Battle for Souls – Blogtour, Review and Giveaway
Welcome to my stop on the Blogtour for the Battle for Souls series by Ciara Knight. I’m excited to be a part of this tour hosted by Enchantress of Books Blogtours, and I hope you’ll enjoy my reviews for all three books in the series. *I received free eARCs of all three books in exchange of an honest review*
Alexander Lorre gives new meaning to the term “tormented teen.” He’s a newly fallen angel, which means he has the self-control of a three-year-old, the hormones of a teenager and the strength of an angel. When he rescues Gaby Moore from drowning, the chemistry between them is undeniable. With a local demon threatening Gaby’s life, he struggles to find a balance between remaining close enough to protect her but distant enough to control his desires.
As danger draws closer, Gaby uncovers shattering secrets that will lead to an ultimate choice. Will she fight alongside her father, an earthbound hunter killing fallen angels and demons, give into the demon blood coursing through her veins and join the demon world, or save the man she loves from both? The first two choices damn her, but the last one could destroy them all.
Rise from Darkness is the first book in the Battle for Souls series, and it starts with Gaby almost drowning. The readers learn very quickly that Gaby has not had an easy life, moving often, changing her last name each time. A year ago, her mom died in a car-accident, and thing have been pretty gloomy since then. That is, until Alexander saves her, she finds a new friend in Sammy, and her dad finally agrees to let her got to public school. Alex and Gaby fell in love the instant they met, which is not something I usually enjoy, but this time, I could actually get it.
The readers quickly discover that there are supernatural beings around, both demonic and angelic, and the fact that Gaby is drawing things that may or may not come to happen is another mystery. Gaby really misses her mom, and Alex is keeping something about the accident from her. As Gaby finally has the opportunity to make friends, she is delighted to interact with youth her own age, and falling in love if both beautiful and complicated.
Towards the end of Rise for Darkness, there is a big showdown between the demons and the angels, and there is an unlikely ally among them as well. Especially Alex showed a lot of growth, understanding that the weight of the world is not solely on his shoulders. Enjoyable and quick read, with a different take on fallen angels and the demons who tempt both them and the humans. Gaby has a lot to learn though, and knowing that she might be important in the future isn’t easy for her to deal with.
If you like stories with fallen angels, demons and strong powers with en epic battle between good and evil, I think you’d like the Battle for Souls series, Rise from Darkness is well executed with a good plot and a story that is compelling. I think a younger YA audience would appreciate it more than a mature one, though, because the main character and the narrator both come across as younger than 16 years old.
Droplets of water fell from Gaby’s fingertip as she traced the other burn mark on her shoulder. Her dad once referred to the scar as her, ‘Mitsubishi Branding.’ Three diamonds joined at their points. Somehow the car logo had seared into her skin. The smell of gasoline and burning rubber still haunted her. At least the injury had healed to faint lines, but the loneliness tugging at her heart remained.
Her first official date, how she would’ve loved to share it with her mother. To have Alexander walk in and meet her parents like a normal family. Her mother would graciously welcome him into their home. While her father scowled or made those stereotypical comments a fater makes about ‘having her home on time’ and ‘I know where you live.’
Gaby Moore’s powers emerge years too early due to adolescent hormones, complications with loving a fallen angel, and constant demon attacks. She is forced to deal with the guilt of believing she murdered Alexander’s “mother,” while trying to stop the demonic war before it begins. Only the love and acceptance of friends, family, and her beloved Alexander could save her from turning to her demonic side.
Fall from Grace is the second book in the Battle for Souls series, and it’s faster paced than Rise from Darkness. Gaby continues to go to school, but she has a lot of trouble with her new powers, especially one girl, Avery, makes her feel more demonic than angelic.
As Gaby tries to understand her visions, and to control her powers, she has to grow up very quickly. She needs to trust herself, and it’s not the easiest thing for her to do when she doesn’t know exactly what she is. The story continues shortly after how things ended in Rise form Darkness, and the plot thickens. The writing is not always perfect, but the small mistakes in spelling or word choice are few and far between.
I really enjoyed seeing Gaby grow stronger, and I appreciated her relationship both with her father and with Sammy, Alex and Grace. There was a little bit too much teenage angst for me, though, but I know a lot of other readers love that, so I think this second installment will find many fans.
Sammy sighed, “Look cheerful. You’re a cheerleader.” How did Sammy always look so happy? Even her short brown hair bounced with every step. Maybe it was part of being an earthbound angel. A never-ending supply of patience came with her wings.
Eyes closed, she focused on calming herself. Her powers were not suppose to surface for another year, maybe more. She needed more time to enjoy life before her nightmares became reality, when she’d be forced to fight in a demonic war on Earth.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” A singe of anticipation pricked at her soul. Those men were just prejudice about things they didn’t understand. If they would stop and listen, maybe they could all work together and seal the gateway.
Gaby Moore fails to stop a demonic war which released condemned ancient angels and Lucifer’s minions to Earth. When all hope is lost, Herak, an Ancient sentenced to eternal solitude for starting the first demonic war, pledges to save the world. But is he really reformed and ready to fight, or will he betray Gaby and Alexander forcing them to sacrifice their love and each other to save the world?
Ascension of Evil is the third and last book in the Battle for Souls series, and this is where the final, epic battle will be fought. Gaby has gotten all her powers, and she is always stronger. She is also able to speak with command, and make others respect her, both her friends and her perceived enemies.
The Hunters are present, and it is even more difficult than usual for Gaby to know who she can trust and who she should stay far, far away from. A lot of things were explained, and without spoiling anything, I have to say that some things that happened in Rise from Darkness made a lot of sens now that I know more.
The explanations of the last war, and the intricate ways Heaven and Hell work were explained through flash-backs, and if you know me, you know I love flash-backs as a way to get more backs-story. The big question in this installment is if Gaby will succeed saving humankind in this war, even if there was nothing the Angels could do in the last war. And the fast pace, the attention to detail and Gaby’s progress all are even better than in the two prior books.
There are still some small typos, but not enough to get my attention away from the story, and I think readers who like stories about Angels and epic battles should pick up the whole Battle for Souls series, just sit back and enjoy.
“It’s just that I’m supposed to be the Chosen One to lead all angels to war. I think I should probably know how to fight”
Six months they waited to bond. Training and rebuilding their home came first.
“Only because you won’t let yourself. Listen to my voice. You use to say it sounded like a song bird.”
Ciara Knight writes to ‘Defy the Dark’ with her fantasy and paranormal books. Her debut novel, The Curse of Gremdon, was released to acclaimed reviews, securing a Night Owl Top Pick and five stars from the Paranormal Romance Guild. Also, released in 2012 is her young adult series, Battle for Souls. Book I, Rise From Darkness, won July Book of the Month at Long and Short Reviews.
When not writing, she enjoys reading all types of fiction. Some great literary influences in her life include Edgar Allen Poe, Shakespeare, Francine Rivers and J K Rowling.
Her first love, besides her family, reading, and writing, is travel. She’s backpacked through Europe, visited orphanages in China, and landed in a helicopter on a glacier in Alaska.
You can find Ciara here: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest
Thank you for stopping by at (un)Conventional Bookviews today! I hope you’ll have a fantastic Wednesday. Happy reading.
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
If you know me, you know I love angel/demon stories! LOL This sounds like a series I’d enjoy, Lexxie. Thanks for introducing me to a new series. 😉 Just what I needed! 😉
LOL, I know, right? New series is exactly what both of us need 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Brandee!