Review of "Broken Wings" by Shannon Dittemore

Rating: 4.5 Stars

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Review:  "Broken Wings" is the anticipated second novel in Shannon Dittemore's "Angel Eyes" trilogy.  Dittemore employs more powerful imagery in "Broken Wings" and digs deeper into the celestial realm of angels and demons.  There are scenes that I can only describe as chilling, and sometimes I had to limit my reading to the daylight hours versus bedtime. From the first scene, set in the dark depths of Abaddon, a sense of foreboding begins to thread its way through the pages. The forces of evil are stronger and more prevalent, but the heavenly forces also make their presence more visible. The once quiet town of Stratus is soon a battlefield in the war of good versus evil.  Lurking danger and lingering mysteries drive the plot forward until an ending that leaves me anxious for the final novel in the series.  

Dittemore's characterization of fear was particularly powerful in "Angel Eyes."  Fear remains a tangible and pervasive weapon of evil in "Broken Wings." Through Brielle's eyes, Dittemore shows how quickly fear can overtake and paralyze us and spread to others.  We are all engaged in our own personal battles with fears, but the "Angel Eyes" trilogy shows it in a new perspective.

Like with "Angel Eyes," I found myself pulled into the lives of Brielle and Jake and the challenges surrounding them. Dittemore adds new dimensions to Brielle's relationships with her father and Jake. There is more insight into Brielle's background and her deceased mother. While some questions are answered, new mysteries arise, awaiting a resolution in the next book. Brielle's faith is new and definitely tested in "Broken Wings."  Although Brielle is gifted with Celestial vision and has witnessed the glory and power of angels and the decay of demons, she still questions God's ultimate plan.  Her doubts make her a real and relatable character; and the reader can learn with Brielle that even humans with "broken wings" can fight against the negative forces in the world. 

I highly recommend "Angel Eyes" and "Broken Wings" to young adults and adults. They are equally engaging reads with romance, action, and depth.  

I received a complimentary e-copy of this novel from NetGalley, courtesy of  Thomas Nelson. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Summary from Thomas Nelson: Angels with wings of blade. Demons with renewed sight. And a girl who has never been more broken.

Brielle has begun to see the world as it really is, a place where angels intermingle with humans. But just when she thinks she’s got things under control, the life she’s pieced together begins to crumble.

Her boyfriend, Jake, is keeping something from her. Something important.

And her overprotective father has turned downright hostile toward Jake. Brielle fears she’ll have to choose between the man who’s always loved her and the one who’s captured her heart.

Then she unearths the truth about her mother’s death and the nightmare starts. Brielle begins seeing visions of mysterious and horrible things.

What she doesn’t know is that she’s been targeted. The Prince of Darkness himself has heard of the boy with healing in his hands and of the girl who saw through the Terrestrial veil. When he pulls the demon Damien from the fiery chasm and sends him back to Earth with new eyes, the stage is set for the ultimate battle of good versus evil.

Brielle has no choice. She must master the weapons she’s been given. She must fight. But can she fly with broken wings?

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