Monday, April 30, 2012

Review: Sweet Evil

Book: Sweet Evil
Author: Wendy Higgins
Series: N/A
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 445
Source: HarperCollins Canada (Thank you so much!)
Stars: 4/5
What if there were teens whose lives depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.  
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 it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip to meet her father forces Anna to face the reality that hope and love are not options for her kind. When she confronts her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns? 
(summary taken from Goodreads
MY THOUGHTS: 

This has to be one of the best angel books to ever hit the shelves! Not just because the angel lore was completely original or because there's a boy with an English accent, but because Wendy Higgins must be an angel in disguise since she writes them so well.

In Sweet Evil, the sole purpose of Nephilim is to be a bad influence to humans. But that's not as easy as it sounds when the angel hierarchy is so complicated. When we learn everything along with Anna in the beginning, it's hard not to say, "Wow!" because the lore is captivating. And the demon action, especially in the end? It will give you chills!

At first I didn't know what to think of Anna. She seemed too good and too sweet at times to be real. But she grew on me so fast and showed how even though she wasn't outwardly bad-ass, she was still one of the strongest, most determined heroines out there. She stood her ground when most girls wouldn't have, and I ended up adoring her completely.

Her romance with the English-accented Kaidan Rowe (son of the demon of Lust) may take front and center once they take off on a road trip together to find out more about Anna's past, but it's in no way overwhelming! It's the sweet, not-so-innocent pull between opposites that will make you grin. Along with the fantastic interactions with their demonic fathers and with their friends, Sweet Evil is filled with well-written relationships.

Both sweet and sensual, Sweet Evil is an angel book that will steal your breath, your heart, and maybe a little bit of your innocence at the exact same time. It took a few chapters to hook me in (although that may have to do with the fact I read it after a particularly epic book), but in the end, it was AWESOME and I'd definitely recommend it!

BUY or BORROW?: English boy fan? Buy it! Angel book fan? Buy it! All-books-in-general fan? Buy it! I think you know where I'm going with this... ;)

-Mimi

P.S. On a side note, if I was a Nephilim girl born from one of the twelve Dukes (for the seven deadly sins plus a few additional ones)... I'd probably be a glutton for books, if that's possible! x)

42 comments:

  1. Whoa, how can I not read this book after seeing high praise?! This SO sounds like my kind of thing. Lovely review!

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  2. I can't wait to read this book. I've already preordered my copy because of the high praises and much love for it. Anyway great review!

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  3. well you got me with "the best book angel". You're terrible lol I need to read it! Great review mimi, thanks now I have another book in my wishlist lol.

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  4. OMG im dying for this book! I seriously cannot wait to read this book Mimi, glad that you enjoyed it! Great review<3. And also loved that cover! <3

    Ƹ̴Ӂ̴ƷFICBOOKREVIEWSƸ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ

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  5. Another angel book to add to my ever growing research pile. The angel mythology in this one sounds really intriguing. I can't wait to find out what it's all about. Don't you just love a guy with an accent? I always picture Ben Barnes if he's English :)

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  6. Omg I can't wait to read this book! I love the cover and it just looks amazing! I'm glad you liked it!

    ~Emily@Emily's Crammed Bookshelf

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  7. This book has been popping up everywhere and I'm so glad that you enjoyed it! As well as being in a vampire funk I seem to be in an angel funk too, (nothing's been as good as Hallowed). But this sounds freaking amazing, here's to hoping I enjoy it too! Wonderful review Mimi! :)

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  8. Wait, Mimi... if you mentioned -> English boy fan? then you must know which British boys I'm thinking straight away. The five hot guys disguised as human that shows me direction LOL! ;)

    My incoherent thought aside, you successfully have written another AWESOME review! I'm craving more amazing-looking angel books, and this sounds like the one I would totally fall in love with! <3 Sweet and sensual? Oooh, I'm sold!! So glad you enjoyed this book, Mimi! <3

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  9. This book sounds really good!

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  10. Oh Mimi what an excellent review! I love everything about this book and so can't wait to read it, just waiting on my copy to arrive. Different Angel lore has to be my new favorite genre lately. It's so hard to find great books about them, but when you do they always rise above what I thought. Plus, who can resist a guy with an accent? :)

    Thank you for sharing Mimi - your reviews always make me super excited to read the book! Have a great Monday! <3<3<3

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  11. I was exicted about this book, and after reading your review I even MORE exited! If that's possible, aha. XD Eeee, Kaidan sounds like my type of guy! ;) I haven't had much luck with angel stories, but this sounds fab.

