Embrace Blog Tour Gust Post: Angels Have a Pecking Order

Today we are going to be joined by Jessica Shirvington, the author of The Violet Eden Chapters. The first book in her series released in the U.S. yesterday. She has graciously agreed to do a guest post and I hope you all enjoy:

Angels Have A Pecking Order

by Jessica Shirvington

Researching for EMBRACE, I discovered the entire subject of Angelology to be truly fascinating. In the end, I chose to go with the most popular theory, that there are 3 choirs of angels and within each choir, 3 ranks.

At the top of the angel hierarchy sit the Seraphim. They are the angels that are supposed to burn with an all-consuming white flame and who perform the all-important role of maintaining the source of Existence within the physical world.

Following the Seraphim come the Cherubim, and Thrones. I always like the descriptions of the Thrones – bringers of justice.

In the second choir are Powers, Dominations and Virtues. And in the third choir – Principalities, Archangels and Angels (guardians).

In writing EMBRACE, discovering each of these ranks and their purpose on earth was what led to the development of my characters powers. Each character is specifically placed within a rank of angels and then given powers accordingly. For example: Griffin is parented by a Seraph angel, meaning he is a leader and his unique power is a mind power (that of reading and delivering truth) to correlate with the description of the Seraphim’s function in the universe. It is a great way of keeping order to the power pool!

Each angelic rank also has a different appearance and different color that represent them and I found this really interesting. Any time I describe an angelic image, it relates back to this research in some way. Additionally, combining this research with things like the Chakra has led me to the use of color as a representation of power and also gemstones as a link to old mythology. For example: Phoenix’s hair is like opal – so black that it shimmers with purple and it catches the light exposing streaks of dazzling silver. First, I loved the idea of his hair being different, but also, it linked to the significance to his power, and his heritage in the story.

Basing the story around the bones of angel mythology and hierarchy gives me a solid structure to use as my foundation. It anchors the story and gives me direction any time I think the story might be straying.

Also, it allowed me to develop one of the big mysteries within the series: what rank is Violet from?

Thanks, Jessica! And be sure to check back at this time next week for my review of Embrace.

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince
The Infernal Devices 2

Author: Cassandra Clare
Pages: 498 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: December 6th 2011
Review Source: Purchased

I am a huge fan of Cassandra Clare and absolutely fell in love with this series when I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Clockwork Angel. Needless to say, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this next installment in this trilogy, and I was not disappointed.

Tessa Gray has found a home with the Shadowhunters in Victorian London. They've taken her in at the Institute, but she soon finds her new life in jeopardy when members of the Clave want to replace Charlotte.

Unless Charlotte can find the Magister, it looks like they'll succeed. So with the help of Will and Jem, Tessa does what she can to bring Charlotte closer to finding the Magister. Along their journey Will discovers the truth about a secret from his past and Tessa finds her heart pulling toward Jem. The dangers of the clockwork army have only just begun, and they have to find a way to stop them before it's too late.

One of the things that really pulled me in to this prequel series was the fact that it was set in Victorian London. There's something about that time in history that I absolutely love, add the fact that there's Shadowhunters and warlocks and clockwork creatures and I'm all in. The setting alone was enough to really grab my interest.

Then I fell in love with the characters. Tessa Gray is a strong, beautiful girl in a time when women were viewed in a completely different light. Her power as a shapeshifter makes her unique in the downworld, and yet she's still a lady. Will Herondale is very much like our lovely Jace from The Mortal Instruments, only for quite some time he seemed almost unforgivable. It isn't until we learn why he acts the way he does that his flaws make sense. Jem Carstairs is truly a gem. Though he is sick, he is sweet and kind and protective. He is my favorite kind of Shadowhunter. Oh, oh, and Henry and Charlotte Branwell. So flipping adorable!

The search for the Magister and uncovering his plan is a long journey and one that I truly enjoyed throughout this book. There's so much to be uncovered, and being able to do it right along with the characters is half the fun.

My only thing is, and this might be a bit spoilery for anyone who hasn't read this yet, the whole Will/Tessa/Jem triangle. I rooted for Will and Tessa in CA, even when Will acted like a jerk at the end I knew it was for a reason. And I could see why Tessa fell for Jem in this book, who wouldn't. BUT, the fact that Tessa kept having to say to herself in her head that she was engaged to Jem after hearing Will's secret says something, right? There's more there. Or maybe it's wishful thinking.

Anyways, I absolutely recommend this book for anyone who loves fantasy and mystery and a little steampunk all rolled into one. Oh, and don't forget to checkout the next book in The Mortal Instruments series coming out in May, City of Lost Souls!

This meets the following challenges:

#12 in 100+ Books in a Year

Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer

Arcadia Awakens
Arcadia 1

Author: Kai Meyer
Pages: 451 pgs
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Release Date: February 14th 2012
Review Source: Harper Collins

When I saw that this book had Mafia elements in it and some ancient myths, I definitely wanted to check it out. And since it was originally published in Germany, I was glad when I learned it would come out in the U.S. this year.

After dealing with a horrible tragedy, Rosa Alcantara moves to Sicily to live with her sister and aunt and start over. Though she knows her family is a part of the Mafia, she doesn't really think about it. At least until She meets Alessandro Carnevare, the son of an enemy Mafia clan to her family.

The more time she spends with him, the more she realizes he, and her family, are keeping secrets. Secrets that prove deadly and terrifying, the further she delves. When she discovers a tiger with familiar looking eyes, Rosa knows that she can never go back.

Okay, so anyone who's read or seen anything involving the mafia should know that they can be pretty cutthroat. No boundaries or convictions. Well, even if haven't, you'll definitely get a taste of it in this book. Kai Meyer isn't gruesome, but you get an idea of what a Mafia clan is like. I had a bit of a hard time with that at first, but the more I read, the more I wanted to know what was going on.

I liked the fact that there was a paranormal element to this story as well. It wasn't just about the mob or a forbidden romance. And you weren't really sure where it was all leading. What exactly could they do? Why were his eyes so familiar? The build-up left you with just enough to want to keep going.

From where it left off though, I can say that I want to continue the series. We only got part of the story, but I'm interested to find out where it all leads. Ancient myths, familial secrets, Mafia control all within the Sicilian country-side.

To check out more from this author you can go to his website http://www.kaimeyer.com/.

This meets the following challenges:

#11 in 100+ Books in a Year