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Ignite #2.5
Engage: An Ignite Novella
Kalaziel is a terrible guardian angel: her temper’s shorter than she is, she swears, she’s missing a wing, and she sees no problem with letting man make their own choices—no matter how questionable. That’s what free will is all about, right? Her overseers disagree.
After she mishandles an assignment, Heaven strips Kala of her title and throws her back into training, hoping to reinforce the covenant of vows she swore to uphold as a guardian. But the angels’ motives aren’t as pure as they appear: they want to eradicate any opinions that conflict with Heaven’s code.
With a mass cleansing on the horizon, Kala discovers she is not alone in her insubordination; there are other angels who are restless with the stasis of Heaven and ready for change. Progress doesn’t come easily, though, especially when it means uniting ancient enemies to fight for a common cause.
Engage is a novella that prequels Kala and Ana’s story in Incite.
After she mishandles an assignment, Heaven strips Kala of her title and throws her back into training, hoping to reinforce the covenant of vows she swore to uphold as a guardian. But the angels’ motives aren’t as pure as they appear: they want to eradicate any opinions that conflict with Heaven’s code.
With a mass cleansing on the horizon, Kala discovers she is not alone in her insubordination; there are other angels who are restless with the stasis of Heaven and ready for change. Progress doesn’t come easily, though, especially when it means uniting ancient enemies to fight for a common cause.
Engage is a novella that prequels Kala and Ana’s story in Incite.
- GenresFantasyYoung AdultAngels
98 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2015
75 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 2, 2015
Review first published on
Musings of a Wallflower
I flove flove flove this series, you can't even imagine.
This novella is Kala's (Kalaziel) story. I loved her characters in the previous books, so I was excited for this.
Here we are given a glimpse into Kala's mind, and how she processes every situation. We also get to see how Kala and Ana met. Their relationship progression was nicely paced, I really enjoyed reading about them.
I love Erica's writing, she knows how to make you feel what the characters are feeling.. Their frustrations, when they are angry, and when they are hurt. I got teary eyed reading when the angels were falling - yes, I would have cried had I not been taking a break at work.
The epilogue got me all excited for Infinite.. and luckily, I have a copy so I can start reading it right away!
*This arc was kindly provided by Patchwork Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I flove flove flove this series, you can't even imagine.
This novella is Kala's (Kalaziel) story. I loved her characters in the previous books, so I was excited for this.
Here we are given a glimpse into Kala's mind, and how she processes every situation. We also get to see how Kala and Ana met. Their relationship progression was nicely paced, I really enjoyed reading about them.
I love Erica's writing, she knows how to make you feel what the characters are feeling.. Their frustrations, when they are angry, and when they are hurt. I got teary eyed reading when the angels were falling - yes, I would have cried had I not been taking a break at work.
The epilogue got me all excited for Infinite.. and luckily, I have a copy so I can start reading it right away!
*This arc was kindly provided by Patchwork Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
May 27, 2015
I received an eARC of Engage from Parchwork Press via NetGalley in exchange with an honest review.
I absolutely loved Klaziel's story ; everything starting from character building to her actions in the book are amazing . I disagree with the fact she is a terrible angel ! How she reacted to a man's choice shows great wisdom. Obviously her Overseers disagree, and this where the story begins.
The story focuses on how Kala and Ana met, which I believe was something that all of the Ignite series fans were highly anticipating, and Erica didn't disappoint !
My favorite part was when the angels were falling. Erica was able to depict such a tragic yet beautiful scenery that I kept on replaying in my mind over and over again.
I was able to fill a lot of of time gaps, since Engage happens during between both the first book and the first half of the second book. This was really interesting because I got to connect all the pieces of the Ignite puzzle while reading Engage .
The book ends with most perfect epilogue that kept me wishing Infinite (Ignite #3) was out already.
I really enjoyed reading Engage and gave it 5/5 stars.
I absolutely loved Klaziel's story ; everything starting from character building to her actions in the book are amazing . I disagree with the fact she is a terrible angel ! How she reacted to a man's choice shows great wisdom. Obviously her Overseers disagree, and this where the story begins.
The story focuses on how Kala and Ana met, which I believe was something that all of the Ignite series fans were highly anticipating, and Erica didn't disappoint !
My favorite part was when the angels were falling. Erica was able to depict such a tragic yet beautiful scenery that I kept on replaying in my mind over and over again.
