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Blest
Growing up in a small suburb of St. Louis, sixteen-year-old Jim Blest has always known that he’s different. But he never thought he’d find someone else like him until the beautiful and mysterious Claire Morgan moves to town. When they kiss for the first time, the force of it is earth-shattering—literally. And then everything Jim has ever known suddenly changes.
As it turns out, Claire isn’t like him. He is an angel, and she’s a demon.
At a school where ancient enemies live among humans in a wary truce, Jim and Claire fight to be together against impossible odds. But a timeless war looms on the horizon, and they stand on opposing sides . . .
From debut author Blaise Lucey comes a breathtaking and action-packed story of heartache, sacrifice, and forbidden love.
As it turns out, Claire isn’t like him. He is an angel, and she’s a demon.
At a school where ancient enemies live among humans in a wary truce, Jim and Claire fight to be together against impossible odds. But a timeless war looms on the horizon, and they stand on opposing sides . . .
From debut author Blaise Lucey comes a breathtaking and action-packed story of heartache, sacrifice, and forbidden love.
Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2016
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August 6, 2019
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As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via Net Galley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.
There's something utterly intriguing about the premise of Blaise Lucey's novel Blest. I was at first drawn into the promise of something of a unique plot. I do think that fans of Cassandra Clare will enjoy this world--the promise of a truce between Angels and Demons, the entire vibe of the plot is incredibly entertaining. There's romance and action and the tone is haunting and suspenseful at times.
But something about actually reading it fell flat to me. Which is weird because Lucey's writing is great, the characters and the ideas are all intriguing. Yet, it didn't keep my attention long. At. All. I've picked at this book for the longest time--at home, on breaks at work, etc etc. No matter what I did, I just couldn't get into it entirely and found myself not even remotely invested in what happened. I am not sure I would have finished it if it was any longer than what it was.
Blest had a lot of great groundwork and the trope of forbidden love. A lot of other tropes, too, including the rise/fall of consequences and irrationality. In so many ways, it had the makings of the perfect novel. See, it had a lot of promise to it but I just can't remember half of what was said/done and it is just not my cup of tea. I do think that Blaise Lucey is onto something, though, and think that while it may not be something I'd read again, it will find a very strong fan base in it.
There's something utterly intriguing about the premise of Blaise Lucey's novel Blest. I was at first drawn into the promise of something of a unique plot. I do think that fans of Cassandra Clare will enjoy this world--the promise of a truce between Angels and Demons, the entire vibe of the plot is incredibly entertaining. There's romance and action and the tone is haunting and suspenseful at times.
But something about actually reading it fell flat to me. Which is weird because Lucey's writing is great, the characters and the ideas are all intriguing. Yet, it didn't keep my attention long. At. All. I've picked at this book for the longest time--at home, on breaks at work, etc etc. No matter what I did, I just couldn't get into it entirely and found myself not even remotely invested in what happened. I am not sure I would have finished it if it was any longer than what it was.
Blest had a lot of great groundwork and the trope of forbidden love. A lot of other tropes, too, including the rise/fall of consequences and irrationality. In so many ways, it had the makings of the perfect novel. See, it had a lot of promise to it but I just can't remember half of what was said/done and it is just not my cup of tea. I do think that Blaise Lucey is onto something, though, and think that while it may not be something I'd read again, it will find a very strong fan base in it.
May 30, 2017
This book has an interesting premise. I am a sucker for angel/demon stories. This YA book was a story of forbidden love between Jim and Claire, our angel and fallen angel. The basic story was a really good idea but the execution was a little off for me. The characters seemed a bit too immature and underdeveloped even for YA. There is little character depth. It is very hard to care about characters when you don’t know why you should care. Make me care. The relationships all seem superficial. I read on and on but it ended up being and average tale. I did not dislike it. I would not read it again. I just need more in a story to really get hooked.
June 11, 2017
Wrong Again!
I thought this would finally be a clean Kindle offering, given the "subject matter." Sadly, I was mistaken- again. Finding a decent book is proving so difficult that I'm about to just give it up. Filthy language is being brainwashed into all children with the possible exception of those homeschooled. Amazon is a purveyor of poison, and I am sick of it. And with books one has no warning that filth is coming until it appears. Whatever happened to plain old common decency?
I thought this would finally be a clean Kindle offering, given the "subject matter." Sadly, I was mistaken- again. Finding a decent book is proving so difficult that I'm about to just give it up. Filthy language is being brainwashed into all children with the possible exception of those homeschooled. Amazon is a purveyor of poison, and I am sick of it. And with books one has no warning that filth is coming until it appears. Whatever happened to plain old common decency?
