Review by weeh84 -- Broken Angel by Alex Apostol

[weeh84]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Broken Angel" by Alex Apostol.]

---

2 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

I give this book 2 out of 4 stars

Part fantasy, part mystery, Broken Angel by Alex Apostol is about a young woman who joins an elite group of paranormal huntsmen in search of her son’s killer. Life after Danny was not the same nor was it a life worth living. The moment Kamlyn Paige began slipping into a depressive void; a mysterious man made her an offer she could not refuse. Revenge as her intended purpose, Kamlyn makes the journey with the man of mystery to The Chamber of Darkness to begin her huntsmen training and avenge her son’s death. Kamlyn begins to realize the creatures of folklore and faith are more than just stories passed through generations, and the world she knew will forever be changed by her newfound life.

The concept of folklore and mythology take a dark turn in the number one installment of this series when creatures wreak havoc in the domain of unsolved mysteries. As these creatures become a greater threat to humanity, The Chamber of Darkness elitists make it a priority to incorporate nondescendants and train them to defend against otherworldly evil. This novel incorporates many elements of the paranormal, including werewolves, djinns, demons, and redcaps, which forms intense battle scenes. There are defining moments for the main character that demand attention, especially as dramatic turmoil unfolds during life or death situations. Kamlyn’s energy often shifts during catastrophe to poise and in control of herself.

While the idea behind a secret band of huntsmen sworn to protect the world from creatures of darkness is compelling, certain writing aspects overshadowed what could be a fantastic novel. Quite a few grammatical errors were cause for distraction. There were times when the main character felt one-dimensional in terms of character development. As the story unfolded, I desperately wanted to connect with Kamlyn’s grief, anger, and accomplishments; however, her emotions always seemed short-lived and merely a glimpse of who she is and what she truly stands for. It is difficult to pinpoint if revenge is her sole reason for continuing on her journey, or she has found a deeper connection with The Chamber of Darkness to protect humanity.

The plot, though vague, was clear and concise; however, there was no air of mystery or cliffhangers to leave anticipation for the next installment in the series. Most of the storyline was straightforward with the desire to vanquish evil. The plot felt very basic without any thought for a dramatic turning point. There were surprising moments in the novel in regard to a chain of events; however, these moments were far and few between and were often quickly resolved.

In conclusion, the concept behind the novel is brilliant, and I am certain the author of this series has room for growth, development, organizing plot details, and the ability to become a fantastic writer. Kamlyn’s character needs to bleed a little more emotion from the woman she was to the huntsmen she is. I want to feel what she feels. I want to cry when she cries and celebrate with her when she accomplishes her goals. The novel feels scattered with many ideas, which makes it difficult to connect with. With more focus on character development, a deeper plot line, and a concise proofreading eye, this book has an enormous potential to become a dramatic page-turner.

******
Broken Angel
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like weeh84's review? Post a comment saying so!