DNF @ 20%

I was really excited to read this one due to the hype surrounding it, badly sadly it wasn't for me. I wasn't enjoying the writing, which in turn made it hard for me to connect with the characters and get invested in to the plot. I tried to push through, but by 20% I realised it was putting me in to a reading slump and it just wasn't for me, so I dnf'ed.

I really enjoyed this book! Especially the ending cliffhanger that made me scream NO WAY! I really enjoyed Harley's relationship with her sister Ray and I LOVE Draven! I also liked the references to the bible and the twist the author made to it to make it more original.

While the year is semi-young, not quite half-there, Molly E. Lee has scored my vote for best young adult paranormal with Ember of Night, a fascinating tale of familial relationships, good and evil, and demons that had me swishing pages as fast as I could.

I am not one to read stories of abuse of any kind, but after reading Lee’s Ask Me Anything (see this review) a couple of years ago and loving it, I felt like I was in safe hands. And I was. There is physical abuse on these pages, a father beating his daughter, and it is disturbing, but there is also Harley the heroine who will do anything, even take a beating for her beloved sister Ray. But, I, the reader, felt that with each beating, Harley was growing immensely stronger, empowered. I felt that there was going to be a stronger reality for her. In many ways, she reminded me of Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer who might take a fist to the face but would taunt and gesture her attacker closer and we knew at the end that Buffy would dominate. I felt that way about the amazing Harley. There is something about Harley’s indomitable spirit that makes this story beyond palatable. We know she will rise and be glorious.

While Harley, because of her father, doesn’t think much of herself, she is an incredible heroine. She works at a sandwich shop when a new boy, Draven, shows up. At first, she thinks he’s full of himself but then she begins to like him. And the reader does too. He is kind to Ray, even putting back together the drawing Ray had done that her father had ripped apart earlier. He talks to Ray and makes her feel special, which makes Harley like him all the more.

But, of course, there’s more here than meets the eye. Harley’s best friend, Kai, warns her against Draven, and, in turn, Draven warns her against Kai. As the days go on and bad things begin to happen, Harley’s trust in Draven grows.

I thought this was an amazing paranormal by Molly E. Lee. I almost literally couldn’t put this book down. Harley and Draven are so very likable. Lee obviously has a knack for creating likable characters. I loved their interactions.

This book hit all of the emotions, made me laugh when Harley realized how old the guy she had just made out with was, made me sad, fearful, and thrilled. This one did end on a semi-cliff-hanger, which I’m never fond of but here I didn’t mind, well, except for the fact that I have to wait–for just how long?–to find out what happens next.

Wow, great book.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Demons. Demons. Demons. All clamoring to open the gates of hell and somehow, Harley, a scrappy little nobody is drawn into the fight.

Harley has had a rough life, this novel deals with the real impact of domestic abuse and poverty on a teen’s life intertwined with some serious fantasy evil. There are not too many happy moments for Harley as she tries to protect her little sister. The abuse here is hard to read but it does serve the story and highlight the truth many children face.

I enjoyed the mixing of real life and fantasy in this one. It follows the typical YA trope of the hot mysterious stranger that Harley can’t resist but also seems to always be around when trouble goes down. There are some serious eye roll moments around the insta-love and love triangle best friend who can’t deal. Some sexy time but for the most part it remains PG-13.

There are some lovely quotables about finding your power and being strong in the face of hardship. And while there was a solid ending, there was a last page reveal a la The Prison Healer which hints at some awesomeness in the second book.

Thanks to Entangled Teen for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Before reading this book make sure that you read the trigger warnings. If you are set off by certain topics please be aware before diving into this read.

This novel is a wonderful story of a girl (Harley) coming of age and discovering she is not as normal as she once thought. Harley has spent her life working herself to the bone to provide for her and her little sister, Ray. Her father was abusive towards her and she would always step in to protect Ray as well. She had reached a point where she saw light at the end of a long dark tunnel, she was almost eighteen. She had plans to get her and her sister away from her abusive Dad but like all good plans it fell apart. As Harley began to realize that she was not at all human she met a guy at work named Draven. Draven has secrets of his own and he is as mysterious as they come. Harley's best friend, Kai, is in and out as he travels a lot and Harley feels she has no one to talk to that is going to be able to help her figure out what is going on with her body. Harley quickly learns that things are not at all as they seem and there are real live beings that go bump in the night.