December 31, 2017
I can't. This book took a theme that you either excel at and write awesomely or, you do as this one did, and fall flat. It was starting to look promising, but it really just didn't flesh out properly, for story, characters, or plotline, the way that a really good book should. Very disappointed... :/
May 29, 2017
Very imaginative!
I enjoyed the imagination it took to write this however I feel the storyline did not pull me in or captive me enough. Overall I enjoyed the premise of angels vs. demons.
I enjoyed the imagination it took to write this however I feel the storyline did not pull me in or captive me enough. Overall I enjoyed the premise of angels vs. demons.
May 26, 2016
Originally appeared at http://wp.me/p1hsSF-Fl. And thanks Netgalley for the copy, in exchange for an honest review.
Blest by Blaise Lucey started off slow, but boy, it is take off in the end. After the first half, I found I had trouble putting it down. I love stories about angels and demons falling in love - and this one was no exception. While I had some little issues with the beginning, specifically pace (insta-love) and world-building (background for it), by the time I was half-way through I was so very sucked-in I was sitting on the edge of my chair while reading because I was desperate to know what happened next.
Since the book begins with the first half, however, let me address a few of the short-comings. First, there was a lot of love between two character who merely spent a few minutes, and one afternoon, together. Even for the PNR stuff that I read, which is usually all about insta-love, that is giving the relationship development shot-shrift. There is no reason why the characters couldn't have developed the feelings over a little bit of time, a month or two for example. Then, frankly, some of the vitriol towards Jim by the demon kids would have been more on display and a deeper connection to Claire and Jim would have been easier to feel. There was no need for their birthdays to be quite so early in the school year - or the story - a little more of the suspense as to why the two characters were this books version of Romeo and Juliet would have only added to the plot. The acceptance of why they were different was also a little quick (and this is the second book I've finished in the last 3 days that treated this the same) - way too quick - like, the Flash might as well be moving in slow motion compared to the speed at which they all accept the supernatural and paranormal and that angels and demons are real. It was just too quick. It didn't give me time as a reader to adjust and again, I think a little more page time spent on that would have added to the overall plot and pace of the story. Once things got going though, there were a bunch of reveals - and that was great as I felt much more involved in the story and it was easier to stay engaged. I am just a little curious - as I don't see this being billed as the start of a series, and lots of loose ends were tied up, but there is still certainly loose ends that aren't tied up, including the events of the epilogue, so I hope there is at least one more coming.
Despite the need to pay attention to some of the terminology, lest you get lost, this reminded me much of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments - and some of the hints that were dropped had me holding my breath that the reveals weren't going to be the same as with City of Bones, and thank goodness, they weren't. But to me, Blest had tones of City of Bones with the love between our main protagonists and the good vs evil nature of things. Unlike Mortal Instruments, however, I have enough details to hold me to book 2 (assuming there is one **fingers crossed**) and enough to make at least another good book or two out of the things that aren't solved and the stuff we don't know. And some of what we don't know has such potential - like the back stories to the parents of all our teenage cast, the mythology of the Tribunal and how the demons were originally banished, exactly what the feathers that each of Claire and Jim have that are "opposite" the rest of their respective wings... there quite a bit of fodder to serve as the basis for some excellent follow-up books.
Even out the pace a little with the second, balance the relationship building and world building to give me more, and we may have a new favorite YA/Angel and demon series! At least, I really hope there will be a second!
p.s. LOVE the cover!!
Blest by Blaise Lucey started off slow, but boy, it is take off in the end. After the first half, I found I had trouble putting it down. I love stories about angels and demons falling in love - and this one was no exception. While I had some little issues with the beginning, specifically pace (insta-love) and world-building (background for it), by the time I was half-way through I was so very sucked-in I was sitting on the edge of my chair while reading because I was desperate to know what happened next.
