Author: Heather Burch
Publication date: October 9, 2012
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre(s): Young Adult (Paranormal)
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Format: ARC
Pages: 320
Vigilance. The mission to safeguard Nikki Youngblood depends on the fragile alliance of two half-angel, half-human guardians, both struggling with intense feelings for the girl who has been assigned to their care. Mace, steadfast and deeply in love, wants to protect Nikki at all costs, while Raven's loyalty to Nikki finds him advocating for her independence and battling his own darker inclinations. At the same time, Nikki finds it harder and harder to choose between the two heavenly beings she may never have. Dangers intensify, and tensions between Mace and Raven flare as the purpose of their mission becomes clear. Can their defenses hold up to master manipulator Damon Vessler and the powerful secret he holds regarding Nikki's heritage? Can anyone protect Nikki from her true purpose and destiny?
I was so excited when I got my copy of Guardian, because I loved the first book in the Halflings trilogy. The main protagonist, Nikki, was portrayed as a strong character in the first book. Having a black belt in karate, she was the kind of girl who knew how to fight with no help from people, and I really liked that about her. In this book, things were kind of different. Nikki felt like she was weak. She always needed one of her guardian angels to come and protect her from the problem at hand, and that pissed me off. For me, I am kind of the forgetful person, so I liked that Heather refreshed our memories about the characters in the book. Usually, I hate it when author's don't do that, especially in the sequel.
We meet Mace, Raven, and Vine again, along with all the other guardian angels that we have met before. We also meet some new characters, but I had hoped that they had a bigger part in the book to spice things up, you know? Even though that didn't happen, I'm glad that Heather Burch gave me a good dose of action in the book. The writing style was good, and the flow of the story was really easy and fun. Unfortunately, I'm going to get to the part that made me dislike the book. The romance. It killed me, and it pissed me, and honestly, I kind of hated Nikki for what she was doing. I don't want to write any spoilers, but I kind of felt like she was turning into a MAJOR player. Jumping from one guy to the other. One day she's in love with this guy, the other day she's in love the with other guy. I mean really? Can't she choose ONE of them? It really got on my nerves, and maybe that's the major problem I had with the book.
What makes a book a better one? An unexpected and shocking ending. That's what Guardian gave me. The ending really shocked me, and left me mouth hanging. (Is that how you say it? huh) Anyways, I kind of thought it would turn out that way, but I said that that would be impossible! But it happened! So, I really cannot wait for the third and last book, Avenger, to come out! I do hope that Nikki will settle with one guy, and she games up her strong personality.
My copy of this had been sitting on my shelf for ages. I guess it was the love triangle that had me putting this series off for so long. And I think I still wouldn't pick it up yet. But I'm glad that despite all the issues you had there were parts that you still enjoyed. Great honest review, Farah. :)
ReplyDeleteUh oh, I had a bad feeling about that. I liked book one too, since the book managed to avoid making me feel like I was being proselytized to. I worried the romance would go somewhere annoying though, and it sounds like it went there.
ReplyDeleteNow, I have NO issue if she wants to date all three of them, BUT you can't make claims of love. Nope. Not buying it!
Great review, Farah! I haven't read Halflings yet (I own it but I've been on the fence about it), but I think it's time to give it a shot since the series maintains itself well. :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree that these books where the characters 'love' more than one guy really get to me. I'll probably pick it up anyway though- I'm a sucker like that :)
ReplyDelete"I don't want to write any spoilers, but I kind of felt like she was turning into a MAJOR player. Jumping from one guy to the other."
ReplyDeleteOkay, definitely not the book for me Farah! That kind of behavior drives me absolutely crazy, and I had a little issue with the 3 of them in book one, so the fact that the triangle is even more pronounced in this one reaffirms my decision not to pick this book up. I will say I'm super curious about this shocking ending though:) Thanks so much for the extremely helpful review!
I didn't read the first book, but it sounds like an interesting series. I am not a huge angel book person so I don't read many of them. Thanks for the great review!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely need to read Halfing :) I got it a while ago, but haven't gotten too it.. Great review Farah! I do hate those annoying 'love' triangles. I hate them with a passion lol
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
I think I would kind of get annoyed with the romance in this book too, girls who can't stick with one guy really grate on me. But at least the jaw dropping ending leaves you with some hope for the next book! Awesome review Farah, I may have to check out the first book in this series now! :)
ReplyDeleteI had wanted to read Halfling when it came out, but I never did! It looks like you enjoyed it though, at least enough to read the next one! I'll have to pick them both up sometime :) Great review!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Halfling but I'm excited to learn that this book has a good dose of action. An unexpected, shocking ending seems kinda cool, although the romance feels like a turn-off. I think I'll wait till the next book comes out before considering this series. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to admit that I haven't even heard of this series, and I'd probably walk right by it in a book store, but it definitely has my attention now!
ReplyDeletegreat review!
I'm quite curious about this ending now! I wasn't planning on reading this as I felt so-and-so about the first book, but I'm starting to reconsider. Lovely review. :)
ReplyDeleteIn spite of the love triangle it sounds like you enjoyed this overall. It really gets on my nerves when the female lead can't make up her mind with the love interest. I'm not sure this would be for me because of that. Wonderful review Farah. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review:)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds pretty good. I wasn't that impressed with Halflings, but now I definitely think I'll try out Guardian. Thanks for the awesome review! :)
ReplyDeleteI have yet to read this series but my curiosity is definitely piqued. I like the sound of the plot and the characters. I can't wait to pick this one up! Thanks for the amazing review, Farah!
ReplyDelete~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair
If there's anything I hate in sequels, it's when a character is downgraded to a weaker self. And playing leading to guys on- when they've never done it before. Seriously, ugh.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like an interesting series, but I think I'll pass it just because of the weak sequel. Great review Farah!
The ending shocked me too! I liked the first book but didn't quite love it, then I read this one and was just YES! :]
ReplyDelete