Lee's story shows Harley learning more about herself and the truth that has been hidden for years. Lee develops characters that intrigue the reader and makes them want to read quickly to find out what happens next. The story's climax and resolution leaves the reader on the edge of their seat in anticipation of what will happen next. Character flaws are very real to me in this book. Harley at times is irritating and it is hard to find true empathy for her. Draven is abrupt and a little unlikeable as a main character love interest. Two secondary characters to the storyline Ray and Nathan add a touch of humanity and kindness to a relatively dark story.

The epilogue leaves the reader with many questions about where the story is headed. I have to admit, I was a little put off with the epilogue as a reader. What is revealed there takes the story in a unexpected direction, one I am not sure I am comfortable with reading as it sounds very far fetched even for a fantasy fiction book. I will leave you to decide for yourself. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys angels and demons and/or urban fantasy. To me the age range for the ideal reader would be fifteen and older.

"Even an ember of night can be a beacon in the darkness." ~ Draven, Ember of Night

Why do authors write such amazing books, then make us wait for a sequel? It's not fair!

Fans of The Hunger Games and Crave will absolutely love this start of the series. This book to put it simple was pretty amazing. I fell in love with it from the first page and I held my love all the way through. There were times when it was shaking due to there being little to nothing happening at parts, but all loves are shaking at times.

The character development of this book was immaculate. Harley goes from this introvert who had one friend and didn't care for others to a strong independent character who was open to love from others. She evolved so much in the book that it was like watching her grow up.

One of my favorite parts of the book was that Harley is actually taught to fight rather than just being amazing at fighting after two days. Ember of Night really stands out in this category because in most YAs, the main usually is just suddenly great at fighting. Another thing that makes Ember of Night amazing is Ray and Harley's relationship. Harley is willing to get hit over and over again in hopes of Ray not getting hit. She does everything she can for her sister, including paying for everything Ray needs. She is a real inspiration.

Now let's move onto the romance. You have the classic of the boy is the savior but with a twist, she doesn't need it and he really wasn't supposed to save. Draven is such a complex character that I feel we could have a whole other book on just his past. He fits Harley so perfectly and it feels like they are soulmates. I did feel like they moved a little fast but not too inappropriately. Instant attraction, you know.

Now my favorite part had to be the ending. Molly E. Lee's ending was a cliffhanger but it wrapped up the book perfectly. It made me satisfied but I still wanted more. The last line left me shook and I still think about it. Such a perfect way to end it.

Overall, I am pretty in love with this book. The plot was great, the character development was fantastic and there were hot guys, which is a fabulous combination. Ember of Night is a definite must read for the summer.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Parental Abuse, alcoholism and death

**Thank you to Entangled Teen for sending me an ARC copy.**

Let me start off by saying that this book has some trigger warnings, and you should absolutely pay attention to them. I really appreciated reading them before I got into the book, and they made my experience of reading much more enjoyable. So, I will reproduce them here for you.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Parental abuse, alcoholism, death and physical abuse.