Since the book begins with the first half, however, let me address a few of the short-comings. First, there was a lot of love between two character who merely spent a few minutes, and one afternoon, together. Even for the PNR stuff that I read, which is usually all about insta-love, that is giving the relationship development shot-shrift. There is no reason why the characters couldn't have developed the feelings over a little bit of time, a month or two for example. Then, frankly, some of the vitriol towards Jim by the demon kids would have been more on display and a deeper connection to Claire and Jim would have been easier to feel. There was no need for their birthdays to be quite so early in the school year - or the story - a little more of the suspense as to why the two characters were this books version of Romeo and Juliet would have only added to the plot. The acceptance of why they were different was also a little quick (and this is the second book I've finished in the last 3 days that treated this the same) - way too quick - like, the Flash might as well be moving in slow motion compared to the speed at which they all accept the supernatural and paranormal and that angels and demons are real. It was just too quick. It didn't give me time as a reader to adjust and again, I think a little more page time spent on that would have added to the overall plot and pace of the story. Once things got going though, there were a bunch of reveals - and that was great as I felt much more involved in the story and it was easier to stay engaged. I am just a little curious - as I don't see this being billed as the start of a series, and lots of loose ends were tied up, but there is still certainly loose ends that aren't tied up, including the events of the epilogue, so I hope there is at least one more coming.
Despite the need to pay attention to some of the terminology, lest you get lost, this reminded me much of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments - and some of the hints that were dropped had me holding my breath that the reveals weren't going to be the same as with City of Bones, and thank goodness, they weren't. But to me, Blest had tones of City of Bones with the love between our main protagonists and the good vs evil nature of things. Unlike Mortal Instruments, however, I have enough details to hold me to book 2 (assuming there is one **fingers crossed**) and enough to make at least another good book or two out of the things that aren't solved and the stuff we don't know. And some of what we don't know has such potential - like the back stories to the parents of all our teenage cast, the mythology of the Tribunal and how the demons were originally banished, exactly what the feathers that each of Claire and Jim have that are "opposite" the rest of their respective wings... there quite a bit of fodder to serve as the basis for some excellent follow-up books.
Even out the pace a little with the second, balance the relationship building and world building to give me more, and we may have a new favorite YA/Angel and demon series! At least, I really hope there will be a second!
p.s. LOVE the cover!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2016
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Netgalley!
This is more 1.5 stars.
Wow! I really was interested in this book based on the description but man did it truly disappoint! It is a cookie cutter YA novel complete with insta-love and a forced love triangle.
It starts with Jim Blest- an ostracized teenager. He gets picked on at school and everything. He feels alone in the world. His mother was killed when he was young when something (it's easy to guess what) killed her on a train. He witnessed it all yet refuses to believe that someone killed her. In comes the new kids- a set of twins- Claire and Gunner. Lo and behold they all have the same birthday and so all get wings at the same time- Jim as an angel and the twins as fallen angels.
Before this all happens Claire is drawn to Jim and they have this instant connection where they feel they can tell each other their secrets. We also find out Jim is bullied by both the angel faction and the fallen angel faction at school. Seriously- we can all see where this is going. Jim and Claire fall in insta-love but because these 2 groups hate each other they can't be together. Claire's heart gets broken, she wants to kill Jim yet in the end can't.
It was a struggle to get through this book. The characters were all one dimensional. The main bad guy acted like a 3 year old in an adult's body. Jim, who was being bullied by everyone, comes to accept the angels as friends almost instantly once he gets his wings. Really?? It mentioned that he couldn't forget how they treated him yet he acts as though nothing happen. He didn't do this to get back at them or anything. It's like it just didn't happen except for the occasional mention of it. Then the head angel, Sydney, the one who really picked on Jim from this group. suddenly wants to make out with him?! You can see this coming from a mile away, but really?! It just amounted to a forced love triangle between Jim, Claire, and Sydney. There was not any development of these relationships. It would have been better that Jim call the angel group out on their bad behavior and decide NOT to join them- to be an angel on his own. Have the angel group earn his trust and friendship. It should not be like their bullying never happened. In the group earning his trust and friendship, then a relationship with Sydney could naturally develop. She could read the signals wrong, kiss him, only to be rejected by Jim. From there, it could bring tension back into the group to develop as a subplot! Amongst all this, he could be developing his relationship with Claire. All of this did not need to be forced but rather would have allowed for character development, relationship building, and world building.
Then Jim can fight as an angel and hold his own yet did not have any formal training in fighting with wings. Actually, I don't believe he has had any formal training in fighting at all. Yet, he can fight like the other angels who have supposedly been training for years. As far as we can tell, his only asset is his artistry so I'm not sure how being an artist has taught him to fight on the battelfield.
I wanted to stop reading about 1/4 of the way through. I persevered through the whole story hoping it would suddenly get better. It didn't. The premise was interesting but unfortunately, it was a cookie cutter story with one dimensional characters.
This is more 1.5 stars.
Wow! I really was interested in this book based on the description but man did it truly disappoint! It is a cookie cutter YA novel complete with insta-love and a forced love triangle.