    Awesome review. <3

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  12. Mimi, I like the way you do words! I'm glad that even though it took you a few chapters to get into the book, it more than made for it in the end. This sounds like a FANTASTIC angel book. The relationship sounds super sweet and Anna seems lovely! Who can resist the lure of an English boy? Love your review x

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  13. SERIOUSLY. You want to kill me, right? Gosh I'm so desperately excitedly waiting for this book. It was shipped last week, but Spain is VERY far (supposedly) so you can see me here everyday practically stalking the man who brings the mail.

    Anyways! Ugh. I want to read it now. You make the main characters sound way awesome, and I can't wait to see all that angel-demon thing is pulled out! Kaidan really seems like the kind of boy that will make me add the book to my "perfect book boyfriend" shelf. And English-accented? *dies* Hahahaha I like that part of "All-books-in-general fan". Glad I bought it! :D

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  14. This sounds like a very different kind of angel book with a very intricately created world; I've been eying this for a while and I think I might really enjoy it. At the least, I do enjoy a cute British boy :)

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  15. YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! I loved this book so much Mimi! Kaidan? *dies just thinking about him* I was originally worried when I read the synopsis that Anna was going to be too naive and innocent for me, but like you said, she grew on me very quickly and proved she had more of a backbone than I initially thought. Fabulous review Mimi, so glad you're having a love affair with this book too:)

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  16. I need to read this book! I added it to my to-read list a couple of months ago and now that I read your review, it's killing me. The cover is gorgeous, the plot sounds amazing and the characters seem awesome according to you. What more could I ask?

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  17. I am a huge sucker for a good angel book! And an english accent. LOL I can't wait for my pre-order to arrive and finally read this book!!! Great review Mimi!

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  18. Oh gosh honey, I love your reviews so freaking much!!! Truly! adore them! I'm glad you ended up loving Anna so much, I truly think Anna was Wendy's masterpiece in this book. She maneged to take a stereotype and so very cliché girl that is too good to be ture, cannot even say a single lie without feeling bad and turn her into this wonderful person that simply was genuine, strong and adorabel!

    Of course, there is Wendy's epic masterpiece that is Kaidan, but... ..uhn... *swoons*

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  19. "or because there's a boy with an English accent,"

    LOL! Are you sure that his accent isn't the reason?

    Sweet Night, I've been seeing this book everywhere, and since I'm not so much into angels, I didn't really think it was for me, but then reviews started popping up and all of them have been glowing, and everyone mentions how delicious Kaidan is and well, I can't help myself. I need to read this now! I love romances that inspire maniacal grinning. :D

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  20. I'm dying to read this one! It sounds so good, plus the cover is really pretty as well. I've been hearing a lot about Kaidan and his relationship with Anna sounds sweet. I'll definitely have to pick up a copy of this one soon. Great review :)

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  21. I cant wait to get a copy of this a read it sounds amazing! Plus I lovve that cover.I fab review mimi :)

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  22. AAAAAHH mimi. I love your reviews. So, I'm not an angel book kind of girl. I don't really like the concept and the few I've tried have really disappointed me. I will, however, be keeping this one on my radar. The romance sounds like something I'd love (even though I don't prefer the bad boy kind of romance), and the story sounds intriguing. Thanks for being awesome and writing awesome reviews!!! :D

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  23. I really want this book now! I have been reading all kinds of epic reviews. Sounds like you loved it but you aren't gushing as much as Jenny and Danny. Did you get my emails?

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  24. I've read quite a good reviews of this book, though I have to say I was kind of hesitant to pick it up at first. For some reason, I have not lucked out in the angel book department. Still, I don't know how I can pass on this one when so many bloggers are saying good things! :)

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  25. Uh-oh! Did someone mention an English accent? Sign me up!
    Seriously, point me to a girl who doesn't have a soft spot for English boys and I'll give her a medal and secretly think she's weird. Prince Harry, helloooo! Yum
    I'm kind of starting to fear books with dresses on the cover, so I try to stay away unless someone recommends them. Now that I know you liked this, I'll make sure to grab a copy first opportunity I get.
    I love a herione that is silent, but brave. Not too sassy, but wit a backbone, and you made Anna sound exactly like that.
    Thank you for another amazing review, Mimi! <3 <3 <3

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  26. I love the idea that the Nephilim are supposed to be a bad influence. And Kaidan the son of a lust demon ohhhhh hot! LOL And I love road trips. Sounds like winner. I've read nothing but amazing review so far and I love the storyline. I think I will enjoy this one.