Ember of Night caught my attention from the description, held my attention all throughout, and then, after a hell of an ending, has managed to retain my attention long after I put the book down. I’m literally still thinking about it. I’ve concocted 57 different possibilities as to what comes next. I would really appreciate if someone wrote me fic, or meta, or just …discussed this book with me. Because, yes, I am absolutely in love with Ember of Night, and I cannot wait to read more of Molly E. Lee, especially more in this universe. Preferably like, soon.
I have a younger sister, so I admit I feel hook, line and sinker for the sisterly bond this story starts with and uses as foundation for so much of what happens later. One of the reasons I did, though, is that that there was enough there for me to see myself reflected in the personalities, even though this isn’t exactly a book where I would say I felt like I was one character and they were me. But that doesn’t really matter, good writing isn’t about seeing yourself 100% in a character, but about finding things about them that are relatable.
Plus, did I mention this is a very good break from the typical supernatural-means-vampires thing we’d sort of been stuck in?
As someone who is typically more about the characters than the plot, this book had me right from the start. Doesn’t mean the plot is lackluster, there are some fun twists and the last ¼ of the book is impossible to put down, but the characters truly shine above everything. They feel real, and though this is very much paranormal YA, there’s never a moment where I felt like it was too weird for me to believe the characterization, or the decisions these people are making because of the plot. If anything, the plot works because the characters work, which is literally the biggest compliment in my book.
The worldbuilding is also really good, and kinda subtle in a way. I’m not big on books that want to give me too many explanations straight off the bat, unless those are done well, and this book did a great job of sprinkling information I would need into character moments, so by the time I needed to know some things, it was all already out, but I never felt like it was preaching, or that I had to put up with pages and pages of exposition.
Looking at you, Tolkien.
But you wanna know what really, really made this book click for me? There’s a lot to love about the book, about the universe, and about the characters, but perhaps the thing that made it all work, that elevated this book from good to outstanding, was the humor. It’s a bit dark at times – okay, a lot dark, but I laughed. And laughed. More than once I even put down the book so I could enjoy a joke, and yes, went back and re-read a few lines before continuing.
The power dynamics in the book, ship wise, weren’t my favorite, but they didn’t cross into omg I can’t stand this and need to stop reading, which I appreciated. Hopefully if – when – we get more, there’ll be a lot more attention paid to the fact that a teen shouldn’t have to bear the burden of staying away from an immortal. But I enjoyed the characters enough to give them a chance to do more in the future, and I am really excited to see what else this universe has to offer.

"Just because something is damaged doesn't mean it isn't beautiful. All things have value. Don't let anyone tell you differently." 

*
Wow. When I started reading this book, I wasn’t completely sure what I should expect, but I was hooked from the very first chapter. Molly E. Lee, you’ve got yourself a loyal reader. 

*
The Ember of Night is a unique and spellbinding fantasy containing slow-burning romance, morally grey characters, fast-paced storyline, and an overall delightful read. I immediately fell in love with Harley and her little sister and was desperately shipping her and Draven from the moment I met him (because who doesn’t love a brooding, mysterious guy?).

Also, in no way did I see the ending coming! One of my favorite cliffhangers!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for providing a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

*This review is posted on my Bookstagram (@maries_shelf), Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

There is so much I could say about this book and honestly, there are no words that could give this book justice. Molly E Lee gave us something unique, spellbinding and mind blowing that I could not put it down once I started. It is unique and riveting, it is darker, has twists and so much more! I could not get enough. I had to buy a copy for my daughter and she is currently devouring it too! I cannot wait for more!

This was a 5* keeper for me. Slow burn romance with a brooding guy? Check. Lots of action. Check. Lovable characters? Check. Mystery? Check. This one hits all the right spots for a great read. Steady paced story with parts that are full of action and detailed fight scenes. Great relationship development between Harley and Draven. While this book fills us in on bits of the mystery there is still much to be discovered and it does end on a cliffhanger. Can't wait for the next!

Molly E. Lee has been on my reading wishlist for a while now. In fact, I have a couple of her books. However, Ember of Night, her first YA paranormal romance is the one that finally introduced me to Molly’s work.

From the cover to the blurb, I was intrigued by Ember of Night. I honestly had no idea what to expect. Harley Ward is the heroine of the story. She’s physically, emotionally, and verbally abused by her father. These abuses are actually described and done in real-time throughout the story, occurring almost nightly. For the last five years, Harley has worked for a man named Nathan at Miller’s Deli. Any money she’s earned has been used to pay rent to her father and on little splurges of food, entertainment, and art supplies for her seven-year-old sister Ray. Whatever money she has left is saved so that when she turns eighteen she can get her own apartment and move out, hopefully with Ray.

