Archon: The Books of Raziel by Sabrina Benulis

Angela Mathers is plagued by visions of angels, supernatural creatures who haunt her thoughts by day and seduce her dreams by night. Newly released from a mental institution where she was locked away for two years, she hopes that her time at the Vatican’s university, the West Wood Academy, will give her a chance at a normal life. Unlike ordinary humans, Angela is a blood head — a freak, a monster, the possible fulfillment of a terrifying prophecy of overwhelming death and destruction. Only in Luz, the Vatican’s wondrous enclave, are blood heads accepted and encouraged to discover what kind of powers or special abilities they might possess.

But within West Wood, a secret coven plots, and demons and angels roam the streets searching for the key to open Raziel’s book — a secret tome from a lost archangel. Some are determined to destroy Raziel, while others, like the beautiful Supernal Israfel, one of the highest of the high, wish to free him. And when the Archon — the human chosen to possess the spirit of a dead angel — rises as foretold, they will control the supernatural universe.

Torn between mortal love and angelic obsession, Angela holds the key to Heaven and Hell — and both will stop at nothing to possess her.

Goodreads Summary

Angela Mathers has not had the easiest childhood; she has extreme reactions to vivid dreams and can see angels.  For Angela, seeing is believing and she once again takes it to an extreme.  She decides to try to kill herself, hoping that she would be able to live in a world with angels-she mistakenly believes angels are only around and with the dead or dying.  Angela's story continues with plenty of ups and downs, action and thoughtful silences, etc...

In the beginning of the book, the author explains much of the necessary background a reader would need to fully grasp the concepts of this novel.  The action starts about a quarter into the novel.  The reader will get inside Angela's head and begin to befriend her.  Angela may not be a perfect character, but that is part of her appeal.  She has a bit of a "devil-may-care" attitude at times and can be very reserved.  The reader will have to "work on" Angela to truly grasp her personality.  The other characters are all intriguing.  Each has a very different quality or characteristic from the rest.  The idea that their alliances are not set in stone and the secondary characters are actually thinking, rather than just remaining set in their opinion, is really unique.  Readers will not find that quality in many other books. 

The plot of this book is intricate.  A reader will have to pay close attention; however, if a reader is committed to reading this book, there shouldn't be any confusion.  The author's style of writing had a nice flow and the book had wonderful transitions between events.  The book was a suspenseful paranormal fantasy with a tinge of romance.  Archon is recommended to young adult/adult readers.

5 Stars

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