Embers (Wings of War) MP3 CD – Audiobook, December 27, 2016

First of all, let's all take a look at that gorgeous cover! Isn't it divine? I saw it and squealed a little inside at its loveliness.I think that what I like most about this book is the premise. I love the unique spin on angels and demons that Hopkins crafted. I adore paranormal stories with angels and demons and I always love them, even more, when there is an interesting take on them. I am really excited to see this world unfold even more in the next book of the series.I felt that the story started off a little slow, but once things picked up I was definitely hooked on the story. The book is told with multiple POVs, but Ember's POV is the only one that we see for the first sixteen chapters except for the prologue. After completing the book, I see that the sequence of events needed to be the way that they were, but it still felt a little like a standstill in the beginning.The characters were quite enjoyable. I felt that Sawyer had the most character depth. He was struggling with being a demon and the horrible things that he had to do to survive. He was in constant turmoil over the morality of what he was doing and it really felt real. I loved Ember's personality. She wasn't impressionable and she didn't take crap from anyone. She had her own opinions and she wasn't shy about embracing them. She was also very good-hearted and kind. She is exactly the type of female lead character that is easy to root for. I loved Ivan's character so much. He was such a darling and I fell so in love with his innocent and kind nature. My heart soared when he felt protective of Ember. I was a little unsure of Ila at first, but I grew to adore her.While this book contains many popular YA book tropes, Hopkins pulls them off well. I usually get irritated with the same old song and dance in books. I am glad to say that I didn't experience that irritation while reading this book. I recognized some of the same tropes that can normally turn me away from a book, but instead, I was enjoying them. Hopkins really took these tropes and made them her own. It was refreshing.There was one trope in that book that I wasn't overly fond of though and that is a huge case of instalove. Initially, Ember dreams about Sawyer and becomes smitten with him even though she thinks that he is only a figment of her dreams. Then they meet, shocking her that he is real, and they both become instantly infatuated with each other. I wish that there had been more of a build-up to their relationship. Something a little more substantial to base it off of other than just instant attraction. Otherwise, I really enjoyed watching their relationship unfold. They definitely had some chemistry and I enjoyed their encounters. Even with the instalove, I was still into their love story and rooting for them.At first, I thought that Ember suffered from the Chosen One cliche, but there were some things that displayed that she wasn't quite so perfect. She may very well be a Chosen One type of character, though it is hard to say just yet, but she certainly didn't outshine in every situation. She certainly has powers that are extraordinary, but she doesn't defeat every foe and she does need help at times. That aspect made her a little more real even with her unique powers.Overall, I was very impressed with this book. I loved the originality of the premise. Hopkins' take on angels and demons was inventive and fresh. I enjoyed the characters and the plot progressed nicely. I was definitely craving the next book by the time I finished this one. I am looking forward to seeing what happens next!

Ember has been trying to get by since her parent's death a few month previous, but when her aunt's boyfriend tries to assault her, that is the final straw. Seeking refuge with a family friend she calls aunt, Ember realizes that her life is nothing that she could have predicted. Ember has power inside her, a power that seeks to dominate her, unless she can master her own fire.I love Angel books! I have read tons of them and am always seeking new different versions, but I feel like I have recently fallen into an angel book funk where they have all been kind of the same- but I can say with complete confidence that Karen has created something so new and unexpected that I love it! Her world is dark and twisty, full of danger and monsters and betrayal. I had no idea who to trust or what would happen next. I had been eyeing this series for a while (they seriously have the most gorgeous covers!) and I have no idea why I waited so long to read the series.Ember seems like an Old Soul, a very very stubborn one. She does not fit in with the other teens she is around, has no interest in their activities and is emotionally removed every time she tries to interact. And when she does not want to do something, you can basically assume that she will not do it. She most certainly belongs more by herself, with her animals or with the supernaturals who she can be herself with. Ember has so much potential that I can't wait to see what she will be capable of next.

