(clicking on the cover will take you to Goodreads!) | Title: Aquila: From The Darkness Author: T. L. Searle Published on: January 1st 2014 Genre: Fantasy Author's blog Part of a series?: Aquila #1 |
Seventeen year old Aqua Vickers lives a secluded life in the English countryside. She keeps herself that way, hiding in plain sight, out of fear. She has no idea where she came from or what she is, she just knows she isn't human. Her mother is convinced she's an angel, but does having wings make you an angel? Sharp, angular and intimidating black wings?
The only other person Aqua has let into her life is Aaron, her best friend. They've grown up together, shared every milestone and Aqua's feelings for him have developed into something more. In a moment of impulse, Aqua revels her true nature. Aaron freaks, hurting Aqua so badly that she flees into the night.
Lucas has been watching and waiting. As an Angeli Tail it is his job to be a spy; and he's been ordered to watch Aqua. Lost and vulnerable above the clouds, Aqua is reaching exhaustion. When Lucas offers her the answers she seeks, she follows him impulsively.
In a city, carved into the rock of a mountain, Aqua discovers she's not as alone as she thought; and her life has been rooted on a bed of lies and deception. In her absence, her home is attacked and her mother taken. With this new enemy intent on her capture and new family who aren't all welcoming, Aqua must integrate and train with the Angeli Guard if she has any hope of rescuing her mother from the hands of the Dragone.
The Angeli Guard Master is unforgiving and ruthless, allowing Aqua little rest from his relentless and painful training exercises. Aqua can barely stand to look at him, but can't seem to exterminate the butterflies she feels when he's around.
War is coming but Aqua's battles may need to be fought closer to home.
The only other person Aqua has let into her life is Aaron, her best friend. They've grown up together, shared every milestone and Aqua's feelings for him have developed into something more. In a moment of impulse, Aqua revels her true nature. Aaron freaks, hurting Aqua so badly that she flees into the night.
Lucas has been watching and waiting. As an Angeli Tail it is his job to be a spy; and he's been ordered to watch Aqua. Lost and vulnerable above the clouds, Aqua is reaching exhaustion. When Lucas offers her the answers she seeks, she follows him impulsively.
In a city, carved into the rock of a mountain, Aqua discovers she's not as alone as she thought; and her life has been rooted on a bed of lies and deception. In her absence, her home is attacked and her mother taken. With this new enemy intent on her capture and new family who aren't all welcoming, Aqua must integrate and train with the Angeli Guard if she has any hope of rescuing her mother from the hands of the Dragone.
The Angeli Guard Master is unforgiving and ruthless, allowing Aqua little rest from his relentless and painful training exercises. Aqua can barely stand to look at him, but can't seem to exterminate the butterflies she feels when he's around.
War is coming but Aqua's battles may need to be fought closer to home.
(I received a review copy of Aquila: From the Darkness -thank you!- in exchange for an honest review. My review is written in my own opinion and is uninfluenced by anyone.)
Aquila: From The Darkness started off with an interesting premise, as most books do. Within the first pages, I was introduced to Aqua and her strange abilities, which really sparked some interest in me. Aqua and her mother lives in a quiet, secluded area due to her having wings, which the majority of people might not respond well to. The only person that Aqua has ever actively interacted with -other than her mother, of course- is Aaron, whom she has a crush on, except that her love for him is unrequited...or is it? We may never know. Best friends for life, Aaron and Aqua tell each other everything, save for one thing...Aqua has never told him about her wings and somewhat inhuman abilities, nor has she gathered up the courage to do so. On Aaron's birthday party, Aqua finally gives Aaron a full-on display of her wings -yes, including boobs and all- to explain why she ran away after their first kiss. Aaron freaks out which leads to Aqua flying away to -what? She doesn't know, until someone who has wings follows her and suggests to bring Aqua to their residence, their city, where Aqua eventually decides to stay at. Everyone there has wings and special abilities, and they're not human - instead, they're called the Angeli.
While this story clicked well with other readers on Goodreads, I had quite a hard time reading it. The main problem was Aqua. I simply did not like her at all. Her decisions, thoughts, and actions seemed childlish to me, and I could not understand nor accept her decision to overthrow the Script, which is a set of rules that the Angeli follow. Who does she thinks she is? No, seriously! These people have been living there for all their lives and she, someone who has just started living there for a few months, plans to rid their beliefs? Her notions and theories on why she hates the Script are plausible but not in-depth. Aqua could be praised of her headstrong nature, but I say she's a tad too impulsive. Her feelings change like the weather without much explanation, and not in a good way.
