hell invented that rule? But Luca goes by ‘Prince’ and Thane is technically a prince, too. What’s stopping Thane from becoming king? Why is Luca both a prince and a king? WHY U NO MAKE SENSE?
You know what? This is probably why we didn't 'see' the trial. All accusations woudl have gone out the window and Thane would have been free to return to Ebony.
CHARACTERS + RELATIONSHIPS
OH MY GOD THE FLIP-FLOPPING. I couldn’t keep track of who thought what of whom. First Ebony thinks Zavier is human, then out of nowhere decides he’s an angel and that she hates him, then immediately runs to his side when he’s hurt. Zavier goes from Luca’s lapdog to small-time betrayer. Gabriel accuses Ebony and Jordan of getting it on and ‘cheating’ on Thane but then stays t help them anyway. Jordan can’t decide if he likes Sophie or Ebony, but I mean he totally loves Ebony, which explains why he gets all upset when Sophie and Danny hook up. Amber hates Jordan, which is consistent, at least. All the bad guys minus Zavier seem to be creepy sexual predators. Does everyone want to bone Ebony?
WHAT WORKED/DIDN’T WORK
I’m normally not one to say this, but WHAT IS IT WITH THE MIDDLE BOOK SYNDROME? This is clearly a ‘filler’ novel where Ebony questions whether she’s human or angel despite, you know, starting to grow her goddamn wings which conveniently and unexplainably disappear so she can angst over whether or not she’s the ‘one’ Thane’s been looking for! This goes on for half a novel! Then the other half is her kidnapping. FILLER FILLER FILLER.
Luca’s been keeping Jordan’s mother as a slave for how knows many years, so how did he know that was the ONE thing that would manipulate Ebony’s charge? How did he know Jordan was Ebony’s charge? WHY DOES THIS MAKE NO SENSE?
And oh, the inconsistency. Like last time, I had a hard time following this book. Characters have no thought processes. We don’t get any introspection that leads to decision making, only “I’m so in love with Ebony!” from Thane and Jordan and “I’m so in love with Thane!” from Ebony. Ebony flip-flops between hating and caring for nearly every character except the black and white of Luca and Thane, on which she never wavers. Jordan’s supposed to be this tough guy now that he’s been in training, but both Skinner and Zavier toss him around like a rag doll.
I once had this writing partner in high school who ultimately turned her character into this super-powered omniscient god for lack of a better description, yet she still ‘fainted’ from exhertion and was liable to be knocked out during battle, leaving her helpless. This was when I was a teenager, mind you. I can’t help but think the same thing of Ebony, Thane and Luca. They’re super-powered until it’s convenient to the plot not to be. It feels totally forced. The whole plot felt forced, from Thane’s ‘crime’ and retribution to Ebony’s early kidnapping which, I might add, took up half the freaking novel.
Oh and one more thing. Luca seems to think he’s won because Ebony used her FREE WILL and ‘consented’ to go with Zavier to meet her biological dad. But Ebony didn’t consent to enter Skade, or go with Luca, and besides, the thing about FREE WILL? Ebony can CHOOSE that she no longer gives consent.
I think my head is about to explode with just how juvenile it all feels. And I tried to keep reminding myself that a lot of teen girls think Patch from Fallen and Xavier from Halo are hot and ideal boyfriends, and House of Night is, to my bafflement a successful series for teens, so maybe I’m just not as gullible imaginative as the teen girls who might enjoy pretending to be beautiful, perfect, damsel in distress Ebony?
OVERALL
Yet, despite all I’ve said about the inconsistent writing, I’ve already started the next book in the series. This is what I don’t get: I can tear a book apart yet still deep down enjoy some part of it, and I can’t say what it is. It’s the same with two of my favourite juvenile TV shows. Despite what I’ve said about the lack of sense making, I kind of just skimmed over the inconsistencies and tried to forget about them and that way, the novel turned out to be somewhat enjoyable.
PS - I can't believe they spelled Zavier's name as Xavier in the blurb. Some kind of editorial oversight. Yeesh!
SUMMARY
While Nathaniel is charged with the crime of revealing his power to his enemies and is sent on a mission to redeem himself, Jordan gets to work breaking up Thane and Ebony, only to find that his time has been cut short when the evil Prince Luca, surprise surprise, kidnaps Ebony early to claim her as his bride.
WORLDBUILDING
I don’t get this worldbuilding. There, I said it. I don’t get it. I don’t understand why Thane was in trouble in the first place. Everyone kept saying what he did was a crime, and I couldn’t figure out why saving his life, the lives of his friends and colleagues, Ebony’s life, Jordan’s life, and almost destroying the one enemy who is determined to ruin everything was a crime. Something about Thane revealing his powers – why is that a crime when no one but other angels saw it? No one ever told me why. Something about destroying the earth’s environment – OK, I get it, but CONTEXT, PEOPLE. He was saving the lives of several angels and defeating the foe. Something about a non-king not allowed to kill a king? Who the hell invented that rule? But Luca goes by ‘Prince’ and Thane is technically a prince, too. What’s stopping Thane from becoming king? Why is Luca both a prince and a king? WHY U NO MAKE SENSE?
You know what? This is probably why we didn't 'see' the trial. All accusations woudl have gone out the window and Thane would have been free to return to Ebony.
CHARACTERS + RELATIONSHIPS
OH MY GOD THE FLIP-FLOPPING. I couldn’t keep track of who thought what of whom. First Ebony thinks Zavier is human, then out of nowhere decides he’s an angel and that she hates him, then immediately runs to his side when he’s hurt. Zavier goes from Luca’s lapdog to small-time betrayer. Gabriel accuses Ebony and Jordan of getting it on and ‘cheating’ on Thane but then stays t help them anyway. Jordan can’t decide if he likes Sophie or Ebony, but I mean he totally loves Ebony, which explains why he gets all upset when Sophie and Danny hook up. Amber hates Jordan, which is consistent, at least. All the bad guys minus Zavier seem to be creepy sexual predators. Does everyone want to bone Ebony?
WHAT WORKED/DIDN’T WORK
I’m normally not one to say this, but WHAT IS IT WITH THE MIDDLE BOOK SYNDROME? This is clearly a ‘filler’ novel where Ebony questions whether she’s human or angel despite, you know, starting to grow her goddamn wings which conveniently and unexplainably disappear so she can angst over whether or not she’s the ‘one’ Thane’s been looking for! This goes on for half a novel! Then the other half is her kidnapping. FILLER FILLER FILLER.
Luca’s been keeping Jordan’s mother as a slave for how knows many years, so how did he know that was the ONE thing that would manipulate Ebony’s charge? How did he know Jordan was Ebony’s charge? WHY DOES THIS MAKE NO SENSE?
And oh, the inconsistency. Like last time, I had a hard time following this book. Characters have no thought processes. We don’t get any introspection that leads to decision making, only “I’m so in love with Ebony!” from Thane and Jordan and “I’m so in love with Thane!” from Ebony. Ebony flip-flops between hating and caring for nearly every character except the black and white of Luca and Thane, on which she never wavers. Jordan’s supposed to be this tough guy now that he’s been in training, but both Skinner and Zavier toss him around like a rag doll.
I once had this writing partner in high school who ultimately turned her character into this super-powered omniscient god for lack of a better description, yet she still ‘fainted’ from exhertion and was liable to be knocked out during battle, leaving her helpless. This was when I was a teenager, mind you. I can’t help but think the same thing of Ebony, Thane and Luca. They’re super-powered until it’s convenient to the plot not to be. It feels totally forced. The whole plot felt forced, from Thane’s ‘crime’ and retribution to Ebony’s early kidnapping which, I might add, took up half the freaking novel.
Oh and one more thing. Luca seems to think he’s won because Ebony used her FREE WILL and ‘consented’ to go with Zavier to meet her biological dad. But Ebony didn’t consent to enter Skade, or go with Luca, and besides, the thing about FREE WILL? Ebony can CHOOSE that she no longer gives consent.
I think my head is about to explode with just how juvenile it all feels. And I tried to keep reminding myself that a lot of teen girls think Patch from Fallen and Xavier from Halo are hot and ideal boyfriends, and House of Night is, to my bafflement a successful series for teens, so maybe I’m just not as gullible imaginative as the teen girls who might enjoy pretending to be beautiful, perfect, damsel in distress Ebony?
OVERALL
Yet, despite all I’ve said about the inconsistent writing, I’ve already started the next book in the series. This is what I don’t get: I can tear a book apart yet still deep down enjoy some part of it, and I can’t say what it is. It’s the same with two of my favourite juvenile TV shows. Despite what I’ve said about the lack of sense making, I kind of just skimmed over the inconsistencies and tried to forget about them and that way, the novel turned out to be somewhat enjoyable.
PS - I can't believe they spelled Zavier's name as Xavier in the blurb. Some kind of editorial oversight. Yeesh!
March 10, 2014
I have a rocky relationship with sequels, as you may know. Middle book syndrome is a real thing, and it plagues too many books these days for me not to look at sequels with trepidation. But Broken, the sequel to Hidden, is everything a sequel should be, and if you liked the latter, you should absolutely pick up the former.
One of my favourite aspects of Hidden is that it wasn't formulaic, and the plotting and characters were different from most other paranormal romances. Broken is more of the same - although the basic premise is that Ebony and Nathaneal (Thane) are separated, and Ebony gets to spend more time with Jordan, nothing happens the way it would in other books. Here, the main goals of keeping Ebony safe and finding out what's happening to Thane are prioritised above everything else, including the relationship drama. The dual points of view (Ebony and Jordan), with Thane's experiences being included when necessary, allow the plot to move smoothly and again it is absolutely imperative that readers are exposed to what both Ebony and Jordan are feeling - the tension in the book just wouldn't work without it.
Ebony's background has made her question everything around her, which is a good thing because now she's struggling with the idea that she might be an angel. She goes through a lot in this book, and is confronted at every turn with the choice of whether to accept she's an angel or believe she's a human. Ebony's my favourite kind of heroine - she's thoughtful, smart, conscientious, and willing to do anything for her loved ones.
I loved being in Thane's head. I think it's amazing to get a glimpse into the lives of the angels, and finding out how their society works. There are all these references to an angel school, and although I am utterly sick and tired of reading boarding school YA, I'm kind of hoping for a prequel novella or something that gives us a look into what Gabe, Michael, Thane, Jez and the gang were like at school!
With Thane absent and Ebony and Jordan left alone together on Earth, I was terrified that they would begin to fall in love. But what happens is even more exciting, and more heartbreaking, and while I won't give it away, I think it's a fresh new twist on a love triangle. If all love triangles were as believable as this one, I wouldn't hate the trope so much.
I can't review the Avena series without delving into its Australian setting. It is gorgeously and vividly brought to life by Curley, without being so Australian as to alienate international readers. (This is a fine line to tread. I know how hard it so for me to sometimes get into stories set overseas where I feel nothing for the setting). The story-telling is captivating, and again readers are more in the know than the characters, and watch in nail-biting suspense as everything comes together.
Broken is an accomplished sequel, and fans of the first novel shouldn't miss it! If you're familiar with Curley's other works, then you already know how amazing her writing is and are probably already reading the books. If not, that needs to change! Broken definitely needs readers to have read Hidden before they dive into it, so if you're not already reading the Avena series, I urge you go out and grab both books now :) I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book, especially considering the ending of this one!
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic .
One of my favourite aspects of Hidden is that it wasn't formulaic, and the plotting and characters were different from most other paranormal romances. Broken is more of the same - although the basic premise is that Ebony and Nathaneal (Thane) are separated, and Ebony gets to spend more time with Jordan, nothing happens the way it would in other books. Here, the main goals of keeping Ebony safe and finding out what's happening to Thane are prioritised above everything else, including the relationship drama. The dual points of view (Ebony and Jordan), with Thane's experiences being included when necessary, allow the plot to move smoothly and again it is absolutely imperative that readers are exposed to what both Ebony and Jordan are feeling - the tension in the book just wouldn't work without it.
Ebony's background has made her question everything around her, which is a good thing because now she's struggling with the idea that she might be an angel. She goes through a lot in this book, and is confronted at every turn with the choice of whether to accept she's an angel or believe she's a human. Ebony's my favourite kind of heroine - she's thoughtful, smart, conscientious, and willing to do anything for her loved ones.
I loved being in Thane's head. I think it's amazing to get a glimpse into the lives of the angels, and finding out how their society works. There are all these references to an angel school, and although I am utterly sick and tired of reading boarding school YA, I'm kind of hoping for a prequel novella or something that gives us a look into what Gabe, Michael, Thane, Jez and the gang were like at school!
With Thane absent and Ebony and Jordan left alone together on Earth, I was terrified that they would begin to fall in love. But what happens is even more exciting, and more heartbreaking, and while I won't give it away, I think it's a fresh new twist on a love triangle. If all love triangles were as believable as this one, I wouldn't hate the trope so much.
I can't review the Avena series without delving into its Australian setting. It is gorgeously and vividly brought to life by Curley, without being so Australian as to alienate international readers. (This is a fine line to tread. I know how hard it so for me to sometimes get into stories set overseas where I feel nothing for the setting). The story-telling is captivating, and again readers are more in the know than the characters, and watch in nail-biting suspense as everything comes together.
Broken is an accomplished sequel, and fans of the first novel shouldn't miss it! If you're familiar with Curley's other works, then you already know how amazing her writing is and are probably already reading the books. If not, that needs to change! Broken definitely needs readers to have read Hidden before they dive into it, so if you're not already reading the Avena series, I urge you go out and grab both books now :) I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book, especially considering the ending of this one!
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic .
December 2, 2019
This book's pacing is significantly slower than Hidden's but somehow it manages to be actually more interesting to me. It has quite a lot of things going for it - the most important being Nathanael and Ebony separated for the most of the book. That helps a great deal because together, they are insufferable. I really enjoyed Jordan's story, he's still a great and interesting character. So are Zavier, Luca and Skinner. I was delighted to see that Jezelle got more space (although not that much) - she is probably the most human and imperfect of the angels and that is exactly what makes her so interesting.
