Wistful YA~PRAEFATIO

Waking up with no knowledge of how you got where you are must be a scary feeling.

PRAEFATIO (#1) by Georgia McBride

Genre: Paranormal 
Publisher: Month9Books
Released Date: May 21, 2013
Pages: 332

I'd like to thank the publisher for a copy of this book for an unbiased review.

Favorite line/passage: Knowing, kind, and alluring eyes met my sad and confused ones. As I looked at him, I knew somehow that if I was ever lucky enough to be held by him, the comfort of a thousand pillows awaited. (Page 228)

Description: Seventeen-year-old Grace Ann Miller is no ordinary runaway. After having been missing for weeks, Grace is found on the estate of international rock star Gavin Vault, half-dressed and yelling for help. Over the course of twenty-four hours Grace holds an entire police force captive with incredulous tales of angels, demons, and war; intent on saving Gavin from lockup and her family from worry over her safety. Authorities believe that Grace is ill, suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, the victim of assault and a severely fractured mind. 

Undeterred, Grace reveals the secret existence of dark angels on earth, an ancient prophecy and a wretched curse steeped in Biblical myth. Grace’s claims set into motion an ages-old war, resulting in blood, death and the loss of everything that matters. But are these the delusions of an immensely sick girl, or could Grace’s story actually be true? Praefatio is Grace’s account of weeks on the run, falling in love and losing everything but her faith. When it’s sister against brother, light versus darkness, corrupt police officers, eager doctors and accusing journalists, against one girl with nothing but her word as proof: who do you believe?

ACCLAIM: “With PRAEFATIO, Georgia McBride proves that you can take any genre to a higher level. This is teen fantasy at its most entertaining, most heartbreaking, most compelling. Highly recommended.” –Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of ROT & RUIN and FIRE & ASH

NIGHTSTAND WORTHY!! +2

My Splats:  Intriguing view of angels, their purpose and interaction with the human race, twisted around a young girl, her brother, and an ancient text older than the Bible.

Clever yet subtle details slowly weave this tale into an inevitable and delectable whirlwind. From the interesting relationship Grace appears to have with her mother to the closeness she shares with her brother, Praefatio lays a strong foundation for the story yet to come. McBride uses poetic prose to tease the reader, as well as creating a unique teen voice to communicate it. Granted, there was plenty of snark in that young adult voice, but it was genuine and heartfelt.

Fast action, both physically and mentally, keep this story moving ahead, engaging the reader to form desirable questions of what could happen next. There was almost an adventurous feel to the dangers Grace faced, all of which were creative and plausible. I found the Biblical references accurate and the use of creative license was effective to create wonder and awe. The creation of different celestial beings were integrated into the story well, with each having his/her own purpose.

Grace must undergo many changes in a short period of time, much like the young adult life. So there was lots of humanity and realism throughout the paranormal elements of this book. She had ample opportunities to ponder the danger of who and what she really was, as well as the harm that could come to those closest to her, depending on her actions and reactions. I'm a huge fan of incorporating life lessons into teen literature, and this book definitely fits that bill.

But soon, Grace's perception of her world (both tangible and intangible) changes, and when a serious complication arises for her brother, Remi, Grace must yet again find more answers in who and what she really is, and the probability of what that could mean. Intense battling in her new Heavenly existence complicates an already volital scene, and Grace must decide what is real and trustworthy.

A surprise awaits the reader at novel's end, as McBride tied the conclusion to the opening of the story, revealing just enough to feed the reader a hunger for more.

What do you think about the cover? Are you into angels and demons with a new twist?

SPLAT! Please make sure to stop by yesterday's post just below. Kelly Hashway shared two of her characters from A TOUCH OF DEATH with us. I had to blog yesterday because Monday was a holiday. :) Thanks!!!