Official Review: Vagabond by Mary A.J. [December 2021 Book of the Month]
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- Shrabastee Chakraborty
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Official Review: Vagabond by Mary A.J. [December 2021 Book of the Month]
Cornelia High is an unusual school in many aspects, starting from its ominous, gothic façade to its mysterious forefathers. Cecelia Harrow, the newest addition to its student population, is probably the most atypical of all. She is none other than Lucifer’s daughter, the mighty princess of Hell. Tired of her bloodlust and plunder, Cecelia seeks sanctuary in Cornelia High, evading the demons pursuing her. However, the school has its own secrets that soon threaten to overwhelm her sense of security. What will she discover in the dark crypts of the school? How long can she keep her identity secret? Vagabond by Mary A.J., a young adult paranormal novel, can answer these questions.
I liked the premise, which was both unique and appealing. Lucifer’s daughter attending a school and striving to mingle with the humans created an enigma. The novel captured a continuous struggle between her sense of self-preservation and intense remorse for her merciless slaughter of innocents. Despite feeling attracted towards Sebastian Nox, she could not commit herself, afraid that her demonic self would hurt him. On the other hand, she could not ignore the dark allure of Alexander Draven, either. Mary A.J. highlighted these inner conflicts and dilemmas perfectly.
The novel contained all the necessary elements required for a captivating read, including a suspenseful storyline and shocking twists. The gothic structure and the shadowy past of the school contributed to the atmospheric nature of the book. To complete the concoction, Mary A.J. incorporated vivid action scenes and demonic fights. A dash of romance featuring a teenage love triangle took the edge off the tension. Based on the twist at the ending, there will be further sequels.
The aspect I liked the most was how Mary A.J. portrayed the constant battle between good and evil. The stark contrast between the characters of Sebastian and Alexander reflected this. The former personified everything pure and noble, appealing to the human nature of Cecelia. On the other hand, the latter was an epitome of darkness, inciting her demonic half. The entire novel centered around which aspect of her character she would choose.
I found nothing to dislike about this novel. From a technical standpoint, there were very few and negligible errors. Based on my reading experience, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I would heartily recommend it to any reader who appreciates young-adult paranormal romance. However, there are a few graphic scenes of violence that might deter the more squeamish readers.
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Vagabond
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This is a trope I haven't read much about before - and I ready heavily young adult - and the premise sounds interesting.
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Thanks for the wonderful review!
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"Don't try to keep up with me, I live on the edge too thin to see." Ryan Upchurch
"See, one man's inconvenience is another's joy." NF
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Did her demonic self later hurt him in any way?
I would love to read this, i'm currious
thank for the review.
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I can't wait to read this and find out how Cecilia fares.
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