When it comes to Ebony's story, I didn't quite get how she thinks she can find her parents somewhere on Earth after Luca told her that he has them... For most of the book, she's otherwise quite alright. She might not be the smartest and she's thinking about Nathanael all the time (which is a bit annoying) but it's interesting to see her doubt herself. Things get more exciting when she interacts with Zavier and Luca - and that is exactly what holds it all up even after she's reunited with Nathanael for a while again.
Nathanael's chapters just seem... like a filler. It might have been more interesting if there were some actual world building, but Avena got none of that.
Again, just like the previous book, Broken leaves questions to be answered and doesn't provide many answers - are Luca and Nathanael actually brothers? Why is Jezelle so obssessed with Nathanael, so in love with him? Didn't the elders choose a partner for her, like they usually do? They should - where is he then? As far as I remember we are left with nothing, Fearless gives away nothing. I would like to assume that Jezelle's partner should have been Luca. It would make perfect sense - and it seems like wasted potential...
All in all is Broken like half a star better than Hidden, making it so to full two stars. Nathanael's and Ebony's relationship remains the weakest part of the story. And so I'm looking forward spending some more time in Skade...
When it comes to Ebony's story, I didn't quite get how she thinks she can find her parents somewhere on Earth after Luca told her that he has them... For most of the book, she's otherwise quite alright. She might not be the smartest and she's thinking about Nathanael all the time (which is a bit annoying) but it's interesting to see her doubt herself. Things get more exciting when she interacts with Zavier and Luca - and that is exactly what holds it all up even after she's reunited with Nathanael for a while again.
Nathanael's chapters just seem... like a filler. It might have been more interesting if there were some actual world building, but Avena got none of that.
Again, just like the previous book, Broken leaves questions to be answered and doesn't provide many answers - are Luca and Nathanael actually brothers? Why is Jezelle so obssessed with Nathanael, so in love with him? Didn't the elders choose a partner for her, like they usually do? They should - where is he then? As far as I remember we are left with nothing, Fearless gives away nothing. I would like to assume that Jezelle's partner should have been Luca. It would make perfect sense - and it seems like wasted potential...
All in all is Broken like half a star better than Hidden, making it so to full two stars. Nathanael's and Ebony's relationship remains the weakest part of the story. And so I'm looking forward spending some more time in Skade...
May 11, 2014
Broken is the much anticipated second book in the Avena series. It had me enthralled from page 1 and I was eagerly flipping the pages to find out what happens next. I love the character development in this book. It's a great step up from book 1 and you find out much more about Ebony's world. There's an evil cliffhanger at the end. I NEED book 3 Fearless now!
September 8, 2016
Ebony, a girl who never quite believed she belonged, is coming to terms with the fact that she might be an angel. If only if it was as simple as that! There is a chance that those who believe she was switched at birth may be mistaken and her uniqueness has nothing to do with anything angelic. Her guardian and friend, Jordan, has his own agenda at hand and as much as he loves and cares about Ebony, his motives and emotions are clouding his judgement. Nathaniel (Thane) is forced to face the consequences of his actions in Hidden and other sinister forces are in play. There's a lot going on and somehow Marianne Curley manages to work it all together in a way which works.
The narration switches between Ebony, Jordan and Thane. I always felt like the person who was currently giving their point of view was the right choice at the time. Each of the three has their problems to face during the novel and being able to see what they see, feel what they feel emotionally helps us understand. Ebony is refreshing in terms of her relationship with Thane. They have a love which may have spanned eras and there is the exhilaration at having found each other again but she remains practical. As much as she wants to be with Thane, she realizes that there are more important things that being together all the time. And the same goes for Thane. Their relationship is so important to him (as evident when he put his personal feelings and the protection of Ebony before what the Angels would consider to be what is best for Avena in Hidden) but so is the fate of his people and the fight against Prince Luca.
For each of these characters, their backgrounds are important to who the character is in the present day. Ebony is logical and has faith in that which she can prove. Her relationship with her horses and friends is important to her. Jordan is effected by the past and it impacts on his decisions. Thane's upbringing and life in Avena is relevant to everything he does from Ebony to leading his people. I admire Ms. Curley for being consistent and acknowledging that to have her characters grow into the people they need to be, they have to know where they're coming from.
Love triangles are not usually my cup of tea but perhaps that is because I have not read many which are as well thought out as the one between Thane, Ebony and Jordan. There is reason and rationale behind why these characters have the feelings they have and as a reader, I could understand the justification behind the emotions. Ebony and Jordan being in such close proximity and the guardian bond working over time brings a closeness to the two which makes sense. As does the mind link between Thane and Ebony and hearing the passion Thane has when speaking about it with his closest friends.
Broken is a great addition to the Australian YA scene. Not only authored by an Aussie, Broken is mostly set in Snowy Mountains and has an authentic Australian feel to it. The scenery was beautifully described and I loved reading this book and being familiar with the region in which it was set. That said - the parts of Broken set in Avena or Skade were equally as impressive with their settings. The angelic realm of Avena, with the colours and unearthly way in which things work, as well as Skade, the place for souls and dark angels, had a certain vivid quality with their descriptions.
If you enjoyed Hidden (Avena #1), then I think you would love Broken. It has everything the first book had and more. And for those unfamiliar with the series, I recommend Hidden to people who enjoy well-rounded characters and great writing and a plot which will keep you guessing.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy for review.
Note: I had the opportunity to get my copy of Broken signed by Marianne Curley when I met her at the 2014 Indie Authors Down Under event in March. She was so lovely and it was so nice to meet her.
The narration switches between Ebony, Jordan and Thane. I always felt like the person who was currently giving their point of view was the right choice at the time. Each of the three has their problems to face during the novel and being able to see what they see, feel what they feel emotionally helps us understand. Ebony is refreshing in terms of her relationship with Thane. They have a love which may have spanned eras and there is the exhilaration at having found each other again but she remains practical. As much as she wants to be with Thane, she realizes that there are more important things that being together all the time. And the same goes for Thane. Their relationship is so important to him (as evident when he put his personal feelings and the protection of Ebony before what the Angels would consider to be what is best for Avena in Hidden) but so is the fate of his people and the fight against Prince Luca.
For each of these characters, their backgrounds are important to who the character is in the present day. Ebony is logical and has faith in that which she can prove. Her relationship with her horses and friends is important to her. Jordan is effected by the past and it impacts on his decisions. Thane's upbringing and life in Avena is relevant to everything he does from Ebony to leading his people. I admire Ms. Curley for being consistent and acknowledging that to have her characters grow into the people they need to be, they have to know where they're coming from.
Love triangles are not usually my cup of tea but perhaps that is because I have not read many which are as well thought out as the one between Thane, Ebony and Jordan. There is reason and rationale behind why these characters have the feelings they have and as a reader, I could understand the justification behind the emotions. Ebony and Jordan being in such close proximity and the guardian bond working over time brings a closeness to the two which makes sense. As does the mind link between Thane and Ebony and hearing the passion Thane has when speaking about it with his closest friends.