It starts with Jim Blest- an ostracized teenager. He gets picked on at school and everything. He feels alone in the world. His mother was killed when he was young when something (it's easy to guess what) killed her on a train. He witnessed it all yet refuses to believe that someone killed her. In comes the new kids- a set of twins- Claire and Gunner. Lo and behold they all have the same birthday and so all get wings at the same time- Jim as an angel and the twins as fallen angels.
Before this all happens Claire is drawn to Jim and they have this instant connection where they feel they can tell each other their secrets. We also find out Jim is bullied by both the angel faction and the fallen angel faction at school. Seriously- we can all see where this is going. Jim and Claire fall in insta-love but because these 2 groups hate each other they can't be together. Claire's heart gets broken, she wants to kill Jim yet in the end can't.
It was a struggle to get through this book. The characters were all one dimensional. The main bad guy acted like a 3 year old in an adult's body. Jim, who was being bullied by everyone, comes to accept the angels as friends almost instantly once he gets his wings. Really?? It mentioned that he couldn't forget how they treated him yet he acts as though nothing happen. He didn't do this to get back at them or anything. It's like it just didn't happen except for the occasional mention of it. Then the head angel, Sydney, the one who really picked on Jim from this group. suddenly wants to make out with him?! You can see this coming from a mile away, but really?! It just amounted to a forced love triangle between Jim, Claire, and Sydney. There was not any development of these relationships. It would have been better that Jim call the angel group out on their bad behavior and decide NOT to join them- to be an angel on his own. Have the angel group earn his trust and friendship. It should not be like their bullying never happened. In the group earning his trust and friendship, then a relationship with Sydney could naturally develop. She could read the signals wrong, kiss him, only to be rejected by Jim. From there, it could bring tension back into the group to develop as a subplot! Amongst all this, he could be developing his relationship with Claire. All of this did not need to be forced but rather would have allowed for character development, relationship building, and world building.
Then Jim can fight as an angel and hold his own yet did not have any formal training in fighting with wings. Actually, I don't believe he has had any formal training in fighting at all. Yet, he can fight like the other angels who have supposedly been training for years. As far as we can tell, his only asset is his artistry so I'm not sure how being an artist has taught him to fight on the battelfield.
I wanted to stop reading about 1/4 of the way through. I persevered through the whole story hoping it would suddenly get better. It didn't. The premise was interesting but unfortunately, it was a cookie cutter story with one dimensional characters.
March 24, 2016
This is a head-scratcher. This review will involve spoilers, btw.
I was really happy to read a book about angels. That's probably something I hardly read about. And to read about demons too...that was nice! You know what I mean...
The head-scratching is because I enjoyed parts of this book, but others left me...confused. The mythology, main characters, the way the angels are introduced are awesome. The main thing I didn't like was the fact that Claire and Jim fell into instalove. I feel that there was hardly a base of love between the two of them to account for so much sacrifice and, well, evil in this story. There is understanding that happens between them, but love? I wasn't convinced of it. And since this story is based on that, well, it left a bad taste in my mouth. I felt like we didn't get to learn about other characters which made me not care about them. Sad, but true.
I'm still going to recommend this book because I read it to the very end wanting to know what happened. I can't guarantee that I will pick up the next in the series (it ends on a cliff hanger-ish scene), but I can say that I honestly enjoyed the mythology and world-building that was started in this book.
I was really happy to read a book about angels. That's probably something I hardly read about. And to read about demons too...that was nice! You know what I mean...
The head-scratching is because I enjoyed parts of this book, but others left me...confused. The mythology, main characters, the way the angels are introduced are awesome. The main thing I didn't like was the fact that Claire and Jim fell into instalove. I feel that there was hardly a base of love between the two of them to account for so much sacrifice and, well, evil in this story. There is understanding that happens between them, but love? I wasn't convinced of it. And since this story is based on that, well, it left a bad taste in my mouth. I felt like we didn't get to learn about other characters which made me not care about them. Sad, but true.
I'm still going to recommend this book because I read it to the very end wanting to know what happened. I can't guarantee that I will pick up the next in the series (it ends on a cliff hanger-ish scene), but I can say that I honestly enjoyed the mythology and world-building that was started in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2016
Blest was a quick and enjoyable read. The author truly captured the difficulty of making ones way through the cliques of its school, made even more challenging by throwing in the supernatural. Though some things never change. The angles and demons irrationally hate each other and the pain of rejection leads to terrible decisions and horrific consequences. Jim and Claire have to deal with so many obstacles, and I look forward to seeing how they fare in the follow - up, against new enemies.
