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Speak of the Devil #1
Speak of the Devil
What happens when falling in love and falling from grace collide?
After dying in a car accident with her two best friends, Lily miraculously awakens to grief and guilt. She escapes to her dad’s to come to terms with the event and meets some people at her new school who seem all too eager to help her heal. Sliding deeper into sorrow and trying to fight her feelings for two of them, she finds out who…what they really are and that they are falling too.
Can she find the strength to move on from the past, reconcile her feelings for Luc, find a way to stop a divine war with fallen angels, and still pass the eleventh grade?
After dying in a car accident with her two best friends, Lily miraculously awakens to grief and guilt. She escapes to her dad’s to come to terms with the event and meets some people at her new school who seem all too eager to help her heal. Sliding deeper into sorrow and trying to fight her feelings for two of them, she finds out who…what they really are and that they are falling too.
Can she find the strength to move on from the past, reconcile her feelings for Luc, find a way to stop a divine war with fallen angels, and still pass the eleventh grade?
262 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2013
43 people are currently reading
1715 people want to read
About the author
Shawna Romkey
11 books382 followersUSA Today best-selling author, Shawna grew up around farms in the heart of Missouri but went to the University of Kansas, was raised in the US but now lives on the ocean in Nova Scotia with her husband, two sons, two dogs and one overgrown puppy from hell. She’s a non-conformist who follows her heart.
She has her BA in creative writing from the University of Kansas where one of her plays was chosen by her creative writing professor to be produced locally, and two of her short stories were published in a university creative arts handbook. She earned her MA in English from Central Missouri State University where she wrote a novel as her thesis.
She’s taught English at the university and secondary levels for close to twenty years and can’t quite fathom how all of her students have grown up, yet she’s managed to stay the same. She’s a huge geek and fan of Xena, Buffy and all kick ass women, and loves to write stories that have strong female characters.
Books:
Speak of the Devil, 2013
The Devil Made Me, 2014
http://www.shawnaromkey.com/
She has her BA in creative writing from the University of Kansas where one of her plays was chosen by her creative writing professor to be produced locally, and two of her short stories were published in a university creative arts handbook. She earned her MA in English from Central Missouri State University where she wrote a novel as her thesis.
She’s taught English at the university and secondary levels for close to twenty years and can’t quite fathom how all of her students have grown up, yet she’s managed to stay the same. She’s a huge geek and fan of Xena, Buffy and all kick ass women, and loves to write stories that have strong female characters.
Books:
Speak of the Devil, 2013
The Devil Made Me, 2014
http://www.shawnaromkey.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
May 27, 2013
Speak of the Devil is a great debut novel by Shawna Romkey! The young adult book will touch people of all ages and leave the readers longing for more. I cannot wait to read Romkey's squeal. I could see Speak of the Devil becoming the next Twilight or Beautiful Creatures (and yes, I would love to see a movie)!
February 18, 2013
Wow!!!
What an one say on a book that captivates them from the first words, to the end of the epilogue?
Shawna Romkey shines!!
Meet Lily, just a normal run of the day 17 yr old and her friends Mike and Julie. Out to a party they go on a rainy night only to have their lives snapped from them. Lily survives, how she does not know or why. All she knows is that life as she knew it is over. She retreats into herself, then deciding to run from her tragedy, her pain and goes to the big city to be with her dad, leaving behind mom and her loyal dog.
In comes the new crowd, different and she just an't put her fingers on it.
Speak of the Devil is a book that will stirs up every emotion possible, as you turn the pages.
Mo and Luc vie for the honor of saving Lily. But save her from what?
Speak of the Devil will leave you wanting for more.
Bravo Shawna... You have won me ove with this one... Good Luck to you!
What an one say on a book that captivates them from the first words, to the end of the epilogue?
Shawna Romkey shines!!
Meet Lily, just a normal run of the day 17 yr old and her friends Mike and Julie. Out to a party they go on a rainy night only to have their lives snapped from them. Lily survives, how she does not know or why. All she knows is that life as she knew it is over. She retreats into herself, then deciding to run from her tragedy, her pain and goes to the big city to be with her dad, leaving behind mom and her loyal dog.
In comes the new crowd, different and she just an't put her fingers on it.
Speak of the Devil is a book that will stirs up every emotion possible, as you turn the pages.
Mo and Luc vie for the honor of saving Lily. But save her from what?
Speak of the Devil will leave you wanting for more.
Bravo Shawna... You have won me ove with this one... Good Luck to you!
April 20, 2013
I really found myself drawn into the story quickly and before I knew it I had read most of it in one sitting.
It was the voice of Lily, the main protagonist, that captivated me, and the countless issues she had to deal with at such a young age. From the get go, we are plunged into her world of depression and heartache, and her constant questioning of her existence and God. You see, Lily died, along with her two closest friends whom perished. But, what is remarkable, is the fact that she awakened after being pronounced dead. Grief stricken and not knowing how to cope, she leaves her small home town and her mother, to move to the big city to be with her father and his new family. The possibility of starting over where no one knows her or her back story is more tempting then anything else. Lily soon settles in school quite nicely, gets a spot on the newspaper and begins working on assignments. One particular assignment would forever change her life, and lead her to the quiet and protective Luc, and the enigmatic Mo, and their group of friends. Lily couldn't believe how comfortable she begins to feel around them and finds herself happy for the first time since the accident. But, it doesn't take long for her to feel remorse and learn that running away from her own despair was going to be difficult. Even though she moved away from the tragedy, she could not out-run her sorrow. This new group of friends huddle around her and try to support her through this pain, which she finds a little odd, yet is grateful to be able to finally free her soul for the first time. Then peculiar things begin to happen. Unexplained incidents and behaviours set off alarms in Lily, concerning Luc, Mo and the rest of the group. Things that she could not turn a blind eye too and before she knows it, she is smack in the middle of something divine and supernatural. Never in her wildest dreams could she imagine being caught in the fight between good and evil, but that's where she ended up being. Everything happens for a reason, and to Lily, she was beginning to think this true.
Speak of the Devil is a fast and easy read that deals with some heavy issues of depression, grief, tragedy, religion and the meaning of it all, but in such a light way that it isn't over-the-top. It's a great young adult read and I really enjoyed it. Thank you to the author, Shawna Romkey for providing me with a copy for review and I look forward to the next instalment. The epilogue has set it up nicely.