I was able to fill a lot of of time gaps, since Engage happens during between both the first book and the first half of the second book. This was really interesting because I got to connect all the pieces of the Ignite puzzle while reading Engage .
The book ends with most perfect epilogue that kept me wishing Infinite (Ignite #3) was out already.
I really enjoyed reading Engage and gave it 5/5 stars.
July 30, 2015
**Copy provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
So I have had this book in my to-read section for a couple of months and just recently finished it. And if I'm being honest, I've been putting it off because I just really don't want this series to end; that is how good these books are.
In this novella, we get Kala and Ana's backstory. Kala and Ana were introduced during the second book; but now that I know more about them, they are the cutest couple ever.
No really, they are. The way that they protect each other. Kala quite literally when they are trying to escape heaven. They meet each other every night to talk and kiss and cuddle. I just...
Overall, it was a well-written and welcome addition to the story. This isn't a necessary read to understand the books, but I recommend it.
See the full review at Bookaholic Raves
So I have had this book in my to-read section for a couple of months and just recently finished it. And if I'm being honest, I've been putting it off because I just really don't want this series to end; that is how good these books are.
In this novella, we get Kala and Ana's backstory. Kala and Ana were introduced during the second book; but now that I know more about them, they are the cutest couple ever.
No really, they are. The way that they protect each other. Kala quite literally when they are trying to escape heaven. They meet each other every night to talk and kiss and cuddle. I just...
Overall, it was a well-written and welcome addition to the story. This isn't a necessary read to understand the books, but I recommend it.
See the full review at Bookaholic Raves
June 21, 2015
Kala is a guardian angel – but not considered a very good one. She is derided for her disability but, far more, she has a pesky belief that humans should set their own destiny. And that the hard morality of Heaven is too limited and lacking in nuance for the real world.
The angels do not approve – something has to change.
This book is an excellent short story in that it brings a whole new angle to the original series – it’s not an essential angle, you can read the whole series without this short story but it brings some excellent depth to the book series. For me this is exactly what I want from a short story – not an essential part of the ongoing meta (therefore not a necessary read) but also not entirely pointless or off topic
The main series is told largely from Penn’s point of view. Which means we see hell and demons and the many many many reasons why she isn’t happy with either and only affection for her brother and having nowhere else to go keeps her bound to hell. We know why she rebels. We know why she is desperate to find another way. We know why she is rebelling
But Heaven? We’re told it’s rigid but beyond that thrown away line we don’t really know what exactly is so wrong with Heaven. What are the angels so rigid about? What real reason do the angels have to rebel? What was so bad that it would drive angels and demons to ally together in their rebellion?
This is the book that fills the gaps. This shows us heaven, it’s rigid rules, it’s outdated resistance to change, it’s savage refusal to accept any kind of nuance or grey morality. It’s utter rejection of any kind of free well, it’s vicious judgemental nature, it’s constant quest to control humanity down what it considers the true path and, in many ways, Heaven is almost unable to even identify good and purity any more, just adherence to rules.
And backed by all of this is Heaven’s brutal purges of its own, of any angel that dares to be independent, to think of themselves, to make their own judgement – or, almost as bad – allow anyone else to make their own judgments.
Through their story we see why Heaven is just as bad as Hell – rather than just being told and expected to accept it. On top of that we also get to see something else that was only told but not shown – why Pen is so essential to the rebellion and why they need her on side.
This is all told through the lens of Kala as she meets Ana. The exploration of the world happens as their relationship develops and as they both develop and grow as individual characters (with there philosophies also developing as they look at Heaven, see its flaws with ever clearer light and put together their ideas that slowly grow into the rebellion. It’s really well done for both the characters and the story together
Read More
The angels do not approve – something has to change.
This book is an excellent short story in that it brings a whole new angle to the original series – it’s not an essential angle, you can read the whole series without this short story but it brings some excellent depth to the book series. For me this is exactly what I want from a short story – not an essential part of the ongoing meta (therefore not a necessary read) but also not entirely pointless or off topic
The main series is told largely from Penn’s point of view. Which means we see hell and demons and the many many many reasons why she isn’t happy with either and only affection for her brother and having nowhere else to go keeps her bound to hell. We know why she rebels. We know why she is desperate to find another way. We know why she is rebelling
But Heaven? We’re told it’s rigid but beyond that thrown away line we don’t really know what exactly is so wrong with Heaven. What are the angels so rigid about? What real reason do the angels have to rebel? What was so bad that it would drive angels and demons to ally together in their rebellion?