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  27. Maybe being from England plays a part in this, but boys with English accents don't appeal to me any more than other guys. :P Boys with American accents on the other hand... ;)

    Awesome review Mimi! Admittedly I first only wanted this book because of the gorgeous cover and angel books were pretty hit and miss with me, but now agfter all the great reviews, I can't wait to read this! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :)

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  28. awesome review mimi

    i wanted this1 i can't remember since when
    i long to finally meet anna and kaidan

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  29. Amazing review, Mimi <3. Very fun to read. I am reading this right now and you echo so many of my current feelings for this book and I am such a sucker for guys with English accents <3 Gets me every time LOL.

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  30. Ohh, I'm SOOO buying it! No doubt about it. o.o I neeeeed it. Like now!! Gosh, I get way to teased for this one and *squee* it just sounds fantastic. Not long now. ;) As always: fantastic review!

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  31. Great review Mimi!! Love it!! I can't wait to buy this book, it has seriously been on my need list for a very long time!!! Between the English accent and the highly original take on angle lore you have me in wanting more lol

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  32. Like I said before, you had me at English accent! I can't wait to read this Mimi! Excellent review. :)

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  33. Sounds wonderful! i love, love it when opposites attract in stories! Fantastic review! I am also a book-buyin/reading glutton and proud to be!

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  34. "Both sweet and sensual, Sweet Evil is an angel book that will steal your breath, your heart, and maybe a little bit of your innocence at the exact same time." -- What a way to sell this! Haha, I'm convinced. I'll be on the look out for this. I also love what you said about how Anna "stood her ground". I feel like females characters are much too easily swayed in books...its so frggin' annoying. Anyway, this was such a fun review, Mimi!

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  35. Ha ha! I'm glutton for books too!
    Ive seen lots of good for this one! I will definitely picking it up at some point. Maybe I'll get a coupon soon. So happy you loved it!

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  36. All of these reviews are torturing me sooooo badly - can't wait for my copy of SWEET EVIL to arrive later this week. I already know that I'll completely ignore my reading schedule and devour this as fast as possible.

    Lovely review! I'm really glad that you loved this so much and your descriptions of this story make the wait almost unbearable. ;)

    Carina
    Fictional Distraction

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  37. Damnit Mimi, seriously. You are SO freaking persuasive!!! I read a bit of this, but I think I was in a serious book funk at the time and nothing was working for me =\ Since you loved it SO flipping much, I am likely to give it another go eventually :D I AM a sucker for a good angel book, afterall. And it's hard to resist when awesome reviewers like yourself are raving about it! FANTASTIC REVIEW!

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  38. Oh man, I need to read this book like NOW! Every time I see that cover I immediately find myself freaking out inside over how excited I am to buy this book. I think you just pushed me over the edge...this book will be bought very soon! Thanks for your review, Mimi!

    Darlene @ Leather Bound and Lovely

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  39. HAHAHAHHA "Angel in disguise" LOL!!! Gahhhh this sounds SO AMAZING<333 I'm a little hesitant about reading angel books nowadays, since so many have proved to be..well...disappointing :S BUT I THINK I'LL LOVE THIS ONE!!! HOLY CRAP. A GUY WITH AN ENGLISH-ACCENT? Oh GOD. I NEED TO MEET KAIDAN! (heh, he even has an ORIGINAL and awesome name!) Eeeeeeeeee! I hope my copy arrives soon :D I'm so excited to start this now :)
    Fabulous review Mimi!!! I'm sooo glad you loved this<3

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  40. English boys and Angels, count me in! I love an English accent! <3 Thanks for the review, Mimi! I know more about this book and it makes me even more excited :D I really can't wait to read it. I'm glad that you liked it!

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  41. Wait, how did I miss your SWEET EVIL review? Let me correct that now! I feel the same way as you did about this book - it really captivated me after a few chapters. Between Anna growing on me, and me falling for Kai along WITH her, then the mythos that Wendy Higgins created, well, SWEET EVIL turned out to be a really awesome, special read for me. I'm pretty much going into withdrawals awaiting ANY news of a sequel.

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  42. My excitement for this book is off the hook. Seriously.

    And then you go and write... well.. THIS.

    Ummm... MY EXCITEMENT LEVELS NOW? I'm about to explode. It sounds AMAZING, and... well, AMAZING. I love the idea of lore, and that the nephilim exist to be evil, basically, and AAAAH! *DIES*

    AMAZING review, Mimi! ♥

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Thanks so much for leaving your thoughts! I love hearing what you have to say, and I always try to comment on one of your blog posts in return! :)

It's really nice to meet you!