I received this book via the publisher, Untold Press. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
My Soul to Keep by Sean Hayden Series: Rise of the Fallen #1
Published by Untold Press on 2012-04-12
Length: 187 pages
Reviewing eARC Rating:
Ever have one of those bad ideas just pop into your head? You know the ones. They seem like a great idea at the time, but if you had stopped to think about it a moment…
I’m talking about those ideas where you just seize the moment and do what your heart tells you to. Then, after the dust settles and you get bandaged up, your parents say, “What the hell were you thinking?”
“But, Dad, I wasn’t!”
I had one of those moments.
I guess if you want to be technical, I had a whole chain of those moments leading up to the big bang moment. The problem was I didn’t have anyone standing around saying, “What the hell were you thinking?”
The moral of this story?
There are several.
First, stores don’t sell black candles for a reason. They’re bad news. If you happen to come across one in the mall that sells questionable items…walk away. Trust me on this one. Black candles are bad.
Second, always know what you want out of life. Coasting along, not caring about anything will get you into trouble. Maybe more than you can handle.
Lastly, if someone offers to grant you your fondest wish, wish for something you really, truly want. Wish for something that will make the world a better place or you a better person. Never ever wish to be a monster…
My Soul to Keep by Sean Hayden is book one of Rise of the Fallen, and it is a very unique take on Angel mythology. In fact, I think I can say with complete confidence you’ve never read anything like it! This story is about a teenage boy named Connor Sullivan and how one night he sold his soul for one wish, however idiot that he is, he thinks it’s a joke. Well, at least he does until a very beautiful woman riding a motorcycle shows up to grant said wish. To outsmart her, he wishes to become like her. So Connor, average, idiotic, stupid high school sophomore that he is, becomes a Fallen. What does this mean? Well it means that he is no longer human, he is immortal, and he is – for lack of a better word – a demon.
So it’s been a while…..no let me rephrase that….it’s been a really long time since I read a book from a male perspective and I have to say that not only was it refreshing but absolutely hilarious! I thought going into this book that it probably wouldn’t be very funny and it would be more on the serious side. But I forgot to take note that the main character is a teenage boy who is a sophomore in high school no less. So with that in mind, the humor is all guy humor, very dry and very funny, like laugh out loud and wake my husband up in the middle of the night funny! Don’t believe me? The below quote is during one of the more serious parts of the book. Connor is trying to learn how to control his image, more on that later, but his teacher tells him to focus on being human. Here’s what he comes up with…
“It’s not about pretzels, it’s about being human. Finding what you really like, doing it, and remembering what it is you love. I just happen to love soft pretzels.”
Me too, Connor, me too!
Connor Sullivan was your average high school boy and well he still is despite the fact that he is now an immortal demon. Connor is quick-witted, smarter than he looks, and just your average guy. Clarisse or Clair is a Fallen, and she is the one responsible for teaching Connor how to be one. She’s kind of mean, flirty, and from Connor’s description very pretty. Then there’s Jessica, the new girl at Connor’s school who happens to be blind and like Connor. There’s a bit of a love triangle going on between the three of them with poor Connor, like every other male his age, completely clueless.
The plot revolves around Connor learning about his new form and what he must learn to do with it. Throw in some mysterious murders into the mix and you’ve got this book. Lots of action, lots of humor, and a bit of romance (and I do mean just a bit!). Overall I couldn’t sit it down. It’s a short, quick read that kept my attention from the first word to the last and as soon as I was finished I immediately picked up and read book two! It is that good! If you enjoy angel mythology, urban fantasy with lots of action, then I think you will be pleasantly surprised with this book!
About Sean Hayden
Born the son of a fire chief, Sean naturally developed a love of playing with fire. His family and friends quickly found other outlets for his destructive creativity. Writing is his latest endeavor.
Always a fan of the macabre, mythical, and magical, Sean found a love of urban fantasy and horror. After writing several novels in this genre, he found, fell in love with, and immersed himself in steampunk. He has always wanted to rewrite history and steampunk gave him that opportunity.
Sean currently lives in Florida as a fiber-optic engineer as well as an author. He was blessed with the two most amazing children he could ever hope for, has met the absolute love of his life, who coincidentally is his partner in everything. His hobbies include grand designs on world domination as well as a starring role in his own television sitcom.
Sounds like a great read. 🙂 Nice review, Lilian!
It is Monique! Short and a very easy read 😀 Thanks for stopping by!
Always a pleasure. 🙂 I’ll have to get my hands on it when I have a chance. Hehehe