This is the book that fills the gaps. This shows us heaven, it’s rigid rules, it’s outdated resistance to change, it’s savage refusal to accept any kind of nuance or grey morality. It’s utter rejection of any kind of free well, it’s vicious judgemental nature, it’s constant quest to control humanity down what it considers the true path and, in many ways, Heaven is almost unable to even identify good and purity any more, just adherence to rules.
And backed by all of this is Heaven’s brutal purges of its own, of any angel that dares to be independent, to think of themselves, to make their own judgement – or, almost as bad – allow anyone else to make their own judgments.
Through their story we see why Heaven is just as bad as Hell – rather than just being told and expected to accept it. On top of that we also get to see something else that was only told but not shown – why Pen is so essential to the rebellion and why they need her on side.
This is all told through the lens of Kala as she meets Ana. The exploration of the world happens as their relationship develops and as they both develop and grow as individual characters (with there philosophies also developing as they look at Heaven, see its flaws with ever clearer light and put together their ideas that slowly grow into the rebellion. It’s really well done for both the characters and the story together
Read More
May 9, 2023
Also published in "Tales of a Depresso Witch"
Rating: 4,5/5 stars
Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Patchwork Press for providing me with a copy.
Erica Crouch has done it again. Engage is yet another amazing story set in the Ignite series, this time with two characters we got the opportunity to meet in Incite.
This novella presents us with the background story of Kalaziel, a guardian angel who normally doesn’t follow the rules. After doing exactly that, not doing what she was told, she is stripped of her role as a guardian angel and has to restart her classes. Again. But this time she meets Ana and the two of them not only begin to have feelings for each other but also begin to think about a rebellion, a way to change what is wrong in both Heaven and Hell.
I previously mentioned the fact that I loved both Kala and Ana in Incite but having the opportunity to know how they met and how their relationship bloomed was rather interesting. To be able to see their perspective in the war between Heaven and Hell and to know that even the angels don’t truly accept the ideology of Heaven makes the whole experience of Ignite deeper.
Kala’s character must’ve been really fun to create and develop. She can be a little bit energetic at times but she has this immense heart that makes us like her straight away. And the way she describes Ana and how her feeling grew, it was simply lovely.
Erica Crouch‘s writing was impeccable as always. She continues to hypnotise me whenever I pick up one of her books. I can’t get enough of her stories, characters, settings, her way with words… well, everything. And I guess I’m always repeating myself but it’s true, she has a truly great gift to tell stories.
Oh, just a small note before wrapping up this review: Can I just say that the reference to Disney’s Mulan was simply the BEST?!? I laughed so hard in that part I was in tears. Only Kala to say such a thing while talking about Zophiel. It was amazing.
Of course, I recommend this story to everyone who has been following Erica Crouch’s series and work. But I also recommend Engage to those who wish to enter Erica’s universe with a bang – there’s laughter, romance, fallen angels and great characters.
Rating: 4,5/5 stars
Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Patchwork Press for providing me with a copy.
Erica Crouch has done it again. Engage is yet another amazing story set in the Ignite series, this time with two characters we got the opportunity to meet in Incite.
This novella presents us with the background story of Kalaziel, a guardian angel who normally doesn’t follow the rules. After doing exactly that, not doing what she was told, she is stripped of her role as a guardian angel and has to restart her classes. Again. But this time she meets Ana and the two of them not only begin to have feelings for each other but also begin to think about a rebellion, a way to change what is wrong in both Heaven and Hell.
I previously mentioned the fact that I loved both Kala and Ana in Incite but having the opportunity to know how they met and how their relationship bloomed was rather interesting. To be able to see their perspective in the war between Heaven and Hell and to know that even the angels don’t truly accept the ideology of Heaven makes the whole experience of Ignite deeper.
Kala’s character must’ve been really fun to create and develop. She can be a little bit energetic at times but she has this immense heart that makes us like her straight away. And the way she describes Ana and how her feeling grew, it was simply lovely.
Erica Crouch‘s writing was impeccable as always. She continues to hypnotise me whenever I pick up one of her books. I can’t get enough of her stories, characters, settings, her way with words… well, everything. And I guess I’m always repeating myself but it’s true, she has a truly great gift to tell stories.
Oh, just a small note before wrapping up this review: Can I just say that the reference to Disney’s Mulan was simply the BEST?!? I laughed so hard in that part I was in tears. Only Kala to say such a thing while talking about Zophiel. It was amazing.
Of course, I recommend this story to everyone who has been following Erica Crouch’s series and work. But I also recommend Engage to those who wish to enter Erica’s universe with a bang – there’s laughter, romance, fallen angels and great characters.
July 29, 2015
This review and more can be found at The A P Book Club!
*I received this book from Patchwork Press in exchange for an honest review*
I love this series, and I love Kala, so I was so excited to find out the second novella would be about Kala and Ana's relationship before we meet them in Incite! I'm a sucker for backstories, and this one did not disappoint. Well, maybe a little bit - I do wish it had been longer because I could totally read a full-length novel about Kala!
Kala is stubborn, brash, and willing to break the strict rules as long as she believes her way is the right way. It was fun to watch her as a guardian angel, especially since we learn why she ends up back in training. I honestly agreed with Kala's actions, but obviously the angels in charge didn't. But this incident leads to Kala meeting Ana, which is pretty much perfect.
Ana and Kala might be my favorite couple in this series, and how they meet and end up in a relationship is perfect for them. Ana agrees with Kala but can't openly speak her mind, and Kala doesn't really care what anyone else thinks of her. Even though the two angels are opposites, their love story is adorable and watching Kala fall in love with Ana was so sweet. Things do happen quickly, but it makes sense in the context of the book and doesn't feel like instalove.
As always, Erica's writing is beautiful and had me hooked from the first page. If you've read any of the other books in the Ignite series, you definitely want to read this novella! Kala is one of my favorite characters, and I loved learning more about her and Ana and even seeing what Heaven was like before all of the angels fell and before New Genesis. 5/5!
*I received this book from Patchwork Press in exchange for an honest review*
I love this series, and I love Kala, so I was so excited to find out the second novella would be about Kala and Ana's relationship before we meet them in Incite! I'm a sucker for backstories, and this one did not disappoint. Well, maybe a little bit - I do wish it had been longer because I could totally read a full-length novel about Kala!
Kala is stubborn, brash, and willing to break the strict rules as long as she believes her way is the right way. It was fun to watch her as a guardian angel, especially since we learn why she ends up back in training. I honestly agreed with Kala's actions, but obviously the angels in charge didn't. But this incident leads to Kala meeting Ana, which is pretty much perfect.
Ana and Kala might be my favorite couple in this series, and how they meet and end up in a relationship is perfect for them. Ana agrees with Kala but can't openly speak her mind, and Kala doesn't really care what anyone else thinks of her. Even though the two angels are opposites, their love story is adorable and watching Kala fall in love with Ana was so sweet. Things do happen quickly, but it makes sense in the context of the book and doesn't feel like instalove.
As always, Erica's writing is beautiful and had me hooked from the first page. If you've read any of the other books in the Ignite series, you definitely want to read this novella! Kala is one of my favorite characters, and I loved learning more about her and Ana and even seeing what Heaven was like before all of the angels fell and before New Genesis. 5/5!
June 6, 2015
REceived through net galley for a honest review.
I am glad I got this. This novella helped clear up some questions I had from Incite. I was wondering how the band of angels and demons came together on earth to create what I call the rebel movement and how Michael and Pen where to be instrumental.
What i liked about this was that in heavan Kala stands up for her thoughts. She doesn’t cower or hide but stands up for them. I also like that she is okay with who she is and doesn’t see being with one wing as a handicap but as a honor. She is more than just wings. She is complete as a angel-with thoughts, feelings, emotions, opinions and beliefs. She stands up for her beliefs and fights for what she sees as right and wrong. We also see how the coming of hell into heaven occurred.
The story flows wonderfully and is extremely engaging. Erica Crouch keeps you in the moment with characters that are real in who they are. There are no pretenses just straight up beliefs. The romance that begins for Kala is also cute to see. This book though is about the fight to save Heaven from becoming stale. To have Heaven’s leaders see that change is needed before it is too late. It gives us the background of how the rebel movement began and why. IT shows us what Michael went through when he returned to Heaven and it gave us some insight into Pen and her brother a little more.
