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kellywriting's review
4.0
With the look of a typical urban fantasy these days, Highborn doesn't disappoint. The book is elevated by solid writing, and starts with a (literal) bang to get the action moving! There are a few rough edges to the book, but it's a great read that draws you in and keeps you moving. Definitely worth your time!
bookladysreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Well...to be honest, I dind't expect this book to be SO GOOD...No,something much more than good.After reading Insurgent,I was looking for something really "strong"...with a lot of action and weird stuff.I wanted to get excited...and I did.From the first pages of this book,there was this feeling...It was like the heroine passed her feelings...especially the adrenaline to me.I was so eager to see what was going to happen and I was like...No I won't read anything because I want it to last..and then you'd see me holdling the book and reading until I finished it.I really tried to keep myself from reading it but there was no use.Who can stay like that when in front of him, he or she had a book with a sexy and independent heroine who ACTUALLY escaped from Hell and tries to find Redemption. The plot was really unique and I was really surprised about the end. It was really sad that the girl died. Imagine that you give everything you have to protect someone, and then something happens and that person dies leaving you there...feeling like all those things you did didn't matter.The only thing that isn't clear in this book is Brynna's relationship with Lucifer.Was she his lover or what?Why does he want her back so badly?Alright it was obvious that Lucifer was her lover or something but...I don't know.I waited for Brynna to tell her story something that never actually happenned.I tried really hard to find a book that suited me and now I'll have to start all over again...Anyway...I think Brynna and Eran are the perfect couple.In my opinion,Brynna will find the redemption she seeks in the end.At least I hope so because she really deserves it!!!
chllybrd's review
4.0
Full review posted at http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com/
Brynna has escaped from Hell and is looking for redemption. She is being hunted by Hells hunters right from the start. In the beginning she witnesses a murder and ends up being arrested by Detective Eran Redmond and he ends up helping set her out with clothes and a job and they slowly start gravitating towards being more than friends. Eran of course at first doesn't believe her when she tells him who she is and what exactly is killing people. Brynna is adjusting to the human world and pretty naive when it comes to modern things. She is so used to life in hell that she is very detached from human emotion. She really knows how to kick butt and ends up helping a lot more people then she probably planned to. Her big mission in this book is attached to the character Mireva who is a Nephalim (half angel/half Human) and 17 year old High School student who is trying to get a full scholarship to go to collage as her family cant afford to send her to the kind of collage she wants to attend. Brynna's character was great and defiantly not the typical heroine which was kinda a nice change from the norm. Concrete Savior, book two will be released in June 2011 and I defiantly plan to continue the series.
Brynna has escaped from Hell and is looking for redemption. She is being hunted by Hells hunters right from the start. In the beginning she witnesses a murder and ends up being arrested by Detective Eran Redmond and he ends up helping set her out with clothes and a job and they slowly start gravitating towards being more than friends. Eran of course at first doesn't believe her when she tells him who she is and what exactly is killing people. Brynna is adjusting to the human world and pretty naive when it comes to modern things. She is so used to life in hell that she is very detached from human emotion. She really knows how to kick butt and ends up helping a lot more people then she probably planned to. Her big mission in this book is attached to the character Mireva who is a Nephalim (half angel/half Human) and 17 year old High School student who is trying to get a full scholarship to go to collage as her family cant afford to send her to the kind of collage she wants to attend. Brynna's character was great and defiantly not the typical heroine which was kinda a nice change from the norm. Concrete Savior, book two will be released in June 2011 and I defiantly plan to continue the series.
roseanswers's review
4.0
Rating: 4 and a half star, because i couldn't decide whether i love this book or just simply like it.
In the beginning, i was expecting a lot from the book, but the first fifty pages were kind of boring. I couldn't really relate to the characters, and the book really didn't show any sign of development. Then, it suddenly became more exciting. The characters started to open more up (Redmond, Bryanna, etc.) and it was very interesting to read.
In the beginning, Bryanna seemed like a boring, not-feeling person, that didn't really care about anything. She seemed so unfamiliar, i couldn't really read her. But i loved how she developed herself, from being cold to being a warm feeling human!
And Redmond, who went from hardcore police inspector, to being a man with feelings and faith.
The ending was very sad, and surprised we very much. Though almost the whole book, i was wondering "Is Mireva going to die?". But i guess we got the answer in the end.
In the beginning, i was expecting a lot from the book, but the first fifty pages were kind of boring. I couldn't really relate to the characters, and the book really didn't show any sign of development. Then, it suddenly became more exciting. The characters started to open more up (Redmond, Bryanna, etc.) and it was very interesting to read.
In the beginning, Bryanna seemed like a boring, not-feeling person, that didn't really care about anything. She seemed so unfamiliar, i couldn't really read her. But i loved how she developed herself, from being cold to being a warm feeling human!
And Redmond, who went from hardcore police inspector, to being a man with feelings and faith.
