Friday 20 May 2011

Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda

Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda

Source: Library
Publisher: Hyperion Books (Disney)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 327

As the youngest and only female member of the Knights Templar, Bilqis SanGreal grew up knowing she wasn't normal. Instead of hanging out at the mall or going on dates, she spends her time training as a warrior in her order's ancient battle against the Unholy. 
Billi's cloistered life is blasted apart when her childhood friend, Kay, returns from Jerusalem, gorgeous and with a dangerous chip on his shoulder. He's ready to slide back into Billi's life, but she's met someone new: amber-eyed Mike, who seems to understand her like no one else and effortlessly stakes a claim on her heart.
But the Templars are called to battle before Billi can enjoy the thrilling new twist to her life. One of the order's ancient enemies has resurfaced, searching for a treasure that the Templars have guarded for almost a thousand years - King Solomon's cursed mirror, a source of unimaginable power. To save the lives of millions, Billi will have to put her heart aside and make sacrifices greater than she could have imagined.

The concept behind this story utterly fascinates me. Devil's Kiss includes stories from ethnicities and religions that scatter all across the board. I loved how it was all woven together; even things like the weapons from various cultures made me a little giddy as I was reading.

Billi was a character that I really liked. She was fierce and confident - two traits I love in my MCs. I mean, Billi's life? It sucks. She spends her days being tormented in high school, comes home to an unsympathetic father and then proceeds to the nightly routine of being beaten up in Templar training. Even through all of this though, she endures and sacrifices so much for what she knows is right.

I loved how surprised this book could make me. I appreciate those moments in a book when you have to gasp aloud and Devil's Kiss did not disappoint. The turns weren't just little nudges in new directions; they were full-out swerves that completely threw me for a loop.

Fans of the darker YA novels (who doesn't like that sword wielding and blood dripping?) should definitely check this one out!

Cover Comments: I really, really love this cover. The wispy swirls and scattered sparkles work really well with the gray theme and I like the metallic tint to the sword! I have to say though... I didn't notice the guy in the background (by the trees?) until later and it really freaked me out when I did. Is that Kay? He looks like such a stalker! Very pretty though - the cover, not the stalker, that is.

9 comments:

  1. Great review. This one sounds interesting for sure! :0)

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  2. Ive been wanting to read this . Im glad you enjoyed it . What do you give it out of 5 stars?

    Michelle

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  3. Tracy - Thanks! :)

    Michelle - OH NO. You asked me to rate. Um, um, um.. maybe like a 4 point something?

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  4. I agree with you, this book is really good, I really liked the themes behind it as well. I have the UK cover, but I think that I like the US cover better!

    Isme
    The Book Slooth

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  5. Yeah, I think I prefer the US cover for this one as well. They're both pretty, though! Have you read the sequel yet?

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  6. really love this one...
    too sad Kay died :'(

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  7. Danielle: Me too! I was shocked that he did - so sad. I'm still kind of hoping he'll somehow come back in a later book, haha.

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  8. i dont get the ending very much can you explain it for me please?

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  9. also what is the theme or lesson learned or moral of this book?

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