tearsofphoenix's review against another edition
4.0
What about the ending?
I read almost 400 pages for THIS? This effing ending?
So many questions buzzing in my head.
Did Marcus finally knew that Zara was Serafina? or he just fell in love with Zara?
And the biggest of all, What happens now? Now that Marcus repented, did a good deed and Kamuel and Serafina is going to collect his soul, is he going to be with her now?
I CANNOT BEAR NOT KNOWING! JUST..
JUST KILL ME NOW.
rayureads's review against another edition
4.0
Sarah Mussi is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. I have been transfixed with her work after reading 'riot' and her name plastered on the cover of 'Angel dust' is what drew me to it.
After reading the synopsis I was a little sceptical, I must admit, as it sounded like one of those 'love at first sight' kind of books that are so far off reality.
Whilst reading it, I didn't particularly like the character of Serafina as she fell for Marcus almost immediately (like I thought she would) and was very carless but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to put the book down. The main reason is because it works.
If we think about it Serafina hasn't been doing the job for long and the fact Marcus sees her makes her think all kinds of crazy things about fate. So when Larry comes with a contract to save his life of course she would jump at the chance, as he enforces the idea that Marcus and her are meant to be.
My favourite characters by far have to be Larry and Kamuel which is weird as they are such polar opposites, but they seem to be the only characters in the book that can think clearly.
Without spoiling the book let me break down the characters.
Marcus is a thug and I have no idea why Serafina is willing to risk everything for someone whose soul is destined for hell, but over the course of the book his character does grow on me. To the point where I actually want him and Sera to be together.
Larry is very eccentric which is probably why I like him so much, even though I felt like there was something not right about him. He was too perfect and pure in his description.
And them there's kamuel whose quiet and serious - the voice of reason.
The stories close explains everything and nothing was overly shocking about it. Although a few details tripped me up as they didn't exactly play out the way I had predicted.
There are a few religious references which I thought fit the book perfectly and the different elements of heaven and the people there (including heavens army) I fount intriguing despite not being a religious person myself.
Overall it was a good read and I do recommend it to book lovers of fantasy and YA.
After reading the synopsis I was a little sceptical, I must admit, as it sounded like one of those 'love at first sight' kind of books that are so far off reality.
Whilst reading it, I didn't particularly like the character of Serafina as she fell for Marcus almost immediately (like I thought she would) and was very carless but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to put the book down. The main reason is because it works.
If we think about it Serafina hasn't been doing the job for long and the fact Marcus sees her makes her think all kinds of crazy things about fate. So when Larry comes with a contract to save his life of course she would jump at the chance, as he enforces the idea that Marcus and her are meant to be.
My favourite characters by far have to be Larry and Kamuel which is weird as they are such polar opposites, but they seem to be the only characters in the book that can think clearly.
Without spoiling the book let me break down the characters.
Marcus is a thug and I have no idea why Serafina is willing to risk everything for someone whose soul is destined for hell, but over the course of the book his character does grow on me. To the point where I actually want him and Sera to be together.
Larry is very eccentric which is probably why I like him so much, even though I felt like there was something not right about him. He was too perfect and pure in his description.
And them there's kamuel whose quiet and serious - the voice of reason.
The stories close explains everything and nothing was overly shocking about it. Although a few details tripped me up as they didn't exactly play out the way I had predicted.
There are a few religious references which I thought fit the book perfectly and the different elements of heaven and the people there (including heavens army) I fount intriguing despite not being a religious person myself.
Overall it was a good read and I do recommend it to book lovers of fantasy and YA.
thebookaddictedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
“I will help you. I will move Heaven and Earth to help.”
Serafina is one of God's best and brightest angels. Normally, she stays in Heaven, but since the Declaration of War, she must come to earth to collect souls.
It's then she sees him, Marcus Montague. She knows she must collect his soul and she knows he isn't bound for Heaven... And yet, she's drawn to Marcus, the "original badman", the gangsta.
But now she has to snuff his life out and take his soul away.
And all Serafina wants is to give Marcus more time, time to repent.
It's then Larry shows up, a "gentle being in white". He offers her something, something she can't refuse...