Broken is a great addition to the Australian YA scene. Not only authored by an Aussie, Broken is mostly set in Snowy Mountains and has an authentic Australian feel to it. The scenery was beautifully described and I loved reading this book and being familiar with the region in which it was set. That said - the parts of Broken set in Avena or Skade were equally as impressive with their settings. The angelic realm of Avena, with the colours and unearthly way in which things work, as well as Skade, the place for souls and dark angels, had a certain vivid quality with their descriptions.
If you enjoyed Hidden (Avena #1), then I think you would love Broken. It has everything the first book had and more. And for those unfamiliar with the series, I recommend Hidden to people who enjoy well-rounded characters and great writing and a plot which will keep you guessing.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy for review.
Note: I had the opportunity to get my copy of Broken signed by Marianne Curley when I met her at the 2014 Indie Authors Down Under event in March. She was so lovely and it was so nice to meet her.
November 7, 2015
The book takes off shortly after where Hidden ended. Nathaneal has been taken back to Avena to stand trial as a repercussion of revealing his powers. Meanwhile, Ebony is left with Jordan and Mr.Xavier, a man who claims to be her uncle. Something about Mr.Xavier doesn’t strike her right, yet desperation can lead people to do things that they wouldn’t normally do.
I have to say that while Jordan did not make much impression on me in the first book of the series, I absolutely hated him in this one. He turned out to be such manipulative freak. Doing crazy wrong things in the name of love doesn’t make them right. Ebony developed a bit in this book and while I did not really enjoy her obsession over Nathaneal, she has somewhat evolved from the confused girl that she was in the first book. Nathaneal, so far seems to be the best character in the book even though he does his share of obsessing. I really wish that authors would just move on from having their characters obsess over their looks (or their partner’s looks). The book has been narrated through the voices of Ebony, Nathaneal and Jordan. While this gave us a complete look into the minds of these three characters, I wish the author had included Prince Luca’s (our antagonist) point of view. I would have loved to know what and how he was thinking and it would have added a pleasant change in the flow. The plot of the story was pretty straight forward and predictable. The narration felt a bit better in this book. The book ends with a cliffhanger that made sure that I picked up the next book in the series immediately.
Overall, I think it was an average read that I did not mind reading through one time, but I doubt I will be picking this series up for a second time.
I have to say that while Jordan did not make much impression on me in the first book of the series, I absolutely hated him in this one. He turned out to be such manipulative freak. Doing crazy wrong things in the name of love doesn’t make them right. Ebony developed a bit in this book and while I did not really enjoy her obsession over Nathaneal, she has somewhat evolved from the confused girl that she was in the first book. Nathaneal, so far seems to be the best character in the book even though he does his share of obsessing. I really wish that authors would just move on from having their characters obsess over their looks (or their partner’s looks). The book has been narrated through the voices of Ebony, Nathaneal and Jordan. While this gave us a complete look into the minds of these three characters, I wish the author had included Prince Luca’s (our antagonist) point of view. I would have loved to know what and how he was thinking and it would have added a pleasant change in the flow. The plot of the story was pretty straight forward and predictable. The narration felt a bit better in this book. The book ends with a cliffhanger that made sure that I picked up the next book in the series immediately.
Overall, I think it was an average read that I did not mind reading through one time, but I doubt I will be picking this series up for a second time.
June 29, 2014
'Broken' is a stunning sequel. I've just read it for the 2nd time in waiting for the 3rd instalment in the Avena series. The characters feel even stronger than the first. Their complexities really come to shine with the events of 'Broken', The relationships between Jordan, Nathaneal, and Ebony, develop in a way I didn't expect, and kept me turning every page (even the 2nd time around). It's refreshing to see in this genre. What's also refreshing is Ebony herself. She shows strength in adversity, sticks to her convictions, yet she's a vulnerable and whole-hearted young woman all the while. A truly well rounded character, and a female role model I'd like to see more of for this age bracket. The pace is spot on, and I was on the edge of my seat right up until the epic climax. I cannot wait for then next. Highly recommended.
June 25, 2014
4.5 Avenean stars!
The fact that this series continues in 2015 has me on edge!!!!!
I want to know how it ends, Never thought it would be this good lol
Please Marianne Curley dont dissapoint us
Thane + Ebony= Starcrossed Lovers
The fact that this series continues in 2015 has me on edge!!!!!
I want to know how it ends, Never thought it would be this good lol
Please Marianne Curley dont dissapoint us
Thane + Ebony= Starcrossed Lovers
March 16, 2014
"Broken" was amazing, a real thrill ride with non-stop action. I can't wait for "Fearless" to see what happens after that stunning ending.
February 25, 2014
great book two in the series. can't wait for book three!! action, tension,world building,character building, guessing at what happens next and great twists. I really enjoy her writing.
July 11, 2017
I read these books throughout the school holidays and fell in love with them.
May 12, 2014
See the original review on my blog, Behind the Pages
Thanks to Bloomsbury Australia for providing this copy for review
Amazingly addictive. Broken has everything you need for a fantastic sequel, action, romance, drama, and one crazy cliffhanger.
I really liked this sequel. It was a little slow for me to start out with. We get into the story a few days later from where we left off at the end if Hidden. Because I read Hidden as an ARC, I started getting lost in this book. I recommend reading Hidden straight before reading Broken. Why? Because you don't get any kind of sum up of what happened in Hidden, so you are completely lost if you don't remember exactly what happened.
What I didn’t like about this book was Jordan. I absolutely HATED this kid throughout the whole book. He was naive, and selfish and just plain backstabber. Every chapter in his POV, I just wanted to completely skip. He was so annoying with his obsession with Ebony, and he honestly didn’t understand that Ebony wasn’t interested in him in that way. I predict everything that was going to happen to him, and honestly, I wasn’t even upset that he was left for dead.
Other than Ebony and Jordan’s POV, we also see a bit of Thane’s as well. We see how committed he is to Ebony, and returning home to her, as well as wanting to do the best for Avena. He is a fantastic character, and I love that we get to see inside his head. He can do no wrong in my books!
Ebony is also a strong character in this book. Even though I kept on getting scared that she will believe Jordan’s attempts to put doubt in her mind, she always seems to overcome those doubts and finds something that gives her more belief. What I didn’t like about Ebony, was that she never actually came out and told Jordan that she wasn’t interested in him in a romantic way. Seriously, she kept on thinking that she will hurt his feelings and some other bullshit, but I think the time to actually push him away is when he TRIES TO KISS YOU! It doesn’t matter if he will hate you afterwards! You know that you would be doing the right thing by pushing him away when you don’t feel anything towards him! I also found it annoying, where at the end, she didn’t think beforehand to call Gabriel. The ending could have gone a completely different way if she had his help, and it wouldn’t have made her look, in my eyes, like an overconfident girl who is running into a situation completely out of her league.