It was the voice of Lily, the main protagonist, that captivated me, and the countless issues she had to deal with at such a young age. From the get go, we are plunged into her world of depression and heartache, and her constant questioning of her existence and God. You see, Lily died, along with her two closest friends whom perished. But, what is remarkable, is the fact that she awakened after being pronounced dead. Grief stricken and not knowing how to cope, she leaves her small home town and her mother, to move to the big city to be with her father and his new family. The possibility of starting over where no one knows her or her back story is more tempting then anything else. Lily soon settles in school quite nicely, gets a spot on the newspaper and begins working on assignments. One particular assignment would forever change her life, and lead her to the quiet and protective Luc, and the enigmatic Mo, and their group of friends. Lily couldn't believe how comfortable she begins to feel around them and finds herself happy for the first time since the accident. But, it doesn't take long for her to feel remorse and learn that running away from her own despair was going to be difficult. Even though she moved away from the tragedy, she could not out-run her sorrow. This new group of friends huddle around her and try to support her through this pain, which she finds a little odd, yet is grateful to be able to finally free her soul for the first time. Then peculiar things begin to happen. Unexplained incidents and behaviours set off alarms in Lily, concerning Luc, Mo and the rest of the group. Things that she could not turn a blind eye too and before she knows it, she is smack in the middle of something divine and supernatural. Never in her wildest dreams could she imagine being caught in the fight between good and evil, but that's where she ended up being. Everything happens for a reason, and to Lily, she was beginning to think this true.
Speak of the Devil is a fast and easy read that deals with some heavy issues of depression, grief, tragedy, religion and the meaning of it all, but in such a light way that it isn't over-the-top. It's a great young adult read and I really enjoyed it. Thank you to the author, Shawna Romkey for providing me with a copy for review and I look forward to the next instalment. The epilogue has set it up nicely.
December 31, 2012
I really enjoyed this book!!! For a young-adult book this touches on some major issues. Unexpected death and the questions about God that naturally arise because of it. How we grieve, love, and relate to others. And of course the battle between good and evil. It also has one of the most beautiful and magical kisses I've ever read. Full of life and love....This book totally rocks!
January 17, 2013
Speak of the Devil gives the perfect setting into a teenagers life whose world is turned upside down when she discovers that she was the only survivor from a car crash which killed her two best friends. Lily's journey through her recovery leads her to her fathers doorstep and takes her on an emotional roller coaster of who and what to believe.
Shawna provides you with a descriptive dialogue through Lily's eyes and is a fantastic first book, leaving you wanting to find out more about Lily's supernatural adventures.
Shawna provides you with a descriptive dialogue through Lily's eyes and is a fantastic first book, leaving you wanting to find out more about Lily's supernatural adventures.
June 22, 2015
This was a quick read, but the plot and writing style were somewhat better suited to teenagers, rather than adults. The rave reviews just didn't hold true for me.
May 8, 2013
I knew from the second I laid eyes on the cover of this book I was going to fall in love. And Ms. Romkey did not disappoint. Everything about this story had me hooked. The setting in my home state of Missouri. The YA genre with a unique paranormal storyline. Strong characters, both male and female, some who have you rooting for their success, and some who you just wish would disappear.
The story follows Missouri native, Lily Tyler, who is involved in a tragic accident with her best friend Julie and almost boyfriend Mike. Both of her friends are killed and she is brought back from death by first responders to the scene. Unable to handle living in the town and attending the school where the ghosts of her friends still haunt her, she moves to Kansas City to live with her dad and his family. There she meets a group of theater friends all too eager to make sure she is okay and fitting in to her new school. At the center of these new friends are Mo and Luc. Mo, the geeky theater boy is full of kindness and a need to take care of her. And Luc, the gorgeous yet mysterious young man who Lily feels drawn to and always shows up at the right place and the right time. A war between good and evil will feature Lily right in the center of the action. She will learn who she must trust to stand beside during the struggle and who will ultimately wish her gone.
Ms. Romkey took me on a rollercoaster with this story and I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. It is a beautiful tale and I will be anxiously awaiting a sequel to see where the characters are taken and who will ultimately win the war between good and evil.
From Platinum Book Reviews by Charissa Nelson
The story follows Missouri native, Lily Tyler, who is involved in a tragic accident with her best friend Julie and almost boyfriend Mike. Both of her friends are killed and she is brought back from death by first responders to the scene. Unable to handle living in the town and attending the school where the ghosts of her friends still haunt her, she moves to Kansas City to live with her dad and his family. There she meets a group of theater friends all too eager to make sure she is okay and fitting in to her new school. At the center of these new friends are Mo and Luc. Mo, the geeky theater boy is full of kindness and a need to take care of her. And Luc, the gorgeous yet mysterious young man who Lily feels drawn to and always shows up at the right place and the right time. A war between good and evil will feature Lily right in the center of the action. She will learn who she must trust to stand beside during the struggle and who will ultimately wish her gone.
Ms. Romkey took me on a rollercoaster with this story and I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. It is a beautiful tale and I will be anxiously awaiting a sequel to see where the characters are taken and who will ultimately win the war between good and evil.
From Platinum Book Reviews by Charissa Nelson
March 21, 2013
A fun, entertaining, and light read -- with a hint of dark.
I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book. The author has a quirky and smart sense of humor that comes across through her characters.
Lily is an average mid-western girl who is a bit nerdy and just wants to get through high school with her two best friends. When tragedy strikes, Lily moves to St. Louis, starts a new school, and suddenly finds herself surrounded by a group of not so normal drama students. At first sight she feels an instant connection with Luc, but Luc's friend, Mo, makes the first move on Lily, and Luc fades into the background -- but not for long. When Lily begins to lose all hope that she will ever feel like a regular teenager again, she has a heavenly encounter with her deceased best friend and begins to realize that there may be more to heaven and earth than she realized.
I don't want to give away any spoilers but let's just say that Lily and I were both equally surprised to find out what her "new friends" -- including Luc and Mo -- are up to. The plot has plenty of action to keep the story moving along at a quick pace, but also enough down time so I didn't feel like the story was forced or unbelievable.
Horns and tails vs. halos and wings? If you're feeling intrigued, you'll have to give Speak of the Devil a read and find out how Lily survives a battle of good versus evil while falling in love.
From beginning to end this is a great book! Shawna Romkey does an excellent job creating a world where Angels walk among us -- though they may forget their purpose, or even fall from grace. Great writing, creative, and so entertaining. I can't wait for book two.
I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book. The author has a quirky and smart sense of humor that comes across through her characters.
Lily is an average mid-western girl who is a bit nerdy and just wants to get through high school with her two best friends. When tragedy strikes, Lily moves to St. Louis, starts a new school, and suddenly finds herself surrounded by a group of not so normal drama students. At first sight she feels an instant connection with Luc, but Luc's friend, Mo, makes the first move on Lily, and Luc fades into the background -- but not for long. When Lily begins to lose all hope that she will ever feel like a regular teenager again, she has a heavenly encounter with her deceased best friend and begins to realize that there may be more to heaven and earth than she realized.
I don't want to give away any spoilers but let's just say that Lily and I were both equally surprised to find out what her "new friends" -- including Luc and Mo -- are up to. The plot has plenty of action to keep the story moving along at a quick pace, but also enough down time so I didn't feel like the story was forced or unbelievable.
Horns and tails vs. halos and wings? If you're feeling intrigued, you'll have to give Speak of the Devil a read and find out how Lily survives a battle of good versus evil while falling in love.
