Torn, is the first book in the Breath of Fate Series, by Author Angelina J Steffort, and like many of Angelina’s other young adult paranormal romance series, brings a unique and exciting perspective to the world of the supernatural.
In this story, Angelina focusses on the human soul’s transition in death, and whilst readers may feel there is some predictability with references to the typical heaven, and hell scenario, what differentiates, Torn, from many other books, is the way in which a soul’s fate is determined, and then carried to the next phase of their spirit’s journey.
Angelina, imaginatively steers the story away from the traditional telling of the angel of death or the classic grim reaper. There is no journey through a mystical tunnel, or stepping into an orb of light, nor is there, the sudden plunge into a pit of fire and brimstone. Torn introduces a simple, and alternative concept.
Earth angels, humans born hosting a divine essence, and consciousness, that separates from the physical body when they feel/sense the call of death. These angels act as a vessel, carrying the soul to its next destination. Once delivered, they then return to their normal, every day, human existence.
But the destination of the deceased is not automatically determined, and where the lines are blurred between good and evil, Angelina, once again, moves away from the traditional story telling. Instead of standing in judgement before the doors of purgatory, it is the two earth angels, the lightbringer, and the shadowbringer, who are called upon together, to determine a soul’s fate.
In the time it takes, for the soul to detach from its physical body, the earth angels negotiate, and strike a bargain. They barter for time, the duration a soul must serve in the shadows of hell, and atone, before it can be released and admitted to the light.
In the first book, of the Breath of Fate series, Torn, introduces the protagonist, Laney, whose personal loss acts as a catalyst, and awakens her divine essence. Laney must then learn, and fulfil, her responsibilities as a Lightbringer. But she is not alone. In her captivating world of the supernatural, Angelina, introduces two potential love interests for Laney. One who serves the light, and the other who serves the shadows.
Following Laney’s grandmother’s final words, before her unexpected demise, the reader is teased throughout, as to which of the two, Laney should entrust her heart to.
It would certainly seem that there is more to come in the subsequent books, and that all is not quite what it appears.
Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed this interesting take on death, and the bartering between heaven and hell, there were elements of the story that caused a disconnect for me, and at one point where I felt I had missed something.
This mainly occurred in the interactions between Laney and the shadowbringer, whom I did struggle at times to relate to. For me, he wasn’t quite as credible as the other characters featured. I do feel that the Author could easily correct this by introducing a more detailed back story, and by increasing the number of chapters that are written in his point of view. Whilst this was a little disappointing, it did not spoil my overall enjoyment of the book.
Therefore I am awarding, Torn, a strong 4 stars.
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