Book Review: Taking Angels by C.S. Yelle—and a Giveaway!

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Title: Taking Angels
Series: The Angel Crusades #1
Author: C.S. Yelle
Publication date: March 26th 2013
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

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Purchase Links:

        

    

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Taking Angels
The Angel Crusades #1
C.S. Yelle
Staccato Publishing, March 2013
ISBN 978-0-9839341-5-8
Trade Paperback

From the publisher—

Britt Anderson went along with everything the doctors said for nearly four years, but she was still dying at eighteen. The cancer had won leaving her without a future, without any options, and without control. No control, except for how she would leave this world. As Britt tries to end her life by going into the frigid waters she realizes her mistake. She struggles to get back to shore, to cry out for help, but her atrophied muscles are useless and the frigid water steals the breath from her chemo-scarred lungs. Despite her father’s attempts to reach her, she flies over the waterfall.

When Allister Parks finds Britt’s fragile body on the riverbank something calls out to him. Ignoring the warnings of his sister, Allister brings Britt back from the edge of death. The only problem is that an Eternal like Allister isn’t allowed to touch those who have already passed from this world. It is forbidden; an infraction punishable by death.

As Britt relishes her new cancer-free life and senior year of high school, her very existence threatens Allister’s place in this world. Allister struggles to keep Britt a secret from the Eternal Council and out of the hands of the only Eternal who already knows the truth: the one who stole her guardian angel.

When I think back on Taking Angels, one thing in particular comes to mind: Pay Attention. This story is chock full of characters and plot lines and woe to the reader who gets distracted for even a few moments.

When we first meet Britt, the poor girl is so despondent after four years of battling cancer that is now terminal that she elects to let herself be swept away by the current. As often happens, she changes her mind at the last second but it’s too late—or so it would seem. Britt wakes up to a miracle but just what kind of miracle is it? By the time this part of Britt’s story comes to a close, her reality has become something quite unexpected and a sad tale of illness and death has turned into a fantastical drama.

As I mentioned, there are many characters and quite a few are nicely drawn. I liked Britt a lot other than in one particular scene with Gabe in which I felt she behaved thoughtlessly when she could have been kinder. I also liked Allister and Gabe although the latter’s attachment seems out of character to me, considering who he is. Best of all, though, are the three girls—Cassie, Trish and Elisa—who have stood by Britt all through her illness. Would that we all could have such stalwart supporters!

This first book in the trilogy comes to a climactic end and definitely left me with an interest in following Britt’s journey. I’ll be waiting for the chance to read the next book.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, May 2014.

About the Author

 

C.S. Yelle was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MN, the “almost” middle child of six. He attended Grand Rapids Senior High School where he enjoyed music and sports. He received his BS in Chemistry from Mayville State University, Mayville, ND in 1987. He taught 7-12 Science and coached for six years in several North Dakota schools and currently works as an Executive Account Manager in the Water Treatment Industry where he has been for nearly seventeen years. He is the father of four and grandfather of one. He writes novels, screenplays, and an occasional short story. He has been writing seriously for over ten years and plans to continue until his fingers are unable, maybe longer. He currently resides in a Minneapolis, MN suburb with his wife Jennifer and their rat terrier, Holly.

Author Links:

 

             

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Two chances to win!

(1) You can win an ebook copy of Taking Angels by C.S. Yelle! Just
leave a comment below and the winning name will be drawn on
Thursday evening, May 22nd. This drawing is open internationally
and the prize will be sent out after June 13th.

(2) Tour wide giveaway
Open INTL – Ends May 25th
–25$ Amazon Gift Card

Enter the drawing here.

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Follow the tour here.

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