I am a bit disappointed in their relationships with their parents. Jim and his Dad, which is only superficially addressed, Claire, Gunnar and both of their parents, even Sydney and her mother. There is so much underlying those relationships and I felt like there were many unanswered questions. But the action leading into the end was fast paced and tense. And the connection between the two main characters was undeniable. Well done for a debut novel!
I am a bit disappointed in their relationships with their parents. Jim and his Dad, which is only superficially addressed, Claire, Gunnar and both of their parents, even Sydney and her mother. There is so much underlying those relationships and I felt like there were many unanswered questions. But the action leading into the end was fast paced and tense. And the connection between the two main characters was undeniable. Well done for a debut novel!
October 14, 2016
I fell in love with this story from the first page.
I loved Jim as a main character, but was not too thrilled with his love interest, Claire. On his sixteenth birthday, Jim learns the truth about his family in a harsh and painful way. He discovers that he is an Angel and Claire, a demon.
I loved the author voice but did not love the relationship between Jim and Claire. I found it unoriginal and a little cliché. Also, books that navigate between different POV’s is a little annoying. That being said this book was still an awesome read. There are twists and turns around every corner, action for those who love action and love for those who love romance. This first novel by Blaise is clearly not the end of the series as there is a nice setup for a second book.
I loved Jim as a main character, but was not too thrilled with his love interest, Claire. On his sixteenth birthday, Jim learns the truth about his family in a harsh and painful way. He discovers that he is an Angel and Claire, a demon.
I loved the author voice but did not love the relationship between Jim and Claire. I found it unoriginal and a little cliché. Also, books that navigate between different POV’s is a little annoying. That being said this book was still an awesome read. There are twists and turns around every corner, action for those who love action and love for those who love romance. This first novel by Blaise is clearly not the end of the series as there is a nice setup for a second book.
August 4, 2016
I really liked the the idea angel loves demon, demon loves angel. And I crossed my fingers for Jim and Claire, that they would make it. Then in the end I realized that maybe this is the first book in a series? I really hope it is. Because this was why I gave 3 stars. I didn't knew that there would be some kind of cliffhanger. Not a big one but I thought it was a standalone and seeing that there are lose ends I felt a little baffled. Overall I liked the story. It was fast paced with a lot of action and drama. I'd like to read book 2 if there is planned to be another book.
May 31, 2016
First of all, i would like to thank NetGallery for helping me get an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
I give the book, 'Blest' by Blaise Lucey a 4-star review. The novel was your typical angel falls in love with demon and so on. The beginning was quite boring and i had a hard time getting through it but, as soon as i got to the half part, i couldn't put the book down. Each page makes you want to flip more and more until the end.
The book was amazing and it is something i could see myself recommending to my friends.
I give the book, 'Blest' by Blaise Lucey a 4-star review. The novel was your typical angel falls in love with demon and so on. The beginning was quite boring and i had a hard time getting through it but, as soon as i got to the half part, i couldn't put the book down. Each page makes you want to flip more and more until the end.
The book was amazing and it is something i could see myself recommending to my friends.
April 4, 2016
This is a fantastic novel! It's a Young Adult fantasy novel so you're reading about this amazing world that exists beyond the everyday lives of a group of high school teens who live in the midwest. The writer does an amazing job weaving the tale of high school life that involves romance, rivalries, angels, demons, portals, and far off lands. It's so good! Anyone reading YA books will want to read this.
August 7, 2016
I read this book with the help of NetGalley.The story is fantastic.Jim and Claire have to pretend to be enemies.They hide their feelings.The story shows the rivalry of angels and demons.I loved reading this book.
August 16, 2016
I received this book from Netgalley.
2.5/5
It was a pretty decent book. Made you want to know what happened at the end. I found myself scanning through the last 25-30 pages.
2.5/5
It was a pretty decent book. Made you want to know what happened at the end. I found myself scanning through the last 25-30 pages.
September 6, 2016
Great book. Good mix of suspense, humor and romance. Lucey has a real talent for story telling / keeping the reader on his toes!
December 8, 2016
Romeo and Juliet with wings!
Want to Read
April 15, 2017That cover, though...
April 19, 2017
Interesting Book, Quick Read
Sort of tale of Romeo and Juliet. Well written with an ending that suggests it could be a series. Worth a read if you need a quick read to pass the time.
Sort of tale of Romeo and Juliet. Well written with an ending that suggests it could be a series. Worth a read if you need a quick read to pass the time.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews