Title: Highborn
Author: Yvonne Navarro
Series: Dark Redemption #1
Cover Art: Craig White
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Pocket
Date Published: October 26, 2010
ISBN-10: 1439191735
ISBN-13: 978-1439191736
Review Copy Source: Publisher
Reviewed by: Abigail
Book Description
EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE. BRYNNA MALAK MIGHT BE THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE.
Brynna is a fallen angel trying to earn redemption. She’s escaped from Hell in search of a new life on Earth, but Lucifer’s deadliest hunters are hot on her trail. Police Detective Eran Redmond is after her for a different reason: he needs Brynna to help him find a serial killer who is terrifying Chicago . . . and the trail leads them right to Hellspawned demons of the most dangerous kind. She’s also got a very human problem: dealing with a stubborn, attractive cop who makes her long for everything she knows she can’t have.
Staying alive long enough to earn a shot at Heaven will mean breaking some major rules in the mortal world, as she learns just how complicated and wonderful being human can be. With so much stacked against her, even Brynna has to wonder if she’s crazy. But she’s not giving in without a fight.
Not a chance in Hell. . . .
Review
I generally love Craig White’s cover art (Carrie Vaughn, Adrian Phoenix, Jaye Wells have all had Craig covers) but I’m not a fan of the cover for HIGHBORN (or the description, for that matter). It completely fails to capture the character and tone of this book. It’s not about a polished, slick woman ready to dole out a supernatural butt kicking to whoever gets on her bad side (isn’t that what the cover implies?). Brynna couldn’t be further from how she is depicted here.
First of all, she’s a demon. She’s spent eons in Hell apathetic to the incessant screams of the myriads of souls damned for eternity. Hers is a bleak and callous existence until she begins to question her own damnation and the chance of redemption. She escapes to earth in order to save her demon soul.
Brynna is an amazing character. A far cry from the sleek and savvy cover model. She’s been so conditioned by her hellish life that her initial experiences on earth are first bliss at the physical sensations such mundane things as cool, wet water and the smooth sour smells of the dumpster she spends her first night under. Contrast that with her curious detachment as she is talking to her first human when his brains are literally blown out all over her. She simply walks away, oblivious to the horrified stares of everyone she passes:
"Brynna straightened, then realized someone was screaming. It was an older man in a white coat behind the counter at the end of the aisle, and the only reason she even noticed was because it was so odd to her senses that there was just one man screaming instead of thousands." –HIGHBORN
Brynna does have to fight against her natural inclinations for violence and corruption, but she also surprises herself by her newfound desires for compassion and mercy. It’s this dual nature that captures the attention of Chicago cop Eran Redmond.
As much as I was completely caught up in Brynna’s story as she sought to redeem her soul and elude Lucifer’s Hunters, the romance that developed between her and Eran never quite took off for me the way I had hoped. It remained too safe and staid. There was no real fire between them. I also could have done without all the supporting characters that Brynna had to help. Those storylines were where the book dragged.
Overall, HIGHBORN was a pleasant surprise. The character of Brynna was a refreshing change from the typical UF heroine with her alien-like curiosity and controlled strength. Her story to Hell and back is one I can’t wait to read more of. CONCRETE SAVIOR, book two in the Dark Redemption series is slated for release in June 2011 and I plan on being first in line.
Sexual Content: References to sex.
My Rating:
4/5
Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & pre-order the sequel.
Click HERE to read an excerpt from HIGHBORN
Previous books in the series:
- N/A
Also reviewed by:
I'm always in search of an "original" heroine {if that makes sense} and Brynna sounds very interesting. Thanks for the review
ReplyDeleteSpincraker - She's an original. The genre can get a little gutted with the typical tough chick. I' loved Brynna's controlled power and unique way of looking at the world.
ReplyDeleteReally great review! To be honest, I wasn't impressed with the cover or summary and would have passed this up if you hadn't reviewed it. Thanks!
ReplyDelete25hourbooks.com
Tara - I almost passed on it too, but when the review opportunity came up I took a chance. I hope more readers will overlook the outside and try this truly excellent urban fantasy.
ReplyDelete