Wednesday, 4 September 2013

Watercolour Wednesday.


Watercolour Wednesday: Scribble 01
Subject: My best friend Ashar
Materials: Watercolour paper and pencils.

Friday, 9 August 2013

Book Review: Angel Eyes

Image credit: shannondittemore.com



Title: Angel Eyes

Author: Shannon Dittemore

Series: Angel Eyes Trilogy, Book One.

My Rating: 4.5/5





Book Description:
Brielle went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She’s come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can’t seem to shake.
Jake’s the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.
Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what’s going to happen. And a beauty brighter than Jake or Brielle has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices begin.
A realm that only angels and demons—and Brielle—can perceive.

My Thoughts:
Angel and Demon novels seem to be in demand right now, particularly in the young adult genre. While it's not normally the type of novel I would pick up of an afternoon I was struck with the beautiful cover of Angel Eyes and was absolutely blown away with this little gem of a book.
As the chapters in the book switch between the characters, both humans, angels and demons the reader is able to get a glimpse of the story-line from all possible angles something I haven't seen so beautifully controlled since reading Frank Peretti's works. The dark themes that run through the novel are carefully handled and rather than feeling disturbed after setting the book down I felt oddly released? If that is the right word.
Dittemore's characterisation, the way she allowed you into Brielle's thoughts, to experience first-hand her breakdowns, her emotions, her fears and her absolute typical human reactions (I really love it when a character reacts in a way and you sit there thinking 'Yep, good girl/boy I would have done the same thing') were brilliant. I am not typically fond of novels written in first person but I really thought Dittemore used it to her advantage.

Apology? Hello!
But his mouth closes, and he pulls his hand away. With his index finger he carves a
 single word into the misty fog his hand left behind: Sorry. It's backwards, of course.
-Angel Eyes, page 17.

Considering I haven't read any other YA novels in this vein before I am not sure how Angel Eyes stacks up when pitted against others. Having said that one thing I will mention is that the 'angels' in Angel Eyes are in fact 'angels' as apposed to some of the other popular novels which tend towards the 'nephilim' or 'halflings'. 

If you're frequenting the YA section of the library, interested in jumping into the fantasy genre or have been looking for a Christian spin on the currently popular topic of angels and demons I highly suggest Angel Eyes. I will definitely be passing it onto my sister as I await book two to arrive in the mail.


Thursday, 8 August 2013

Dear readers,

Welcome to Kenge and Carboys and thank you for popping by!

Chances are that you have landed here because you are a beautiful dedicated follower (who I do not deserve) of my previous blog but when a young lady is to be a heroine (that blog title really was a mouthful). I hope that you will find the transition to this new blog easy, to help this process I have decided to keep things as close as possible to the original blog in terms of physical appearance just until we get used to things :) So I will be waiting a month or so to unveil the new banner!

Although this blog is essentially the old blog with a new url and name there will be some changes. The major one being that I have opted for a more personal touch. This will continue as I begin to incorporate a lot more art work and photos of myself/things I may be getting up to in my posts.

Regular posting will begin almost immediately, Pages (When calls the Heart, etc.) are still in the process of being updated with new info so please be patient as I get these up and running. I'm also slowly getting around to catching up on my some of my favourite blogs- I have been incredibly remiss. And I am counting on you all to let me know of any blogs I that may have escaped my attention since being away for some time.

Thank you again for all your support,