The ending was very sad, and surprised we very much. Though almost the whole book, i was wondering "Is Mireva going to die?". But i guess we got the answer in the end.
shelleyrae's review
4.0
Despite the torments of eons serving the Devil, fallen angel Brynna, holds on to a hope of redemption. She is determined to deserve the forgiveness of her Maker, and escapes her Hellish existence taking on the guise of a mortal with vague plans to earn her Grace. It is difficult for Brynna to assimilate in modern day America, she struggles to empathise with the concerns of humanity and understand everyday tasks. When a man is killed by a sniper in front of her, Brynna becomes involved in the investigation by Detective Eran Redmond for someone who is targeting Nephilim, those born of a human mother and angelic father, all the while hunted by the Devils minions, because He wants her back.
Highborn is a strong start to this new urban fantasy series with interesting elements and characters. The fallen angel trope is becoming increasingly popular in the genre but Navarro gives it an original twist. Once an angel, and now a demon, Brynna is now hiding from Hell disguised as a human. It has been hundreds of years since she has spent any time on Earth and even though she finds astonishing beauty in the simplest of things, she is essentially removed from human emotions. She has to work to develop compassion and mercy given her natural inclination to violence. Brynna provides an unique perspective with her detached curiosity and I enjoyed the growth of her character as she becomes involved with different people and situations.
There is the beginning of a relationship for Brynna and Eran, though it is not a dominant theme The pair face unusual challenges given Brynna's background and I will be interested to see how it develops.
The storyline provides fast paced action and flows well. Navarro has firmly established the rules for her world without heavy handed tracts of text and combines the paranormal with the mundane seamlessly. The mystery surrounding the identity and purpose of the sniper is a little weak, but the author neatly weaves several disparate events together into a solid well written storyline.
Highborn heralds an intriguing new urban fantasy series with a dark edge. I really enjoyed the strong characters and storyline and I'm looking forward to the second book,[b:Concrete Savior|9690825|Concrete Savior (Dark Redemption, #2)|Yvonne Navarro|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1293557633s/9690825.jpg|14578929],due for release early next month.
Highborn is a strong start to this new urban fantasy series with interesting elements and characters. The fallen angel trope is becoming increasingly popular in the genre but Navarro gives it an original twist. Once an angel, and now a demon, Brynna is now hiding from Hell disguised as a human. It has been hundreds of years since she has spent any time on Earth and even though she finds astonishing beauty in the simplest of things, she is essentially removed from human emotions. She has to work to develop compassion and mercy given her natural inclination to violence. Brynna provides an unique perspective with her detached curiosity and I enjoyed the growth of her character as she becomes involved with different people and situations.
There is the beginning of a relationship for Brynna and Eran, though it is not a dominant theme The pair face unusual challenges given Brynna's background and I will be interested to see how it develops.
The storyline provides fast paced action and flows well. Navarro has firmly established the rules for her world without heavy handed tracts of text and combines the paranormal with the mundane seamlessly. The mystery surrounding the identity and purpose of the sniper is a little weak, but the author neatly weaves several disparate events together into a solid well written storyline.
Highborn heralds an intriguing new urban fantasy series with a dark edge. I really enjoyed the strong characters and storyline and I'm looking forward to the second book,[b:Concrete Savior|9690825|Concrete Savior (Dark Redemption, #2)|Yvonne Navarro|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1293557633s/9690825.jpg|14578929],due for release early next month.
thehaileybirdie's review
1.0
For the love of god someone please get me some soap so I can wash my hands clean of this monstrosity. Sweet Jesus this was the worst book I've ever read! The writing was terrible, the plot line was mediocre at best, the world building was terrible (and it was set on earth for Christ sake), the characters were all one dimensional, and the relationship building was wildly unrealistic. Don't pick this up unless you're in a "I need a trashy book right now" mood to make you appreciate good literature.
kellyherself's review
3.0
Synopsis: Brynna Malak is on the run. Not from any human dangers, but from Lucifer himself. Brynna is a fallen angel, which technically makes her a demon. After escaping Hell, Brynna is hiding out in Chicago, trying to avoid The Hunters that Lucifer has dispatched to return her to Hell. Brynna’s goal of keeping a low profile doesn’t last for long. She is a witness to a brutal killing and the police are swarming around her. As it turns out, the killing Brynna witnessed was the work of a serial killer. The police have no leads and see Brynna as the hottest tip they have had so far. Brynna is willing to help the police catch the killer, but not because it’s the right thing to do. Brynna is trying to earn God’s forgiveness and a place back in Heaven.
Review: I picked this book up on a whim in the library. The cover art was cool and the description seemed interested. That sort of sounds like I am preparing to say I didn’t like the book, which isn’t the case. I did like the book. I found Navarro’s writing to be incredible detailed and imaginative. Fallen angels are becoming quite the hot topic for novels right now, but I thought Navarro’s take on them was very creative and original.
