Monday, August 25, 2014

Review: Lailah by Nikki Kelly

Goodreads Summary:

The girl knows she’s different. She doesn’t age. She has no family. She has visions of a past life, but no clear clues as to what she is, or where she comes from. But there is a face in her dreams – a light that breaks through the darkness. She knows his name is Gabriel.

On her way home from work, the girl encounters an injured stranger whose name is Jonah. Soon, she will understand that Jonah belongs to a generation of Vampires that serve even darker forces. Jonah and the few like him, are fighting with help from an unlikely ally – a rogue Angel, named Gabriel.

In the crossfire between good and evil, love and hate, and life and death, the girl learns her name: Lailah. But when the lines between black and white begin to blur, where in the spectrum will she find her place? And with whom?

Gabriel and Jonah both want to protect her. But Lailah will have to fight her own battle to find out who she truly is.

Publication Date: October 7, 2014


The thing I enjoyed the most about Lailah was the unique mythology. The story felt familiar, but I liked the new ideas presented about vampires and angels. I also liked the idea of angels trying to help vampires fight against their darker nature.

The characters, including the title character, were likable enough. I enjoy books where the heroine has no clue about who she is and where she has come from. Lailah didn’t whine about her predicament, but instead actively tried to look into her origins.

The two love interests had their moments. I liked angel Gabriel, but Lailah’s relationship with him did feel a little over the top. But for a teen reader who loves an epic romance, the relationship may appeal more. I liked vampire Jonah better, but I have a feeling he’s Jacob from Twilight in the love triangle with little chance of getting the girl.

I liked Lailah, but something kept holding me back from totally loving it. I thought the end came together nicely and I liked the action-heavy plot. I probably would’ve loved it more with less emphasis on the romance.

Overall, Lailah is a fun YA novel with an ending that will leave readers eager to check out the next installment.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars


Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!

2 comments:

  1. OOh nice! This is in my review pile which I need to get back to doing shortly, but a challenge came up and I had to participate! Next week for sure! (if not later this week!) Great review!

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  2. Oh my. Another you want less emphasis on the romance in? Are you feeling okay? ;) Kidding! Some stories should let the romance be a back-burner item :) Great review, Heather. Thanks for sharing. WRITE ON!

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