This was the first book I read by Cynthia Leitich Smith. I was
amazed by the story, the characters and the world creation. This
book was so good that I bought and read Tantalize immediately upon
finishing this story. Set in the same world as Tantalize but with a
new set of characters, this story is fast-paced, riveting and
extremely addictive. It is a story of love, but a love that can
never be. It is the story about falling and possibly about
redemption.
The story is told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of
Zachary a guardian angel and Miranda his 17 year-old charge. But
maybe Zachary loves Miranda too much; in an attempt to save her
life he reveals himself in full radiance. Miranda is kidnapped by a
vampire and is being trained to be Vampire Royalty, a Princess.
Zachary is stripped of most of his powers and spirals down until a
former colleague appears and tells him he has a new mission and
gives him a start and an address. When Zachary gets there it is
Miranda's new home and he becomes her personal assistant. He tries
to assert his influence and save her soul.
Can an angel who is out of grace redeem himself and more
importantly complete his initial mission guarding the soul of
Miranda? As the story goes back and forth between their two views,
we see both sides of this story. Yet both of them will need to
learn who they really are at the core of their being and through
that what sacrifices they must be willing to make to live up to who
the are.
This story was incredibly addictive. I did not want to put it down.
It was hard to go back to work from breaks reading it. Cynthia
Leitich Smith has done an amazing job creating a world, and
populating it with characters you cheer for, root for and a few who
you hope get what is coming to them. She wrote a previous book in
this world called Tantalize and has a third book coming out in 2011
called Blessed.