With the ebbs and flows we see the world of HEaven unfold before our eyes and one brave angel named Kala show us all that is going on. We see the fight for free will and the struggle to be who you are. A wonderful novella to help further understand the struggle between heaven and hell and what it is leading up to.
I am glad I got this. This novella helped clear up some questions I had from Incite. I was wondering how the band of angels and demons came together on earth to create what I call the rebel movement and how Michael and Pen where to be instrumental.
What i liked about this was that in heavan Kala stands up for her thoughts. She doesn’t cower or hide but stands up for them. I also like that she is okay with who she is and doesn’t see being with one wing as a handicap but as a honor. She is more than just wings. She is complete as a angel-with thoughts, feelings, emotions, opinions and beliefs. She stands up for her beliefs and fights for what she sees as right and wrong. We also see how the coming of hell into heaven occurred.
The story flows wonderfully and is extremely engaging. Erica Crouch keeps you in the moment with characters that are real in who they are. There are no pretenses just straight up beliefs. The romance that begins for Kala is also cute to see. This book though is about the fight to save Heaven from becoming stale. To have Heaven’s leaders see that change is needed before it is too late. It gives us the background of how the rebel movement began and why. IT shows us what Michael went through when he returned to Heaven and it gave us some insight into Pen and her brother a little more.
With the ebbs and flows we see the world of HEaven unfold before our eyes and one brave angel named Kala show us all that is going on. We see the fight for free will and the struggle to be who you are. A wonderful novella to help further understand the struggle between heaven and hell and what it is leading up to.
April 14, 2016
First things first, I need to say a massive thank you to Patchwork Press for accepting my request to review this book on NetGalley, and to NetGalley for the service that they provide.
*This review will contain spoilers!*
"Good and evil are absolute, or so we've said. But what if good and evil are not as certain as we believe? What if there are stages in between the two polarities?"
This novella gives us the back story of Kala and Ana, the leaders of rebellion group New Genesis in 'Incite', the second novel in Erica Crouch's Ignite series. If you haven't read the series so far, I'd highly recommend you go and do that first!
This book sits in the events of the first novel, and one of my favourite things about this book was getting to see the events unfolding from an outsiders perspective. In 'Ignite', Penemuel, a fallen angel, falls in love with Michael, the Archangel of Heaven, and one of the best things about this novella was hearing the angels gossiping about Pen and Michael - none of them completely sure of what was going on, but everyone knowing that something was amiss. Personally, I found this rather funny, because for a lot of 'Ignite' Pen thinks they're being super subtle and are keeping their feelings for each other under the radar, and it was great to see this being completely disproved.
Read the rest of my review here!
*This review will contain spoilers!*
"Good and evil are absolute, or so we've said. But what if good and evil are not as certain as we believe? What if there are stages in between the two polarities?"
This novella gives us the back story of Kala and Ana, the leaders of rebellion group New Genesis in 'Incite', the second novel in Erica Crouch's Ignite series. If you haven't read the series so far, I'd highly recommend you go and do that first!
This book sits in the events of the first novel, and one of my favourite things about this book was getting to see the events unfolding from an outsiders perspective. In 'Ignite', Penemuel, a fallen angel, falls in love with Michael, the Archangel of Heaven, and one of the best things about this novella was hearing the angels gossiping about Pen and Michael - none of them completely sure of what was going on, but everyone knowing that something was amiss. Personally, I found this rather funny, because for a lot of 'Ignite' Pen thinks they're being super subtle and are keeping their feelings for each other under the radar, and it was great to see this being completely disproved.
Read the rest of my review here!
April 28, 2015
*This book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for a honest review*
You can also find more reviews at my blog Lii's Adventures in Bookland
First things first the writing on this novella was beautiful. Don't get me wrong, Erica Crouch always writes beautifully in her books but this one was particularly beautiful, at least to me. There was something about the way she phrased the conflicts in Heaven's moral that I really enjoyed.
I never thought I would want to read Kala and Ana's story but from the moment this novella started that was all I cared about. I must admit that this does not add to the main story itself, but this is the reason why novellas exist in the first place, so we can know more about some parts of the story.
Kala is incredibly sweet and the way she fell in love with Ana was probably one of the cutest things I have ever read. Ana has a very strong character and because of that I was not expecting her to fall in love so quickly, but I cann se from her perspective how Kala seemed almost as a breath of fresh air in such a restrict environment.