Harley’s life is far from perfect and it definitely isn’t easy. She’s a week away from her eighteenth birthday and her chaotic life is about to get turned upside down. It starts with Draven, the guy she meets and dances with at a concert. He then becomes her new co-worker at the deli. The two have this push and pull connection. Draven has Harley pegged and it scares her. But she also sees bits of herself in him. Harley’s best friend Kai seems to be leary of Draven and thinks she should stay away from the guy.

“I’d give anything to get into a freak accident and then suddenly have the power to destroy my enemies.” Be careful what you wish for. As Harley’s birthday gets closer she finds herself being attacked by demons of all things, and thrust into a world she didn’t know existed. Through all the fights, Harley knows two things: 1) she must protect Ray, Nathan, and Kai at all costs, and 2) Draven knows more than he’s telling her. “Even an ember of night can be a beacon in the darkness.” All her life, Harley has thought of herself as being a nobody. Someone who is unimportant and weak. “My whole life I’ve been beaten down. Everyone treating me like I’m a weed. An ugly thing that didn’t belong, but you know what weeds do?” They thrive when no one is watching. Harley is everything. She’s brave, sassy, loving, and caring. She doesn’t back down. Harley doesn’t know it yet, but she’s set to become a key player in saving the world.

Ember of Night was such an engrossing story. Outside of all the abuse that Harley endured, I loved this book. The story is told in first person, from Harley’s viewpoint. As a reader, I think this helps to truly visualize what’s happening. Harley and Draven are great characters that you immediately find yourself rooting for. Their banter is fun and their chemistry is off the charts. Ray will steal your heart with her innocence that only a child can possess, while at the same time showing wisdom and understanding beyond her years. Ember of Night will take you on a wild, emotional ride, where you don’t know exactly who you can trust. Danger is always lurking in the shadows. I was on the edge of my seat more times than I can count. I loved the shock and awe of the final chapter when everything became crystal clear. The ending was perfect and left me wanting more. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.

~ Favorite Quotes ~

“True friendship is often the basis for deeper love.”

“First impressions should be trusted.”

“People usually tell you more of who they are in those initial few moments of meeting them than they do in an entire lifetime afterward.”

“Trust is both a gift and a curse. Heady in the right hands and a weapon in others.”

“Everything you need to know about anyone can be found in their eyes. In the moments when they think no one is looking.”

“Just because something is damaged doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful. All things have value. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

“Listen to your instincts.”

“We can’t let fear steal your chance at living.”

“You are what you decide to be.”

“You’re stronger than you know.”

DNF 45%
I like this author’s work and I really wanted to like this book, but it didn’t happen.
The plot and the concept are interesting but in my opinion, the execution wasn’t the best. I couldn’t connect with the writing and the narrative, too many repetitions, and the prologue didn’t add or bring anything to the story, it seemed more like part of chapter 1.
The characters are unlikable, Harley doesn’t have a good Arc and Draven is a little annoying, besides their passive-aggressive relationship didn’t work for me.
Also, there is the abuse aspect. Yes, there is a WT at the beginning of the book, but I believe that a story can content abuse without unnecessary descriptions, besides it’s a sensitive issue for young people, and I don’t think it was handled properly. From the beginning, we have people witnessing abuse and they don’t do anything, which in reality that can happen but let face it, we are talking here about a book that supposes to make things better.
Anyway, unfortunately, I could connect with the story, that’s why I couldn’t finish it.

Ember of Night was a cover read for me. The cover is stunning. The story follows Harley, a girl who grew up with an abusive, alcoholic dad. She’s been waiting for her eighteenth birthday for years, and now it’s just a few days away. When a stranger appears and tells her she’s in danger of unleashing Hell on earth, she’s a little bit skeptical.

The plot is definitely fast-paced. The characters weren’t that great, and the abuse and cruelty in this book was just too much for me. The main character constantly demeans herself, and the story just felt like too many things bundled into one book.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion

I really enjoyed this book. The world building and relationships were well done. I love that it was hard to put down because I wanted to keep going. I also have to say that I love when I am surprised at the end of a book, and the ending was so unexpected and intriguing that I can’t wait to see where this series goes.