I'd like to address the romance. Yes, there's a love triangle in this story -there's a little eye-rolling in there, just a bit, but not because every other book out there has a love triangle. Similar to the plot, the love triangle in this story is confusing, muddled, and not very enjoyable for that matter. There's Aqua, there's Aaron, and of course, the hot, alluring male. Sexy-hot-male hates Aqua with a passion the second he laid eyes on her because it was discovered that Aqua...is not as alike to the Angeli as they thought. He treats her like dog poop, and Aqua is caused much discomfort by this. Turns out he was just pretending, because after a few fights he confesses his love for Aqua and BAM. Everything goes back to normal, and just like that, they're having secret kissing sessions when they're supposed to be training. (Oops. Forgot to tell you sexy god's name - it's Liam.)
While this story clicked well with other readers on Goodreads, I had quite a hard time reading it. The main problem was Aqua. I simply did not like her at all. Her decisions, thoughts, and actions seemed childlish to me, and I could not understand nor accept her decision to overthrow the Script, which is a set of rules that the Angeli follow. Who does she thinks she is? No, seriously! These people have been living there for all their lives and she, someone who has just started living there for a few months, plans to rid their beliefs? Her notions and theories on why she hates the Script are plausible but not in-depth. Aqua could be praised of her headstrong nature, but I say she's a tad too impulsive. Her feelings change like the weather without much explanation, and not in a good way.
I'd like to address the romance. Yes, there's a love triangle in this story -there's a little eye-rolling in there, just a bit, but not because every other book out there has a love triangle. Similar to the plot, the love triangle in this story is confusing, muddled, and not very enjoyable for that matter. There's Aqua, there's Aaron, and of course, the hot, alluring male. Sexy-hot-male hates Aqua with a passion the second he laid eyes on her because it was discovered that Aqua...is not as alike to the Angeli as they thought. He treats her like dog poop, and Aqua is caused much discomfort by this. Turns out he was just pretending, because after a few fights he confesses his love for Aqua and BAM. Everything goes back to normal, and just like that, they're having secret kissing sessions when they're supposed to be training. (Oops. Forgot to tell you sexy god's name - it's Liam.)
HOLD YOUR HORSES RIGHT THERE, PEOPLE! What about the apologies? That's what I dislike so much about this story - everything happens suddenly without credibility! What...what about Aqua being half-dragone?
But then, a series of events happen, Aaron avoids meeting with Aqua, and still she worries about him! I mean - what the - the boy hurt her and did not even properly apologize!
I AM SO DONE WITH THE ROMANCE.
(and I'm so sorry if you're already confused)
(and I'm so sorry if you're already confused)
Moving on to the storyline. It would've be a lot - TONS - better (for me, at least) if the events that happened made sense. For fear of spoiling the story I won't go into the details, but more often than not I felt differently from what the author was trying to convey - may it be through conversation, characterization, or just the plot in general. Events where the author was trying to invoke feelings of concern felt fake and bland; self-determination came off as being uncooperative and obstinate. August (Aqua's long-lost brother. Don't even ask.) made Aqua look like a grown-up, which didn't help at all. The rest of the characters were slightly -if not more- better. Lucas was quite friendly and charming -for a guy who had stalked Aqua for a few months before deciding to let her know about the Angeli.
The ending was a huge improvement. The story was kind of going on a monotone for me - a few interesting events would happen which levelled out the exasperation I felt for Aqua. I was waiting for something to happen but the plot twist came so abruptly I was not prepared. Now I'm simply curious as to what happens to Aqua in the next book, but for the most part, this was my reaction to the story -
The ending was a huge improvement. The story was kind of going on a monotone for me - a few interesting events would happen which levelled out the exasperation I felt for Aqua. I was waiting for something to happen but the plot twist came so abruptly I was not prepared. Now I'm simply curious as to what happens to Aqua in the next book, but for the most part, this was my reaction to the story -
*not happy*
Anyhoo, the story's interesting if you look at it another way, and I'm sure readers will still be attracted to the plot and characters. This book just wasn't for me, but it has potential to grab another reader's attention.
Love strong-willed characters in stories? Or do you love reading about characters that are angels and have special capabilities? With them living and working together as an organization? Then you may like this book!
my rating for Aquila: From the Darkness:
Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars.