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World After (Penryn & the End of Days #2) by Susan Ee
Publication date: Nov. 19, 2013
Publisher: Skyscape
Category: Young Adult - Fantasy/Dystopian
Source: Purchased
Summary: The survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world. When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears and Mom is heartbroken. Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations and the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go. Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose? (Adapted goodreads.com)
My thoughts…
The good: It's been one year and nine months since I read Angelfall, the first book in this series. I don't know about you but that's a REALLY LONG WAIT. But the author, Susan Ee, doesn't disappoint. The action picks up immediately from page one and right where we left off. And more importantly, WE GET ANSWERS. (Sorry for all the caps! I blame it on the wait.)Penryn is coming off the paralysis inflicted on her by the angel-created scorpion hybrids and fleeing a now-destroyed aerie with her family. She finally got her sister Paige back but she's not the same girl. She was cruelly experimented on and is a form of demon-like hybrid herself. She still feels love for her family but Penryn is struggling with looking past what's been done to Paige. This might seem cruel because this is her baby sister but I thought it was a very real, flawed human response. And their mom is as looney as ever but in World After, we get a better glimpse into her character and her behavior. I still think she's nuts though. A huge portion of the book is spent with Penryn trying to keep her family together and safe. Which is as impossible as it sounds. It's survival of the fittest and they have to protect themselves from humans, angels, scorpions and who knows what else! But Penryn's thoughts keep straying to a certain angel who thinks she's dead...
Raffe. Honestly, I was waiting for the moment when these two would be reunited. And I personally don't think it's a spoiler to say so because how cruel would it be to keep these two apart?! As much as I love Raffe and Penryn as individual characters, they and the entire book shine when they're together. They have this chemistry and banter that brings everything around them to life. Even when they're facing scorpions together and Penryn has to fight them with an angel sword while wearing a dress. (True story. And yes, Raffe helps too while providing snarky commentary.)
(Some minor) reservations: I would say 70% of the book is spent focusing on Penryn, Paige and their mom and there were times when I felt like it dragged a bit. Their interactions just don't have the same pull, even though it was probably necessary for the story overall. But again, it's when Penryn and Raffe cross paths that I wanted to squeal and fangirl. And trust me, I did!
Do I recommend?: Yes! I love this series! The characters are memorable, the author takes angel lore and makes it her own. I can't wait for the third book and hopefully, I won't have to wait another two years!
Happy reading!
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