16 Dec 2011 1 Comment

In The Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane

In the Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Harlequin (April 1, 2011)

Two years ago, Brenna did the unthinkable. She witnessed the aftermath of a murder and accused her only true friend–the first boy she ever loved–of being a killer.

Now sixteen, Brenna returns to Oklahoma only to discover that Isaac “White Bird” Henry isn’t in juvie. The half-breed outcast is in a mental hospital, frozen in time, locked in his mind at the worst moment of his life. And when Brenna touches him, she’s pulled into his hellish vision quest, seeing terrifying demons and illusions she doesn’t understand.

Feeling isolated and alone, she’s up against the whole town, targeted by bullying former classmates, a bigoted small town sheriff, and a tribe who refuses to help one of their own. But when Brenna realizes she’s as trapped by the past as White Bird is, this time she won’t turn her back on him. She’s the only one who can free them both.

Even if she has to expose her secret–a “gift” she’s kept hidden her whole life.

Rarely do I have the chance to sit and chat with an author at great lengths about their novel but this was one of those rare moments. Jordan discussed her break-out YA novel in great detail, driving my need to read it through the roof. The cover alone was quite intriguing, with a mysterious quality that beckons you to flip to page one and beyond.

So… it begins with a girl making a choice that leaves her in complete turmoil. Brenna battles with her decision for two years, until she has no choice but to face the choice she made and her friend, Whitebird, that was on the negative end of the choice. She returns to the small town of Shawano, Oklahoma where, almost immediately, she finds her welcome in the town has run out. Facing the past is becoming more dangerous with each breathe she takes. Will she survive the obstacles before her?

I’m down for a good mystery suspense with paranormal qualities, and Jordan Dane has delved out a portion of each, blended together so well you are transported into the story yourself. Brenna is an unbelievably strong character. Every book has one but Brenna takes the cake; she rocks strength like I’ve never seen it before. The things she faces throughout the 313 pages will shock you and have you reeling for more.

The events that take place can be split into two categories. The first would be the magical qualities that deal with the Indian culture that gives the story a uniqueness that will blow your mind in the end. The second is that human beings can and will do just about anything to each other for reasons that will definitely make you shake your head in disgust.

Jordan Dane is the queen of suspense in my opinion. She created a YA novel that has the flare of an adult suspense/mystery novel with the heart of YA. I’m still completely stunned by the ending. Trust me when I say you won’t see it coming. I thought I knew how it would all end. I was wrong. I can only say that “In The Arms Of Stone Angels” should be on everyone’s must-read list, passing this one up would be a huge mistake. You Rock, Jordan!!

by Jennifer in Reviews, Young Adult Tags: , ,