Again I adored the mention of Mulan as being an angel in this novella. And I would like to know more about that bat guy.
You can also find more reviews at my blog Lii's Adventures in Bookland
First things first the writing on this novella was beautiful. Don't get me wrong, Erica Crouch always writes beautifully in her books but this one was particularly beautiful, at least to me. There was something about the way she phrased the conflicts in Heaven's moral that I really enjoyed.
I never thought I would want to read Kala and Ana's story but from the moment this novella started that was all I cared about. I must admit that this does not add to the main story itself, but this is the reason why novellas exist in the first place, so we can know more about some parts of the story.
Kala is incredibly sweet and the way she fell in love with Ana was probably one of the cutest things I have ever read. Ana has a very strong character and because of that I was not expecting her to fall in love so quickly, but I cann se from her perspective how Kala seemed almost as a breath of fresh air in such a restrict environment.
Again I adored the mention of Mulan as being an angel in this novella. And I would like to know more about that bat guy.
January 18, 2025
Yay! I am fortunate enough to have a chance to read Engage and am happy to say that I enjoyed it! If you liked the previous books and were curious about Kala then you'll definitely want to pick this up.
When I met Kala in Incite I knew I'd love her and was ecstatic when I found out that Crouch planned to write from Kala's point of view in this novella. Reading this book made me confirm that I did indeed love her (there was honestly very little doubt that I wouldn't)!
I like where we start in Kala's story, it's after the war but before some things that happen in Incite. The writing is tight and straight forward, which I liked, no wandering scenes or prose here. Since this book is a novella I had no problem reading it, in fact, I immersed myself so easily that I read this in one sitting.
The romance with Ana is sweet although a tiny complaint on my end is not getting enough of Ana's perspective. I can see why Ana would love Kala but I wish I could get more in Ana's head to know for sure why she had fallen for Kala.
I absolutely loved that we got to see Zo in more depth in this story, even if it had been a tiny bit. I laughed out loud when I read the joke based on the Disney reference. I see what you did there and it made me love Kala (and Crouch) all the more.
Highly recommended if you enjoyed the first few books in Crouch's Ignite series. Especially if you liked reading about Kala in Incite.
3.6 out of 5 rating for me!
(A copy was provided for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.)
When I met Kala in Incite I knew I'd love her and was ecstatic when I found out that Crouch planned to write from Kala's point of view in this novella. Reading this book made me confirm that I did indeed love her (there was honestly very little doubt that I wouldn't)!
I like where we start in Kala's story, it's after the war but before some things that happen in Incite. The writing is tight and straight forward, which I liked, no wandering scenes or prose here. Since this book is a novella I had no problem reading it, in fact, I immersed myself so easily that I read this in one sitting.
The romance with Ana is sweet although a tiny complaint on my end is not getting enough of Ana's perspective. I can see why Ana would love Kala but I wish I could get more in Ana's head to know for sure why she had fallen for Kala.
I absolutely loved that we got to see Zo in more depth in this story, even if it had been a tiny bit. I laughed out loud when I read the joke based on the Disney reference. I see what you did there and it made me love Kala (and Crouch) all the more.
Highly recommended if you enjoyed the first few books in Crouch's Ignite series. Especially if you liked reading about Kala in Incite.
3.6 out of 5 rating for me!
(A copy was provided for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.)
May 4, 2016
In Incite, the second instalment in the Ignite series, we meet two new angels: Kalaziel and Anabiel - Kala and Ana, for short - who have started a revolutionary group called New Genesis. Engage follows Kala and Ana; how they met, what drew them together, and is essentially the story of their time in Heaven.
As was usual in the entire Ignite series, Engage again showcased Erica Crouch’s beautiful writing. Despite it taking place in Heaven, Engage is as bleak and as gritty as its predecessors but Crouch manages to expertly balance this darkness with some lighthearted moments, courtesy of Kala’s spunk and sarcasm. I loved how the conscious idea of a rebellion drew Kala and Anna together, which was such a contrast to its unintentional foundation that connected Michael and Pen to each other.
Engage is told from Kala’s perspective and she is disillusioned by the twisted and tyrannical ways of the angels. Kala is my favourite character, second only to Pen and Azael. I was enchanted by her in Incite and Engage cemented my love for her. Her voice made the story even more compelling and her jaded views and myriad of questions were set against her hilarious sarcasm and affection for Ana.
Plot-wise, nothing much happened in Engage when compared with the previous installments in the Ignite series. The big climax happened at the very end of the novella and this was the only action scene that took place in the entire story. Despite this lack of action, Engage was still a riveting read, which it fully owed to its setting; the image of Heaven and the bureaucracy existing within it had never been seen before in the series and it was absolutely intriguing. Crouch masterfully shows the similarities of the governing bodies in Heaven and Hell and this further justified the ideas and the goals of the rebellion.
My main issue with Engage, and the reason why I couldn’t give it a higher rating, lies in the fact that Pen and Kala’s voices were extremely identical. Engage sounded like Pen and had the names been switched to Pen and Michael, no major difference would have been discerned.
In A Nutshell:
Engage was a fast-paced read and I enjoyed seeing Heaven in all its glorious terror as well as Kala and Ana’s origin story. Sadly, Engage lacked voice distinction and at the end of the day, I felt like I was reading from Pen’s point of view instead of another character’s perspective.
As was usual in the entire Ignite series, Engage again showcased Erica Crouch’s beautiful writing. Despite it taking place in Heaven, Engage is as bleak and as gritty as its predecessors but Crouch manages to expertly balance this darkness with some lighthearted moments, courtesy of Kala’s spunk and sarcasm. I loved how the conscious idea of a rebellion drew Kala and Anna together, which was such a contrast to its unintentional foundation that connected Michael and Pen to each other.
Engage is told from Kala’s perspective and she is disillusioned by the twisted and tyrannical ways of the angels. Kala is my favourite character, second only to Pen and Azael. I was enchanted by her in Incite and Engage cemented my love for her. Her voice made the story even more compelling and her jaded views and myriad of questions were set against her hilarious sarcasm and affection for Ana.
Plot-wise, nothing much happened in Engage when compared with the previous installments in the Ignite series. The big climax happened at the very end of the novella and this was the only action scene that took place in the entire story. Despite this lack of action, Engage was still a riveting read, which it fully owed to its setting; the image of Heaven and the bureaucracy existing within it had never been seen before in the series and it was absolutely intriguing. Crouch masterfully shows the similarities of the governing bodies in Heaven and Hell and this further justified the ideas and the goals of the rebellion.
My main issue with Engage, and the reason why I couldn’t give it a higher rating, lies in the fact that Pen and Kala’s voices were extremely identical. Engage sounded like Pen and had the names been switched to Pen and Michael, no major difference would have been discerned.
In A Nutshell:
Engage was a fast-paced read and I enjoyed seeing Heaven in all its glorious terror as well as Kala and Ana’s origin story. Sadly, Engage lacked voice distinction and at the end of the day, I felt like I was reading from Pen’s point of view instead of another character’s perspective.
March 21, 2016
Engage was another delightful addition to the Ignite series. We got to see how the New Genesis movement started, and how Ana and Kala got together. I felt like this could have been a little bit longer, but that's in no way a negative thing. I just could have read an entire book about Kala. There's still so much I want to learn about her, and how she became who she is (a bubbly yet badass swearing angel!).
Whilst the romance between Ana and Kala moved pretty quickly, I was all over it. It was sweet and swoonworthy, and totally had me rooting for the two of them the entire time. I'm excited to read Crouch's other LGBT stories, because she wrote this f/f relationship beautifully.
I need Infinite in my hands, like, yesterday (LOL at the fact that I literally did get Infinite yesterday).
Whilst the romance between Ana and Kala moved pretty quickly, I was all over it. It was sweet and swoonworthy, and totally had me rooting for the two of them the entire time. I'm excited to read Crouch's other LGBT stories, because she wrote this f/f relationship beautifully.
I need Infinite in my hands, like, yesterday (LOL at the fact that I literally did get Infinite yesterday).
July 16, 2015
I read this novella after I finished the series. The second book is the only book I haven't read so far, but I think that Kala and Ana are new characters to the readers. I remember them from Infinite, but I didn't know their story. This book could be a good book to introduce not only the new characters, but to learn things we didn't have the chance to in the second book.
P.S The story has two lesbian angels, if you don't like it don't read it
P.S The story has two lesbian angels, if you don't like it don't read it
May 8, 2015
Review to come
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