From beginning to end this is a great book! Shawna Romkey does an excellent job creating a world where Angels walk among us -- though they may forget their purpose, or even fall from grace. Great writing, creative, and so entertaining. I can't wait for book two.
March 3, 2013
“There was gas in the tank, a cell phone charger in the car, an angel sitting next to me, what did I have to lose?”
Sole survivor of a tragic car accident, teenage Lily struggles to carry on with her life after losing her two best friends. Lily’s attempt to escape the torment of survivor’s guilt fails and her despair follows her to a new town and a new school. I felt her agony every step of the way.
Romkey does an incredible job of drawing the reader into every ounce of anguish Lily feels all the while holding onto the slightest hope things will get better. Survival instinct battles survivor’s guilt and I think that’s what sets this book apart. The theme is mature and raw and real. Lily needs saving.
Enter a hellishly irresistible angel. But she doesn’t know it yet. If ever the was an angel a girl could fall for, Luc is it. The pull Lily experiences towards him escalates as the plot takes a gripping turn. Angels, fallen angels and an absent God, this book kept me spellbound right from page one.
Speak of the Devil is the first in Romkey’s epic series and I cannot wait for more from this debut author.
Sole survivor of a tragic car accident, teenage Lily struggles to carry on with her life after losing her two best friends. Lily’s attempt to escape the torment of survivor’s guilt fails and her despair follows her to a new town and a new school. I felt her agony every step of the way.
Romkey does an incredible job of drawing the reader into every ounce of anguish Lily feels all the while holding onto the slightest hope things will get better. Survival instinct battles survivor’s guilt and I think that’s what sets this book apart. The theme is mature and raw and real. Lily needs saving.
Enter a hellishly irresistible angel. But she doesn’t know it yet. If ever the was an angel a girl could fall for, Luc is it. The pull Lily experiences towards him escalates as the plot takes a gripping turn. Angels, fallen angels and an absent God, this book kept me spellbound right from page one.
Speak of the Devil is the first in Romkey’s epic series and I cannot wait for more from this debut author.
February 25, 2013
Loved this book.
In the young adult, paranormal novel, Speak of the Devil, Romkey tackles some tough issues. The line between good, evil, falling and redemption are drawn and then blurred.
A car accident takes the life of the heroine Lily’s two closest friends. She survives, only after enduring a near-death experience that leaves her asking all the tough questions. The same ones we’ve all asked after losing someone unexpectedly, someone you believed was too young to die. Anyone who has mourned a friend or loved one will be able to relate to the emotional highs and lows that Lily experiences as she tries to make a fresh start.
But, then, there’s something a little different about this new group of friends she falls into in her new school. Lily’s ups and downs set the cadence of the twists and turns the story takes and keep the reader guessing all the way up to the last page.
I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading more from Romkey in the future.
In the young adult, paranormal novel, Speak of the Devil, Romkey tackles some tough issues. The line between good, evil, falling and redemption are drawn and then blurred.
A car accident takes the life of the heroine Lily’s two closest friends. She survives, only after enduring a near-death experience that leaves her asking all the tough questions. The same ones we’ve all asked after losing someone unexpectedly, someone you believed was too young to die. Anyone who has mourned a friend or loved one will be able to relate to the emotional highs and lows that Lily experiences as she tries to make a fresh start.
But, then, there’s something a little different about this new group of friends she falls into in her new school. Lily’s ups and downs set the cadence of the twists and turns the story takes and keep the reader guessing all the way up to the last page.
I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading more from Romkey in the future.
August 1, 2019
This book was a good idea. I liked the angel borns and if they failed to save their souls they turned into demons but they could redeem themselves. In the story they try to work out why their were so many of them in the same place at the same time but some start turning bad. Then a girl walks in and she can see them and talk to angels (unknown to her at the moment). A bomb goes off at the school and then the real story begins.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2014
" Speak of the Devil " by Shawna Romkey is a great read for young and old. I couldn't put the book down once I picked up a copy. I really am looking forward to see what happens to all the characters in the sequel. Definitely would recommend this book.
May 22, 2016
I very much enjoyed this despite sad parts of the story. The characters were likable and you couldn't help but wonder what the group of new friends were saying about Lily. I had a difficult time putting this down and am positive I will be purchasing the next in the series. :)
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April 12, 2015
Lily is in high school with her two best friends, Julie and Mike. They do everything together and are looking forward to the end of the school year. When Julie and Mike pick up Lily, they have no idea that their lives are about to change forever. After a horrific car accident, Lily is left to deal with the fact that she will never see her best friends again. The loss is overwhelming, and when she tries to go back to school, she cannot help but stare at their empty desks any longer. Making a huge decision, she decides to leave her mom and dog, not to mention the memories of her best friends behind, and move to Kansas City, where her dad, stepmother and half-siblings live.
Going to school and working, she tries to keep as busy as possible, to try and move on with her life. Her obsession with her best friends’ deaths keep her at arm’s length from everyone, until she meets “THEM”. They seem to be high school students like herself, but Lily get the vibe that something is “off” about this group of theatre kids. One day while spying on them, Lily finds out there is more to them than what they seem to be: Angels on Earth, there to protect the Guardians, but where good is, there is also evil.
Angels versus Demons. Who will win the war? And will Lily truly believe before it is too late?
Even though I am not a teenager, I found myself immersed in Lily’s story. The writing is impeccable, and the characters seem so real that you truly hesitate to put it down. I actually read it twice and enjoyed it just as much the second time. Speak of the Devil is truly a TBR book that should be moved to the top of your pile. The author has really created a wonderful new series that should not be missed, whatever age you are. Don’t let the “Young Adult,” fool you; this is a book that anyone interested in the Paranormal can enjoy— a wonderful story about coping with death, a unique take on Angels and Demons, not to mention how to not to mention how to cope with a “new” family, including younger siblings, and their relationship. I will be looking for the next book in this new series with anticipation.
Originally reviewed at Bitten by Books. Read the review here:
http://bittenbybooks.com/speak-of-the...
Shawna Romkey
Going to school and working, she tries to keep as busy as possible, to try and move on with her life. Her obsession with her best friends’ deaths keep her at arm’s length from everyone, until she meets “THEM”. They seem to be high school students like herself, but Lily get the vibe that something is “off” about this group of theatre kids. One day while spying on them, Lily finds out there is more to them than what they seem to be: Angels on Earth, there to protect the Guardians, but where good is, there is also evil.
Angels versus Demons. Who will win the war? And will Lily truly believe before it is too late?
Even though I am not a teenager, I found myself immersed in Lily’s story. The writing is impeccable, and the characters seem so real that you truly hesitate to put it down. I actually read it twice and enjoyed it just as much the second time. Speak of the Devil is truly a TBR book that should be moved to the top of your pile. The author has really created a wonderful new series that should not be missed, whatever age you are. Don’t let the “Young Adult,” fool you; this is a book that anyone interested in the Paranormal can enjoy— a wonderful story about coping with death, a unique take on Angels and Demons, not to mention how to not to mention how to cope with a “new” family, including younger siblings, and their relationship. I will be looking for the next book in this new series with anticipation.
