eARC Review: Angelfire (Angelfire #1) by Courtney Allison Moulton

This debut, the first novel in a trilogy, is achingly romantic, terrifying, and filled with blistering action.

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember. 

Angelfire is indeed filled with Blistering Action all the while maintaining a sweet and gradual romance.

Ellie is a mix between being a normal teen and a lethal weapon for the good side.  I enjoyed the complexity with trying to be a normal teen of going to the movies, attending parties and naming her first car Marshmellow then learning that she has powers which has her protecting mankind.

The best part is the action.  The fighting scenes are written with excitement.  Especially, after seeing the cover it is amazing to actually read about Ellie wielding her Khopesh swords.  Then there is her Guardian, Will, who moves like liquid- swift and quick.  Moulton does not spare the fighters.  They are put through the ringer.  When Ellie's nightmares become reality and see can see into the grim and the reapers that hide there she is immediately engulfed into this world she can't seem to remember from past lives. 

Ellie's Mother is also a treat.  Mostly, parents seem to be non-existent in YA novels but her Mother was around.  Granted maybe not as well since she could sneak out nightly.  However, I think she was written perfectly to offset the father.  I found Ellie's mom's solutions fair although as a mom myself I would do a few things differently. 


The downside is I feel a bit confused or left hanging.  Ellie's father and his aggression is mentioned often.  I was hoping to get down to the nit and grit of why that is.  We are told that he was a loving father at one time but then something change.  How come? Does it have something to do with who Ellie really is and her purpose on Earth or is it a martial/mid0life crisis thing.  Another confusion comes towards the ending when Ellie learns who she really is.  I don't think I can fully explain without giving away a key element to the mystery.  It's not a big deal but I am hoping to eventually discuss this with someone else when they read it as well.  



All in all, Angelfire is a great read.  I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves YA paranormal romance.  The intended audience will love this one and adults who enjoy YA will too.


To learn more about Angelfire:
Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / YouTube 

This eARC was received from Netgalley.  It is also included in my DAC Reading Challenge for 2011.


Book Trailer:

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