Wow. That ending. I honestly did not see that coming. And that cliffhanger! OMG. OMG. OMG. I can’t believe that this book ended this way!! I need something, anything on the next book!! My recommendation while reading the ending, from when they start the journey into Skade, is to read carefully. It was kind of hard for me to picture this new landscape while so much was happening at the same time. Especially the battle at the end, I got lost a few times in the landscape and what should be around them (maybe that was just me, because a movie was playing in the background at the time), but that doesn’t stop you from becoming completely hooked at the end. Overall, a wonderful book that leaves youwanting needing more!
Thanks to Bloomsbury Australia for providing this copy for review
Amazingly addictive. Broken has everything you need for a fantastic sequel, action, romance, drama, and one crazy cliffhanger.
I really liked this sequel. It was a little slow for me to start out with. We get into the story a few days later from where we left off at the end if Hidden. Because I read Hidden as an ARC, I started getting lost in this book. I recommend reading Hidden straight before reading Broken. Why? Because you don't get any kind of sum up of what happened in Hidden, so you are completely lost if you don't remember exactly what happened.
What I didn’t like about this book was Jordan. I absolutely HATED this kid throughout the whole book. He was naive, and selfish and just plain backstabber. Every chapter in his POV, I just wanted to completely skip. He was so annoying with his obsession with Ebony, and he honestly didn’t understand that Ebony wasn’t interested in him in that way. I predict everything that was going to happen to him, and honestly, I wasn’t even upset that he was left for dead.
Other than Ebony and Jordan’s POV, we also see a bit of Thane’s as well. We see how committed he is to Ebony, and returning home to her, as well as wanting to do the best for Avena. He is a fantastic character, and I love that we get to see inside his head. He can do no wrong in my books!
Ebony is also a strong character in this book. Even though I kept on getting scared that she will believe Jordan’s attempts to put doubt in her mind, she always seems to overcome those doubts and finds something that gives her more belief. What I didn’t like about Ebony, was that she never actually came out and told Jordan that she wasn’t interested in him in a romantic way. Seriously, she kept on thinking that she will hurt his feelings and some other bullshit, but I think the time to actually push him away is when he TRIES TO KISS YOU! It doesn’t matter if he will hate you afterwards! You know that you would be doing the right thing by pushing him away when you don’t feel anything towards him! I also found it annoying, where at the end, she didn’t think beforehand to call Gabriel. The ending could have gone a completely different way if she had his help, and it wouldn’t have made her look, in my eyes, like an overconfident girl who is running into a situation completely out of her league.
Wow. That ending. I honestly did not see that coming. And that cliffhanger! OMG. OMG. OMG. I can’t believe that this book ended this way!! I need something, anything on the next book!! My recommendation while reading the ending, from when they start the journey into Skade, is to read carefully. It was kind of hard for me to picture this new landscape while so much was happening at the same time. Especially the battle at the end, I got lost a few times in the landscape and what should be around them (maybe that was just me, because a movie was playing in the background at the time), but that doesn’t stop you from becoming completely hooked at the end. Overall, a wonderful book that leaves you
October 28, 2014
I received this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, I was in no way compensated for this review.
I've loved Marianne Curley's books since the early days of Old Magic! A read I happily discovered one day at Waldenbooks--sob, Borders affiliate! And pretty much have been hooked to her words since that day! Her newest series, is a bit different than that and The Guardians of Time, but is still a magnificent story weaved together. Broken is the second installment in this Avena trilogy and things really start to ante up!
My memory, naturally, is pretty much shot over what happened last time, as that too was read as an ARC and much time and many, many reads have passed between then and now. But as always I try to carry through as best as I can. Ebony and Jordan are living with Nathaneal in the safe house so no one can get to Ebony who is proclaimed to be very special to the angel world. It's not long before Nathaneal is called away to accept his punishment over the events of last time. Leaving Jordan and Ebony on their own. Jordan still cares for Ebony and wants to be with her and it still under Prince Luca's thumb to break Ebony and Nathaneal apart.
Things are changing fast as Jordan learns that his mother may still be alive, an old enemy returns, and Ebony learns that she may have an uncle who knows who her real family is! But how much of all that is true? What's just a part of the enemy's plan to cause chaos and eventually bring Ebony to Skade? For Prince Luca has not given up on making Ebony his queen?
This read was a rush of excitement and thrills! Still being told in Nathaneal, Ebony and Jordan's points of view, we get the story told from all angles. Except the enemy's of course. I still can't help but not be into the romance between Nathaneal and Ebony. It just comes up so sudden in the last book and remains in this second one. Because they knew each other before they knew each other and twisting fate into the mix. It's like because they are destined to be together by some unknown fate, they love one another and "know" of these memories. Ebony's memories of such knowledge are sketchy at best, though she's still head over heels in love and Nathaneal has been head over heels in love from day one. Basically it comes down to a case of insta love but trying to say it's fate that draws them together.
Which kind of makes me want Jordan to be the one Ebony ends up with. For he fell in love with her, not just saw her and loved her or whatever. Though I can't honestly say we're looking at a love triangle or even if Ebony has those kinds of feelings for Jordan. It's a mess. I think I am just going to be very unhappy about the HEA ending come the final book, but oh well. The story is still good and that's all that matters!
Overall, Broken was yet another enjoyable read and I will continue to look forward to more magical reads from one of my favorite authors!
Overall Rating 4/5 stars
I've loved Marianne Curley's books since the early days of Old Magic! A read I happily discovered one day at Waldenbooks--sob, Borders affiliate! And pretty much have been hooked to her words since that day! Her newest series, is a bit different than that and The Guardians of Time, but is still a magnificent story weaved together. Broken is the second installment in this Avena trilogy and things really start to ante up!
My memory, naturally, is pretty much shot over what happened last time, as that too was read as an ARC and much time and many, many reads have passed between then and now. But as always I try to carry through as best as I can. Ebony and Jordan are living with Nathaneal in the safe house so no one can get to Ebony who is proclaimed to be very special to the angel world. It's not long before Nathaneal is called away to accept his punishment over the events of last time. Leaving Jordan and Ebony on their own. Jordan still cares for Ebony and wants to be with her and it still under Prince Luca's thumb to break Ebony and Nathaneal apart.
Things are changing fast as Jordan learns that his mother may still be alive, an old enemy returns, and Ebony learns that she may have an uncle who knows who her real family is! But how much of all that is true? What's just a part of the enemy's plan to cause chaos and eventually bring Ebony to Skade? For Prince Luca has not given up on making Ebony his queen?
This read was a rush of excitement and thrills! Still being told in Nathaneal, Ebony and Jordan's points of view, we get the story told from all angles. Except the enemy's of course. I still can't help but not be into the romance between Nathaneal and Ebony. It just comes up so sudden in the last book and remains in this second one. Because they knew each other before they knew each other and twisting fate into the mix. It's like because they are destined to be together by some unknown fate, they love one another and "know" of these memories. Ebony's memories of such knowledge are sketchy at best, though she's still head over heels in love and Nathaneal has been head over heels in love from day one. Basically it comes down to a case of insta love but trying to say it's fate that draws them together.
Which kind of makes me want Jordan to be the one Ebony ends up with. For he fell in love with her, not just saw her and loved her or whatever. Though I can't honestly say we're looking at a love triangle or even if Ebony has those kinds of feelings for Jordan. It's a mess. I think I am just going to be very unhappy about the HEA ending come the final book, but oh well. The story is still good and that's all that matters!
Overall, Broken was yet another enjoyable read and I will continue to look forward to more magical reads from one of my favorite authors!
Overall Rating 4/5 stars
July 19, 2015
Review originally posted
HERE
Yeah . . . I didn't enjoy this book very much. It wasn't my cup of tea. The whole sappy romance and the 'predestined' to belong to each other concept didn't appeal to me at all. So ultimately for me, this book was both a bore and a cringe to read.
This will be quite a short review because there's not a lot I have to say except for some things here and there about the characters and the plot.
Ebony was a whiny and useless character to me. For most of this book she droned on and on about how much she loved Nathaneal or how hot Nathaneal was. SHUT UP, WOMAN. It seemed like who she was revolved around her love for this angel dude. Nathaneal and Jordan were the same: whine, whine, whine, talk, talk, talk. None of these characters were independent and this was the main reason why I disliked many of them except for Prince Luca, he had some redeeming qualities.
Moving on to plot. The plot itself wasn't very exciting. While reading this, I waited for something dramatic or at least redeeming enough for this bland book. That didn't happen. All that remained was a simple and annoying goose chase of Ebony being kidnapped by Prince Luca, escaping and then at the end, being kidnapped again. URGH.
In conclusion, definitely not my cup of tea. The cringe-worthy, sappy romance, unexciting plot and shallow characters did not appeal to me.
Yeah . . . I didn't enjoy this book very much. It wasn't my cup of tea. The whole sappy romance and the 'predestined' to belong to each other concept didn't appeal to me at all. So ultimately for me, this book was both a bore and a cringe to read.
This will be quite a short review because there's not a lot I have to say except for some things here and there about the characters and the plot.
Ebony was a whiny and useless character to me. For most of this book she droned on and on about how much she loved Nathaneal or how hot Nathaneal was. SHUT UP, WOMAN. It seemed like who she was revolved around her love for this angel dude. Nathaneal and Jordan were the same: whine, whine, whine, talk, talk, talk. None of these characters were independent and this was the main reason why I disliked many of them except for Prince Luca, he had some redeeming qualities.
Moving on to plot. The plot itself wasn't very exciting. While reading this, I waited for something dramatic or at least redeeming enough for this bland book. That didn't happen. All that remained was a simple and annoying goose chase of Ebony being kidnapped by Prince Luca, escaping and then at the end, being kidnapped again. URGH.
In conclusion, definitely not my cup of tea. The cringe-worthy, sappy romance, unexciting plot and shallow characters did not appeal to me.
February 26, 2014
In Book #1 Hidden , to refresh those who have read it memories we met Ebony who discovered that she was in fact an Angel and had been hidden on earth till she turned 18 years of age and then she was to marry the future king. In Book #2 Ebony is engaged to Thane and still attending mortal school with her best friends Amber and guardian Jordan. The thing is though that there are those on Earth , who do not want Ebony to discover her true identity as it could start an Angel War and currently Thane is on trial for exposing his powers to Ebony - who is still being considered whether she is a mortal or an Angel.
This book is split into three different perspectives of you - Ebony , Nathanthel and Jordan as well as two different worlds - Earth and Avena. Will it be revealed what Ebony's real and true identity is and what will happen when those who are playing a part in her life's secrets are revealed , including those who have been closest to her ?
Find out in Book #2 Broken and I am looking forward to reading Book #3 when it is released to see whether she will finally reach Avena or if she chooses to stay on Earth.
This book is split into three different perspectives of you - Ebony , Nathanthel and Jordan as well as two different worlds - Earth and Avena. Will it be revealed what Ebony's real and true identity is and what will happen when those who are playing a part in her life's secrets are revealed , including those who have been closest to her ?
Find out in Book #2 Broken and I am looking forward to reading Book #3 when it is released to see whether she will finally reach Avena or if she chooses to stay on Earth.
April 28, 2014
As the author of The Avena Series, I am happy that Broken (Avena Book 2) has now been released in Australia, NZ and the UK. The hardback will be released in the United States in November, 2014. The great thing about Broken is that, as the second book in the series, I was able to jump straight into the story without a whole lot of scene setting or bringing readers up to speed. Broken begins only a few weeks after the battle at the end of Hidden (Avena Book 1). Ebony has moved into Nathaneal's house. Her parents are still missing, and Jordan's bitterness and anger causes a great deal of distress. But then the angel Michael comes to arrest Nathaneal for revealing his powers to Avena's enemy, which sets a series of troubling events into motion.
There is so much growth in the characters in Broken that it was both a challenge and a delight to write. Broken includes not only Ebony and Jordan's perspectives, but this time we also have Nathaneal's. And Nathaneal's voice allows the reader to enter the lives of the angels, taking us further into their amazing worlds.
April 2, 2014
This book.
Let's just start with the good things then work on why I gave it four stars and not five.
This book was undeniable gripping, I couldn't put it down when the end was near, it was emotional and everyone loves a good love story. This is basically about a guardian angel, her charge, Jordan and her husband to be, fellow angel and prince , Nathaneal. Nathaneal is taking onto a quest into the underworld to find Ebonys parents who have been captured by King Luca who is obsessed with Ebony. He wants to have her as a possession and he wants Nathaneal dead.
This love story is wonderful and I loved every part of that aspect, but I felt that the writer just put things in randomly without putting much thought into the wider impact, it felt very boring in parts and very overcrowded on others. It didn't bother me much but it definitely took away from the quality of book, especially towards the end of the story.
Overall, I do feel that the story was detailed and romantic and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I'm looking froward to the sequel coming out next year!
Let's just start with the good things then work on why I gave it four stars and not five.
This book was undeniable gripping, I couldn't put it down when the end was near, it was emotional and everyone loves a good love story. This is basically about a guardian angel, her charge, Jordan and her husband to be, fellow angel and prince , Nathaneal. Nathaneal is taking onto a quest into the underworld to find Ebonys parents who have been captured by King Luca who is obsessed with Ebony. He wants to have her as a possession and he wants Nathaneal dead.
This love story is wonderful and I loved every part of that aspect, but I felt that the writer just put things in randomly without putting much thought into the wider impact, it felt very boring in parts and very overcrowded on others. It didn't bother me much but it definitely took away from the quality of book, especially towards the end of the story.
Overall, I do feel that the story was detailed and romantic and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I'm looking froward to the sequel coming out next year!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2014
Another great book from the Avena trilogy! Can't believe I have to wait until July next year for the last book.
I was tempted to give this book a four star because it did not have enough Jason but I decided to not be that harsh.