I enjoyed the characters. It was hard to warm up to Brynna because she is eons old and straight from living in the bowels of Hell. This doesn’t make her your average protagonist. The more I read of her, the more I liked her. She was also a total badass, which I enjoyed.
The downside to this novel was that it felt like something was missing. This is the first book in a series, so a lot of groundwork had to be laid. I am not certain if that is the reason the book seemed to lack oomph or not. I just had a general sense of something being missing. While the story was compelling, I wasn’t on the edge of my seat.
I will definitely check out the second book in the series, Concrete Savior, which is due out in June of 2011.
Review: I picked this book up on a whim in the library. The cover art was cool and the description seemed interested. That sort of sounds like I am preparing to say I didn’t like the book, which isn’t the case. I did like the book. I found Navarro’s writing to be incredible detailed and imaginative. Fallen angels are becoming quite the hot topic for novels right now, but I thought Navarro’s take on them was very creative and original.
I enjoyed the characters. It was hard to warm up to Brynna because she is eons old and straight from living in the bowels of Hell. This doesn’t make her your average protagonist. The more I read of her, the more I liked her. She was also a total badass, which I enjoyed.
The downside to this novel was that it felt like something was missing. This is the first book in a series, so a lot of groundwork had to be laid. I am not certain if that is the reason the book seemed to lack oomph or not. I just had a general sense of something being missing. While the story was compelling, I wasn’t on the edge of my seat.
I will definitely check out the second book in the series, Concrete Savior, which is due out in June of 2011.
gauvvaine's review
1.0
ugh i'm so mad i wasted money on this lmao. i was SO EXCITED for this one -- fallen angel returns to earth to do her best to redeem herself for all the atrocities she's committed. i was so hopeful she was gonna be a woman of color!!! i mean, the author's last name was NAVARRO. surely she wouldn't fuck this up too badly!
i was a little thrown by the prologue (i'm rly not used to third person POV anymore, and it was also such a stereotypical boring depiction of hell i actually put it down for like a week; the version of hell and demons in this is super bland and SO BORING i'm just so disappointed.), but then i got to the real meat of the story and, let me tell u, it got real bad REAL FAST.
don't let the author's last name fool u: she is white as hell, and it shows. within the first fifty pages brynna has come to the mortal plane and made herself a human body in the form of a super tall white woman, chosen for absolutely no reason an arabic last name, announced that she is fluent in literally every language known to man, and come to the rescue of a small family of Poor and Downtrodden Latinos. i almost stopped reading at this point, but decided to hate read the rest so i could prove to myself that i wasn't imagining how bad it was.
boy, did it not fail to prove me wrong. the final scene, mireva, a sweet, sweet latina girl who also happens to be a nephilim (which means she has one task in life that is her ENTIRE PURPOSE for existing, for some reason, idk, w/e), is presenting her project at the science fair. she goes to the bathroom, bc she feels sick despite the fact that she never gets sick, whereupon she meets a nice little old white lady putting on her makeup. then she gets attacked by a demon whose mission was to prevent her from meeting this old lady, bc this old lady is going to Change The World, and mireva somehow instantly knows that her ENTIRE PURPOSE IN LIFE is to save this white woman's life. and then she and the demon battle it out, and she manages to kill the demon but he also manages to kill her.
this latina girl's ENTIRE REASON FOR BEING, the most important thing she will ever do, is to die horribly to save a white woman's life.`
i was a little thrown by the prologue (i'm rly not used to third person POV anymore, and it was also such a stereotypical boring depiction of hell i actually put it down for like a week; the version of hell and demons in this is super bland and SO BORING i'm just so disappointed.), but then i got to the real meat of the story and, let me tell u, it got real bad REAL FAST.
don't let the author's last name fool u: she is white as hell, and it shows. within the first fifty pages brynna has come to the mortal plane and made herself a human body in the form of a super tall white woman, chosen for absolutely no reason an arabic last name, announced that she is fluent in literally every language known to man, and come to the rescue of a small family of Poor and Downtrodden Latinos. i almost stopped reading at this point, but decided to hate read the rest so i could prove to myself that i wasn't imagining how bad it was.
boy, did it not fail to prove me wrong. the final scene, mireva, a sweet, sweet latina girl who also happens to be a nephilim (which means she has one task in life that is her ENTIRE PURPOSE for existing, for some reason, idk, w/e), is presenting her project at the science fair. she goes to the bathroom, bc she feels sick despite the fact that she never gets sick, whereupon she meets a nice little old white lady putting on her makeup. then she gets attacked by a demon whose mission was to prevent her from meeting this old lady, bc this old lady is going to Change The World, and mireva somehow instantly knows that her ENTIRE PURPOSE IN LIFE is to save this white woman's life. and then she and the demon battle it out, and she manages to kill the demon but he also manages to kill her.
this latina girl's ENTIRE REASON FOR BEING, the most important thing she will ever do, is to die horribly to save a white woman's life.`
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