Celeste Garrett is a conduit of a Gryphon. Protected by and working with, her brother Gabe, who can take the form of a lion, and her sister Kendall, who has wings, a supportive grandmother and a spirit guide who takes the form of a bird, Celeste is busy keeping the world safe while pretending to be normal and dealing with usual life issues – like sibling rivalry, raging hormones, peer pressure, figuring out who are her friends and the demon armies that are forming to get rid of Celeste.
The second in the Gryphon series, EMBRACE brings together a spunky protagonist, issues in young adulthood and aspects of the paranormal in a refreshingly energetic and blithe, almost cheeky manner for example when Celeste catches her brother making out with the Spirit Guide. Celeste asks her brother: “How could this happen? Why would this happen? Gabe, she’s three hundred years old! Ad not even human! I know this is a small town, but come on!”
Celeste is a well-rounded character and a spunky, sassy protagonist. Though she is a superhero, she commands compassion because she is so human and vulnerable, flawed and weak in spite of super powers. She has the demands of a job, sibling feuds, family issues and the weight of the world on her shoulders.
Author Stacey Rourke maintains a nice flow between dialogue and narrative, also including some sensual detail without getting too graphic, which also helps keep the plot moving. The tongue in cheek exposition keeps the story light but is also balanced well with tension and suspense, for example as Celeste anticipates a confrontation: “Every shift that ended without the spontaneous eruption of violence, I considered a win. But I didn’t let that lure me into a false [sense] of security. Sooner or later my calling would follow me here.” Also, Rourke sets up confrontations and plays out the action scenes to provide a climatic conclusion . . . . and cliffhanger for the next book in the series.
EMBRACE is a flippant, humorous and adventure-filled alternative for the young adult who wants a paranormal read without the heavy and sinister darkness.
Reviewed by Maya Fleischmann for IndieReader