This book follows on nicely from book one. The ending of the book could have gone better but you can not have everything in life. I am hoping the last book has a happy ending! Everyone loves a happy ending!
The detail in this series is fantastic, it allows me to imagine how the scenes would be played out.
The romance in this book is on point! The feels are real!
The characters again were great! Some I hated, some I grew to love and in the case of Jason I fell more in love! And in the case of Zavier, love and hate.
I can't write much more without ruining it!
Great book, amazing series!
I was tempted to give this book a four star because it did not have enough Jason but I decided to not be that harsh.
This book follows on nicely from book one. The ending of the book could have gone better but you can not have everything in life. I am hoping the last book has a happy ending! Everyone loves a happy ending!
The detail in this series is fantastic, it allows me to imagine how the scenes would be played out.
The romance in this book is on point! The feels are real!
The characters again were great! Some I hated, some I grew to love and in the case of Jason I fell more in love! And in the case of Zavier, love and hate.
I can't write much more without ruining it!
Great book, amazing series!
April 10, 2016
It's as disappointing as the first one. The plot is there - it just wasn't built on well and elaborated more properly. It's as if the writer lost grasp of the plot in between. There is just no coherence, no structure in how everything was written and told. Pity as the whole concept in itself is very interesting.
November 17, 2018
It sadly doesn't get any better, I would still recommend that series to you just so I am not in here alone.
World building: Can someone please explain to me that crossing thing? Because it was said in volume two, that it is a universe acting like a road connecting the other universes, right? Then why were they flying about that ocean and resting on landmass at night? There was a day-night cycle, therefore there must be a sun-like star creating light and the absence of that light source so that crossing is less a universe than it is a planet-like thing that is surrounded by a solar system. Also, there was gravitation and the gravitation didn't seem to significantly being different from that on earth, the crossing is therefore similar in size. I now wonder if there are other planets in that same universe with a Crossing-like function, making the complete number of universes very high, haha
Character development Jordan was so annoying in that volume, he just didn't stop with his weird aversion against Thane just because Ebony doesn't love him... his whining was so cringy so read! If I would have been Ebony, I would have smacked his face when he was drunk and fantasizing about them. Also, I didn't understand why Jordan just didn't tell Ebony about Adam threatening him at school. If I would have been Ebony I would have straight up killed Adam, just to protect Jordan's life (and then I would have spent the rest of my existence in hell with that creepy Satan dude xD). We now also got a new point of view, but sadly it doesn't do much because Thane is as one-dimensional as Ebony, his entire existence revolves around her. That series was written for girls between 11 and 14 years old and I also fantasized about a boy loving me to that degree but for any reader with a completely developed brain that was damn exhausting and boring... I skipped the parts written out of Thanes perspective at first and had to reread them after he suddenly was in Skade and I wondered how he got there. Mr Zavier also became more important there but his actions were kind of confusing for me. Why did he try to convince Ebony so desperately that she is a normal human? It would have been so much easier to just call her to his office, offer her a cup of tea and drug her to get her abducted instead of that weird relative talk he had... and also why was he successful to convince that dumb broad that she isn't human?? She can run faster than any human on earth and never got like seriously confused over that...
Also I was damn annoyed at her way to "resist" the King of hell... she was basically just insulting him instead of doing it the sneaky way. You see, I can be a very manipulative person if the situation calls for it and I would have never done it like her. I would have seduced the king with all I have got, and given my very best to make him believe that I at least got a crush on him, just so he trusts me more and lets his guard down. I also would have had my fun with the fact that every one of those progidy soldiers was low-key a sexual predator, I would have undressed myself in the crossing (she wore her school uniform for like four days! Her underwear must have smelled like a catastrophe) and laid myself sleeping completely naked in front of the soldiers, to troll the king of hell and to bring some chaos. I also would have tried to be a creepy predator right back and smacked his booty right in front of his soldiers, or licking his face from chin to hairline because guess what bitch I can do that as well, ha! And just saying but the best way of dealing with someone who has mind-reading skills is thinking about a very repetitive song over and over again, requires very little effort and makes it extremely tedious for everyone to read your mind.
And then, the best scene... that goddamn quote
And just to be one hundred percent clear, do you confirm no one is coercing you into attending this meeting? ... yeaaaah, totally not suspicious or a weird question, absolutely not... I mean, Ebony knows about that free will thing and she still gives permission that easily to something without thinking?
Plot-development: My main issue was the weird reason why the angels took Thane away, they just did it because it was convenient for the plot, basically. That was also the reason why the trial itself didn't get shown, only the results. I also don't understand many things that happened in the crossing. What actually was the purpose of that lamorak thing? I imagened it being like a sleeping bag... that was supposed to protect her, but nobody ever said what is actually protected her from and she didn't ask either. The climate in the crossing was mostly mild, except that hurricane so that couldn't have been the issue. And it was impenetrable and I just really hope that oxygen and CO2 are an exception otherwise Ebony would have been high from being oxygen deprivation. The next thing was the nights. The soldiers never got described carrying sleeping stuff around with them, but okay soldiers can probably sleep on the ground. But what about Ebony? Did she just lay on that lamorak thing on the hard ground? Damn, I would have actually swallowed my pride and asked the king if I can sleep in his arms because I am a complete wimp when it comes to uncomfortable sleeping. Also what was about going to the toilet? That lamorak was supposed to be impenetrable, so peeing herself would have been very, very unpleasant!
So, after they were done with traveling through the crossing there was that fighting scene, which was annoying and cheesy... covering her with wings? I nearly vomited on myself!
World building: Can someone please explain to me that crossing thing? Because it was said in volume two, that it is a universe acting like a road connecting the other universes, right? Then why were they flying about that ocean and resting on landmass at night? There was a day-night cycle, therefore there must be a sun-like star creating light and the absence of that light source so that crossing is less a universe than it is a planet-like thing that is surrounded by a solar system. Also, there was gravitation and the gravitation didn't seem to significantly being different from that on earth, the crossing is therefore similar in size. I now wonder if there are other planets in that same universe with a Crossing-like function, making the complete number of universes very high, haha
Character development Jordan was so annoying in that volume, he just didn't stop with his weird aversion against Thane just because Ebony doesn't love him... his whining was so cringy so read! If I would have been Ebony, I would have smacked his face when he was drunk and fantasizing about them. Also, I didn't understand why Jordan just didn't tell Ebony about Adam threatening him at school. If I would have been Ebony I would have straight up killed Adam, just to protect Jordan's life (and then I would have spent the rest of my existence in hell with that creepy Satan dude xD). We now also got a new point of view, but sadly it doesn't do much because Thane is as one-dimensional as Ebony, his entire existence revolves around her. That series was written for girls between 11 and 14 years old and I also fantasized about a boy loving me to that degree but for any reader with a completely developed brain that was damn exhausting and boring... I skipped the parts written out of Thanes perspective at first and had to reread them after he suddenly was in Skade and I wondered how he got there. Mr Zavier also became more important there but his actions were kind of confusing for me. Why did he try to convince Ebony so desperately that she is a normal human? It would have been so much easier to just call her to his office, offer her a cup of tea and drug her to get her abducted instead of that weird relative talk he had... and also why was he successful to convince that dumb broad that she isn't human?? She can run faster than any human on earth and never got like seriously confused over that...
