As an avid reader and binge book buyer, I can probably get away with saying my 'to be read' pile is the size of Big Ben and ranges from angst filled Young Adult romance to hey-I-have-a-big-knife-and-am-trying-to-survive-the-wilderness dystopian. This month I decided to grab my battle armour and charge head on against the small mountain formed in the corner of my messy bedroom. Tears have been shed and lives (fictional) have been lost, and I have once again discovered a new series which has restored my faith in the genre I have decided to name 'Young Adult Fallen angels with relationship problems and abs of steel'. Welcome to the world of Sweet Evil. You can take your Patch Cipriano, I'll take Kaidan Rowe any day.
Sweet Evil is a book which takes a unique twist on the story of angels and how some of them fell. I have always adored the mythology of Lucifer and his treachery against God, and jump at the chance to read anything to do with it. Sweet Evil centres around the children of demons/fallen angels, the Nephilim. These children are made to help their fathers carry out their immoral duties, and are basically raised to be the people your parents tell you to stay away from. Each Demon is responsible for a deadly sin (the 7 main ones, and then some additional ones). These range from murder and envy to substance abuse and lust. Each child of these demons are expected to help spread around their particular sin, to create misery and pain in the human world.
I loved this book as although its about these bad kids who are only bad because that's all they've ever known, the reality of how certain characters' actions made them feel and affect others is put across well. This book is so true to the heart and made me as angry, hurt and in love as everyone the novel followed.
The romance was hot-diggity-damn-grab-a-fan. Yes, I did just say that, and I am not at all ashamed. Kaidan and Anna's relationship was on point. Sure, Kaidan was a bit self centred at some points, but his protective and brooding nature was absolutely perfect. He was perfect. I love him and can't wait to see how his character changes throughout the series. I seriously need the next two books now.
The last thing I'd like to talk about is the main character, Anna Whitt. Her father is the Demon of substance abuse, and she is the stereotypical Christian good girl. I bawled when they finally met as it was everything a Father and daughter should have. Anna was a little whiny and annoying at the start, but by the last lines I was on my feet applauding her. She never loses her faith in the good, and always tries to see the best in people even when I wouldn't have. Sometimes we need to read about a genuinely nice person to restore our faith in the general good of our race even when things seem so dark and people seem so mean. Books like this are addictive and beautiful. Don't miss out on them.
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
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