*Book Review* Infinite by Erica Crouch (Young Adult)

Series: Ignite # 3
Publisher: Patchwork Press
Released: June 16, 2015
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: E-galley, 291 pages  
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

There are infinite ways to die, and the fates are calling for blood. After evading Azael since her betrayal, it’s finally time for Pen to stop running and face her desperate brother. But she won’t have to challenge him alone: the rebel army of New Genesis is ready to stand strong and fight to secure the future they believe in. 

As Azael spirals deeper and deeper into darkness, and Pen grapples with her new leadership role, a familiar name rises to power whose decisions have the potential to rewrite everyone’s future. Dangerous secrets, silent traitors, and unraveling fates means that time is running out. There’s no telling who will survive the final battle.

In this thrilling conclusion to the Ignite series, Pen and Azael return to finish what they started over a millennia ago.

Infinite is the final installment of the Ignite trilogy by Erica Crouch. I had a bit of difficulty in putting together my thoughts for this book, but it finally all came together late Sunday evening. No, I didn't hate the book. In fact, the ending was really good, and emotional, and leaves you with plenty of feelings long after you've read the last sentence. I liked how different aspects of this series were finally revealed, but left a sense that not everything is right in the world, and there's always room for more story.  

The part that diverted me off the tracks was Lilith's narrative. Boy did Crouch go dark with this character. I'm not saying that the rest of the series didn't border on the macabre or had moments of bloodshed, but once you start getting inside of Lilith's head, and her desires, you really have to shake yourself from being lured straight down into Hell itself. I actually found myself wondering why Crouch spent so much time with Lilith while Penn and Azael were working things out with their respective sides. Then after pausing a few days before writing this, I could actually see her point. I hope others do as well.

Pen and Azael and Michael will finally get their chance to meet on the battle field. Will anyone survive the encounter, or will someone else interfere? Will Michael get his soul back from Azael and have his happy ending, or will Azael get his revenge on the Angel who swayed his sister to the light? I never expected Crouch to throw me for a loop by how she wraps up the twins conflict. I can't imagine going through what Pen had to do, or how far Azael allowed himself to spiral out of control because of his jealously and anger. I do think it was the perfect way to end things. One must make hard choices before moving on with their lives. 

Of course, the main part of this story is the war between Heaven, Hell, and the New Genesis rebels who have both angels and demons fighting alongside. With Pen and Michael as members of this group, there is hope that eventual changes will take place in Heaven. Changes that Pen and Michael have talked about since the very first book when Pen discovered that she hadn't fallen into complete darkness like Azael had. I liked that Michael allowed Pen to feel something for the first time since she fell. I like that she has allies she can count on, and not just Michael by her side.

I give Crouch credit. When she wrote about the war between the sides, she didn't hold anything back. Friends die. That's actually what happens during a real war situation. It's not anything like what's depicted on TV, or in the Movies. There are always consequences when two powerful sides go head to head with the entire world at stake. I do think that there could have been more fight scenes had a chapter or two of Lilith's been diverted. I do think that there could have been some awesome aerial action scenes as well. After all, the Angels and Demons both had WINGS!

Overall, the Ignite series was an entertaining read with plenty of action, plenty of romance, and plenty of twists that you definitely won't see coming. If you like Angels v Demons, and Good v Evil, then you will enjoy Crouch's world, and her characters.

**I received this book for free from (Patchwork Press) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review**

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*Book Review* Ignite (Ignite #1) by Erica Crouch

Series: Ignite # 1
Published by Patchwork Press
Released: June 11th 2013
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book, 346 pages
Genre* Young Adult, Paranormal

*Blurb*

Penemuel (Pen) fell from grace over a millennium ago, yet there are still times she questions her decision to follow her twin brother, Azael, to Hell. Now that the archangel Michael has returned, threatening Lucifer’s vie for the throne, she begins questioning everything she has always believed. 

As Hell prepares for war - spreading a demonic virus and pilfering innocent souls to build an army - the lines separating the worlds blur. Fates erase and the future is left unwritten. Azael is determined that he and his sister will continue to serve as demons together, but for the first time in her life, Pen is not ruled by destiny. She has the freedom of choice. 

With choice comes sacrifice, and Pen must decide which side she’s willing to risk everything fighting for: the light, or the dark.

*My Thoughts*

Ignite is the first book in Erica Crouch's Ignite trilogy. The story is told in the first person narrative by Penemuel (Pen) who fell from grace along with her brother Azael. As a team that is nearly inseparable, Pen does most of the killing, while Az reaps the souls of the dead. Pen and Az's partnership has remained fairly constant for a millennium. They truly are Lucifer's soldiers of death and destruction.

After a dark and bloody beginning to Ignite, Crouch gives readers a breath of air by introducing the Archangel Michael who has no memories of his former self, and was presumed to have been killed. His arrival starts Pen on a path to question everything she's ever done, including willingly separating herself from Heaven, and following Azael. She's given a specific mission from her boss: kill Michael or sway him to join Lucifer in his pending war against Heaven. Penemuel is soon forced to choose between heaven and hell, light and dark, whereas Azael takes to being a demon like a duck to water, while Michael's return isn't necessarily a good thing.

Pen is such a breath of fresh air for me in comparison to more recent novels and so called heroines. Pen is a villain. She's done despicable and awful things to maintain her position in Hell while trying not to end up being tortured over and over again for centuries. Crouch writes her as the Demon who gave the written word to humans. She loves poetry, a lot. She really doesn't need Az to protect her, nor does she shy away from killing anyone who try to harm her. What Pen is not a human turned angel, nor a human that learns her mother, or sperm donor father was an evil angel.

One of the more interesting aspects of Ignite, is that Crouch gives Azael the final say, and man, I can't wait to read Incite to find out what happens next. You could say that this is a book about the apocalypse, and the war between Heaven and Hell. You could also say that this is a bit of a romance novel that finds two entirely different characters, Pen and Michael, finding their way through hard choices in order to find common ground. Not unlike Romeo and Juliet.

In the end, I really liked Michael. I liked that he had to find his own way in the world, and found someone he could fight alongside in Pen, and not someone out to kill him. I liked how he is more innocent than an Angel of his stature would be. My only real complaints about this story is that there is a fair share of repetitiveness. Not sure if that was intentional, but I do believe parts of the story could have been edited out. No worries, I just requested Incite, and hopefully will be reading that soon!

**I received this book for free from (Patchwork Press) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**