But how far is Serafina willing to go to save the gangsta's life? How far when Heaven and Hell is at war, when everything Serafina's ever know is at stake...?
From the moment I laid eyes on the blurb (and gorgeous cover) of Angel Dust, I was enchanted. After hearing Sarah Mussi talk about it and chatting a bit with her, I was positively itching to get stuck into the story. I have seen some negative reviews, but I must say I loved it. I do love angel books, and the fact this one had a definite Romeo-Juliet inspiration meant I was even more happy about it. And this book was brilliant. I really, really loved it and can't wait for more by Mussi.
Serafina was actually quite cute: she was so naive and unworldly. She kind of made me laugh at times with all her enthusiasm and cuteness! Of course, at other times, I could hit her for her naivety. She was so trusting and unworldly – she didn't see things coming we saw a mile off. I loved seeing her grow and challenge everything, hitting perfectly all the controversy around Free Will and Rules and how far one should go to save the one you love.
Marcus was sweet, but personally not someone I'd risk falling from Heaven for. He did have many good points, like how he cared for the people in his "territory" and how he wanted to take care of his family. But, uh, why did he call himself the "Man"? He did try to be better and he only wanted to help. I saw his potential, but I didn't really know him as well as I'd like to.
There were some other good characters, like Larry-slash-Harry or Kamuel. Larry-Harry was funny but seriously, Serafina?! And Kamuel… I so wish he were in it more!
The romance between Serafina and Marcus, I must admit wasn’t totally believable. The way she just saw him once and just fell so in love she was willing to break the Rules? It just didn’t seem totally plausible. Then again, she did mention that he was her "temptation" – does that mean he was like her soulmate, the one person alive who could pull her from Heaven? I just wish it was a little more clear or less insta-love-y. But as I read, I must admit that the insta-love started making a little more sense. And when they had those moments, I really felt it - the love, the chemistry.
I loved that this was written from the angel's POV. The only other book I've come across like that is Halo, and I must say that Serafina is a much more likeable character. And her language was much easier to read; more like an average teen and less like a 19th century poet. But I get off topic: the point is that reading from an angel's perspective is brilliant – the most mundane thing seems magical. And I really felt that Romeo&Juliet influence – the forbidden love, the star crossed lovers whose feelings should not exist yet burn brighter than Heaven. I'll admit that the beginning of the story was a little slow. But with a war brewing and oh-so-many rules for Serafina to break, it didn't stay that way for long! And the story was just so much more than just a forbidden romance, a mission to save a human's eternal soul from Hell. It was so much more complex and twisty. And while I saw things coming when Serafina didn’t, I think we were meant to – it just added to the overall suspense and kinda horror!
I loved learning about the angelic world: lots came from the bible inspiration and stuff, but what I really loved was the description of the road to Hell. And Heaven – as amazing as it all was and how rich it was in places, I still felt like it could have been a little more padded out. I saw the outline in my head, but bits weren’t in technocolour.
I hate naive characters - normally. But somehow Mussi made Serafina angelically innocent without making her 'Too Stupid To Live'. I must say though, I'm not 100% why she fell for Marcus quite so hard. But, Mussi perfectly captured that overwhelming, all-consuming nature of first love, emphasised by it being felt by an immortal being who had never known love before, who had only wanted to save the one she loved... It was really powerful.
So, yes, this book has very strong points and some let downs. The strong points were more than enough to keep me hooked and I absolutely can't wait to see what Mussi brings out next.
But, more importantly, yes: Mussi wrote a brilliant book that had me hooked start to finish. There was something so magic about her writing - she made many of my usual pet peeves things I loved most about the story. I think Mussi may be magic, if you ask me. I can't wait for her next book. And I really think most will love this too, 'cause its magic.
Serafina is one of God's best and brightest angels. Normally, she stays in Heaven, but since the Declaration of War, she must come to earth to collect souls.
It's then she sees him, Marcus Montague. She knows she must collect his soul and she knows he isn't bound for Heaven... And yet, she's drawn to Marcus, the "original badman", the gangsta.
But now she has to snuff his life out and take his soul away.
And all Serafina wants is to give Marcus more time, time to repent.
It's then Larry shows up, a "gentle being in white". He offers her something, something she can't refuse...
But how far is Serafina willing to go to save the gangsta's life? How far when Heaven and Hell is at war, when everything Serafina's ever know is at stake...?
From the moment I laid eyes on the blurb (and gorgeous cover) of Angel Dust, I was enchanted. After hearing Sarah Mussi talk about it and chatting a bit with her, I was positively itching to get stuck into the story. I have seen some negative reviews, but I must say I loved it. I do love angel books, and the fact this one had a definite Romeo-Juliet inspiration meant I was even more happy about it. And this book was brilliant. I really, really loved it and can't wait for more by Mussi.
Serafina was actually quite cute: she was so naive and unworldly. She kind of made me laugh at times with all her enthusiasm and cuteness! Of course, at other times, I could hit her for her naivety. She was so trusting and unworldly – she didn't see things coming we saw a mile off. I loved seeing her grow and challenge everything, hitting perfectly all the controversy around Free Will and Rules and how far one should go to save the one you love.
Marcus was sweet, but personally not someone I'd risk falling from Heaven for. He did have many good points, like how he cared for the people in his "territory" and how he wanted to take care of his family. But, uh, why did he call himself the "Man"? He did try to be better and he only wanted to help. I saw his potential, but I didn't really know him as well as I'd like to.
There were some other good characters, like Larry-slash-Harry or Kamuel. Larry-Harry was funny but seriously, Serafina?! And Kamuel… I so wish he were in it more!
The romance between Serafina and Marcus, I must admit wasn’t totally believable. The way she just saw him once and just fell so in love she was willing to break the Rules? It just didn’t seem totally plausible. Then again, she did mention that he was her "temptation" – does that mean he was like her soulmate, the one person alive who could pull her from Heaven? I just wish it was a little more clear or less insta-love-y. But as I read, I must admit that the insta-love started making a little more sense. And when they had those moments, I really felt it - the love, the chemistry.
I loved that this was written from the angel's POV. The only other book I've come across like that is Halo, and I must say that Serafina is a much more likeable character. And her language was much easier to read; more like an average teen and less like a 19th century poet. But I get off topic: the point is that reading from an angel's perspective is brilliant – the most mundane thing seems magical. And I really felt that Romeo&Juliet influence – the forbidden love, the star crossed lovers whose feelings should not exist yet burn brighter than Heaven. I'll admit that the beginning of the story was a little slow. But with a war brewing and oh-so-many rules for Serafina to break, it didn't stay that way for long! And the story was just so much more than just a forbidden romance, a mission to save a human's eternal soul from Hell. It was so much more complex and twisty. And while I saw things coming when Serafina didn’t, I think we were meant to – it just added to the overall suspense and kinda horror!
I loved learning about the angelic world: lots came from the bible inspiration and stuff, but what I really loved was the description of the road to Hell. And Heaven – as amazing as it all was and how rich it was in places, I still felt like it could have been a little more padded out. I saw the outline in my head, but bits weren’t in technocolour.
I hate naive characters - normally. But somehow Mussi made Serafina angelically innocent without making her 'Too Stupid To Live'. I must say though, I'm not 100% why she fell for Marcus quite so hard. But, Mussi perfectly captured that overwhelming, all-consuming nature of first love, emphasised by it being felt by an immortal being who had never known love before, who had only wanted to save the one she loved... It was really powerful.
So, yes, this book has very strong points and some let downs. The strong points were more than enough to keep me hooked and I absolutely can't wait to see what Mussi brings out next.
But, more importantly, yes: Mussi wrote a brilliant book that had me hooked start to finish. There was something so magic about her writing - she made many of my usual pet peeves things I loved most about the story. I think Mussi may be magic, if you ask me. I can't wait for her next book. And I really think most will love this too, 'cause its magic.
bunnylover01's review
medium-paced
2.5
Okay so my feelings on this are complicated because it was written in 2012 so I'm not expecting it to be great or anything. But then again, there have been books written like 70+ years ago that are still masterpieces in today's day and age, so really time/era is no excuse.
Overall, it was okay. Giving it 2.5 stars cause it got me out of my reading slump.
For me, the first 100-150 pages were okay, it was fast paced and kept me interested. Then around the 200 page mark, it started going downhill.
Warning: From here forth are spoilers!!
The Plot:
An angel who fell in love at first sight with a man, but that "love" is actually her desperately wanting to make out and fuck him.
The Side Plot:
Satan challenged god that he would corrupt god's brightest and best angel (Serafina) and make them fall from heaven, to leave god and rather spend an eternity with him (satan).
The Good:
The beginning few pages read like something taken out of Wattpad and honestly it was quite fun to read. For instance:
I was enjoying the way you ducked your head as you spoke. I was quivering at the deepness of your voice. I was glorying in the breadth of your shoulders and marvelling at how mold a man can be.
I laughed my soul out reading this.
The writing style wasn't that bad, so I might check out the authors future works to see if there's been an improvement or something.
The Bad:
The one part that riled me up was when Serafina was collecting souls on behalf of her other angel friend and one of the souls was a premature born baby. This is what Serafina said about the baby:
It was sad she wasn't bound straight for Heaven. The mother should really have had her baptised. It would have been so much more sensible than wringing her hands. Human love. Such complicated thing, so much emotion, so little sense.
Excuse me bitch what. Like I get the plot and premise is built up on The Bible, but I'm pretty sure no Christian would say a PREMATURE BABY was NOT BOUND FOR HEAVEN because they weren't baptised like that part was just so angering.
Moving on, I was hoping we got a reason as to why Serafina "fell in love" with Marcus, like what the hell did she see in him?? Literally, the entire time the angel was acting like horny teenager begging for some D. Also, why the hell would you fall for a human being bound for hell?? Honestly, you've been an angel for like centuries, and you threw away your common sense and logic for temptation and desire???
Do I recommend reading it? Absolutely not. I only read it because I owned it, and I can't unhaul books without giving them a chance. But yeah I doubt anyone would want to buy this, so it's going to charity now.
Overall, it was okay. Giving it 2.5 stars cause it got me out of my reading slump.
For me, the first 100-150 pages were okay, it was fast paced and kept me interested. Then around the 200 page mark, it started going downhill.
Warning: From here forth are spoilers!!
The Plot:
An angel who fell in love at first sight with a man, but that "love" is actually her desperately wanting to make out and fuck him.
The Side Plot:
Satan challenged god that he would corrupt god's brightest and best angel (Serafina) and make them fall from heaven, to leave god and rather spend an eternity with him (satan).
The Good:
The beginning few pages read like something taken out of Wattpad and honestly it was quite fun to read. For instance:
I was enjoying the way you ducked your head as you spoke. I was quivering at the deepness of your voice. I was glorying in the breadth of your shoulders and marvelling at how mold a man can be.
I laughed my soul out reading this.
The writing style wasn't that bad, so I might check out the authors future works to see if there's been an improvement or something.
The Bad:
The one part that riled me up was when Serafina was collecting souls on behalf of her other angel friend and one of the souls was a premature born baby. This is what Serafina said about the baby:
It was sad she wasn't bound straight for Heaven. The mother should really have had her baptised. It would have been so much more sensible than wringing her hands. Human love. Such complicated thing, so much emotion, so little sense.
Excuse me bitch what. Like I get the plot and premise is built up on The Bible, but I'm pretty sure no Christian would say a PREMATURE BABY was NOT BOUND FOR HEAVEN because they weren't baptised like that part was just so angering.
Moving on, I was hoping we got a reason as to why Serafina "fell in love" with Marcus, like what the hell did she see in him?? Literally, the entire time the angel was acting like horny teenager begging for some D. Also, why the hell would you fall for a human being bound for hell?? Honestly, you've been an angel for like centuries, and you threw away your common sense and logic for temptation and desire???
Do I recommend reading it? Absolutely not. I only read it because I owned it, and I can't unhaul books without giving them a chance. But yeah I doubt anyone would want to buy this, so it's going to charity now.
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