Friday, February 3, 2012

Until Next Time (The Angel Chronicles #1) by Amy Lignor


How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?
Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache. 

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.



From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart.


Type: Young Adult, Paranormal, Angels
Heat: 1.5 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

I finished reading Until Next Time earlier this evening and am honestly having a difficult time writing this review. Each time I sit down to write out my thoughts I get all teary eyed again and have to shut everything down and go distract myself for a bit with something around the house. This wasn't a lighthearted easy read but rather a wonderfully bittersweet story that by the end left me reeling emotionally with tears streaming down my face. Lignor created an amazing cast of characters and an interesting world that grabs hold of you and doesn't let go.

I thoroughly enjoyed both aspects of the story as it bounced back and forth between Matt and Emily's life in Heaven being guided by the Saints and their first taste of real life on earth as Daniel and Liz.

I loved the soul that was Emily/Liz. She's a wonderful being to watch in all of her many forms. The present day angel, reliving her past, who has lost her faith in humans. Struggling to deal with her anger and being torn between her soulmate and the love of her life. The angelic soul experiencing life for the first time as Elizabeth. Falling in love and standing up for what she thinks is right and protecting the family she's created. And finally the young, innocent angel setting out on her first mission. Finding life and emotions are messy and things don't always turn out as you expect. That your soulmate may not be the one who wins your heart. Finding her way, growing up and committing the ultimate sacrifice to protect those she loves. She's absolutely captivating and fierce with her emotions.

The men won me over just as easily. Matt/Daniel who will always be there for Emily and no matter what will stand by her side. Best friends who were made for one another. The two of them as children are highly entertaining. Jason who loves her completely and experiences life with her while winning her heart. Both men dealing with such inner turmoil while they try to figure out their lives with Liz/Emily. Even the Saints who were absolutely quirky and managed to add some levity to the story with their antics when not on the job. Play fighting with each other, bickering like siblings and best friends, an obsession with chocolate candy bars and cheating while playing cards. It was an interesting portrayal that kept me smiling and made it hard not to be awfully fond of each of them.

This was a complex and very well written story that pulled me in from the very start and kept me captive until the very end. It will keep you thinking and make your heart ache for the men and women you meet. I loved the experience of reading Until Next Time and I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series and seeing where it takes Matt, Emily and the souls they've bonded with.

You can find Until Next Time at: 

6 comments:

  1. Red, thank you so much. I am so touched by your review...I can't thank you enough!

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    1. You're very welcome Amy. It was a wonderful book to experience and I cannot wait for the next one to come out!

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  2. Anna, what a powerful review. Wow, you took my breath away. I think every author loves to hear that a reader carries a story with them long after the initial reading, and to hear the response you had to Amy's book is what it's all about.

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    1. Thank you for including me in the tour. I'm so glad that I was able to participate and find such an amazing story and author to follow.

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  3. Hi! Just popping in to say thank you for the wonderful review of Amy's book ;o) I have come to know Amy's heart through her participation in the Ruby for Women community and her encouragement for our work of sharing the stories of "Every Christian Woman." We continue to promote Amy's work, especially this new book, and look forward to sharing her future work, as well. Amy is definitely a beautiful young woman as well as an amazing writer. Thank you again! Sincerely, Nina Newton, Sr. Editor, Ruby for Women
    www.rubyforwomen.ning.com

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  4. I just wanted to stop back by to let you know that I am so humbled. Because of amazing reviews such as yours, blogs, fans - there is now going to be a national contest for the angels! I can't thank you enough.

    Team Matt vs. Team Jason - The Ultimate YA contest has begun!
    http://yalitchat.ning.com/forum/topics/until-next-time-the-angel-chronicles-contest

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~Anna

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