Finally, a supernatural story to immerse myself into and thoroughly enjoy! Karen Ann Hopkins has come up with some very unique characters - angels and demons, like no other!I couldn't help but find a few Twilight similarities, with the exception that Ember is already a supernatural, and that there is definitely no love-triangle in this story; the insta-love and precautions to it are there, the setting and the 'evil-doers' are all quite relatable. However, the main plot to the story is different, unique and very interesting...After the tragic loss of her parents, Ember is sent to go stay with her "Aunt" Ila on a somewhat remote mountain in Tennessee. Having no choice but to go, Ember quickly realizes that this is exactly where she needs to be right now. Ila has answers that have been plaguing Ember for months now. And as she learns about her true nature and all of the overwhelming information that goes along with it, Ember never falters and continues to learn and strive.Ember is a Watcher.A Watcher is a descendent of angels. Each Watcher has their own kind of elemental power; sometimes being able to control more than one element. And even without any knowledge or proper training, Ember is a very, very strong Watcher. She must reign in her power or risk being consumed by it. And of course, through it all, she must also continue to integrate with the local humans and must forgo home-school and start public school as soon as possible.And this is where she meets Ivan... a Growler.Which then leads her to meet, Sawyer... a Demon.Out of curiosity for one another, this trio quickly become friends. And soon find out that the end of the world is almost here and that they are all about to enter a war... Good vs. Evil. And know one knows where their loyalties will lie.The author really impressed me with all of the details, small and large! Every single mention of any sort of being, setting, behavior, etc. is important. The world-building and character growth is compelling, unique and mesmerizing. Do not dismiss anything, or you may miss something important. The Watchers history, is so intriguing. The pacing of the story is crucial, the book starts slow and steady - there is a lot of information to take in. And as we learn and grow right along with our main characters, the story starts to pick up and move along at a good page-turning pace. What I really enjoyed the most is that what you see is never all that you are going to get. There are so many grey-areas within each character, you're always left in suspense as to what they may or may not do.EMBERS sets us up for what is going to be a captivating and thrilling series. There are so many different ways that the story can go. I am really, really looking forward to watching Ember grow and move on with her story.

Filled with cliches and one dimensional characters. Ember was strong and capable during most of the story EXCEPT when a distressed damsel was needed to move the plot along. She gained control over her powers unbelievably easily. The interaction between Ember and Sawyer was juvenile and tedious. Two stars for a good idea, but execution was sorely lacking.

I did not expect to become as involved in this story as I did, I only purchased as a back up for a journey. Throughly engrossed from the beginning. Some annoying teenage angst but not too much! Twists and turns and more violence than I expected..meshing with romance - which was certainly not overly sweet, Looking forward to the next book and seeing more character development.

This was very enjoyable as a start to a series. It came to a satisfying conclusion. I preferred the supernatural chapters to the ones where she was in high school etc.

Great characters. Good plot. Cannot wait to read the sequel. The ending left me anticipating where Ember will go next to train with this mysterious guy and I'm glad her and Sawyer were okay. It was kinda sad but it was needed so that it wasn't a happy ending.

I so enjoyed this unique story and immediately downloaded the next instalment. As a regular reader of fantasy fiction, it is sometimes difficult to find a new spin within the genre. Well done on a great novel. I will definitely be reading more of your books soon.

Fantastic read. Loved how the drama built up. It was easy to follow the characters and who they were. Im glad the love between sawyer and ember was pretty much there from the start instead of these typical love stories where it takes nearly a whole book for them to get together. Cant wait for the next book I will definetly be purchasing. Well written too!!!!!

Good read.. Leisure time read only. Fiction.lGood read.. Leisure time read only. FictionGood good read.. Leisure time read only. Fiction

Really enjoyed this and felt it offered something a little different to these kinds of stories. Not sure about the main character though. Feel like I should love her but...Don't. Check it out.

A great read with likable characters and went straight on to the next in the series. A good tale with a fresh look at angels.

Very enjoyable story, looking forward to the next book in the series.

Brilliant so far. But not finished yet....

