Comments on: Joint Review: Strange Angels By Lili St. Crow

By: orannia

orannia — Sat, 16 May 2009 06:23:30 +0000

Thank you Ana & Thea! Polar opposite opinions…very interesting I haven’t read the Dante Valentine books – my best friend has and she has told me the angst is sometimes over the top (and then some)…

I don’t think this is the YA book for me somehow

By: janicu

janicu — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:46:23 +0000

Really? Huh, I totally didn’t notice the repetiveness and I didn’t find Dru that angry. I thought she had to cope with a lot so it was reflected on her tough-girl persona. Hmm.

By: Jael

Jael — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:59:57 +0000

Thea I agree with all your thoughts on this book. I got an ARC as well and was very excited because I love StmCrows Dante V series. This book was a real disappointment to me for all your reasons listed. I couldn’t even make it the end after trudging through 200 pages.

By: Shannon C.

Shannon C. — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:52:20 +0000

So torn. On the one hand, I kind of like hard-ass chicks, especially paired with adorable geeky guys. On the other hand… My patience for love triangles is nonexistent, and I’m not a fan of characters who seem out and out bratty. And I seem to fall squarely between Ana and Thea, taste-wise. So I just don’t know.

By: Doug Knipe [SciFiGuy]

Doug Knipe [SciFiGuy] — Thu, 14 May 2009 23:19:37 +0000

I’d also agree that it would be pushing the envelope for 12+ to be reading this. I have found from having read many many reviews of Lilith Saintcrow’s various series that most reviewers opinions are very polarized, they either really like her characters and style (my camp) or they really don’t. I have not seen much in the middle ground. To me that means she is doing something right to illicit those reactions.

By: Thea

Thea — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:10:37 +0000

Li – Ahh, I getcha. Well, if it helps any Dru is basically a baby Danny Valentine. Annoying as all get out, and completely unrelatable…

In my opinion. Of course.

By: Li

Li — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:07:39 +0000

Katie – Thanks for the clarification.

Thea – I read the first two Dante books before stopping. I didn’t have a problem with the prose or pacing, IIRC, it was more than I couldn’t connect with Danny at all. Hmmm… similar to Katie’s issue with Dru – I found Danny too angry and abrasive.

By: Thea

Thea — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:58:35 +0000

Doug – Oooh, the plot thickens! I just read your lovely review, and hey, you’re in good company with Ana. It’s almost as though we’ve read two separate books! But, that’s the wonder of fiction, isn’t it I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Katie – Yes, I have to agree that this book is probably pushing it with a 12 year old, as it does have a lot of darker elements…still, my main complaints aren’t so much with the grit (which I don’t mind at all), but more with the writing. And characters. And…well, I’ll stop there

Li – I’ve read the first Dante Valentine book and really wasn’t a fan of that either, for many of the same reasons. Repetitive prose, annoying heroine, poor writing…

BUT if you like or don’t mind Danny Valentine, then chances are you quite possibly might like STRANGE ANGELS. I found STRANGE ANGELS better than WORKING FOR THE DEVIL…but only just a bit. Just my opinion, of course! Obviously, Ms. Saintcrow is a popular author, and from Ana and Doug’s reactions, her writing works for some readers. (I just don’t happen to be one of them, unfortunately!)

Hope that helps!

By: katiebabs

katiebabs — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:37:08 +0000

Li: The inside of the book says for ages 12 and up. I found Strange Angels better suited for high school age. There is cursing and very violent scenes.

By: Li

Li — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:33:03 +0000

Oh, a proper duelling review!

I am on the fence on this one, so it was really interesting to get two opposing views. Am wondering whether either of you have read her Dante Valentine series and can compare?

Katiebabs – Is this aimed at tweens? I’m not sure why but I always think YA as 15+, maybe 14+ at a stretch. Then again, I don’t actually know any tweens / teenagers so I have no idea what books are considered “suitable” nowadays!