Ember of Night is comprised of trope after trope. Not that I don't enjoy tropes, though I wish it had spun a different tale or twist. I feel like I've read this book a thousand times before. It was also a little unrealistic with the younger sister speaking so formally and being an artistic genius, as well as Harley making enough money for an apartment and to pay rent to her father. Besides that, Harley is an alright protagonist though Harley and Draven didn't have much of a connection because of the insta-love and lack of characterization. The premise and idea was intriguing, but it falls a little flat.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a paranormal novel, and I liked MC Harley’s voice in the description – determined, stubborn, and protective of her sister.

The way Harley has been treated throughout most of her life – physically and verbally abused by her father – would be enough to shut down almost anyone. But she has her little sister to protect and a plan to get both of them away from their father when Harley turns eighteen. She works for Nathan at his restaurant, and he’s a bright spot both in this novel and in the girls’ lives, offering them food, love, and a safe place to stay when needed. The sister bond between Harley and Ray is also a strong point of the story and the driving force behind most everything Harley does. She’s a survivor.

I’ve never been a fan of insta-love, but that generally comes with the territory in YA paranormal books, and it happens here from nearly the first page. The on-again, off-again, you-should-stay-away-from-me-I’m-dangerous push and pull between Harley and Draven will no doubt delight many readers, but it was the world-building that interested me. Throughout the story it’s evident Harley is something other than human and is only beginning to come into her powers. I liked watching her learn about the fantasy world she’s suddenly a part of – she can roll with the punches both figuratively and literally. Because there are also several exciting fight scenes that are done well.

The ending brings a pretty shocking cliffhanger and lays groundwork for book two. Ember of Night deals with some disturbing topics, and the author gives trigger warnings at the beginning which readers should absolutely take into account before deciding to proceed. Although tropey, this is an engaging read I’d recommend to devoted paranormal fans.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really wanted to like this book. The general plot interested me, but I couldn't quite get into the story. I felt like there was something missing and it didn't capture my attention. The story arc wasn't satisfying and I don't think I will be continuing on with the series. The writing also bothered me. There were quite a few run on sentences and inconsistencies. The dialogue was stilted and I feel that the book would have benefitted from a good edit. I did like the main character's relationship with her sister and boss. I found the relationships endearing.

Dark subject matter. Interesting characters, lots of action, so so slow burn romance, and mystery. Not really sure what I wanted from this book, but big cliffhangers and weird epilogs were not at the top of my list. Decent YA, so the next book will bring more clarification to the "what the heck" at the end. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC from Netgalley.

Many thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for granting my wish to read Ember of Night by Molly E. Lee.
Harley has lived a hard life. While not growing up with much, she also took brutal beatings from their father, so her little sister Ray wouldn’t have to. Now she is days away from 18 and counting down until she can sign a lease on an apartment and get Ray out of that awful situation.

While letting loose for one night of the year, Harley meets a dark and mysterious stranger, who helps her forget a little bit of her life, even if just for a night. Only, he shows up the next day at her work where he was just hired. Coincidence?

Strange things begin happening in Harley’s life and it’s clear that there is more going on than meets the eye. Maybe she is more than meets the eye?

Ember of Night was a fast paced read that did not disappoint. This book answers many of our questions, while leaving the door WIDE open for more in the series. I can’t wait to see how Lee picks up the story with Harley and Draven! (give me book #2 not now, but like right now).

(Originally posted on my Goodreads account). This was such a great read! The world building was phenomenal, the writing was flawless, and the characters were all relatable and entertaining to follow along with. I started this book off as an e-book and finished it after getting a book box from the publisher. I had about 150 pages left and I finished it in one sitting—it was that good!

And the ending! Omg the ending!! It left me wanting MORE!!! I’m feigning for more Molly E. Lee books now!

Thanks to Entangled Teen for the copies of Ember of Night in exchange for an honest review!