by Wendy Higgins
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 1st 2012
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Book Depository
Embrace the Forbidden
What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?
This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.
Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.
Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?
What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?
This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.
Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.
Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?
Sweet Evil is a sexy, flirty and dangerous new addition to the YA world. Though it may not be original, it is vastly different from the majority of angel-related books out there. I was certainly pleased by how different this is from the usual angel book and I loved Higgin’s new spin on angel lore! Delightfully entertaining for the most part, it’s also heart-shattering and occasionally thought-provoking; whether you’re a fan of angel books or not, make sure to pick this one up and give it a try!
Our main character, Anna, grew on me. At the start, I really didn’t like her. She was too… good and innocent for my liking. She’s the type of girl, who, in class, would raise her hand and ask “ Miss, are you going to collect our homework” (which is totally fine of course, but not when I, myself haven't completed my homework :S); she cannot bear to say the word sex; she has never told a single lie and the first time she does, she immediately confesses that she just lied. There’s more but basically, the point is: She’s too good. BUT, my impression of her changed as her character slowly developed as the story progressed; her character strengthened after discovering her heritage and understanding what’s expected of her. And after experiencing some pretty intense things, she's finally become the independent, strong type of heroine I admire. I think I just might like her after all!
Now, my favourite part of the book: KAIDEN. The guy is HOTT; and to quote Anna “He was smokin’ hot. As in H-O-T-T hott…..This guy was extra-T worthy.” Yep. I totally agree! And you know what’s better than a HOTT guy? An incredibly hot bad-boy – and he ‘s literally bad. His ’job’ is to be a bad influence to humans, and being the son of the Duke of Lust (you’ll learn all about the Dukes in the book!) , his speciality is obviously getting girls to lust after him! And good Lord, he does know how to woo a girl! (especially with his irresistible “bedroom eyes”!) But while he may have the looks, (and girls), the poor guy has never been loved; nor has he ever opened up to anyone about his true feelings. I loved how the more he stayed around Anna, the more he was able to open up to her and show her his true self!
While overall, the book was enjoyable and praise-worthy, I was a little disappointed with the lack of action and a strong, and satisfying plotline. I would expect some sort of action, however minimal, in an angel/ Nephilim book- I mean, wouldn’t you want to see sexy angels battle it out?- but Sweet Evil was devoid of any sort of exciting action. It was more Anna’s quest to discover her true identity and her heritage. The first part of the book centres around Anna & Kaiden’s road trip to find her father who’s in prison; and the second half…seemed to focus a lot on Anna's balancing her life with her human and Nephilim friends. It would’ve been more satisfying had there been a climax towards the end. But then again, there were some pretty intense and thrilling scenes! (e.g. That bar scene was EPIC. Kind of makes me wish I was 18 already…and those steamy making-out scenes were so swoon-worthy!)
Despite the issues I had, I still found Sweet Evil a fantastic debut! While it can be read as a stand-alone, I’ll certainly be coming back for more J I can’t wait for the second book to be released now!
Snickering...ok if Anna is one of those suck butt type characters as I like to think of those goodie two shoe types then I probably will have issues. I loved that line in your review about someone raising there hand for homework and yours isn't done. I went to school with plenty of those girls drove me insane....That is why you sit in the back the cool people are back there and yes you CAN be an A student and sit in the back...mischevious grin! Ok about the book..l am dying to meet Kaiden but I proabably won't get to this until September...Loved your review!
ReplyDeleteI work at B&N, and I usually stay a few hours after my shift is done to read a while (hence my managers looking at my like I'm nuts..hehe), but alas! I don't get the time to read ALL the books I would like!
ReplyDeleteI'd seen this one, and was wondering what it was about. I agree with you, I would probably not like the character initially. Sigh.. But now I have a good idea of what the book would be about, and for that I thank you! :)
Great review! I've been wondering about whether to read this, and this segement:
ReplyDelete"And you know what’s better than a HOTT guy? An incredibly hot bad-boy – and he ‘s literally bad. His ’job’ is to be a bad influence to humans, and being the son of the Duke of Lust (you’ll learn all about the Dukes in the book!) , his speciality is obviously getting girls to lust after him!"
Made me go "YES I WANT TO READ THIS." It reminds me of the Personal Demons series and darn do they excel at their jobs.
I like that you mention that while this is nothing new, it is different from other angel-demon books, that is always a plus to me!
ReplyDeleteOkay, so you have convinced me to give this another try! I dunno whether it was a combination of reading slump or me just not feeling the story, but I couldn't get into this when I started. Perhaps one of the most contributing factors was Anna... but you say she grows and gets better and I LIKE to hear that! So I'm definitely interested in her growth and while what I read of Kaiden didn't woo me, there were still a ton more pages to go so... hmm, maybe I will check this out again! *shakes fist at your incredible, persuasive reviews*
ReplyDeleteCELINEEEEEEEEEEE! You should go ask Eve about it :) AND KAIDEN IS MINE. HE IS MINE. NO STEALING, ALRIGHT?!
ReplyDeletehehee thanks gurl <3
GAH SHIRLEY! I NEED THIS BOOK NOW!!! I've been dying to read it and after watching the book trailer? I WANT TO READ IT SO BADLY! I am still waiting on my copy to arrive so hopefully I can get it soon and devour it!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Shirley! ♥ So glad you enjoyed it! :)
SHIRLEY THIS SOUNDS SO FUNNNN! Well, actually, I'm basically just thinking about Kaiden, who sounds AMAZING :D
ReplyDeleteAnna sounds... irritating. Seriously, I am SO intrigued by this one, and it sounds like you REALLY enjoyed it! Amazing review, Shirley!
Haha YES! The Anna-being-too-sweet thing was what prevented me from giving this five stars too -- I'm probably a bit of a goody-two-shoes myself, but you're spot-on when you say that she was almost TOO good :') But as the book went on, I grew attached to her as well, and ohmygoodness, I just love how Kaidan opened up around her too! (His bedroom eyes got to me even though I never directly saw him LOL!) I guess Anna's over-goodness was perfect for something, right? x)
ReplyDeleteAMAZING review, Shirleeeeey! I love how similar we are :) <3
SWEET EVIL!!! I loved this book so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it overall Shirley, Anna and Kaidan were just such fabulous characters I thought. I agree there could have been more action, but I feel like we're going to get a lot of that moving forward based on events that happened at the end, so hopefully book 2 will have all the action you want. Also, I need more Kaidan immediately:) Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I've been hearing some good things about this...so that's good you mostly enjoyed it. Anna sounds a bit hard to handle for awhile there...I can't imagine someone being THAT good, but oh boy, Kaiden? Now he sounds lovely! LOL
ReplyDeleteLauren from www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
Lovely review, Shirley! <3 This book sounds really interesting despite not being very original and Anna sounds like a goody-two-shoes but at least she grew on you :) Phwoar, Kaiden sounds incredibly A-MAZING... 'bedroom eyes'? Definitely got me interested there and I love guys in books who eventually open up and allow their personalities to shine through. Glad you enjoyed it and I'm gonna have to check my library for this one... your description of Kaiden is enough to persaude me ;)
ReplyDeleteI've missed your posts but I hope your exams are going well, Shirley <3
HOT with an extra T? I must meet this Kaiden soon. ;) Amazing review, Shirley! Even thought the overall plot disappointed you - I think I might feel the same as I like a bit of action - the rest sounds great! I'm glad you thouhgt it was a fantastic debut! :D
ReplyDelete