Originally reviewed at Bitten by Books. Read the review here:
http://bittenbybooks.com/speak-of-the...
Shawna Romkey
April 18, 2013
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would! It was such an amazing story and so well written. Lately I've come across a number of books with a ridiculous amount of typos, grammatical errors and storylines that just didn't flow. Speak of the Devil has totally raised the bar in my mind, every book I read in the future will be compared to this one. The amount of time and energy put into writing this story shows in each and every page. I was absolutely hooked from beginning to end and can't wait for the 2nd book, The Devil Made Me Do It.
The storyline: Lily, a highschool junior, lives in a small country town with her mother. She's pretty much a self proclaimed social misfit along with her two friends, Julie and Mike. When Lily loses both friends in a horrible car accident, that she should have (and did) die in, she begins a self destructive spiral downhill. Unable to cope with the loss of the only friends she had she leaves her mother to go start over in a new town with her father and stepmother. Aside from having to adjust to her fathers house rules, life is going somewhat smoothly until she sets eyes on Luc. And then things get interesting. She knows there's something different about Luc and his group of friends but she can't quiet place her finger on what exactly it is. The very biblical battle of good vs. evil that ensues is just epic. And that's where my summary stops b/c I don't want to give too much away.
I absolutely love the character development, and the fact that Lily is a very real fictional character. Her pain and doubts about the existence of God are much like that of anybody who's experienced the loss of a loved one. I appreciated the short biblical lessons, as I'm not as well versed as I probably should be! Before anybody starts to worry, this book does NOT cram religous teachings down your throat. It's done in a very informative matter-of-fact kind of way, if that makes sense, to benefit the story. I would highly recommend this book to all lovers of the battle between good and evil, angels and demons.
The storyline: Lily, a highschool junior, lives in a small country town with her mother. She's pretty much a self proclaimed social misfit along with her two friends, Julie and Mike. When Lily loses both friends in a horrible car accident, that she should have (and did) die in, she begins a self destructive spiral downhill. Unable to cope with the loss of the only friends she had she leaves her mother to go start over in a new town with her father and stepmother. Aside from having to adjust to her fathers house rules, life is going somewhat smoothly until she sets eyes on Luc. And then things get interesting. She knows there's something different about Luc and his group of friends but she can't quiet place her finger on what exactly it is. The very biblical battle of good vs. evil that ensues is just epic. And that's where my summary stops b/c I don't want to give too much away.
I absolutely love the character development, and the fact that Lily is a very real fictional character. Her pain and doubts about the existence of God are much like that of anybody who's experienced the loss of a loved one. I appreciated the short biblical lessons, as I'm not as well versed as I probably should be! Before anybody starts to worry, this book does NOT cram religous teachings down your throat. It's done in a very informative matter-of-fact kind of way, if that makes sense, to benefit the story. I would highly recommend this book to all lovers of the battle between good and evil, angels and demons.
July 8, 2014
So yeah. Not ashamed to admit I read this book in one night. It helped that I'm not working at the moment, mostly because I didn't have to deal with a lack-of-sleep hangover the next day. ;o)
Speak of the Devil
From the blurb: What happens when falling in love and falling from grace collide?
After dying in a car accident with her two best friends, Lily miraculously awakens to grief and guilt. She escapes to her dad’s to come to terms with the event and meets some people at her new school who seem all too eager to help her heal. Sliding deeper into sorrow and trying to fight her feelings for two of them, she finds out who…what they really are and that they are falling too.
Can she find the strength to move on from the past, reconcile her feelings for Luc, find a way to stop a divine war with fallen angels, and still pass the eleventh grade?
What I liked best about this book was the characterization of Lily. She's a pretty together girl when it starts and then devolves, but not completely; at her "worst," Lily never really loses the core of herself. Throw in a new high school, trying to fit in there and with a family she hasn't lived with full time before, and her gumption grows instead of falters. I could list examples, but that would be spoiling.
It was an unusual plot, too, which I appreciated a lot. Between dealing with her feelings, the angel twist on the love triangle, and the mysterious question that even the angels don't know the answer to - why are so many of them in the same place? - Speak of the Devil gives the reader plenty to dig into. I did wish for more detail in places, but then, that's probably me being greedy. ;o)
The good news is the sequel - The Devil Made Me Do It - is out now. The bad news is I have to get up at a decent hour tomorrow so I can't stay up all night again and finish reading it all at once. Do yourself a favor and read this on the weekend.
Speak of the Devil
From the blurb: What happens when falling in love and falling from grace collide?
After dying in a car accident with her two best friends, Lily miraculously awakens to grief and guilt. She escapes to her dad’s to come to terms with the event and meets some people at her new school who seem all too eager to help her heal. Sliding deeper into sorrow and trying to fight her feelings for two of them, she finds out who…what they really are and that they are falling too.
Can she find the strength to move on from the past, reconcile her feelings for Luc, find a way to stop a divine war with fallen angels, and still pass the eleventh grade?
What I liked best about this book was the characterization of Lily. She's a pretty together girl when it starts and then devolves, but not completely; at her "worst," Lily never really loses the core of herself. Throw in a new high school, trying to fit in there and with a family she hasn't lived with full time before, and her gumption grows instead of falters. I could list examples, but that would be spoiling.
It was an unusual plot, too, which I appreciated a lot. Between dealing with her feelings, the angel twist on the love triangle, and the mysterious question that even the angels don't know the answer to - why are so many of them in the same place? - Speak of the Devil gives the reader plenty to dig into. I did wish for more detail in places, but then, that's probably me being greedy. ;o)
The good news is the sequel - The Devil Made Me Do It - is out now. The bad news is I have to get up at a decent hour tomorrow so I can't stay up all night again and finish reading it all at once. Do yourself a favor and read this on the weekend.
December 4, 2013
Speak of the Devil was a fun and exciting read. I liked the main character Lily’s spunk and I wasn’t expecting the twists and turns the story would take after Lily meets a mysterious group of friends at her new school.
The book starts out exciting and I liked the author’s writing style. She has a talent for building up the suspense of a scene and it kept me reading. I really felt like she did a good job at describing the state of mind and emotions of a teen girl who has gone through a tragedy like Lily.
I avoided reading reviews before diving into the book and it was fun not knowing where exactly the story was going. When all was revealed, my jaw dropped. I definitely didn’t expect the story to go in the direction Romkey took it and I was completely wrong in guessing the good and bad guys of the story.
The plot moved at a quick pace and had plenty of action. I also enjoyed the metaphysical aspects and found the book well researched. It was wonderful how Lily threw herself into battle and didn’t back down. I’m a huge fan of strong female characters in YA literature and Lily took the cake.
