As you can tell from my review, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and I can’t wait to see the movie when it comes out.  Click here to read the USA Today article about the upcoming film.

My five-year-old added, “If I have a girl, I’ll name her Allie.  If it’s a boy, I’ll name him Infancy.”

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 26,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 10 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

While the concepts were original and some of the dark characters enticing on the surface, the plot was erratic and the multitude of characters didn’t seem fully developed.  There was plenty of potential with which to work, including an intricate hierarchy of angels, demons, jinn, a coven sorority, and a Vatican that had a hand in nurturing or controlling much of this fictional world.  However, when it came right down to it, there didn’t seem to be enough depth to the characters to make me feel invested in them.  There were so many characters (several of whom went by more than one name), that it never clearly focused on any of them quite enough.

The central character, Angela, was released from a mental institution and then entered a university campus run by the Vatican.  She was admitted because she was a “bloodhead,” possessing both fiery red hair and a potential for supernatural abilities.  She dreamed of angels when she slept, and then painted them, as their memories haunted her every waking moment.

“While most of her paintings remained hidden away in their portfolio cases, two of them hung on the walls, portals to either a dream or a nightmare, whichever happened to suit her fancy at the moment. She felt a kinship to both of them, one day aching for perfect beauty, and the next, for a grayness that wiped away her soul.”

Though I had a few criticisms, I still found that I couldn’t put this book down.  It held promise, and I kept holding out hope that it would surprise me in the end.  Sadly enough, it did not, and I still felt slightly let down when I finally read the last page and closed the book.  I’m always fascinated with stories about angels, and Benulis’ interpretation of angels was certainly one I hadn’t yet read.  I expect that the series will improve as it moves on and will keep an open mind when the next installment is published.

“Dear Santa Claus,

I hope to find under my Christmas tree an Elf-on-the-Shelf sitting on the biggest present there.  I’ve been very good this year.  I would be very disappointed to find coal in my stocking.  I will set out a big plate with cookies and carrots!  Give all the reindeer a big squeeze from me please.  That’s pretty much all I want for Christmas.

P.S.  Have a holly jolly Christmas!”

Big sister went so far as to leave a note from Stocking the elf-bear.  It read:

“This is Stocking. I do really have magic. Your sister is very nice, and so are you. I’ve made your Christmas present already. Hopefully you won’t get in any more fights with your sister, so I can give you the present. I was waiting a long time to tell you because you were at school.  From, Stocking. P.S. I love the name you’ve given me!”

I recently received an advance review copy of Harrison’s latest book, The Hollows Insider, which provides an overview of the world of the Hollows.  Check back soon to read my review.  If you’re thinking of purchasing your own copy of this book, I highly recommend doing it soon.  It was just released this week, and first editions have a really cool glow-in-the-dark cover.