This book is wonderful and a slightly new idea. There is no dystopia with this, just alternate reality of Heaven, Hell, Demon and Angel being real. With something in between.This book is beautiful and while Eden is slightly whiny, she tries not to be. It's tough in her situation. I saw a few twists coming immediately but at the end a twist I did not expect occurred. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and seeing what happens with Eden, Az, Gabe, Luke and the rest of the siders! Recommended with Caution [return][return]The story begins with Eden thinking about how her existence seems to be fading from her friends and family. She is contemplating suicide on the Jersey Shore when she is approached by two guys named Gabriel and Az. Their presence takes her mind off of suicide, but she has yet to realize that Gabriel and Az are angels. A romance begins with Az and Eden and they seem perfect for each other. Eventually, Az tells Eden that he is an angel. She has a hard time coping with the truth. She feels a sense of betrayal and then she is found dead by the ocean. It turns out that Eden was destined to become a Sider. She turns to Gabriel for help and he takes her to other Siders. Eden is trying to figure out her mission and purpose in being a Sider and she tries to make this life she didn’t ask for, work. Eden is on a path of discovery, she meets other Siders who become her friends and she begins to have romantic feelings for another guy even though she hasn’t gotten over her love for Az yet. With a final twist, Eden’s after-life keeps getting more complicated.[return][return]This book is a YA paranormal romance that uses angels and fallen angels for characters. There was a lot of religious symbolism that was not explained and it seems that the reader would have to have some background in Christianity to keep everything straight. It seems as though the Siders are in Purgatory for committing suicide, but the reader has to make that assumption. I think there is a lot of complexity to the paranormal aspect of this story. I appreciate the direction of the characters and the storyline, but it is not a light, easy read.[return][return]Overall, this book has a very dark and gothic mood. The underlying issues of suicide, sex and death make it a story for older teens. While the language is realistic, it may be a problem for school libraries. I would recommend the book for public libraries and I would recommend it to fans of paranormal fiction.
What do You think about A Touch Mortal (2011)?
I don't even know what to say about this book. It just wasn't my cup tea...
—Robin
Not really a book for younger readers. I could do without the language.
—CrashingWaves