The romance was sweet and I loved the hot and cold between Luc and Lily. There was also some unexpected moments of levity which nicely broke up the high drama parts. I’d recommend the book highly to YA paranormal romance fans who want a refreshing take on angels and demons.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
The book starts out exciting and I liked the author’s writing style. She has a talent for building up the suspense of a scene and it kept me reading. I really felt like she did a good job at describing the state of mind and emotions of a teen girl who has gone through a tragedy like Lily.
I avoided reading reviews before diving into the book and it was fun not knowing where exactly the story was going. When all was revealed, my jaw dropped. I definitely didn’t expect the story to go in the direction Romkey took it and I was completely wrong in guessing the good and bad guys of the story.
The plot moved at a quick pace and had plenty of action. I also enjoyed the metaphysical aspects and found the book well researched. It was wonderful how Lily threw herself into battle and didn’t back down. I’m a huge fan of strong female characters in YA literature and Lily took the cake.
The romance was sweet and I loved the hot and cold between Luc and Lily. There was also some unexpected moments of levity which nicely broke up the high drama parts. I’d recommend the book highly to YA paranormal romance fans who want a refreshing take on angels and demons.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
March 28, 2013
This well-written debut novel features a quirky heroine who struggles with issues of self-doubt and self-discovery. Ms. Romkey does a nice job of bringing the reader into Lily’s world, and making us root for her to succeed. The narrator’s often sarcastic and self-deprecating asides will appeal to teen and adult readers alike as we watch Lily try to make sense of her world.
The story is told in first person, entirely from Lily’s point of view. She’s a typical teenager, and seems fine with being her own person, slightly on the nerdy side and happy to do her own thing, hanging out with two best friends. When their car crashes, it throws Lily’s life into a tailspin – especially as all three teens die in the crash, but somehow Lily alone comes back to life.
Angry, bewildered and feeling more than a little bit lost, she moves to her dad’s house to get away from the painful memories. At her new school, she meets a group of teens who are not what they appear, but she can’t quite put her finger on what it is that’s different about them. And there the plot thickens, with a few twists and turns thrown in for good measure. I don’t want to give anything away, as watching Lily unfold each mystery is part of the fun of the book. And it is definitely a fast, fun book.
A solid debut novel, I look forward to reading more from this author!
The story is told in first person, entirely from Lily’s point of view. She’s a typical teenager, and seems fine with being her own person, slightly on the nerdy side and happy to do her own thing, hanging out with two best friends. When their car crashes, it throws Lily’s life into a tailspin – especially as all three teens die in the crash, but somehow Lily alone comes back to life.
Angry, bewildered and feeling more than a little bit lost, she moves to her dad’s house to get away from the painful memories. At her new school, she meets a group of teens who are not what they appear, but she can’t quite put her finger on what it is that’s different about them. And there the plot thickens, with a few twists and turns thrown in for good measure. I don’t want to give anything away, as watching Lily unfold each mystery is part of the fun of the book. And it is definitely a fast, fun book.
A solid debut novel, I look forward to reading more from this author!
March 5, 2013
Speak of the Devil is a great debut from new author Shawna Romkey!
Lily is a regular teen who's not part of the "in" crowd, but happy to have 2 close friends who like her for who she is. When all three of them are in a car accident, Lily loses the 2 people closest to her that understand her the best, while she struggles to deal with the guilt of her survival.
Moving to a new school, she falls in with a new crowd - but there's something different about them that she can't put her finger on ..
Don't want to give too much away here, but I really liked the concept behind this book. The main character - Lily - is an outsider struggling to find some kind of place in her new high school world. Luckily for her she has 2 great guys vying for her attention - Mo and Luc. I wasn't sure who she would end up with, which is always a sign that it's a good love triangle... and the way she ends up kind of in the middle between humans and angels really echoes the theme of being on the outside looking in.
Can't wait for the sequel!!
Lily is a regular teen who's not part of the "in" crowd, but happy to have 2 close friends who like her for who she is. When all three of them are in a car accident, Lily loses the 2 people closest to her that understand her the best, while she struggles to deal with the guilt of her survival.
Moving to a new school, she falls in with a new crowd - but there's something different about them that she can't put her finger on ..
Don't want to give too much away here, but I really liked the concept behind this book. The main character - Lily - is an outsider struggling to find some kind of place in her new high school world. Luckily for her she has 2 great guys vying for her attention - Mo and Luc. I wasn't sure who she would end up with, which is always a sign that it's a good love triangle... and the way she ends up kind of in the middle between humans and angels really echoes the theme of being on the outside looking in.
Can't wait for the sequel!!
April 12, 2015
This book totally passed my "I'm at the stove cooking with a book in my hand because I can't put it down" test. It's well written, nicely paced, and I liked the characters. Sometimes the characters in YA books aren't relatable to me as an adult -- too emo, or something. This book didn't have that issue for me at all.
I really like the angels/demons angle. It was handled well without being heavily dosed in religion, if that makes any sense at all. Whether it was intended or not, I really appreciated the entire idea of despair and how the author handled that - and fighting against it allowed Lily to be a beacon of hope for the celestial characters who may have needed it more than she.
I am really, really looking forward to the next book in this series.
I really like the angels/demons angle. It was handled well without being heavily dosed in religion, if that makes any sense at all. Whether it was intended or not, I really appreciated the entire idea of despair and how the author handled that - and fighting against it allowed Lily to be a beacon of hope for the celestial characters who may have needed it more than she.
I am really, really looking forward to the next book in this series.
Read
April 4, 2013This book was completely awesome!!! I was there when Lily lost her friends. I felt her pain and her grief....I was amazed with her guardian angel. The suspense....the mystery...the love. Beautifully written. Two enthusiastic thumbs waaay up!!!!! Looking forward to the next one.
October 24, 2013
I received this book in exchange for an honest review (Lovers of Paranormal).
Wow.... that was a powerful read. It was touching in so many good and bad ways.
It started out being so sad it was painful. I could feel Lily's pain and loss. I liked her most of the time. Although there were a few times I thought she was just acting stupid. But she was a good character.
Mo was a weird character. I didn'tlike him much from the start, even before he fell. And I didn't know what he was up to.
Well, actually, I didn't know what all of them were up to. I couldn't understand who were the bad guys and who the good ones. Until the talk Luc and the others have in the theater. Then it all came clear.
Luc was a good character too, although not from the very beginning. I didn't like him much until about half of the story. I didn't understand why he would give Lily up to Mo, without a problem. It was weird. And it was even weird how kind of violent and angry he looked in the theater when he had the talk with the other kids. Not that he was totally wrong, but still it was a weird behaviour for an angel, don't you think? Maybe he was just terribly frustrated for many reasons. And I can imagine how he'd feel. So, I'm gonna leave it alone and concentrate on the good things. He was sweet and charming, especially with Lily. And I liked how protective he was, even when he had to stay away from her because Mo was kind of...jealous. Well, more like obsessed and possessive.
