First Impressions

[Candy33]

The prologue kinda confused me at first, but as I get more into the book it seems more important. So far a very good book.

[ReadingPatti]

rubkie, I started the book. I am not sure what the opening scene has to do with to story. At least not yet. At first I thought that Chauncey was pledged his fealty to two possbiltities. One was a king and then the other came to mine, the devil. I hope this is not a spoiler.,

I am still triying to get a sense of the characters.

Patch seens arrogant and seems to know a lot about Nora.

Nora deifinitely does not like Patch. He won't reveal things about himself and gets her very upset.

Vee, is Nora best firend and I think she sounds like a typical teenager who likes boys.

I am liking this story and want to know more about what is going to happen.

ReadingPatti

[ReadingPatti]

Debbie, I like you take on this book. I am not sure yet what the opening has to do with the story, but I am sure that as we read it will be revealed.

I like the characters. I am beginning to think that Patch is there to keep Nora safe for some reason, although he is irradiating Nora by knowing things about her.

Nora claims she does not like Patch but I think that she is secretly in like and much to her dismay she is liking him more than she wants to.

Vee is a typical teenager. She like cute boys. But what teenager girl doesn't.

I am anxious to know more about these characters and what the story is going to tell us.

I am really liking this book. I don't read many teen reads. But this one is very well written and I think that this author a great future writing great teen reads.

I agree the author deffinitely knows her characters and it shows in her writing. This is a valuable talent for a writer. To be able to project characters so well that we get to know them very well. WOW. is all I can say.

ReadingPatti

[mgmama33]

I really enjoyed the idea of the flashback to start the book.  I was reading and trying to tie it all in from the beginning.  I tend to really enjoy books that start with a back story and bring you to modern times.

[Zeal]

The prologue really intrigued me.  Both characters introduced seemed to be evil in some mysterious way.  I felt as if Chauncey was getting just what he deserved by being made to be subservient to the boy after the way he had mistreated women.  What service will the boy demand of him in the future?

The graveyard setting in the rain was perfect for this scene and helped to create the dark, mysterious tone that pulled me right into the moment.  The two dark scars that formed the upside down "V" added to the mystery surrounding the boy.  Who is this boy?  I am unfamiliar with the concept of "fallen angels."  That also interested me immediately.

The cover is perfect for the prologue, and I am sure the rest of the book!  This must be the fallen angel, the boy, and it illustrates the dark, evil side of the character.

When I turned the page to the first chapter from the prologue, I actually said, "What?"  It was such a shock to find myself fast forwarded into modern times that I actually turned the page back and reread the date, etc.  It was almost as if I had started a completely different book, but I liked it!!  The sharp contrast grabbed my interest even more, and I couldn't wait to find out how the two were connected.

[Sonia_523]

While I understand the need to put context to the relationship, it seemed as if the writing style between the 1565 and modern chapter completely switched.  The historical introduction was difficult to follow.  The more contemporary setting brought with it an easy-to-read, quicker pace.

[bschoeck]

When I began reading and it said that it was taking place in the 1500's, I was not excited at all.  However, I loved how it switched so quickly to the present day.  The beginning, where Nora and Patch become partners in Chemistry made me think of the scene with Bella and Edward in their science class in TWILIGHT. 

Can't wait to read more...

[CynsBooks]

I loved the prologue and the fact that it took place in the 1500s was intriguing. I wasn't expecting the story to switch to present day in the next chapter but the way it was set up certainly kept me interested and wanting to find out what was going on with the characters!

My first impression of Chauncey was that he held a strong sense of entitlement and to have someone else (the mysterious boy) come into the picture who did not follow his orders was clearly something he wasn't used to. I found myself drawn to the mysterious boy...curious about who he was and what kind of control/power he had.

[daisy03]

Hi ya'll, I didn't know what to make of the prologue, but Chauncey is definitely a bad boy who finds out he is half angel. That would be kind of trippy and on top of that he's given a mission by a mysterious and possibly fallen angel. When Patch shows up in the next chapter I thought perhaps Chauncey is Patch........could be me but both seem to have the same approach toward women......but Patch (as a name) doesn't strike me as sexy or dangerous, I have a mental picture of Richie Cunningham, for those of you who remember Happy Days on TV.....a red headed, freckle face boy next door type....

[mv5ocean]

---

rkubie wrote:

Hi all,

For those of you just opening the novel, this is a thread to get started with. What do you make of our opening scene in 1565? What impression do you get of Chauncey, or the mysterious boy who seems to be able to manipulate him?

Well the scene immediately starts out dark, dreary and in a rainy cemetery so I was completely hooked..........

Was is jarring to turn the page and find yourself in a contemporary setting? What might the opening tell us about the novel to come?

Although I was intrigued by the opening segment, I certainly was thrilled to find that the story quickly moved to the present day. My son and I feel like the writer's style is so easy to understand compared to others in his age group of recommended reading.

I must say that we are both thoroughly enjoying each and every page of this book and finding it very hard to put down to even stop and join in on the discussion.............lol

Remember, no spoilers in this thread, please!

---

[Linnnniee]

When I first started reading the Prologue, I started to wonder if Chauncy was going to be Patch.  I was not liking him at all!~ I thougt pahleeese dont tell me he is giong to be our "hero".  So already my mind was thinking ahead. Who will this person turn out to be. And what will the Service be???? 

AS to the change of time frame. I had no problem. I enjoyed the quick swithc into Nora's world.

[Think-Im-Liste…]

the intro was quite possibly the best part of the book. it made me think, oh maybe this won't be a story with a relationship based on nothing and there might be a good plot etc.. How wrong was i?I wish she had more action in the story instead of a weak ending and a manipulation you dont really know until the end

[dk_phoenix]

I found the prologue compelling, and am looking forward to returning to that (hopefully) in some way or another later in the book... or at least getting some clarification on who/what/when/where/how/why. I like prologues that mean something... as opposed to just an info dump... so it was intriguing to see a bit of mystery and setup in the first few pages. It wasn't partiularly jarring to then turn to present day - I think cover & description of the story implied a contemporary setting - but rather, it was a bit surprising to have a prologue set in the past instead. Above all... it made me curious & want to keep reading!

[dangermouse]

Unlike most of the other readers, I LOVE the opening scene set in the 1500's.  It adds a gravitas to the book that is unexpected in a teen-oriented title.  I'm about a quarter through the book and I'm not sure how I feel at this point.  At times it feels like a conventional teen title but at other times I love the dark edges with the still mysterious Patch.

[wrmbreeze]

I enjoyed this book so much. I liked the prologue, it was just enough to get you sucked into the story. I can't wait for more from Becca.

[lasha908]

i wasnt sure what to expect, the setting opened up and i was immediately drawn into the story. Becca is a great writer and i look forward to her next book!!

[Kathy17]

Okay, this is more of an almost-last impression since I only have 30 pages to go. I'm one of the few who really liked the mystery the prologue added to the book ... and I'm loving how I'm just now finding out how it all ties in. That being said, thus far I have mixed feelings about this book. Regardless of what my final opinion turns out to be, I do give Becca credit for creating a page turner. I do think this book will appeal to her target audience (teen girls).

[Sarima89]

The introduction is very good, it helps you to understand the story,  It makes you think, because after reading it you know that the past is important for the plot and adds mystery to the book.

I think it is quite good.

[FallingOffTheS…]

I would have to say that after reading the introduction, I was thinking that it was going to have a more historical setting to it.  I don't mind this...I actually love historicals, it was just a surprise.  I was glad it went into a more modern time though, because I can relate more to the characters and such.