Also I was damn annoyed at her way to "resist" the King of hell... she was basically just insulting him instead of doing it the sneaky way. You see, I can be a very manipulative person if the situation calls for it and I would have never done it like her. I would have seduced the king with all I have got, and given my very best to make him believe that I at least got a crush on him, just so he trusts me more and lets his guard down. I also would have had my fun with the fact that every one of those progidy soldiers was low-key a sexual predator, I would have undressed myself in the crossing (she wore her school uniform for like four days! Her underwear must have smelled like a catastrophe) and laid myself sleeping completely naked in front of the soldiers, to troll the king of hell and to bring some chaos. I also would have tried to be a creepy predator right back and smacked his booty right in front of his soldiers, or licking his face from chin to hairline because guess what bitch I can do that as well, ha! And just saying but the best way of dealing with someone who has mind-reading skills is thinking about a very repetitive song over and over again, requires very little effort and makes it extremely tedious for everyone to read your mind.
And then, the best scene... that goddamn quote
And just to be one hundred percent clear, do you confirm no one is coercing you into attending this meeting? ... yeaaaah, totally not suspicious or a weird question, absolutely not... I mean, Ebony knows about that free will thing and she still gives permission that easily to something without thinking?
Plot-development: My main issue was the weird reason why the angels took Thane away, they just did it because it was convenient for the plot, basically. That was also the reason why the trial itself didn't get shown, only the results. I also don't understand many things that happened in the crossing. What actually was the purpose of that lamorak thing? I imagened it being like a sleeping bag... that was supposed to protect her, but nobody ever said what is actually protected her from and she didn't ask either. The climate in the crossing was mostly mild, except that hurricane so that couldn't have been the issue. And it was impenetrable and I just really hope that oxygen and CO2 are an exception otherwise Ebony would have been high from being oxygen deprivation. The next thing was the nights. The soldiers never got described carrying sleeping stuff around with them, but okay soldiers can probably sleep on the ground. But what about Ebony? Did she just lay on that lamorak thing on the hard ground? Damn, I would have actually swallowed my pride and asked the king if I can sleep in his arms because I am a complete wimp when it comes to uncomfortable sleeping. Also what was about going to the toilet? That lamorak was supposed to be impenetrable, so peeing herself would have been very, very unpleasant!
So, after they were done with traveling through the crossing there was that fighting scene, which was annoying and cheesy... covering her with wings? I nearly vomited on myself!
June 5, 2024
This book series is becoming one of my favorites. When reading it it was really hard to put down. I just had to know what was going to happen next. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the cliffhanger at the end!
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February 16, 2014Review to follow...
April 23, 2014
3.5 rating. review to come.
May 28, 2014
Found this book a bit boring. The plot was all over the place sometimes and I got a bit confused. It was only towards the end that it got exciting.
June 15, 2014
This will be a popular sequel to Hidden, for teens, reminiscent of Adornetto's Hades etc.
December 5, 2015
Sorry, I didn't even finish this book. Its boring...and omg the writing is horrible...and theres like 500000 misspelled words. I can't
October 24, 2016
I LOVE this book so much!!! Can not wait to get my hands on the next one, especially after that huge cliffhanger!
March 20, 2017
“Broken”, the second book of the Avena series, continues the journey of a girl named Ebony finding out that she is an angel herself and tries to find a way to save her angel boyfriend Nathaneal, or Thane, who seems to be her fiancee since birth, on a journey to her home, Avena. Thane is arrested for using his powers on Earth, which he has done in the first book, “Hidden”, so Ebony is trying to find a way to rescue him. During that time, Jordan, Ebony’s friend, is also trying to find a way to break the two apart, wanting Ebony for himself. However, Ebony is in love with Nathaneal and she thinks of Jordan as a friend, being his guardian angel.
There are three main characters, each character has their own chapters, which they narrate themselves and telling us their own perspective in the story. Talking about their feelings, their decisions, and narrating us to their own lives. I think it’s a great idea for this type of writing that Marianne has shown us. Giving us an idea what each character is thinking and why they are behaving like that.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoys romance and fantasy. It’s because these kind of books are imaginative and interesting. Also, it’s part of a series which makes me wonder what else the author has in store for us and hoping that the ending is what I expected. It’ll be even more interesting if there’s a twist at the end.
There are three main characters, each character has their own chapters, which they narrate themselves and telling us their own perspective in the story. Talking about their feelings, their decisions, and narrating us to their own lives. I think it’s a great idea for this type of writing that Marianne has shown us. Giving us an idea what each character is thinking and why they are behaving like that.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoys romance and fantasy. It’s because these kind of books are imaginative and interesting. Also, it’s part of a series which makes me wonder what else the author has in store for us and hoping that the ending is what I expected. It’ll be even more interesting if there’s a twist at the end.
August 31, 2018
I rarely give out 1 star and I have tried my best to push through book 1 but book 2 is just annoying the hell out of me. I can’t connect with the characters because they all sound like idiots to me.
The relationship between Ebony and Nathaniel just doesn’t sound right to me and it just gives me the creeps. 1 second Ebony does not trust him, the next second they are all lovey dovey. Yuck.
I had liked Jordan in the first book because I thought he would be a strong character but in book 2, I just see a really immature guy who would actually sell out the person he says he loves. I know it’s to save his mother’s soul but can he actually think before agreeing to sell out Ebony?
I’m sorry, but it’s hard to continue.
Maybe one day I may try again but at the moment I just don’t want to push through it as I don’t want to read a book like it’s a chore.
The relationship between Ebony and Nathaniel just doesn’t sound right to me and it just gives me the creeps. 1 second Ebony does not trust him, the next second they are all lovey dovey. Yuck.
I had liked Jordan in the first book because I thought he would be a strong character but in book 2, I just see a really immature guy who would actually sell out the person he says he loves. I know it’s to save his mother’s soul but can he actually think before agreeing to sell out Ebony?
I’m sorry, but it’s hard to continue.
Maybe one day I may try again but at the moment I just don’t want to push through it as I don’t want to read a book like it’s a chore.
October 24, 2017
Do you remember that gif of Britney that really took the internet by storm after she released her "I wanna go" music video? You know, that press conference in the beginning of it. She's basically telling everyone to stuff it.
Now imagine me as Britney, instead of press conference a room with all the characters from the book, and insted of fuck you, I'm pointing and screaming "you're dumb, you're dumb, you're dumb!" with a "you're cool" addressed to the horse.
Thinking this review doesn't make much sense or seems kinda confusing? Well, that goes for the book, too.
Now imagine me as Britney, instead of press conference a room with all the characters from the book, and insted of fuck you, I'm pointing and screaming "you're dumb, you're dumb, you're dumb!" with a "you're cool" addressed to the horse.
Thinking this review doesn't make much sense or seems kinda confusing? Well, that goes for the book, too.
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