Luc really started to grow on me just before the "Big Boom" (I'm trying not to give spoilers here) and now I really like him. And like him and Lil together even more. They're cute and sweet.
I liked Mike from the start, even though I didn't know much about him, since we just got a glimpse of him before the car accident. But I knew he would have been special and great with Lily. I'm actually sad and disappinted that he had to leave. So soon too. I was also glad to see him again, even briefly, later on in the story. I'm hoping to see him again in the next book.
Violet was a b*tch for most of the story, but I appreciated her change of heart in the end.
Belle is still a mystery. I liked her some times, I didn't other times. I didn't like her behavior at the party or in the car that morning.
I liked Owen a lot. A wonderful younger stepbrother. In fact, I didn't like how Lily treated him some times, when she was feeling in that "I don't care" mood. I felt sorry for him. I kept thinking "he's gonna get tired of her one of these days and he won't care about her anymore". But he was a good boy and he cared for her stepsister a lot.
Sophie was kind of cute, but we didn't get to know her well.
I was also positively surprised at how nice Lily's stepmother was. And her father too. A good thing, since Lily already had issues of her own. She didn't need an evil stepmother or a cold father. I was glad her family didn't make it harder for her.
The story was good, very entertaining and never boring. I enjoyed reading this book very much.
I can't wait to read the next book! I'm hoping it won't take long til it comes out.
Wow.... that was a powerful read. It was touching in so many good and bad ways.
It started out being so sad it was painful. I could feel Lily's pain and loss. I liked her most of the time. Although there were a few times I thought she was just acting stupid. But she was a good character.
Mo was a weird character. I didn'tlike him much from the start, even before he fell. And I didn't know what he was up to.
Well, actually, I didn't know what all of them were up to. I couldn't understand who were the bad guys and who the good ones. Until the talk Luc and the others have in the theater. Then it all came clear.
Luc was a good character too, although not from the very beginning. I didn't like him much until about half of the story. I didn't understand why he would give Lily up to Mo, without a problem. It was weird. And it was even weird how kind of violent and angry he looked in the theater when he had the talk with the other kids. Not that he was totally wrong, but still it was a weird behaviour for an angel, don't you think? Maybe he was just terribly frustrated for many reasons. And I can imagine how he'd feel. So, I'm gonna leave it alone and concentrate on the good things. He was sweet and charming, especially with Lily. And I liked how protective he was, even when he had to stay away from her because Mo was kind of...jealous. Well, more like obsessed and possessive.
Luc really started to grow on me just before the "Big Boom" (I'm trying not to give spoilers here) and now I really like him. And like him and Lil together even more. They're cute and sweet.
I liked Mike from the start, even though I didn't know much about him, since we just got a glimpse of him before the car accident. But I knew he would have been special and great with Lily. I'm actually sad and disappinted that he had to leave. So soon too. I was also glad to see him again, even briefly, later on in the story. I'm hoping to see him again in the next book.
Violet was a b*tch for most of the story, but I appreciated her change of heart in the end.
Belle is still a mystery. I liked her some times, I didn't other times. I didn't like her behavior at the party or in the car that morning.
I liked Owen a lot. A wonderful younger stepbrother. In fact, I didn't like how Lily treated him some times, when she was feeling in that "I don't care" mood. I felt sorry for him. I kept thinking "he's gonna get tired of her one of these days and he won't care about her anymore". But he was a good boy and he cared for her stepsister a lot.
Sophie was kind of cute, but we didn't get to know her well.
I was also positively surprised at how nice Lily's stepmother was. And her father too. A good thing, since Lily already had issues of her own. She didn't need an evil stepmother or a cold father. I was glad her family didn't make it harder for her.
The story was good, very entertaining and never boring. I enjoyed reading this book very much.
I can't wait to read the next book! I'm hoping it won't take long til it comes out.
January 5, 2014
I finished this book on April 2, 2013. I rated it on Goodreads with intention of returning to leave a review, and then…stuff happened. It was nine months ago, I don’t even remember what the stuff was. Pathetic. Truly pathetic. Anyhow, I received this book from Crescent Moon Press in exchange for my honest opinion.
Teenagers are complicated, sensitive creatures, and on the surface, Lily is normal for her age. She loves her friends. She loves going out with her friends, Mike and Julie, who are not afraid to take a bit of a risk for a good time. One night, the three go out in a rainstorm and their car ends up going over a bridge.
It’s hard to be grateful to be alive when your friends are dead, and it’s your fault. Seconds before the crash, Lily did something innocuous, but it distracts Mike, causing the slide that resulted in the car going over the edge. Going to school is torture. The other kids treat Lily carefully, but she projects her guilt onto them, and receives their sympathy as blame. To start over, she moves to Kansas City to live with her dad, and finish high school with kids that don’t know about the her, the accident, or her dead friends.
There, she meets a group of kids who are beautiful in a punkish sort-of-way, and entirely too talented for their age. The apparent leader among them is Luc, to whom Lily is immediately drawn, but he steps aside because his friend Mo thinks she’s “the one” for him. But, it doesn’t last, because Luc feels the same connect to Lily as she feels to him.
Luc, the hottie with wings on the cover of the book, was born to human parents but he grew into an angelic calling to save one human soul. At the same time, he and his friends are suffering a crisis of their own. Dwelling on Earth takes its toll on angels, but this group, there are extraordinary circumstances with dire consequences. Luc needs Lily as much as she needs him.
Speak of the Devil is a YA Paranormal Romance that explores survivor’s guilt, the grieving/coping mechanisms of teenagers, and how finding/having a purpose can make all the difference in a young adult’s life. My one problem with the book is this. It is told primarily in Lily’s first-person POV, and because of her circumstances, this results in forty pages of a 16-year-old telling me she’s depressed. After a while, I really wanted to slap her and say, Stop feeling sorry for yourself. She does do something about it, leaves to go to a new school, but her attitude doesn’t really improve until her curiosity about Luc and his friends surpasses her self-pity. At that point, the story improves by leaps and bounds, but getting past the beginning was a little rough for me, thus my 4-star rating.
Speak of the Devil includes angels, demons, scenes of teen alcohol abuse, sexual attraction, and an attempted rape of the main character. Religious subject matter is interpreted in a generic “angels=good/demons=evil” way that doesn’t counter Sunday School, but God is missing, which may offend. I would recommend it for readers as young as 13, depending on the reader’s maturity.
Teenagers are complicated, sensitive creatures, and on the surface, Lily is normal for her age. She loves her friends. She loves going out with her friends, Mike and Julie, who are not afraid to take a bit of a risk for a good time. One night, the three go out in a rainstorm and their car ends up going over a bridge.
It’s hard to be grateful to be alive when your friends are dead, and it’s your fault. Seconds before the crash, Lily did something innocuous, but it distracts Mike, causing the slide that resulted in the car going over the edge. Going to school is torture. The other kids treat Lily carefully, but she projects her guilt onto them, and receives their sympathy as blame. To start over, she moves to Kansas City to live with her dad, and finish high school with kids that don’t know about the her, the accident, or her dead friends.
There, she meets a group of kids who are beautiful in a punkish sort-of-way, and entirely too talented for their age. The apparent leader among them is Luc, to whom Lily is immediately drawn, but he steps aside because his friend Mo thinks she’s “the one” for him. But, it doesn’t last, because Luc feels the same connect to Lily as she feels to him.
Luc, the hottie with wings on the cover of the book, was born to human parents but he grew into an angelic calling to save one human soul. At the same time, he and his friends are suffering a crisis of their own. Dwelling on Earth takes its toll on angels, but this group, there are extraordinary circumstances with dire consequences. Luc needs Lily as much as she needs him.
Speak of the Devil is a YA Paranormal Romance that explores survivor’s guilt, the grieving/coping mechanisms of teenagers, and how finding/having a purpose can make all the difference in a young adult’s life. My one problem with the book is this. It is told primarily in Lily’s first-person POV, and because of her circumstances, this results in forty pages of a 16-year-old telling me she’s depressed. After a while, I really wanted to slap her and say, Stop feeling sorry for yourself. She does do something about it, leaves to go to a new school, but her attitude doesn’t really improve until her curiosity about Luc and his friends surpasses her self-pity. At that point, the story improves by leaps and bounds, but getting past the beginning was a little rough for me, thus my 4-star rating.
Speak of the Devil includes angels, demons, scenes of teen alcohol abuse, sexual attraction, and an attempted rape of the main character. Religious subject matter is interpreted in a generic “angels=good/demons=evil” way that doesn’t counter Sunday School, but God is missing, which may offend. I would recommend it for readers as young as 13, depending on the reader’s maturity.
October 18, 2015
I really enjoyed this title a lot. It is about a girl named Lily who is involved in a car accident where her two closest friends (and herself for a good 10 minutes or so) die. Not dealing with the pain of their loss very well she decided to pack her stuff and go and live with her dad; new family, new school, new life, and she may just find some answers to that burning question, "Why?"
All of us go through hard times and horrible situations, and every now and then we ask ourselves "why," or "is anyone listening," and I think this book is a good YA religious/paranormal romantic way of answering that question. You have a girl who's been damaged by and horrible accident and a group of angles who were born on earth so they could get a taste of what humans feel like and deal with personally, but before they can go home they have to find 'their' soul to save. Being that they've been on earth for so many years now (they are juniors and seniors in high school), they are bored and losing touch with their 'angelness' and have decided to experience the full range of being a teenager by cutting classes, drinking, throwing parties, being snobbish; they are perilously close to falling from grace.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I look forward to the sequel. Lily was kind of an emotional roller coaster which kind of gave me whiplash at times, but I didn't let it bug me too much because sometimes horrible events can leave you like that for a while. I was also a little shocked at Mo's sudden flip, and I don't have much to say there except maybe, 'there goes those male teenage hormones - Hulk smash.' Overall, fun quick read. If you have a free afternoon, this book could easily be consumed in that free time.
A note to those who are really religious specific or hesitant: It is a little heavy on the religious fervor for a YA novel, but I expect any book involving angels is, so it didn't bother me too much. (I am not particularly religious, but I like reading all types of books, so books with religious themes don't freak me out.)
All of us go through hard times and horrible situations, and every now and then we ask ourselves "why," or "is anyone listening," and I think this book is a good YA religious/paranormal romantic way of answering that question. You have a girl who's been damaged by and horrible accident and a group of angles who were born on earth so they could get a taste of what humans feel like and deal with personally, but before they can go home they have to find 'their' soul to save. Being that they've been on earth for so many years now (they are juniors and seniors in high school), they are bored and losing touch with their 'angelness' and have decided to experience the full range of being a teenager by cutting classes, drinking, throwing parties, being snobbish; they are perilously close to falling from grace.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I look forward to the sequel. Lily was kind of an emotional roller coaster which kind of gave me whiplash at times, but I didn't let it bug me too much because sometimes horrible events can leave you like that for a while. I was also a little shocked at Mo's sudden flip, and I don't have much to say there except maybe, 'there goes those male teenage hormones - Hulk smash.' Overall, fun quick read. If you have a free afternoon, this book could easily be consumed in that free time.
A note to those who are really religious specific or hesitant: It is a little heavy on the religious fervor for a YA novel, but I expect any book involving angels is, so it didn't bother me too much. (I am not particularly religious, but I like reading all types of books, so books with religious themes don't freak me out.)
October 19, 2013
I received this book in exchange for an honest review (LoP or Lovers of Paranormal)
This was a pleasant surprise. I didn't know what to expect when I read the first couple of pages. It opens up with a teenage girl, Lily, getting ready to go out with her friends. To be honest, I was a bit annoyed with her attitude, as Lily seemed a bit immature. She mentions they have been "BFF", yet she has only known them for a year. So at first I didn't feel any real connection with Lily.
After the first chapter, I got sucked right into the story. Her friends die and for the rest of the novel she deals with their death. I like that this novel deals the aftermath of the death. Lily is forced to face it head on, even though she skips out of town because she could not get past it.
The love triangle was lightly touched upon. Honestly, I don't really like love triangles, so when I saw it being set up, I cringed. But it wasn't a huge part of the novel, so I didn't mind it. I like the fact that Lily doesn't know why everyone’s fighting over her - she’s acknowledges that she's not the prettiest person and she was depressed. This mystery kept me turning the pages.
I think Lily was nicely fleshed out, but I think that the other characters could be more developed. I was not invested in any other characters because I don’t really know them. Maybe that’s because we are introduced to so many characters. Besides Lily, I think I like Mike the best. Even though he doesn't make a long appearance in the novel, I enjoyed the flashback scenes and think he’s a cool guy.
I am not particularly religious, but I found that the aspect of faith was really touching in the novel and it was the strongest part of the novel. Lily questions God why He has taken away her friends. I really didn't expect religion coming into play in a paranormal-fantasy novel, but it really worked.
Overall it was a good start to a series.
This was a pleasant surprise. I didn't know what to expect when I read the first couple of pages. It opens up with a teenage girl, Lily, getting ready to go out with her friends. To be honest, I was a bit annoyed with her attitude, as Lily seemed a bit immature. She mentions they have been "BFF", yet she has only known them for a year. So at first I didn't feel any real connection with Lily.
After the first chapter, I got sucked right into the story. Her friends die and for the rest of the novel she deals with their death. I like that this novel deals the aftermath of the death. Lily is forced to face it head on, even though she skips out of town because she could not get past it.
The love triangle was lightly touched upon. Honestly, I don't really like love triangles, so when I saw it being set up, I cringed. But it wasn't a huge part of the novel, so I didn't mind it. I like the fact that Lily doesn't know why everyone’s fighting over her - she’s acknowledges that she's not the prettiest person and she was depressed. This mystery kept me turning the pages.