Good reading and exciting from very beginning, a little weak in some places and predictable but nevertheless a good read. Great

Can not wait for the rest of the series. Hope they are released very quickly! And are as intriguing as book 1

"Embers" the first book in the "Wings of War" series is a blend of the paranormal, adventure, and romance that begins with the mysterious murder of three men while roaming the forest behind a massive wooden wall along a road in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.Following the death of her parents in a fiery car crash and the abuse of her aunt's boyfriend Ember O'Meara flees Ohio to the home of her Aunt Ila where she learns of her lineage and powers as a descendant of an arch angel. While training as a Watcher she strikes up a friendship with two teens living in the walled compound on the mountain- one a spawn of Lucifer, the other a shape-shifter. But as romance blossoms with Sawyer one of the teenagers, Garrett Hammond the leader of the Demons gives his people free license to take the souls of the young people in the town. When friends of hers are killed Ember turns her fire against the compound and the evil that wants to rule the world, only to discover her destiny in the process.Karen Ann Hopkins creates a world filled with paranormal beings, good and evil. The Watchers, descendants of angels are gifted with elemental powers; their strength determined by the number they control. Of the other types of creatures, demons with their cravings for souls live in the shadows taking sustenance from the depraved or insignificant in society while neutral beings blend in with the populace, living as humans. As the end of days approaches the balance between good and evil shifts especially when Garrett Hammond gives his Demons free rein to begin harvesting souls from the town's young and only Watchers who are few in number can save humanity.The atmosphere of the plot gets steadily darker even as the bond of friendship strengthens between Ember, the Demon Sawyer and Ivan. As the trio's friendship grows, the chemistry between Ember and Sawyer flares, growing in intensity. For a seventeen year old girl who never had a boyfriend it did seem strange that Emma's drawn romantically to Sawyer a hot-tempered, jealous Demon and that the personable and considerate football player Daxon Preston wasn't even a contender for her affections, although it does allude to their unmistakable chemistry.Skilfully the story builds suspense and intensity when Emma integrates into the student culture at Laurel County High School becoming friends with several of the students. It's this friendship that's a catalyst in the formidable events that follow the killings at a bonfire at the bottom of the mountain. With a story that progresses steadily towards an explosive ending, the action and thrills never stop.Emma O'Meara is the smart, standoffish teen who's stubborn and strong-willed. Under the influence of her Aunt, her friends at high school, Ivan and Sawyer she discovers the love and friendship that she once denied herself. As a Demon Sawyer McCrae is a blend of predatory spirit and a gentleness that abhors the violence attached to stealing souls. He appears arrogant and smug hiding a sadness and loneliness. Ivan is a fourteen year old shape-shifter who's sharp, intelligent and observant; a Growler who trusts and is loyal to his two friends. These characters and antagonists like Garrett Hammond, the calm, rational but unpredictable head of the compound add drama, excitement and power to this captivating and thrilling apocalyptic tale.I enjoyed "Embers" which I suspect will only get better as the rapture approaches and Emma's fate is tied indelibly to saving humanity.

I will leave the synopses to those who have already offered them. The stars I've given this book are well earned: the story is interesting, inventive, and obviously the product of a rich and creative mind.My one complaint is the usual one for self-published books: why on earth don't these authors go to the trouble of hiring a good copy editor before they rush to publish? Although this story rises above its editing failures, it would be so much more enjoyable for those of us who love reading interesting, well-written and WELL-EDITED books, if we didn't have to stumble over errors that a professional copy editor could get rid of in no time.With many self-published ebooks, I quickly tire of wading through the huge number of egregious textual errors; I jettison the book, never to read another word by that author again...and I'm a prolific reader, downloading literally hundreds of ebooks in the course of a year. The fact that I finished reading this one is proof of the interest it held for me.Some self-published books are a disgrace to the written word. This one is not, but one more go-through with either a professional editor or a copy of Mignon Fogarty's excellent book, "Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing," would have made it a complete winner.Ms Hopkins, if you value the time and energy you put into your writing, Google "Mignon Fogarty" or find the book I mentioned here on Amazon. Trust me, it's worth it!

I love the mythos of Angels and Demons. I enjoy each author's interpration.Ember is a strong character with her abilities both good and bad. No sparkly vampires any where.This book took me awhile to read sure to the similarities to Twilight which I hated. Bella was a whiney girl with no personality.