I think Lily was nicely fleshed out, but I think that the other characters could be more developed. I was not invested in any other characters because I don’t really know them. Maybe that’s because we are introduced to so many characters. Besides Lily, I think I like Mike the best. Even though he doesn't make a long appearance in the novel, I enjoyed the flashback scenes and think he’s a cool guy.
I am not particularly religious, but I found that the aspect of faith was really touching in the novel and it was the strongest part of the novel. Lily questions God why He has taken away her friends. I really didn't expect religion coming into play in a paranormal-fantasy novel, but it really worked.
Overall it was a good start to a series.
May 5, 2013
Imagine being in high school, and being in a car accident with your two best (and only) friends. Now imagine dying with them, then coming back to life at the scene of the accident, to the shock of everyone. This is only the beginning of Lily’s story. The book was very well written, showing that especially at her age, it would be amazingly difficult to come to terms with you friends dying, and “why me”, when she’s the only one that survives. And even moving to a new town doesn’t change the struggle.
Her new friends are a whole other story. What do you do when 2 hot guys argue over who’s meant to save you from your own grief? Definitely not a bad thing, but a bit confusing when you think you’re nothing special. She slowly finds that many of the friends in this group are wanting to help her more than expected. And she can’t help feeling especially drawn to one, hoping maybe he will save her – from herself, and what seems to be going wrong in the world – and possibly fall in love with her too. As she gets to know them more, she gets to know herself more, and that maybe there’s more to her own strength than she thinks.
This book was very moving, and especially as I got closer and closer to the end, I kept feeling more moved by the story, and the beauty of the story and its characters. I really loved the characters – good and bad. Even the bad ones you somewhat felt bad for, because you understood why. It’s rare for me to even care a little for the “bad” characters.
The book ended perfectly. Only with a small cliffhanger, leaving you looking forward to the next book, but this particular story was wrapped up very well, so it’s not killing me to wait for the next one – which I most definitely will be reading! 5 out 5 stars ~ Erin
This Review is copyrighted. Please do not share without giving Paranormal Reads/Erin full credit.
Her new friends are a whole other story. What do you do when 2 hot guys argue over who’s meant to save you from your own grief? Definitely not a bad thing, but a bit confusing when you think you’re nothing special. She slowly finds that many of the friends in this group are wanting to help her more than expected. And she can’t help feeling especially drawn to one, hoping maybe he will save her – from herself, and what seems to be going wrong in the world – and possibly fall in love with her too. As she gets to know them more, she gets to know herself more, and that maybe there’s more to her own strength than she thinks.
This book was very moving, and especially as I got closer and closer to the end, I kept feeling more moved by the story, and the beauty of the story and its characters. I really loved the characters – good and bad. Even the bad ones you somewhat felt bad for, because you understood why. It’s rare for me to even care a little for the “bad” characters.
The book ended perfectly. Only with a small cliffhanger, leaving you looking forward to the next book, but this particular story was wrapped up very well, so it’s not killing me to wait for the next one – which I most definitely will be reading! 5 out 5 stars ~ Erin
This Review is copyrighted. Please do not share without giving Paranormal Reads/Erin full credit.
April 13, 2013
Shawna Romkey's debut novel packs Young Adult yearning for love with the paranormal powerhouse of angels and demons duking it out for earthly souls. Remember when you were a senior in high school and everything felt as if the world would end if this didn't happen or that thing did happen? For main character Lily, it's not about outfits that don't pull together. It's about the war in heaven ending up as her school newspaper assignment.
SPEAK OF THE DEVIL brings readers to contemporary Missouri, where teen heroine Lily tries to navigate her way clear of the rockier aspects of adolescence. She's carved a way through her parents' divorce, yet the attentions of her friend Mike leave her reflexively pushing him back to arms' length.
Before she can open herself to begin more than a flirtation with him, a fatal car accident rips Lily's friends from her life forever. Struggling with survivor's guilt, Lily discovers all the sights, sounds and smells of their shared hometown hold her frozen in grief. Reaching out to her dad and his new family, Lily moves to Kansas City and tries to move on with the life that was spared--hers.
SPEAK OF THE DEVIL pits two love interests against Lily's wounded heart. Will it be Luc, he of the time-stands-still gaze and mega-watt charisma? Or will more accessible Mo who makes her laugh and forget be the one to find the chink in her armor?
SPEAK OF THE DEVIL brings readers to contemporary Missouri, where teen heroine Lily tries to navigate her way clear of the rockier aspects of adolescence. She's carved a way through her parents' divorce, yet the attentions of her friend Mike leave her reflexively pushing him back to arms' length.
Before she can open herself to begin more than a flirtation with him, a fatal car accident rips Lily's friends from her life forever. Struggling with survivor's guilt, Lily discovers all the sights, sounds and smells of their shared hometown hold her frozen in grief. Reaching out to her dad and his new family, Lily moves to Kansas City and tries to move on with the life that was spared--hers.
SPEAK OF THE DEVIL pits two love interests against Lily's wounded heart. Will it be Luc, he of the time-stands-still gaze and mega-watt charisma? Or will more accessible Mo who makes her laugh and forget be the one to find the chink in her armor?
March 7, 2013
Lily Tyler dies and is revived after a tragic accident that takes the lives of her two best friends. Broken-hearted, she moves to live with her father and his family. At her new school strange events and new friends (who are themselves a bit strange) surround her as she tries to come to grips with sorrow and loss.
This debut YA novel by Shawna Romkey can be enjoyed by adults. Lily is realistic, multi-layered and very sympathetic. She immediately draws you into her life and situation. Some of other characters are odd and somehow "off", as perceived by Lily, but she's drawn into their world by the charismatic Luc and quirky Mo.
Tightly written, well paced, with an interesting premise, Romkey pulls you into the story easily. This was a very fast read and an excellent debut novel for Romkey. I highly recommend it and can't wait to read her next book!
This debut YA novel by Shawna Romkey can be enjoyed by adults. Lily is realistic, multi-layered and very sympathetic. She immediately draws you into her life and situation. Some of other characters are odd and somehow "off", as perceived by Lily, but she's drawn into their world by the charismatic Luc and quirky Mo.
Tightly written, well paced, with an interesting premise, Romkey pulls you into the story easily. This was a very fast read and an excellent debut novel for Romkey. I highly recommend it and can't wait to read her next book!
April 6, 2013
Once I went with the flow of the teenage language and train of thought(I'm heading into my croning years and am cursed with a love to edit other people's grammar), I had no trouble getting into this story of a young woman who courageously struggles to deal with loss, and life afterwards, and the push and pull of darkness and light. Speak of the Devil leads you to examine your own feelings and beliefs around these oh-so-human questions. This young adult paranormal book has the air of Harry Potter and Twighlight about it. The tale is captivating. This reader couldn't wait to turn the pages to see what was going to happen next. Well, done Shawna Romkey. Thank you for the strong female character of Lily and I am looking forward to the sequel!
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